The Bear's Reluctant Wolf

by Jenika Snow

  She opened the door and took in the sight of Trace. He stood there looking very sexy, but very casual as well. She took in his broad shoulders and wide chest, the way his muscles pressed against the material of his shirt, and then continued to let her gaze wander down his tree trunk sized legs. His feet were encased in a pair of shit-kickers, and all-in-all he was so damn attractive that she wanted to tell him to forget about dinner, take her to her room, and get this … sexuality … out of their systems. As it was she felt like it was eating her alive.

  No, she couldn’t do that, wouldn’t just tell him to screw her right where they stood because this arousal was insane. Taking a deep breath, she smiled and held the door open wider.

  “Wow, you look good, baby,” he said and braced his shoulder against the doorframe. The little movements he made, ones that shouldn’t be sexy, were so incredibly attractive. He looked her up and down, and she swore she felt his brand right down to her toes. “You ready?” He gave her a lopsided grin, one where she was sure had made a lot of panties drop, but fortunately she managed to keep hers on … barely.

  “Yeah, I am ready.” Even she heard the erotic way she had said those words. He pushed off the frame just as slowly as he had leaned into it, and stared down at her. His eyes lowered to half-mast, and his chest rose and fell. She could smell the way his bear rose, and the testosterone that came from him like a crack of the whip.

  “Say it again, Candace.” He took a step closer, but there wasn’t any extra space between them, and now he was close enough that their thighs pressed together, and their chests brushed against each other every time they inhaled. “Go on.” His green eyes seemed to glow as he stared at her pointedly.

  “I’m ready, Trace.” Her voice was soft, but she was so transfixed by the shape of his mouth, his strong, square jaw, and really everything else about him that screamed male, that she heard the way she sounded when she said those three words: wanting to get fucked. For several long seconds all they did was stare at each other, but then he cleared his throat, took a step back, and held out his hand for her to take. Candace could have used a little extra time to get her bearings, but she pushed everything else aside, closed the door behind her, and slipped her hand into Trace’s much bigger one. He led them toward her driveway, and she expected to see his Harley. Of course she hadn’t dressed for it, but she was confident she could have pulled off riding on the back of his bike. Besides, there was this little voice in the back of her head that told her she needed to wear something that could be construed as easy access. But there was no big ass Harley sitting in front of her house, but a big ass Yukon instead.

  “Didn’t think you drove anything but a motorcycle.”

  He grinned down at her and gave her a wink. Opening the passenger side door for her, he didn’t give her time to climb in, just slid his hands around her waist, lifted her off the ground easily, and set her on the seat as if she weighed nothing at all. She might be a thicker girl, but compared to him she felt small and petite. Once he was seated in the driver’s side, had the engine cranked, and was driving down the road, she asked him where they were going.

  He looked at her, but didn’t smile or give her any indication of what he was thinking. “I actually want to introduce you to someone.”

  “Your son?”

  He nodded but kept his eyes on the road. “You’re okay with that? I don’t want to rush anything with you, but I want you to meet him, and I figure the sooner the better.”

  “I’d like to meet him.” She reached over and grabbed his hand, slipping her fingers through his, and placing their entwined hands on her lap. His arm was stretched out far to his side, so she moved as close as her seatbelt would allow, and he gave her a small smile. It was nice, being so close to him and it not having to be about her wanting to ease the annoyance of her arousal taking over. Right now it was about contentment and comfort.

  They hadn’t talked any more about what he had divulged to her at the mountain, and it seemed as if something had shifted in just the short time they had known each other. He was still so gruff, but it was as if he knew he needed to ease up a bit, and to show her that in order for this to work he needed to show her a softer side of him. Now, that softer side did have him still growling out words, even acting like a possessive male through text messages, but she found it endearing that he was so territorial when it came to her.

  For the next twenty minutes they held light conversation, one that had her learning he was an only child, that his mother had been a cheetah shifter and his father a polar bear.

  “I grew up in Charlestown, and moved to Sweet Water when I was twenty.”

  “Is that when you met Karla?” She didn’t miss how he tensed at the mention of his ex-wife. Maybe some females would be upset that their mates had been married before and had a child, but Candace was a strong believer in letting the past stay right there … in the past. Besides, she had been with men before meeting him. It wasn’t like they were in their twenties. Yes, he was ten years older than she was, but she was no spring chicken, and at thirty-five she was starting to feel all the things missing in her life—a husband and family. Was Karla still living in the past when it came to Trace? Candace had certainly smelled the human’s desire for her mate, but Trace only had disgust for Karla.

  “Yeah. I never intended for things to get serious with us. I made that clear to her, but she also didn’t want anything serious. So it worked out good. Looks like both of us got a reality check when she got pregnant with Liam. I was twenty-two, and she was nineteen, and marrying her was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, but I thought it was the right and honorable thing at the time. It took a long time for me to realize that a family doesn’t have to mean being married. A loving home came be made up of a single family home, or even the parents only living together. I’m not saying Liam didn’t need a mother, because he did, but being with Karla wasn’t good for anyone.” The sound of his hands tightening on the steering wheel sounded throughout the interior of the SUV. “Things were okay at first, but Karla is not the mothering type.” He looked at Candace, but only for a second. He was silent as he took the winding road up the mountain. “Long story short, our marriage was a bust. She was a shitty mother to my kid, and cheated on me with my best friend.” He was trying to make it lighter than it was. “She left town right after the altercation. Apparently she couldn’t stay away from Sweet Water forever, unfortunately.” He turned left and onto a side road that ascended. “Liam was eighteen when all of that went down, but thankfully he was off at school. I’m glad he didn’t have to see any of that, but he still had to grow up with a mother that didn’t give him the affection he deserved. She was never good to him, always ignoring him, and just overall worthless. I shouldn’t have stayed with her as long as I did, and I will forever regret that. For years we tolerated each other, but I was so indifferent to it all I just stopped being there for her. Then again she had already pulled away from us a long time ago.” The trees opened up, and an impressive two story cabin sat in the clearing. A detached three car garage was to the right, and there was a smaller building to the left that looked like a guest house. He cut the engine, and they sat there in silence for a moment.

  She reached for his hand again, the one that he had pulled away from her when he started talking about his past. He didn’t fight her, let her take it, and she brought it to her chest, right over her heart. “I really am sorry, Trace.” He shook his head and turned so his upper body faced her.

  “You’re something else, you know that?”

  “Hopefully that is a good thing?” She eyed him and tried to give him a saucy smile.

  He looked so serious right now, and her smile faded. “Yeah, baby, it’s a really good thing.” He exhaled roughly and looked down at where their hands were still pressed to her chest. “You’re too good for me, and I am one lucky bastard to have found you, Candace.” He lifted only his eyes to look at her, and her heart stopped in her chest. “For the last week I’ve woken up, n
ot knowing what I have done to deserve you, but grateful that an asshole like me got something so good in my life.” His words were hauntingly heartbreaking.

  “We’ve only known each other for such a short time, and I’m not even that memorable, Trace.” Her mouth had gone dry, and her throat was tight. It was hard getting the words out.

  “It has been a short time, Candace, but that doesn’t make what is happening between us, and what I feel for you, any less powerful or any less real. I’m not asking for your love, because I know that has to come on its own, but I am asking for you to give me a chance.” He took his hand back and cupped her cheeks. “I’m a pain in the ass, bossy, and have a tendency to get into fights even if I’m not provoked. I will piss you off, because that is just who I am, but you’re a strong wolf, Candace, and can give as good as you take.” She stared into his eyes, ones that looked as dark as the night around them.

  Her wolf had no reservations, and neither did her human side. She had already decided this was what she wanted, that Trace was the male she wanted. Maybe this would work, maybe it wouldn’t, but she would never know unless she tried. Oh, she had no doubts that he would piss her off, because a lot of the things he did most of the time already did that, but she could overlook that, because she could see goodness in him. “I’m willing to try, Trace.” His name barely left her lips before he was claiming her mouth. It was over before it started, but it was enough to leave a very lasting impression. He climbed out of the truck, but before she could do the same he was opening the passenger side door and helping her out. He led them to the front door, and as soon as they entered the smell of tomato sauce and garlic bread filled her nose.

  “I hope you like lasagna.” After taking her purse and hanging it on the coat-rack, he kept a tight hold on her hand and led her to the kitchen. His cabin was very impressive, with natural wood accents and intricate engraved detailing. The kitchen was huge, easily as big as the lower level of her home. Black granite, cherry cabinets, and stainless steel appliances greeted her. The table in the kitchen was large, easily seating eight, although he had told her it was only he and his son who lived in the home. He let go of her hand and went over to the stove. Candace walked over to the table and searched the length. Everything was set for the two of them, including unlit taper candles in the center. Trace moved up behind her and pressed his chest to her back, but he didn’t make a move to embrace her, and instead reached around her and set the bowl of salad and basket of garlic rolls on the table. He didn’t move away though, and buried his face at the nape of her neck. The sound of him inhaling deeply, coupled with the feel of him running just the pads of his fingers down her arms, had her closing her eyes and sighing in bliss.

  “We have to stop because I don’t want the first impression your son has of me to be that I am fooling around with his father in your kitchen.”

  He groaned against her neck. “I’d really like to fool around with you in my kitchen, and besides, Liam won’t be here for another hour.” He started moving his lips along her neck. “You don’t want to even know what dirty things I want to do to you.” Candace placed her hands flat on the table and leaned forward enough that her ass pressed into his already hard shaft.

  “I do. I really do.” She emphasized the same word he had, but she also meant it. Her body was on fire. Pussy wet, clit pulsing, and nipples nearly ripping though her dress, all she could think about was Trace giving it to her nice and hard. That thought should have made her feel somewhat embarrassed, but all Candace felt was that inferno Trace had started, the one only he could extinguish.

  “You’re a bad girl at heart, Candace.” He gripped the hem of her dress and said, “I’m going to pull this dress up, tug your panties down, and lick your cunt until you come all over my face. And, baby, I won’t stop until you beg me to.” He moved his mouth to her ear. “And you will beg me, baby. I won’t stop until every part of your body is so sensitive all it will take is a growl and you’ll come all over again.” Slowly he started inching the dress up her thighs, proving that she wouldn’t stop him and he could do whatever the hell he wanted. Never had she been happier to have worn a dress than she was right now. The sound of his haggard breathing against the side of her throat had her own respirations coming in hard pants. “I bet your pussy tastes as sweet as the rest of you.” He said the words as if he was speaking to himself.” Her ass was now bared to him, and the thong she wore did nothing to hide anything from him. The vibrations that left him had her gritting her teeth and curling her hands into the glossy wood. She thought he might follow through on his threat, but he continued to push her dress up until it was high on her back. Candace couldn’t worry about if he thought her ass was too big, or if her thighs were too wide. All she could focus on was the feel of him trailing his fingers along her side, making her flesh tighten and goose bumps form along her body.

  At the first touch of his tongue to the center of her back she moaned out loud, and he chuckled darkly. He was enjoying going slow, torturing her, and having her wanting things she never even imagined until she was in Trace’s presence. The next thing she knew he was kneeling behind her, his hot breath moving along the crease of her bottom.

  “Fuck, baby, your ass was made for my mouth, my hands, and my fucking cock.”

  “Oh, God.”

  “No, baby, not God,” he licked one cheek, and then the other, and said, “Just me.” He curled his finger around the thin elastic that was pressed into her ass, and pulled it up and to the side.

  “Trace—”

  “Shh, baby.” His mouth was so close to her bottom, but it wasn’t until he pulled the cheeks apart that she knew what he was going to do, and it wasn’t something she had ever thought she would want. But heaven help her she wanted this. “This is okay, Candace, right?” He was already licking a path along each cheek, over and over again until her skin felt abraded and she was thrusting her ass against him, more firmly into his face. “Christ, I hope this is okay, because I really fucking want you.”

  “Just do it, Trace. Just do it already.” She said the last in one quick sentence, and the air left her in a gush when he dragged his tongue right between the crack of her ass and around her anus. No male had ever touched her back there, but she would be lying if she didn’t admit, if only to herself, that she had secretly thought about being kissed, touched, even fucked back there.

  His licking, nipping, even sucking at the puckered flesh had her moaning, pushing back, and seeking more. He placed a big hand on the center of her back, and pushed her forward until her chest was flat against the smooth, flat surface.

  “So good, Candace. Christ, so fucking good.” The way he curled his fingers into her flesh, pulled her more firmly into his face, and devoured her like he was starving, had gush after gush of moisture leaving her pussy. “Mmm, Candace, I can smell how wet you are for me, taste it and feel it coat my fucking face.” His words were muffled against her flesh, and when she didn’t respond he pulled back and speared a finger through her pussy, and pushed the digit into her body. A gasp left her when he pumped that finger in and out of her in slow, measured strokes. He withdrew, but wasn’t nearly done, not when he took that now soaked finger, pressed it to her anus, and slowly pushed it into her bottom. He fucked her ass, and used his other hand to cup her between the thighs. At the first touch of his thumb teasing her clit she tensed and felt the familiar stirrings of an orgasm approach. Trace was methodical and precise as he worked her at both ends, and soon she was fucking herself on his hand, and coming so hard lights flashed behind her eyes and a strangled moan left her. Trace was never-ending in his onslaught to drag out her pleasure, and she was too weak and far too gone to make him stop, even when she heard the front door open.

  The front door just opened.

  She snapped her eyes open and pushed herself off the table, but fortunately Trace had already moved away and pulled her dress down. She spun, saw the very satisfied male smirk on his face, and then sensed someone else enter the room.


  The male who entered was just as tall and muscular as Trace, and was the spitting image of him. There was no doubt in her mind, from looks alone, that this polar bear shifter was Trace’s twenty-three year old son Liam. It cemented the fact that they were related when she breathed in and caught a whiff of the same potent, yet masculine scent that surrounded him. Her cheeks heated, and she knew she had to be as red as a tomato, but it also didn’t help when Liam grinned at her. It wasn’t a smile that was pleasant and gentle, but one that told her he knew exactly what they had been doing. Hell, the kitchen smelled like they had been getting it on.

  He gave her a once-over, but when Trace let out a low rumble of warning Liam looked over at his father. “No offense, old man. I didn’t mean to interrupt, but you did ask me to be here so I could meet your mate.” He slowly moved his eyes back over to her. “Liam Dakota.” He tilted his chin, and she actually just noticed how filthy he was. Covered from head to toe in grease and smelling faintly of gasoline, there were no doubts he had come from a garage. “Pretty, huh.” He didn’t phrase it as a question, but he also wasn’t being an asshole. “Just got off work, so this is kind of the norm.” He gestured to his appearance.

  “I expected you to be here after nine.” Trace spoke low, with a hint of disapproval in his tone.

  Liam held up his hands. “I tried to call, but clearly you were otherwise occupied and didn’t get the text or voicemail that I was heading in now.” Trace grunted. “Listen, I can’t stay anyway. I just came to meet Candace.” He slid his gaze over to her and lifted his brow in question. She nodded that, yes, that was her name, and he smiled genuinely this time. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Candace, and I’m sorry for breaking up the party.” He gave her a wink, and she noticed Trace took a warning step forward. Liam held up his hands and took one step back, amusement all over his face. “I just came to clean up. I’ll see you around, Candace. Oh, by the way, I thought I’d give you a heads’ up that Karla is back in town.” Trace didn’t say anything, and she glanced over at him. “Ah, I see she already made herself known to you.” He didn’t wait around to hear Trace’s response, just turned and left. Trace shook his head and had a furrowed brow.