The Bear Project

by Doris O'Connor

  Emmi looked from him to the caravan, and he grinned.

  "Welcome to my home."

  ****

  Cole's bear prowled under his skin, demanding to be let out and to show Emmi just who he was. An animal conservationist, be damned. That went a long way to explain why his animal was so damn insistent to get close to her. At least he wouldn't end up mated to some chick who collected fur coats. He'd seen it happen before. Fate was a cruel bitch at times, and when your animal decided your mate was human, things had a tendency to go horribly wrong.

  He pushed the disturbing thoughts away and busied himself by getting out of the truck instead. Gulping in huge lungfulls of the cool mountain air, he shook his head to get rid of Emmi's scent, but it was useless. Coffee, chocolate, and the hint of roses and lavender assaulted his senses when Emmi opened her door and jumped down. He had to smile at the incredulous look on her face, as she took her camera out of her handbag and spun in a wide circle.

  "This is incredible. Do you mind if I take some pictures?"

  At his nonchalant shrug she screeched in excitement and started to snap away. Cole had picked this spot for the isolation and stunning views it afforded. The stream that gave Creek Fells its name originated farther up the mountain, and it ran past the clearing. Mini waterfalls cascaded along the rock formations. They formed into a natural pool here, from which he drew his drinking water, and following the stream down, it afforded an unrivalled view of the town nestled in the valley down the mountain.

  The sun was setting. It cast everything into an orange glow. The full moon hung low in the sky, which meant his bear wanted out to play.

  Cole was a born shifter, which meant he shifted at will, and was in full control of his animal, even during the full moon, but there were many in Creek Fells who weren't. This time of the month turned them into wild animals out to hunt, and he had to get his little human inside and out of harm's way.

  No one would get past Cole's bear, but he'd rather not fight some crazed Weres tonight. There was enough local wild life for them to feast on, and the few non-shifting inhabitants of the town knew to stay indoors with their houses locked until morning.

  "We should get in. It's getting dark, and the woods aren't safe then. Not at the full moon."

  Emmi stopped taking pictures and spun round to look at him. The setting sun behind her rendered her little summer dress transparent, and Cole bunched his hands into fists to hide his emerging claws. She might as well stand naked in front of him, for fuck's sake. Hands on hips, head cocked to one side, she studied him, seemingly oblivious to the way her curves were displayed for him to see.

  His bear growled low in his throat, and her eyes widened. Her little pink tongue moistened her lips in a nervous gesture that made him harden to the point of pain. He wanted to run his tongue over her full, pink lips and claim possession of her mouth, while his hands cupped her heavy breasts and his fingers tweaked the little nipples he could see poking through the fabric of her thin dress. The wetness he sensed between her legs called his bear for a taste of her feminine nectar, and he'd taken two steps toward her before he realized what he was doing.

  Fear warred with arousal in Emmi's pixie-like features, and she swallowed hard and shook her head with such force that the pony tail containing her dark blonde locks whipped from side to side. A tendril of hair clung to her full lips, and she swiped it away with an unsteady hand and took a step away from him. He matched her retreat step by step until her back hit the side of his caravan and stopped her.

  Giving in to the demands of his bear he caged her in against his home and ground his erection into her lower belly. With her flat sandals, she barely reached his shoulders, and he put his hands on the cool metal of his trailer home, bent his head, and inhaled.

  Emmi exhaled in a loud whoosh. Hot, sweetly scented air hit his neck, and he groaned. The need to claim her, to mark her as his overwhelmed him, and his claws dragged noisily across the metal. Emmi jumped at the jarring sound, and her beautiful sea green eyes widened. The pupils dilated in arousal, mixed in with fear. Her musk intensified, and Cole knew his bear showed in his eyes when he opened them to look down on her. This close he could see the freckles dusting her nose, and he couldn't help but wonder where else on her curvy body he might be able to connect the dots.

  "No, it can't be." She whispered the words, and her full mouth opened into a silent “O”.

  Cole grinned and let more of his bear show as she stared up at him. Instead of recoiling in fear, Emmi reached up and traced his lips and then his fangs that he'd allowed to show.

  "I'm dreaming, right? I've fallen asleep in your truck, and I'm dreaming. No, I never went on this fucking trip, and I'm back home in my bed having hallucinations. Maybe I'm sick, I—"

  Cole stopped her rambling with a kiss. It was meant to be a mere brush of his lips across hers, but the minute he touched her soft flesh he was lost. Their breaths mingled, and Emmi's hands bunched in the fabric of his tee as she rose on tiptoes to meet him. Her groan trembled through him and shook his bear into full alert. Emmi's unique flavor exploded on his tongue, and he deepened his kiss, taking charge like his bear urged him to do. He didn't dare touch her anywhere else. He was too close to shifting, too close to losing all control, and he couldn't mark her without her permission. That would create a bond never to be broken and would set her on the road to God only knew where. Too little was known about true mate human/shifter bonds to risk this, no matter how strong the pull was between them.

  The little human clung to him, as the kiss grew ever more passionate and her scent intensified, until he had to break away and give himself space to think.

  His bear's annoyed growl drowned out her soft, arousal soaked gasp, and he took several steps away from her.

  "Like I said, we need to get you inside. I'll fight to protect you, but I'd rather fuck than fight."

  Cole swore under his breath at that inane comment, even as his bear grinned his approval for that particular plan.

  "And who will protect me from you?" she asked, and Cole's bear snarled.

  Emmi went pale, but she stood her ground and didn't even flinch when he advanced on her. Half shifted, Cole knew he must look terrifying. Already his muscles bunched and grew bigger, and his voice sounded more animal than human when he addressed her.

  "Because I'm not a fucking crazy ass Were, ruled by the moon. I was born this way, and I'm in full control of my bear at all times." He had to mentally smile at that statement. He sure as hell didn’t feel in control of his fucking beast right now, but he would never hurt his mate. "There are those in the town who cannot control their animal side. They are forced to shift at the full moon, and they will come hunting for you. Every one of them in that fucking bar was itching to get their claws into you, Weres and shifters alike. The rumors are true. This place is not safe for unsuspecting human tourists, not at this time of the month."

  "So you say, but why should I believe you, and why do you care what happens to me anyway?"

  That did it. With an almighty roar that shook the ground his bear erupted. Clothes tore and muscles bunched. Cole grew taller, and his bones cracked and rearranged as fur covered his skin, until he stood at his full height of almost eight feet tall.

  He shook himself and roared again. It was a warning to anyone else out there to not approach this clearing. No one would touch Emmi tonight.

  Chapter Three

  She should run. Emmi knew that, deep down in that scared shitless place, she knew that. Her body prepared itself to flee. Adrenaline flooded her system, and her muscles coiled, as she watched the man she had been all but ready to fuck against the side of the caravan mere seconds ago, transform into a huge grizzly bear. He dropped down on all fours and just watched her, not moving, and Emmi's tense muscles relaxed. The intelligent brown eyes regarding her thoughtfully were Cole's, and when she put a tentative hand out he stepped closer so that she could touch his fur. A rumble went through his big body, almost like a cat's purr, and embol
dened by his reaction, she ran both of her hands through his fur, until she could cup his big head.

  "Cole? Can you hear me?"

  The bear grinned, showing a mouthful of razor sharp teeth, and nodded in answer. Emmi's stomach hollowed out at the thought of all that power under her fingertips, and tingles raced up her arm when Cole turned his head and his rough tongue licked the inside of her hand.

  They stared at each other, human and bear, and warmth spread through Emmi. Cole nudged her one last time and then stepped away from her. Just like before the air shimmered, and then he transformed back. Fur changed to smooth skin, bones cracked and re-arranged, and then he stood before her in all his naked and mouthwatering glory.

  The last remnants of uncertainty fled, and Emmi all but flew into his arms when a wolf howled in the distance.

  "Easy there, sugar, I've got you. Let's get you inside."

  ****

  Cole picked up his precious bundle as several other wolves joined in the howling, and Emmi buried her face into his shoulder. He shouldered the door open and kicked it shut behind them, but when he tried to put Emmi down, she wouldn't let him.

  He dropped a kiss on her head and tightened his hold on her.

  "You need to let go of me, sugar. I need to make sure the place is secure." Emmi shook her head, and this time the howling sounded closer. A tremble went through her frame, and his bear roared his annoyance. Fucking werewolves had no sense, and no way was he leaving Emmi's side. Not that he could have. She'd moved in his arms when he'd tried to put her down and now clung to him like a monkey. With her legs locked around his waist and her hands entwined behind his neck, she was going nowhere without him.

  This position brought her lace covered pussy in perilously close contact with his cock, and Cole's bear practically salivated. The man groaned, and with one hand massaging her ass cheeks, he used the other to lock the door and check the windows. By the time he was done, they were both breathing heavily, and Emmi rubbed her cunt up and down his cock.

  His balls drew tight with the need to bury himself deep inside her body, and he slammed her against the wall of the caravan and thrust against her in earnest.

  "Fuck it, Emmi, tell me you want this." He groaned the words into her neck, and she whimpered in need.

  "Please, I don't want to think about what's out there." She pulled his head down and kissed him, and for the umpteenth time that evening, Cole's bear went wild. His claws ran out, and he took charge of the kiss. Her passionate response took his breath away, and when they finally came up for air, her pupils were so dilated her eyes were almost black.

  She moaned her annoyance and tried to kiss him again, but Cole was having none of that. In a few strides he covered the distance to his bed, and they fell on top of it in a tangle of limbs.

  Emmi ran her hands all over his chest, and his bear growled his approval at the contact, but it wasn't enough. He needed her naked and open to him. Her scent called him to taste, to feast, and he cupped her still covered pussy. A shiver went through Emmi when he pushed against her clit through the damp fabric, and he shouldered her legs wider and bent his head to inhale against her slit.

  "Cole, please…"

  He grumbled against her core, and her thighs flexed and tightened around his head as she pushed her hips up in a silent offering.

  "I know, sugar. Let me take care of you."

  There were more howls far too close to the clearing for his liking, and Cole raised his head and roared. The vibrations shook his home and Emmi gasped, but this time, the warning worked. With a yelp and a scuffle the wolves scattered in search of other prey, and Cole smiled grimly at the soulful howl he recognized. Finally, Blade was out there doing his job. For the council appointed protector of Creek Fells it had taken the wolf long enough to step up to his duties.

  Cole would have to have a good long talk with the useless wolf once the night was over.

  "Cole?" Emmi's uncertain whisper brought him back to the woman on his bed—his mate—and he forced a smile on his face.

  "You've still got too many clothes on, sugar." Her eyes widened when he let his claws run out and used them to shred the lace obstructing his view of her cunt.

  "Much better," he murmured under his breath. "You're so wet already, sugar. So eager for my cock."

  A whimper escaped Emmi, and he grinned up at her. Her breasts fell and rose in rapid succession, and she bunched her hands into the bedcovers, when he swiped just one finger through her glistening slit and lifted it up to his mouth. They both groaned in unison when he licked that digit clean.

  "Delicious, just like I knew you would be. I'm going to feast on you all night long, sugar, until you scream my name and you know you're mine."

  The fine sheen of arousal coated her skin, and he indulged his bear by licking her slit just once. Emmi bucked underneath him, and then moaned when he left her sweet pussy and kissed his way up her tummy, taking the hem of her dress with him. He trailed his rough tongue over her quivering abdomen and dipped into her bellybutton. Cole smiled at the piercing and tugged slightly with his teeth. Emmi's lustful groan in answer was music to his ears, and he continued his exploration of her skin at his leisure. She tasted divine, and his bear growled his approval, for the moment, at least, appeased.

  Cole bunched the hem of her dress higher, until it rested over her breasts. The skimpy lace bra left nothing to the imagination, and his cock jerked in eagerness at the dark areolae clearly visible, her nipples little tight “come get me” beacons that made his mouth water.

  "Take your dress off for me, sugar, before I tear it off. I need to see you."

  The speed with which she complied with his growled demand soothed his bear, and his jaws ached with the need to claim her, to sink his teeth into the heavy globes and to cement their bond. Instead he pulled away and watched as she shimmied out of her dress and then her bra. Cole reached around to tug her hairband out and spread her hair over the pillow like a golden halo. A fierce blush spread all over her skin under his silent scrutiny, and a wave of protectiveness floored him.

  If he'd any doubts that Emmi was his mate, they were blown to smithereens right here. Sure, he wanted to fuck her six ways from next Friday, but the way she roused his bear was something else. His animal wanted to curl itself around her and keep her safe always. This wasn't simple lust, and she felt it, too, this deep connection between them. He could see the recognition mixed in with fear and raw animal lust in the depths of her beautiful eyes. They truly were the window to one's soul, and even without his heightened shifter senses, he would have been able to read his little Emmi.

  She was tumbling as fast as he was, and it scared her shitless.

  Well, that made two of them. It was only his bear who didn't seem at all concerned at what was happening right here. He simply grinned and urged Cole to get on with it.

  ****

  Emmi lay spellbound under Cole's intense gaze. His eyes flashed from his bear back to the molten chocolate of the man, and his delicious scent intensified. Every cell in her body breathed in the essence of this male. Unable to hold his gaze Emmi dropped her eyes, and immediately wished she hadn't. This close to him she had a perfect view of his sculpted chest and washboard abs. Liberally sprinkled with fine hair, they invited her to touch. Her fingers itched to trace the fine trail of hair down to his navel and the enormous erection he was sporting. Emmi's mouth went dry, and her heart turned into a jackhammer at the visible proof of how much he wanted her. Her clit tingled and her pussy clenched as yet more wetness seeped out of her channel, and she sensed rather than saw Cole's reaction. Her skin heated as his attention focused on the juncture of her thighs.

  Emmi couldn't believe how wet she was for him, and he'd barely touched her. She ached with the need to be taken by him, and she spread her legs wider. The rational, barely functioning side of her brain could not believe how wanton she was being. From his position between her obscenely splayed legs he would have the perfect view of her bared cunt.

&nb
sp; Cole groaned under his breath, a sound so raw and animalistic that Emmi's arousal spiked higher still. He moved, his cock a hard ridge against her thigh, before he scooted further down and threw her legs over his broad shoulders with the most sinful grin.

  "So beautiful and all mine. I'm gonna make you scream my name, sugar."

  Before she could even draw a breath into her lungs, his rough tongue attacked her labia, and Emmi went rigid. Like a man starved of water he lapped at the juices gushing out of her, paying equal attention to every part of her. Cole hummed his approval into her sensitive flesh, and the vibrations alone sent her teetering to the edge in record time. He suckled and licked and speared his incredibly long tongue into her pussy with breathtaking skill until all Emmi could do was feel.

  Waves of ecstasy pulled her under when he pushed first one and then two of his long fingers into her vagina. Her internal walls clenched around the thick digits, and the first orgasm hit her with the full force of a freight train, when he sucked her clit into the moist warmth of his mouth at the same time.

  He fucked her with his fingers and mouth, and Emmi rode his face with reckless abandon, as the waves pulled her under and brought her back up again, but Cole was relentless.

  Again and again he pushed her over that edge until Emmi's whole body was a mass of oversensitive nerve endings, and she begged him to stop.

  When he finally lifted from between her thighs, his face glistened with her juices, and she watched in awed fascination as he smacked his lips and crawled back up her body, until his cock nudged against her entrance.

  Cole's dick was long and thick and so incredibly hot, her whole body quivered in anticipation of his possession. Instead of thrusting home as she expected him to, Cole stilled his movements and grabbed her wrists instead. He held them high above her head until she couldn't move an inch. Pinned under his weight she was utterly helpless and at his mercy. The thought should have terrified her, but all Emmi could think of was how right this felt. With him on top of her, she belonged to him, and the world narrowed to just the two of them right here, and right now.