Her Grizzly Outlaw

by Jenika Snow

  Tarren pulled her attention back from her little slut experience, or lack thereof, and smiled at Alexis. “Girl, if my dad knew how drunk I really was he’d take away my car and make sure I never left the house again.”

  “Tarren, Dallas is like a puppy compared to what my dad would do if he knew about all the alcohol I’m drinking.”

  Tarren shrugged, but then nodded. Yeah, Brick was one mean grizzly, especially when it came to protecting his little girl. “Alexis, do you honestly think our folks don’t know we have beer out here?”

  “I’m sure they do, but—”

  Tarren held her hand up, stopping her. “They are watching, making sure we are okay and don’t go anywhere, and would put a stop to it if it got out of hand.”

  Alexis nodded and took a sip from her cup.

  “How about we not talk about our parents and just enjoy the fact we are free from high school?” Tarren grinned and finished off her beer. “How are you and Nico doing?” Tarren arched a brow. “You do the deed yet?” Although it so wasn’t Tarren’s business, and she really had no desire for the dirty details, she was curious if Alexis and Nico had finally gotten it on. It had been long enough that the two had been together, probably heavy petting the shit out of each other.

  Alexis nearly choked on her beer, and Tarren chuckled. Alexis wiped her mouth, her eyes starting to water, and then she started coughing.

  “I guess that’s a no?”

  Alexis shook her head. “No.”

  “You’ve been together for like … two years. How much dry humping can you possibly do with him?” Tarren took a drink, masking her smile as she gave Alexis a hard time. “You need to get drunk and stop being the most sober one here.” Tarren grinned fully now. “Not only did we just graduate, but you turned eighteen not too long ago.”

  “Yeah, you’re right.” Alexis looked around and took a sip of her beer, but right when Tarren saw her pulling it away she pushed it back at Alexis’s face. She sputtered, some of the beer trailing down her chin again, and she lightly smacked Tarren on the shoulder. “What the hell?” Alexis started laughing, but her cheeks turned red from clear embarrassment. Alexis scanned the crowd again, and Tarren knew she was looking for Nico.

  Tarren followed Alexis’s gaze, and saw Nico and Lucas over by Odin and a few of the other guys. The sight of Lucas smiling, of him just standing there in a plain black t-shirt and loose fitting distressed jeans, had her heart racing. And then some skank that was brought by one of the girls they went to school with moved up and started acting way too friendly with Lucas. But what surprised her and made Tarren feel a spark of pleasure, was when Lucas pushed her off right away, and then looked right at her.

  God, she hated when the sluts came out of the woodwork when they saw a big, strong, and muscled grizzly bear shifter with a reputation for holding his own and beating the shit out of anyone that crossed him.

  Pushing her feelings for Lucas aside, because he was so oblivious to how she wanted him, she put on her game face and said, “So, spill it, girl.”

  Alexis was silent for a moment, but then finally spoke. “We got close a couple of times, but then my dad almost caught us and it just didn’t feel right anymore. We just decided to wait.”

  Tarren looked over at Lucas, and when she glanced at Alexis again it was to see her smiling.

  “Oh my God,” Alexis said on a breath. “You had sex with Lucas?”

  God, she shouldn’t have kept looking at Lucas, because clearly her game face was off tonight. She breathed out, put on this fake-ass smug look to play it off like it had meant nothing, and said, “Yeah, last night in fact. We were sitting in the back of his truck by the lake, and talking about what we planned on doing for college, and then…” She shrugged, but there was a smile that stretched across her face, one she could feel. “One thing led to another, and I think I am in love.”

  Alexis snorted. “No, you’re not.”

  Tarren grinned, playing it off like she wasn’t, but the truth was she was. She loved Lucas, had for longer than she cared to admit, but playing it off like it was one big joke was safer. “No, but definite lust for sure.” She glanced at Lucas again, and when she glanced at Alexis she knew the other woman had seen her checking him out. But the young grizzly twin had given her a look that said he wanted her as much as she wanted him right now. “And his dick is like sooo big, Alexis.” Tarren was playing the bad girl card, but that was her personality, and that was how she blocked out her true emotions. “I bet Nico is just as impressive in that department. I mean, they are identical.” Tarren wagged her brows at Alexis.

  Alexis shrugged, and her face grew red.

  “Yeah, you don’t even have to say it because I know Nico is probably like the damn Hulk, too.”

  They didn’t say anything for a while, just watched the guys bullshit with each other. The music was blaring loud, angry beats, and Tarren sighed, not realizing that the sound had left her until it was too late.

  “I know that sound.” Alexis looked at her and smiled. “You’re going to do something you probably shouldn’t.”

  She smiled, knowing that she was totally going to do something she regretted, and that was sleeping with Lucas again, even though being with him had brought her emotions for him up even higher. But she played it off as not a big deal. “Girl, I am going to do something that I should.” She acted like she didn’t care that she had done it with Lucas, but the truth was since last night that was all she could think about, and she worried that Lucas had already forgotten about it and moved on.

  Tarren lifted up her cup to Alexis and moved over to the keg. She refilled her Solo cup with beer, and when she faced Alexis again it was to see her talking with Dakota. God, that man, even though he was only human, could give any Grizzly a run for his money. He was big and muscular, older, too, and definitely took after his father Malice in the gorgeous department. Yes, she might be only eighteen, but she could appreciate a handsome older man and Malice was definitely that. Dakota had this bad boy thing going on, not like Lucas of course, but he was still one hot piece of ass. Tarren took a swig of her beer, feeling ridiculous for using the lingo that the guys had said too many times to count, and blamed it on the beer.

  She had the attitude right now that she just didn’t give a shit, or at least that was the way she was leaning toward. It was easier to pretend that she wasn’t bothered by anything and had a snarky sense of humor.

  And then she watched as Dakota reached out and placed a hand on Alexis’s shoulder. It was totally innocent, but Tarren glanced at Nico regardless because she knew if he saw that small touch he’d go ape shit. Dakota then smoothed his fingers along the bare skin of Alexis’s arm, and her friend took a step back. Even through the music and conversation Tarren heard Alexis and Dakota clearly.

  “Dakota, what are you doing?”

  “I’m sorry, it’s just…” Dakota said and turned away from her. Tarren heard him curse under his breath. “Totally inappropriate for me to touch you, but I’m drunk and—”

  And then Tarren glanced at Nico when she heard the sound of something low and deep. It was very animal-like in quality, and the look on Nico’s face was intense. Nico was right behind Alexis a second later, and had her pulled back behind his big body. Lucas was watching the whole thing, a beer in his hand and this arrogant smile on his face. Even though Dakota was just as big as a Grizzly MC member, he was human. He might be able to hold his own for a while against Nico if it came down to it, but if Nico called forth his animal power, Dakota was toast.

  “You just couldn’t fucking back off, could you?” Nico said, his voice rough, harsh and sounding like his father, Jagger, when he was pissed. The scent of his bear was close to the surface, too.

  “Nico, please. Dakota didn’t do anything,” Alex said, clearly trying to stop a fight that was really close to happening. “Ever since you have been able to shift you’ve been acting insane.” Alexis’s voice hardened. “Maybe you should go.” She addressed Dakota this time
.

  Tarren didn’t move for a second, but then snapped into action until she now stood right behind Alexis. “Girl, this is going to end really, really badly if he doesn’t leave and the parents have to come out here.”

  Nico took a step forward, and the fact his bear was pushing to get out, to take control, was pretty damn clear. He kept clenching and unclenching his hands into fists at his sides.

  “I could fuck you up right now, just tear you apart before any of The Grizzlies came out here and stopped me,” Nico growled out, and then Lucas stepped up beside Nico. Tarren blew out a relieved sign when Nico’s twin tried to bring him off the edge of shifting and starting a very big problem.

  “Brother, calm down before shit gets real and out of hand,” Lucas said.

  “Nico, please. You’re acting ridiculous,” Alexis said again.

  Nico looked at Alexis then. “I’m not overreacting, Alexis. He touched you earlier today, and it was your dad stopping me from going over there and kicking his ass.” Nico faced Dakota again and then took another step forward. But Dakota held his ground. Tarren had to give the human credit for his balls of steel.

  “It was innocent, Nico. You’re acting like a damn child right now.” Alexis’s voice rose, and Tarren could feel her friend’s animal rising.

  “You think I’m afraid of some eighteen year old shifter?” Dakota chuckled humorlessly. “I grew up with The Brothers, asshole. You may be able to shift, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t get I some serious damage to you before that happened.” Dakota took a step forward now, and Tarren felt the tension and heat in the garage intensify. It was eerily quiet right now, despite the music still pumping through the speakers.

  “You want to try and make this something it isn’t, fucking fine by me. You’ve been acting psycho any time any guy even talks to Alexis. You need to get your fucking head on straight, man, and realize that there are only two types of people in this world. Men and women.”

  Tarren didn’t want to get an adult to stop this, because that would shut down this party. But she knew that her father, or any Grizzly for that matter, would kick both Nico and Dakota’s asses for even going this round in the first place.

  “Nico, just stop.”

  Tarren took a stop back, about to say something, but Alexis started speaking again.

  “I love you, and if you’re going to let your jealousy take control and push you to get into a fight with a guy we grew up with, then I won’t stand here and watch.” And then Alexis turned this icy, death glare at Dakota. “And you’re adding fuel to the fire.” Alexis turned away. Alexis shook her head at Tarren when she tried to stop her, and then headed out of the garage.

  Tarren couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe as she watched the almost brawl take place. Everyone had come close, forming this circle around Nico and Dakota, as if they couldn’t wait for the fight to begin. They were savages, all of them, and Lucas was front and center, this smirk on his face as he watched Nico and Dakota staring at each other.

  “Fuck this,” Dakota said, and glared once more at Nico before turning and leaving the garage. A few minutes later the sound of his motorcycle starting could be heard over the music. Tarren glared at Lucas, and when he faced her his smile faded. For a second all anyone did was stand there. The air still tense from the almost fight, the people looking wide-eyed around the garage, and then some tossing back drinks. And then the motion was instant. People went back to talking and getting drinks, and it was like nothing happened.

  Tarren glared at Lucas again, slightly annoyed because she was letting her emotions control the rational side of her brain. Even though she had loved Lucas for a long time, hid it well, and was able to keep her jealousy from everyone, having sex with him had opened up that wall she had thought she had erected pretty damn sturdily. She turned and grabbed her purse, made sure her joint was still tucked inside, and turned to leave the garage. It didn’t matter that Nico had stormed off to find Alexis, and that they would probably be all kissy and hugs in trying to make up. She planned on going to the pond at her father’s house, the one that he still owned but didn’t live in anymore. It was a solitary location she had gone to on several occasions, mainly to smoke a joint or two and not be caught, but also to just think about shit.

  She walked by Lucas, shrugged off his grip when he tried to stop her, and turned to face him.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” he asked with this angry tone to his voice.

  Tarren sighed, knowing she couldn’t fault him for anything or be upset. But she was heartbroken that she had let herself have sex with him, pretending that it hadn’t meant a damn thing to her, and then to know that for him it did mean nothing. But then he had thought fighting with Dakota was funny, and that annoyed her, too. He was a bad boy at heart, and although Lucas had grown up with Dakota, his brother always came first, no matter what. Even if that meant one of their own—which Dakota was—got seriously hurt in the process.

  “Nothing. It’s just me having a bad day.” She turned and walked to the door, left, and got in her car. Then she started her engine and headed toward the cabin where getting blissfully high would make her feel a semblance of detachment.

  ****

  Lucas stared at the door to the garage, cursed low, and glanced at his brother. He didn’t know what was wrong with Tarren, but she was upset, and he didn’t think it had anything to do with the almost fight that happened between Nico and Dakota.

  “Dude, come have a shot with me,” Jakob, Diesel’s son said, and motioned to where his younger brother, Bodhi, was standing. Bodhi held up a bottle of Crown, and as much as Lucas would have liked to finish partying, he needed to leave now. He wasn’t drunk, and seeing what was wrong with Tarren was more important.

  “Later, man.” Lucas left without explaining any more, headed to his truck, and got in. He didn’t know for sure where Tarren was heading, but he had a pretty good idea.

  Chapter Three

  Lucas had parked his truck in Dallas’s driveway and had trekked through the woods that lined the property. Dallas had been living in this place before he had found his old lady and started a family. After all of that had happened the biker had gotten more land on the other side of the private pond that was on this and built a fucking huge cabin, and settled in there.

  The leaves on the ground crunched under Lucas’s boots, and the sound of the wildlife all around him told of the nightlife in this secluded area of Steel Corner. The trees parted, and he saw her sitting on a large boulder in front of the five-acre pond. The closer he came to her, the stronger the scent of pot filled his nose. He stopped a few feet from her, stared at the pond for a few seconds, and then heard her inhale. She exhaled slowly, the foggy smoke surrounding her and illuminated by the moonlight.

  “You always follow people when they want to be alone?” Tarren asked but didn’t turn round. She inhaled again, and then held her hand out, offering him the joint. She was focused on the pond, and a chilly breeze picked up at that moment, moving her long blonde hair across her shoulders. He remembered the smell of those strands when he had been sitting on the tailgate of his truck. She had smelled slightly fruity, and it had been a pretty incredible scent. His cock was starting to get hard just thinking about it.

  He moved closer to her, grabbed the joint, and placed it between his lips. He sat down beside her, and for the next several minutes they sat there, side-by-side, finishing off the joint together, and saying nothing. But it wasn’t the comfortable silence that they had always had, but an awkward one that made him uncomfortable. He turned his head and looked at her. Despite the fact it was dark out, the moon was pretty high in the sky and bright. He couldn’t see her eyes, but he knew every part of her as if it were his own. That was what happened when someone grew up around another person, learned their habits, their routines, and even knew if they had a birthmark on their belly. He knew everything about Tarren, about all of the Grizzly kids in fact, but there was always something about her that made him even m
ore curious.

  She turned and looked at him, her blue eyes bright, but looking darker now because of the shadows. Tarren also looked fucked up, and he was feeling pretty high himself. “Why’d you follow me up here?”

  He shrugged and glanced at the pond again. He knew why, but felt like some pussy asshole for tapping into his sensitive side. He was a grizzly bear shifter, and the son of Jagger, the president of The Grizzly MC, for fuck’s sake. He shouldn’t have any emotional triggers, but he realized that when it came to Tarren, or any of the Grizzlies he grew up with, he was protective. “You looked really fucking upset back at the party.” He looked at her again. “And I care about you, Tarren. I don’t want to see you upset.”

  She smiled and then glanced at her lap. “I am just feeling funky right now I guess.”

  He nodded, but she wasn’t even looking at him. “Because of the sex, right?”

  When she looked at him there was this shocked expression on her face before she masked it. “The sex? You mean when we fucked last night?”

  If Lucas had been the type of guy to embarrass easily he might have felt that way at Tarren’s crass language. It wasn’t so much that she had said it, because Tarren was known to have an outgoing personality and speak her mind. No, it was a little bit bold because of the way she said it, and the fact it concerned both of them personally.

  She shook her head and cursed. “I wish I had another joint.” She seemed to be speaking to the water now.

  “It doesn’t have to be weird, Tarren.” He might be saying that, but the truth was it was a little weird. Ever since it had happened he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. He had always found Tarren beautiful and loved her personality. She didn’t take shit from anyone, didn’t fuck around if something needed to be done, and had always held her own. He admired that about her, loved that she was not a girly-girl.