Bear Apparent (BBW Shifter Romance) (Stone Claw Clan Book 1) (11 page)

Garrett’s ears went up. Dahlia backed away as a bear’s head peeked out from behind a tree. After a moment, it entered the clearing, and Dahlia gaped at its size. And she’d thought Garrett was big? The bear sniffed at Garrett, and wacked him in the nose with a playful paw. The bigger bear’s attention turned toward her, its nose flaring as he scented her. Then just like that, he moved away, and disappeared behind some pines. Garrett returned to her side, and lay down. Sliding to her butt, she leaned back against him and looked up, the points of the pines hiding most of the sky from view. She wasn’t sure how much time passed, her body loosening and her mind relaxing. It was strange, but her idea of a perfect date was dinner and a long stroll—she’d just never imagined her date being a thousand pound grizzly bear. Still, she felt like a princess caught up in some twisted fairy tale.

Lowering his head to the ground, Garrett closed his eyes, looking completely content. Dahlia was glad he was able to relax, and forget his troubles for a little while. He deserved it after all he had gone through. Time floated like a feather, and she fell into a half-sleep state, the sounds of the bears frolicking following her. Garrett shuddered under her, jolting her awake. She stepped away as his body vibrated.

She watched in fascination as his fur did that wave thing again, and started to receded. The sound of crunching echoed around her as his skeleton took the shape of a bipedal humanoid. She could admit it was startling seeing him lost in between the shape of a bear and human, but the man she knew slowly appeared. Garrett swooned for an instant, then smile loosely at her as he shrugged his shoulder several times in quick succession.

“I feel so much better,” Garrett said as he closed the distance between them. “I needed that more than I realized, I just hope I didn’t scare you.”

Dahlia ran her hand across the thick pads of his pecs, amazed by the process he had undergone. “You didn’t scare me, but I will admit there is an uncertainty about seeing something like that. I suppose I’ll get used to it in time.”

His eyes widened, and he sucked in a big breath and held it. Yeah, so she had implied she wanted a relationship with him. His shock quickly passed, and his expression melted into one of male interest. Offering him a lewd glance down his body, she backed up against a tree, daring him to do something about it. He let out a growl as he closed the distance between them. His big palms coming up to cradle her face, she submitted, and parted her lips for the kiss she knew was coming. The moment his warm mouth descended upon hers, she knew she was in deeper than the Marianas Trench.

His voice was a hoarse whisper against her ear. “You are completely clothed… That’s just not fair. Looks like we’ll have to do something about that.”

Biting her lip, she watched as his hands lowered to the hem of her shirt. His touch was enthralling as he skimmed the skin of her stomach all the way up past her ribs and to the bra that covered her breasts. That simple touch almost had her crumpling to the ground. Her torso was bared to him in an instant as her shirt and bra fell to the forest floor. Her jeans and panties were next, Garrett’s hands gliding down her legs as he helped her out of them. The cool night air swirled around her, and her nipples hardened to pointy peeks, but she was sure it was more from the intensely focused look he was throwing her. She couldn’t believe she was standing in the middle of the forest preserve completely naked about to do naughty things.

“That’s better,” Garrett said, his words ending in a chuckle.

“As exciting as this is, I don’t think I can handle any of your bears walking in on us humping like bunnies.” She tried to cover a laugh, but failed.

He didn’t seem to be amused by her words, his brows pulling down. “They will understand what is happening between us, and give us the space we require, but if you are worried, I will back off. Just tell me what you want, Dahlia. Whatever it is you desire, I will do.”

She gaped, unsure of how to take that. She knew they probably suspected something was going on between them—Hell, how could they not? She supposed as shape-changers, they viewed things like sex differently than humans, and probably didn’t think it was a big deal.
Am I afraid they might see us getting frisky, or me being naked?
Dahlia was pretty damn sure it was the later. Angry with herself for letting her ex and societal expectations rule her life, she shook her head.

“No, I want this. I want you right up against the tree with nothing between us.” She was surprised by the strength of her words, and the conviction she felt. Fuck Jason and everybody else and what they thought. This paranormal man in front of her was all she cared about, and she wanted to feel as free as he was.

For a quick moment, she thought Garrett might become a bear again as his eyes flashed with primal lust. Gasping as he dug his fingers into her ass, she threw her arms around his shoulders, and he lifted her up against him. Afraid she might break his back or go tumbling to the ground, she locked her legs around his hips, but he seemed completely unfazed.

“As much as I’d like to do you up against a tree, the skin of your back wouldn’t’ appreciate that very much,” he said, completely amused. “So I guess, this will have to do.”

He claimed ownership of her mouth, whatever argument she had come up with stolen away by his passionate kisses. She let go of all thought, and embraced the sensation of being in Garrett’s arms. Sly fingers dipped down from behind, and slipped into her pussy to stroke and tease, every little flick making her gasp. And when a thick set of digits penetrated her, she groaned into his mouth. They moved in and out of her, slow and deep.

Growling against her lips, Garrett muttered a colorful curse. “Are you ready to receive me, Dahlia? Your dripping… tell me what you want. I need to hear it.”

“Yes,” she gasped, everything spinning around her. “I want to feel you inside of me. Please… show me how a shifter makes love.”

Garrett was all feral animal as he lavished her with kisses, and stroked her within an inch of insanity. His big cock was pressing against her thigh, wanting access to her pussy, and Dahlia reached between their bodies to wrap her fingers around his velvety erection. Now it was his turn to gasp for air. She guided him to her entrance, and his fingers receded. As the blunt glans of his cock came up against her channel, she knew she was in store for the ride of her life. Being suspended on his body with nothing but his strength holding them erect, she felt dainty, feminine. Sexy.

No man had ever made her feel like that.

****

The moment Dahlia sheathed him in her warm, wet channel, Garrett groaned. He was sure he had crossed into another dimension, one with silver clouds and singing angels—there was no way this was real. As her body opened for him, and he drove deeper, he saw stars and birds and other lofty things.

Her fingers dug into the skin of his shoulders, and her hot breath glided across his neck. He buried his nose in her golden curls, and inhaled her shampoo, the subtle scent of strawberries making his lungs tingle. Her body was warm against his own, and her weight comfortable in his arms—he liked the presence a bigger woman commanded, and Dahlia was the perfect balance.

He dared to thrust forward and the sensation blew his mind. He knew he wasn’t going to last long, not with her pussy squeezing his dick like a vice. And the scent of her arousal… Yeah, he was in serious trouble.

Dahlia’s fingers crawled up the back of his neck, and glided along his scalp in silent demand. He thrust again and again, her legs tightening around him as if urging him deeper. The sounds she made further catapulted him into dangerous territory, and soon his own grunts joined her pleasured moans.

“Jesus, Dahlia,” he muttered. “I don’t know how long… I can…”

“Don’t stop,” she said, and the command in her voice sent his orgasm rushing to the surface.

Growling, he fell to his knees and set her on the ground gently. She was beautiful sprawled before him, her pussy glistening for him, and her eyes reflecting the moonlight. He branded the image in his mind, committing to memory every little detail from the way her lip went in between her teeth, to how her breasts shifted with her breath.

With a feral sound of need, he covered her body with his, and took her nipple into his mouth, the peek hard and needy against his tongue. Her fingers dug into his hair again, and he found her slit with his hand. She burned him deep to the bone, and he knew he was marked for life. As he flicked his finger against her clit, she vibrated under him.

Her hand found his cock, and Dahlia guided him back to her entrance. Unable to deny that which she demanded, he buried himself to the hilt inside her pussy, groaning against her breast. By some miracle, he managed to hold the orgasm at the edge, his focus on the pleasure he was giving her. The woods echoed with the sound of their bodies slapping together and their combined pleasure. It was the most erotic thing he’d ever heard.

“Please,” she hissed, and grabbed his ass as he pounded into her. Though he was doing the fucking, he was so obviously under her control. His instinct shouldn’t like that, but it rejoiced, her demands decimating whatever resolve he had left.

Dahlia came explosively, her muscles shuddering around his shaft. He didn’t stop, determined to draw out her pleasure as long as he could. He imagined ending their days like this every night, and falling into each other’s arms for a good cuddle session. In the morning, he wanted to prepare her a big breakfast, and watch her savor his hard work. He would pleasure her again, by mouth or cock—whatever she wanted—then help her wash as he admired the suds sliding off her body. He longed to watch his clan, his family, entertain her as she brought them all closer together. He wanted to fall asleep in her arms and see her smiling face when he awoke. He wanted years… a lifetime with this remarkable woman who had blindsided him, and turned his world upside down.

And maybe one day, they’d have cubs… golden-haired and bright eyed just like her.

Garrett made a desperate sound as he thrust as deep as he could go. Her scent invaded him and branded itself on his brain—there wasn’t anywhere she could go or hide. He’d find her anywhere.

The orgasm slammed into him with the force of a freighter, and he found her lips. She swallowed his growls, his hands pushing him deep, her silky legs holding him secure against her. He was sure he’d pass out from the pleasure.

In the back of his mind, he knew what was happening, but he was powerless to stop it. And he didn’t want to.

Chapter Twelve

“Garrett!” Dahlia shouted over the commotion as she stamped through the living room.

The past week, she had become convinced she were in fact living in a college dorm and the shape-changing men on her couch watching WWE wrestling were actually a part of the hallucinogen she was experimenting with. Every day she had to navigate the clusterfuck of half-naked men and the things they left lying around… of course, they always left her place sparkling by the time Garrett took her to bed. Then there was the mornings of waking up to the sound of her lawn being mowed, and the scent of breakfast being prepared. That part she didn’t mind, but when logging on to her bank’s website to see if her commission check had come in yet, she’d been met with a very big surprise.

He appeared in front of her from around the kitchen, his expression bright as if he were excited about being needed. She hated to crush his mood, but she was vibrating with anger that needed release. Since they’d had sex in the woods under the moonlight, things had become… totally awesome. She’d settled into a comfortable routine with the bears, and her nights were spent cuddling after he completely destroyed her with his wicked tongue. He had become a little clingy, but she found that she didn’t mind all that much.

“What is this?” she hissed, holding up the printout.

He frowned and accepted it, his brows slowly lifting again along with his lips. “Oh. I forgot to tell you. I asked Bruin to compensate you while we are here. He promised me he would transfer some funds to your—”

“
Som
e? You call a hundred grand, some?” She gaped at him, watching him closely.

He opened his mouth, closed it and generally seemed to be at a loss for words. “You’re displeased,” he deduced, his body slumping. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I feel as if I’m an invader to your territory, and I wanted to do something nice.”

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Dahlia took several deep breaths. “Okay, I get that, but you can’t just go around depositing large amounts of money into my bank account—I mean, I’m sure I’m on the government’s radar now, and will receive a visit from the FBI wanting to know where and how I came by this money. Can you imagine if I hadn’t looked at my statement, and someone showed up?”

He offered her a sheepish look, and stepped forward, pulling her into his arms. His nose skimmed the side of her neck.
Don’t give in,
she told herself. But damn it, he was hard to resist.

“I’m sorry. You are right. But please don’t be upset with me. I don’t like it when your mood is impacted by my actions. Tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it. Anything.”

His hot breath gliding across her skin sent chills down her spine. Damn him, she was finding it harder and harder to resist his male charms. Whispering against his ear, she said, “Don’t think your skilled tongue will wiggle you out of this.”

A very animalistic growl rumbled in his throat, and she was unable to keep from smiling. Running her fingers across the back of his neck, his growl turned to a desperate moan—she had learned a lot about him these past few days, including some of his most sensitive areas that left him like putty in her hands. Running her fingers across his shoulder and down his arm, she took his hand in his.

“There is something else I need to discuss with you.” Twisting her body around, she peeked around the corner and regarded the bears. “Out of the range of perked ears.”

They fidgeted, and their cheeks flushed with embarrassment at having been caught eavesdropping… again. Marcus spoke up. “We can’t help it. We have great hearing.”

Garrett issued a low growl that would have intimidated Dahlia if she didn’t know him.

“Well, look at that,” Marcus said, getting to his feet. “It’s a nice day, I think I’ll go join Jet and Leto in the pool. “You kids have fun.”

Shaking her head, she watched as the bears filed out the front door, a smile creasing her face. When they were gone, she tugged Garrett’s hand, needing the security of her room. She closed the door behind him, and pegged him with an intense glare.

“No more money appearing in my account, okay? And I’m going to take the funds and put them into a savings account for you guys. I don’t want your savings being stolen by that asshat Lazaran, but I’m going to be clear. I’m not to be bought, do you understand?”

Despite her stern words, his expression softened, and he smiled—if she didn’t know any better, he seemed impressed. “Yes, ma’am.”

Dahlia bit her lip as she arranged sentences in her mind. She had no idea how to broach the subject, but it needed to be talked about. She settled for simple, blunt truth. “With everything that is going on, I got swept up by the idea of you being a part of the supernatural and playing house. I was reckless, and didn’t think about the consequences. I’m not on the pill, and we haven’t been using condoms so I need to know where you stand with—”

“I’m sorry. I should have informed you completely about mating with me,” he cut in, and guided her to the bed where she sat down. He kneeled in front of her, and she lost her train of thought. His face was tender as he stroked her knee. “It is not possible for a male shifter to impregnate a female unless they are mated, and even then the male has a certain period when he is fertile.  I don’t know why, it is just the way our mothers made us. Generally, our fertile time kicks in around spring, and can last for a few months.”

Her lips parted, and she took a moment to digest the revelation. “Okay, so you’re saying I’m probably not pregnant? Because that is a relief. I’m not ready for kids yet.”

“Very unlikely.” He passed her a look, his eyes turning molten, but she thought he might be hiding something. “And we don’t carry diseases.”

She pressed her hand against his cheek, and admired the two day old stubble. “Okay.”

Garrett beamed, and pressed a kiss against her palm. That lightness faded a bit and he muttered, “There is something I need to talk to you about, too.”

As he opened his mouth, her printer kicked in, and started whirling loudly. Momentarily stunned by the interruption, they blinked at it. Someone started banging on her door, the wood vibrating in the jamb. Garrett shot to his feet.

“What the fuck—” Garrett snarled as he flung the door open.

Bruin burst in, his breath labored. “We have a problem!” He looked at Dahlia for a moment. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but this cannot wait.”

Garrett’s anger quickly evaporated as the other bear collected the paper from the printer’s cradle. He turned to Garrett, and held it up. His expression grim, Dahlia watched them in concern.

“This was in the clan’s inbox. Lazaran petitioned the council,” Bruin said, glancing at Dahlia. “It appears he has made several accusations against Garrett which prompted the council to get involved.”

“Let me see that,” Garrett hissed, his steps eating the distance between Bruin. He took the paper, and several long minutes passed as he slid his eyes across it. With every second, his expression darkened, and his fist tightened over the paper until he balled it in his hand. His face was a mask of rage, the classic handsomeness gone and Dahlia thought he might change into a bear right in her bedroom.

“Garrett?” Dahlia prompted, trying to gain his attention—she didn’t want to have to replace every piece of furniture in her home. It seemed to do the trick, and the moment his eyes met her, he calmed visibly. “You want to tell me what is going on?”

The sound of something cracking drew everyone’s attention to the door. The clan stood in the jamb with Vance in the center. She realized that clicking sound was his knuckles cracking as he tightened his hands around the wheels of his chair. “What did that fucker do now?” Vance asked, his eyes aglow.

Garrett closed his eyes momentarily. When he spoke, his voice was ripe with despair. “Lazaran has told the council I murdered one of his clansmen without provocation. He claims his clan was traveling through Stone Claw territory when I attacked. In attempt to defend his bears, he responded, and claimed I sought the aid of a human—Dahlia—who is not mated to any shifter, nor the offspring of one. These allegations are very serious, and the council is now getting involved. Lazaran has requested a duel to settle the dispute, and they’ve approved it.”

Her jaw dislodged, her mind racing to absorb what he was telling her. “But that’s a lie, isn’t it?”

“Of course it is,” Bruin said. “Garrett’s father was a very diplomatic male, and established alliances between the clans surrounding our territory. He raised Garrett to be of like mind—these claims are frivolous, and intended to flush Garrett out of hiding.”

“I should have known this was coming. I’d gotten lost in the idea that we could find another place to live, and dismissed Lazaran’s reputation.” He let the ball of paper fall to the carpet where it rolled half way across the floor.

“Can’t you tell your council the truth about him? They have to know about how he skims your laws,” she said, realizing she was in over her head.

Bruin looked to Garrett before answering. “They’ve likely heard, but he hasn’t broken any laws. He does challenge territories and kills the existing clan-leader, but to be safe, he hangs out there for a few years before moving on. I’m guessing the council would have required a body as proof and I wouldn’t be surprised of Lazaran murdered one of his own to provide it.”

“What are we going to do?” Jet asked, water dripping off his naked form.

“Let me take care of this,” Vance cut in. “I will skin that mother fucker alive. You know I can do it.”

Garrett looked to his bear, his expression tender. “You know it has to be me.”

The man didn’t like that answer, his grip tightening, and Dahlia thought he was going to need a new chair.

“We need to sit down and form a plan of action,” Garrett announced then looked at Dahlia. He held his hand out, and she accepted it. He pulled her into him and ran a broad palm down her cheek. “I promise you I will take care of this. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

****

Dahlia watched from the window as the men argued, their voices bordering on growls and grunts. Garrett slashed his hands in the air, his face darkened by rage and frustration while Bruin stood silently to the side, his chin supported by his fingers. It was Vance that was doing most of the talking, his voice booming, his finger thrusting in Garrett’s direction accusatorily. For all the bluster, she had a hard time understanding what was being said. They seemed to be talking in an unfamiliar language, but she couldn’t make out general words with them roaring their opinions… like well, bears.

“No!” Vance growled then wheeled himself away. He pushed through the back door and his voice rang clear. “No! I’m not doing it. I don’t care if you order me to or not, I won’t do it!”

Everyone filed in behind him, their expressions tight. When the bears were inside, she asked with a parched throat, “Do what?”

“Tell her,” Vance hissed. “Go on. Tell her your ingenious plan.”

Dahlia could see Garrett was frustrated with the man’s insubordination, but he accepted it as if he thought he deserved it. He slowly craned his head to her, and offered her an exhausted smile. “I have a plan.”

“Plan?” Vance mocked then grumbled expletives under his breath. When Garrett didn’t continue, Vance gestured to her. “Go on. Tell her. She deserves to know.”

Dahlia looked to him for an explanation, and her gut sank. She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like whatever he had come up with.

“I can’t ignore the summons. If I don’t appear, the council will hunt me down. I’m unable to provide proof to refute Lazaran’s claims so the council is likely to rule in his favor. No matter how much someone bitches and complains, I have to appear and face Lazaran. Both clans will be required to be present. I have no doubt he will use this opportunity to make an example of me in front of everyone.”

Before he even finished, Dahlia was shaking her head—she didn’t want him anywhere near that monster. “Do you think you can beat him?”

A smile twitched at the corners of his lips as if he were privy to information she wasn’t. “I believe I have a chance, yes.”

Eying him carefully, she swallowed a lump. “And if you can’t?”

“Honestly, there is no can or can’t. Only will or won’t. It’s going to happen. I will face him. But if I am unable to beat him, then…” he looked at Vance, and something changed. He came to kneel before the man, drawing a gasp from his bears as he lowered himself to the man’s position. “When you first came to us, Bruin was afraid you’d attempt to take lead from me. Over the years, I’ve come to see why he was afraid to allow you into the clan. I don’t completely know why you never challenged me, but I know you respect me and my authority. I’ve never asked anything of anyone, but I am asking you to do this. For all of us, and for Dahlia. Please. You are my family, and seeing you all hurt is worse than death.”

Vance’s throat shifted and his eyes glazed over. He looked away, his nostrils flaring as if he wanted to be any place but here. Slowly, he drew his attention back to Garrett. “You gave me a home when no one else would, and never demanded anything from me. You treated me as any other bear, despite my useless legs… Okay. I will do it.”

Garrett looked down in relief, the tenseness in his body floating away, but there was a sadness in the air. Dahlia could feel it to the marrow of her bones. It felt out of place. This past week her house had sizzled with joy and simple pleasures.