Tempted by the Bear - Book 1

by V. Vaughn

  I get the smile I was hoping for. “That’s a lovely idea. We do have something important to talk about.” He sighs. “I fear bringing my children here is going to ruin what we have.”

  The way Tristan talks about his kids, you’d think they were spawns of the devil. “Nothing of the sort will happen.”

  “If they don’t, then it will be my mother.” He shakes his head.

  I want to get moving, so I say, “You can tell me all about it later. Now go get changed for a trek in the snow. I’ve already packed our picnic.”

  When we’re ready to leave, Tristan is in a playful mood that makes me glad I came up with this idea. He’s attached his snowshoes, and I laugh as he begins to plow through the snow. He shuffles for a bit and stops to turn back to me. “Am I supposed to march? Or just walk normally?”

  “Try to walk normally. Watch me.” I move in front of him, and snow lifts up from the backs of my snowshoes to hit me in the butt.

  Tristan chuckles. “Oh, I like this view so much better.”

  “Of course you do. Maybe I’ll show you what we can do with the blanket I packed.”

  “Dessert after lunch. How decadent.”

  I look back at him over my shoulder. “Who said I’d wait until after lunch?” I begin to jog, and my mate catches up to me quickly and catches me by my shoulders so I’ll turn to him.

  “You know, I could shift, and you could ride on my back. It would be so much faster.”

  “We’ve barely gotten out of the yard, and you’re tired already?”

  “Nope. I’m thinking about that blanket and don’t want to wait.”

  “Hmmm.” He makes a tempting offer. Tristan brings out my carefree side, and I’ve become less rigid in my thinking, so I throw my hands up in the air. “Fine. Give me the pack and shift so you can carry me.”

  “Thank god.” Tristan leans down to take off a snowshoe. “These things are awful.”

  I watch shamelessly as he strips off his clothes. When he’s almost naked, I lick my lips and gaze at his spectacular body. “You’re right, this is a much better idea.”

  He winks at me. “Five minutes and I’ll be saying the same thing.” He folds his clothes neatly, taking extra care with his pants. He places them in the backpack and then stands to shift. My mate is magnificent, and the process that takes his large Adonis-like male form and transitions it into a polar bear is amazing.

  When he’s done, I take a moment to marvel at his sheer size and beauty. I say, “You have to be the sexiest creature I know.”

  I slip the backpack over my shoulders as Tristan lowers himself to the ground in a crouch for me to climb on. I remove my mittens and stick them into my jacket so I can grip his fur. It’s slick in my fingers with his natural oils, but I manage to secure myself on his back. “Ready.”

  He begins to walk with me, and I think he’s making sure I’m stable. I say, “Run. I want to feel what it’s like as a human.”

  When Tristan takes off, I hang on for all I’m worth. The air whipping around me as his powerful muscles flex under me is thrilling. We arrive in less than five minutes, and my fingers are cold when he lies on the ground for me to slide off. When he shifts back, he says, “One sexy creature at your service.”

  “Then my command is you kiss me.”

  Even though he’s naked in the cold temperatures of February, he still manages to burn like a furnace as he pulls me against his body. When I’ve become a quaking mess, he stops kissing me and asks, “How was your ride?”

  “Amazing. I think you’re damn hot as a bear.” I slide my hand down between us and grab onto his hard cock. “But as a man…” I let out a growl and stroke him. “I find you irresistible.”

  Tristan peels the backpack off my shoulders and fumbles with the zipper. “Where’s that damn blanket?”

  I let go of him as I laugh.

  He gives me a mock glare and asks, “And why aren’t you getting naked?”

  I grin and scramble to accommodate him. “Oh, sorry.” I let my clothes fall in a heap and step close to Tristan, who has the blanket over his shoulders. He wraps it around me, and we sink down in our embrace.

  When the chill in the air is too cold for me to stand it any longer, I lift myself off Tristan to get dressed. He lies on the blanket and watches. “You are such a beautiful creature, my love. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of looking at you.”

  He’s sprawled out as if it’s a mid-summer day. “You don’t get cold, do you?”

  “No.” He sits up and grabs his shirt from the pile of clothes I set out for him. “I don’t think I’m going to like your summer.”

  “Probably not. We’ll have to install air conditioning and keep it set at fifty.” I yank my snow pants up over my long underwear, and the closure snaps shut.

  “Ah, that would be wonderful.”

  When we’re dressed, I begin to pull out our lunch. I discover champagne. The bottle is moist in my hand, and I pull it out. “Did you put this in here?”

  “I did.” Tristan takes it from me and starts the process of opening it.

  “What a nice surprise.” I set the glasses down on the blanket and begin to lay out the food.

  He says “Stop. First we need a toast.”

  “Okay.” I pick up the plastic cups so he can fill them.

  When he’s done, Tristan shoves the bottle into the snow so it’s standing upright and rises up on his knees to dig in his pocket. He pulls something out but keeps it in his hand. My heart beats faster as I imagine what it might be, and I give him his glass. He says, “Put your hand out.”

  I hold it out palm side up, and he places his fist on my hand to open it and trap an item between us. It’s small and hard and has a sharp edge that digs into my skin. My heart flutters with excitement when I guess it’s a ring. Tristan says, “I often think it would be nice to be human for this. The element of surprise is gone when you meet your true mate.”

  I shake my head. “I’m surprised, Tristan. Don’t ruin it for me.”

  He grins. “Annie Le Roux, will you marry me?”

  I can’t help it. Tears roll down my face, and I nod. My mate removes his hand, and I glance down at my engagement ring. I gasp, because the diamond I assumed was a long, skinny marquis is actually a huge emerald-cut stone. “Tristan.”

  He takes the ring, and I flip my hand over for him to slip it on. The stone is the size of a piece of gum, and the setting has fine cutouts in an elegant filigree design. I twist my finger to catch the light. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “It was my grandmother’s, and I know it’s old fashioned, but I hope you like it.”

  “I love it.” I throw my arms around him and spill champagne down his back as I lose the grip on my glass and it tumbles into the snow. “And I love you.” I kiss him. I’m not sure what happens to his cup, because both his hands are on me as we do our best imitation of fusing together as one.

  Tristan takes my face in his hands, and they sear my cheeks as he whispers, “Forever, Annie, my love. I’ll love you forever.”

  “I’ll love you forever too, Tristan.”

  Chapter 28

  Isabelle

  I resisted moving in with Luke because I know our bond isn’t forever. But after a couple weeks of watching my brother with his true mate, I couldn’t take it any longer. My love affair with Luke may be manufactured by biting each other, but it’s all I’ve got.

  The large flat-screen TV is on, with some woman interviewing celebrities and making people laugh. I have a dozen magazines in front of me, and the pages are slippery in my fingers as I flip through one. I find it annoying that nothing seems to capture my interest. The publication slaps down on the pile when I throw it, and I stand up to pace over to the thermostat.

  My hair is stuck to the back of my neck, and I lift it up as I check the temperature. It’s sixty, and even though I’m naked, I can’t seem to cool off. I’ve probably had four cups of coffee. Other than my daily workout at the gym in the afternoons, I’ve got nothin
g to do.

  I wander into the kitchen, where the tile is cool under my feet. Leaning against the stainless steel refrigerator door, I sink to the floor to sit and yawn as I stretch out my legs to have more contact with cold things. I stare at my painted toenails and notice a chip. Maybe I’ll give myself a pedicure.

  The familiar noise of the elevator sounds in the distance. Well, at least I know what I’m doing for the next hour. I bet my mate has come home between classes for sex, but even that doesn’t appeal to me today. I don’t move to greet him and wait as the door snicks open and his footsteps thump lightly on the carpet. I detect his arousal, and it should turn me on. God, I’m in a pissy mood, because suddenly our relationship feels cheap.

  “Isabelle?”

  I mumble. “In here.”

  Luke comes around the counter and tilts his head at me. “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

  “Uh-oh. Is my girl bored?” He raises his eyebrows. “I can fix that.”

  The idea that I’m here for sex whenever he wants it niggles at me, and I decide to turn the tables. “Strip.”

  Luke begins to take his clothes off, and I bark out. “Stop. Give me some Magic Mike. Let me see the sexy swagger that drives women wild.” My mate thinks he’s the best lover I’ve ever had and brags about how women can’t get enough of him. I’ve done nothing to let him think otherwise, but the truth is every guy I’ve been with believes that.

  I hold back my laugh as he swings his shirt over his head and lets it fly across the room. I smile and say, “Give me some hip action.”

  Now we’re talking. Luke begins to move and drags his hands down his chest. He turns as he lowers his pants so I get a view of his round butt. I growl a little to encourage him. When my mate turns back around and straddles my legs in a standing position, his cock is at my face, and I know what he wants, but I raise my hand and say, “Back up and start at my feet. Seduce me.”

  He frowns but does as I ask. That’s right, buddy. I smile as he gets on his hands and knees and kisses my foot. Today it’s all about me. By the time Luke’s mouth gets to my thighs, I’m warming up. I spread my legs and slouch down against the fridge to enjoy my mate’s talented tongue. Luke doesn’t disappoint, and my mood improves greatly after my first orgasm.

  Luke doesn’t stop there, though, and I wonder why he’s not taking what he wants when he lifts me up to the kitchen counter and begins to give me a repeat performance. I lean back on my elbows and gaze at the man between my legs. He’s working me over as if I’m all that matters. I thread my fingers through his hair, and he lifts up to shove his fingers inside me. “Izzy, what is it?”

  My eyes flutter shut as he hooks his finger and massages my g-spot. “I don’t know. Things just feel wrong today.”

  “Let me chase the blues away.” Luke continues to work me with his hand as he lowers his mouth to suck, too.

  Oh god. I scream with my climax this time. My mate is relentless, and he doesn’t ease up with the sweet torture of his tongue. He is making it all about me. I revel in the attention and let him bring me up again.

  I lose count of my orgasms and am a puddle of quivering muscles when he finally stops. I’m sprawled out on the granite countertop, and Luke asks, “Can I carry you to the bedroom? I’m not even close to done yet.”

  I lift my head up. “What?”

  “I haven’t been taking care of you, Isabelle. I’m so sorry.” He scoops me up in his arms and begins to walk. The scent of me is on him, and my bear growls with pride. Luke whispers, “Let me make it up to you.”

  An hour later, I’m sleepy as I cuddle into my mate. He plays with a strand of my hair and asks, “What can I do to make you happy?”

  “Nothing. I’m just in a mood today.” I sit up when I realize how long he’s been home. “Wait. Don’t you have class?”

  “I’m skipping it. You’re more important.”

  “I am?”

  “Yes.” He lifts up to kiss my thigh above my knee. “It’s my job to take care of you. So I’ll ask again.” His mouth moves up higher on my leg. “What is it that you need to be happy?”

  I open my thighs as he moves to the inside of them. I can’t believe I’m wet again considering he’s got to have broken any orgasm record I had. “Something to do.”

  Now his breath is hot on my sensitive slit, and I begin to tremble. “What interests you?” He asks.

  He sucks my clit in, and I arch up. “I don’t know.”

  Luke lifts his head to hover over me as he thrusts fingers inside me. “Then we’ll just have to find out.”

  I nod as I fall back on the bed and let my thoughts be all about pleasure.

  I return from the bathroom after a quick shower to find Luke is missing. The sheets are a tangled mess, and the room reeks of sex. My body is deliciously sore as the wood of a drawer scrapes when I open it. I’m due at the gym in a half hour, and I pull on workout clothes.

  When I’m dressed, I go to the kitchen for a snack and find Luke dumping fruit in the blender. He smiles at me. “One protein smoothie coming up.”

  I’m reminded of the sweet things Tristan would do for me when I was having a bad day. Luke cares about me. The whirl of the blender sounds, and when it’s done I say, “Thank you.”

  “I have something else that might cheer you up.”

  I take the drink from him and swallow down a creamy mouthful. “What’s that?”

  “You need something to do, and the Robichaux warriors need to step it up. How would you feel about being the assistant trainer?”

  “But I train with the Le Roux.” I slide onto a stool and glance over the counter at him.

  Luke leans on the surface toward me. “Exactly. Your job is to make sure whatever they do we do better.”

  The plan. I grin at him over my glass. “I like it.”

  Luke reaches for my hand and holds it tight. “I love you, Isabelle. Together we’ll both get what we want. We’ve got a wonderful future ahead of us.”

  “I love you, too, Luke.” I imagine a life with him and picture a wedding and small blond children. I smile at my mate.

  He cups my cheek with his hand. “I’m your family now, Izzy. I’ll take care of you. Promise.”

  Warmth spreads through me at his words. He really does love me.

  “What are you saying?”

  “I had this whole thing planned where I was going to take you to the restaurant where we first met. But I can’t wait.”

  I recall the way he fingered me to an orgasm under the dinner table before we’d even ordered. “Patience isn’t our strong suit, so don’t.”

  “Marry me.”

  I lean over the counter. “Yes.” I grab the back of his head and kiss him. While our kiss usually turns into so much more, I hold on to the simple connection this time, because it’s a symbol of love. The kind of love I crave.

  When we break apart, Luke says, “You make me so happy.”

  Tears burn in my eyes, and I whisper, “You want me forever.”

  His teeth gleam in the daylight. “Yes, Izzy, I do.”

  Part III

  Annie - I finally get the family I crave with the arrival of Tristan’s triplet daughters. But Helga De Rozier, Tristan’s mother brings something completely different. Her sweet exterior hides an evil that shakes me to the core. While my love for Tristan knows no bounds, I wonder if it will be enough.

  Isabelle - If hell had a field agent, it would be my mother, Helga. She may have Annie fooled, but Tristan and I know what her presence really means, and the horrors that I’ve damned up in my mind have come flooding back. This time I’ll be the one to win.

  Chapter 29

  Annie

  Tristan holds a cut-crystal glass of clear liquid up to the daylight shining into the kitchen of our new home. He swirls it and watches as if something unusual might happen. I wait for him to speak his mind. He lifts the drink to his nose and says, “Did you know that besides the sting of alcohol, humans f
ind vodka nearly odorless?”

  My mate inhales the scent of the cup’s contents and closes his eyes as he savors it. “They love to speak about the bouquet of a fine wine. The undertones, the overtones, the body.” He holds the glass out to me. I lean down to sniff it as he continues, and my nose burns. “But vodka? They can’t detect a thing.” He lets out a growl. “They’ll never fully appreciate this.”

  Tristan has brought his family business to Maine by reinventing it. While his history as a distiller is the De Rozier clan making illegal moonshine in a shed, he’s taken his knowledge and created a trendy handcrafted vodka brand.

  Arctic Ice Vodka will debut in a few weeks. Between the new business and building our house, I’ve been so busy that I can hardly believe it’s late spring. The glass thumps on the table when I set it down. I say, “It doesn’t matter. They don’t know what they’re missing. And it certainly won’t stop them from buying.”

  My true mate’s dislike for humans was a surprise. He grew up interacting with very few, while the Northeast Kingdom werebears led normal human lives in the public eye, paying taxes, going to the public schools, and being treated as equals. The Northeast Kingdom is so integrated into the human population that many werebear even get romantically involved with them before choosing a mate.

  But Tristan believes humans are the reason he no longer has his kingdom and has to rebuild a life for his clan here in Maine. His prejudice is understandable, but I hope one day he’ll see how good humans can be.

  Tristan comes over to stand behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. I lean back against his chest and bask in the heat of him as I gaze out at our land. Freshly cut garden beds of dark, rich earth glisten with frost in the early-morning sunlight. I’m looking forward to planting my favorite perennials next month.