An Alpha's Tempest (Water Bear Shifters 4) (9 page)

She could feel him, and she liked what she felt. Her moaning and gasping told him so. And he was about to give her so much more than just a hint through his clothes of how he felt. It was time for her to feel his skin against her skin. Ben broke their kiss to reach for the zipper on Rhythm’s fleece-lined hoodie, which he quickly pulled down. Then he pushed the sleeves backward and off, letting the jacket fall to the floor as he moved on to her fitted, long-sleeved t-shirt. He pulled the garment up and over her head, tugging the sleeves off her arms and letting the shirt fall onto the discarded jacket. Rhythm’s full breasts were covered by a simple, beige bra—one of her purchases from their mall trip earlier. It was boring and bland, but it didn’t matter. He wasn’t interested in the bra. Only in what was underneath it.

And he had to see what was underneath it right away. He couldn’t even be bothered to take the time to unclasp and properly remove her bra. Instead, he pushed the fabric of the cups down, exposing her stiff, alert nipples. He took the deep pink orbs in his mouth, moaning with delight at the taste of her. He heard her responding with moans of her own. Her hands were now centered on his back, where her fingers were digging into his shirt with excitement. Ben took his time, chewing on each nipple gently at first, and then with more force. He stopped just short of where he would have caused her true pain, and then sucked each hard nub with great energy, as though he wanted to suck it right off her body. She responded to him, arching her back and letting out a series of sounds that made it clear she was in a place of absolute ecstasy.

The pressure in Ben’s dick was growing to an unbearable level. He could feel himself, stiff and throbbing, begging for a chance to slip into her. But, still, he forced himself to take his time. He wanted to stretch out this delicious sensation of burning up from within as long as possible. He reached behind Rhythm, finally unclasping her bra and then sliding the straps off her shoulder so that she was truly naked from the waist up. He stepped back for a moment to admire her. She looked magnificent. Her skin was the softest, smoothest thing he had ever felt, and her breasts heaved up and down with each full, ragged breath that she took. She looked up at him through her thick eyelashes, her very gaze itself fanning the fire that was consuming him. She let him look a moment more, and then stepped toward him, reaching to unzip and discard his jacket in the same way he had done to hers. Then she pulled his sweater off, leaving him bare-chested with his own breathing becoming rapid and ragged. Every touch of her fingers against his skin filled him with an exquisite burning sensation. He couldn’t take the pressure, and, at the same time, he wanted it to last forever. She reached for his belt buckle, deftly unbuckling it and unbuttoning his jeans. As she reached for the zipper, though, he let out a growl and pushed her backward against the wall. He knew she wanted to see his dick, but he couldn’t wait another minute to see her naked. He unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, pushing them down around her ankles where they were stopped by her shoes.

“Kick off your shoes, Rhythm,” Ben demanded. “I want these jeans off of you, now.”

Rhythm did as he instructed, but then quickly reached for the zipper on his jeans, smirking as she unzipped the pants and pushed them down.

“Take off your shoes, too, buddy,” she said, wagging a finger in his face. “Fair’s fair.”

Ben threw back his head and laughed. She was a spunky one, and he liked that. He kicked off his shoes and stepped out of his pants. Both of them were down to just underwear, but, still, it wasn’t naked enough. Ben needed more. He grabbed Rhythm’s panties and tore at them with an urgency, nearly shredding them in his attempt to pull them down and off her body. He pushed her back up against the wall, putting one hand above her head on the wall behind her while the other hand slid down to the dripping wet spot between her legs. He leaned his chest against her breasts as he slipped two of his fingers into her, letting the moist heat of her channel envelop his hand.

She gasped again, arching her back against his touch and tilting her head up toward his face. Her eyes were wide and burning, filled with the same desperate hunger that was consuming him at this very moment. He let his fingers move in a circular motion inside of her, pressing firmly against every part of her inner walls. She continued to writhe and pant under the pressure of his touch, and he relished the responses he was drawing out of her. He craved more of this. He savored every moan, and every delighted flutter of her eyelids. He loved knowing that he was doing this to her. The space between her legs was drenched with her juices, the juices he was drawing out of her.

He slid his index finger out and forward, finding her clit, and gently stroking back and forth across that sensitive bundle of nerves. He felt her trembling, shuddering as she leaned against his body and enjoyed the sensations he was sending radiating through her body. Her gasping and moaning increased, until it morphed into her calling out his name at full volume. He increased the speed of his finger, and felt her frenzied shuddering increasing, until she let out one long, loud scream and came. She reached out and held him tightly as the waves of pleasure he had given her rocked her body, leaving her breathless and limp. She held him for several moments, slowly catching her breath before looking up at him with a satisfied smile on her face.

She took his breath away. Her hair was mussed up in a glorious mess of silky tangles that he had caused. Her skin was glistening with the perspiration caused by the exertion of the moment, and the effect made her look like she was glowing. Her eyes were wide and bright, sparkling with happiness as she gazed adoringly up at him. She truly was perfection in human form. His dick throbbed mercilessly as he looked at her, and he let out a long, primal growl.

She knew what he wanted, and she wasn’t going to keep him waiting any longer. She put her hands on his chest and gave him a little push, shoving him away from the wall and then following him. She ran a finger down his chest, starting at his collarbone and tracing a long line down to his bellybutton, which she drew a teasing circle around before continuing on to the hem of his underwear. She hooked her finger underneath the hem and then used her other hand as well, tugging off the tight, white briefs in one smooth movement.

Ben closed his eyes at the momentary relief that filled him as his erection sprung free from the confines of his briefs. But the relief was short-lived, because within moments Rhythm’s hands were on his hips, pushing him backward. He had no idea where she was taking him. All he knew was that her touch was fire, and it sent fire shooting throughout his entire body. The flames centered between his groin, causing his rock hard dick to feel like it was going to explode.

Rhythm pushed him into the living room area of the small cabin, where she gave him a forceful push down onto the couch. He landed on his back, staring up at the beautiful vixen who had so quickly taken him under her spell. Her hair framed her face and shoulders, and drew his eyes down to her perfect breasts, which bounced gently with every step she took. The sight of her curves sent a fresh wave of heat surging through him, and he let out another growl as she started climbing onto the couch, straddling him and hovering just over his pulsing dick. She smiled down at him, the perfect smile of a goddess. And she was a goddess. His goddess. He could feel her moisture dripping onto him, and he moaned with impatience.

“Come on, woman, stop teasing. My dick feels like it’s going to explode.”

Rhythm grinned, and then let herself slide down onto him. If Ben thought his dick had been on fire before then, he had been totally unaware of just how white hot the inside of Rhythm would be against the most sensitive skin on his body. She enveloped him, like a blazing fist, her inner walls clinging tightly to him as she completely covered him with herself.

Ben closed his eyes for a moment, gasping for breath against the intensity of the pressure filling him. But he opened his eyes again, watching the show as Rhythm started sliding back and forth against him, her hips gyrating in a perfect motion, faster and faster. Ben watched her full breasts bouncing with every thrust of her body, and he reached his hands up to hold her by the soft skin of her waist. She closed her eyes and let a soft groan escape her lips. Ben could tell that she was close to losing control again, and he did his best to hold back himself until she found her release again. It didn’t take long. Moments later, she cried out again, and when that white hot channel started clenching around him over and over, Ben couldn’t hold back anymore, either. He let himself go, and felt sweet, ecstatic relief as flaming heat shot from his body into hers in a stream of himself. His dick pulsed over and over, bringing overwhelming pleasure and release to his body. Rhythm was completely spent, now, and collapsed onto his chest. Her soft skin sent shivers of delight all through him, and her hair tickled the skin of his shoulders as it fell around him.

His heart felt so full that he feared it might burst. He knew in that moment that he had been right. He was bonded to Rhythm, and she to him. After years of trying to run away from love, love had gotten in his face. He hadn’t had much of a choice about whether or not to fall for the beautiful woman who now lay on his chest. One look at her, and he had known he was falling hopelessly.

He kissed the top of her head, and let out a happy sigh. Now that he understood what he’d been missing by not having his lifemate in his life, he wouldn’t want things any other way.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Ben felt complete and at peace.

Rhythm awoke to a bright stream of sunlight in her face, and the enticing smell of coffee. She blinked a few times, staring at the log cabin wall and trying to remember where she was. As she sat up slowly, the events of the last few days came flooding back to her. She was in Frost Peak for Evan’s funeral.

And she was here with Ben. Her cheeks heated up as she recalled the events of the night before, and realized where the slight soreness between her legs was coming from. After they’d given in to their attraction for each other, one round of pleasure hadn’t been nearly enough. They’d kept going for hours. Each time one of them started drifting off to sleep, the other would innocently brush a finger against naked skin, and they would be off again. It’s as though they were both trying to make up for a lifetime of not being with each other.

Rhythm looked over at the empty side of the bed next to her. The sheets were wrinkled and mussed up, and she could still see the vague imprint of where Ben had been lying. She grinned. So much for needing separate bedrooms. Sawyer’s concern for their comfort had been sweet, but ultimately unnecessary. Rhythm heard a sizzling sound in the kitchen, followed a few moments later by the aroma of bacon. The bed was so warm and comfortable, but she needed to get up. She had to make time to eat before the day got started. The last thing she wanted to do was pass out from low blood sugar in the middle of Evan’s funeral.

She felt a somberness settle over her as she climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom to get in a quick shower. Despite the happiness she felt about the latest developments with Ben, the harsh morning light brought back into focus the mountain of problems facing Ben and the bear shifters. And now, more than ever, those problems were hers, too. She had committed herself to a lifetime with Ben, which would probably make her look insane to anyone on the outside. But, even though she had known him for such a short time, she knew deep within her that they were meant for each other. Before they could truly enjoy happily ever after, however, they would have to figure out a way to destroy the scientists.

Rhythm frowned as she stepped into the shower and the warm water began running over her skin. She was an optimist by nature, so she wanted to believe that it would only be a short while before the pesky nuisance of the scientists would be eliminated. But deep down inside of her, she knew this problem was bigger than anything she had ever faced before. She hoped she would be able to provide meaningful information to the shifters, so that she didn’t end up attending any more funerals because of those awful, evil men.

Rhythm quickly soaped up and rinsed off, then stepped out of the shower and vigorously towel-dried her hair. She would let it air dry fully before pulling it up into a bun after breakfast. Then she would put on some makeup and her new dress. She didn’t know why, but she was nervous about meeting Evan’s family. Even though Sawyer had said that they were honored to have her here, and that they were grateful for what she had done for Evan, Rhythm worried that they somehow blamed her for not acting quickly enough to save him. Rhythm sighed, and went to put on some sweatpants and a t-shirt for breakfast. She knew her worrying was getting a little out of control, but she had never faced a situation quite this intense. Hundreds, if not thousands of lives were at stake. She didn’t want to mess anything up.

Rhythm made her way out to the kitchen, where Ben was scooping generous helpings of scrambled eggs and strips of bacon onto two plates. He looked up when he heard her coming, and smiled.

“Hey there,” he said, his voice sounding deep and smooth as he glanced up from the food. “You’re just in time. Coffee’s ready, too. Feel free to help yourself while I finish loading up these plates.”

Rhythm smiled at him, walking up to him and wrapping him in a hug from behind. She stood on her tiptoes to lean over and plant a kiss on his left cheek, then went to look for coffee mugs.

“Good morning, Sexy,” she said. “A man who is good in bed and good in the kitchen? How did I get so lucky?”

Ben laughed. “You might want to save your applause until you’ve had a chance to actually taste the food.”

Rhythm shrugged. “It smells delicious. I’m sure it tastes the same.”

Ben set the plates down on the small kitchen table. “I guess you’re about to find out,” he said.

Rhythm grabbed coffee for both of them, and then they sat down together to eat. Ben eyed Rhythm up and down, an appreciative look in his eyes.

“You look amazing,” he said. “I love that you don’t feel the need to get all dressed up and put on makeup just for breakfast. You’re perfect just the way you are.”

Rhythm blushed with pleasure at his compliments. “Thanks. I guess I figured since I looked like a drowned rat the first time you met me, that you had already seen me at my worst. No need to pretend that I always look perfectly made up.”

“I didn’t think you looked like a drowned rat,” Ben said, shoveling a big forkful of eggs into his mouth. “I thought you looked beautiful. I never dreamed I’d be lucky enough to call you my girl.”

Rhythm’s blush deepened, and she also stuck a forkful of eggs into her mouth to avoid answering.

Ben took a long drag from his coffee and then glanced over at her. “So, we talked about my life story last night. What about you? What’s your story? Let’s start with your name. What kind of name is Rhythm? Were your parents really into music or something?”

Rhythm laughed. “Not exactly. They were hippies who believed that the whole universe had ‘rhythm’ and that we were all part of its big plan. They wanted to honor the fact that the rhythm of the universe had brought me to them, so they named me Rhythm. They were a trip, but they were great parents.”

“Were?” Ben asked, raising an eyebrow. “They’re not around anymore?”

Rhythm shook her head sadly. “No. I lost both of them to cancer several years ago, within six months of each other. It was really tough.”

Ben reached over and covered Rhythm’s hand with his. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks. Their death is what inspired me to start working as a pharmaceutical scientist. I wanted to do something to help create medicines that would make people’s lives better. I had a hard time finding work that paid well, though, which is why I jumped at the chance to come up here and work for the scientists. I should have known that something fishy was going on, with the outrageous salary they were offering. But I figured they were just having a hard time luring people up to Alaska.”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” Ben said. “Maybe the fact that you worked for them will turn out to be a blessing in disguise. You might have information that will help us find them and save hundreds of bear shifter lives. I have a meeting with Sawyer this afternoon, after the funeral, to talk about strategies to stop this threat. Why don’t you come with me? You can start getting your feet wet in our operations. Who knows? Maybe you’ll have ideas or information that will help us. You still have the opportunity to save lives, Rhythm. Don’t discount that just because the opportunity looks differently than you thought it would.”

Rhythm nodded. “I know you’re right. It’s just maddening to think about how I was working for the scientists all that time, thinking I was doing something good, when really I was contributing to something awful.”

“So don’t think about it. Think about how you can help us stop them. And think about hurrying up and finishing that food because we don’t want to be late to Evan’s funeral.”

Rhythm nodded, and quickly polished off the food on her plate. Then she pushed back her chair and gathered up the plates and mugs to put in the sink. She didn’t need long to get ready. She quickly put on her new dress and a touch of makeup while Ben took a shower. Then she pulled her hair into a tight, neat bun. When Ben got out of the shower to get dressed, he whistled.

“That dress,” he said simply, shaking his head in wonder. “That dress.”

“You like it?” Rhythm asked, twirling around for his benefit.

“I’d like to rip it off of you,” Ben said. “But, unfortunately, we don’t have time for that right now. Don’t worry, though, I’ll be sure to make time later.”

Rhythm grinned, then watched Ben as he put on a pair of black dress slacks and a soft gray button-down shirt. His tall, confident stature took her breath away. She wouldn’t have minded having him rip her clothes off right now, either. But at the moment they had more somber matters to attend to. As soon as they were both ready, they headed out the front door of the cabin and started walking toward the meeting hall where Evan’s funeral would take place.

When they arrived at the building, Rhythm was surprised at the number of people who had shown up. The inside was standing room only, with solemn-faced men and women packing the room to capacity. As soon as Rhythm arrived, though, the crowd parted and several of the attendees urged her to go sit in the front row.

“You deserve a place of honor,” more than one person told her. “We wouldn’t even be able to have this funeral and give Evan a proper burial if not for you.”

Rhythm felt self-conscious at all the attention, but she walked to the front as she was directed, where two seats had been saved next to Sawyer for Ben and her. As soon as she sat down, a woman with tears streaking down her face came up to Rhythm and grasped her hands.

“You must be Rhythm,” the woman said. “I’m Jessie, Evan’s wife. Thank you for what you did for Evan. I’m heartbroken that I’ve lost him, but thanks to you I at least had the chance to see him one last time before he died.”

Rhythm felt her own eyes filling up with tears at the woman’s grief. She squeezed Jessie’s hand and told her she was so sorry for her loss. The words felt hollow and empty. Nothing she said or did could ease the pain that Jessie felt over losing her husband. And yet, Jessie had somehow found the strength to come over and thank Rhythm. Rhythm felt like she had done so little. She had just acted by instinct in a tough situation. But obviously she had made a difference, however small, for Jessie. Rhythm vowed anew to do everything in her power to make sure no more bear shifters suffered the fate that Evan had.

The funeral began with a beautiful, haunting song played on a piano by someone introduced as Evan’s cousin. For the next hour, several more songs, speeches, and tributes continued. At one point, Rhythm leaned over and whispered in Ben’s ear, “I can’t believe how many people are here, and how many tributes they are giving. Evan was obviously well-loved.”

Ben nodded, and whispered back, “This is how things usually are with shifter clans. They are tight-knit groups, and everyone feels it deeply when a member of the community is lost.”

Rhythm glanced at Ben’s face, and her heart clenched up at his sorrowful expression. If a clan of shifters was this torn up about the loss of one of its members, she couldn’t imagine how difficult it must have been for Ben to lose his entire clan from a single virus outbreak.

Next to Ben, Sawyer’s face looked grim and sorrowful as well. As another tribute song ended, Sawyer stood and moved to the podium to address his clan. He spoke for several minutes about the amazing man that Evan had been, and assured everyone that Evan’s memory and legacy would stay with them always. Then his voice grew impassioned, and he promised the clan that he would not rest until the scientists were stopped, and had been forced to pay for the death and destruction they had brought to the shifter community.

“I am not afraid of them,” Sawyer said. “They may have power to harm our bodies, but they cannot take our spirit. Up until the very end, Evan kept his fighter’s spirit. No matter how long it takes, we will hunt down these scientists, and bring an end to their operations once and for all. They will pay for the lives they have so senselessly taken. I will make sure that Evan’s children grow up in peace, and never have to suffer the kind of harm their father did. I will stop these men, or die trying. I will do it for all of you, and to honor Evan’s memory.”

Sawyer pounded the podium for emphasis, and cheers rose up from the crowd.

“For Evan!” they chanted, showing their support for their alpha’s plan.

“For Evan,” Rhythm whispered, her heart filling with hope as she looked around at the fired-up crowd.

Those scientists better watch their back.

* * *

Several hours later, after the funeral and surrounding events were finished, Rhythm and Ben made their way to Sawyer’s cabin. The cabin was large enough for two full families, but Sawyer lived there alone.

“What’s the matter?” Ben teased. “Out of all the women in your clan, you can’t find one willing to shack up with you.”

Sawyer rolled his eyes but didn’t reply, and Ben laughed. He had quickly switched over into being one of those annoying shifters who teases single guys about their lack of a lifemate. He had hated people like that just a day earlier, but he had to admit that, now that he had found his own special someone, it was kind of fun to jump on the teasing bandwagon. Besides, he had to get in some jabs of his own while he could. He was never going to hear the end of it once his crew found out that he had let a woman into his life, after all his swearing that he didn’t need one.

Ben glanced over at Rhythm and smiled. Whatever teasing he had to endure for her sake was more than worth it. The way she moved while she walked around Sawyer’s living room, admiring the artwork on his walls, was nothing short of poetry. She was beautiful, and she was all his. Ben couldn’t believe that he had found someone so perfect. Somehow, in the back of his mind, he had always just assumed that his fated lifemate must have died along with everyone in his clan during the virus outbreak. He had resigned himself to living the bachelor life, and he had come to peace with that. But now, he never had to be alone again. Funny how quickly things could change.