by Fel Fern
“Fine,” the woman said, dragging a protesting Roger outside. That done, the bar went back to its usual noisy and rowdy self. Rick gave him a curt nod.
“Maybe you should take your human somewhere quiet,” Rick suggested.
He noticed Pat shaking like a leaf against him. Clearly, that encounter rattled Pat. He threaded one possessive arm across Pat’s shoulders. Pat didn’t protest as he guided him outside. Thank God, the vampires had gone, because if he caught Roger’s scent again, he’d rip that bloodsucker to pieces for thinking Pat was food.
“I—I’m good now,” Pat said, parting from him. His bear didn’t like that, but he told his animal to be patient. This needed careful handling. Obviously, Pat and he had a few unresolved issues to fix.
Mac changed his mind about initially not wanting to have anything to do with Pat. He would have to at least hang around to protect the human while he was visiting Red Mountains. But he couldn’t risk anything more than that, not if Pat was only passing through.
Vampires were proud creatures, especially the newly changed ones. It was the older ones who had more sense, but the older ones usually kept to their homes, letting the new generation run the show. Unlike shifters, who were content to live their normal lives alongside humans, some of the vampires thought humans were at the bottom of the food chain.
If Roger got word Pat was still in town and no longer had Mac’s protection, Roger might just pay his little human a secret visit one night. Mac gritted his teeth. Like hell that would ever happen.
“No, you’re not,” he said when Pat repeated his words. “You’re still trembling.”
“Who wouldn’t be after that? I mean, God. I know I brought it upon myself by entering a bar that catered to the paranormals. I just wanted…” Pat trailed off, biting his lower lip.
“Just what?” he prodded.
“To catch a glimpse of you. Just one.”
Pat’s cheeks and neck turned pink, an endearing color on his human.
“Well, I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. Let me take you back to your hotel,” Mac suggested. He sure as hell didn’t want the night to end yet, but maybe all Pat wanted was to rest. He noticed the tired lines around Pat’s eyes. The human looked exhausted.
“I don’t have a place to stay,” Pat admitted, which surprised Mac a little. If he remembered correctly, Mac always had a planner with him back in high school, loved to organize. Pat sighed. “I’m screwed. I’m not usually like this. Then again, I didn’t anticipate quitting my job and driving all the way out here.”
So, Mac mused, some things still hadn’t changed.
“You don’t have to worry about that. We got a spare cabin.”
Pat blinked. “O’Riley Rental Cabins?”
Mac chuckled. “You did your research but didn’t manage to book yourself a room.”
If possible, the human turned even redder. “Thanks for the kind offer but—”
Mac put a finger to Pat’s lips. “No buts. I insist. It’s late. Why don’t you accept?”
Pat scowled. “I see you’re as bossy as ever.”
“And you’re stubborn as hell,” Mac finished.
“You—”
Mac didn’t let Pat finish. He’d been wanting to do this ever since he scented Pat in the bar. Gripping the back of Pat’s neck, he slammed his lips over Pat’s. He felt the human’s hesitation, but it quickly passed. Pat yielded to his kiss, fisting his shirt as he leaned in close.
Encouraged Pat didn’t push him away, he ran his hands past Pat’s shirt, touching soft skin. God. His little human’s scent proved to be intoxicating, so did Pat’s taste. So sweet, better than honey even.
Mac thrust his tongue down Pat’s parted lips, dick pulsing when Pat sucked down on his tongue. He ran his hand lower, past the band of Pat’s jeans and boxers to find out what he sought. Mac gave Pat’s cock a squeeze. Pat widened his eyes.
“Don’t look so shocked,” he told his little human. “I smelled your arousal in the bar. You want me as I do you.”
“Yes,” Pat murmured. “Help me forget.”
“Forget what, baby?” He leaned in for another kiss, this one more gentle and slow. When he pulled away, Pat moaned.
“It’s hard to think,” Pat murmured. “We’re still in public. Can we go somewhere else? My car’s over there.”
Mac glanced at the junk with wheels Pat pointed to. “Let’s take my truck. Your ride looks like it’s about to fall apart.”
“Hey,” Pat protested. “My baby managed to bring me back here, didn’t it?”
“Brownie points to the junk with wheels then, but, Mac, be reasonable. You shouldn't drink and drive.”
Pat pouted, considered his offer. “That brush with the vampire woke me up. I’ll follow you. Will that make you happy?”
Mac huffed. “Fine.”
Mac got into his own truck and drove. A glance at his rear-view mirror told him Pat was following him. He drove out of the main town area to the outskirts. Childhood memories he’d buried long ago came back. He remembered bringing Pat to the Honey Bear when they were teens, how he snuck the human in, because Pat had never been to a bar.
Mac planned on showing Pat the cabins, too. Hell, he wanted so much more time with Pat, to tell Pat how he truly felt about him but Pat and his family left before that could happen. He shook his head. Ten years ago, he’d been pissed Pat was leaving, but Pat had been a kid, too. Pat couldn’t have predicted his father getting a job in the city.
No use dwelling about the past now, Mac decided. Fate returned Pat back to him. While he still couldn’t make peace with his bear about Pat being his mate, because Pat certainly deserved better, he wasn’t just going to sit idly by, either.
The fire between them had been scorching even though all they did was kiss. He bet their chemistry in the bedroom would be off the charts. Mac smirked. By the end of the evening, Pat would be begging him for more.
Chapter Four
“Are you sure?” Pat asked Mac for the second time that night.
Mac dumped his stuff by the door and let him explore the cabin.
“Sure, that’s what we charge all our renters,” Mac explained.
He narrowed his eyes at Mac, then looked back at the single-floor cabin. It looked newly furnished and came equipped with a kitchen, living room, and a comfortable looking bed. It even came with a cozy fireplace.
“Are you sure you’re not giving me a discount just because we’re,” he began, then halted. What were they?
Could he call Mac his friend, even after what happened outside the Honey Bear? God, that kiss. Throughout the silent drive, his mind remained preoccupied. Pat had never been kissed like that. He remembered thinking how wild and savage Mac looked when his pupils turned yellow, especially when the werebear slipped those rough and callused fingers past his jeans to find his dick.
Pat’s prick thickened in his jeans, and he turned away abruptly, but too late. Mac looked right at him, right at the bulge he sported in his jeans.
“There’s no need to hide from me, little human,” Mac said, flashing him a toothy smile.
“Bear-y well. Get it?” Shit. Pat tended to mumble nonsense whenever he got nervous. Mac only widened his smile. That look told Pat Mac saw right through him. Those blue eyes tinged with gold stripped him bare.
“You can tell me all the bear jokes you’ve been saving up later. We still have unfinished business.”
Mac eliminated the distance between them in a few steps. He halted the werebear by placing a hand on one broad shoulder. Mac paused, frowning, but before the werebear misinterpreted his actions, he rose on tiptoe, then brushed his lips over Mac’s.
Mac paused, clearly taken by surprise. Pat seldom took initiative, but this felt good and right. The explosive kiss told him he didn’t imagine the fire between them outside the bar. Teeth clashed and tongues tangled. Without another word, they pawed at each other’s clothes.
He shook off his shirt, groaning when Mac hooked fingers
into his belt loops and yanked his pants and boxers down. Realizing he wore nothing but his shoes, he blushed hard. Pat harbored no illusion about his body. No matter what he did or how hard he tried to bulk up, he remained skinny. Even the men he’d dated in the past always tried to convince him to work out, pointing out his flaws.
Mac, though, looked at him like he was the most desirable man in the world—not shy and awkward Pat. Mac made him feel…more. That hungry stare made his dick hard. Mac let out a growl, doing away with his clothes in a hurry.
It was his turn to gawk. Mac looked like a Greek god in human skin. Every inch of Mac seemed carved out of muscle.
“Do you like working out?” he blurted.
Strike two. Pat was really off his game, but the werebear didn’t seem to care. Mac gripped the back of his neck, thrust his tongue down his throat, and gave his dick a few squeezes and tugs. He groaned, savoring the touch of skin-on-skin, his slender body clashing with Mac’s hard one. Mac placed a possessive hand on his buttocks, gave them a squeeze.
He nearly came then, simply from Mac’s touch. The werebear touched him like he owned Pat, and he liked that, loved how confident Mac was. Mac pushed him to the floor, so his back hit the soft rug there.
The fur felt incredibly soft, decadent even. Mac left a trail of kisses from his lips, neck, upper body. He shuddered when Mac took a nipple to his mouth, left his bite mark there, before leaving more nips down his body. He squirmed, but Mac gripped his hip, preventing escape—not that he wanted that.
Mac reached his dick and his eyes widened when the werebear flicked his tongue out, swiping the pre-cum gathered there. A moan tore out of him as he threaded fingers into Mac’s hair. Even like this, it was clear who ran the show. Mac licked and sucked at his prick with obvious relish, all the while keeping those intense, wild yellow eyes on him. It was as if Mac savored every sound he managed to wrangle out of Pat’s lips.
He gasped when Mac took his dick fully into his mouth. It was a hell of a sight, seeing the big werebear go down on him. Never did Pat imagine that his fantasies could turn into a reality. Mac bobbed his head a few times. The pressure inside him built. Just when he thought he’d finally explode, Mac pulled away.
The werebear seemed amused by his frustrated groan.
Without warning, Mac flipped him on his hands and knees. Need surged through every inch of his body. His balls felt heavy, his dick engorged. Shame flew out the window as he pushed his ass at Mac in offering. Mac’s large hand came down on his ass cheeks. He jumped as pain jolted through his entire body.
No, it wasn’t painful at all. If possible, he became even more aroused. Hearing the lube being uncapped, he swiveled his head over his shoulder. Mac applied the slick liquid over his fingers, before working plenty into his hold. He groaned, feeling Mac’s fingers inside his most intimate place.
“Condom?” Mac asked.
He shook his head, cleared his throat, although he was still blushing. They were really doing this, finally making one of his long-time fantasies come true. “I’m clean,” he managed to say. “And I know shifters don’t catch anything.”
“Good.”
“Good?” he repeated.
“Because I want my cum in your ass. You’re mine, Patrick Lane. Mine to mark and claim.”
He shuddered at the confidence in Mac’s words, didn’t bother correcting his bear. Mac told the truth, hadn’t he? There might be a reason why most of Pat’s pathetic dates failed. He’d measured all those men against Mac. They never stood a chance, because he’d already given Mac his heart ten years ago.
The realization made his heart beat erratically, his breathing hitched. Mac pulled his fingers out, and he spread his legs a little wider, groaning when Mac gripped his hips then pushed in. He gasped at Mac’s entrance. So huge, he thought, breathing in and out.
Once Mac passed the thick, stubborn ring of muscles, it became easier. Finally, Mac bottomed out inside of him, heavy balls pressed up against his ass. It burned a little, but Pat knew Mac would make it glorious for him soon enough.
“Good job, baby,” Mac said, blanketing his body over his for a moment to steal a kiss from his lips. “My turn to make you fly. I’m going to fuck you so hard, you won’t be able to forget me.”
The kiss was different, tender and sweet almost. Then Mac began to hammer in and out of him, making good on his promise. Pat doubted he’d forget anytime soon. His body no longer felt like it belonged to him.
Moaning, he met Mac for every thrust, aware of Mac’s dick stretching his ass wide. Mac must have shifted angles, because the next push hit against his sensitive spot. He gasped, clawing at the rug, but Mac didn’t ease up. His werebear repeatedly hit his prostate. Mac’s grip on his hips were bruising, but the roughness only heated him up even more.
His balls drew in tight against his body. His dick hardened to full mast.
“Mac,” he blurted, unable to continue.
Mac snaked his fingers between their bodies and gave his prick a squeeze. The pressure building inside him shattered. The room fell away from his line of sight. He cried out, spilling his load into Mac’s waiting hand. Mac pistoned in and out of him several more times, before filling his ass with sticky warmth.
He collapsed on the floor, all the muscles in his body relaxed. Languidness came over Pat. He became distinctively aware of Mac moving around, disappearing into the bathroom only to return to him with a towel. Mac swiped them both clean before joining him on the floor.
“I’m sorry about the rug,” he said, pleased Mac pulled him close.
“Don’t worry about the rug.”
Reassured by Mac’s words, Pat nestled against his bear gratefully, his back and ass pressed up against Mac’s front. His eyes widened slightly as Mac lifted his leg, only to slide into his entrance again. His ass was loose and remained slick with Mac’s cum, so it was easy for Mac to bury his cock inside him again.
He groaned. “You’re hard again,” he managed.
“Shifter, baby,” Mac reminded him, hand closing on his arm.
He whimpered as Mac rode him, strokes slow and steady.
“Oh God,” he whispered. Mac felt so good, so huge inside him. He felt owned by his bear completely and decided he liked that.
Pat had never belonged to anyone before, and it felt nice.
In a few strokes, Mac came again. Mac pulled his prick out of his ass. He could feel Mac’s cum dribbling down his leg. The way Mac fucked him, marked him like territory, sent shivers down his spine. Was it wrong he liked that?
“Talk to me, little human,” Mac said, stroking his belly, his dick.
Glad Mac couldn’t see the expression on his face, he blushed and told Mac the truth.
“Is it wrong?” he asked once he’d voiced his thoughts out loud.
Mac nipped at his neck, seemingly fascinated by the spot between his shoulder and neck. “Why the fuck would that be wrong? I like that you know you’re mine.”
He let out a shaky laugh, then realized Mac sounded dead serious. Mac loosened his grip on him so Pat could turn and look the shifter in the eye. Mac held his gaze with steady yellow ones. Pat realized he wasn’t just looking at the man, but also the bear in there.
“Mac, I don’t understand all this. Why I’m so attracted to you, why this all feels so right.” Pat knew if he blurted those words to another man, that was a sure-fire way for his lover to get up and run for the nearest exit. Not Mac though.
“That’s an easy enough answer,” Mac drawled, placing one hand on Pat’s thigh, fingers close to his dick. “You’re my mate, little human. It took ten years, but you’re here now. Know this—unlike before, I’m not letting you go. If you try to leave, then I’ll tie you down myself.”
Chapter Five
Those words should have frightened any human in the right frame of mind, Mac thought. Maybe he said too much. After being inside Pat and connecting on the most intimate and profound way, the bear inside him had grown even more possessive and violent. Bet
ter for Pat to know about his plans than find out later on.
To his surprise, Pat didn’t run away from him or make an excuse to leave, although the human’s eyes widened. Mac could hear the rapid beat of Pat’s heart. His gaze lingered on the enticing spot on Pat’s neck, where he could put his mate mark and guarantee Pat would be tied to him for life.
Do it, his animal whispered. Make him yours.
Mac pushed the beast away, although it hurt him to do so. His animal was enraged, couldn’t understand the need to wait.
“I don’t know what to say to that,” Pat whispered. “Mac, you’re scaring me a little.”
“Why haven’t you run?”
“Because I’ve loved you from afar for too long, had a massive crush on you since high school that wouldn’t go away. I need to think. I mean, I don’t even have my life figured out.”
Good enough answer for Mac.
“You’re not going anywhere anytime soon,” Mac said.
Pat nodded, running his fingers down Mac’s chest. The bear in Mac growled in approval. Mac and his animal came to a mutual agreement. They wouldn’t steal away Pat’s ability to choose. At least, not yet. That didn’t mean Mac wouldn’t fend off any bastard who thought his mate was free for the taking.
If Roger or anyone else messed with his mate, they had a savage bear to deal with.
Pat turned again, cuddled close. The human felt like a small bundle of warmth against him. Maybe Pat deserved better than one growly and possessive werebear, but Mac didn’t give a damn. The moment he locked eyes with Pat ten years ago, he’d already known that the human was meant to be his.
* * * *
Pat woke up to the smell of bacon and waffles, along with a slight headache. He rubbed at his eyes, feeling grumpy. No brutal hangover though, like how he’d wake up on most mornings after drinking himself to sleep. He peeled his eyes open, blinking. Pat rested on some kind of soft furry rug, and he didn’t recognize his surroundings. Then the events of last night hit him.