by Liv Brywood
“We’ll figure that out today. For now, think about your favorite human food.”
“Cheesecake.”
“What kind?”
“Cherry.”
“Now think about the perfect cheesecake with cherries dripping over the edge to puddle on your plate…”
As she visualized a huge cherry cheesecake, her mouth watered.
“Now, imagine picking up a huge chunk of it with your fingers.”
“My fingers? No fork?”
“No fork.”
“Okay,” she said as she imagined scooping up a handful.
“And now, tell your bear that she can have it as soon as she shifts.”
“That’s messed up.”
“What?”
“Teasing your bear like that,” she said.
“It works,” he said with a shrug.
She refocused her attention on the imaginary cheesecake and willed her bear to come forward. As she concentrated, the first pop of disconnecting tissue fissured and pulled away from muscle to begin the transformation.
Within seconds, fur sprouted on her body. Hands and feet morphed into paws and her face elongated. Although she couldn’t see herself, she knew when she’d finished shifting. A wildness entered her blood. The overwhelming urge to run through the snow took over and she bolted toward the nearest hill.
“Wait!” Logan cried.
She turned and watched him shift into a magnificent silvery-brown grizzly. Stunned by the realization that she was looking at her mate, she sat down on her hind legs with a huff.
Her mate? Could it really be Logan? Was he the perfect man for her? Who better to understand her than another shifter?
As he approached, she trotted forward to nuzzle his cheek with her snout. He returned her affectionate caress with his entire face. She brushed up against the side of him, then growled and tackled him to the ground. They rolled down the hill in a tangle of flailing claws.
Even though her bear couldn’t laugh, it grinned with a light-heartedness that made her soar. She’d never been so happy to be with another person—err—bear. Well, his person was still inside him too.
As they rolled to a stop, she pushed her paws under her and stood. She tossed her head back and roared at the top of her lungs. Huge chunks of snow fell down from the nearby trees. She backed up a step, frightened by the power of her voice. She glanced at Logan to see what he’d do.
When he tossed back his head and roared, breath whooshed from her chest. Relief flooded her muscles. If he could roar and shake the trees, then she could too. There was nothing wrong with her; this was normal bear behavior.
She waited to see what he would do next. When he took off toward the lake, she followed. He headed to the left, toward the edge of the property. As they reached the ravine which marked the edge of her territory, she stopped.
Logan turned and waved a paw indicating that she should keep walking. She shook her head. He padded back to her and rubbed his face against hers as if telling her that she should trust him. She did, so when he started toward the ravine, she followed closely behind. He broke into a run along the beach, his paws occasionally splashing in the lake.
The scent of day-old campfire filled the air. Even with the storm, the charred wood stayed strong enough to attract her attention. She wandered off toward the scent. Logan walked alongside her until she spotted the source of the fire.
An illegal campsite with a makeshift fire pit and a soft-sided popup camper appeared. She padded around the site sniffing the ground. Since the scent of humans wasn’t present, she nosed through their trash. They were supposed to put it in bear-proof containers, but they hadn’t even attempted it. She sniffed through the brown paper bag before tearing it open with her claw.
Leftover eggs, bacon, tortillas, and salsa had been carelessly discarded. Her bear chuffed with approval before digging in. Logan nosed his way into the bag and soon they had the remnants spread out across the campsite.
It would have been enough food if she’d been in her human form, but her bear was hungry. She clawed at the mesh screen on the camper until she was able to gain access. Jackpot!
The humans had cheese, crackers, peanut butter, fruit, and sausages laid out as if they’d planned on returning soon. Knowing that she wouldn’t have much time, she stuffed everything she could fit into her mouth then chewed with gusto. Beside her, Logan crammed a smorgasbord of food into his mouth. He stopped long enough to grin at her.
She’d just swallowed another mouthful of food when she heard voices outside. She turned and looked at Logan who had a wicked glint in his eyes. He jumped out of the camper and roared at the top of his lungs.
She followed, just in time to watch the screaming humans scatter. It was all she could do to keep from falling over from chuffing so hard. She quickly recovered and ran after Logan who was chasing the humans through the forest.
After scaring them into a nearby campground, she turned and grinned at Logan. He grinned back. Who knew being a bear could be so damn fun?
***
Later that night, after returning to their human forms, they cuddled together in front of the fire. She giggled as she remembered the looks on the campers’ faces.
“It was kinda mean,” she said.
“It was hilarious. Did you see the dad? I thought he was going to shit bricks,” Logan said.
“The mom was worse. I thought she was going to faint when she saw you roar.”
“How was it, being a bear?”
“More fun than I thought it would be. Aside from scaring the crap out of those trespassers, I loved running through the forest,” she said.
“I shift at least once a week. It helps work out all the extra energy I have.”
“I’ll have to try that.”
“Do you want to sleep with my bear again tonight?” he asked.
“Not tonight.” She yawned. “I loved cuddling with you, but my back wasn’t as thrilled.”
“Okay, maybe some other night.”
She wouldn’t be here for many more nights. As much as it would hurt to leave him, there was no place for her here. To soothe the sudden pain in her heart, she scooted closer and leaned against his arm.
“I had fun today,” she said.
“Me too.”
She turned to find his lips just inches from hers. As their lips met, she relaxed into the kiss. Everything about the day, including this moment, was perfect. She couldn’t imagine having more fun with another person. If nothing else, she’d enjoy the rest of the time that they had together.
As he pulled her into his lap, she parted her lips and melted against him. Her arms wound around his neck but she wasn’t quite comfortable. When she shifted to wrap her legs around his waist, molten liquid heat pooled in her belly.
He pulled her against him. Heat rolled through her as her bear snarled, frustrated by the way she tried to hold back. It was no use. Logan was awakening a side of her that she never knew she had.
For years, a cage of ice had formed around her heart to keep her from trying to love anyone. But she didn’t have to try with Logan. The way they’d run and played together today had done more to melt that cage than anything she’d ever experienced. She wanted him with more than just her body. She wanted him—heart and soul.
“Take me to bed,” she whispered.
“Are you sure?” he asked as he gazed into her eyes.
“More sure than I’ve ever been about anything.”
He scooped her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. After laying her on the bed, he started a fire in the fireplace. As he walked toward her, he unbuttoned his shirt. Each time a button popped free, another blast of need coiled in her sex. By the time he reached the bed, she wanted to tear her clothes off.
As she reached to pull her sweater over her head, he unbuttoned his jeans. Transfixed, she stared as he peeled them over his hips and dropped them to the floor. His boxers quickly followed. Flickering light from the fire caressed the ripple of muscles across his stoma
ch. It illuminated the thickness of his thighs and highlighted the firmness of his tight ass.
She shivered in anticipation. Unsure of what to do with her hands, she rested them by her side. More than anything, she wanted him to undress her.
He didn’t disappoint.
With the grace of a slow-moving bear, he stalked toward her. After relieving her of the sweater, he caressed her shoulders. In the wake of his touch, he pressed feathery kisses against her skin. His hands slid around to unclasp her bra. As he pulled it down, his gaze dropped to her breasts.
“I’ve been dreaming about this for days,” he whispered.
“Me too.”
“Lie back.”
She fanned her hair out across the pillow and settled into it. If she hadn’t been lying down, she would have floated away on a cloud of bliss.
His mouth met hers and lingered until he dragged his breathless kisses across her throat. The quiver in her belly grew as he licked tiny circles around her nipples. When he sucked one between his lips, she moaned and tangled her fingers in his hair. He captured the other nipple and tugged and tasted until she ground her hips into the bed.
Every touch brought her closer to him. Every caress bound them together. As he dipped lower to kiss the curve of her belly, she arched against him, desperate to have him inside her.
“Please,” she whimpered.
“Shh… I want to go slow. I want to remember every second of making love to you for the first time.”
The first time? She bit the edge of her lip. This would be the only time. She’d waited for someone like him for years, but he belonged at the Curvy Bear Ranch and she didn’t. But the thought was short-lived as he unbuttoned her jeans. How could she leave him after this? He’d hinted at wanting more than just sex when he’d said he wanted to make love to her.
The second he pulled the zipper down, she stopped thinking. His mouth grazed her panties as he tugged her jeans over her hips. She kicked them off.
“I want to taste you,” he murmured against the inside of her thigh.
She gasped when his lips met her tender flesh. Licking, sucking, and nipping, he swirled his tongue against her in ways that made her melt into the sheets. She grabbed a fistful of the blanket and yanked it toward her.
Oh, God. How could it feel so good?
He lashed his tongue against her clit, sending sparks of vibrant energy down her legs to curl her toes. She cried out, unable to restrain the wanton passion rising up from her bear. With trembling thighs and quivering knees, she shook as his enchanted tongue brought her to the brink of absolute pleasure.
Then he stopped.
“What?” She snapped her head up. “Why did you stop?”
“Because I want to feel you when you come.” He crawled across her body until his chest rested on her belly. He cradled her face in his hands. “I need to be inside of you. I can’t wait any longer.”
She nodded, unable to move her lips for fear of waking up. This had to be a dream. A long, luxurious, erotic fantasy. But it wasn’t.
As he kneed her thighs apart, she whimpered. Not from fear, but from the enormity of what was about to happen.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Mm-hmm.”
“I promise I won’t hurt you.”
“I know.”
As he pushed his cock against her tender pussy lips, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Inch by inch, he slid into her until he met resistance. Before she could tense up, he surged past her virginal barrier and buried himself deep inside.
She cried out and clung to him. A tiny twinge of discomfort gave way to undulating waves of ecstasy. His hips rocked into her with a tenderness that stole her heart. She leaned up to capture his mouth with hers. As she pressed her tongue between his lips, he groaned and thrust deeply.
Consumed by his ravenous kisses, she moved as if driven by instinct. Her hips rose and fell in perfect harmony with his. Every time he pulled back, she matched him, then surged forward to take him all the way inside. She grabbed his taut ass and squeezed. He growled in response, giving her a glimpse of his feral intent.
Equally enthralled, she rode the ever rising tide of animalistic need until she shattered around him. She screamed in ecstasy as her pussy vibrated against his cock. Overwhelmed by the intensity the orgasm, she collapsed onto the bed. As her fingers raked a trail down his chest, he roared and pushed into her harder and faster.
She moaned and writhed beneath him. Without warning, he bared his teeth and bit her shoulder. She screamed as pleasure and pain pushed her into another body-wracking orgasm. He panted. Sweat dripped down to singe her flesh with its heat.
And just when she couldn’t take another second of her heart slamming against her ribcage, he tensed. He released her shoulder as he came in a moaning display of pure passion. Thick spurts of liquid heat warmed her from within. His hips rolled a few more times before he shuttered and collapsed. Locked together, she never wanted to leave his arms.
Minutes passed before he eased out of her and rolled onto his back. He pulled her against him and pressed his forehead to hers. “God.”
“Yeah,” she murmured in agreement.
“I never want to let you go,” he whispered.
She swallowed and buried her head in his chest. She didn’t want him to let her go either. As she snuggled into his arms, she wondered if she could find a way to stay. The house was a disaster, but he’d probably help her repair it. She’d lose her job for sure. How would she find another one in town? West Yellowstone didn’t have room for a furniture store, let alone an interior designer.
As she grappled with the logistics of what it would take to make it work, her bear growled. She wanted to stay. After finally being released so she could run and play, her bear hollered at her that she was his mate. She didn’t know what to think. She never imagined finding a boyfriend, let alone a mate. Didn’t bears mate for life?
That was a hell of a long time, longer than she’d ever dreamed of having someone to love. Because if she acknowledged her bear’s feelings, then she’d also have to admit that she was falling in love with him, and she wasn’t ready to make such a huge leap of faith.
Chapter 10
Logan grabbed a nail from between his lips and held it against a loose shingle on the roof. When he’d awoken at dawn, Kate had still been sleeping. He didn’t want to wake her, so he decided to get some stuff done around the house.
After spending the better part of an hour clearing the last bits of debris from where her barn once stood, he’d jogged over to his barn to gather supplies. He’d tossed them in a wheelbarrow, and then had run back to her home. An hour later, he’d finished replacing all the windows except for the one in her bedroom. He could do that later.
A quick peek through the window gave him a glimpse of his sleeping mate. Making love to her had given him a sense of connection that he didn’t know he’d been missing. His bear leapt for joy when she rolled onto her hip. The sheet slipped down to reveal her curvy butt. If he could wake up seeing her sexy little body every morning, he’d be one hell of a happy man.
Hours had passed since sunrise. Since he didn’t have anything left to do other than repair the roof, he’d climbed up the ladder. He was probably going to catch hell for pounding nails while she slept, but so far she hadn’t moved more than a few inches.
The thump, thump, thump of the hammer became an endless rhythm as he replaced or repaired shingles along the top of the roof. He worked on one steeply sloped side before moving to the other. He’d just hammered in the last nail when he heard her calling for him.
“I’m up here,” he yelled.
“What on earth are you... oh, wow. You fixed the roof. I thought that would take days.”
“Nope, just a few hours. I checked and most of the damage was cosmetic. You didn’t have any dry rot, but you could stand to get new insulation.”
He climbed down the ladder and found her waiting. Golden rays of light sparkled through her silky
hair. He couldn’t resist dropping the hammer and pulling her into his arms.
“I missed you.”
“You’ve only been up a few hours,” she said.
“Still missed you.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for all the work you’ve done around here.”
“Your smile is thanks enough.” He traced her bottom lip with his fingertip before catching her chin between his thumb and forefinger. As he leaned toward her, she sighed. He pulled back slightly. “What?”
“I know what you’re doing.”
“Which is…”
“You can’t just clean up the surface of a house and change the way I feel about it. I have some terrible memories of this place. That, more than anything, is what’s making me want to sell it,” she said.
“Then let’s demolish it and build a new house.”
“That’s impossible. It would take too much money and I don’t have any. I can barely afford my apartment as it is,” she said.
“I could find a way to make it happen. We could make new memories here, together.”
“I don’t know…”
“At least let me help you clear out the old ones. We didn’t finish cleaning out your dad’s bedroom. Let’s do that today and then see where we’re at. Maybe it will have a different vibe if we get rid of all that clutter,” he said.
“I guess we could try it.”
She reached for his hand. With a slow exhale of relief, he took it and followed her inside.
***
Kate sifted through box after box of junk. She’d never realized how much of a pack rat her father had been. Three hours later, she opened a small box and discovered a set of leather-bound journals. She flipped open the first one and found it dated the September she’d started first grade.
My little girl’s off to school. Her momma’s madder than hell at me for forgetting to buy crackers for her lunch. How the hell am I supposed to remember a thing like that? She always finds something to bitch about. I’ve been dry three days now, trying to do right by my kid. But that bottle of Jack’s looking mighty tasty, mighty sweet. Katie won’t git home for another hour. I can make it one more hour without a drink, dammit.