Enchanting the Bear

by Rayna Tyler

  I didn’t want to lose that trust and knew I needed to tell him about Caleb. There’d been a few times over the last couple of weeks that I’d tried, but every time I opened my mouth to speak, my courage vanished. I’d worried how he’d react after hearing about my past drama. Drama I’d thought was behind me and had resurfaced when Caleb showed up at my brother’s house—the one place I’d thought I’d be safe.

  Would Bryson change his mind about our steadily growing relationship and decide I wasn’t worth the trouble? No matter what happened next, whether he was willing to accept my troubled past or call Mitch and tell him to come and get me, I owed him the truth.

  I hadn’t missed his flinch when I took his hand and told him we needed to talk.

  “Okay.” There was trepidation in his voice as he settled back on the edge of the coffee table facing me.

  I took a sip of water, wishing it was something stronger to dull the pain of what might come next. “I haven’t been completely truthful with you. I need to tell you the real reason I left California and moved out here to live with Mitch.” Staring at my lap made it easier to continue. “I’d been dating a guy named Caleb, and about six months ago, I broke it off with him. Only he refused to accept that the relationship had ended.” I ran my finger up and down the side of the plastic bottle.

  “A few weeks after I refused to return his calls, he started stalking me. He wouldn’t leave me alone and kept showing up where I worked, sometimes making a scene. It got so bad that I almost lost my job and had to get a restraining order. Not that it did any good. Several days afterward, he started parking in the lot near my apartment. That’s when I realized he wasn’t ever going to leave me alone.”

  “Is that when you decided to move here?” Bryson clasped my free hand with both of his.

  The warmth from his touch, the support I recognized in his gaze, gave me the strength to continue. “Not quite. I finally broke down and told my mom what was going on.” I hadn’t wanted my mother to worry, so I’d kept the truth from her at first. We were close, and I didn’t like keeping secrets from her. “She, of course, told Mitch, who talked me into staying with him for a while.”

  I’d wanted to handle the problem myself, not dump it on my family. At the time, I’d regretted my decision to confide in my mother, until Mitch showed up on my doorstep the next day. I’d never been so happy to see my older brother, but it had taken every persuasive skill I possessed to convince him not to go after Caleb.

  “I’m glad he did.” Bryson used the pad of his thumb to wipe away the tears cascading down my cheek. “Otherwise, I never would have found you.”

  Confused by his statement, I asked, “Don’t you mean met me?”

  “Yeah.” Bryson nodded, though I got the impression it was more for my benefit than his. “Tell me what happened today?”

  His encouragement made it easier to continue. “Mitch and I worked late last night, so he gave me the day off. I was looking forward to our date, had too much time on my hands, and decided to go for a hike.”

  “You were looking forward to tonight?” Bryson grinned and sat a little straighter.

  “Yes.” It always amazed me how such a big, tough-acting guy could be so adorable. Thinking about all that cuteness had images of him naked blazing a heated trail through my mind. My stomach fluttered; my concentration wavered. If I lost my focus, I wasn’t going to be able to finish my explanation.

  “Anyway, when I returned, I found Caleb banging on the door and screaming my name. I refused to leave with him and ran back into the woods, hoping I could hide long enough for him to give up, then find my way to Gabe’s place.” So many things had gone wrong with my plan. I swallowed hard, trying to keep the fear I’d felt earlier from slipping into my voice. “Once I was sure Caleb was gone, I headed for Gabe’s again. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going, tripped, and hurt my ankle. Not long after that, you showed up.”

  Now that Bryson knew everything, I was back to staring at my lap, where, surprisingly, he kept his hand wrapped around mine.

  “Leah.” Bryson’s gentle squeeze drew my gaze to his. A genuine gaze filled with nothing but sincerity. “I don’t care what happened in your past. All I care about is you being here with me.” He paused as if searching carefully for his next words. “I haven’t been totally honest with you either. There’s something I should have told you, but I was afraid you wouldn’t want to have anything to do with me after you found out.”

  “Well, I already know you can shift into a gigantic bear.” After discovering that tidbit, what else could he have neglected to share with me? “Whatever it is, you can tell me. I’m not going anywhere.”

  He glanced at my ankle with an insinuating smile. We both knew there was no way I’d be able to hobble, hop, or drag myself all the way to my brother’s house.

  “That’s not what I meant. Now tell me.”

  He licked his lips, the nervousness back in his gaze. “When Mitch was explaining about shifters, did he tell you about mates?”

  I slowly nodded, curious why he was asking and what it had to do with what he’d been keeping from me. “Yes. He said that it was a destined match, that their animal side immediately recognized their life partner.”

  “What else did he tell you?” Bryson asked.

  “That the bond between mates was permanent, even if one of them was human.” I tapped my chin trying to remember everything my brother had told me during my semi-drunken state. “Oh, and that their children will always be shifters, most likely taking on the animal traits of their father. Unless the father is human, then the mother’s animal is predominant.” The night Mitch explained what he knew about the shifter world, he’d been explicit in his details about that particular subject.

  “What does that have to do with—”

  “Leah,” Bryson interrupted. “You’re my mate.”

  I gasped, releasing a nervous laugh. “Whoa, that wasn’t what I expected.” Not even close. Had my brother already known about my connection to Bryson? Is that why he’d gone into such detail when he explained everything he knew about them? Was that why he’d encouraged me to go out with Bryson. And, more importantly, if what I suspected was true, was I going to strangle him for keeping it from me?

  I must have been sitting there with my mouth hanging open longer than I thought, because Bryson squeezed my hand again to get my attention. “Leah, please say something.”

  “I... This is...”

  “I know it’s a lot to process,” he said.

  That is an understatement. I had more questions but started with the easy one first. “How long have you known?”

  “From the moment I met you.” Red seeped across his cheeks and he guiltily bowed his head.

  Okay, so the immediate thing was true and everything about Bryson’s curious behavior made sense. Because I was human, he must have assumed I didn’t know anything about his world. It explained his aggressive behavior toward other guys and the reason he was taking things slow.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I’ll understand if you don’t want to have anything more to do with me and want to go back to your brother’s house.” Even when faced with the possibility of losing his mate, losing me, he put my wants and needs first. I was warmed by his honesty, his honorable effort to insist I make my own decision about the future of our relationship. It was touching, and so damned sexy.

  Did I really want to walk away from him? Was I going to continue allowing my self-doubt and the events of my past to influence my future?

  So what if he could transform into a bear. Was that really such a bad thing? He was still the same guy I was falling in love with before I found out about his animal.

  If our future included children, which I hoped it did, would I be okay with raising little ones who could change into cubs? I remembered the little boy who’d turned into a wolf pup in my lap, and the harmless way he’d licked my face. Once I’d worked through my shock, I’d actually had fun playing with him.
>
  I searched Bryson’s expectant gaze, saw nothing but caring, and had my answer. If I was his mate, and we were truly meant to be together, then there was no reason not to do what I’d been wanting to do since our very first kiss. Ignoring the painful jolt to my ankle, I launched myself forward and straddled his lap, the towel and bag of ice plopping on the floor.

  Shocked, Bryson reached for my hips. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  I pressed a finger against his lips. “I don’t want to go back to my brother’s place. I’d much rather stay here with you.” I skimmed my hands along his broad shoulders, nestling them in the short hairs at his nape. “I want you to show me what being a mate entails.”

  BRYSON

  Leah was going to fucking kill me. She’d surprised me when she climbed on my lap, rubbed against my straining cock, and told me to show her what it meant to be a mate.

  Thrilled by her acceptance, my heart thrummed. My bear, tired of being suppressed by my need to take things slow, surged close to the surface, pushing me to make her ours. Self-control went only so far when you were a dominant male and her request, the scent of her arousal, was a taunt I couldn’t resist. “Leah, I...” A low, appreciative growl rumbled from my chest. My restraint slipped, and I sought her lips, a hard kiss filled with all the passion I possessed.

  I coaxed the seam of her mouth, soliciting a whimper and possessively gaining access, our tongues tangling. I wanted to explore every one of her lush curves, then remembered her injured ankle. I’d give anything to make love to her, to be inside her, but her health and seeing to her needs took precedence.

  I pulled back from the kiss, breathing raggedly, and pressed my forehead to hers. “We need to stop. You’re hurt, and it’s my responsibility to take care of you.”

  Leah tipped her head back, her eyes glistening with desire. “Is taking care of my needs part of being a mate?” She bit the side of her lip, making it hard to focus.

  “Yes,” I growled, wondering where she was going with this.

  “Good, because I have a need to be in your bed.” She squirmed, putting even more pressure on my erection, then had the audacity to smirk when I groaned.

  Though Leah’s playful, wanton behavior was a part of her I’d never seen before, the male in me highly approved. My bear found it appealing as well and rumbled with excitement, urging me to comply with her request. I still had reservations, was worried about her welfare, and asked, “Leah, are you sure?”

  “Uh-huh,” she said, wiggling again.

  I got to my feet, bracing her ass with my arm and hoisting her along with me. Leah cupped my face and began kissing me. Damn female. I wanted to get down the hall but couldn’t see where I was going and stopped.

  “Taking too long.” She nipped my chin, then giggled when I bumped against the wall trying to reach the bedroom quicker.

  I finally made it inside the room, no thanks to Leah and her distracting assault. I placed her on top of the comforter, then carefully settled between her spread thighs.

  She tugged at my shirt. “Clothes need to come off.”

  I grabbed her wrists, pinning them with one hand over her head.

  “What the...” She pulled against my grip and frowned.

  “Leah, slow down.”

  “Please. I want this, need this. My past...”

  “Is in the past.” If she needed reassurances, I would damn well make sure she had them. I couldn’t undo what Caleb had put her through, but I could make her feel safe, show her how important she was to me. “I will give you everything you need, only slower, so we don’t make your ankle worse.” I grazed her cheek with my thumb. “Let me take care of you.”

  Some of the tension eased from her body. “Okay.”

  It was my turn for teasing, and I didn’t waste any time drawing her into a kiss. A hungry kiss filled with all the passion I possessed. A kiss that elicited soft moans and had me wanting more. I’d been dying to see her naked for days and wanted the clothes between us gone as much as she did.

  Releasing her wrists, I leaned back on my haunches and pulled my T-shirt over my head, then helped her off with hers. Eager to touch her creamy flesh, I extended a claw and sliced through the material at the front of her bra, exposing her luscious mounds.

  “Bryson.” Leah gave me an admonishing glare and slipped the remnants of her bra off her shoulders.

  “I’ll buy you another one,” I said, knowing I’d be lying if I told her I felt bad about the unusable condition of her undergarment. I silenced any further arguments by suckling a nipple into my mouth. While I worked the tip with my tongue, I skimmed her belly, running a finger underneath the waistband of her pants and undoing the button.

  When I offered her other breast the same attention, she arched her back giving me better access. At the same time, I pushed down the zipper, working my hand between the fabric and her skin.

  I slipped my finger through her soft curls, then made slow circles on her sex until she was gasping and digging her nails into my shoulders. Spreading her folds, I pushed a finger inside her. After several slow thrusts, I added another finger and continued the steady torment, enjoying the way she bucked against my ministrations.

  “Please, I...” She pushed at the waistband of her pants, frantically trying to remove them.

  “Let me help.” I withdrew my hand, then eased her jeans, along with her panties, down her legs, careful not to jar her injured foot. The swelling around her ankle had diminished a little, but it still had to be causing her pain. I was assailed by a new wave of guilt, felt as if I was about to take advantage of her, instead of seeing to her needs.

  She saw the direction of my gaze and grabbed a loop on the front of my jeans. “Don’t even think about changing your mind.” Determination flitted across her face. She jerked me forward, forcing me to brace my arms on either side of her to keep from falling on top of her.

  “Have you always been such a bossy little thing?” I grinned and nibbled her earlobe.

  “I know what I want, and right now, I want my mate.” She made fast work of unzipping my pants and shoving them down my hips.

  Mate. I loved hearing the proclamation, the possessiveness in her tone. Who was I to deny her what she wanted? I wanted to be inside her, skin to skin, and unencumbered by fabric. I rolled to the side and shed the remainder of my clothes, taking the time to commit her naked perfection to memory.

  I covered her once again, wedging my hips between her legs and reveling in the feel of her heated skin. I left a trail of tender kisses, starting with her breast and ending with her lips.

  “Stop teasing,” she groaned, then dug her uninjured foot into the back of my thigh.

  I chuckled against the crook of her neck, the place I would one day place my claiming mark. After reaching between us, I guided my cock to her opening, then slowly eased inside her, taking my time, allowing her to adjust to my size. Once fully seated, I began to thrust, finding a steady rhythm to push her closer to the edge.

  “Bryson, I...” Her nails bit into the flesh on my back, and I knew she was close.

  A few hard pumps and she toppled over the edge, screaming my name and shuddering through her orgasm. Several more thrusts, my body tightened, and I growled through my own release. I collapsed on top of her, our bodies slick with sweat, our breathing irregular.

  Once I had the strength to move, I rolled to the side, taking her with me and making sure to keep her injured foot on top of my legs.

  Her eyes were closed, but I could tell she wasn’t sleeping. A glimmer of self-doubt had worked its way into my mind. What if I hadn’t met her expectations? What if she’d changed her mind about being my mate? “Leah, are you okay?”

  “Is it always going to be like that?” She opened her eyes and smiled. “Because that was incredible.”

  I startled awake to find Leah tucked against my side and using my shoulder as a pillow. I rubbed my nose in her hair, savoring her scent. As much as I would have enjoyed waking her for another roun
d of lovemaking, I wanted her to get some rest.

  Though daylight was only a few hours away, it was still dark outside, the sky glittered with fading stars. Even though the bedroom window faced the side of the house, it wasn’t hard to detect outside noises. It didn’t hurt that I had enhanced hearing or that sounds carried in this area. When I heard the engine of not one but two vehicles approaching the house, I realized what had disturbed my sleep. Shortly after the motors stopped, doors slammed and footsteps crunched on the gravel drive.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” I heard Nick’s deep, gravelly voice and assumed he must be here to return my truck.

  “Don’t you think we should check on them, make sure Leah is all right?” I imagined Mandy with her hands on her hips, glaring at her mate.

  “No. You should know it’s never a good idea to mess with a shifter when he’s alone with his mate. Especially if the shifter is a big, grumpy bear.” There was humor in Nick’s tone, leading me to believe he was certain I was listening.

  “Well, I’m going to check...” Mandy squealed. “Darn it, Nick, put me down. You can’t keep throwing me over your shoulder and carrying me around like a sack of potatoes.”

  “Says who?” He chuckled.

  “And stop pinching my backside.”

  “But it’s such a nice... Hey, what was that for?” The rest of their conversation was cut off by the sound of a slamming door. A few seconds later, one of the engines roared to life, then faded into the distance.

  Friends didn’t get any better than Nick, and later, when I called him to find out what happened to Caleb, I’d thank him for not interrupting my time with Leah.

  Chapter Nine

  BRYSON

  I stood inside the empty resort cabin, watching through partially drawn shades as the red car with California license plates and Caleb behind the wheel came to a stop next to Leah’s vehicle. The building was located at the secluded end of the property and wasn’t scheduled to be rented for another two days. Plenty of time to take care of the male who’d made my mate’s life hell.