Theirs (The Bears)

by Gower, Hazel

  Blake snarled at Brian and chucked a beer at him, which Brian caught, then chugged down. His brother grabbed another beer and Brian could tell Blake was concentrating on not smashing the bottle in his grip.

  Slamming the fridge shut, Brian thought about what Susie had been wearing when she left and growled, “All right. Give me five minutes to get dressed. I’ll chuck you some clothes down and we’ll go watch our girl. And just so you know, from what I got, she will kill us if she finds out we did this.”

  Blake shrugged and grinned up at him. “I don’t care.”

  “To look at you, Blake, anyone would think you’re the easy-going, laid-back brother.” Brian shook his head. “How wrong they all are.” Brian ran upstairs to his room to shove on a shirt and grab one for Blake.

  ****

  Brian knew this was a bad idea, especially as they now had to avoid hands and come-ons from women left, right and centre whilst trying to remain hidden. It definitely didn’t help he had to stop Blake and his own bear from going over and killing any of the many men dancing with and checking out Susie’s assets, which, with the choice of clothing she’d worn, weren’t doing a good job of staying concealed.

  Narrowly avoiding another arse grab, Brian turned to Blake. “You do realise at this rate she will see us and think we don’t trust her, but most of all she will think we are possessive, controlling jerks.”

  Blake turned and snarled at the women coming their way before he turned on him. “Maybe I am all those things. All I know is I’m thirty-seven years old and feel I have been waiting for years for her.” Brian stopped Blake from intercepting another group of men who joined Susie and her friends. He turned and growled at Brian. “Tell me, Brother, that you don’t feel the same.”

  “Fine. I admit it, but I don’t want to blow it with her before it has had a chance to start and I’m here only because I don’t trust everyone else.” Blake grinned and nodded. This time, when they both turned back, they ordered a beer each.

  ****

  Okay, she was trashed. Susie had never drunk this much in her life. This state had something to do with all the things she found out today. Oh, God, could it truly only been today? Glancing at her watch, Susie watched the numbers blur but they told her it all happened yesterday. Maybe it was a wicked strange dream. Picking up her glass of Bailey’s, she downed the liquid in one swallow, moaning when she noticed nothing was left. Grinning at the blond who winked at her, she stood from the booth on wobbly legs and wandered out to join Jane on the dance floor. The blond followed. She wasn’t going to worry about any of her troubles here tonight. Decided, she turned to Samantha and Sandy who come over to join in the dancing fun. She grabbed their hands and pulled them into the dancing circle.

  Time flew by. At one-thirty, last drinks at the bar were called. By now Susie had spent her fifty and had drunk several gifts from admirers. Going back to their booth, she and her friends grabbed their jackets and she sat down for a moment to give her feet a rest. When she got up again, the world spun, and she would have fallen if four hands hadn’t grabbed her.

  Groaning, because there was no way, no matter how drunk she was, she could forget the smell and feel of the arms around her. The confirmation came when Blake snarled, “I told you not to wear those shoes.” Brian’s hands disappeared as Blake picked her up. She squealed as he carried her out of the club in a cradle hold.

  Not caring how they knew where to find her, or how long they had been there, she snuggled into Blake, mumbling, “Don’t forget my friends. Can’t leave without them. I didn’t call taxi yet.”

  Kissing her head Blake hugged her tighter. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. Brian is going to take them home.” She nodded into his chest and tried to force her eyes and her foggy mind to stay awake.

  She sighed. “You smell so good. I knew it was you and Brian as soon as your hands touched me. Your scent surrounded me and I instantly felt safe.” He stopped and moved her so all her weight lay on one of his arms. He opened the door and gently placed her in the front passenger seat.

  She dozed for the drive to her house and stirred when he picked her up and walked to the door. He unlocked it with her key and walked to her room where he took her dress off. He paused to take her shoes off and give each of her feet a rub. Whimpering at the exquisite feeling, she said, “I could fall in love with you so easily. If by some miracle I already haven’t already.”

  He paused for a moment and kissed her lips. She could have sworn he muttered, “I love you too, my little treasure.”

  Leaning into him she took a deep breath and slipped into sleep.

  Chapter Seven

  Brian woke at his usual five in the morning, stretched his tired body only to hear a moan, and looked down to see Susie’s head on his chest. He chuckled as she nestled into him and kneaded his chest, moaning when his chest lifted.

  Blake, still fast asleep with Susie’s legs tangled with his, looked very content. Brian smiled as he wondered if she’d moved herself like this over him, or if Blake manoeuvred her into the position.

  Nudging his brother, he whispered, “I have an appointment at six. Since you don’t need to be there until eleven, I’ll get most of my work done and finished this morning and see you back here later tonight. Are you staying or coming into work now?”

  A growl escaped before his brother’s head came up and Blake glared at him. “I organised this Sunday as a day off. I’ve been working hard with my men and their last big fights were a week ago. Only two have fights coming up. So my work load is pretty light.” He smirked at Brian. “I’ll call some real estate agents and see what they’ve got, and I’ll make sure I organise a larger bed. So don’t rush back. I’m sure I can keep her busy.” To make his point Blake pulled a sleeping Susie off Brian, and across his chest. She moaned and fidgeted for a second then sighed, settling herself back in.

  Brian leaned over and gently lifted some hair out of the way as he brushed his lips over her soft cheek. “Sweet dreams, honey.”

  After getting out of bed, he pulled the clothes on from last night and strolled to the door. “I’ll be finding someone to take some clients off my hands so I have some free time cleared up.” Blake’s arm came out to wave in acknowledgement before wrapping around Susie again. Grinning, Brian added, “Oh, and since you have all this time, you can call Mum and Dad, and don’t forget Gwen.” He laughed as a drawn-out growl followed him out of the house.

  ****

  Walking in to the gym, Brian waved at Dane, the night guy. “Give me a minute and you can go. Sorry I’m late.” There was chuckling as he ran up the stairs to his and Blake’s office where he dumped his bag and wallet before coming down again to a grinning Dane who leaned back against the wall.

  “I’m surprised you even came to work today.”

  Raising his eyebrow, Brian waited for Dane to continue.

  “Oh, come on. Everyone knows you found your mate.”

  “Yeah, how the hell does everyone know?” Brian glared at Dane, in no mood for guessing games after all the drama the last twenty-four hours.

  “For starters, you had sex with a woman in your office. A real screamer, I’m told.” Brian growled at Dane who laughed and put his hands up. “That was the first clue. You never take women up there. Now if we talk about Blake, he is a different matter, as he is always taking women up to the office and making them scream.”

  Brian groaned and ran fingers through his hair.

  “Second, and I think this is the one which clued us all in is, a brunette came running out of your office like the hounds of hell where at her heels, or a bear shifter, then you come chasing after her and Tayler has gone into the locker room ready to kill the poor woman. I told you when you hired Sammy’s girl you would have trouble. She has a huge crush on you, has since she was a cub. Now you have Sammy cranky with you for breaking her baby’s heart and you know what mama bears are like.”

  Dane’s grin lifted even more at the corners as he grabbed his bag from behind the reception. �
�Your mother called. She is on her way now and your sister should be here any minute, with Matty and all.” He chuckled and patted Brian on the back. “Good luck, buddy. I hope your mate is expecting guests because it looks like she will have some. Oh, and because I’m such a good friend and employee, I called your cousin Jake. He’s going to come and fill in. He’ll be here in time for your six o’clock.” Standing stock still, Brian took in all Dane said. He didn’t even say “Bye” or “Thanks.” He just grabbed the phone and called Blake, praying he would pick up.

  The phone rang and rang, going to the message bank twice before a cranky bear answered, “This better be fucking good.”

  “Mum knows.”

  Blake groaned. “Do you know what she knows?”

  “Dane just told me she is on her way. I don’t think she’s going to be happy that two of her boys have the same mate. True mate or not. What I’m worried about is when she learns Susie’s human. ”

  Blake growled, muttering about controlling, over-the-top mothers. “You might be fine, Blake. They think it’s just me who got mated by the sound of what Dane told me.” He heard more muttering and Susie moan for Blake not to leave her.

  “Brian, I’m coming in. I was going to call her and tell Mother our good news later anyway. ”

  Brian looked around the quiet gym and turned his body so he faced the door where his sister and mother would come in. “I’m not sure what they know, but I sealed my fate apparently when I took Susie upstairs because I have never taken a woman to the office before, unlike you.”

  The wince Blake made was loud enough that Brian heard it through the phone.

  “I’m up now. I will be there in ten, sooner if I can. I want Mother to know she is my mate too.” Blake hung up before Brian could say anymore and just as his mother and a very unhappy sister walked through the door.

  ****

  Blake walked into the gym, not sure what to expect. He never could be sure with his mother how she would react. His cousin Drake sat behind the reception. Drake grinned at him as he pointed to the office. Sighing, Blake nodded and walked up the stairs.

  Pausing at the office door, he took a deep breath and walked in to see his mother standing with her back to the window that looked over the gym. His sister glared at Brian who stood in the middle of both of them snarling. As soon as he entered the room the focus shifted to him and his mother said, “Please tell me what Brian has said is some kind of joke?”

  Blake’s lips curled. “Oh, I don’t know, Mother. What did Brian tell you? Did it have something to do with mating the same woman?”

  She growled at him. “That’s just the start. Tell me she isn’t human. My God, Son, how will I present this to the Delta Society? They all have hopes for their daughters. You are the top catch of the bachelors, even with your reputation, Blake.”

  Blake shivered. He remembered those snotty women, and their daughters were all just as bad, snobby little brats. He would never understand how his sister turned out so different from their mother and all those women. Glancing at his brother, Blake saw the same look of disgust.

  Tuning back to his mother, he snarled, “What’s the matter, Mother? Is it because both your boys are mated to the same woman and she’s human, or is it that she is what you would call fat? Please don’t tell me you drove down the two hours from Sydney just to check if all this was true and show your displeasure.”

  She huffed. “Really, Son, I’m not shallow. I only want what’s best for my sons.” He and Brian huffed out a laugh. His mother turned her nose up at both of them. “I came down to see the woman my boys have mated with. I wanted to check she isn’t just with you for your many assets.”

  Groaning Blake turned to his brother who shook his head and glanced at his sister who was looking at the celling like she was praying. He moaned out, “Fine. How about we have a dinner in two weeks’ time, on a Sunday.” He put his hand up to stop his mother from interrupting. “Give us these weeks. We’ve only just met her ourselves, and this will give us time to get to know each other. It will also give you plenty of time to be ready.”

  His mother stared into his eyes like she had the power to see into his mind. Thank God she couldn’t. Finally she nodded and walked by him, patting him on the back like he’d just won one of his boxing matches, to open the door and leave.

  Sighing in relief, he waited for his sister to add her two cents, and she didn’t disappoint. “This is your mess. I refuse to clean this up, Brian, and that goes double for you, Blake.” In a softer voice she added, “Please don’t hurt this woman, guys. She seems really sweet.”

  She walked to the door only to pause. “I’m taking the next couple of days off. Matty’s with his dad now.” He and Brian nodded. “Oh, and, Blake, make sure all your women know you’re off the market. Brian, look out for Sammy and Tayler.” She shut the door and he turned back to Brian in the silence.

  “Why the hell did you say we would go to dinner? I would rather be skinned alive. You know you just gave her time to organise some elaborate scheme.”

  Blake stared at his brother whose hair stuck out everywhere, like before Blake arrived, Brian had been pulling at it. His lips were thinned out and his eyes were flashing from bear to human.

  “What would you have said?” Blake could hear his brother gritting his teeth as he bit out his words.

  “I was handling it until you arrived. I told her no way and if she kept up the crap she was spewing, she wouldn’t meet our mate at all.” Brian laughed at his brother looking him up and down.

  “And how was that going, Brother?” Blake growled at him and stormed out of the room.

  Chapter Eight

  Stretching out her well-used muscles, Susie sighed into the pillow. She opened one eye to see the clock flash ten forty-five am. She shut her eye as her head started pounding. Oh, crap. All the alcohol she drank last night was going to come back up. Susie ran to the bathroom without a care for her nakedness, just praying she made it in time and cursing the two bears who bombarded her with information and a new reality.

  When she felt hands on her, one set to hold her hair back and the other rubbed her back, she let out a groan into the toilet. Using one of her hands, she tried to push them away.

  “Leave me alone so I can die in peace.”

  Blake, who was rubbing her back, chuckled. “Sorry, sweetheart. We aren’t going anywhere and I’m ninety-nine point nine percent sure you will live.”

  For the next ten minutes or so, they held her hair and patted her back until she was sure there could be nothing left. Finally feeling semi-normal, she stood and brushed her teeth and rinsed her mouth out, only to turn too quickly and have four hands steady her. Blake nodded to his brother who picked her up, cradling her in his arms. If Susie hadn’t been sick, she was sure she would be protesting, especially as she was still naked. As Brian’s strong arms came around her and the fresh, clean, woodsy smell wrapped around her like a secure blanket, she snuggled closer into him as he walked into the lounge room and sat on the lounge.

  Blake sat at the other end and took her feet into his hands to rub them while Brian reached over to the coffee table and handed her a bottle of water and some Panadol. They snuggled for a while and waited until her medicine kicked in. “Oh, Blake, that feels so good.” Shutting her eyes she leaned into Brian’s chest. “Mm, this is so nice, and I really appreciate you taking me home last night. Brian, thanks for making sure my friends got home safe. What I want to know is why you guys just happened to be in the same club as me?” She opened one eye and raised her eyebrow at Blake. He paused and she wiggled her feet. “Oh, you can do two things at once.” She flexed her toes and pointed them his way. His hands continued and Brian chuckled against her head.

  Blake shrugged his massive shoulders. “We thought you might need a designated driver.”

  Snorting, she glared at him. His lips curled up in the corners and his eyes took on this innocent wounded bear look. Laughing at her thoughts, she huffed. “Ha. Yeah. I bet the re
ason you came out was because you thought I would need a driver. Scared I was going to do a runner or something equally stupid?”

  Brian leaned down and kissed her shoulder right over where he bit her. Then he mumbled, “We just wanted to make sure you were okay. We trust you. We didn’t think you would run.”

  Blake chuffed. “Ah, pretty much that was some of it.”

  A hiss slipped from her lips as she stared at Blake and he raised his eyebrow daring her to contradict him. “You had just learned about shifters and found out you are a mate to not one, but two. You also dashed out of Healthy Bodies like the hounds of hell were on your heels.”

  Her heart speed up as his lips curled up into the sexiest grin. “We’re not hounds, sweetheart. We are bears and we will eat you, just in a different way.”

  Pulling her legs away from him, Susie squealed, “Blake, don’t you da—”

  Her words were cut off on a laugh which turned into moans as his mouth worked its way up the inside of her leg and found what he was looking for. He growled against her vagina. “Honey. Mine.”

  Blake looked up from her pussy and nodded to his brother. “Ours.”

  Brian’s hands circled her breasts, stroking down her stomach and back up again. Susie whimpered when Blake’s tongue touched her clit and sucked it in. As he moved his face from side to side, his stubble tickled her sensitive flesh.

  Arching into his strokes she built up a rhythm until her body was ready to ignite. “Oh, oh, ahh, ahh, I have to come. Make me come. You two make my body light up.” They both growled against her skin, and she screamed, coming undone as teeth bit into her thigh and two thick fingers pumped into her wet core.

  Susie came back down to earth to see a grinning Blake sit up and lick his fingers. “Mm, honey.” Standing up he nodded to Brian who picked her up and walked to the bedroom. After laying her down on the bed, he let her go and took his shorts off before pulling her back into his arms.