Bear Claw

by Crissy Smith

  “What do I tell the family?”

  “Nothing.”

  Aubrey opened her mouth to argue.

  “We can’t have any more civilians putting themselves at risk by getting involved.”

  “He’s right,” Cody told her.

  “I know he’s right,” she said softly. “But what if they get their hands on more kids?”

  “I’m going to talk to the commander and request some additional help keeping an eye out. Plus Zak already has his foot in the door, so he’ll do what he can.”

  “Did Zak really tell you they wanted to start a war?” she asked.

  “He did, and this proposed legislation is the perfect sounding board. It’s already putting shifters and humans on opposite sides.”

  “I can’t believe this shit. At the time Gregory first started talking about going public, it seemed so simple.”

  “Fear confuses things,” Cody said.

  “It’s bullshit,” she corrected.

  After that, there wasn’t much more to say. They ate in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Jamie wished he could have given Aubrey more to go on but they had to tread carefully.

  He would bring her in if Zak called him to get the boy, but other than that, the entire case had to be handled by the Coalition.

  Zak also had to remain under so they could get the people who were responsible for pulling the strings to these young shifters.

  “So how’d your date go the other night?” Cody asked as he pushed his plate away.

  Jamie grinned, glad to be on a better subject.

  * * * *

  Brandy always had two days off a week. On her breaks from work, she caught up on housework and ran errands. She also dedicated those days to her writing career.

  She currently was only a few chapters away from finishing her latest Drake Knight adventure. She hoped to complete the first draft by the end of tomorrow so on her next days off she could start the rewrite.

  Waking early, it disappointed her that she hadn’t gotten to talk to Jamie. She’d called after her shower, but had been sent straight to voicemail.

  After baking some homemade muffins that had been one of her grandma’s recipes, she’d gone about picking up clutter and dusting her house. She did have an agency that came in once every two weeks to deep clean so usually it only took Brandy a few hours on her off time.

  Showering, grocery shopping, then a trip to the post office had taken a couple more hours, but by noon, she found herself at her desk in front of her laptop.

  As she got started, she received a text from Jamie. Pleased, she couldn’t help grinning as she read the message. He’d been working all night and was headed to get some shut eye. He had to go back out again but would be calling it an early night and wanted to see her.

  She responded right away, inviting him to her house, telling him she would keep a plate warm in the oven for him.

  He’d said he would be late, so she wanted to make sure he had a good home-cooked meal. He’d been putting in long hours and he deserved a nice, hot dinner.

  She wrote until six when she finally reached a good stopping point. Saving her work, she left the screen on and her notes open. Since Jamie wasn’t certain what time he would make it, she might get a head start on the writing for the next day.

  Hopefully, Jamie would be spending the night so she would have a reason to sleep in. Especially since she did have the march later in the morning.

  Entering her kitchen, she flipped on the light, trying to decide what to make for dinner. Luckily, since she had done her shopping, she had a well-stocked selection to choose from. Nothing fancy or restaurant level but she was a pretty good cook in her opinion.

  She had an awesome recipe for a chicken and rice casserole. The preparing of the recipe always calmed her. She remembered making it when she was a young girl. One of her grandfather’s favorites, it had quickly become one of hers after he’d passed away.

  Really wanting to share the memory with Jamie, she decided to go with it, although it did take a little longer than some other dishes.

  First, she picked up her tablet from where she’d left it on the kitchen table and turned on some music. Setting her tablet aside once the music started to fill the room, she began pulling the ingredients that she needed.

  Losing herself in preparing the meal, Brandy was happy and relaxed as she moved around the kitchen. It had been a long time since she’d had anyone to cook for.

  As she placed the dish into the oven, the front doorbell rang. Brandy turned on the timer then grabbed a towel off the counter rushed to let Jamie in. He was earlier than she’d suspected.

  Grinning, she wrenched open the door, but it wasn’t Jamie. “Colby.”

  “Hey, Brandy,” he said, flashing her his perfect smile.

  Shit. She didn’t want to have to deal with him tonight. Everything was going so well and Jamie was due to arrive. “What are you doing here?”

  “I spoke with William earlier. He filled me in on what you’ve been doing with your free time.”

  “My free time?” she questioned.

  “Who you’ve been seen around town with.”

  “That’s not your business. Or his, for that matter.”

  He leaned against her doorjamb. “You know better than that. I got a call from your mom earlier too. She wants us to come for Sunday brunch.”

  Brandy clenched her hand on the door. “There is no ‘us’. I thought I made that clear to you the other night.”

  “We had a misunderstanding. That’s all. I’ve already forgiven you.”

  It was all she could do not to physically harm him. There was absolutely no reason why he should be coming on so strong. “You’ve forgiven me?”

  “I thought your parents had already discussed our agreement with you. It is pretty important.”

  “Colby, I understand why you’re doing this, but there is no agreement between you and me. So whatever you and my family decided needs to be undone. I’m not interested.”

  Pushing himself closer, Colby got in her personal space. “I can remember a time when hooking up with me was all that you wanted.”

  Brandy snorted in response. “Then I grew up.”

  Undeterred, Colby reached up and ran his fingers through the hair that had fallen over her shoulder.

  She slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”

  Colby laughed but he did put some more distance between them. Rocking back on his heels, he stuffed his hands into his pockets. “If that’s the way you want to be about it.” While he still smiled at her, his voice grew cold. “Let me explain to you why you are going to go along with this plan and help get me elected as the next governor.”

  * * * *

  Jamie had no problem finding Brandy’s house. He saw why she liked the area. The neighborhood was as nice as he suspected it would be. Instead of the huge, imposing structures that made up the area by the lake, Brandy’s streets had a homey feel to them.

  Swings and bikes in front yards spoke of a community full of kids. Barbeque pits, porches and lawns were all well maintained.

  He liked it here.

  Pulling his truck up in front of a neighbor’s house, he peered out of the windshield at Brandy’s front door, which was slightly ajar.

  It was probably the cop inside him but worry spiked through his body. In seconds, he was out of his truck and up the walkway. He didn’t slow down until he heard Brandy speaking and he knew she was okay.

  Jamie could hear the conversation clearly. She hadn’t let whomever she was talking to in more than two steps and she was currently arguing with him.

  Jamie stopped just around the corner from the entry, which would keep him from view and alerting them to his presence. While she has holding her own, he could tell she was irritated with the stranger. Jamie grinned at her fierceness.

  When he’d had enough of the pompous ass, Jamie turned the corner and popped out of hiding.

  Brandy had one hand braced on the door with a look o
f pure annoyance on her face. The minute she spotted him, a small smile appeared, and Jamie’s heart rate sped up.

  She was happy to see him.

  The stranger still didn’t know he was there as he continued ranting.

  “Excuse me,” Jaime said right behind him, causing the guy to jump.

  He spun out of Jamie’s way, and Jamie took the opportunity to slide past him toward Brandy.

  “Hey, babe.” He kissed her firmly and passed behind her into the house. “Something smells good.”

  The man on the porch sputtered angrily, and Jamie glanced over Brandy’s shoulder at him.

  “Thanks for stopping by, Colby. As you can see, I have a guest so we’ll have to finish this conversation some other time.” The guy couldn’t respond as she closed the door on him.

  It happened so fast that Jamie knew the man had to be shocked. Brandy leaned against the closed door, laughing quietly.

  “Did you see the look on his face?” she asked. “Oh, that was priceless.”

  “Who is he?”

  The amusement faded away as she straightened. “I can explain. How much did you hear?”

  “Enough to know you’re supposed to be in a relationship with him arranged by your parents. He wants to be governor. And you had better stay away from shifters.”

  She nodded. “Okay, well that’s the high points.”

  “Are you fighting with your family because of me?”

  “I’m always fighting with my family. But this isn’t all about that. They want me to fall into line and be the good daughter and I refuse to do that. I don’t believe in the causes they want me to.”

  “How long has this clown been around?”

  “This is new. I found out the other night that he and my mother set up plans for us.”

  “What about your dad?”

  “He’ll do whatever my mom wants. With my brother William spearheading this new proposal, my father won’t argue with her. William is their pride and joy.”

  Jamie wasn’t accustomed to the jealousy coursing through him. While he didn’t want to cause problems between Brandy and her family, he wasn’t prepared to let her go.

  “Jamie?”

  He looked up, not realizing that he’d started to pace.

  “This doesn’t change anything between us.”

  He wasn’t so sure about that. He started shaking his head, but she stepped forward and grabbed his chin. The height difference was noticeable as she held him still. He didn’t fight her.

  “You’re not getting rid of me. I still have plans for the two of us.”

  “You do?” he asked, intrigued.

  “Oh, yeah.”

  “What type of plans?”

  “We have a little time until dinner is ready. Why don’t I show you?”

  Jamie chuckled. Was there any question why he was so crazy about her? “I have a better idea.”

  He spun and moved them quickly, backing her into the wall. Pressing his body to hers, he trapped her. Brandy’s face flushed and Jamie could scent her arousal.

  Latching his mouth to hers, Jamie sucked up a mark at her collarbone. The primal part of him fought to get out and claim the woman both he and his bear wanted.

  Brandy gripped his shoulders as she rocked her body against him. He slid a leg between hers and hitched her up the wall a little.

  “God, yes,” she murmured.

  Jamie’s entire body hardened and tightened. Need sent his blood pumping rapidly through his veins. He pushed up her T-shirt, wanting to get to more skin. Brandy helped by yanking the top off along with her sports bra.

  Lowering his head, he caught one nipple between his lips and teased. She cried out, arching into him. His cock throbbed. He needed to bury himself inside her.

  Since she was already trying to push his shirt up his back, he grabbed the neck, pulling the garment off. As she ran her hands over the muscles of his back, he went to work sliding her pants down. It wasn’t easy trying to undress her while she was resolved to touch every inch of him.

  Finally, he couldn’t stand it any longer. He had to get her naked. Letting her slide down his body so her feet were once again on the floor, he backed off. “Naked, now.”

  Brandy immediately complied. While she was busy removing her clothes, he copied her motions, taking his off too.

  He’d finished getting his boots and socks off and was still shoving his jeans down when she was back on him. She traced the tattoos over his chest with her tongue much as she’d done the previous night. It was obvious how much she really did enjoy his ink.

  Kicking away the denim, Jamie gently pushed Brandy against the wall again. They were still in the hallway but he was determined to have her right there. Thanks to his shifter strength, he was going to make damn sure she understood how being with him was better than taking some preppy asshole as a mate.

  Brandy lifted one leg around his hip. He brought his hand down to rub at her wet pussy. He slipped his index finger inside her, pumped then added another.

  She practically climbed his body, urging him on. He continued fingering her as their mouths met, the kiss frantic and wet.

  “Jamie…Jamie…” she pleaded, their lips parting.

  Removing his fingers from her, he picked her up again, angling her upper back to the wall. With her knees in the crooks of his arms, she widened her legs so his cock touched her entrance.

  Brandy dug her nails into his biceps as he slowly began filling her.

  Her long moan mixed with his and he detected her inner muscles clamping down around him.

  Leisurely, he withdrew to repeat the move over and over. He was torturing them both, keeping each thrust long and gentle.

  She closed her eyes, pumping her hips in time to his.

  “Look at me,” he demanded.

  She blinked up and met his gaze. Passion and need stared back at him. Thrusting faster, he kept his gaze locked with hers.

  Sweat started dripping down Brandy’s neck the same time her entire body flushed. He shifted his hands to lift her ass as she wrapped her legs securely around his waist.

  Plunging quickly, he knew release wasn’t far away. Brandy’s cries of ecstasy grew steadily louder. He slammed into her. Ripples inside her massaged his cock, signaling the orgasm rolling through her body.

  She screamed, scoring her nails down his arms.

  Clenching his eyes closed, he thrust several more times before following her over the edge.

  He came back to awareness a second at a time. Brandy remained shoved alongside the wall, panting with a beautiful, well-satisfied smile on her face. Jamie helped lower her legs. Together, they both continued down to the carpet. Jamie sat with his back to the wall, Brandy reclining over his lap.

  She rolled onto her back and grinned up at him. “That was amazing.”

  He nodded, chuckling.

  The buzzer in the kitchen sounded, and Brandy started giggling. “Perfect timing too.”

  Threading his fingers through her long hair, he brushed the strands off her forehead. “I aim to please.”

  She pushed herself up off the floor, stopping to kiss him deeply. “I’ll have to make sure you have some more practice after dinner.”

  While she pulled her pants back on, Jamie grabbed his jeans. He was surprised that, instead of picking up her bra and top, she yanked his shirt over her head instead.

  He lifted an eyebrow at her.

  “This is so I can insure that you don’t cover up all those yummy muscles. Plus, I haven’t gotten a good look at the tats on your back yet.”

  Jamie gripped the bottom of his shirt, tugging her close. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip and nipped it lightly. “I like seeing you in my clothes. And now my stuff will smell like you. I’ll have the memory of your scent at home too.”

  She made a pleased sound. “Come on, let’s eat.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dinner had been fantastic. After they’d cleaned up the kitchen, Brandy had suggested they watch a movie. C
uddling on the couch, Jamie found himself paying more attention to Brandy than the action movie she’d picked out.

  Normally, he would have loved the film but it was hard to concentrate on the screen with Brandy pressed to his side wearing his shirt and still smelling like their earlier sex.

  Once they’d locked up the house and climbed into bed, Brandy had had him lie on his stomach as she’d run her tongue over the ink on his back. By the time he’d rolled over and she’d taken him in her mouth, barely any pressure had been needed before he’d come.

  Returning the favor, he’d brought her to climax with his mouth and fingers. As she’d fallen asleep with her head on his chest, Jamie had been sure he’d never been more content in his life.

  Now, waking several hours later, Jamie was tired but his mind still whirled with his case. He slipped out of the bed then silently made his into the hall.

  He’d seen the downstairs kitchen, living area, library and a small workout space. Brandy had planned to show him the upstairs but they’d reached bed first and hadn’t gotten up.

  So he wandered down the hall. The door on his right opened to a guest bedroom done in several shades of brown. A small lavatory was next. That only left one other option to scope out.

  Since the entrance was open, Jamie stuck his head inside. A lamp had been left on at the desk. While Brandy’s library downstairs held numerous books, there were dozens more in here.

  Stepping further inside, he saw the posters on the wall. They were all of book covers from the same author. One he knew well.

  Why did Brandy have all of Lynn Cummins’ book covers on her walls?

  Curious, he walked over to the desk and picked up one of the notebooks that turned out to be a plotline for a book. The main character was Drake Knight.

  Jamie fell into the chair, unable to believe what he was seeing. His elbow knocked the laptop and it came to life.

  He bent over and read what was on the screen. He recognized the writing style. And only one thing made sense. Brandy wrote under the pen name Lynn Cummins.