by Haley Weir
“I understand. I’m ready to see your bear.” Her voice trembled and she cleared her throat.
“Let’s go somewhere with more space. Besides, the curtains need to be closed. I don’t think your gossiping neighbors should catch a glimpse through your windows.” He nodded toward the direction of her nosey neighbors.
“You’re right. Ugh, those two. I’ll be happy to move. I need a fresh start.”
“You deserve one,” he agreed, retreating toward the living room. He took off his suit jacket and laid it over the back of the couch before removing his shoes.
Her eyes widened. “You’re getting…naked? Wow, uh, maybe I should turn around?” But she didn’t move. She watched as he pulled off his socks, then he took off his tie, unbuttoned his shirt…
“Of course I am. The bear is much bigger than I am. I’ve shifted without taking off my clothes before, but it ends up shredding them. And this is an expensive suit.” He smirked. “I see you’re not turning around. You don’t have to, if you don’t want to.” He pulled off his pants and boxers last, kicking them aside.
Ava couldn’t turn away, even if she wanted to. This was all a little overwhelming, but she could handle it. She just needed to keep breathing.
Chapter Fourteen
Mason crouched down on his hands and knees, not sure if any of this was a good idea. He certainly hadn’t planned on showing her his bear when drove over here, but she’d forgiven him, taken the position, and hadn’t given up on him. He couldn’t keep this away from her. If she was his mate, there could be no secrets between them. More than that, he needed to show her who he was beneath the surface.
His bones cracked, reformed, and lengthened. His muscles stretched as his body changed forms. The transformation was always painful, but it took less than a minute to complete.
Ava stood there with her hand over her mouth. Her skin had paled a bit, but she stood strong. He wouldn’t have done this if he didn’t think she could handle it.
“W-wow, you really weren’t joking,” she whispered, and moved closer to him. Her gentle hand hovered over his head. She wanted to stroke his fur, but wasn’t sure if she should. He lifted his head into her touch, and his bear huffed, content with the feeling of her hand on him. “What’s it like?”
Her questions would have to wait a little while. He wanted to draw in her scent and continue to feel her cool hand stroking his fur.
“Oh, right. I guess you can’t talk. So, how long have you been a werebear?” She shook her head. “Right, I know. I’ll ask my questions when you come back to your human...form? Is that the right word?” She chewed on her lower lip and ran her hand from his head down his back. “Your bear is handsome. Your fur is so soft.”
After a few moments, he began the shift of drawing his beast back inside of him. She skittered back a few steps at the sounds his bones and tendons made as they broke apart to reform into his human shape. “Thank you. As for your questions, it’s amazing to be a bear shifter. I’ve been one since birth. My father, mother, and grandparents before them were all shifters. My family line is stretches back for some time. And yes, human form is the right word.” He noticed Ava’s gaze dipping down his body with widened eyes. What was she staring at...? His erection stood at attention from the sensual touch of her hand running down his bear’s back.
“Oh, I should probably turn around. Sorry,” she stammered, but didn’t turn away.
He took a step toward her. “You don’t have to, if you don’t want to.” When she didn’t back away and lifted her chin toward him, he lowered his head to kiss her. The last thing he wanted to do was rush her. He’d already done a lot today: showing up to her place unannounced to apologize, giving her the job offer, and showing her his bear. What if he’d overloaded her with too much at once?
“I don’t want to.” Her arms circled his back, brushing her soft, dainty hands over his skin. “You’re an amazing man. More than just a man, I suppose, which makes you even more incredible.” She stretched on her tiptoes, nearly bridging the gap between them. Her face was so close that he could feel her breath on his lips. “Maybe you’ll let me show you what I think of you?” The mischievous look in her eyes nearly threw Mason off balance.
“You’re sure you want to do this? I’m not looking for something temporary.” He brushed his lips over hers before tilting his head back a little.
Ava tightened her grip on him. “I’m sure. I want this. I’ve never been the kind of girl who’s after temporary flings.”
The truth in her scent made him even harder for her. He pulled her closer so their bodies were pressed together. “Okay. If you want us to stop at any point, just say the word, and I’ll stop.” He smirked. “Well, up to a certain point, I suppose.”
She giggled. “Of course. I’ll tell you if I want to stop. I promise.”
“Okay.” He leaned down again, brushing his lips against hers. His grip on her hips tightened as he deepened the kiss.
* * *
Ava moved her arms from his back to his broad shoulders. Moisture dampened her thighs. She might not have been sure about giving her body to him before, but she certainly was now. She was practically burning with desire. She pulled back just enough to whine, “Mason, please. Let’s go to my bedroom.”
His eyes darkened with lust. He effortlessly lifted her into his arms without a word. His large, hot palms held her bottom, and she felt him squeeze with excitement and anticipation. He made her feel like she weighed nothing. It both startled and turned her on that much more.
“Which room?” Without waiting for her to respond, he opened the door to the bathroom, a hall closet, then finally found her bedroom. His gaze dipped back to her lips as he gently laid her down in the middle of the bed. “Perfect.” His hands crept to the hem of her tank top, and he slid it up until her breasts were visible. He crawled onto the bed with his hands and knees on either side of her, bending his head to meet one of her rosy nipples. He slid his tongue around her areola before sucking her hardened peak into his mouth, flicking his tongue over it.
She moaned approvingly, savoring the feeling of his tongue. His hand drifted over to her other breast, gently squeezing and tweaking the nipple between his thumb and forefinger.
He helped her into a sitting position and pulled off her tank top, tossing it aside before laying her back down. “You’re sure about this?” He his hands trailed down her torso, over her breasts, passed her belly button, to the hem of her shorts.
She bit her lower lip, looking into his eyes as she nodded, but he didn’t move his hands.
“Speak to me, Ava. Do you want this?” he asked, staring into her eyes.
“Y-yes, I’m sure. I want you. I want to be yours.” Her voice was husky with desire, and she almost didn’t recognize herself. But she knew she wanted him. Badly. She’d wanted Mason ever since she first met him.
Not needing any more encouragement, Mason tugged down her shorts and panties. He clenched them in his hands and looked over her naked body. His knuckles whitened, and she was almost concerned that he might rip the clothes apart. At the last minute, he tossed them on the floor beside the bed.
Ava drew her knees up and parted her legs slightly, feeling nervousness and desire at war inside of her. She looked down at him standing there with a hungry look in his eyes as if he was the predator and she was his prey. She licked her lips and spread her legs a little further, inviting him in.
He bent his neck, pressing his lips against her knee, then he kissed and stroked his tongue along her thigh on a sensual path toward her core. Their eyes were locked as he moved ever closer to his intended destination. He slid his tongue over her along her slit, and then parted her folds with his thumbs to gain deeper access.
She let out a cry of pleasure when his tongue slid across her clit slowly, tentatively at first, then he flicked his tongue over the bundle of nerves more assertively. She ran her hands through his hair, unable to contain herself. This moment felt so good.
The feeling of
his mouth on her was almost too much to handle. She closed her eyes and tried to keep from moaning loud enough that her neighbors could hear. Yet that didn’t matter, did it? Maybe they’d learn a thing or two, or at least discover why they should stop spying on everyone.
Her thoughts were thrown away from the elderly couple as Mason’s tongue stroked lower toward her entrance. She opened her eyes to gaze down at him. He watched her with a lusty hunger as he slid his tongue it inside her.
She bit her lower lip. He used his thumb to play with her clit as he thrust his tongue within her. Her breath came out in shallow pants as he brought her closer to the edge. This was all happening way too fast. She didn’t want to go without him. She’d never been a girl who had multiple orgasms either.
“Mason. It feels so good. I’m getting close. Come with me.” She gently tugged at his hair to get him to come up on the bed and take her, but he obviously had other plans.
The movement of his tongue and the pressure he was using on her clit gradually increased. His eyes urged her on as if he wanted her to come for him. The delicious teasing of his tongue and thumb were too much for her to deny. She arched up, feeling pleasure crash into her wave after wave. Her grip on his hair tightened, and she gently held him to her, not wanting the sensations to stop.
When it finally began to fade, she released her grip as he gave her one final, long lick. His eyes turned from brown to warm amber, looking almost animalistic as he crawled onto the bed, nudging her thighs apart.
She sucked in a breath, feeling tendrils of fear spark inside her. “Your eyes...”
“It’s my bear pushing toward the surface. Tasting you stirred him up. I could lay between your legs for hours and not get tired of drinking you in,” he admitted. “Don’t worry. I’m in control. I won’t hurt you.” He pressed a kiss to her lips, allowing her to taste herself on his mouth as he pressed the tip of his cock against her entrance.
“I... Okay—” The rest of her words were swallowed by his kisses as he slowly slid inside of her. She wrapped one of her legs around his waist, feeling her body stretch to accommodate him. He paused a few times to let her body catch up to him. When he was all the way inside of her, he pulled back. He slowly thrust into her again, giving her time as if he was afraid he would break her if he moved too quickly.
Mason kept with the slow, exact pace for a while, until Ava thought it was going to drive her crazy. He was doing his best to be the perfect gentleman, but this couldn’t be what he needed or wanted.
She wanted him to be himself. He was a werebear, but she trusted him not to hurt her if he let go. “I need more, Mason, and I’m sure you do too. Stop treating me like I’m made of porcelain. I can handle it.”
He stopped on his next thrust inside her. “I don’t want to hurt you. If I were to lose control...” He shook his head. “I’m enjoying this. I love being inside of you.”
She pulled his face down toward hers. “You won’t hurt me. I trust you. If it gets uncomfortable, I’d tell you. Please? Take me.” She wasn’t sure if he would since he had a stubborn tilt to his jaw, but something shifted in his eyes…they had turned back to the warm amber color.
He slid out of her, slowly before driving himself back inside of her. This time, he wasn’t as gentle. His thrusts rocked her body, making her feel gloriously alive and desired. He bent his head, kissing her hard as if he was going to ravish her mouth like he’d done to her core.
Her core clenched around him as each thrust of his cock drove her closer to bliss. She dug her nails into his muscular back, moaning as the sound of their bodies meeting filled the room. She clung to him as he quickened the pace.
He pulled back just long enough for them to catch their breath. He groaned, and his breath was coming out harder. She could tell they were both close to ecstasy. Pleasure washed over her again as climax drove through her again, making her body shake with each wave. His groan of pleasure echoed hers, as she felt his hot seed pump inside her. She caressed the sides of his face, drawing him down for another kiss as the glow of their lovemaking surrounded them.
After a few moments, he rolled to his back, dragging her on top of him. She could get used to this.
Chapter Fifteen
Mason couldn’t be happier as the pack meeting rolled around. He hadn’t told his family much about Ava. He wanted to let the relationship grow without their poking and prodding. They had gotten to know each other, and Ava learned much more about him and his people. He felt no more negativity, no longer wracked with guilt. He focused on what really mattered: cultivating his blossoming relationship.
“Dad, I’m pleased to introduce you to Ava Daniels. She’s the woman I’ve been dating, and…I’m in love with her. When my bear reacted to her the first time I met her, I knew it was real. It was easy to realize that she was my mate after getting to know her better. She’s the woman I’m going to spend my life with.” He intertwined his fingers with Ava’s, not feeling like a failure anymore.
The look of surprise on his father’s face made the reveal even sweeter. Had he really thought his son was incapable of settling down? He should’ve known better not to trust him. He embodied the typical Sinclair man, after all: handsome, stubborn, and decisive.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ava. I’m glad my son has finally found someone. You’re a brave girl, stepping into our world,” he said and looked over the rest of the pack. “But we’re happy to have you.”
The pack members gave their nods, fist pumps, and cheers. A cute pink blush stained Ava’s cheeks, and he placed his hand on her shoulder for support.
“Thank you, Mr. Sinclair—”
“Call me Bradley. I’m tired of that Mr. Sinclair business. I’m almost retired, after all.” He gave Mason a nod. “I’m proud of you, son. You’ve done well.”
“Thank you, Bradley. Your son is an incredible man. Its an honor to be invited,” she said, and she squeezed Mason’s hand. He brushed his thumb over hers in reassurance.
“Thanks, Dad.” With his father’s kind words, Mason felt a weight lift off of his shoulders. Bradley was proud of him. A month ago, he wasn’t sure if things would ever clear up between them. But everything was looking up, thanks to Ava. He was glad he hadn’t given up, even if it wasn’t easy, getting to where he was now. The work was worth it in the end.
* * *
The large house standing before Ava was beyond anything she had ever imagined for herself. It looked like a fancy HGTV mansion. She looked over at Mason with pursed lips. “Why did you bring me here again?”
“My real estate agent has been keeping an eye out for me. Now that we’re officially mated, we should find a place together. I don’t know about you, but I want more privacy than my parent’s house,” he said, and his lips quirked in amusement. “It’s not as fun making love there when I’m paranoid someone could be listening in. Besides, your bills are caught up. You don’t have to stay somewhere that doesn’t make you happy, and I want to make you happy.”
“But you didn’t answer my question,” she laughed. “This place is amazing, but it’s so big. There’s only the two of us. It’s going to be so empty.
Mason took a deep breath before clearing his throat. “About that…I don’t think there’s only going to be the two of us for long.”
She looked over at him, meeting his gaze. “What does that mean? Are you planning on having some of your family move in with us?” The smile on her lips faded a little, and she started to lower her eyes.
He caught her chin in his hand—forcing her to continue looking at him—and shook his head. “I wasn’t going to say anything yet, but your scent has changed.”
“My scent changed? What…what does that mean?” Was he trying to say that she smelled bad?
“You’re pregnant,” he admitted. The soft look on his face of pride melted her heart. “I didn’t want to spoil the surprise, but it made me think that we need our own place to raise our cubs.”
“Pregnant? We’re going to...?” she t
railed off. Despite the shocking news, she was excited. She gave him a tight hug before pulling back. “Wait, cubs? They’re not going to be furry are they? What will my parents say?” She’d ended up reaching out to them after the couple got engaged. It was only fair to invite them. Despite their rough patch, they were still her family. She called them, and as they caught up, she realized how much she missed having her family to talk to.
“No, they won’t be actual bear cubs in your womb.” He chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “But when they reach six or seven, they’ll begin to develop their ability to shape shift. It might be a little dangerous until they learn to control their power, but I know everything will be fine. My father helped me through that time, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help our children get through it too.” He nodded toward the house. “Plus, as you can see, there’s plenty of room for them to run and play. A forest that backs onto the property, so we won’t have to worry about them shifting and being spotted by hunters. But I’ll be with them every step of the way.” Her head was spinning with all of this information.
“It’s going to be okay,” he assured her. “Lets check out the house.” They walked inside, hand in hand. He turned to her as they stepped through the front door. “I hope I’m not scaring you with all of this. It’s probably a lot to take in.”
“I’m not scared. It’s an adventure, and I feel safe with you. Actually, I’m the happiest I’ve been in a very long time. Thank you for letting me in, and not giving up when I rejected you. Thank you for caring about me, starting from the moment we met. You’ve opened so many doors for me, and helped me build a life I never thought I could have. My life is so much better with you in it.”