“That you felt things deeper than most people. He thought you enjoyed being with Mom more, so he let you have your time with her. I promise you that he wasn’t choosing me, Sterling. You were just younger and operated differently than us.”
“I’ve never been as good as you. With Dad, you did everything right. Then, you supported me and Mom. When Mom was heartbroken over losing her mate, wouldn’t come out of her room for days, you took care of us. You did everything you could for us. Shit, you became a man at fourteen and there are days when I still feel like I’m struggling to be a man. I feel so awkward sometimes that all I can do is say the dumbest shit or, before Ophelia, not say anything and just sleep with whatever woman would have me to try to feel like I was doing the normal thing.”
“Sterling, you’re too hard on yourself. You’re normal. You’re doing everything in life that you’re supposed to be doing. What more do you think you should be doing?”
I held up my hands and tipped my head back to look at the sky. “Fuck. I don’t know. I could be farther along in my career. I just haven’t taken any initiative. The only reason I agreed to talk to this new sponsor was because I was suffocating being in Burden when Ophelia wouldn’t talk to me.”
“You haven’t been paying attention. I stopped working as much as I was. I was using it as a crutch to deal with issues that I had, too. Mom’s doing better. I’m fine. We’re all fine and don’t need anything from you, except for you. Brother, you’re okay. Better than that, you’re a good man. Everyone knows it. Veronica is somewhere, right now, lecturing your mate about what a great guy you are. She called you her adopted brother and swore that she was going to get Ophelia in line.”
My heart thudded harder in my chest. “I’ve never felt like I was good enough, Hutch.”
“And you’ve always been wrong. You’re awesome, man. The best brother I ever could’ve refused to look at for the first month of his life. You really killed my only child gig. Dad would be so fucking angry with himself if he knew that in trying to do the best for you all those years ago, he hurt you like this.”
I shrugged and tried to hear what he was saying. “I have shit I have to work out, huh?”
He threw his arm around my shoulders and grunted. “We all have our burdens. Things don’t just solve themselves because we find our mates. I still have shit I have to get through. Thorn does, Wyatt does, and lord knows Sam is a wreck. No one is expecting you to be perfect, man. We love you the way you are. Although, I’d like you better if you started being nicer to yourself.”
I smiled. “So, Veronica is fighting for me, huh?”
Hutch growled. “There are moments when I think she likes you more than me.”
That got a laugh from me. Feeling lighter, I shook my head. “I might’ve overreacted about Ophelia. He is her brother, after all. Shit, it just feels fucking awful when she goes to him instead of me.”
“Yeah, having a mate is equally parts the best and scariest thing in the world. Knowing that this pint-sized woman has so much power over you is frightening. Veronica could kill me by walking away, break my heart by saying she didn’t like me or want to be with me.”
“Maybe I should go find her and talk to her.”
Hutch stood up and shook his head. “Not what I said.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Your girl has had it easy. She needs to want to fight for you. Let her do it. You need it, too. Let her show you that she wants you. It could help with some of those things you need to work on.”
“I’m supposed to be heading up to Dallas tomorrow for the race. I was going to ask her to come with me.”
Hutch grinned. “Let her work for you, man. Trust me, let her show you that you deserve it.”
I shook my head. “I’m the man. I’m supposed to work for her.”
With a laugh and a headshake, he walked back towards my truck. “Veronica’s been reading to me about equality and shit. This is a new era, buddy. The women can work for us, too, sometimes.”
I raised my eyebrows at my brother and watched as he shifted to bear and looked back at me, beckoning me to play. Maybe he was right. It would be nice to know for sure if Ophelia really did want me.
23
Ophelia
I tossed and turned all night. I kept hearing Veronica’s words over and over again, on repeat, in my head. Sterling was sensitive and I knew it. He was emotional and as surprising as it was, it was a beautiful thing. He wanted to talk to me and connect. He wanted me. Despite all the shit I’d done to push him away, he still wanted me.
I had to show him that I chose him. He was my mate and I wanted him. More than anything else, I wanted him.
I dressed in a cotton sundress and sandals and tried to contain my hair in a bun before going out to my car and heading towards Sterling’s house. It was early, but I was willing to wake him up for what I had to say.
I was done with all the overthinking and bullshit. I just wanted to be with my mate. My bear wanted to go back to the cave and hide away with him for as long as we could. I wanted the same.
It hadn’t been very long, but I missed his touch. I missed everything about him. I wanted to breathe him in and calm the constant panic that’d been there since seeing him turn and walk out of the bar.
I parked outside of his house and frowned when I didn’t see his truck. Where was he? Thinking maybe he’d parked it somewhere else for the night, I went to his door and knocked anyway. When he didn’t answer, my stomach twisted. Had he not come home?
It was too early to visit Hutch’s garage and I had nowhere else to go, so I went back to Veronica’s and made myself drink a cup of coffee on her back porch. I didn’t have any story deadlines for the Gazette and I didn’t want to bother anyone else so early, so I just sat there, counting the seconds until I could go see Hutch and find out where my mate was.
In the stillness of the backyard, I couldn’t distract myself from thoughts of my brother. I’d have to figure out a way to fix things with him, too. My mate came first from now on, but Kyle was still on the list. Even if he’d proven to be a giant ass, he was my only brother. He would have to come around to Sterling and deal with what we were to one another. It made no sense that he would continue to hold onto so much hate.
I grabbed my phone and dialed his number, also okay with bothering him that early in the morning.
After a few rings, he answered, sounding groggy. “Ophelia?”
I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “We’re going to talk in a few days after this settles down and we’re going to fix this. I’m going to be with Sterling, if he still wants me, and you—you’re going to deal with it. You’re going to stop being a jerk and go back to being the brother that I love so much. Got it?”
He sighed. “That’s a tall order, O.”
“Do you love me?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then it won’t be that tall of an order. I love you, Kyle, but yesterday was awful. I need you to be better than that.” I shook my head and grunted. “I also need you to not get yourself killed by insulting a bar full of bear shifters like that. I’ll call you in a few days.”
I hung up and sat back in my chair. Feeling restless, I decided to walk over to the garage. I’d just sit around and wait if I had to.
I walked slowly and when I arrived, I found that it was still locked up tight. I plopped myself on a bench outside of the garage. Looking at the time on my phone, I groaned. I still had half an hour to wait. I was going to be insane by the time anyone arrived.
I sat there, thinking of the words I was going to say to Sterling when I found him. I went over a speech in my head until I thought I’d perfected it.
The next time I looked at my phone, it was past time for the shop to open. Frustrated, I dialed Veronica’s number, telling myself that she wouldn’t mind if I woke her up because I was making things right with Sterling and that’s what she’d strongly encouraged me to do.
“Hello?”
> “Hey! Did I wake you?”
“No, I was forced from my warm bed before the sun even came up this morning. Everything okay?”
I sighed. “No. I can’t find Sterling. I want to talk to him, but he’s not at home and the garage isn’t open today, apparently.”
“Shucky-darns! We forgot to put a sign up at the garage.” She said something to Hutch in the background and then grumbled. “Not my fault. Your fault. Yours and your roaming hands.”
I cleared my throat. “Sterling? Do you know where he is?”
She laughed. “Yes.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“No.”
I growled. “Veronica. I’m trying to do what you wanted me to do. Now, tell me where he is or I’m going to take scissors to your expensive lingerie drawer.”
She gasped. “You wouldn’t!”
“I really would. Now, fess up.”
“Fine. He’s got a big race today outside of Dallas.”
I bit my lip. How had I not known that? He was my mate. I should’ve been paying better attention. Feeling like a heel, I silently vowed to do better. I would be the mate he deserved. “I’m coming.”
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say. I like that you’re fighting for your man.”
I groaned. “Veronica. Details. I need them.”
She laughed. “Be ready by noon. The girls will pick you up.”
I wanted to argue but she hung up on me. With nothing left to do, I walked back to her house and set out to find something super sexy to wear. I was definitely going to fight for my man. And if it meant pulling out all the stops to get him back, so be it.
24
Sterling
“Thanks. I’ll see you after the race.” I shook the hand of Gerald Fillian, the man who was here to observe me on behalf of a big-named sponsor. He’d sought me out before the race to introduce himself.
I waited until he’d gotten to his seat in the stands to turn to Hutch with a grin on my face. “He seems interested.”
Hutch laughed. “Of course, he is. You’re the best here. And you’ll prove that in a few minutes. Are you ready?”
I looked back towards the stands and spotted Veronica waving. I waved back and turned to my brother. “I guess. I wish Ophelia was here. I get what you said last night, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t suck to be here without her. I want to start building a life with her, not play games.”
“You’re not playing games. You’re giving her space—room to show you that she wants you. Trust me, it’s what you both need.”
I groaned and turned to the track where a group of smaller cars were racing. “I’m just hoping she does want me, man.”
He looked towards the stands and grinned. “I think you’re going to get your answer sooner than you thought.”
My stomach squeezed as I turned to where he was looking and spotted our friends and their mates, with a singular Sam. Then, before I saw her, I caught my mate’s scent coming closer. My breath caught as I realized how much it meant to me that she’d shown up.
A group of guys parted with a few catcalls and then I spotted her. She was strolling towards me with purpose. While I didn’t appreciate the catcalls, I got it. She was wearing a little white tank top that left a few inches of her stomach showing and a tight black leather miniskirt. In high-heeled shoes, with her hair curling wildly around her pretty face, she was all curves and sex appeal.
My mouth watered as I watched her approach. She put extra sway in her hips and didn’t take her eyes off mine as she came at me. Not stopping until she was mere inches in front of me, she reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck before pulling me down and kissing me.
Ophelia’s mouth was soft and tasted like cupcakes and whiskey as she slipped her tongue into my mouth. With a moan, she pressed her body against mine and tugged on my hair. When she came up for air, her eyes were heavy-lidded and I could smell her arousal. “After you win this race, I want to talk. I owe you an apology and would like to give it to you.”
My dick hardened to a point of pain and I grunted as I tried to adjust myself it in the flame-retardant suit. “You came.”
She nodded and winked. “And so will you.”
Groaning, I grasped her ass and pulled her tighter against my body so she could feel what she was doing to me. “Killing me here.”
Her eyes softened and she cupped my face. “I’m sorry. I’ve been messing up. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
I grinned down at her. “You’re not going to leave here and try to hide me again?”
She shook her head, sending her curls flying. “Not a chance. I want everyone to know. No more hiding.”
“Everyone, huh?”
She tilted her head to the side and bared her neck to me. “Everyone.”
My bear growled and I couldn’t help spinning her around and pinning her against my car. I buried my face in her neck and ran my tongue over the spot I wanted to mark so badly. “Do you know what you’re getting yourself into?”
“Yes. Tonight. After you win.”
I threw back my head and let out a ridiculous shout as I spun her around. “I expect you in the winner’s circle as soon as the car stops, baby.”
She nodded. “Wherever you want me.”
Shit. Right there. I wanted her bent over the hood of my car with everyone watching as I sank my teeth into her neck and claimed her. She was mine. “Tell me, little mate, how much do you want me?”
Ophelia stretched up and rested her mouth against my ear as she lowered her voice and spoke. “More than I’ve ever wanted anyone or anything. In every way. I’m all yours, Sterling.”
Hutch called over that I needed to get ready for my race, but I wasn’t ready to let her go. I pulled her against me again and kissed her. Hard and promising, I wanted to leave her with something to last until we could get out of there.
“I’ll see you soon, little bear.”
She grinned and brushed her hand over my dick before winking and strutting towards the stands. I watched until she was seated next to Veronica and Allie, making sure the guys who looked at her didn’t touch. Knowing we were so close to marking our mate, my bear was feeling especially possessive and predatory.
Hutch came over and clapped me on the back. “Was it worth letting her come to you?”
Fuck, yes. I grinned and finally tore my eyes away from her. “Come on. I’ve got more than one reason to hurry this beast across the finish line now.”
He laughed and handed me a helmet. “Will we see you after the race?”
I glanced back up at Ophelia and groaned as she crossed and uncrossed her legs, exposing even more flesh. “Nope. As soon as she gets close to me, we’re out of here. I’m claiming my mate tonight. Stick around and talk to Gerald, will you?”
“Of course. I’m proud of you, man.”
I met his eyes and nodded. “Thanks, Hutch.”
I climbed into my car, eager to get the race over with so I could get my hands back on my mate. She’d come to me and it was all I needed to know that things were going to be okay.
25
Ophelia
My heart threatened to pound right out of my ribcage during the race, and I was flying down the stands as soon as Sterling’s car sailed across the finish line, all the other cars trailing behind. I wanted to see him, but also had to make sure he was safe. My bear would never get used to it.
Hutch was at a gate beside the track and he grinned at me when I got closer. “Be good to my little brother, Ophelia.”
I grinned back at him and nodded. “I plan on it.”
He let me through and I ran across the track as fast as I could in my six-inch heels. Sterling was in the middle, standing next to his car, waiting on me. There were people trying to talk to him, but when he spotted me, he met me halfway and caught me when I jumped into his arms. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I laughed and covered his face with kisses.
“You did it!”
He nodded
. “Now, you and I have somewhere to be.”
Thinking of him claiming me, I blushed and nodded. “Do you have stuff to do here first?”
He carried me to his car and shook his head. “Nothing more important. Hutch will handle anything that needs handling. We’re leaving.”
I squeaked as he dropped my body through the passenger window. “Sterling… I don’t know about riding in this.”
“I’ve got to do a victory lap and then I want to get out of here as soon as possible. You’re stuck in it for now, baby.” He crossed to his side and climbed into the car. As soon as he was in, the engine roared to life.
Catching the checkered flag someone passed to him, he grinned at me. “Hang on.”
I laughed as he drove back onto the track and then raced around it. Screaming, I couldn’t hide the excitement. “Sterling! This is crazy!”
He took the exit from the track and instead of pausing at the gathering group of people waving at him, he stepped on the gas and sent us soaring across the parking lot and onto the highway.
My heartbeat was wildly erratic as we drove away from the track. Knowing what was coming, feeling the speed and the wind whip through the car, understanding how much he wanted me…it was all exhilarating.
Sterling got off the highway on a little side road and drove up a small forgotten road that was so riddled with potholes it threatened to rip out the bottom of his car. We pulled over behind a tiny house and parked.
“What is this place?”
He grinned at me before getting out and coming around to help me out. “I don’t know. Looks abandoned to me.”
The house did look abandoned. The yard was grown up around it and where we were parked looked like it could almost be a small jungle.
I laughed as he pulled me from the car. His hands on my sides tickled and I wiggled until he put me down. “What if it isn’t abandoned?”
His eyes were wicked as he stalked towards me. For every step I took backwards, he took one forwards. “What if it isn’t? What if there’s someone inside who’s going to watch as I take you bent over the hood of my car? What if they watch as I sink my teeth into your shoulder and we both come like crazy?”
Bears of Burden Complete Series Box Set Page 38