He carried her to her tiny bedroom and placed her on the creaking double bed. The room was small but clean, and there was just enough space for a chair and a narrow, crooked cupboard in the corner.
Brad laid her on the clean, faded sheets and kissed her sweetly on the mouth. She arched up to him, and when he placed his hand on her breast, she gasped and raised her hand to his chest.
“I'm all yours,” Brad smiled, encouraging her to touch him and do what she wanted with him.
With a gulp, Lisha pushed the shirt from his shoulders and skimmed her fingers down the wall of his chest to his navel. Blushing, she tugged down the zipper and released his erection.
Her eyes rounded at the size of him, and he scented her sudden, fierce arousal.
Brad gathered his clothes and placed them carefully on the chair beside the bed. These were her father's clothes, precious items to remember her father by. And she had let him wear them. He was deeply honored, humbled and touched. She trusted him to wear the clothes with care and respect, and to return them in the same condition he had received them. He would honor her wishes, her memories, and he would honor her.
Brad bent down and kissed Lisha, his hands moving under her t-shirt to fondle her breasts. Lisha pushed herself up and tugged the t-shirt over her head. Then she reached up and pulled out the pins from her bun. She shook her silky, black hair out and let them tumble past her shoulders.
“You are so beautiful,” he breathed. She smiled shyly as Brad fingered her soft tresses and stroked her face. “You are absolutely breathtaking.”
With her lying half naked on the bed and her hair falling in waves around her flushed face, she looked like a sex goddess. She looked so damn hot, and he was so hungry for her.
Brad had to fight to steady his hands as he cupped her breasts and thumbed her erect, rosy nipples. She was beautiful, all lush, creamy curves and smooth, olive skin. He had to have a taste of her, and touch every inch of her.
Suckling her, he began to tug her pants past her hips. She helped by wiggling out of her pants and kicking them away with a growl. Brad smirked. His little tigress was so impatient, so hungry for him.
Brad ran his fingers down her undulating body to caress the mound between her legs. He propped himself up on one elbow and brushed her raven hair from her face.
“You are so beautiful, Lisha.”
She smiled and touched his face. “You are too kind.”
“No kindness here. Just honesty.” He took her hand and kissed her palm. “There will always be honesty between us. I will give you everything, and everything we have is real.”
“Oh, Brad, I want...” She stopped and turned away abruptly.
“Tell me what you want, Lisha.”
“I want that. I want...you, Brad. And I want everything with you,” she whispered, closing her eyes. “But I can't...”
“You will have everything. And I am already yours.” With that, he took her mouth in a breathless, searing kiss and pressed her back onto the bed.
She returned his kiss with equal fervor, writhing and quivering beneath him. Brad stroked and teased her nipples to hard, aching peaks as he kissed her, making her pant and moan against his mouth.
When he fingered her swollen clit, she cried out and spread her legs for him, begging him to take more. Brad slid a finger into her and found her so wet and ripe. He growled when he felt her nails in his shoulder, nails which felt a lot like claws.
Brad swirled his tongue around her nipple, letting the taste of her skin linger on his tongue. He breathed in the feminine scent of her and closed his eyes, detecting the tiniest, faintest trace of tiger scent. Was her animal emerging? Was she coming into her first shift?
The question fled from his mind as she began to rub against him. When she dragged her pebbled nipples across his chest, his eyes almost crossed. Lisha nibbled at his shoulder and with surprising strength, flipped him onto his back. Brad growled as she loomed over him, positioning herself just out of reach of his straining cock.
Bracing her palms on his chest, she nudged the tip of his cock into her slit. She purred and wiggled but wouldn't go any lower. Instead, she moved her hips in a circle, allowing just the head of his cock to pulse maddeningly inside her and letting him feel the entrance to her slick, rippling channel. Her lips were curved in a sensual, teasing smile. She was enjoying driving him out of his mind.
“Lisha,” Brad grated. “Put me out of my misery.”
She bent forward, sweeping her silken hair across his pecs. “Say please,” she whispered.
Brad felt his cock jerk, and grow even harder. She was so prim and proper on the outside, even dressing the part of a stodgy librarian, and so playful and frisky on the inside. Brad suspected there were many more layers to Lisha, and he intended to peel them away one by one.
He would unwrap her like a delicious, little present. Unravel her slowly until she was completely exposed to him.
Brad suppressed a shiver. He wanted her now. He wanted to have her and hold her forever.
Brad tried to grab her but she squirmed out of his reach. She wagged a finger at him and tut-tutted. “You didn't say please.”
Brad chuffed in amusement and frustration. “Please,” he growled.
She smirked and leveled a piercing gaze at him. Looking deep into his eyes, she slowly lowered her hips, impaling herself inch by inch on his thick, aching cock.
Lisha's eyes widened as she felt him stretching her tight walls. Her breaths were coming in short, sharp bursts as she worked him into her body. He was big, and Brad wondered if he was hurting her but she didn't stop. She panted softly as she fed every inch of his huge cock into her pussy. “Brad...” she rasped, her eyelids fluttering. “You feel good, so good.”
Brad reached up to knead her breasts as she began to rock her hips. She felt so amazing, all luscious, bountiful curves. Brad had seen some Asian families in Moonstone Creek, and the women were all so tiny. Petite, slim, shy little females. But his Lisha wasn't like them. She wasn't very tall, but she was lush and curvaceous, and she definitely wasn't shy. Not in the bedroom anyway.
Lisha was exotic, exquisite. She was half human, half tiger. Brad didn't care if she couldn't shift. She was his. That was all that mattered.
Lisha pressed Brad's large hands on either side of his head and laced her fingers through his. She ground down on him and began to increase her speed and rhythm. She never broke eye contact with him as she fucked him, taking him deep and hard.
Brad gritted his teeth. If she kept going, she was going to push him over the edge. “Slow down, Lisha,” he commanded.
“No.” There was a wicked gleam in her eye.
“If you don't stop...” he warned through clenched teeth.
“I want to make you come,” she whispered. “I want to feel you come inside me.”
“Lisha...”
She rotated her hips, grinding down hard on him. Brad cupped her swaying, luscious breasts and rose up to pull her erect nipple into his mouth. She moaned as he suckled her furiously. Brad laved his tongue round her breasts, tasting and torturing her in swirling motions. As he took a wet nipple between his teeth, he moved his hand down her quavering body and massaged her clit. Biting and suckling her, Brad circled her engorged clit with his thumb, rubbing and stroking and stimulating until she began to shudder in ecstasy.
Lisha released a cry as her body spasmed and her muscles contracted and clamped around him. Brad jerked his hips and continued pistoning into her through her quaking orgasm.
Rearing up, Brad threw her onto her back and held her wrists over her head with one hand. He put his other hand under her knee and pushed her leg up, spreading her wider for him. He pounded furiously into her, driving his cock into her clenching pussy again and again.
Lisha made a keening sound as Brad prolonged and heightened her orgasm. She was still coming, her body shaking as her pussy rippled and tightened around his cock. He wanted to see this look of sh
eer ecstasy on her face every night. She was so fuckingly beautiful and sexy.
With another thrust, Brad emptied himself into her. He bit down on her shoulder as he shot his seed deep into her body. He needed to claim her, mark her. His bear wouldn't back down until he had staked his claim.
Lisha wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her. Sharp teeth sank into the base of his neck, and Brad jerked as another orgasmic wave of pleasure and pain pounded violently through him. He snarled and bit deeper into his mate's flesh. He wanted this to last forever, their bodies joined, their limbs and hearts entwined.
“Mine,” he growled, still moving languidly in and out of her body. “You are mine.”
She sighed and kissed him tenderly. Her ragged breaths slowed and steadied, but she had her legs around his hips, encouraging him to remain inside her.
“And you are mine, for tonight. Just for tonight,” she whispered with a smile. But the smile didn't reach her eyes.
“Not just tonight, Lisha.” Brad held her face. “Tonight is just the beginning.”
“The...beginning?”
“Yes, the beginning of our forever. We are mated, Lisha.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Lisha's eyes rounded at Brad's declaration.
“What?” she spluttered.
“Look.” Brad pointed to his neck. “What's this?”
Lisha gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh my God! I bit you! I...I've never, oh, this is…” She swallowed and shook her head. “Did I hurt you?”
Brad threw back his head and laughed. “No, you didn't hurt me. You marked me, Lisha!”
“I...what?”
“You marked me, as your mate. And I marked you right back.” Brad grinned. “You are most definitely a shifter, Lisha.” He tapped her nose lightly and peered at her. “Your tiger recognized me as your mate, and staked her claim.”
Lisha stared up at Brad, raising her hand slowly to the bite mark on her shoulder. She gaped at the corresponding reddish mark on Brad's neck. She had never ever bitten her ex-boyfriend, not even once. Yet she had bitten Brad with an almost possessive, feral passion their first night together.
What had she done? What had gotten into her?
Lisha dragged a shaky breath into her lungs. No, nothing had gotten into her. It was in her all along.
Brad was right. She was a shifter. She could feel her tiger purring and preening with satisfaction at having marked her mate. There was no doubt. Her first shift would happen soon. The scent and closeness of her mate had awakened her animal and her tiger was now ready and raring to emerge.
“Brad...” she began shakily.
“You can't get rid of me now. I'm yours. Forever,” he said smugly, folding his arms across his broad chest.
Lisha looked down, struggling to find the words. She honestly didn't know what she was feeling at the moment. Overwhelmed, she put her face in her hands and turned away.
“Hey,” Brad said softly. He knelt in front of her as she sat on the edge of the bed. Very gently, he peeled her hands away and thumbed away her tears. “It's okay. It's okay, baby. I understand. I want you and I love you, Lisha, but I understand if you don't...love me back.” The stark pain and sadness shone in his eyes. “You might have marked me by mistake. It happens.” He shrugged and tried to smile. “I won't hold you to it. It will tear me apart to see you with another, but...I won't interfere with your happiness.” He started to stand. “I will love you forever, and if ever you need me...”
“No, no!” she cried, horrified that she had hurt him. “Brad, I want you! I do, I do love you! Oh, you dear, sweet, silly man. How can you think that I'd love another? There's only one man for me. Forever. There's no mistake. My animal knows and my heart knows. You are my mate, Brad.”
Brad stared at her for a beat before grabbing her and hugging her hard. He crushed her to him and kissed her hair, her forehead, her eyelids.
“I will cherish you and love you forever. And I will protect you. So will the clan. You have nothing to fear, Lisha. No one will harm you,” Brad gushed. “I know tigers are solitary, independent creatures, but...would you like to be a part of the Nightfire clan? Or...if you prefer not to belong to a clan, I can speak to Cole and he'll make an exception.”
Lisha swallowed. She knew that as his mate, she would automatically belong to his clan. Yet Brad was giving her a choice. He wanted her to be perfectly comfortable and confident in her choice and her life.
Deeply touched, she pressed her lips to Brad's so that he wouldn't see her tears. But they were tears of joy and gratitude.
“Yes,” she whispered, giving him another lingering kiss. “I'm happy and honored to join the Nightfire clan.”
Brad stared at her for a moment before his face split in a grin. He straightened up and started to tug her off the bed. “That's fantastic! Now, let's get you packed. You are moving in with me. My place is a two-story terrace house. It's not that big, but...”
“M-moving?” she stammered.
“Yep. Or if you prefer to stay here, then I'll go and pack my bags right now. I'll move in with you.”
“You're kidding.”
She saw the determined set of his jaw and released a slow breath. “No, you're not kidding. You really would stay in this rundown, dingy apartment with me,” she whispered.
“Of course. You are my mate,” he said matter-of-factly.
Lisha stared at him, speechless. Brad had his own house, a spacious double-story house. Yet, he didn't mind staying in this rathole and would move in with her in a heartbeat. He didn't care for luxury and material comforts. All he cared about was her safety, and he would do anything to be with her.
She was deeply moved. And for the first time in a long, long while, she felt a sense of hope for the future. With Brad, she felt safe, secure, cherished. There was a sense of home and belonging, and she knew, without a doubt, that he was her family, her mate, her love. She wanted to be with him too, but she couldn't make him stay here in this leaky, dilapidated building with her.
Lisha gazed up at Brad and smiled.
He was an amazing man.
Protective, patient, but strong and determined.
He didn't back down from things that were important to him, but he did it in a way that wasn't brash and controlling.
“I'll go pack right now. I don't have many things, as you can see. Then I'll give notice to terminate my lease,” Lisha said.
“You...you'll come home with me? Oh, I can't wait for you to meet the clan. Some of the guys can be a bit loud and gruff though.” Brad grinned but she detected the excitement and nervousness in his voice. “My brother and cousins will be thrilled. They like to joke and brawl sometimes, but they're solid. So are Abby and Terri. Those girls are like bossy, big sisters. They'll love you...”
Lisha put her fingers to his lips to stop him and assure him, “Your family and your clan sound wonderful.” She nuzzled his neck and said softly, “I love them already.”
CHAPTER NINE
Lisha grabbed an armful of books and went to work shelving them. Polly and Josephine had the afternoon shift and would be in later. She couldn't help smiling when she recalled the meeting with Brad's family early this morning.
After Brad had hauled her suitcases to his house, he had brought her over to Cole's house, where Dalton, together with Tony and his mate, Terri, were already gathered.
There had been a collective intake of breath when she stepped through the front door. She gulped and blushed, realizing they could scent the tiger in her and Brad on her. She saw their eyes widen when they saw the mate mark on Brad and her. Then Dalton and Tony started clapping Brad on the back and teasing him mercilessly.
Cole, Abby and Terri had come up to her and embraced her warmly, welcoming her into the family. When Brad finally extricated himself from his exuberant cousins, he came to stand beside her, his arm possessively around her waist.
They had adjourned to
Cole's sizable kitchen to sit down for a bite and chat. Abby and Terri had pulled out a few frozen pizzas from the freezer and popped them in the oven. In a few minutes, they were laughing and joking over pizza and coffee. She knew that Brad had already told them about her background, so when Cole and Dalton asked her a few careful questions about her father's murderer, she answered their questions candidly, unflinchingly. She volunteered information about herself, and told them exactly what she was, a half human, half tiger who hadn't yet gone through her first shift.
“You got yourself a tiger wife, Brad,” Tony had quipped as he clinked coffee cups with Brad. “Well done!”
She had smiled shyly at them as they told her more about the clan and the town. They peppered their comments with jokes and amusing anecdotes about the clan members, and Lisha felt as though she already knew the whole clan.
Lisha smiled as she straightened the books on the shelves. She could see the family resemblance between the Jameson men, but they shared more than just good looks. They were alike in temperament as well. She could feel their genuine warmth and good humor, and the bond between them was strong. Terri and Abby were both funny, smart, caring women, and they fussed over her like two bossy, doting big sisters. Lisha was an only child, and she'd always envied her friends who came from large families. Listening to the rapid-fire exchange around the dining table, Lisha guessed this must be how it felt to be part of a large, close-knit family. There was much joking, squabbling, ribbing, and no one was spared. A scuffle even broke out between Dalton and Tony over who should get the last slice of pizza. Tony won, but she intuitively realized that Dalton would sacrifice anything to ensure that his younger brother and cousins never went without. The family looked out for each other, but Cole and Dalton made more sacrifices as Alpha and Beta of the Nightfire clan. They were good leaders, protectors and providers, not tyrants and insecure bullies who abused their power and wealth.
She was proud to be part of the Nightfire clan and the Jameson family.
A Wife For The Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Bear Brides Book 3) Page 4