by Celia Kyle
She scrambled for the knob, scratching at the aged wood and metal until she finally grasped the handle. A quick turn had her tumbling into the house. He grasped her, wrapping his arms around her waist to keep her from falling. She could yell at him about helping her later. For now, the bear wouldn’t entertain the idea of Kira getting hurt.
He hauled her against him, fighting to ignore the pleasure that filled him at having her curves aligned with his hard body. He was a study in stark, muscled lines while she was sweet softness. He could sink into her over and over again and never tire of her touch.
The thought had his cock twitching, blood slowly filling his length, and he was quick to release Kira before she realized the level of his attraction. He’d been interested even after she destroyed his things, but seeing her care for her garden and her strength as she fought to do things on her own… Well, that just sealed the deal.
Isaac wanted her. Badly. And he wouldn’t stop until he had her in his arms, in his bed.
Because something else hovered between them, something that bothered him more than he’d ever admit to his family. Something that tarnished his day-to-day life. His parents thought they knew. Even his brothers felt as if they understood his pain.
But they didn’t. Not even a tiny bit.
Kira did, though. He had no doubt she understood what it was like to be thought of as less. As worthless. To be whispered about and shunned.
He sounded like a fucking girl, but he didn’t give a damn. The hyenas hadn’t just torn his flesh, they’d stolen a part of him that he’d never get back.
Kira made him wonder if he ever needed it in the first place.
The sudden jumble and clang of pots and pans had him striding through her home, following the continued sounds until he came to a jarring stop in her kitchen. A few cookie sheets peppered the ground as well as a skillet or two. Then there were the pots…
“Kira?” He stepped over a flat sheet that’d seen better days and steadied himself by grasping the kitchen table when he slid on another. “You okay?”
She stood stock still in the middle of the mess, hands fisted, and he imagined her digging nails into that unmarred skin. Her face flushed, red inching past her ratty top and slowly painting her neck until it filled her face as well.
“Honey?” He reached for her, ignoring the tension that still pummeled her body. She didn’t resist when he grasped her wrist or uncurled her fist. Nor when he tugged her close and ran his hand down her back. “You all right?”
Kira sniffled and breathed deeply, releasing the air in a slow exhale. “I’m fine. A new friend came over yesterday to help me unpack and she… obviously didn’t listen or understand or… It’s fine. Fine.” Another breath. “It just means I can’t exactly make you anything and I had this great soup in mind and—”
She was talking a mile a minute, and he didn’t understand half of what she said. The only thing he did understand was that she was upset by the mess.
“Okay,” he ignored all the warnings in his human mind and let the bear’s instincts rule. He eased closer, tugging slightly until she was alongside him. “How about you tell me what ingredients you need and we’ll go to my place. Even with all the boxes, I’ve got plenty of pots and pans and anything you’d need.”
She shuddered, releasing a soft sigh. “I’m being stupid, aren’t I?”
She rubbed her nose against his shirt, glasses going askew with the move. When they threatened to clatter to the ground, he snatched them.
“Do you need these?”
Kira huffed and pulled away, tilting her head back to peer up at him. His gaze met the most gorgeous pair of glacier blue eyes he’d ever seen. They were lighter than the clear water off the coast of Florida and sparkled just as bright.
“Huh?” She blinked, hiding behind her lids for a moment before focusing on him once again.
He brought his hand up, holding them within her line of sight. He wasn’t sure how much she could see, but he did it anyway. “Your glasses. Do you need them?”
“Oh.” A trembling hand rose, and he met her half way, placing them in her grip. “I… Most people…” She grimaced. “I stare through people sometimes, you know. I try to focus on the shape I think is speaking but I’m not always right and…” She sighed. “I prefer to wear the glasses rather than make others uncomfortable.”
Her grimace, combined with the sticky flavors of her embarrassment, called to his bear’s protective instincts. He didn’t want her to ever feel bad about who she was, about her body, or the way she lived.
It was their problem. Not hers. They didn’t like looking? Then they could turn their heads. Anger over his own issues of the past year and a half burned him, enraging his animal at the thought she’d endured the same her entire life.
She stirred in his embrace, gently withdrawing, but a soft squeeze had her remaining in place.
“When you’re with me, unless you need them, you don’t have to wear these things.” He stroked her nose, fingertip sliding over skin. She twitched, probably surprised at the touch, but remained still. “I like seeing your eyes. They’re gorgeous.”
She was breathtaking, but the disbelief rolling off her in waves told him he shouldn’t push. He’d already shoved his presence on her, taking advantage and wiggling into her day.
He could wait.
A careful step back had him releasing her and putting space between their bodies. The bear roared in protest, but they couldn’t exactly feed her if they didn’t let go.
It agreed with an annoyed grumble.
“C’mon. Let’s go to my place.”
“But—”
“Grab your stuff, Kira, and then we’re going over.”
“But—”
“Here, lemme get this sorted and stacked. We can wash everything and then we can put it all away—together—after lunch.” There, he didn’t think he said anything offensive and was even giving her a chance to order him around.
Kira slumped her shoulders. “You’re not giving up, are you?”
“Nope.”
“Fine,” she mumbled.
“Perfect.” Isaac smiled widely, truly grinning for the first time since the battle with the hyenas.
And… he wasn’t self-conscious. Part of him knew she couldn’t see the scars, there was no physical reason for her to reject him due to the damage. But he also felt it wouldn’t matter to her even if she could spy the large swaths of twisted skin.
Maybe he had a chance with her.
The thought sobered him, had him backpedaling and reining in his emotions.
He was moving. Period. In five weeks, he was out of Grayslake. Yet some part of him said leaving wouldn’t be easy.
Shoving it aside, he focused on getting them to his place. He spun from her and bent down, gathering the mess of pots and pans, carefully stacking them according to size on the counter.
“Isaac?”
He glanced over his shoulder, hating the indecision on her face. He wanted her to trust him now, but he had to be patient. “I’m good. Piling things according to type and size. We’ll wash ’em after lunch. I promise.”
Kira nibbled her lip, biting that piece of plump flesh, and he held the bear in place when it threatened to rush forward and force his hand. Because, really, the action brought his attention to her mouth, and he’d love to delve into her with a passionate kiss.
Not now. Not today. Maybe never.
It really wasn’t smart to get involved with her only to leave her behind.
Then she presented him with her back, with her rounded ass that begged for his hands.
Yeah, bad idea. Really.
She glanced at him over her shoulder and he tore his gaze from her butt. The one he’d like to nibble and lick and taste and… “Isaac?”
He cleared his throat. “Yeah?”
“Can Ebie come?”
Swallowing his groan and figuring he’d just have to buy a lot of new things when he got to the Southeast Itan’s compound, he
Kira’s blinding smile, the one that sank into his soul, was more than worth the money he’d have to spend.
*
Nerves assaulted Kira, butterflies and rhinoceros battering her stomach as she snared Ebenezer’s leash and clipped it on her dog’s collar. The clang and scrape of metal meeting metal sounded from her kitchen as Isaac did exactly as he described. She was giving him a bit of her trust. For now. At least until he betrayed it… Like everyone else in the world.
She shook her head. She really needed to stop being such a fucking pessimist. Not everyone was like Alpha Asshole and her brother.
Well, there were a few bears… Nah, Grayslake was better than her life with her family.
Isaac’s feet thumped down the hallway, and she turned her head toward him, watching his blurred shape approach.
Yes, it was definitely better. At least until he moves.
Which reminded her that she shouldn’t get attached. Then he placed his large, warm hand on her lower back, sending a shiver down her spine, and urged her toward the door. Maybe it was already too late.
“Ready?” His deep baritone thrummed through her, vibrating her from outside in.
“Sure.”
“Okay, then.” He reached past her, gifting her with more of his scent. She quietly drew it into her lungs.
She’d never get enough of him and yet… she’d have to, wouldn’t she?
It took no time for him to open the door and escort her out. Without a word he tugged her keys from her hand and locked up her house before moving to the steps. That’s where he paused, his indecision practically choking her.
“Uh, um, do you want to… Or should I…” He sighed. “Am I leading you to my house or am I leaving you alone?”
Kira paused and tilted her head to the side, considering him as she absorbed the surrounding scents. She didn’t sense any pity, merely a desire to… what?
“Why?”
“Huh?” He sounded confused and she couldn’t blame him. He didn’t know what it was like to live with pity and scorn. “Why what?”
“Why do you want to lead me down the steps? To your house?” she explained.
“Would it scare you if I tell you I just wanna hold you for a minute? If it would, then I’m merely a concerned citizen.”
She grinned and shook her head as she padded forward, Ebie at her side. “Bend your arm and hold out your elbow. Don’t pull. Lemme follow your movements.”
With a gentle hand, she reached for him, letting her fingers trail over his bicep, softly pressing to cop a feel. They were as big as tree trunks, solid and wide, tensing beneath her fingertips. Then she slid her palm to his elbow and forced herself to stop. More than anything, she wanted to keep going, to take a moment to “see” him with her hands.
Instead, she did as she’d indicated and gripped the bend at his elbow with a firm touch. “All ready.”
She listened as they moved, slowly going down the set of stairs and then counting the steps to the front gate. The hinge squeaked as always and the little bell announced that it’d opened.
“Is that so you know you’ve got the right house?” he murmured, and the question brought a smile to her lips.
“Yes.”
“Smart.”
She almost told him it was necessary, and that she had a few dozen replacement bells in the house. They’d been stolen more than once. Not necessarily in Grayslake but there was always a chance she’d come across someone…
The rest of the short trip was made in silence, Isaac’s worry easily reaching her. It seemed like their travels were over in moments. With him being next door, she imagined only a few dozen feet separated their yards.
The jiggle of his latch penetrated their quiet, and it was further destroyed by the roar of a vehicle coming near. And nearer and then even nearer.
Images of the past, a dark SUV rushing forward as she remained held fast by her pack mates. The vehicle bearing down on her while she could do nothing to stop the impending collision. The scrapes and bruises caused by being shoved before the massive machine and the cackling laughs that followed her fresh tears. The wounds that’d been healing were then torn open, spilling her blood on the concrete.
Panic assaulted her, filling her body until it overflowed and air rasped in and out of her tightened lungs.
“Kira?”
She recognized his worried voice, but the fear had her captive.
“Kira?”
It wouldn’t let her speak, wouldn’t let her do anything but remain motionless.
Firm hands grabbed her shoulders, gently shaking her. “Kira?”
The click and thump of vehicle doors opening and closing preceded the rapid argument of two people approaching. A man and woman sniping at each other over speed and driving and missing the turn at Main Street and…
“Kira?” Isaac’s voice was a deep, annoyed growl.
The couple entered her line of sight, the woman short and a little rounded like herself while the man was large, larger than Isaac. A deep breath revealed these two scented like the man at her side. Not the earthy musk that intrigued her mole, but familiar just the same.
“Kira?” he snapped, giving her another rough shake.
Kira blinked her eyes, fluttering her lashes as the panic receded and embarrassment took its place. “I’m sorry. I—”
“Isaac Jericho Abrams.” The woman’s lyrical voice held a snap of anger mixed with annoyance and he stiffened before releasing Kira with a rough sigh.
“Lemme say I’m sorry in advance.” Another sigh accompanied the withdrawal of his hands for a moment before he laid one arm across her shoulders. “Mom. Dad.”
His parents. Of course she’d meet his parents at the tail end of a panic attack. Then again, why should she care? They were friends, new friends, but still friends and nothing more.
“We have been calling you all morning—” His mother halted in her tracks, cutting off her words. “Oh, hello, dear. Isaac, introduce me to your friend.”
His rumbling growl vibrated her, but the sound didn’t hit the air. “You’ve been calling me?”
“Yes, yes.”
Kira imagined the woman flapping her arm, a bright bracelet or cuff swinging through the air clued Kira in to her actions.
“Later. Who’s your friend? Oh, never mind.” Isaac’s mother approached, that cuffed arm stretched wide, and she realized the other swung wide as well. A hug. The woman opened her arms for a— Suddenly she was tugged from his hold and embraced, wrapped in the woman’s softness and warmth. The scents of sweetness and pure happiness sank into her, and a soothing calm immediately followed. “Hello, dear, I’m Margaret. You can call me Meg or Mom. Whichever you like.”
“Mom. Really?” Isaac huffed. “Dad?”
The other visitor, obviously Isaac’s father, merely grunted. What kind of answer was that?
“Oh, hush,” Meg admonished as she released Kira and held her at arm’s length. “Aren’t you just gorgeous? That hair, those eyes. Oh, Isaac, isn’t she beautiful? George, isn’t she?”
Another grunt from his father, obviously George.
“Yes, Mom, she is. She’s also hungry. So if you could let her go and tell me why you called…”
“Oh,” Meg’s pure joy rushed Kira, bowling her over. “This is wonderful. I was calling because we’re having a barbeque and your brothers want you to come. So you will and you’ll bring your friend. What’s your name, dear?”
Kira cleared her throat. “Kira Kolanowski. My friends call me KK and the mean—”
A quick tug had her back in Isaac’s grip, the hand on her shoulder holding tight. “This is Kira, she just moved in, uh…”
“Two weeks ago.” She filled in his silence.
“Two weeks?” She sensed his scrutiny and turned her gaze to his down-turned face. “We only met a week ago. How did I not notice you?”
Kira shrugged. “I dunno. You’re oblivious to the world at large?”
“Apparently you can,” she countered.
“Oh,” the rapid clap of hands had them both refocusing on Meg. “Look at your two bickering like an old married couple. Do you see that, George? Just like us.”
“Uh, Mrs. Abrams, we’re not—”
“Oh, honey.” Another wave of her hand. “I know how you kids are today. It’s fine.” A firm, cool hand snared Kira’s and tugged. “Come along now, the party is about to start and we don’t want to be too late.”
Isaac snatched her once again, and she felt as if she were the rope in a game of tug-o-war. “Kira isn’t going, Mom. I’ll be along soon, but I’m not inflicting the family on her. No matter what you think, we’re not—”
“Of course you are. You just don’t want to tell anyone yet. I understand. I’m a very hip mother. Aren’t I, George?”
George grunted. Kira wondered if he could speak.
Kira tried, “Mrs. Abrams—”
“Meg or Mom.”
She was gonna get the words out. “We’re not anything but friends. We just—”
“With benefits?” The woman sounded so disappointed. “That’s fine, dear. I really do know how you kids are. Friends with benefits today, mated tomorrow. I’m a very cool mother. You didn’t answer me before. Aren’t I a cool mother, George?”
George grunted again.
“See, he agrees.”
Kira’s head spun, and there she was in Isaac’s arms once again.
“Mom. We’re friends. There are no benefits and Kira is not coming.”
Kira thought getting to sniff his hotness was a benefit but kept her mouth shut.
“Oh.” One single syllable and she was smacked with the woman’s disappointment. She imagined Meg’s expression echoed the feeling as well and Isaac’s annoyed sigh soon reached her.
“Mom.”
“No, no, it’s fine.” His mother was a subdued husk of her former self. Did Kira hear a sniffle? Yes. She heard a sniffle.
Immediately regret and sympathy filled her. She’d seemed so excited only moments ago. Kira reached up and patted Isaac’s hand where he gripped her shoulder, drawing his attention.
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