Grizzly Flying Free (Air Bear Shifters Book 2) (12 page)

Christmas came and went in a blur. Anderson only bought Silver one present each Christmas. He told Lexi he wanted to teach her to value the spirit of the holiday and the chance to spend time with family and friends. He didn’t want her growing up thinking that Christmas was just another chance to get stuff she wanted. When Anderson told her this, Lexi thought that she would have fallen in love with him right then and there if she hadn’t already done so.

And Lexi did love Anderson. She would have told him, except that she felt foolish saying those three little words so soon after they started dating. But she couldn’t escape the overwhelming way her heart was constantly drawn to him. She kept hoping that he felt the same, and would say the words to her first so that she could repeat them back. But as New Year’s Eve Day approached, and Lexi realized that she was set to fly back to Kodiak in less than a week, Anderson still hadn’t said the words. Lexi told herself to be patient. There was no need to rush things. She knew deep down that they were committed to each other, regardless of whether Anderson told her he loved her or not.

One person who didn’t hold back from saying “I love you” was Silver. As soon as Silver found out that Lexi was dating Anderson, Silver began telling Lexi she loved her. A few days later, Silver started calling Lexi “mom.” At first, Lexi tried to correct Silver and make her realize that Lexi wasn’t exactly her mother and that it was probably better to wait until more time had passed before using that term. But Anderson told Lexi not to worry about it.

“She’s wanted a mother her whole life, and you’ve been more of a mother figure to her than anyone else,” he’d said. “Let her enjoy that. Don’t worry that I’m going to leave you and break your heart and Silver’s heart at the same time. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

So Lexi had let Silver call her “mom.” She’d also dared to allow herself to think of Silver as a daughter. She loved that little girl so much, and the thought that she actually had a chance to be a permanent part of Silver’s life made Lexi’s heart sing with joy.

Lexi spent the last day of the year going to a low-key party at the house of one of Anderson’s best friends, Sawyer. Sawyer was the alpha of the clan, which Lexi learned basically meant he was the leader. Anderson was Sawyer’s right-hand man, and the two worked closely together on both clan business and the tour company. Lexi met Sawyer’s wife, Amanda, who was also a full human. Talking to Amanda helped Lexi feel even more at ease about dating a bear shifter. Amanda assured her that the whole experience had been wonderful, and that it was actually pretty neat to know that your significant other could shift into a bear to protect you at any moment.

Lexi also met Sawyer and Amanda’s daughter, Ella. She didn’t get to hold Ella for very long, though, because Silver hogged the baby the whole day. Silver was a natural with babies, and Lexi couldn’t help but think about what an amazing big sister Silver would make. Or, of course, how fun it would be to have a tiny newborn of her own to share with Anderson and Silver. She didn’t say anything to Anderson, but she hoped the day when they could start trying for a baby wouldn’t be too far off.

After a day of fun and food, Anderson and Lexi headed home. They would celebrate the actual New Year at home, alone, when the clock struck midnight. Sawyer and Amanda didn’t want to wait up, since they had such a young baby. And Silver, despite claiming that she was a big girl and could stay up all night, had fallen fast asleep by the time they arrived back at Anderson’s cabin.

After Anderson carried Silver to her room and tucked her in for the night, he came back to the living room and poured glasses of champagne for himself and Lexi. They toasted each other, then snuggled and laughed for the last few hours until midnight. A few minutes before midnight, Anderson suddenly stood and went to grab something from one of the kitchen drawers. Her curiosity piqued by his abrupt movement, Lexi turned around to watch him.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

Anderson didn’t answer her. Instead, he walked back to the living room and knelt down in front of where she was sitting on the couch. In his hands was a small velvet box. Lexi opened her mouth in shock and covered her face with her hands as Anderson opened the box to reveal a beautiful, sparkling diamond.

“Lexi, I know we haven’t been together that long. But I feel like I’ve known you forever. It was you I’ve been searching for this whole time, and I didn’t even know it. You were the only one who could truly set my heart free, who could give me a reason to love again. You’re beautiful, kind, and inspiring. You love my little girl like she’s your own flesh and blood. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life. I love you, Lexi. Will you take this leap of faith with me? Will you be my lifemate? My wife?”

Lexi felt a rush of joy filling her as she listened to Anderson’s words. Not only did he love her, but he wanted to marry her!

“Yes!” she cried, reaching out to pull him up onto the couch with her. “Yes, yes, yes! Nothing would make me happier.”

She pulled his mouth down to hers, and kissed him. She heard a thud as the box he had been holding dropped to the floor, but she didn’t care. She would look at the ring closer later. Right now, she wanted him. She wanted his lips on her lips—and he was happy to oblige. He pushed her down onto the couch, quickly taking charge as he lay on top of her and held her cheeks in the palms of his hand, kissing her deeply. She reached her arms around and grabbed his ass with her hands, squeezing tight and pulling his groin in toward her. She could already feel his erection through his jeans, stiff and ready for her. She slid her hands to the hem of his t-shirt and pulled it off, groaning as she took in his bare chest and sculpted abs. That sight would never get old. He was a god of a man, strong and sexy, with skin that was somehow tanned to the perfect shade despite the fact that they were in Alaska in the middle of winter.

Not to be outdone, Anderson reached down and pulled Lexi’s shirt off as well, leaving her wearing a shimmering, gold-toned bra. She had picked it out just for the holidays. He smiled affectionately at her.

“Festive,” he said as he reached to unclasp the bra. “But no matter how beautiful your bra is, it just can’t compare to what’s underneath.”

He threw the bra aside, and moved to bring his lips to her nipple, when suddenly she realized that they were about to have sex in the middle of the living room with Silver sleeping just one room over.

“What about Silver?” she asked. “Maybe we should move this little party to the bedroom.”

Anderson chuckled. “Don’t worry, she was out cold. That girl could sleep through a hurricane. Trust me. She won’t be waking up until well past sunrise.”

Reassured, Lexi turned her attention back to undressing Anderson. “Well, in that case, why are you still wearing these jeans?” she asked. She swiftly unbuttoned and unzipped them, but actually pulling them down proved difficult while Anderson was lying on top of her.

“Let me help you out,” he said with a wink. He stood up and quickly kicked off his jeans and briefs, letting his long, thick shaft spring free. It was rock hard, and Lexi felt a thrill of hot excitement run through her knowing that soon it would be inside of her. She could feel the moisture of her excitement spilling out between her legs, and she was suddenly overcome with desire.

“I have to have you, now,” she said, reaching for Anderson’s hand to pull him back down onto her.

He pulled his hand back and held up one finger. “Well, then, you better wait just a second,” he said. “Let me get rid of these for you.”

He quickly unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans and pulled them off, revealing shimmering panties that matched the bra that was now on the floor somewhere in a pile of clothing.

“Such a shame to get rid of these pretty things,” he said. “But they have to go, too.”

He pulled them off, leaving a wet trail of Lexi’s juices down her legs as he pulled off the garment that was soaked with her excitement. He paused to pull off each of her socks as well, leaving her completely naked.

“That’s more like it,” he said, then climbed back onto the couch, his naked body hovering just above hers. “Now, where was I?”

He moved back to kissing her lips for a moment, but quickly moved down to her nipples. He flicked his tongue across first the left one, and then the right one. Then he used his teeth to chew them with just the right amount of pressure to drive Lexi wild. She groaned with pleasure as hot, tingling heat shot from her nipples and radiated out to her entire body. He knew exactly which buttons to push to leave her begging for more, and beg she did.

“Anderson, please,” she panted out. “I need you.”

“You need me?” he asked, sounding pleased. “Like this, you mean?”

With one quick, powerful movement, he slid into her. His rock solid dick pushed far into her body, sliding easily into her wet entrance and making its way so deep that she felt like he was poking through to her stomach. She moaned as the heat in her body now centered at the spot between her legs where he was sliding in and out, causing an intense pressure to build.

“Anderson,” she panted out. It was the only word she could manage to say. She arched her back and squirmed beneath him, trying to relieve the mounting pressure. But there was only one way to find relief, and that was to let go. As he thrust back and forth, Lexi held out as long as she could. But, finally, she gave in and let the waves of passion carry her over the edge. Hot, electric tingles radiated through her entire body as her inner muscles clenched around him over and over, squeezing his dick tighter each time. Lexi closed her eyes and let herself just ride the tsunami as it swept over her. She had never known a bliss like this before. The intensity quite literally took her breath away, and she found herself gasping for air.

Anderson followed quickly behind her. He let out a low growl before thrusting one more time and then stiffening, letting himself come deep inside of her. Lexi could feel the pulsing of his dick against the pulsing of her own body, and she sighed happily as the waves slowly calmed and then subsided. They lay there together for several minutes, sweaty and happy and just enjoying being close to each other.

“Oh shit,” Lexi said suddenly, raising her arm to look at her watch. “I think we missed midnight.”

Anderson smiled. “I think it was worth it, don’t you?”

Then he reached down and grabbed the small ring box that had fallen beside the couch. He pulled the beautiful, sparkling stone and held it up for Lexi to see. Even in the dim light from the fireplace, the ring shone brilliantly.

“It’s beautiful,” Lexi said.

“Just like you,” Anderson said, slipping the ring onto her finger. “Just like you.”

The next few months flew by in a whirlwind. Lexi and Anderson didn’t want to wait long to start their new life together as husband and wife, so they planned a wedding for the middle of March. The ceremony would be small—the only guests would be Auntie Grace, Sawyer, Amanda, and Chance. Chance was Anderson’s friend who had moved to California the year before, but he happily flew back to Alaska for the wedding. And, of course, Silver and baby Ella would be there. Amanda, who was quickly becoming one of Lexi’s best friends, would serve as the maid of honor. Chance would be Anderson’s best man, and Sawyer would officiate the ceremony.

After discussing how to make their marriage work with Lexi’s dance studio being in Kodiak, Anderson came up with a plan that seemed to work. Lexi would teach dance in Frost Peak during the winter. There were several children in the shifter community interested in ballet, and Lexi didn’t mind taking a break from Kodiak for a while. In the summer, she would continue to hold dance camps in Kodiak. Anderson was so busy in the summer with the tour company that he wasn’t home much, anyway. When he did have days off, he could easily fly to Kodiak to be with Lexi and Silver. Silver, of course, was overwhelmed with joy to find that she would get to be Lexi’s assistant at the summer dance camps.

The morning of their wedding, the sun rose high and bright. Although there was still quite a bit of snow around, the air smelled fresh and held the promise of spring. The small ceremony took place at Sawyer’s cabin, which was large and had been decorated beautifully for the occasion. After saying “I do,” Anderson and Lexi shared a first, sweet kiss as husband and wife. Then they joined their friends for a decadent feast of pot roast, wine, and, of course, wedding cake for dessert.

The celebration lasted all day, and late into the night. Lexi smiled happily as she looked around at her new family. She would never have guessed a year ago that she would be here today, in Alaska with her brand new husband, Anderson, beautiful daughter, Silver, and wonderful new friends. Life had thrown her some bumpy curves there for a while, but she couldn’t complain. The road had brought her here, and she had never been happier.

Chance was the first one to leave, saying he needed to get some sleep for the flight back to California in the morning. Lexi joined the others in protesting his departure, but Chance was firm. Lexi hated to see him go already, when she had just had the chance to finally meet him. He was a fun person, and the life of the party in many ways, but Lexi could see the sadness behind his happy exterior.

Later, when they were finally home and sitting on their own couch to decompress from the big day, she brought this up to Anderson. He was sitting a few feet away from her on the couch, and he just shrugged as he looked over at her with a resigned expression on his face.

“Chance has a lot of his own demons to face down. I wish he would move back to Alaska and be around his friends so we could support him, but I guess he needs his space. Sometimes we all do.”

Lexi nodded, not wanting to push the issue further. “Well, I’ll tell you one thing about space,” she said. “I don’t like how much space there is between you and me on the couch right now, Husband.”

Anderson grinned, “Well, Wifey, why don’t we fix that?” he asked. Then he reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her over onto his lap and finding her mouth with his.

Lexi melted into his kiss, thinking for the thousandth time that day how lucky she was, and how much she loved life with her grizzly.

And the best part was, their happily ever after had only just begun.