by Lily Cahill
A single eyebrow raised in an arch above Liam's steely gray eye. Even that little movement was sexy on him. She was starting to think he would look sexy no matter what he was doing, even if he was plunging a toilet.
Ava cleared her throat again, determined to overcome this all-consuming desire for a virtual stranger. "I'm studying the declining bee population. I had a hunch that the density of populations in wild hives without human interference might be denser than hives in more developed areas. I spotted a hive, but it was pretty high up a tree. So I climbed the tree and got some pictures and samples, but when I went to put the materials back in my bag, I lost my balance and fell." God, that sounded nerdy. She was nerdy, but studying bees sounded so much lamer in front of this rugged wilderness man. "And that's when you found me."
"Saved you," Liam corrected.
"Saved me?"
Liam nodded.
"I suppose I owe you a thank you, but it's not as if I was in grave danger or anything."
"Not at that precise second, but these are dangerous woods, Red. There are predators out there. It gets cold at night and dark. There's no town for miles. No cell phone service."
The butterflies in her stomach were starting to fly again. She changed the subject.
"Red? That's the second time you've called me that. My hair's blond."
"Red, like Little Red Riding Hood. Walking through the woods looking for bees and not keeping your eyes out for the Big Bad Wolf." Liam's voice was a low rumble. Ava sucked in a breath and pushed her thighs together, trying to temper the sensations that were happening between her legs. Her eyes were open now, and if Liam was the Big Bad Wolf, she was ready to be devoured.
Chapter Three
Liam
Liam could barely keep his hands to himself. This woman was sitting in his bed, her face so beautiful, her scent so beguiling. He wanted to ravage her, to pleasure her all night long. Liam dropped his gaze, realizing he was staring.
"So what are you doing all the way out here?" Ava asked, averting her eyes from him.
"I live out here."
"Like live, live? Not just a weekend cabin?"
Liam nodded.
"Like a modern day Henry David Thoreau?"
"No," Liam lied. His copy of Walden was noted and tabbed and so worn that it had broken into three different pieces, but Liam loved it. He identified with Thoreau's success in a family business only to leave it for quiet reflection in the woods. There was no proof, but Liam had a hunch that Thoreau was a bear shifter, too. He had Thoreau's quote, "The savage in man is never quite eradicated," tattooed on his forearm. There was an animal in everyone, even if they didn't realize it the same way shifters did.
"Maybe a little," he conceded, his mouth turning up in a half smile.
A matching smile quirked Ava's lips. "Maybe you can show me where the best bee hives are."
All the honey I want is right here. Another cheesy pick-up line flew into his head with earnest sincerity.
"I don't think you're going anywhere on that ankle for a while."
He adjusted his seating position on the bed just to move closer to her--her body like a slow motion magnet. Her scent hit him again. Fresh laundry and, now that he was nearer to her, he detected a hint of magnolia. The smells, sweet and mingling, reminded him of a life he'd given up. But more than that, it was making him want to taste Ava, lick her neck and up to her ear. Bite her earlobe, while his hands explored her body. Even her talk about bees was getting him worked up. She had hiked to a remote spot without trails to get her samples. It showed dedication and it impressed Liam. It stirred the businessman inside of him that he thought was dead.
Before he had escaped to the woods, he and his twin brother Everett had started a solar energy company. He had an urge to tell Ava all about his business. About the all-nighters he and Everett had spent building prototypes and scribbling formulas on the wall of their garage trying to figure out how to get the panels to store extra energy for cloudy days. He'd left more than two years ago and hadn't spoken to anyone since. Leaving Everett was the hardest thing he had ever done, but he was depressed in Manhattan, surrounded by buildings instead of trees. As a bear shifter he felt like he was denying half of himself by putting a suit on every day.
When he'd left Everett he'd also left B3, the brotherhood of bear shifters--a community of billionaires who supported each other's business ventures. Just because he wasn't part of that world anymore didn't mean he wanted to risk exposing them. To be free to be himself without constant worry, he'd chosen a remote spot in the woods that was difficult to get to. He wanted to be able to shift in the woods without having to think about whether or not someone would see him turn from man to bear and back again.
It seemed clear to him that bears weren't supposed to live in cities. He'd watched men in the Brotherhood lose their mates and turn to alcohol or commit suicide. He didn't want a mate if it meant that the loss of one would ruin his life. It was a hard decision, but he gave up everything. And now he'd been living in the woods for so long that just the scent of a woman was making him hard.
And underneath those fresh, womanly scents he was starting to smell something dirtier--proof that she was as attracted to him as he was to her. He felt more animal than human, his desire to take her was overcoming his ability to think clearly. She looked so wanton, laid out on his bed. Propped up on her elbow, her breasts invited him to her. It had been too long, far too long, since he had felt the touch of a woman's body.
He reclined on the bed so they were facing each other now, their bodies almost touching. Ava looked at him, her blue eyes wide and staring, but she didn't back away. Placing an arm around her waist, he pulled her the rest of the way to him so their bodies were flush. She tilted her head up to him and parted her lips, waiting for his kiss. He'd been so overwhelmed with the curves of her body and the way she smelled that he hadn't fully taken in her face, but Ava was beautiful. The fact of it struck him, and made him take pause. Her lips were lush, her eyes large and wide as she stared at him now. Everything was round and soft; even the shape of her face, like a heart, was gentle.
Her breathing was getting heavier, and Liam felt a rush of blood flow to his cock. The anticipation of what was to come built between them as they stared at each other. Her body contoured perfectly into his. She didn't move away, even though she could undoubtedly feel his manhood hard against her.
He dipped his head slowly and touched his lips to hers, barely a flutter. Ava whimpered and Liam withdrew himself. Ava's head followed his, wanting more. He wanted to give it to her but more than that he wanted to savor the moment. His body was telling him to rush forward and take her with reckless abandon, but something was holding him back. It was just like him, the two sides of him warring, fighting over which of his desires to act on.
He drew his hand up Ava's side, sliding his hand under her white T-shirt and feeling the creamy smooth curve of her waist. Ava closed her eyes, her breath fluttering. He moved in again to kiss her. Her mouth responded to his, opening and letting his tongue dip in and take what he wanted at his pace--her lips matching his movements, her tongue responding back to his dance.
She wrapped her leg around his waist and ground herself into his erection. The intensity made Liam go dizzy for a second, but then he wanted more. So much more. He held onto Ava's leg and and rolled her onto her back, the weight of him on top of her pressing them both into the downy comforter. He pushed himself against her and she arched her back, pushing her breasts forward again, that T-shirt too tight, straining against her robust chest. Unable to help himself, he lifted her shirt up, so she was exposed to him. Her white bra, plain and practical, had a clasp in the front. Liam snapped it expertly and her tits bounded out of her bra, like they'd been desperate to break free of their prison for too long. Her pink nipples were hard and begging for attention. Liam bent to lick the tip of her peaked nipple while still rocking against her. The heat between them, even with the layers of their clothes, was so intense that Liam could have easily
come in his pants. He flicked his tongue against her right nipple and then her left. Ava was writhing beneath him, mumbling his name in a blur of desire.
"Yes. Liam. Yes. Liam."
Her moans were a rhythmic sing-song urging Liam on. His mouth moved faster on her. He had his hands involved now too, holding her breasts up to him--a naked feast. Licking and nipping one and then switching to the other. She was grinding harder against him, keeping pace with his mouth, calling his name in faster and faster succession. Her voice hit a crescendo, a final, drawn out "Yesssssss" escaping her lips.
She pulled up on his hair, bringing his head away from her chest and panted, the swell of her stomach moving up and down as she caught her breath.
When her body relaxed she opened her eyes and tilted her head up to look deeply at Liam, her eyes wide and searching.
"No one has ever made me come like that. Without," she paused, "without touching me."
Ava let go of the tuft of Liam's hair she'd been holding to keep his head, and his mouth, away from her body.
He kissed down her jawbone and to her earlobe. "Then I can't wait to see how hard you come when I start touching you."
Chapter Four
Ava
Liam's fingers snapped open the button on Ava's shorts. She lifted her waist, careful not to put any weight on her hurt ankle, and let Liam work them down her legs. She shouldn't be doing this. Liam was against the rules.
The goddamned rules. She was supposed to be following them because she'd had her heart broken by the wrong guy too many times. Ava had entrusted her sister to make a list of relationship deal breakers. But right now, Ava could not think of a single one of them. Anyway, screw the rules. Fucking was not making love. It wasn't a relationship. It was fling in the forest with a very hot woodsman with muscles that hardened under her touch and a mouth that knew exactly how to please her.
She blinked the rules out of her mind and let Liam finish undressing her. He tugged her shirt that was crumpled up above her breasts over her head. He pulled the opened bra out from under her back and slid her soaked panties down her legs.
After discarding her clothes on the ground, Liam moved back to the bed and looked down at her. His eyes were soft as they scanned her body.
"No fair," she said. "I'm naked, but you're still fully dressed."
"If I looked that good naked, I would never put clothes on again." Liam's face was rigid and unsmiling, his voice low and husky.
Ava's cheeks blushed at the compliment. It was such a line, but that didn't stop the words from making her warm on the inside.
Liam began to unbutton his shirt and Ava propped herself up on her elbows, wanting to watch his body emerge.
He slowed his movement, gliding his hands down his shirt from one button to the next. Ava looked up from Liam's tantalizing hands to his face. He was staring at her, watching her reaction. She smiled encouragement at him and licked her lower lip.
His opened shirt revealed his muscular chest with a smattering of hair--everything about Liam screamed masculinity. Finally he reached the last button and removed the garment completely. Ava sucked in her lower lip, biting down on it, and her fingers curled into the bedspread. He had words scrawled on his forearm, she could just make out the words. The savage in man is never quite eradicated. The tattoo made Ava even hotter, she wanted the savage in Liam to do with her as it pleased.
Liam was a walking Calvin Klein ad. The cut lines of his stomach dipped enticingly into the top of his pants. Liam could say whatever cheesy line he wanted. As long as he fucked her until her ankle healed.
Liam paused at his belt buckle.
"Don't stop," Ava gasped out, her breathing more ragged than she realized. "Please, keep going." She was enjoying the show too much and she wanted to see his cock, wanted to find out if it was big and perfect like the rest of him.
She slid her hands down her body, spreading her legs so Liam could see how excited she was by his little strip show. She slid a finger down her slit and brought it back up, swirling it around her clit.
Liam groaned and crouched down at the foot of the bed.
She removed her hands. "Keep going," she said again.
Liam bit her inner thigh in protest before righting himself and unbuckling his belt, pulling the worn leather from his pant loops.
Ava returned her hands to herself and let her fingers build tension in her body while Liam threw his belt to the side. Unbuttoning the top of his pants, he hooked his thumbs into his waistband and paused, watching Ava touch herself. She slowed when he paused, but didn't take her hands away this time.
"Is this what you want to see?" His voice was deep and heavy with desire.
"Yes," she mewled.
"Yes, what?"
"Yes, I want to see your cock." Ava surprised herself with the dirty talk. That was an inhibition she didn't normally lose unless she'd had a few cocktails, but Liam was stirring something deep inside her, and she knew she was going to do whatever he asked. That she wanted to go wherever he was taking her.
With excruciating slowness, Liam lowered his pants. His cock sprung straight out. Thick and pink with a vein running down the side, pulsing blood and desire.
Liam grabbed Ava's legs and jerked her toward him, her body sliding down the bed fast so that her ass was on the edge and Liam, and his perfect cock, were positioned between her legs.
He rubbed himself against her, teasing his cock against her opening.
"Please," she begged, wanting him inside of her with a yearning that was intensifying with every second.
He grabbed her hips, and held her steady as he pushed his way inside of her. His hands gripped her tighter as he entered and his eyes were locked with hers, like he was seeing her for the first time.
She felt his cock stretch her, every millimeter of him sending shockwaves through her body. She moved one leg to rest on his shoulder, and he leaned in to her, thrusting himself deeper and deeper, his cock ramming into her and hitting that hard to reach spot deep inside.
She slammed her hands on the flat of the bed and curled her fingers around his bedspread, her hip thrusting upwards to meet Liam. She pushed against him, wanting everything he could give. She was at the edge and her head was swimming and dizzy with desire.
"Fuck, yes, fuck me!"
She didn't even know what she was saying, she just wanted more of Liam. More of his grinding, thrusting, hard cock. She didn't ever want this feeling to stop but couldn't help but rush toward the climax that was coming over her like a tidal wave.
Liam bent down to her, grasping her hair in his hand.
His face was close to hers, and see could see the beads of sweat gathering on his forehead. "Come with me."
He gazed into her eyes and buried himself in her in one last deep thrust, sending Ava over the edge. She threw her head back as her pussy clamped around his cock.
He collapsed on top of her once they were both spent, breathing heavily into her neck as her body shuddered in the aftershocks of her orgasm.
Chapter Five
Liam
Once Liam had come to from his cataclysmic orgasm, the magnitude of what had just happened hit him like a bucket of cold water. He gathered his clothes and made an excuse to get out of the cabin and clear his head.
"I need to go check my traps and see if I can't find us some dinner." He spoke quickly, throwing his clothes on even faster.
"What can I do to help?"
"Nothing." His voice was louder and more abrupt than he meant. "Just rest your ankle." He couldn't resist the urge to take care of Ava, even if he was desperate to be alone with his thoughts. He took an ice pack from his cooler and wrapped an ace bandage over it to make sure it stayed in place.
He was still buttoning his shirt as he was stepping out the door. He looked back before walking out, and the sight of Ava, supple and still naked on the bed, almost made him want to stay. He'd felt a pull to her that he had thought was just attraction, but now he knew it was more. He ignored a deep
instinctual desire to never leave her side and ran.
He ran hard, pumping his legs as fast as they would go, relishing in the lactic acid that burned in his thighs before he had to stop. He shifted and let his stronger bear muscles alleviate the pain of his exhausted human form. He stalked through the woods, letting his nose lead him to the right traps. He could tell from his nose which ones had caught prey without wasting the time to check them all.
He was grateful for the time alone. The woods--his calming place--made his pulse slow back to a normal pace.
When he had entered Ava he had felt something powerful and unexpected. Being mated was the last thing from his mind when he'd decided to bed Ava. All he had wanted was human comfort. A warm body and the intimacy of a one-night stand. He'd left the city trying to avoid a fated future where he was dependent on someone. He'd relied solely on himself for so long. A Thoreau quote floated through his mind.
I have found that hollow, which even I had relied on for solid.
If Liam was hollow, then what could he rely on? He had been operating on his belief that he could escape a fated future if he removed himself from his life and lived a solitary and simple existence in the woods where no person could affect him. That quote used to bring him comfort. He had thought he had removed chance from his life. That he was completely self-reliant. But now there was Ava, and he felt the pull to mate for life. He didn't want to risk falling into the ranks of the drunk, depressed, and disorderly over something as trivial as lost love, but he couldn't deny the urge. If anything, he was feeling a stronger pull to her now as a bear more in touch with his instincts than he was as a man. He'd considered all the angles long ago and made the decision to be alone. He didn't want love if it meant life-altering heartache. So why was he reconsidering it now?
A plump squirrel, his neck cleanly snapped, was caught in the trap.
He shifted back to man, opened the trap, and quickly skinned and cleaned the squirrel, enjoying the distraction from his thoughts. The squirrel along with some vegetables from his garden should make a good dinner. The trees towering overhead cast his body in shadow, a sole man in the woods.