“Hi there.” Theo waved from across the restaurant, and the waiter came over and helped seat them, and passed menus around, reeling off the specials.
“Thanks,” Teagan said politely, as the waiter went to the bar to fetch their drinks. “How are you two? Sorry if we kept you waiting.”
“We’re good. It feels like date night,” Fern answered, flashing Theo a smile.
“Is that your way of telling me I don’t take you out enough?” Theo asked, looking at Fern over his menu.
“Goodness no. I like our home, and being pregnant wipes me out. If I fall asleep, I do apologize.”
“You look beautiful though, when you are lying on the sofa, asleep in front of the TV,” Theo told his wife.
“See, cute.” Teagan beamed.
Cal watched the three friends: they were relaxed and happy around each other, leaving him feeling like an outsider. “So how is the paper doing?” Cal asked, trying to find a way into the conversation, which had switched to honey and beer.
“Sorry, we were talking shop.” Teagan turned her attention on him. “The paper is great. Once Carter gets back, Theo and I will have more time to expand the stories and the readership.”
“I’m trying to talk Teagan into dressing up as a bear for promotional purposes,” Theo said.
“We will be drawing straws on that one,” Teagan insisted.
“You have a strong woman there,” Theo said, sipping the beer the waiter had set down on the table. “Bear Creek Honey Beer, there is nothing quite like it.”
Cal sipped his beer, and had to agree, it tasted good, sweet and smooth. “Now I get your obsession with this stuff.”
“You’ve never tried it before?” Theo asked.
“Nope.” Cal took a deep drink, the alcohol threading through his veins, the tension leaving his body. This was what life was all about. The chief might be disappointed that Cal hadn’t earned a promotion, but there were more important things in life than work.
And one of the more important things was sitting right next to him, laughing, smiling, her arm brushing against his, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Chapter Nine – Teagan
Fern pressed a wet towel to her face. “They never tell you pregnancy makes you so blotchy.”
Teagan smiled at her friend’s reflection. They had gone together to the ladies’ room, leaving the two men to talk about their shared memories of growing up in Bear Creek. “It’s called glowing. You look great.”
“Liar. But thanks.” Fern looked at Teagan sideways. “Cal seems really nice.”
“He is,” Teagan agreed.
“But?” Fern asked.
“Is there a but?”
“Your face says there is.” Fern ran the towel under the cold water once more and pressed it to her cheeks.
“Don’t you wish we had this?” Teagan’s smile was melancholy.
“Had what? Growing up in Bear Creek?”
“Yes. Roots. Deep roots. I’ve always been happy with who I am, I had a good childhood. But there is this part of me that needs to know.” Teagan looked at Fern’s baby bump. “When I have kids, I want to know who their grandparents are.”
“There we differ. I know who my parents are, or at least my mom, and I don’t want her or my stepdad anywhere near my baby.”
“You haven’t told her?” Teagan asked.
Fern shook her head. “Does that make me a terrible person?”
Teagan frowned and said, “No, of course it doesn’t. I just…”
“We’re different. You live in hope and love. I live with a constant struggle to allow myself to accept that this is my life. A happy life. I can’t think about upsetting that.” Fern blotted a tear from her cheek. “I can’t take the risk that contacting my mom, and having to see my stepdad, will cause me pain. And I don’t want Theo to get dragged into that either. He’ll want to protect me.”
“They do like their protecting, don’t they?” Teagan asked.
“And rescuing. You were lucky Cal came along when he did.” Fern dried her face, and then turned to Teagan. “I’m ready to face the world.”
“I could have handled it.”
“Of course you could. You are Teagan, strong woman of Bear Creek.”
“I’m not so strong,” Teagan conceded. “I just don’t want to be the kind of woman who everyone thinks needs rescuing.”
“That is never going to happen. It was once. And as far as I know, Cal hasn’t told anyone.”
“Except for you and Theo, and his family. He has a big family,” Teagan said as they left the bathroom and headed back to the table.
“What are they like?” Fern asked.
“Really nice. Eccentric, but really kind and welcoming. And great huggers.”
“But you still want to find your own family?” Fern asked. They were still out of earshot from the men, who were talking in an animated way. Fingers curled like claws, it looked as if Theo was reenacting a fight.
“I do. I want to see if there is anything I can do for my mom. And I want to know the name of my father. I’ve asked Fiona to help.”
“Can she get your birth certificate? That should have your parents’ names on it.”
“She said she would do what she could. I promised her if my mom doesn’t want to see me, I will walk away.”
“And will you?”
Teagan gave a slight nod. “But I will still try to track my dad down.”
Fern slipped her hand into Teagan’s. “If you need me to come with you, I will.”
“Thanks, Fern.” Teagan pulled her friend into a hug, feeling her baby bump between them. “Be happy, Fern. I wish I could let this go and just be with Cal. But I can’t.”
“I understand,” Fern said.
“There you are,” Theo said, reaching out for Fern’s hand as she slipped into her seat beside him. “You look tired.”
“Thanks,” Fern said caustically. “Sorry.” She leaned on Theo. “I am tired. I just don’t like to admit it.”
Theo kissed her tenderly. “Let’s get you home.”
“Sorry to leave you so early,” Fern said.
“Don’t be,” Teagan replied. “You look after yourself and that little guy or gal.”
“We should go too,” Cal said evenly, but a thrill of excitement shot through Teagan at his words. Did he still intend to stay with her tonight? Talking with Theo and Fern had changed the mood between her and Cal. They had laughed, joked, and eaten until they were relaxed and content. Would the burning desire they had for each other reignite?
They settled the bill, Theo and Cal splitting it equally, despite Teagan offering to pay a share too. “You can take me out next time,” Cal said.
“So you think there will be a next time?” Teagan asked as he held the door of the restaurant open for her and the others.
“I most certainly do,” he said, falling into step beside her. “Unless that is enough dating? You know, come to think of it, we are mates, there’s no need to go out and enjoy ourselves.”
Teagan thumped him. “You, buster, are going to be spending a good many nights on the sofa if that is your attitude.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “I was thinking we could forgo dates, and just get down to other things.” He nipped the lobe of her ear, sending shockwaves through her body. Then he released her, as Fern and Theo turned to say their goodbyes.
“Have a great rest of the evening, you two,” Fern hid a smile.
“We most certainly will,” Cal said. He leaned forward and kissed Fern on the cheek, and then shook Theo’s hand. “It’s been good to catch up, Theo.”
“It has. We should go for a run over the mountain sometime,” Theo offered.
“That would be good.” Cal put his arm around Teagan. “We could all go, if Fern doesn’t mind.”
“No, take him, get him out from under my feet.”
“Bye, guys, see you tomorrow.” Teagan hugged them both, and then watched them get
in their car. She and Cal waved them off. “What now?” she asked as Theo’s truck drove out of sight.
“What do you want to do?” Cal asked.
“Go back to the house.”
“Do you want me to stay?”
“Yes.” She looked at him shyly, her hair across her face, hiding herself from him. Her heart beat so fast, boom, boom, boom. “If that’s what you want.”
“There is nothing else I want in the world right now. Just you and me together.”
They drove back to the mansion in relative silence. Teagan’s tongue seemed too big for her mouth, and her brain seemed to have stopped processing thoughts. Every time she opened her mouth to say something, the words slipped away, so she settled for looking out of the window as Cal steered the truck toward her temporary home.
The gates opened so slowly, Teagan had never noticed how slow they were until now. In her need to be in Cal’s arms, she was tempted to get out of the truck, and push them to open faster. Finally, he drove the truck through and the gates closed behind them, sealing them in and sealing the world out.
Cal parked the truck, and they both got out and walked to the house. Teagan retrieved the key from her purse and unlocked the door, only just managing to keep her hand steady as she inserted it in the lock. Behind her, Cal stroked her body with his, his arms encircling her and pressing against the doorframe, his lips on her neck.
“You are not making this easy.”
“Sorry.” He breathed in her scent and let it out slowly. “I have been waiting for this moment since forever.”
“You mean for the last three hours?” The door finally swung open, but she didn’t enter the house, she turned to face him, to face this man who was hers.
“No, I meant forever. Before I met you, I dreamed of this moment. Of having my mate in front of me, of kissing her skin, and peeling her clothes off.”
“And then what?” she breathed against his mouth.
He moved, his lips on hers, a kiss, deep and fierce, his tongue entwining with hers, igniting her desire. “And then I pick her up, and carry her to bed.”
“I can walk.”
“I know.”
He pressed forward, and she took a step backward, entering the house. Cal kicked the door shut behind them, his eyes intense flames of desire as they devoured her body. He was a predator, and she was his prey. Yet she wasn’t anyone’s prey. She was a bear, fierce and strong, a predator in her own right.
Despite her innocence, she was going to be part of this. If he was going to peel her clothes off, then she would do the same. Although carrying him to bed, that was beyond her strength, she might have to let him have his own way with that one.
Teagan stepped forward, her fingers on the hem of his shirt, and she tugged it up, not sparing the time to undo the buttons. Cal raised his arms and she pushed it upwards, as far as she could reach. He helped her, since he was too tall for her to reach, casting his shirt to the ground.
“My turn.” He pulled the wrap out of her hands. “Better.” He bent his head and kissed her naked shoulders, pulling the arms of her dress down as he circled his tongue around and around. Her stomach tightened, and heat pooled between her thighs. A dull ache inside her begged for attention.
While he kissed her, Teagan explored the contours of his body. Fingertips trailed across his skin, feeling the hard muscles, and the softness of his skin. He shivered when her fingers touched the hard buds of his nipples, and she lowered her head to graze her teeth over them.
“Not fair.” He undid the buttons of her dress, and pushed it off her shoulders, leaving her standing in her panties and bra. “Better.” His fingers unclasped her bra. “Much better.”
“You skipped a turn,” Teagan said, trying to think rationally, while he tried to turn her brain to mush with his fingers and mouth. Her hand grasped his belt buckle and she pulled it, her hands shaking as she finally freed it and pushed his pants to the floor. She had seen him naked before, but he looked even more awesome tonight.
Her hand grasped his cock, and she stroked his hard length, a groan escaping his mouth as she moved. “My turn.”
Cal hooked his fingers into the elastic of her panties and pushed them down over her curvy thighs. Lower he pushed them, bending down to help her step out of them. She took the opportunity to step out of her shoes too. Naked and barefoot, she stood before him, so wet, so ready for the rest of forever with her man.
Cal stroked her stomach, moving his hand lower, to rub lightly across her mound, touching her clit, which throbbed with a need of its own. Teagan wanted to grab his hand, and make him touch her there, at the center of her need. But Cal decided it was time for bed.
Bending down, he lifted her up, and carried her to the stairs. Sure-footed and confident, he mounted the stairs, his legs and arms strong. She hadn’t been carried since she was a child, but her childhood was far behind her and tonight she would become a woman in every way.
He took her to her room, where only yesterday he had danced for her, and placed her on the bed. Cal stood back, gazing at her for a long moment, before kneeling on the bed beside her. “You are beautiful.”
“You are easy on the eyes yourself.” Teagan reached out and stroked his face. “Very easy.”
Cal leaned forward and kissed her lips, and then her cheeks, working his way along her neck, and lower, until his mouth closed over her nipple. His teeth tortured the taut bud, and when her back arched, he took advantage of her movement and slipped his free hand down her stomach to caress her clit. His fingers were light, but incredibly stimulating. She didn’t think she could get any wetter, but that wasn’t true.
Everything else in the world fell away. All that existed was Cal, and the bed on which she lay.
Chapter Ten – Cal
Teagan was perfect in every way. Her skin was soft, her body warm and inviting, the sighs escaping her mouth arousing. Cal wanted to touch her, hear her, taste her, and watch her as he made love to her. He wanted to drown in her.
He also wanted her first time to be amazing.
Kissing her breasts, he moved down her body, inch by inch, kissing her stomach and along her outer thigh, before opening her thighs with his hands, encouraging her to let him in. His hand slid along her inner thigh, touching her intimately, his lips trailing after them, slowly, leisurely. He teased her, drawing close to her clit, his breath caressing her before moving across to kiss her other thigh. She wriggled and writhed beneath him, her arousal matching his own.
He wanted to take her, he wanted to bury himself inside her, deep inside her and fill her with his seed. But he wanted this to be special too.
Teagan drew her knees up, dropping them down toward the bed, exposing herself to him as she arched her back up, small mewling cries filling the bedroom. The time for teasing was over. He inched his body forward, his mouth covering her clit, and she tensed, whimpering when he flicked his tongue out to torture her there.
Two fingers stroked her sex, not penetrating her, not yet. He wanted to make sure she was ready. Hell, what was he waiting for? He knew she was ready. Very ready.
The tension in his own body was next to unbearable. He wanted her so much. Too much.
What if he ruined it for her?
Stop overthinking it, his bear told him sharply.
Cal pushed his bear out of his head and did the same with his fears. They were meant to be together. They would always be together. If this time wasn’t perfect, then there was always the next time, or the time after that.
He slipped his fingers inside her sex, feeling her tight around his fingers. Gently, he moved them in and out, stroking her inner walls, his mouth pleasuring her in its own way. Her voice rose in pitch, and her hand plunged into his hair, as he licked and nipped her clit. The sound of her orgasm reaching out to take hold of her was incredibly arousing. His cock was painfully hard, and he longed to be buried up to the hilt inside her. Soon. Soon.
In and out he moved his fingers, bringing her to the edge of her
climax and using his mouth to send her crashing over into a sea of pleasure. He rode the waves with her, listening to her body, giving her what she needed as she cried out. When her orgasm passed, he removed his fingers, kissing her skin as she regained her composure, her breathing coming in short, sharp gasps as she lay with her arm over her eyes.
“I hope those are good tears.” He slipped up the bed to lie next to her.
“They are,” she assured him. “Very good tears. It was intense.” She turned to look at him, her hand stroking his hair. “I want you to … You know, enjoy yourself too.”
He grinned. “I already am.” He kissed her jaw, small, featherlight kisses.
“Make love to me, Cal,” Teagan said softly. “I loved what you did, but I want to feel you inside me. I want to know what it’s like to lie with my mate.”
“I was going to do a bit more than lie with you,” he joked, and she smiled softly, her eyes misted.
Teagan turned her body to face his, her hand stroking his jaw. “I want you to teach me. I want to be your partner in this as much as everything else in our lives. I want us to be equals in and out of the bedroom.”
Cal pushed her backward, holding her hands above her head as he positioned himself between her thighs, his body hovering over hers. “I like the sound of that. I want us to be equals too.”
“That also means the chores.” She smiled mischievously, and he leaned down and nipped her earlobe, before whispering in her ear.
“Whatever you say.” His words buzzed in her ear and she shivered deliciously beneath him.
Cal let go of her hands and eased his weight to one side, folding his cock and guiding it toward her sex. He rubbed himself along the length of her sex, lubricating the head of his cock, wanting to ensure he wasn’t going to hurt her.
Easing forward, he breached her outer walls, sliding into her slowly, before easing back out of her. Pressing forward, he entered her, her sex tight around him. Skin against skin, their bodies moved, the friction incredible. He had waited for this moment, and now that it was here, he was struggling to keep himself together. His cock was ready to erupt, and fill her with his seed. But he held on, thinking of anything other than how good it felt to be inside her.
Forvever Bear (Return to Bear Creek Book 4) Page 6