Bear Naked

by Dana Marie Bell

  When he was finally dressed and ready to face Barney he headed into his tiny kitchen, stopping short at the sight of Barney and Glory chatting and laughing together with ease. “So you’re okay with it?”

  Glory grinned and handed Barney a plate of bacon and eggs. “Sounds good to me.”

  “Excellent.” Barney moaned happily as he bit into the bacon. “This is good. Marry me?”

  Glory blushed and turned back to the stove.

  She blushed.

  Ryan wondered if his mate would like a new bearskin rug.

  “Good morning, Ryan.”

  It mollified him a little when his mate walked over and kissed him on the chin. “Good morning, sweetheart.” Ignoring the asshole sitting at his dinette set eating his food, Ryan claimed Glory’s lips in a kiss that heated his blood and hardened his cock. He wanted to take her back to the bedroom and mark her again, prove to the world that this incredible woman was his.

  “Knock it off, I’m trying to eat over here.”

  Ryan snarled. “What the fuck do you want, Barney?”

  “To train you.” Barney waggled his brows as he stuffed his face with some toast. “It’s time.”

  “Don’t talk with your mouth full.” Glory, the dazed expression she’d had just a second before fading away, went back into the kitchen. “How do you want your eggs, Ryan?”

  “Over easy?”

  “Got it.” She broke four eggs into the pan and began making his breakfast.

  “What does the training entail?” Ryan settled at the dinette table and tried not to watch the way Glory danced around the kitchen. It was hard to keep his attention away from his beautiful mate.

  He needed to look into buying a house in Halle. He could afford it. Hell, maybe Glory had something in mind. They could even pick something between where Tabby and Bunny had moved to and where Julian and Cyn lived if it made her feel more comfortable. He wanted his family close by, but her connection to Cyn was so close she’d probably be more comfortable living near the Kodiak.

  Anything his mate wanted was fine by him. He would find a way to make it happen, even if he had to borrow money from his parents to get it done.

  Glory could use some happy in her life, and Ryan was just the Bear to deliver it.

  “Normally, I’d be taking you to different terrains, teaching you how to track and capture, or kill, each type of shifter.” Barney’s voice drifted over Ryan, but he barely paid attention. He was too busy watching his mate’s ass as she bent over to pull the butter and bread from the fridge. “But since you refuse to leave Halle, and the Senate has declared these to be special circumstances—”

  “What?” Ryan whipped around to stare at Barney in shock, his mate’s backside forgotten. “What kind of special circumstances? Is this because I won’t leave my mate?”

  “It has nothing to do with you, Ryan, and everything to do with Julian and your sister.” Barney grinned. “Did you think we didn’t know about Chloe?”

  Shit. He needed to head the man off. “Leave my sister alone.”

  Barney calmly ate another bite of toast.

  “Barney.” If he had to, there’d be one less Hunter in the world. Chloe was never going to be hurt again, not if Ryan had any say in it. His sister had been through enough.

  “Look. I’m not the one who calls the shots.” Barney shot Glory a glance. “If I had my way, your ass would be in Montana right now, and unmated, for the next six months.” He shrugged, ignoring the spoon Glory dropped on the floor. “But it’s not. I’m here to train you, yes, but I’m also here to observe Julian and Chloe.” Barney smiled, and for the first time Ryan understood the man really was a Hunter. The look was grim, vicious, and Ryan almost shivered at the menace in it. “And I’m not happy that you tried to hide the fact that your sister is a white Fox from me.”

  “What would you do if it was your sister, Barney? Hmm? She nearly died.” Ryan still had nightmares about the time when none of them thought she’d wake up. “She’s linked to Julian because he had to do something to wake her up, something on so deep a level they’re telepathically bonded now. She has trouble speaking and her hands don’t work right, and she’s had to give up every single damn dream she’s ever had. What would you do if it was your sister?”

  Barney’s expression turned grim. “Tell.”

  Ryan rolled his eyes in disgust. “Sure you would. Cold-ass bastard.”

  “No. Worried bastard. There has to be a reason this happened, and I’m here to find out why.” Barney held up his hand when Ryan began to protest. “She’s the first white Fox ever. The Leo is…fascinated by the thought of her. He’s the only white Lion in the world. It has to mean something.”

  “She has a mate.” One she hadn’t claimed yet, but still. No smarmy lion king was getting his hands on Ryan Williams’ baby sister. He’d gnaw the fucker’s mane off first.

  Barney’s brows rose. “Of course she does.”

  “You hurt Chloe and you won’t live to regret it.”

  Ryan, startled, stared at his mate. She was growling, the spoon held out in front of her like a weapon. Tiny claws were beginning to break through her nail beds, and her baby blue eyes were dotted with brown.

  His mate, his beautiful Glory, was changing, all to protect Ryan’s sister. If he hadn’t loved her before, he would have fallen for her now. Family meant everything to Ryan, and Glory was proving herself willing to defend it.

  Barney held up his hands, but from the look on his face he didn’t honestly see Glory as a threat. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I mean it.” She snarled, and tiny fangs peeked out from behind her upper lip.

  “I get that.” Barney downed his orange juice in one long gulp, then held out his cup. “More?”

  Glory opened the fridge door and yanked out the juice. “Do it yourself.” She put the carton on the table with such force orange juice fountained out of the top and all over Barney. “Bon appétit.” She stormed off, every inch the outraged Bear.

  Beautiful.

  Barney, juice dripping from his face, his shirt, even his pants, licked his lips. “Never mind, Ryan. You can keep her.”

  Ryan smiled. “I plan on it.”

  Glory was fuming. It was bad enough Barney had said that he wanted to take Ryan away, but when the man got pissed at Rye for protecting Chloe? Glory saw red.

  Barney should feel lucky that the worst thing Glory did was juice him.

  “Sweetheart?” Glory snarled at Ryan, who threw his hands up in the air with a laugh. “Down, tiger.”

  Glory rolled her eyes. “I swear, Ryan. Barney needs to stay away from me.” She was pacing, clenching her hands and ready to gut herself a Hunter.

  “Hey.” Ryan’s arms went around her. “Calm down, SG. Your Bear is taking over.”

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, blowing it out in a raspberry.

  Ryan laughed. “You have to keep your aggression under control. Brown bears are among the most combative bears in the wild, and we’re no different.”

  “That’s why Alex does yoga?”

  Ryan snuggled her close, and the most amazing scent drifted over her. “Yup, and why Cyn does those deep breathing exercises you keep laughing at. We’ll have to figure out ways to help you keep your temper under control.”

  Glory got up on her tiptoes, turning in Ryan’s embrace to bury her nose against his throat. “Mm-hm.”

  Ryan tilted his head back. “If you d-don’t, you could change in front of humans.”

  Glory licked Ryan’s neck. Something about that scent, right there, had her wanting to…

  “Fuck, Glory.”

  Yes. Exactly. She needed. Glory licked the side of his neck, her anger at Barney all but forgotten in the wash of desire that swept over her. She tugged on his shirt, needing to feel his skin under her palms, to stroke and tease until neither of them could stand it any longer.

  But the very last thing she wanted to do was move away from the scent of Ryan, the taste of him drugging her a
s she continued to lick the side of his neck.

  “Bite me, Glory. Please.”

  The sound of her mate begging for her was too much to bear. Glory bit, startled for a split second at the taste of blood filling her mouth.

  “Shit.” Ryan lifted her against him, holding her ass so that his cock and her pussy were lined up perfectly. “That’s it, sweetheart. Claim me. Mark me as yours.”

  Hers.

  Ryan Williams was hers, and she had every intention of making sure there was no mistaking it. The man was taken.

  Glory bit down harder, unable to resist the urge to leave a permanent mark on his skin. She could feel something exiting through her teeth, but she couldn’t think about that. Not when Ryan carried her over to the wall and pushed her up against it, grabbing hold of her thighs and forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist. He ripped a hole in her panties, the pain of the fabric digging into her skin a distant second to the feel of his finger sliding into her.

  “Got to have you.” Ryan was gasping, fucking her with his finger, his big thumb rubbing against her clit. “Jesus, how deeply did you bite me?”

  “Ugh.” Glory’s head slammed against the wall as the quick and dirty orgasm raged through her. When the shudders had loosened their grip on her she found herself flat on her back, her skirt pulled off and her shirt pushed up to her chin. “Ryan.”

  He shuddered, ripping at the zipper of his jeans. He was going to give himself one hell of an injury if he wasn’t careful. Glory bit back a snicker. I’d love to see Julian heal cock zipper road rash.

  “Ryan, slow down. I might need that later.” He paused when she cupped him through his jeans, moaning. His blue eyes became dark, his Bear staring at her with a hungry gaze.

  There was a time when Glory would have been freaked the hell out. Now, she understood a little how he felt. Something inside her, foreign yet not, sat up and stretched toward their mate, eager for his touch.

  Glory blinked.

  Their?

  Before she could ask Ryan if she really was changing, his hands were on her breasts and she just didn’t care anymore. Let her turn fuzzy, let a strange Bear move into her head and rearrange the furniture. Just as long as Ryan kept plucking her nipples just like that?

  She was one happy furry.

  Her hands shaking, Glory reached for the tab of Ryan’s zipper and pulled it down, careful not to damage anything she needed on the way. His cock was throbbing behind his briefs, hot and hard. The scent of his arousal actually made her giddy.

  Licking her lips, Glory sat up and got on her hands and knees. “I need to taste.”

  “Oh shit.” Ryan clawed at his jeans, wincing in pain as the material tore, but didn’t come off. “You know, that works a hell of a lot better in the movies.”

  She laughed as he rubbed his abused hip. “Poor baby. Want Mama to kiss it all better?”

  “Um, could we not talk about my mother in bed?”

  “Ryan.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Do you want a blowjob or not?”

  “Does a bear—”

  She held up her hand, trying desperately not to laugh. “I will seriously end you.”

  He pouted and pointed to his cock. “The condemned have a last request.”

  Well. Nothing sexier than a woman on your bed, giggling so hard she cried, right?

  At least, Ryan seemed to think so, because he finished taking off his clothes (the normal way, thank God) and crawled into bed with her. He then proceeded to ignore her laughter, gently removing her shirt and lace bra, tossing them on the floor next to his destroyed jeans and his T-shirt.

  By the time he was done, the giggles were under control. She wiped the tears from her eyes and sniffled. “Oh God, I needed that laugh.”

  The warmth of his hands was seeping under her skin, but his smile was warmer than anything. “You’re so beautiful.”

  “Even with my runny nose and red eyes?” She struck a pose, which was a lot more difficult than it seemed when you were lying on your side. “Oh yeah. You know you want me.”

  “Hmm.” He kissed her, runny nose and all, soft and sweet and filled with something that absolutely terrified her. Something she recognized from the way Julian stared at Cyn, and how Bunny couldn’t keep his hands off Tabby. “Yeah, I do.”

  “Ryan?” It was too soon, wasn’t it? Love wasn’t possible yet. They hadn’t known each other long enough for real love, the kind that lasted forever.

  Ryan smiled as if he knew exactly what was going through her mind.

  No way.

  Ryan, that sweet smile still on his face, nodded.

  He loved her?

  When the fuck did that happen?

  “Shh.” He took her lips again, the quiet peace of the previous kiss slowly replaced by heat and need. “Let me in.”

  She knew he meant more than her body, and while part of her spread its heart’s legs wide, the other was still clenching her heart’s knees together.

  And man, I need more caffeine if I’m thinking… Oh. Oh.

  While she’d been thinking, Ryan had spread her real knees and decided on an early lunch. She smacked him on the hip to get his attention. After all, she’d offered, hadn’t she? “Me too.”

  His muffled groan sent vibrations through all her sensitive places. “Yes, please.”

  They rearranged themselves so she could taste Ryan to her heart’s content. She took him in her mouth just as he began to lap once more at her pussy, driving her insane.

  God, his scent. It was so strong here, so fierce. She licked the head of his cock like a lollipop, teasing him with what was coming.

  But she couldn’t tease for long. She wanted this just as badly as Ryan did. His cock slid between her lips, stretching them. It didn’t take long to find a rhythm that pleased them both, and soon he was throbbing against her lips.

  He was close, and she wasn’t sure she wanted him to come in her mouth. She wanted him to—

  She pulled away from his cock and screamed as Ryan’s teeth pierced her inner thigh, the pleasure so intense she thought she might pass out.

  Shuddering, vision dim, she barely felt as he rearranged her and slid inside her still-quivering body. “Mine.”

  She whimpered. He wanted speech?

  “Mine.”

  “Ugh.” Her head was against the mattress, her ass in the air. The thickness of him stretched her almost to the point of pain in this position, but somehow the pleasure/pain of the bite he’d given her was intensified. His thigh kept striking the mark over and over, like stroking her clit but better, somehow. Like hitting her g-spot, but on the outside of her body. Glory could barely grunt and groan as Ryan took her, her hands scrabbling to grab hold of the mattress, the sheets, anything that would stop her from going headfirst into the headboard.

  And he wasn’t holding her down. His hands kept stroking her back over and over, tangling in her hair, cupping her ass. She could sit up at any time.

  She just didn’t want to. It was too fucking good to mess with.

  “Say it, Glory.”

  Ugh. There he went with that whole speaking thing again. Apparently he didn’t understand the meaning of “fucking her brains out”, despite the fact he was doing an admirable job of it.

  “I will bite you again.” His voice was husky, the tone seductive rather than demanding.

  She stared at him over her shoulder, unable to believe he’d said that. “This is a deterrent why?”

  His grin was savage as he bent over her, completely blanketing her. His skin, his hair, his scent, all of it filled her even more than his cock did.

  I’m doomed. She’d fallen, and she no longer cared.

  “Say it.” He licked the side of her neck.

  “Pfft.” She tilted her head. “Do your wor— Oh, right there.”

  The son of a bitch swiveled his hips again, and damn if Glory didn’t want to sing hallelujah. His breath blew against the place on her neck he’d bitten before, the sensation teasing her
with an orgasm that would make all the others look like a peck on the cheek. “Say it, SG.”

  She reached behind her, swatting at him, landing maybe one blow in three. “I swear to God, Ryan, if you don’t bite me I will kill you.”

  He laughed. “That’s my girl.”

  But damn if he didn’t listen to her, because those big Bear fangs slid beneath her skin and Glory’s body became one huge mass of bliss. She didn’t even have the breath to scream as Ryan marked her once again.

  And when it was over, and she could breathe, and think about the possibility of one day getting her sight back, Ryan curled up around her and rumbled happily, “Mine.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Ryan followed the scent of the Wolf right to Glory’s old apartment. It was strongest here, now that he knew what he was looking for, covering the area right across the street from her bedroom window in a funk that left Ryan furious.

  In order for this much scent to have covered the area the man had to have been here for quite some time, a month at least. How come Ryan hadn’t noticed this before? He’d been haunting the area around his mate’s home for a lot longer than that. He should have noticed someone else acting all stalkerish, but he hadn’t seen, or sensed, a thing.

  Some proto-Hunter I’ve turned out to be.

  Barney’s belief that they might be dealing with a rogue Hunter filled his head. He couldn’t get it out of his mind. The thought that Barney might be right scared the shit out of him. If it was an ex-Hunter, the man would know exactly how to evade not only Ryan’s clumsy attempts to find him, but Barney’s and Gabe’s as well. There was a possibility he could elude capture for months, maybe even get his claws on Glory once more.

  Ryan would give all he was to keep that from happening. He needed to start training with Barney before that happened. Maybe he would have some tips on the best ways to keep Glory safe.

  “Ryan, right?”

  Ryan schooled his features into a blank mask. Why was he not surprised to find Glory’s long-lost brother here? There was just something about the guy that made Ryan’s hackles rise. “Temp.”

  “How’s Glory?”

  Ryan would have bought Temp’s concern if he hadn’t seen the strange flicker in the man’s gaze. Temp was up to something, and Ryan was going to find out what. “She’s good.”