IMarriedaBear

by A. T. Mitchell

  If he'd been a minute later...

  You would've been one frozen, dirty tiger. Probably a dead one too.

  A shudder ran up my spine as I pumped my limbs. Broken brush in the forest cut my sides, but I kept going, listening to the crunch and crack of James' huge footprints behind me.

  We both growled when water came rushing in, a mucky tidal wave chasing us. We were fast, but the flood was faster. It soaked our paws, and my tail dipped into cold muddy water each time I bounded up and down.

  The whole forest was flooded. Didn't help that the snow and shallow streams added to the flow as the deluge overtook it. James caught up to me when I hesitated at what used to be a stream, now a raging river with small icebergs floating through it.

  A tree had snapped at the roots and was flopping near the shore. The great big bear at my side shifted into a beautiful man again, and he pulled me to him.

  The sudden motion disturbed the tiger. I shifted, burying myself in human comfort, if only for the last time.

  “I'm scared! How're we ever going to get away from this? ”

  James warmed me with his eyes and nodded. “Hold onto me tight. That wood over there's gonna break and float away any time. It's just wide enough to ride.”

  My mouth dropped. He couldn't be serious!

  But he was, already pulling me toward it with one hand. My knees wanted to seize up and run.

  Anywhere looked better except the log perched in the dirty, freezing mess.

  Of course, James wouldn't have it. I was going with him, whether I liked it or not.

  He forced me onto the wood and then got on top of me. Being smashed up against a huge man I desperately didn't want to fall for would've been awkward anytime. Now imagine being in between him and the tree, completely naked, with all hell breaking loose around us.

  James did something with his foot, kicking the tree away from its last tie to the shore. The roots crackled, and then we were moving. I screamed.

  He pressed me tight, cradling my whole body, making sure I held on to the wild ride.

  It was all in the gods' hands now. Riding the log was like the wildest rollercoaster I'd ever been on.

  “Keep calm, baby. You're safe beneath me. I promise.”

  Funny, I almost believed him. Then we went flying around a corner and my stomach heaved. Good thing I hadn't eaten for almost a solid day.

  I closed my eyes, sure that hot death was about to come. Brutal bear or not, I was happy he was with me. At least I could die happy beneath the gorgeous Adonis pressed tight to my flesh when the tree inevitably threw us to our doom.

  We were flying faster, faster. Debris smacked the wood around us, but it broke apart as our ride rammed its way onward.

  “Hold on, little tiger. This is gonna fucking smart.”

  James flattened himself down so tight I couldn't breathe. It was for the best because the collision would've sucked the air right out of my lungs.

  We ran aground hard, smashing straight through several worn rocks and ice. It all happened so fast, but it felt a lot slower, my brain processing a dozen fearful things at once.

  I felt his muscles tense like iron, holding onto the wood for dear life, mostly making sure I didn't go flying out beneath him. The tree shrieked as it splintered, and wet wood rained over my head.

  James grunted. I groaned, reaching up when I realized we weren't in motion anymore, and wiped dirty water from my forehead.

  “Hey!” I gasped. I tried to turn, but his weight was pressing me down, a little weaker than before.

  “We're free now.”

  For the first time since we'd shifted, I flushed, realizing we were close and naked. And was that an erection pressed up snug to my ass?

  Nice try, big boy. If you think you're getting me that easy...

  Snarling, I rolled. James didn't move and didn't speak.

  He wasn't holding me down anymore. He was slumped over me – literally slumped – and it took all my energy to move beneath him.

  I noticed the warm blood on my back shoulder before I saw his face. He'd taken a nasty cut to the forehead. Something hard had given him a good whack.

  Oh, no!

  My heart pounded. I jostled my way out and grabbed at his huge body, struggling to move him. Or maybe better that I didn't.

  I managed to roll him over and spread my palm on his massive chest. My hand went over a huge tattoo of a bear claw above his heart, the dark ink glistening like a target.

  Pleasure flared inside me as I admired his body, stroking him up and down. I'd wanted to see it so badly, but not like this.

  Pressing my ear to his chest, I listened closely. Not easy with the angry waters and debris still slapping the new shore.

  He's breathing. Thank the gods.

  I wiped his brow with my hand. The cut was clotting quickly, and it didn't look like he'd lost much blood.

  Shivering, I looked around. It wasn't right to say we were safe. True, we'd both survived the avalanche and the wild ride on the tree, but we weren't out of the woods.

  I didn't have a clue where we'd landed, or how far it would be to the Denali clan or even Tiger Bay. If I ran off searching, it might be days before I found my footing. And James wouldn't survive out here in the elements that long.

  My eyes fluttered, the same as my worn out heart. I threw my face at his chest, smoothing my cheek on his skin. He was still so warm. Amazing out here in the icy wilderness.

  “Please, wake up. You can't leave me alone...I'm sorry I ran. I'm so, so sorry, James. I was a complete idiot. You saved me.”

  Turning on the waterworks was about the last thing I needed, but there was no stopping it. I crumpled to my knees and started to cry, cradling the man who'd buried me in emotion.

  It was just like him to add more to the mix: guilt, fear, revulsion. This time, though, the disgust was turned purely at me. Nothing about his powerful body stretched out beneath me was disgusting anymore.

  We were different species, sure, but we were both skinwalkers. And skinwalkers were more than a little human. This man, this bear – whatever he was – caused me to care about him.

  I couldn't deny it again, and it hurt that I couldn't. My whole mind and soul were rending apart as I wept on his chest, praying he'd wake up.

  I jumped when I heard him groan. I rose and stared carefully, raking my nails along his skin to make sure I'd heard it right.

  Then he moved. He swung his legs over the trunk and planted uneasy feet at the ground, staring at me like he was getting out of bed.

  “James! Are you okay?”

  “Shit. Smarts isn't even half of it. Wish I'd brought a fucking helmet.”

  I laughed, involuntarily throwing my arms around him and giving another squeeze. “I thought you were out of it for good!”

  “Can't take a good bear down with a little knock to the head.” He paused, running his fingers through my hair and listening to the raging rapids behind us. “Let's get the fuck out of here before anything else comes ashore.”

  He wasn't kidding. Another tree skidded to a stop just a couple feet from ours, scattering mud and ice. Wouldn't have been much different than a speeding truck if we were unlucky enough to be on the receiving end.

  “Can you walk?”

  “I made it here, baby. Might not be as sleek and steady as a tiger, but I'll manage.” He groaned and grabbed his head again when he stood up.

  At first, I was concerned. Then I saw him looking me up and down, fixing his bright eyes on my curves.

  Yikes! I hadn't begun to make sense of everything that had happened between us.

  Love, hate, and lust hit me harder than the caribou stampede. I was ready to see him again, but not to deal with his desire – a very deep desire judging by the familiar intensity in his gaze.

  I dropped to the ground and shifted. Better to be covered with fur than bare naked before this sex starved bear.

  James did the same a second later. This time, I let him lead, figuring it would be better to
have a powerful bear in front to clear out any new obstacles in the forest. Plus he seemed to know where he was going, or else he was just a damned good actor.

  I followed him, keeping my tiger tame and calm while I trailed behind him.

  In my mind's eye, I saw her hunker on the ground and let out an uneasy growl. She didn't know what to make of the big furry beast we'd entrusted to lead us to safety a second time.

  You and me both, girl, I thought. He's a walking mystery. Even bigger and badder than the wicked curiosity surging in my blood.

  It took half a day to get back to the cabin. It was mid-afternoon. We encountered a few bears along the way, all shifted into grizzly form, curious about the commotion. Anybody out that morning in Denali had probably seen the mountain collapse.

  The bears stayed out of James' way and mine too. At most, they gave me a quick glance, backing off and going the opposite way whenever he looked at them. He flashed his huge, sharp teeth if they waited a second too long to get moving.

  It wasn't too different from the way the tiger hierarchy worked. An Alpha postured constantly to keep up his position and deflect challengers. The bears weren't as civilized as tigers, but I understood the wild message in every razor sharp gaze and subtle snort James made.

  I started to feel anxious when we were almost to his door. Last night's snow hadn't covered up the tracks I'd left on the patio, desperate and long tiger footprints in full flight.

  There's that guilt again, I thought unhappily.

  James became a fine man again and opened the door, waiting for me. I held off on shifting until the last possible second.

  We'd gotten along fine out there in the elements, when our lives were in danger. We both knew how to fight for survival, but I wasn't sure we had the slightest clue how to sit down like good people and sort out yesterday.

  I knew I didn't.

  As soon as I was in the house, a woman once again, the door slammed shut. James looked at me with a bear's eyes, tough and demanding, even though he was very human again.

  And hard too. My eyes drifted down his tattooed chest and went between his legs. Whatever damage the blow to the head had done, it hadn't dampened the anxious, sexy signal jutting up for attention.

  “Come with me, Laura. We need to have a talk.” He walked straight past me and pulled my hand.

  “Wait! Shouldn't I clean up first? Get a change of clothes?”

  “No.” James turned to face me and fixed the fires dancing in his eyes on my bare flesh. “This dirt and blood will come off our bodies pretty fucking easily. Not the same for the dirt still stuck between us. Hell of a lot harder to cleanse hearts.”

  I tugged my wrist against his fingers, testing his grip. He only tightened more, and I realized he wasn't leading me to the sofa.

  We were heading for the bathroom down the hall. When I flinched again, he whipped around,

  flattening his body against my length, pushing me to the wall.

  His lips curled and a soft growl came out. He looked pissed as all hell, achingly sexy in a way that said, you think I forgot about the way you disrespected me?

  No, he hadn't. I was scared and aroused, but I also felt like I was about to get what I deserved.

  “I'll do you a favor and go first. We can't keep fucking around, baby tiger, pretending we don't want to scratch and bite and taste each other deep.” He drew a deep breath, inhaling my scent.

  “I know you want the truth. Here it is: you're driving me insane, Laura Hisch. Ever since I took this sweet hand at the altar.”

  He reached down and pushed my little hand into his. The nascent heat building in my core surged at least ten degrees. Sweat beaded on my brow, a pleasant warmth spreading through my body, especially since I was still chilled to the bone from the long journey.

  “Insane?” I repeated dumbly.

  Crap. What the hell do I say when he's looking at me and touching me like this?

  “Yeah. Bonkers, mad, straight up loco...whatever you want to call it, you're doing it to me. Every minute you're here – or fuck, out in the wild playing hard to get – you're burning up my brain.” He pushed close, until my nipples were flush against his hard chest. “No more playing around, wildcat. I can't take the kind of crazy you're offering if it's just a tease.”

  I swallowed hard, wondering if he was about to throw me out. Or else ravage me to the core.

  “It's simple. I need you to be my real wife, or I need you to get out and go back to Tiger Bay. I don't give a shit what old deals between our clans say. I can't fucking handle living like this a second longer.

  Can't stand feeling your lips against mine one second, and then going through hell and high water the next to save your pretty ass when you regret it.”

  His eyes blazed, and the same heat pulsed in his body, rubbing against mine. He paused, leaning in closer still.

  “If I shove my tongue between your sweet lips again, are you gonna push me away?”

  Our eyes locked in one long, lust charged moment.

  “No,” I whispered. Actually, I wasn't sure I even made any sound, more like a silent ring with my lips.

  His face remained hard, tense, expecting. It felt like a whole hour passed before I could say anything, trembling with wanton heat and uncertainty beneath his hardness.

  “You're not the only one going crazy, James. I...I want you too.” I pinched my eyes shut. “It's so wrong, so stupid, so selfish...but I do. I panicked before, trying to get away from myself as much as I needed to escape you. But that won't happen again. I'm ready.”

  I opened my eyes, facing him in all his rigid, masculine glory. The fires in James' eyes went higher, changing to infernos.

  “You mean that? Don't be bullshitting me, little tiger. Nothing but truth between us now.”

  I nodded again. “Yes. I really want you, in all the ways a good wife should.”

  So help me, I reached out and grabbed him. My trembling hand curled around his big thigh. I took his cock in one fist and squeezed, the first I'd touched on any man.

  He pushed his hands around my waist, leaned back, and grunted. To my virgin ears, it sounded like pleasure, and I was relieved I was doing something right.

  He was hot as coal and wrapped in a fleshy sheath, his strong pulse thudding in my hand. I stroked him up and down, three times, feeling him grow unbearably stiffer as I explored his length.

  “Fuck!” he growled. “You keep that up and we'll skip the fucking shower altogether.”

  A weak smile pulled at my lips. James saw it, ignoring the delicious tension building between his legs, the electric burst between us as I stroked his perfect length.

  He moved in for a kiss. I thought locking lips with him yesterday was incredible. But if that was just incredible, then this was fucking fantastic.

  Instant fire arced through me, spreading deep and lapping at my most sensitive places. My nipples hardened, and I shifted up to add more pressure, rolling them against him.

  I was hotter, wetter, and tenser than I'd ever been. All for him, all for this beautiful bear.

  Muscles deep inside me clenched, craving the barbarian I'd resisted for so long.

  This beautiful grizzly barbarian, I thought.

  I seized up when his hands clenched at my ass. He pulled me closer, squeezing my flesh, deepening the wet and wonderful intrusion of his tongue. It was such a shock I let go of his erection.

  He kissed me again, grinding into the new empty space between my legs. I moaned into his mouth, and he eagerly lapped the hot, sticky breath spilling into him, stealing my very essence from my lungs.

  “Killing me, baby. You're killing me!” he growled, breaking the kiss.

  I squealed as he lifted me high over his shoulder. Kicking my legs, I was halfway scared my wetness would trickle straight down my thighs.

  He carried me like a caveman – cave bear? – down the hall. Inside the big bathroom, the door slammed, and it was just us and the shower.

  “Come on. Time to clean up before
things get a lot more fucking dirty around here.”

  He was already in the shower, switching on the water. How could I say no to more than six feet of pure muscle waiting for me naked, stretching his tattooed chest to the water?

  I stepped into the hissing rain with him. He enveloped me, wedging me to the wall and kissing me deep as the water beat down around us.

  Only a matter of time until sheer desire had its run. But before it did, I reached for the fresh wash cloth laid out on the bar near the faucet. I savored his kisses, letting the water make the cloth good and wet.

  Then I brought it to his big head, gingerly wiping at the cut there. He let me rinse away the caked blood and soothe his forehead, rendering a special care I'd never given anybody else.

  When I was finished, he stepped behind me, running his big hands up my body, starting at my thighs.

  The sweet water ran down around my breasts in rivulets, flowing into his hands, obscuring the parts where I ended and he began.

  He got to my breasts and cupped them in both hands. I almost lost my mind when he locked his fingers around my nipples and squeezed. I pushed my hips into him, rocking against his cock. It hadn't softened at all, even with all the interruptions.

  “That's it, baby. Let me feel those curves. I'm gonna burn you into me with every sense I have, human and animal. You understand?” One more firm twist of my nipple reinforced what he meant.

  “I think so!” I said with a shudder, words slurring into a moan.

  “Think so doesn't cut it. Let me tell you. I'm gonna claim you with everything I've got until I remember exactly how your sweet skin feels in my dreams. These lips, these fingers, these eyes, and this really big hard cock are all set to explore and conquer. I'm gonna own you, Laura, inside and out, until we're inseparable as the animal constellations in the stars.”

  Another surprise! Besides his words shooting straight sex through my veins, I had no idea he could be so damned poetic.

  He squeezed, steady and firm, so many times I lost track. His stubble scratched pleasantly at my neck as he kissed me from behind, running his mouth up the hook of my neck.

  One hand found its way between my legs. I rocked against his fingers, realizing how ready I truly was.