by Liv Brywood
She dug her nails into his back. He roared and wrapped his teeth around the edge of her shoulder. He didn’t bite, but closed his mouth with enough pressure to send a twinge of anticipation straight to her sex. She’d never wanted anyone the way she wanted him in that moment, and she would have done anything for him.
When he eased back to kiss and suck the side of her neck, she groaned. Every inch of his rigid cock filled her with exquisite satisfaction. She rode an endless tide of all-consuming pleasure until tension coiled from deep within.
Her lips parted.
Her eyes snapped closed.
Her mouth formed an O as a long, silent scream caught in her throat.
Then she exploded around him, pulling him deeper, digging her fingers into the firm muscles along his butt. He surged into her, filling her and retreating over and over until a burst of ecstasy forced her into another mind-shattering orgasm.
He captured her lips and kissed her as he exploded. He buried himself deep inside and filled her with pulses of slick heat. When the last shudder left his body, he collapsed on top of her. He clung to her as if he was afraid she’d get up and walk away. Their ragged breath filled the night as they lay locked together.
“I love you,” he murmured. “God help me, but I do.”
“I…”
She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t say it. If she did, she’d have to figure out a way to make a life with him. She’d have to give up all of her dreams. She’d have to trust Meadow and River not to abandon her brother on their way to Canada. She couldn’t tell Greg how she really felt—it would kill her spirit.
“I need to breathe,” she said.
He rolled onto his side but draped his thigh over hers. He didn’t speak, but she could sense the turmoil in him. They’d worked together in the field long enough that she could read his body language. He didn’t say another word as the stars spun across the sky and the night descended into utter silence.
***
As the first hint of day turned the sky from black to midnight blue, Daisy rose and pulled her clothes on. When she turned back toward Greg, he was blowing out the candles. He quickly dressed, gathered up the blanket and all other evidence that they’d been in the clearing, then started for the edge of the forest.
“Wait,” she said.
“I love you,” he said. “I don’t know what else to do. I can’t stop it. Believe me, I tried.”
He shook his head and pressed his lips together. Her heart broke for him. She’d never wanted to hurt him. She’d never expected that he’d fall in love with her, but he should have known better than to look at her as something more than just a drifter passing through.
They walked back toward the tents in silence. She was so caught up in trying to find a way to stop him from hurting that she almost tripped over her brother.
“What are you doing out here?” Andy asked. When Greg came into view, Andy narrowed his eyes. “Oh.”
“We were just—”
“Save your lies, Daisy. I don’t want to hear them.” Andy zipped his fly and stomped back to his tent.
“I should go,” Greg said.
“I—” She started to speak, but caught Andy’s dirty look.
“I’ll see you later,” Greg said.
After he’d left, Andy walked over to her and grabbed her upper arm.
“I know what you were out there doing,” he snapped.
“Like you’re any better,” she said.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t steal a few kisses from Samantha,” she said.
“I haven’t touched her. She’d too young for me. And stop trying to turn this around on me. That guy is not right for you. His family has a huge stick up their asses. They’re nothing like us. I hope you don’t have any delusional ideas about staying with them,” he said.
“I don’t,” she fired back.
“Are you going to come running back here after you leave me in Canada?” he asked.
“No. I know he’s not right for me.”
“Then why were you out rolling around in the woods with him?” he asked.
“I wasn’t.”
“You’re such a liar. I deserve better than that from you,” he said.
“Are you kidding me?” she asked. “I’m the one helping you get up to Canada. My friends are helping you. Without us—”
“Without you, I’d find a way.”
“Fine,” she snapped. “Go without us. Go now. Walk up to the highway and hitch your way up there. I really don’t give a shit what you do anymore.”
The flap to Meadow and River’s tent opened. Meadow poked her head out.
“It’s not even sunrise yet,” she grumbled. “Can you two fight about whatever you’re fighting about in the morning?”
“Andy was just packing up all his shit and leaving, right Andy?” Daisy yelled.
“Why would you do that?” River asked as he stuck his head out.
“Go back to sleep,” Andy said. After they’d retreated into the tent, he turned his wrath on her. “I’m not leaving. We’ve spent too long on this damn farm not to get our parts. They owe us and I’m not going until the bus is fixed.”
“Fine.”
She pushed past him and crawled into her tent. After savagely zipping it closed, she plopped on her butt and drew her knees up to her chest. She wrapped her arms around her legs and buried her face in the space between them. She’d never fought with her brother before—never! That was just one more reason she couldn’t stay with Greg. Of course she’d never admit that Andy was right, but he was.
As she crawled into her sleeping bag, she fought back tears. She couldn’t love Greg. She couldn’t give up on everything she’d done to get to where she was in her life. Once she dropped Andy off in Canada, she could go anywhere she wanted. She could go to the concert in New York with Meadow and River. She could travel to the Everglades and to all the places she’d only ever dreamed of going.
But as tears rolled down her cheeks, she knew she’d be paying a price for her freedom. She’d be losing a man who could be the love of her life. Was freedom really worth that much?
Chapter 11
Later that day, Daisy, Greg, and Andy worked together in the fields. No one spoke a word until Greg announced it was time for lunch. They set down their rakes and hoes and filed toward the house.
She hadn’t slept a wink the night before. After lying in her tent for hours, she’d finally given up and had taken a walk along the lake. The stunning sunrise brought a new flood of tears. She knew what she had to do. It was the right thing to do. But why did it feel like she was making the wrong choice?
After lunch, they returned to the field. Meadow shot her curious looks throughout the day, but hadn’t asked what had happened the night before. River didn’t seem to care either way.
It wasn’t until late afternoon when Greg finally broke the silence.
“Dad said your part will be here tomorrow. I should be able to get the bus running and you can be on your way.”
The flat, dejected tone sliced through her. But she was doing what was best for both of them. Greg deserved a woman who wanted to tend the fields and make huckleberry pies and raise his children. He was sexy and kind and loving. He’d easily be able to find someone new.
Her heart clenched at the thought of him holding anyone else in his arms, but she shook the sensation away. She couldn’t have it both ways. Either she’d give up her life and stay with him, or she’d make a clean break. She’d already made her choice, so there was no point in constantly analyzing it.
After dinner, she broke away from the group and strolled alongside the lake. She’d miss the pristine wilderness, the way the lake reflected the trees and sky, the way the chipmunks skittered around when she approached them—all of it. But most of all, she’d miss Greg.
“Can I walk with you?”
She instantly recognized his voice. “Sure.”
“You’re still le
aving?” he asked softly.
“It’s for the best.”
“I’m worried about you.” He slipped his hand into hers as they continued walking. She didn’t have the strength to let go. It might be the last time she’d get to touch him. “Promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“That you won’t forget me.”
“I could never forget you.” Her heart kicked in her chest harder than the pounding hooves of a thousand wild horses.
“And there’s nothing I can say to make you stay?” he asked.
She withdrew her hand and wrapped her arms across her chest.
“What happens after you leave Andy in Canada?”
“We book it to New York,” she said.
“It’s not safe to be traveling around alone,” he said.
“River and Meadow will be with me.”
“I’m not just worried about people,” he said. “There are more bear shifters out there and some of them are vicious animals. If you get caught in the woods at night, you could get killed.”
“I’m not yours to worry about,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll worry anyway. I know I keep saying it, but I don’t know how else to get through to you. I love you. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“Don’t make this harder…”
He stopped walking and turned his back on her. His shoulders shook.
“Let me know when you’re leaving,” he whispered. “I want to say goodbye.”
“Okay,” she said softly.
The impulse to go to him, to wrap her arms around him and never let go almost brought her to her knees. She forced herself to put one foot in front of the other as she turned and walked back to the house.
She found Andy, River, and Meadow standing next to the bus.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Greg’s old man fixed it up for us. We can take off now,” Andy said. She didn’t miss the sharp undertone in his voice.
“It’s running?”
“Yeah,” Meadow said. “We already packed everything up. We weren’t sure where you went so we’ve been waiting until you got back.”
Daisy turned and glanced toward the lake. She couldn’t see Greg beyond the curve. A part of her longed to run back and throw herself into his arms, but she’d already made her choice. Going back to say goodbye would only hurt him more.
“I guess we should go then,” she said softly.
Her stomach roiled as she climbed into the passenger seat. After buckling her seatbelt, she twisted to look at the lake. Andy started the engine and put the bus in gear. As they drove past the main house, Betty, Joseph, Aaron, and Samantha waved.
Tears flowed down Daisy’s cheeks. She pulled her hair forward to hide her face from her brother. As she watched the farmhouse retreat in the rearview mirror, she knew she’d never be the same. If only this had happened after she’d had a chance to live her life. If only she’d met Greg when she was ready to settle down.
When the forest swallowed up the last vestige of the farm, she stared out as the trees whizzed by. Through her tears, the forest blurred into a mass of brown and green. She’d never see another pine tree without thinking of him. She’d never see another lake without wondering what he was doing.
She jumped when Andy patted her leg.
“You’ll be fine,” he said as if he could read her thoughts.
For a split second, she resented her brother. If she hadn’t cared about him so much, she might have stayed with Greg. Simmering rage welled up in her soul. If the country wasn’t at war, they wouldn’t be in this position. Maybe she would have run into Greg during her travels. Maybe then they would have had a chance.
***
Greg wiped his face and pulled himself together. He couldn’t go home until the evidence of his pain was gone from his face. He paced back and forth in front of the lake. He’d tried everything he could think of to make her want to stay but it hadn’t been enough. She’d be leaving as soon as he put the part in their bus. He wanted to smash the flower-covered monstrosity so she’d never leave him, but he wasn’t a violent man. Even though he was a shifter, he’d managed to contain his bear’s barbaric nature.
As soon as he was sure his face was back to normal, he headed back toward the house. He cocked his head to one side. That was odd. Where’d the bus go? It had been parked next to the barn for over a month. Why would they have moved it? He could work on it there.
He picked up his pace. The bus wasn’t working. They couldn’t have driven away already. He pumped his legs faster and faster as he ran toward the house. His father stood on the porch with his hands stuffed into his jeans.
“Hi, son,” he said.
“Where’s the bus?” Greg asked.
“I fixed it up for you. They seemed to be in a hurry to leave, so I offered to do the repairs. I couldn’t find you or I would have let you do them.”
“How long ago?” Greg asked in desperation.
“Just a couple of minutes.”
Greg hurled himself down the porch steps and raced toward the road. He could run faster in his bear form, so he gave up thirty seconds to shift. Bones cracked and ligaments tore as he morphed into a bear. The minute his paws found purchase, he bounded after them.
He didn’t care if the rest of her group discovered his secret. He didn’t care about anything but getting her back. He’d die without her.
His paws pounded the dry earth, spitting up dirt and gravel in his wake. Although he could run thirty miles per hour, he wasn’t fast enough. A thin trace of dust floated in the air, but they’d passed through here faster than he could run. He couldn’t give up. He didn’t. Not until he reached the main highway.
When he skidded to a stop in the middle of the road, a station wagon carrying a load of people careened around him to avoid hitting him. He didn’t care. If they’d smashed right into him it couldn’t have hurt less than the pain in his heart the moment he realized she was gone.
He sat on his haunches in the middle of the road, willing another car to end his misery. But when another station wagon appeared on the horizon, he scrambled out of the way. He’d never risk an accident which could hurt innocent people.
With his head hanging, he stumbled back toward the farm. Halfway down the road, he slumped down. His legs splayed out in every direction. He couldn’t move another inch. All of the energy in his body was gone.
He laid his head on the ground and let out a mournful howl. He didn’t move for hours as the sun beat down on his back. He panted as heat coaxed him into a delirious state. Something moved in the distance, but he didn’t care. And even if he did, he couldn’t do anything about it.
He must have passed out because the next thing he knew, his brother Aaron stood over him.
“Get up,” Aaron commanded.
Greg grunted in response.
“Dad’s going to kick your ass for being gone so long,” Aaron said. “I know you’re freaking out because that girl left, but you have to get it together before Dad finds you. Did you go out to the road like that? Did anyone see you? You’d better shift before he finds out.”
Greg tried to summon the strength to shift but he couldn’t.
“Can you even shift right now?” Aaron asked.
Greg dragged his chin across the ground from side to side.
“Well, you have to. Shift and we can talk about it,” Aaron said.
When Greg didn’t move, Aaron huffed.
“Fine, I’ll just tell Dad you’re here and he can deal with you,” Aaron said.
After his brother had stomped off, Greg urged his bear to retreat, but the creature was too strong. He gave up and let his furry cheek rest on the cool earth.
The sun dropped below the trees, taking the heat of the day with it. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. What he wouldn’t give for a drink from the lake. He placed his paws underneath him and stood on shaky legs. He cut a path through the forest toward the lake.
&nbs
p; After he reached it, he dunked his head under the water and took a huge drink. The liquid slid down the wrong pipe and he jerked back. Sputtering and shaking his head, he didn’t realize someone had walked up behind him until he smelled his dad’s scent.
“Son?”
Greg turned and plopped onto his butt. Great. Just what he needed—a lecture from his father.
“I know you’re upset right now,” his dad said. “But her leaving was for the best.”
Greg bared his teeth in warning.
“Don’t you do that,” his dad said. He stepped forward and swatted him across the nose. “You will not disrespect me that way.”
Greg hung his head.
“She wasn’t wife material. There’s more to a good match than just a pretty face,” he said. “I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told anyone.”
Greg cocked his head to one side.
“Love can come around twice. I don’t want you to get me wrong. I love your mother more than there are stars in the sky and drops of water in all the oceans on the earth. But years ago, before I met her, I loved someone else. Her name was Priscilla. She was the kind of woman who would walk down the street and cause grown men to lose their heads. More than one fight happened over her. Not by me, mind you. But she was a looker.
“Anyway, I fell for her hard and fast. When she up and married someone else, I almost died on the inside. I thought I’d never love another woman again. But I was wrong. Dead wrong. Not two years later, I met your mom. And let me tell you, I thought I’d known what love was—I didn’t have a clue.”
While he paused, Greg tried to process his words. He’d loved someone before his mom? The revelation stunned him as much as the point his dad was trying to make.
“You’ll find another girl to be sweet on and she might be the one you end up marrying,” his dad said. “So you take the time you need to get yourself back together, and then come on home. Your mom made a huckleberry pie. She’s a smart woman. She sent me out here to make sure you didn’t do anything stupid. So don’t.”