He was more forceful this time. Have to keep it locked up. Can’t have her see. Have her tainted.
His past would remain in the past. Up here, it was easy to forget. A sheen of cold sweat built up on his forehead.
The dampness of the market basement.
Shuffle of boots behind him.
His eardrums bursting from the boom.
Rubble around him.
Cries.
Blood.
Hours. Days. Slowly dehydrating. Dying.
And then the horrors of what happened after.
A strangled cry fought to escape his throat, and he wrestled it down.
“John? John?”
Deep breaths. Deep breaths. He focused on the beautiful face looking up at him, sparkling pale blue eyes the color of robin’s eggs bringing him back to now. Duchess Forrester. His mate.
“Are you all right?” She reached up to caress his cheek.
He nuzzled at her soft palm. “Am now.”
“You seemed far away.”
Very far. Halfway around the world, in another life.
He cleared his throat. “Are you hungry?” Hours had passed since their last meal. After breakfast—which had been closer to lunchtime—and their nap, he woke up her up again for another round of fucking. After feasting on her sweet little pussy, he hauled her up, and she rode him until they were both panting from earth-shaking orgasms. Jesus, he didn’t need food—he could eat her all day.
“I put breakfast away,” she said with a delicate yawn. “We can heat it up.” She stretched her arms over her head and sat up, pulling his shirt around her body.
Though he didn’t like that she covered up those lovely large tits, he did like seeing his clothes on her. The name on the right side of the uniform shirt had faded away long ago, but the idea of having his mark on her like that made him rumble in pleasure. That and his other marks on her, especially the traces of him between her legs.
“I’d really like a shower.” Her pert little nose wrinkled. “I’m sure I could use one.”
He shook his head, then pulled her down to him, making her squeal in surprise. “You smell fine.” Pressing his nose to the side of her neck, he inhaled. She smelled like him. He liked that. Having her wash it away did not please him.
She laughed. “John, seriously. I haven’t taken a bath in over a day. I love bubble baths, and I could spend hours in one, but we probably don’t have that luxury up here. Is there enough power for a hot shower? Even for just a minute. I don’t want to use up what we have left.”
His mate seemed really keen on a shower, and he supposed she was used to luxuries like unlimited hot water. “It’s fine. Use what you want.” A thousand cold showers would be worth it to make her feel more at home here.
She rewarded him with a kiss to the nose. “Great.” Slipping out of bed, she bounded into the bathroom.
Rolling onto his stomach, he pressed his face to the pillow, inhaling her scent, then continued off the bed. His feet landed on the hardwood floor with a loud thud.
His inner bear let out a guttural sound. Seeing as Dutchy wasn’t in the room, he allowed it. But he warned his animal to behave.
Padding over to the kitchen, he took the platters of food from the refrigerator and shoved them into the oven. The wood fire oven served as the only source of heat in the cabin, and the embers were nearly dying. As he strode over to the pile of wood in the corner, his gaze locked on the CB radio on the desk beside the firewood.
Should check into HQ. No doubt the storm had caught them by surprise too. But then that meant they were probably slammed down there. There was no need to send someone up here right this moment, not when he and Dutchy were safe inside his cabin.
As he threw the firewood into the oven, he imagined they were all-hands-on-deck down in HQ. The chief was probably directing the rangers, making sure there were no lost hikers or shifters. Garret Simpson would—
No.
Not Simpson. He wasn’t chief anymore. Not since he retired six months ago.
Damon Cooper was boss now. Commander Cooper. Just like old times.
When was the last time his commander had visited? Even if he did remember, he wouldn’t be able to pinpoint the date. Time and days didn’t have any meaning to him. He only knew the passage of time based on the seasons changing.
When the commander found him all those years ago, he’d brought him here, to his hometown.