A Bear's Baby

by Vanessa Devereaux

  Maybe all the women could get together and do something while the men ran. Apart from the young Sam, Brady would be the only bear without a partner. Did that bother him? Up till now it hadn’t. He was pushing forty and he probably should think about settling down, but he still had so much more to do in his personal and business life before that happened or he’d always regret it. He’d think about what he could have done had he not had a mate and a family.

  He picked up speed and found himself close to where he’d parked his car and left his clothes. Brady hadn’t been aware he’d already run all the way around the wooded area and back. He shook the loose pieces of snow off his fur. Shifting back was going to be a shock to the system once he no longer had a natural pelt to keep him warm. He relaxed his muscles and soon paws turned into feet and hands and he was back as a man, naked as the day he’d been born. Now he was freezing and shivering. He quickly put his clothes back on and got into the car. He turned the ignition on and fired up the heat. He rubbed his hands together in front of the vent. At least during this time of the year, there was no danger of anyone seeing him shift between beast and man.

  He put the car into drive and headed out of the area. He wondered if Jenna had done what he’d suggested, pulled out the bed, gotten into it and warmed it for him. He hoped so, because he was fucking freezing and her body pressed up against his and underneath a cozy quilt was all he needed.

  ****

  Jenna rubbed her nose over the shirt sleeve. She hoped Brady didn’t mind that she’d put on one of his shirts she’d found hanging in the bathroom. It was blue with thin dark blue stripes on it, and his cologne and odor clung to it. She’d never smelled a guy quite like Brady. Hard to describe, almost musky and she liked it. In fact, it sent her libido into overdrive. She couldn’t believe he’d gone running at this time of night when it was so cold outside. He had to be a dedicated athlete

  The clock on his desk read midnight. She yawned. He’d been gone about forty-five minutes. She snooped around his office while she waited for his return. He didn’t have any photos, and she wondered if he had any family or if his parents were still alive. She ran her hand over a leather book. She shouldn’t have, but she opened it. It was his appointment calendar.

  Missoula 4:00 p.m. was marked on three days of the week. She bit her lip, suddenly jealous that maybe he had someone there. Stupid, she knew, because he’d given her no false hope or indication that what was going on between them was more than just good old sex.

  The door downstairs opened. She quickly shut the book, flicked off the light and ran over to the bed. She climbed under the sheet and blanket. He walked in a few minutes later.

  “You have a good run?” she asked him.

  “I did.” He took off his jacket, then his pants, and he was in his boxers.

  “I hope that bed’s good and warm,” said Brady, walking over to it. He got under the quilt with her. “Judging by the temperature, I’d say you’ve only just gotten in here yourself.”

  Damn, he was good.

  “Guilty as charged. I was looking around, wondering why you don’t have any photos of family.”

  “That’s because I don’t have any. My parents both died when we…”

  “When you what?”

  “When we were driving here. I was a teenager.”

  “Brady, that’s horrible. I’m so sorry. How about cousins, uncles, aunts…”

  “I have two cousins, but they don’t live here.”

  “Missoula?” she asked. Maybe that’s where he went there so often.

  “No, why did you think of Missoula?”

  He tapped her on the nose. “Has someone been looking in my appointment book?”

  “I might have.”

  “Anyone tell you that you’re nosy?”

  “I have to be because I’m an attorney.”

  They turned to face one another.

  “Is this one of my shirts?”

  “It is.”

  “You do know I hung it in the bathroom because it needs to go to the laundry?”

  “I like the smell.”

  “Glutton for punishment.”

  “So what’s in Missoula?” she asked him.

  “You ask too many questions.”

  “It’s because—”

  “You’re a lawyer.”

  “Well.”

  “It’s my little secret and I can’t share it with anyone.”

  Now her curiosity had been ignited. Girlfriend, ex-wife, and child—she hoped none of the above.

  ****

  Brady wasn’t used to sleeping with someone beside him. He’d almost forgotten Jenna had slept over until he woke to find her arm across his belly. Her hair was lying over her cheek, and she looked so sexy. He only wished his shirt looked half as good on him as it did on her.

  She flopped over onto her back. Her nipples pushed against the cotton. She had lovely tits. The sort that he enjoyed getting his mouth around and sucking until they puckered and then turned hard as he rolled his tongue against them.

  Brady flipped over on his side and leaned his head against his palm. How come someone hadn’t snatched her up? Human men had to be crazy.

  He leaned over and kissed her cheek, surprising himself at such a romantic gesture. If he didn’t watch out, he’d be going soft. Word would get around and his competitors would take it as a sign that he had an Achilles’ heel after all.

  “Did you sleep well?” he asked.

  “I did. I usually wake up a couple of times in the night, but I didn’t last night. Maybe it was the pre-sleep exercise I got.”

  “Now you know why I chose to go for a run.”

  Maybe she’d believe that. Bear shifters had to do it after they’d had mind blowing sex or they went a little crazy.

  “So what are you doing today?”

  Was that an innocent question or did she think maybe they’d spend the day together or go on a date? He had to stop it now.

  “I have to get a whole bunch of paperwork done. Did they say when the soil’s going to be tested?”

  “They said they’d call me tomorrow so as soon as I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

  “Sounds like a plan. You want some coffee or fruit juice? Feel free to use the shower.”

  “Orange juice would be great if you have any. And I think I’ll take you up on the offer of using the shower.”

  She got up and stepped across him. Clearly done on purpose because she was pantyless, and he got a great view of her pussy and folds. His cock stirred yet again.

  As she walked toward his bathroom her cheeks hung down from under the hem of his shirt.

  Geez that was a wonderful sight first thing in the morning.

  She left the door open and he heard the water running. He got up, walked to the fridge and poured her a glass of OJ. Before heading into the bathroom, he opened his desk drawer and pulled out another condom. He had a feeling once he got in there with her, he was going to need it.

  ****

  Having someone else soap and wash her body was so much better than doing it herself. Brady massaged the bubbles across her boobs, turning the nipples hard and achy. She backed up against the tiled wall of the shower, and loved its coolness on her ass cheeks. Such a stark contrast to the hot guy now rubbing his fingers in and out of her folds. He handed her the condom. She tore it open and passed it to him. He was sheathed and aiming his cock toward her in seconds. She wrapped her arms around him, spreading her legs as he glided inside her. Now that she was getting used to his size and the sheer girth of this magnificent man, it was easy-peasy.

  They kissed. Water splashed on the sides of their faces as he thrust into her. She lifted her left leg, letting him hold it with his forearm as she bounced off the wall.

  She bit his lip, maybe a little more than she planned. He mumbled, and his eyes, yes, she was sure they’d darkened, or maybe it was the light in the shower. He held her tight, stopped thrusting and did his bouncing cock trick.

  She clawe
d at his chest and hit it a few times before coming once, twice, three times until he started thrusting again. They hugged one another tight, bodies smacking into one another until he found release.

  ****

  Jenna tapped her fingers on the steering wheel of her car as she waited for the light to turn green. She’d made this trip every Sunday afternoon for the last five years. She was sure her car knew its way there. She turned on her CD and hummed along. She suddenly thought of Brady. He would make the perfect sperm donor. Should she drum up the courage to ask if he’d donate? No, that might be pushing the client-attorney relationship a little too far. Of course, she should find out about him a little more before even making him a candidate.

  She remembered the exact address he was going to in Missoula on Monday. She’d love to know what he did there, and maybe she could just happen to have business there, too.

  Someone sounding his car horn behind her made her realize she’d been daydreaming and sitting stationary at a green light. She put her hand up to apologize and got moving. She indicated left and turned into the care home. Some Sunday visits were easier than others. She never knew what she’d find on the other side of the door. She got out, slung her bag over her shoulder and headed to the door. It was always right here where Jenna began to feel guilty about not visiting him more often. However, sometimes he didn’t seem to recognize her or even know she was in the room. The brain, or at least the damaged brain, was a strange creature.

  She waved to the nurses. She knew them all by name. They hadn’t had much turnover in staff since David had arrived here. It was at this point she switched onto automatic pilot. She turned the corner and headed down the hallway to room 190. Another nurse was in the hallway, putting away the lunch trays.

  “Hi Jenna. Is it still snowing out there?”

  “No, the sun’s out, but the wind’s picked up again.”

  “Hard to believe Christmas is almost here. I haven’t done any shopping yet.”

  “How is he today?”

  “He’s been watching TV again this week. We make sure he doesn’t access any wildlife programs again.”

  Jenna nodded. She could only imagine what it was like for him. The door to his room was slightly ajar. She pushed it gently to open it some more before stepping inside. Her brother sat by the table and attempted to put together a puzzle. His hand shook as he placed a piece into an open slot.

  “Hi David,” she said. He looked up at her. Sometimes he knew who she was immediately upon her entry into the room. Sometimes it took him a good fifteen minutes to remember who she was. Today he squinted at her and then pointed.

  “Jen-Jen,” he said.

  That had been the name he’d called her since the attack and the coma he’d been in for over a month. She took off her coat and set it on his bed, and then pulled up a chair so she could look at the puzzle with him.

  “That’s a nice looking beach scene,” she said.

  “Flor, Floriy.”

  “Florida,” said Jenna.

  David nodded.

  “Maybe we can take a trip there one winter,” she said.

  “Nice,” he said, putting a piece in the center.

  “You know it’s almost Christmas, right?”

  “No.”

  “Well it is, so I need to know what you want.”

  He scratched his head and blinked three times in quick succession. She knew his mannerisms well enough now to know that meant he was giving it some thought.

  David pulled up his jeans and pointed.

  “Socks. You need socks?”

  He shook his head.

  “Slippers.”

  He blinked and nodded.

  “Okay, slippers it is. And you’re coming to my house for the holidays. Is that okay with you?”

  He shrugged.

  “I’d like you too.”

  He handed her a piece of the puzzle.

  He was the only immediate family she had left in Kalispell. She’d always been nervous about taking him home, looking after him without a nurse being around. What if she did something wrong? However, holidays were meant to be spent with family and she didn’t want him spending it in this place in this room. He did that the rest the other 364 days of the year.

  She looked at the spot where the piece of the puzzle went and locked it into place.

  “I have another new client.”

  Why had she suddenly thought of Brady? She swallowed. David had once been an intelligent, brilliant attorney, but his career had come to a tragic end. The scars were still visible from the attack five years ago.

  “He’s a billionaire,” said Jenna.

  David handed her another piece of the puzzle. She took it and saw that it was part of a wave that obviously went onto the piece nearest her hand. She slotted it into place.

  Wouldn’t life be so great if you could just slot things so easily into their places just like a puzzle?

  “I heard you’ve been watching TV again. Seen anything good?”

  “Cooking,”

  “Cooking shows. Anything you want me to make for the holidays? Your favorite cookies?”

  “Brows.”

  “Brownies?” she asked him.

  He nodded, finally fitting the last piece of the puzzle together.

  “Done,” he said.

  “That’s great, David.”

  Maybe she’d buy him some more puzzles for Christmas, maybe even Cooking Show DVDs.

  She closed her eyes. If only they could go back in time. If only her father hadn’t been so damn pig-headed about David being a man.

  Unlucky to talk about the dead in a negative way.

  Another one of her father’s sayings.

  She felt David’s hand go on top of hers. She was sure since he’d been in the coma he could read her mind. Maybe that’s what happened to everyone when they were asleep for so long. They became psychic.

  Okay David, tell me how this all ends. Do I ever get to have a baby, even a family of my own? Does this all have a happy ending?

  Chapter Seven

  Brady turned onto the main road leading into Missoula. He was hoping he’d have some good news about getting the all clear for the building project to continue. But when Jenna’d checked with the inspectors, the tests hadn’t even been started yet. She’d promised him she’d follow up with them again tomorrow.

  Some of the snow that had fallen over the weekend had begun to melt, making the roads and sidewalks slushy. Christmas trees and decorations were everywhere. Next time he was in town he’d pick up some gifts. Sophie was on top of his list this year. As her Spirit Guardian, it was up to him to get her something that she’d use later in her life. A big cuddly teddy bear came to mind. Every girl needs one of those right? Maybe he’d get her a giant one and tie a check to it so Ash and Chloe could open a savings account for her. A girl also needed a firm financial foundation for later life too.

  Brady turned into the parking lot of the building he’d visited three times a week for the last seven months. He’d found this place by sheer luck. He turned off the ignition and got out of the car.

  For some stupid reason he always checked around to make sure no one he knew was in the neighborhood. He definitely didn’t want any of his fellow shifters to know he frequented this sort of establishment. Luckily a shifter owned it so he could totally be himself and let loose. He opened up the trunk of his car and retrieved his bag. He threw it over his shoulder and headed inside.

  Dasiy would probably bug him and try to coerce him into taking her to Ash and Chloe’s wedding. She’d been his date at Liam and Lucy’s, but he hadn’t met Jenna back then.

  Brady opened the door, hearing the music blaring and one of her other customers leaving the premises. Brady paid her handsomely enough to make it worth her while to close the place once he arrived. He could go about his business in complete privacy and no one would ever know he’d stepped foot in the place. He pulled back the main door and saw Daisy standing there.

  “Hi Brady
, you all ready?

  “Ready and eager.”

  “Okay, let’s get you out of those clothes and get down to business.”

  ****

  Jenna knew this was a stupid thing to do. What Brady did was his own business. However, she’d been curious even as a child, and this time she hadn’t been able to suppress her nosy nature. Luckily for her, today was warmer. She pulled into the address she’d remembered he had written on his address pad with the dates written underneath. It looked like an old warehouse of some sort.

  She spotted his car parked up the side alley which told her he didn’t want anyone to know he was here. Would he be angry with her if he knew she was snooping? Probably.

  Music sounded like it was coming from the building he supposedly was in. Jenna crept around the back, seeing some windows coming into view. The music got louder the closer she got.

  “Come on Brady, thrust your body into me.”

  That had been a woman’s voice. Not that he was cheating on Jenna or anything. After all they’d just had sex and nothing more, but after hearing those words, Jenna assumed she wasn’t the only recipient of that extra-large cock.

  “You’re going too fast for me. I’d like to take it slower.” Brady’s voice.

  Jenna’s lower lip quivered. He’d been with her on Saturday night, and today he was fucking someone else. He really did like to spread himself around.

  Jenna wondered if this woman was pretty. Thin, even. Yeah, Jenna could do with losing some weight, but she was happy with who she was. Brady had seemed to like the extra padding, too, when they’d done the wild thing.

  Best course of action would have been to go back to her car, dragging her tail between her legs. Admit to herself that he was handsome, filthy rich, and could do it with whoever he wanted whenever he wanted. Forget about him. Move on.

  However, as The Pussycat Dolls version of Sway sounded through the alley, she wanted to get one look at the woman who was obviously so skilled in sex that Brady drove all this way three times a week just to fuck her.

  She crept farther along the alley, spotting a small side window. Darn. It was in the middle of the wall, and even with her high heels, she’d ever be able to see. She looked around as Brady shouted, “work that ass for me, baby”.