by Lily Cahill
She nudged open the door and found Everett asleep on his desk--his head laying on his arms and his hair spilled out over a messy pile of papers.
Catie flipped on the light and he startled, rubbing his eyes to the intruding brightness.
The top buttons of his shirt were open, revealing a smattering of chest hair. His hair was a mess. His tie--the purple striped tie he was wearing yesterday--was loose and hung low around his neck. He looked like he had been up half the night working or fucking. Since he'd been out on a date the last time she heard from him, she guessed the latter. That thought made her skin prickle with anger and more than a little embarrassment. Jesus, she had done herself up for what? For a chance that Everett Bowen wanted to sleep with her? That made her no better than any of the interns.
"Here's your coffee and the files you needed." Her voice was clipped as she slammed the folder and black travel mug down on his desk and turned to leave.
"Wait, have coffee with me. I fee like I haven't seen you all week."
She halted in her tracks.
How could he be so cavalier? She fumed at herself for thinking that his text messages meant anything. He was just lonely and used her to entertain himself. He didn't care about her. He just didn't want to drink his goddamned coffee alone.
"Yeah, you haven't seen me. Because I've been working. The office has a lot going on right now, in case you hadn't noticed." She couldn't keep the disdain from her voice, the sarcasm dripping from every syllable.
"Yeah. I noticed. Why do you think I slept in my office?"
"I don't know. Maybe you had to escape the comfort of the hotel room to make sure things weren't awkward this morning. Maybe you were up all night fucking your date and just too tired to go home. Maybe you think that day old clothes and a scruffy beard are befitting of a CEO. Whatever the reason, Everett, I just don't have time to listen to it." He did look good disheveled. Ridiculously good. It was unfair how sexy that five o'clock shadow looked on his face, and she couldn't blame any woman for wanting to sleep with him.
"I was up all night working." He raised his voice. He never raised his voice. That was one of the many things that she admired about him. No matter how infuriating the day. No matter how stressful the situation, Everett was calm and collected. No one got a rise out of Everett Bowen. She'd only ever heard him raise his voice once, and it was at his brother Liam, shortly before he left the company. It scared Catie for a moment, but just a moment. Because then she remembered her anger. Her well-earned anger.
"That's great, Everett. I'm glad you worked all night. But you've been working for years, years, on these solar tiles. We all have. And now that it's happening, you're still running around like a college kid that Daddy's going to bail out if you get into trouble. Nobody is going to bail you out if the lawsuit goes public. And what happens then? Will more girls come out and talk about how they were sexually harassed at Bowen? Are you going to let the company's reputation get ruined? Let the tabloids talk to every girl that you've gone out with this month? How do you know her lawyer isn't taking pictures of you, building a case that you have a pattern of seducing and exploiting women. It could happen. You know it could happen. And you're still doing it." She was out of breath, her face was red. Yet Catie couldn't stop herself from letting loose a torrent of accusations, all the things that were wrong with him.
"You don't care about anyone but yourself," she nearly shouted. "This whole company is tied into you, Everett. It's your name on the building, but we've been here supporting you because we believe in you and what we're doing. And you don't care that we've spent the last eight years of our lives on this project. You don't care about what we've given up, you're just going to do what you want, like a self-entitled rich boy."
Everett had gotten up from behind the desk while she was ranting and come to stand right in front of her. He was taller than her, towering over her with his stern stare. She went quiet, but didn't step back. She didn't blink or break his stare. His jaw was clenched, his chin jutting out like he was daring her to go on, but she was done. She didn't have anything left.
"I quit."
She pulled at her security badge from where it was clipped to her waist, but Everett caught her wrist in his strong hand before she could throw it. She dropped the badge on the floor and Everett jerked her wrist toward him so that her body was against his. They froze like that--chests heaving, skin touching--for one agonizing moment, and then he kissed her.
Chapter Thirteen
Everett
Everett's hands were all over Catalina's body, following her curves up and down. He wanted her. Right now. Their mouths mashed together, kissing, biting, sucking, breathing. He didn't know how long he'd wanted this, but he felt like his passion was a pot of boiling water, the heat and tension rising, until the lid finally burst off.
He pulled her shirt up over her head, and she didn't stop him. That was the most incredible thing, her head was turned up to him, kissing him as fervently as he was kissing her. Her mouth was hungry and greedy, her hands in his hair, pulling him toward her, her body radiating heat through his clothes.
He kept kissing her, but moved her toward the door, using her body to slam the office door shut. Then using the door to push more of himself on her. To feel the pressure of her breasts on his chest. He pulled her gray pencil skirt up, making room to put his leg between her thighs. She responded, pushing her heat back against him, and he groaned, pressing his thigh firmer against her sex. She arched her back and moaned. God, it was so fucking sexy, he didn't know how long he could keep kissing her without tearing off her clothes and just taking her right there against the door. She pushed him back, and they stumbled, finding the couch. The back of his legs hit the seat of the sofa and he sat down heavily. Catalina straddled him, her tongue dipping back to his mouth, melding with his. He wrapped his hands into her silky dark hair and pulled her head back, exposing her to him. She tried to curl back to him, dip her head to his and kiss him, her hands on his chest, her nails grazing up through his chest hair. It felt electric, but he hadn't gotten enough of the sight of her. He grabbed both of her wrists in his hand and pushed them off his chest. He brought her hands behind her back and held them there, making her chest pop out to him.
Her black bra was laced with a flower trim that outlined the curve of her round bust, the demi-cup just barely concealing her nipple. She was stunning. Her skin shimmered golden brown and her breathing, heavy and desperate for him, made her breasts swell in uneven bursts.
"God, you're sexy."
Catalina bit her lip, her breathing as erratic as ever as he moved his head to her chest. He took the edge of the bra in his teeth and pulled it down, exposing her breast, the nipple perfectly round and just a shade darker than her skin. Its arousal was visible as the nub pointed out at him, begging to be sucked. He put his mouth close to it, reaching his tongue out dragging it lightly around the outer rim before taking it all into his mouth. He flicked his tongue over her hardened nub, and she let out another moan, grinding herself harder against him and straining her hands against his restraint, but he didn't let her. He held her in place, enjoying the feeling of her squirming against him. Her skirt was bunched up around her waist and the feeling of her grinding against him was making him impossibly hard.
He let go of her wrists, but she didn't move to touch him, letting him stay in control. He unhooked her bra and discarded it on the floor. His mouth moved to her other breast, less gently this time, he sucked it into his mouth and dragged the flat of his tongue roughly against her.
She keened loudly.
He let his head stay there, nestled against the soft plushness of her breast. He wanted to bury his face in them and suffocate in their perfection.
He worked his hands up her thighs, sliding under the fabric of her bunched up skirt. He ran his finger against her covered pussy, touching the soaked fabric.
"God, you are so wet." He flicked the small strip of fabric to the side and touched his skin against hers. She
was shaven and her pussy was so smooth, his eyes rolled back in his head. "Fuck, Catalina." It took all his self control not to just fuck her brains out right that second. But he didn't want this to end.
"Yes," she mewed out, dragging the "s" as he touched her. He teased along her slit, rubbing her nub before plunging his finger inside of her. He kept at her clit with his thumb and watched her face as she reacted to his touch. She looked so fucking sexy with her eyes closed and her head thrown back. He wanted to make her keep feeling this, keep riding this wave, but his cock was straining painfully against his pants, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold out.
"Please," Catalina begged. "I want you."
That pushed Everett over the edge. He couldn't wait any longer. He held Catalina firm as he lifted and rotated, throwing her body flat against the couch so that he was hovering over her. He unbuckled his belt, freeing his cock from his pants. He wasn't thinking about whether or not she was his mate, he was just thinking about how badly he wanted her. How good and right this felt and how he wanted to fuck Catalina here in his office and again in the shower and again in his apartment and again in every room he'd ever been in and on every surface he'd ever used.
He slid his cock up and down her slit, lubricating himself on her juices, before sliding in, his girth stretching her wide.
And then he felt it. A connection. A lock. A sureness that he would never want anyone other than Catalina ever again.
He thrust harder into her and she was so overcome with pleasure that she let her eyes close again, her hips rocking against the rhythm of him inside of her.
She cried out with every thrust, urging him on, urging him harder and faster. Her yelps heightening, her pussy clamping around him, her breasts jostling from his motion, her fingernails digging into his arm. Beads of sweat gathered on his brow, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could last. She felt so incredibly good, her soft velvet secret wrapped tightly around him.
"Come with me," he growled into her neck, and his hips thrust forward again.
"Yes," she agreed--half-scream, half-moan. "Yes," she kept confirming as Everett pounded against her, his ass tightening as he came. The crest of his pleasure washing over him like a tsunami--he collapsed on top of Catalina, and she wrapped herself around him--her arms around his back and her legs around his waist.
"Never let me go," he whispered into her ear. She tightened her limbs around him, and he kissed down her neck. He'd never thought finding his mate would feel like this.
#
Everett stretched his neck out to kiss Catalina on the lips. His lips were soft and tender, gently kissing her with the reassurance that what had just happened was more than sex.
"That was ...," Catalina trailed off.
Did she feel it too? That connection? It was so intense; he never imagined it would feel like that.
"Incredible." He breathed the word, and Catalina nodded.
Now that he knew Catalina was his mate, he didn't want to have any secrets. He'd been waiting for so long to have someone to share his life with, and now that he had her, he couldn't wait.
"I want to show you something." He started pulling his slacks back on and Catalina followed suit, grabbing her discarded bra and top from the floor.
"Right now?"
"Yes. Right now."
Catalina's forehead wrinkled in confusion at Everett's sudden determination.
"There's something you don't know about me."
"What are you talking about?"
"You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Don't freak out."
"About what?"
"Just follow me."
Everett took Catalina's hand in his and led her to the elevator. He was relieved that the office was still quiet. He didn't want to share Catalina with anyone else, not yet--he was happy that they could share this moment together without the interruption of work and responsibilities. Although he felt nervous about showing her his bear form, he knew deep down that she would accept him. She was his mate, and now that she surely felt it too, he felt secure that she would never leave him.
They exited the elevator on the top floor, the smell of nature and the humidity in the air carrying them away far from New York City. They were in a jungle made for them.
"Have you been up here before?"
"Once, on a tour of the building. I didn't know you could just come up here." Catalina was looking around the greenhouse, taking in all of the plants, the aisles bursting with greenery. "This place." She shook her head, at a loss for words. "It doesn't feel like a greenhouse. It feels ...." She trailed off, still unable to find the words.
"I know." Everett took Catalina's hand in his and led her through the winding maze of plants. He stopped in front of a pepper plant. The little curves of red and orange sprung up from the plant like Christmas lights.
Everett picked a chili off a nearby plant.
"I have a few confessions to make."
Her head twisted, looking at him warily.
All those dates with women from the Billionaire Bear Brotherhood, all the interns, all the debauchery looking for his mate ... the piece that he couldn't live without, and it was Catalina the whole time--the one woman he already knew he couldn't live without.
"The first is that the cafeteria only started serving pickled chilis when you came to work here. You complained about a soggy pickle spear from the deli you'd gone to over the weekend ruining your sandwich. I knew how much you like spicy food, so I asked the food manager to start pickling chilis and serving them with the sandwiches instead."
He pressed the chili into her hand. "I don't know why it took me so long to realize I had feelings for you. I don't think I knew until I saw you with someone else. I don't think I realized even then why I was feeling so protective, but I know now."
"Everett," Catalina started to speak, but he interrupted her. That was the easy part. Now he had to show her his biggest secret.
"Don't say anything." His voice was firm and authoritative. "There's something else."
He stepped away from her. Of course he would never harm her, but he didn't want to scare her either. She was about to be standing next to a massive bear.
Everett stared directly into Catalina's eyes. "Have you ever heard of a shifter?"
Catalina frowned. "In stories, of course. But it's just that."
"No," Everett said. "It's not. It's real. And I ... well ... just watch."
Everett closed his eyes and felt his body transforming, the warmth of his fur covering his body and his senses getting sharper. He heard her gasp, but he kept his eyes closed until the transformation was complete.
He looked up at Catalina from his bear form, waiting for her to come to him. Her eyes were wide, but she stepped toward him. She was shaking, one hand covering her mouth, but she wasn't running away. Catalina looked deeply into his eyes, and he didn't blink or look away. It was still Everett inside of this massive creature. He tried to tell her that with just his eyes. She held her hand out to him and caressed his fur. He nuzzled into her hand and she moved closer. Putting her second hand on his head.
Her cheeks puffed out as she released a deep breath she must have been holding since he'd shifted.
For the first time in his life, Everett had shared all of himself with a woman. Surely she must see that. This wasn't just sex, it was his life. And he needed Catalina in it.
Catalina rubbed her hand down his giant head and cupped the side of his muzzle. "It really is you in there, isn't it?"
Everett nosed her palm, and Catalina giggled. His heart filled his chest and kept growing. He was truly, completely content, and it was all because of this wonderful woman.
Chapter Fourteen
Catalina
Catie's heart thumped in her chest. She was petting a wild animal. No, it wasn't a wild animal. Somehow it was Everett, but knowing that didn't stop the adrenaline from pumping through her veins. His dark fur was sprinkled with spots of red and blonde,
and it looked so much like Everett's hair, she couldn't help but run her hands across it. His eyes, smaller now and set deeper into his face, were still gentle and full of activity. They shined like Everett's eyes, giving her the impression that his mind was a constant whirl of activity.
"This is one hell of a secret," she whispered, more to herself than to Everett. He couldn't answer her. Or could he? She really didn't know.
He looked up at her, pulling away from her hand, and there was a twinkle in his eye. His neck jutted forward, and his wide tongue lapped up her face.
"Ugh." She wiped the streak of saliva off on her sleeve and pulled a face at him, but Everett was gone, bounding down the aisles. Catie ran after him, but he was faster than her, much faster. It didn't take long for him to lose her completely. He was loud, though, and she turned corner after corner hearing him just out of reach. But she was confronted with greenery everywhere she looked. She giggled, like a child lost in a maze game. She wanted to keep chasing Everett, but she was getting dizzy and she had no idea where she was. She didn't know if she was close to the elevator or anywhere near the chili plant.
Everett turned a corner ahead of her, coming down the aisle she was standing in. There was a cluster of plants in his mouth, but he stopped and bit off something else before coming back to her.
In his mouth was an array of the most beautiful flowers Catie had ever seen. A huge pink lily with white borders and red speckles, a yellow sunflower with a brown center that made the petals seem even brighter, and orange hibiscus with pink centers that reminded her of her home in Florida. He nudged his nose at her hands, and she took the bouquet from him and brought it to her face, inhaling the scent.