Hers

by Hazel Gower

  Taking a deep breath to calm herself she stepped away from the door, and as she looked up and was about to turn Sammy noticed Slater’s eyes on her. Her heartbeat picked up as his green eyes flashed, and she saw the bear come through. Nodding to him, she turned still firm on her decision, after seeing him yelling and towering over someone, that he wasn’t right for her and she wasn’t going to be in a relationship with someone like that again. Opening the door she walked out of the kitchen hoping the packed restaurant would stop any pursuit from Slater.

  Sammy made it halfway through the restaurant before arms circled her waist, and she was carried back through the kitchen and out the back. When Sammy felt the cool night air on her she struggled to get out of Slater’s hold.

  “Let me go now, Slater.”

  Slater eased her to the ground and turned her so she stared up at him. The backdoor light shone on his face as Slater tucked a piece of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail behind her ear. “Did you come because you forgive me?”

  “I did, but I don’t like what I just saw or what you did. Slater, I’m not going back to being in a relationship where I’m walked all over and yelled at. I can’t do it, and I won’t.” Sammy moved back. “I’m surprised actually. I thought Brock would be the one of you who terrifies me, but it’s you. What you did the other day and what I just saw is not for me. I’m sorry.”

  Easing by him she walked down the alley towards the bus-stop. Sammy was surprised when he didn’t chase after her or even comment. She sat at the bus-stop, and for some weird reason her heart felt like it was hurting.

  Sammy had a good fifteen minutes to wait until the bus came. She got out her phone and started playing one of her games, but as the minutes ticked by and Slater never came and the fifteen minutes felt like a lot longer she wondered if she’d been too rash.

  Slater hadn’t been yelling at her at the restaurant, and the other day he’d been stressed with her driving and his safety. Sammy felt annoyed that after months and month of Slater and Brock begging her to go out with them Slater gave up on her so easily. The old Sammy, the Sammy before Greg, screamed at her to go back and fight with him and find out why he didn’t come after her and what he had to say about everything. But another part of her told her that she didn’t need this drama in her life and to stay safe and not take such a major chance.

  Looking down at her phone Sammy saw she had five minutes until the bus arrived. She groaned because she knew if she didn’t get this thing with Slater resolved she wouldn’t sleep. Getting up she slowly walked back to Glaser only this time she went the back way.

  When she turned down the alley way she noticed something massive hovering in the shadows whining. Moving closer at first thinking it was a hurt dog she gasped when the closer she got the bigger the shadow became. Halfway down the alley the huge form whining stopped and came charging at her. Sammy screamed as the animal dropped to all fours and came at her.

  A bear. A big brown bear blocked her exit and rubbed itself against her. Sammy stood frozen as the soft rough fur brushed against her hands. The bear’s head nudged her hand, and his big wet tongue came out to lick it. Sammy shivered and came out of her shocked state.

  “Oh gross. Well at least I know why you didn’t come after me. A massive hulking brown bear running after a woman might raise some eyebrows.” Sammy stroked Slater’s fur. “Do you understand me in this form?” The massive bear head went up and down. “Can you sit?”

  Slater sat on his big bear hide, and Sammy got her first good look at his bear face in the backdoor light of the restaurant. “The only thing that gives you away from a real wild bear is that your eyes aren’t brown. They are a dark green with brown flecks.”

  Sammy was surprised she wasn’t terrified, but oddly enough she felt safe. She glanced around the ally and saw the remains of Slater’s clothes. Reaching for a piece she placed it down and sat on it. Slater came down on all fours and rested his massive head on her lap.

  “Is safe for us to just sit out here? Won’t someone came out and see?”

  The bear huffed a couple of times and nudged her hand that had stopped patting him. “I’ll take that as a no.” Sammy ran her fingers through the soft fur. “I like you this way better.”

  Slater growled. His lips pulled back slightly, and she saw sharp white teeth. Sammy knew he was playing with her as she didn’t see the full length of his teeth, and he didn’t bother to lift his head.

  “I think you’re really cute, too. I mean how many women say they want a cuddly bear and actually get it. How lucky am I?”

  She chuckled as Slater blew out a big puff of breath. His eyes stared up at her, and she fell under his spell.

  “Wow. You’re deadly. That look is adorable.” Sammy squealed as massive bear paws pushed her back against the kitchen door and a bear face came up to hers and a tongue came out and licked her from chin to hairline.

  Pushing at the heavy mass she got up and laughed. “That was just wrong. Change back now. Your bear has softened me up enough.”

  Sammy watched in amazement as lights swirled around the bear and the form morphed and changed to a gorgeous naked muscled man. Sammy might be scared of Slater and his temper, but he was magnificent, with his broad shoulders, tanned skin and tall frame.

  “Do you have clothes I can get from somewhere?”

  Slater stood straight and didn’t bother to cover his cock, which Sammy tried really hard not to look at.

  “In my car I have some clothes. It’s parked down the end of the alley.”

  Nodding, Sammy started walking down towards where he said his car was.

  “Why’d you come back?”

  Sammy stopped to see Slater standing behind her waiting for his answer. She shrugged. “I need to stop running scared. I didn’t give you a chance to explain yourself, and I was angry that after how much you pursued me you just let me go.” Sammy put her hand up as she saw his mouth open to interrupt. “I know I said I didn’t want you, but I sat at the bus-stop and I didn’t feel good. Something didn’t feel right, and I got angry wondering why you hadn’t said anything, so I came back to argue or at least figure out what was going on. I know I’m confusing and difficult, and really I don’t know how you put up with me always changing my mind, but you and Brock have this hold over me like no other ever has. I like being with you two even after I thought I could never be with men again.”

  “You sounded pretty final earlier, and after the week I’ve had I didn’t want to risk going after you and somehow making this all worse.” He ran his fingers through his short hair. “I’ve never been this grumpy in my life. I’m usually the calm and collected one. The easy-going guy in the Bear clan.” Slater leaned forward and took a deep breath in. “I know it’s no excuse for my behavior, but you make me crazy. I want you so bad, and not being with you, touching you, is killing me.”

  Sammy took a step away from him as her heart felt like it was about to beat right out of her chest. She clenched her thighs as his honey and chocolate scent surrounded her reminding her of the connection they had and that he was naked.

  Turning back around she walked toward where he had said his car was and took a deep breath of air that didn’t smell of Slater. “I overreacted the other day. I’m sorry for my behavior with the driving lessons. Now that I’ve had a couple of lessons with Brock, I understand how bad I was the day I was with you. I still feel you shouldn’t have yelled though, but I understand more now. Reading about driving and doing the test is a lot different than being behind the wheel. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to handle yelling and someone grabbing and yanking me about ever again. I know I keep saying this, but I’m trying. I’ll keep trying. I want to be normal or some kind of in-between, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be.”

  Slater stopped and she turned to him. “It hasn’t even been a year since what that bastard did to you, and I think you’re doing better than most people. You’ve got a job. You see your friends, and you have not one but two men. I think you�
��re doing really well. We just need to learn to communicate better.”

  She smiled up at him. “Thanks. Let’s get some clothes on you.” Sammy turned and walked again. She could see the car now. It was a nice blue sports car. She turned to the very naked Slater and looked him up and down. “How are you going to get your clothes if you don’t have keys?”

  “What makes you think I don’t have keys?”

  Sammy stood by the car and bit her lip as she blatantly studied Slater’s muscled body. Unless he had a key stuck in his hair there was nowhere for him to have put it. “You being completely naked might have something to do with it.”

  Slater grinned, then bent down and reached under the back car wheel. Sammy’s couldn’t stop her gaze zoning in on the tight, round, squeezable butt in front of her.

  “I hide a key under a wheel in case I get stuck like I am now.” Slater straightened, holding up a car key.

  Sammy shook her head. “This is an expensive sports car, and you have a key so easy access?”

  “The car is insured, and when you’re a shifter you need a backup.” Slater went to the boot and opened it. He pulled out black tracksuit pants and a white top.

  “When you go back in the restaurant won’t they notice you’re not wearing the same clothes?”

  Slater leaned down and put the key back. “Yes, but no one will say anything to me because I’m the boss.”

  They walked back to the restaurant’s back door. Sammy waited for him to say something more. When he didn’t she smiled up at him as she said, “I’ll see you tomorrow at Sandy’s wedding.” She turned to walk to the bus stop when he tapped her back.

  “Wait. Please wait. Can I give you a lift home? I’ll just pop in and grab my wallet and car keys.”

  Sammy studied him. She’d felt comfortable with him now, and she’d loved seeing him in bear form. Also she had come all this way to see him and accept his apologies and apologize herself, even if she’d run scared when she’d seen him arguing and towering over his head chef. Not everyone was Greg, she reminded herself.

  “Okay. I’ll wait right here while you go get and do what you have to do.”

  Her heart melted as Slater’s eyes shone, and his smile took her breath away. “Give me five or so minutes.” He opened the door, and Sammy let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

  ****

  Slater went straight to Richard his head chef and told him he wouldn’t be back tonight and he was in charge and lock-up was his. Slater grabbed what he needed from his office eager to get back to Sammy and the second chance she’d given him. He wouldn’t stuff this one up.

  He couldn’t believe Sammy had come to see him, and she’d come to apologize. Slater had almost lost himself in a shift when she’d seen him arguing with Richard and run off. His bear was on edge already from going so long without seeing Sammy and angry with him for what he’d said.

  Slater’s bear was content and happy at the moment thanks to Sammy’s affection when she’d come back after he’d lost it over her leaving. Slater knew he would have to talk to Sammy in the car, because as good as he was he couldn’t watch everything he did around her forever, and he didn’t feel he should pretend to be someone he wasn’t.

  Opening the back door again he saw Sammy stood by the door playing a game on her phone. Upon seeing him she put her phone in her pocket and walked towards his car. Slater reached for her hand and held it in his as they walked to the car.

  Clicking his door locks he opened the door for Sammy and shut it once she was in. He then walked around to his own side, got in and started the car and drove in the direction to Sammy’s house.

  After a couple of minutes’ silence he sighed. “You’re my mate. I want you more than I’ve wanted anything in my life. I look forward to spending time with you, and I’m enjoying working on our bond and getting to know each other. But I can’t walk on eggshells around you all the time. It’s no way to live.”

  He stopped at a traffic light and grabbed her hand and brought it to his mouth and kissed her knuckles before letting it go and taking off at the green light. “I’m not Greg. I would never hurt you in a physical way. I love to say I would never do anything that would hurt you because as much as I’d like to say that, I won’t. I don’t know what stupid thing that could come out of my mouth and offend you, or I can’t guarantee I won’t embarrass you, or something that I think is right might upset you. I think differently from you. If you don’t tell me what I do wrong I can’t fix anything or explain.”

  Slater growled because he felt like he was saying it all wrong. Scrubbing his hand over his face he turned towards Sammy’s street. “Look, what I’m trying to say is that Brock and I will make mistakes. I’m sure you’ll make mistakes. I can’t never be angry again and never yell. Sometimes I need to let off steam. I should be more mindful of what you went through and that. Crap! I’m stuffing this up. What I’m trying to say is you have to have faith in me, in Brock, in us and not give up on us over everything. I’m in it, I mean Brock and I are in it, for the forever kind of relationship.”

  Sammy sat quiet in the seat for the last bit of the drive. When he parked out the front of her house she turned to him. “You’re right. I really am sorry for overreacting over your yelling when you tried to teach me to drive and running from you earlier at work. I don’t want you to feel you have to walk on eggshells around me. I’ve lived through a relationship like that and don’t want to put anyone else through it. I said I would give this relationship a real try. I want a loving forever like what Susie and Sandy have. I deserve that. If you’re willing to talk and communicate then I’m willing to really try. After Sandy’s wedding we’ll go out together on real nighttime dates, to the movies and out to restaurants. No running when something I don’t like happens. I want to get back to being more the old me, the one before Greg. I know I will never be all the old me because I’ve learned and grown up and what happened has affected everything I do, but I need to move forward.”

  Slater stared at Sammy, proud of her. He hadn’t wanted everything she’d just said. All he’d really wanted was a commitment that she would give them a proper chance and stop running at anything that didn’t go her way.

  “Thank you. I don’t need all that at once or ever. I’m happy with just you. Not the old you but the you that you want to be.” He leaned over and brushed his lips over hers. “Go get some sleep. I’ll see you at the wedding tomorrow.”

  He watched her as she opened her car door and walked up to her front door and got inside. Slater sat in the car hoping that this would all work because after tonight his bear was totally in love with her. He didn’t even have to ask Brock to know that he was already falling for her. The way he talked about her this week had confirmed it. He knew when Sammy gave him the chance to get to know her, he would fall, too.

  Chapter Four

  The park was packed full of people sitting and standing as they watched the strange ceremony. Sandy looked gorgeous in a white flowing gown. Her large bouquet hid her enormous baby belly. Susie stood beside Sammy. Jane stood on Sammy’s other side, and Gwen stood next to Jane.

  Poor Susie looked massive. She’d waddled down the aisle on Sandy’s brother Philip’s arm. Susie looked like all you had to do was touch her and one of her babies would pop out. Brian and Blake sat in the front row on the edge of their seats like they were ready to catch Susie if she fell or run to her if she started to go into labor, which could happen.

  The celebrant now sat at a table with the marriage certificate. Jake was to become her husband in the eyes of most humans and the government, and Zack was to be Sandy’s secret husband, the one of the heart.

  Sandy hadn’t really been keen on the whole wedding thing until her father had found out she was pregnant and he’d wanted her married. Sammy remembered that night because she’d been called around to help drink as Sandy couldn’t. Sandy had moaned and groaned about what she would do, and she had no idea how it would be done without hurting one of he
r men’s feeling. Zack had come in and interrupted their girls’ night by saying he would be the husband of the heart. Plus he said it would be fun to piss his mother off. Sammy had thought Zack was a bit nasty to do stuff like that to his mother, but after meeting Adele and watching her now as she sat rigid in her seat looking like a child who didn’t get her way as Sandy signed her name next to Jake’s, Sammy didn’t feel bad for her at all.

  The music started, and everyone stood as Sandy got up with the help of Zack and Jake. The celebrant announced everything done, and the bride, grooms, and bridal party would go off for photos now, and the reception hall would be open and they could all start making their way over to the venue now.

  John came and took her hand, and they followed Susie as she waddled after the bride. When they were in the cars Susie turned to her. “I really wish Sandy had organized this wedding earlier. I know I must look like a whale.”

  “You look like a woman who is pregnant with twins.”

  Sammy waited for a smart-aleck remark from Sandy’s brothers, but they seemed distracted. Now she thought about it they’d been quiet the whole day. She looked at Susie to see she was staring at Phillip and John.

  “What’s wrong, guys? You’ve been quiet all day. You upset your sister married two guys?”

  Philip shook his head. “No. We couldn’t care less about Sandy marrying two men. If they’re willing to put up with her and keep her safe I take my hat off to them.”

  “Personally I don’t think two men are enough to control our sister,” John added from beside her.

  Sammy smiled because this was more like the brothers she knew, always ready with a smart-aleck response but filled with love for their sister.

  “So why are you two so quiet?” Susie asked.

  John turned a light shade of pink. “Gwen. Philip and I have this uncontrollable urge to pick her up and take her away and show her that we can share real well.”

  Sammy groaned, and Susie joined her. “Gross, way too much information. I don’t need to have those images in my head. You and Philip are like the closest thing I have to brothers.”