Runaway Bear

by Alana Sapphire

  “Well… I heard the whispers, but I didn’t believe. Found yourself a girlfriend, Zax?”

  I curl my hand around Callie’s shoulder and pull her close.

  “Excuse us. We have someplace to be.”

  She steps aside, but not before giving Callie a scrutinizing once-over.

  “Who was that?” Callie asks.

  “Nobody, baby. Nobody.”

  ***Callie***

  Zax cooked for me. I can’t believe it. He cooked for me and he paraded me around town on his arm. I don’t know what to make of it. Sure, he’s been proclaiming I’m his, but I’m not sure he even knows what that means. He’s Zax Knight for God’s sake; Mr. Sex-On-Legs who drops his pants for any woman who bats an eye at him. But… tonight he’s been different. He’s been normal. Funny and witty even, leading our conversation with ease. He’s had me talking about myself all night, and that’s not something I like to do. In fact, I shy away from it at all costs.

  “What’s your favorite color?”

  “Pink.”

  “Coffee or tea?”

  “Coffee.”

  He nods in approval, firing off another question. “What kind of music do you like?”

  “I listen to everything. Don’t really have a favorite genre.”

  “How about movies?”

  “What’s with the inquisition?”

  “No inquisition.” He shrugs, reaching for my hand. “I just want to know everything about you.”

  “Everything?”

  Holding my gaze, he slowly slides his thumb across my knuckles, back and forth. The gentle caress sends my pulse racing.

  “I already know how you smell when you’re aroused. Like now.” His lips quirk up in a cocky grin as I shift uncomfortably in my seat. “I know how good you feel wrapped around my dick… how you look when you come. You know, the important things.” He chuckles.

  “But you want to know more.”

  “Not just more… all of it.”

  I pull my hand from his hold, turning my attention to my plate. I don’t know what I expected from this date, but this isn’t it. This is so far from anything I could ever expect from this man.

  He clears his throat, breaking the silence. “So… where have you been all this time?”

  “California,” I answer.

  “I see.”

  “I didn’t run away from you, Zax. I left for college. I was always leaving that day. You had nothing to do with it.”

  “Well, I guess that makes me feel a little better. Still hate the fact that you left, though.”

  “I’m sorry. I only did what I thought I was supposed to.”

  “No, sweetness. I’m sorry. I guess I should have told you what I wanted.”

  “What did you want?” I ask, scared, yet hopeful to hear his answer.

  “You.” He meets and holds my gaze. “Still do.”

  I’m the one who looks away first, staring down at my plate. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

  “Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that, Callie.”

  I finally look up when he stands and begins to clear the table.

  “Do you want some more?”

  “Um… no, thanks. It was delicious, Zax.”

  “Thank you. Next time you tell me what you like and I’ll make it for you,” he says as he places the dishes in the sink.

  “Next time?”

  “Yes, Callie. Next time. Come.”

  He takes my hand, grabbing our empty glasses and the half-empty bottle of wine with his free hand. After depositing me on the couch, and the wine and glasses on a side table, he goes back to the kitchen. He returns with a small box, a tub of whipped topping, and a fork. When he flips the lid, I peek inside, spotting a giant slice of pumpkin pie. Holy hell. The man knows the exact route to my heart. Not that he doesn’t already reside there. He dips the fork in the tub, and drops a huge dollop of cream onto the pie.

  “Open up, baby.”

  “What are you doing?” I ask as the piece of heaven on the fork makes its way to my lips.

  “I’m going to feed you. Open up.”

  I swallow hard, lick my lips, then part them for him.

  “Mmm…” I close my eyes, moaning as it hits my tongue. “Pie.”

  My eyes snap open at the low growl coming from Zax. He’s looking at me the way I look at pie. Oh. My. God. My breathing accelerates as he offers me another piece. I take it, keeping our gazes locked.

  “Make that sound again.”

  “I… I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can.” He places the box on the table with the wine. “I guess I’ll just have to make you.”

  Slowly, he leans in, staring at my lips. I lick them, my breathing getting heavier with each inch he moves closer. I close my eyes, gasping as the prickly hairs on his jaw brush against my cheek.

  “I remember how much you like being kissed…” he whispers. “Right. Here.”

  His lips brush gently across the spot below my ear lobe, sending tremors of pleasure through my body, and inducing that moan he wanted to hear.

  “See?”

  I open my eyes to find him staring at me with a smirk. Before I can say anything, his lips are on mine. Sliding my fingers through his hair, I free it from the rubber band keeping it in a ponytail. His tongue slips into my mouth, and this time, he’s the one moaning.

  “Fuck. I need you, Callie.”

  He buries his face in my neck, sucking at the base where it meets my shoulder. I throw my head back, giving him space to do as he pleases. His rough palm slides up my thigh. Before I know what’s happening, he’s pulled me onto his lap, making me straddle him. I stare down at him, my chest rising and falling at an uncontrollable pace.

  I need him, too.

  I nod, letting him know I want the same thing he does. He rises, wrapping my legs around his waist, and heading for his bedroom. As he lays me down on the bed, I look around. It’s been five years since I was in here, but it hasn’t changed much. Hopefully the man has.

  He drags his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. Zax is an exceptionally gorgeous man—face and body. A combination of bear genetics, his work at the garage, and a rigorous work-out regimen, all contribute to the muscled perfection before me. Sitting up, I trail my fingertips down his ripped abdomen. When I get to the waistband of his jeans, I tip my head up to meet his stare. His eyes are dark, chest heaving, heat radiating off him in droves. He reaches for my top and I allow him to remove it, watching as his eyes move to my breasts. Impatience taking over, he tugs my skirt off, adding it to the growing pile of clothes. I unhook my bra, but he growls, the sound letting me know he wants to undress me. After removing it himself, he crowds me, forcing me to lie back. He buries his face in my breasts, inhaling deeply.

  “You’re even more beautiful than the last time.”

  I grab a handful of his hair as he pulls my nipple into his mouth. He swirls his tongue around it, sucking as if he can’t get enough of me.

  “Zax….”

  As he moves down my stomach, his hair brushes against my skin, making it tingle. While one hand palms my breast, the other works on getting my panties off. He continues down, and his words from that night in the garage come back to me. I guess I’m going to become the pie after all.

  “Spread your legs for me, baby.”

  I hesitate just a bit too long for his liking. He spreads them himself, falling to his knees.

  “Never hide your body from me, Callie.”

  He leans forward, takes a deep breath, then sits back on his heels with a satisfied smile.

  “I’m going to enjoy this,” he proclaims.

  “Zax!” I scream as he licks my clit.

  “Just as sweet as I knew you’d be.”

  His tongue parts my lips, then he flicks it on my clit, sending need surging through my body. My fingers find their way back into his hair, pulling on it as he sucks on my clit. I squirm beneath him, already feeling so close to coming. He slides a finger inside me, making my back
arch, and my head press into the bed.

  “As wet and tight as I remember, too.”

  “Please, Zax….”

  “Soon, baby. I made you a promise the other night and I intend to keep it.”

  His attentions become more vigorous. My hips take on a life of their own, grinding against his tongue, his lips, and—oh, my God—his teeth. I grab the sheets, screaming into the dark as I come. He turns his head to the side, nipping at my thigh as I convulse. When the tremors die down, he buries his lips in my pussy, moving his head from side to side. Leaning over me, he licks his lips, and I hear the sound of the zipper on his jeans being undone.

  “Please, Callie. Tell me you haven’t been with anyone else.”

  That rips me out of my orgasmic bliss.

  “Why? You’ve been with just about every woman in Fall Valley. Probably the world.”

  He growls, his bear’s eyes boring into me.

  “Who is he?”

  “I don’t need—”

  He growls again, and is inside me before I can finish.

  “Oh, God!”

  He stills, giving my body time to adjust to him. I haven’t been with anyone sexually since him. I was just pissed off that it’s what he expected.

  “Don’t lie to me, Callie.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Yeah? My pussy is just the way I left it, baby. You can’t fool me.”

  He starts to move, slowly, still catering to my needs.

  “I never… Fuck! I never said I was… Oh, God… with anyone else.”

  “You’re mine. Always have been, always will be.”

  His hips circle, gradually increasing pace. I sink my nails into his shoulders, clenching my muscles around him.

  “My pussy!”

  He growls, and I feel tiny hairs materializing beneath my fingers. The bear is coming out to play. He moves faster, grunting with effort. I don’t know if it’s from fucking me or from trying to keep his bear at bay. He leans forward, making his pelvis rub against my clit.

  “Fuck, Zax!”

  “That’s right, baby.”

  “I’m gonna… I’m gonna come.”

  “Come, Callie. You scream my fucking name when you do.”

  Oh, God. “Zax!”

  My orgasm slams into me, just like it did that first time all those years ago. Before my eyes close, I see Zax’s muzzle extend. He’s losing the battle against his bear. I would care, except I’m busy being transported to another planet. My eyes snap shut and I throw my head back. He roars, and I know he’s coming, too.

  “Callie!”

  His head drops, and he stands over me, breathing heavily but otherwise unmoving.

  “Zax?”

  He raises his head slightly, staring down at me, his dark hair framing his handsome once-again-human face. Smiling, he lifts me off the bed, then settles in it with me on top of him, him still inside me. He wraps his arms around me tightly, keeping me in place. Laying my head on his shoulder, I nestle my face into his neck, breathing in his scent.

  “Making sure I can’t leave?” I ask.

  “Promise you won’t disappear again when I fall asleep.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Promise, Callie.”

  “I promise, Zax.”

  ***Zax***

  I wake up, expecting it all to be a dream. It would just be one of many I’ve had about her. Instead, I open my eyes, and I’m met with Callie’s curves. Her back is to me, but the sheets are wrapped around her in a way that outlines her gorgeous body—the flare of her hips, the dip of her waist. Slowly, gently, I trace them with my fingers. I know I told her not to run when I fell asleep, but I didn’t sleep much. We didn’t sleep much. After five years in the desert, there was no way once would be enough to quench my thirst for her. I savored every moan, groan, whimper, and scratch. My bear roared every time she whispered my name, and I marveled each of the six times she screamed it as she came.

  Groaning, she turns to face me, her lips curling up in a smile before she opens her eyes. Five fucking years I’ve been waiting for this—waking up next to her. I don’t know how to describe the feeling surging through me right now, but I do know I want to experience it every damn morning.

  “Good morning,” I greet her as I pull her to me.

  She wiggles, burrowing closer. “Good morning.”

  With her body pressed against mine and her warm breath on my chest, God knows I want her again, but I should give her a break. It’s been a while since she was with anyone. Well, with me.

  “Coffee,” she mumbles. “Please tell me you have coffee.”

  “Sorry, baby. I’ll go get you some. Or we could go out for breakfast.”

  Her head shifts, and I look down to find her staring up at me, uncertainty in her eyes.

  “Out?”

  “Out. We could go to Jimmy’s.”

  That’s where I get my coffee every morning, plus it’s kind of fitting. It’s where I saw her for the first time when she came back.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. Let’s go.”

  “Okay,” she agrees reluctantly. “Can we just stop by my place first so I can change?”

  “Whatever you want, baby.”

  While she gets dressed, I hop in the shower. A part of me wants to drag her in here with me just to keep an eye on her, but I can hear her moving around, so it eases my mind. When I walk back into the bedroom, she’s sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting. I stop, staring at the picture before me. Callie, in my bed, in my home… it fits.

  “You look mighty fine sittin’ there, Callie Masters.”

  “Yeah, right.” She scoffs, smoothing her hair. “I’m a mess.”

  I close the gap between us, using my index finger to tip her face up to mine, and stroking her cheek with my thumb.

  “You’re gorgeous. But I meant here… in my home.”

  Blushing, she rises and moves around me to get to the bathroom. I dress quickly in jeans and a T-shirt, leaving my hair down so it can air-dry. Checking my phone, I find a dozen messages from as many women. Word about last night seems to have circulated pretty fast. I delete them all without reading, then call Scott, letting him know I’m not coming in today.

  “Oh, shit!” He laughs. “Looks like last night went well. Told you she’d love it!”

  “Whatever. Can you handle things without me?”

  “Yeah, man, I’m good. Spend some time with your lady.”

  “Thanks. I’ll check in later.”

  “Yep.”

  “I’m ready,” Callie’s voice comes from behind me.

  I turn around, smiling as she approaches. She’s scrubbed the makeup from her face, and piled her hair in a bun on top of her head. She’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

  “Let’s go.”

  As she walks in front of me, I watch her ass, her hips moving side to side. Women are kind of my thing; always have been. There’s just something about this woman that I can’t explain. She pushes all the right buttons. She’ll be my downfall or my salvation. Either way, I’m ready.

  I help her into the truck, then climb into the cab. She’s quiet, staring out her window.

  “You okay?” I ask.

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “You don’t need to be nervous.”

  “I’m not.”

  “You don’t need to lie to me, either.”

  Taking a deep breath, she turns toward me.

  “It’s just… your rules—”

  “Don’t apply to you.”

  “Why?”

  I glance over at her. “Why do you think?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Okay. You let me know when you figure it out.”

  I thought the words “you’re mine” would have made my intentions crystal clear. This stupid image I’ve created for myself is blocking her view of me, of what I want. She’s still confused and apprehensive, but she’ll get it. I’ll be damned if I let her get away from me this time.
>
  I pull into her driveway, and as we approach the house, her mother steps out onto the porch. This is a new experience for me. I’ve never met a woman’s parents before, let alone facing them the morning after I fucked their daughter senseless. This should be interesting. Callie doesn’t seem fazed in the least, so I follow her lead. I park and hop out of the truck, waving to Mrs. Masters as I head to the passenger side. Callie takes my hand as she climbs down.

  “I’m just gonna grab a quick shower. You want to come inside?”

  “Sure. But you could have showered at my place, you know.” She frowns, her brows drawing together. “Next time.”

  Her frown deepens. “Yeah, next time,” she mumbles.

  I follow her to the house, watching mother and daughter greet each other with kisses on the cheeks.

  “Morning, Mom.”

  “Morning, sweetie. You okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m just gonna shower and change. Zax is taking me to breakfast.”

  “Oh?” Mrs. Masters raises a brow.

  Her gaze shifts to me and I acknowledge her with a nod. “Good morning, ma’am.”

  “Go on, Callie. I’ll entertain Mr. Knight in the meantime.”

  “Okay. I’ll be right back,” she throws over her shoulder.

  Mrs. Masters motions to the chairs on her porch, and I take the one next to her after she sits.

  “My daughter likes you,” she says, staring out at the yard.

  “I like her, too, ma’am.”

  “You can call me June.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She chuckles. “I know you’re a private man, Zax, but let’s face it, we all know how you… conduct your personal affairs.”

  “It’s not like that with Callie. I promise.”

  “I know.” She finally turns her head toward me and our eyes meet. “Just make sure everyone else knows it, too.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I mean… June.”

  She doesn’t have to be more specific. I know she’s talking about the women, but she doesn’t have to worry about that. Neither does Callie.

  ***Callie***

  I walk down the stairs, taking a deep, calming breath. The dark of night is one thing, but being out in public with Zax in the bright of day is another thing entirely. Walking out on the porch, I find him and my mom engrossed in a conversation about the modifications on his truck. When did my mom become interested in lift kits?