by Ruby Shae
Lucky was nowhere to be seen and disappointment warred with elation.
“Hey, Izzy, how’s it going?” Jared asked.
She hated the childhood nickname, but she’d stopped correcting him years ago. When your cousin was your boss, and he called you Izzy, so did all of his employees.
“Great,” she said. “Everyone is set and paid up except for those two on the end. They got here at the same time you did. Gabe just got on the floor and I need to take a break. I’ll be back in twenty.”
“Got it,” he said. “Enjoy your break.”
She entered the storage room behind the bar, untied her apron and threw it in the corner. It landed on top of several cases of beer, and a sliver of satisfaction raced through her.
It wasn’t enough.
She burst through the delivery door and walked to the back of the building. Her bear urged her to shift and run through the trees, but she fought the animal. She was still on the clock, and if she changed forms, she’d stay out longer than twenty minutes.
Back and forth, she paced along the building trying to ease the tension, but it didn’t help. She balled up her fists, looking for something to hit, but there was nothing that could take the impact without breaking her hand.
In an admission of defeat, she leaned her back against the wall and slowly lowered herself into a squat. She took deep breaths and tried to release the tension surrounding her.
Suddenly, the back door opened and she scrambled to her feet as Lucky stepped out into the cool evening air.
Fuck me!
The urge to run and jump into his arms was overwhelming and she looked away so he couldn’t see her vulnerability. Not many men could lift her, but she knew he’d be able to with ease. Then he could press her back against the wall, grind his cock against her needy cunt, and make her scream into the night…
She pressed her thighs together to ease the ache between her legs.
“You shouldn’t be out here all alone,” he said.
“Don’t worry about me,” she said, risking a glance in his direction. “I can take care of myself.”
“Those men at the bar earlier will be back,” he snapped. “Men like that don’t make idle threats.”
“Again, it’s my problem,” she said, her anger growing again. “I know how to defend myself.”
“So you say,” he said.
She glared at him.
“You don’t think I can protect myself?” she growled.
He shrugged and white hot rage raced to every nerve ending.
“Listen up, Lucky,” she said, stalking toward him. “Trying to scare—”
She’d poked his chest with every word, and he grabbed her wrist, turned her and pressed her front against the wall with her arm bent behind her back. He pressed against her and leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
“I’m not trying to scare you,” he said, his voice raspy. “I want you to be safe. Do not come out here alone, and do not walk to your car alone. Understood?”
When she didn’t answer, he pulled her arm further back, and pushed her into the wall with more of his weight. She felt his hard cock press against her ass, and she figured he got a kick out of dominating women. She should be frightened, but her pussy wept for him, dampening her panties and betraying her.
“Understood, Belle?” he asked again.
No one ever called her Belle, but she wanted him to do it over and over for the rest of their lives. The word snaked down her spine and it took every ounce of willpower she possessed not to push back into him and rub her ass against his hard length. How pathetic would that be?
She had to get away from him before she embarrassed herself.
“Understood,” she whispered.
“Good.”
He eased his weight off of her and carefully straightened her arm, massaging the shoulder and elbow. She closed her eyes, enjoying his gentle caresses, until she realized he’d stopped touching her.
“I’m sure your break is over now,” he said, from further away.
Her cheeks heated, and she glanced back to see he’d stepped away from her.
Embarrassed and angry, she ran back toward the delivery entrance without another word.
Chapter Two
Shit!
Lucky watched Belle run back into the bar and then let out the breath he’d been holding. He fisted his hands and concentrated on breathing in and out.
What the hell was wrong with him?
He hadn’t meant to manhandle her, but he and his bear both wanted Belle and he felt out of control. His dick throbbed wildly, his heart beat erratically, and he’d been seconds away from ripping off her jeans and forcing her to accept both him and his mark.
He didn’t force women, but knowing that he wouldn’t need to hold back with her did something to him. Her body had been made to accept a man his size and he wanted to see her underneath him, writhing in ecstasy.
The image brought on another round of lust, and he tapped it down by remembering the men who had badgered her at the bar earlier. He scanned the rows of vehicles, but other than a couple walking hand in hand toward the entrance, the lot was empty.
He walked to his truck parked on the edge of the property and grabbed his duffle, sleeping bag and pillow. It would be nice to sleep on a mattress again, but the bed lacked linens so he needed his sleeping bag until he could go shopping.
Aside from his truck, and several important papers locked in a safety deposit box in New York City, he carried everything he owned through the back door of the bar and up the nearly hidden staircase to the overhead apartment.
Earlier, when he’d walked into Gabe’s office, the man had been more than happy to see him. They’d met in the mountains nearly a decade ago and had become fast friends, picking up where they’d left off year after year. He appreciated the man’s warm welcome and before he could inquire about a job, Gabe had urged him to take the bouncer position. He’d also offered the use of the apartment rent free.
The small studio space had been furnished with a bed, dresser, chair and nightstand. It had a tiny kitchenette with a two burner electric stovetop, a microwave, a hotel sized refrigerator and enough dishes to serve two.
Surprisingly, a normal sized closet with two shutter-like doors had been built into one of the walls. The bathroom was hidden next to the kitchen, behind the closet, and it had a square, standing shower, a toilet and a sink. The room was tiny, but efficient, and it would work until he found a place of his own.
He’d been wandering for a long time, looking for a place to call home, but meeting Belle had changed everything in an instant. He knew she wouldn’t make it easy on him, but he was up for the challenge. He wanted her, and even though fated mates weren’t supposed to exist, she was born to be his.
He dropped everything on the bed, locked the door and walked back into the bar. Besides Gabe’s office, the public restrooms also occupied the hallway and he passed a line of women waiting to get into the small room. Finding women had never been a problem, but until tonight, finding the right woman had been.
After a quick scan of the room, he returned to the bar. His official first day of work wasn’t until the following day, but he wanted to be near Belle. He figured it would also be a good time to observe the staff and get a feel for the crowd.
Many people had filtered into the large room since he’d left, and nearly every table had been filled. The DJ played several popular songs, and the tiny dance floor stayed packed. He made a note to pick up some earplugs in the morning.
He sat down in the same spot he’d occupied earlier and noticed Belle at the opposite end of the bar. A tall, muscular bear with tattoos peeking out of his sleeves stood in front of him. The man had brown hair and dark brown, almost black, soulless eyes. His body seemed to be in a permanent tense state, as if he expected the worst to happen at any minute.
“Hey, what can I get you?”
“Nothing right now, I’ll wait for Belle,” he said.
The man nodd
ed and went on to help the next guest. Belle and her partner worked comfortably together, and when there was a lull in the crowd, the man alerted Belle to his presence. She looked in his direction, narrowed her eyes and stomped over to him.
“This is Jared’s side of the bar tonight,” she snapped.
“Oh, sorry, do you want me to move to your side?” he asked, standing.
“No,” she practically yelled, putting her hand out to stop him. “I want you to let Jared serve you.”
“Okay, but I’m not going anywhere until you’re ready to leave,” he warned.
“What are you talking about?” she asked, her brow furrowed.
“I’m staying so I can walk you to your car.”
“You don’t have to do that,” she said. “I can get Jared or Gabe to walk me.”
“Yeah, you can,” he agreed, “but you won’t.”
She ground her teeth together and released a small growl, confirming his assumption. She’d planned on defying him and walking out alone.
“Fine.”
She spat the word in his direction and then stalked back to her side of the counter.
Jared approached him again and he ordered another beer, and then he consoled the man with a hefty tip for getting Belle riled up. His feisty mate had a temper, too.
***
Nearly a week later, Lucky strolled into Gabe’s office around lunchtime and sat down on the small leather sofa adjacent to his friend’s desk. He took up over half of the little couch, which wasn’t unusual, and though he hated small furniture, he couldn’t help but picture Belle pressed against him on the other half. Only then would it be a piece worth buying.
“I thought everyone had the next two days off,” he said. “What are you doing here?”
The Wild Bear was only open Tuesday through Saturday, and as the week wore on, the crowd grew larger. The previous night had been busy, and he appreciated the two days off, but he’d miss seeing Belle. He’d asked her out every night on the way to her car, but she still hadn’t agreed to go on a date with him.
“Paperwork,” Gabe said. “I had some time to kill, so I figured I might as well get it done.”
Lucky nodded and tried to figure out how to word his next question.
“My cousin still won’t go out with you, huh?” Gabe asked, putting his pencil down.
“No, she won’t,” he said, “but I know she wants to. I know it sounds crazy, but there’s something between us; something wild and powerful, and yet comforting and familiar. She’s the one, and I know we’re meant to be together.”
“That’s a little bit more than I needed to know, but your feelings aren’t crazy. Fated mates aren’t supposed to be real, but when you’ve found the one person you’re meant to be with, I think our instincts guide us.”
“Have you found her?” Lucky asked.
“Unfortunately, yes,” Gabe said.
Lucky questioned him with a look, and Gabe elaborated.
“She hates shifters.”
“Damn, that sucks, man,” he sympathized.
“Yeah, it does,” Gabe agreed. “It’s definitely proof that fate isn’t involved, though. Even if it doesn’t make any sense, and we’ll never be together, there’s no doubt in my mind she’s meant to be mine. A fated mate would be a cakewalk in comparison.”
“God, that’s depressing,” Lucky said.
“Are you sure about Izzy?” Gabe asked. “Really sure? If you break her heart, you’ll not only lose your job, you’ll lose a friend as well.”
“It will never come to that,” Lucky assured him. “I’m positive about her. Any idea why she won’t go out with me?”
“I’m pretty sure I know the reason,” Gabe sighed. “A little over ten years ago, a drifter rolled into town on a big motorcycle and took an interest in her. All of the women wanted him, but he concentrated on Izzy. He said all the right things, and promised all the right things, and she fell for him hard and fast. He stayed about a month, and then he rolled out of town with a big pile of her money. She’s never admitted to me how much, but I know it was substantial. She’s always been a little rough around the edges, a genuine tomboy to the bone, but she lost a big chunk of her heart that day and I don’t think she’s ever fully healed.”
“Fuck,” Lucky swore.
“Yeah,” Gabe agreed. “I know she won’t listen if I talk you up, but I might be able to help you out. She usually runs the preserve on her days off. If your connection is as strong as you say it is, maybe her bear needs to see your bear. Sometimes the animal can make a convincing argument.”
“That’s a good idea,” Lucky agreed, standing. “What time does she usually go?”
“Hang on there, Skippy,” Gabe laughed. “It varies. Let me text and see if she responds.”
He sat on the arm of the sofa with his arms crossed and watched his friend type a message into the phone. They both stared at the device in silence, as if willing her to respond, and a full minute passed before she texted back. His bear urged him to run, to find her and sink his canines into her fur, but he knew he had to be much more civil.
After a chance meeting of their bears, she would hopefully join him for a large lunch and a little shopping. He still needed linens for the mattress, and pillows, and a couple of other things, and it made sense that his mate should pick them out. He didn’t care what color his sheets were as long as Belle laid beside him in them.
“She’s heading over there now,” Gabe said. “Give her about twenty minutes and then go after her.”
“Thanks man,” he said before leaving the office.
“Good luck.”
He smiled when Gabe’s faint wish followed him down the hall. He’d earned the nickname because he’d never needed luck until he’d met Belle.
His mate had changed everything, and with her he needed all the luck he could get.
***
Her cousin was so dead.
Isabelle stopped rolling on the grass and stood on all four paws. She recognized Lucky’s scent seconds before a huge grizzly stepped out of the trees and into the pasture. The pull toward him was even greater in her bear form, and her animal urged her to accept him.
Grizzly bear shifters were slightly bigger than natural animals, but Lucky’s bear was massive. He could dominate any creature, and protect her against any threat. Even though she’d rejected him repeatedly, she longed to know what it felt like to be wrapped in his powerful embrace.
She’d tried to be strong and guard her heart, but she’d be lying if she said she didn’t want him. She’d wanted him the moment he’d walked into the bar nearly a week ago, and she’d wanted him more every night since.
Though he’d initially been a brute about her safety, their evening walk to her truck had turned into something more. It was only a few minutes each night, but he’d utilized the time to get to know her, even after she’d continually refused to go out with him.
Fear was the only thing holding her back.
He’s the one.
Her bear whispered the words, but the human knew they were true. Every reason she had for staying away disappeared, leaving her desperate for him. She turned toward the trees and ran.
Her paws ate up the ground as she tore through the preserve, and her bear grunted, enjoying the chase. She’d always been fast, and she had the advantage of knowing the terrain, but Lucky was faster.
He sidled up to her and nudged her side, but she granted him a smile and ran faster. He growled a low warning and caught up to her easily, knocking her over and sending them both rolling down a grassy hill.
She laughed short bear grunts all the way down, and she snorted when his big bear landed next to her looking exasperated. Her stomach ached from laughing, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun.
When he didn’t move, she crawled up next to his still form and licked his muzzle. She saw the gleam in his eye a moment before he moved to attack, and realized too late she’d fallen into his trap. He pounced and the
y both shifted back into their human forms.
Seconds later, he pinned her wrists above her head and covered her body with his. All laugher ceased as the heavy weight of his frame pushed her into the grassy floor of the preserve.
He was large, heavy and hard, and he felt delicious. Liquid heat soaked her panties and she opened her legs to cradle him closer against her body. His hard, thick cock pressed against her clit and she wrapped her legs around his waist to pull him closer, cursing the clothing separating them.
The magic of shifting forms allowed them to change in an instant with their clothes on, and she could feel the metal of his keys pushing into the crease at the top of her thigh, but she didn’t care. She had him right where she wanted him and she’d do anything he asked, even fuck him in the middle of her sanctuary.
He growled deep and low and the sound vibrated through his body and made every one of her nerve endings hum with awareness. He was so close, but she needed more.
“Damn it, woman, stop squirming.”
The garbled words were half human and half bear and she realized how hard he fought to hold onto his control. The fact that she could drive him wild thrilled her, but she didn’t want him doing something they’d both regret later.
She stilled and waited for the tension to leave his body.
Slowly, his features softened, his eyes lightened to their normal smoky grey, and he released her wrists. He straightened his arms and held himself above and away from her body. She wanted to touch him, but she kept her arms above her head, unsure of what to do next.
“You can touch me wherever and whenever you want to, love,” he said. “I just wanted our first time to be private.”
Our first time…holy hell!
“Will you let me take you to lunch now?” he laughed.
A million reasons to reject him floated through her mind, but she ignored them all. She’d never wanted a man more, and she was tired of running from what they both craved.