Bearly Consenting: Russet Falls Series (10 page)

Chapter Fourteen

An hour later, he left Seraphina’s house and quickly got
into his car. He felt sick, as well as angry.

In all other aspects of his life he was powerful,
successful, even feared. But with Seraphina, all of those traits were gone.

He was weak, powerless.

Cowering.

Seraphina had once again backed him into the corner, and he
would need to do more of her dirty work behind his business façade. He had
learned so much about the business world, had become successful on much of his
own, yet Seraphina still controlled him.

Blindly, he drove from her house, ignoring Jade who had been
waiting for him outside. He drove his car to the secluded spot where he and
Avery spent time together, and where, more recently, Seraphina had nearly
killed her by having a tree come down.

He leapt out of his car, feeling his bear tearing at his
insides. He barely managed to get out of his clothes, before his bear ripped
through him, sending tremors throughout his body as his limbs stretched and
lengthened, fur sprouting out from his pores.

His nose and mouth fused together, lengthening into a snout
and his heavy paws came down onto the wet earth with a satisfying thud.

There were no more thoughts of Seraphina, no more worries or
confusing feelings.

It was just him.

His bear.

The earth beneath his paws.

He ran forward, leaving his problems and doubts behind him.

It felt
good
to be free.

Invigorating.

He was a shifter through and through and no city dwelling
could take that away from him. A part of him always belonged in the wild.

He was
wild.

It was time that he embraced his past, embraced his
ancestry. If only he had trusted enough in who he was when he was younger,
maybe he and Avery could have been together.

He ran for miles, circling the lands, steering clear of the
border.

Even after miles of exhilarating running, he barely felt
winded.

He had forgotten how strong his bear was—how strong
he
was.

Maybe the key to defeating Seraphina rested in the bear side
of Drew, the part of himself that he tried to forget.

He slowed down his pace as he got closer to his car. He was
nearly relaxed now.

But then he caught a scent that shocked his entire body.

He froze, disbelieving and then suddenly terrified.

He wouldn’t hold anything past Seraphina now.

He raced forward, and then skidded to a stop.

Avery.

She was standing there, her long hair loose around her
shoulders, holding his discarded clothing.

She froze, her brown eyes cautious, but frightened.

It had been years since she had seen Drew in his bear form.

Drew couldn’t understand what she was doing in Russet Falls—and
why she was standing ten feet away from him, holding his clothes.

Yet the sight of her calmed him.

“Drew?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Drew tried to acknowledge her, and sat back slightly on his
legs, hoping to show that he wasn’t going to hurt her.

She took a tentative step towards him, still clutching his
shirt.

“It’s you, right?” she asked softly.

Drew tried to respond, but it came out a cross between a
growl and a whine.

Avery stepped closer still, and Drew could see her internal
struggle. She seemed almost sure that it was him, but she still wasn’t entirely
certain.

She was just two feet away from him now, and a breeze came
rustling through the trees, blowing her scent directly towards him.

Even in bear form, Drew couldn’t resist being turned on by
Avery.

She was dressed in a cotton dress, her pink toenails peeking
out of her sandals.

She took one step closer, and then she touched him, twisting
her fingers into his fur and sighing.

“It’s you,” she said happily. “I was looking everywhere for
you.”

 Drew let her play with his fur, enjoying the quiet moments
together before he would have to shift back.

Finally, he knew it was time, plus the smell of Avery was
almost too much for him to handle. His bear senses were so heightened.

He removed himself from her, moving away.

Her face fell, and then she understood. “Oh. You’re going to
shift.” She hurried in the opposite direction, making sure to give him more
than enough room.

Drew’s bear wasn’t quite ready, but Drew needed to be back
in human form. Shifting back to his human self was always harder, and he had to
force himself to do it. He felt his muscles contract and shorten, and he felt
the ripple of his fur disappear within him. His eyesight weakened, and he felt
his keen sense of smell leave him.

Avery politely turned in the opposite direction so Drew
could dress.

Maybe she had seen the obvious erection he had.

Drew couldn’t help chuckle as he grabbed his clothes and
pulled them on.

“It’s not like you haven’t seen it before.”

He saw Avery flush bright red. “That’s beside the point,”
she stuttered.

Drew shrugged. He yanked his pants on, and pulled his shirt
over his head. “All done,” he told her and she slowly turned around, giving him
a shy smile.

“I guess you’re wondering what I’m doing here,” she said
nervously, playing with the hem of her skirt.

“It’s not important now,” he said gruffly, overcome by
seeing her while he was feeling so unsure of himself. He moved towards in three
large strides, and then pulled her to him.

She sank against him, and he could feel her relax. He held
her closely, but she suddenly pulled back.

“Drew,” she chastised.

“What?”

“I can feel it, you know.”

He rolled his eyes. “Feel what?”

“You know what! You have an erection!”

“So what? I can’t help it that I’m attracted to you.”

She sighed and bit her lip, clearly wrestling with something
inside. She was so damn beautiful when she did that. It made Drew want her even
more.

“We were so good together, Avery,” he said in a husky voice,
“We could be that way again. You could give me another chance.” He pulled her
towards him, kissing her, but she pushed back again.

“That’s not why I came.”

“Then why did you come? I don’t understand. You didn’t tell
me that you would be here this weekend too.”

“It wasn’t actually planned,” she admitted.

He smiled slowly. “So you’re following me? Stalking me?”

Now, Avery rolled her eyes. “I’m not stalking you!” she
protested. “I just felt like you might need someone on your side,” she looked
away, unsure of herself. “I know how it is with your family.”

Drew was touched. He reached out and took her slender hand
in his. “Thank you. Truly. That means a lot. I had other business that I had to
do here that didn’t involve my family. Actually, my family doesn’t even know
that I’m here.”

“Really? Where will you stay?” Her brown eyes were wide and
trusting and part of Drew wanted to spill all his secrets and tell her
everything.

But he knew that he couldn’t.

He literally couldn’t tell her—he would become tongue-tied
before he could even get the words out. 

“I actually rented a room at that little hotel just in
town.”

“Oh. Right. I forgot that was there.”

“Me too. But it’s all that I need.”

He hoped that Avery wouldn’t ask any more questions about
who he was doing business with, and luckily she did not and seemed satisfied
with his answer.

“So what will you do while you’re back home? Besides
stalking me,” he teased, placing his hand around her shoulder and leading her
back towards his car.

“Spend time with my mom. She was so happy when I called to
her I was coming. I feel really guilty.”

Drew nodded. Avery’s mother had always been kind to him. She
was the type of mom he had wished for while growing up.

“So, since we’re both home, does that mean that I get to see
you?” he asked, aching for her.

“I hope so. I wasn’t quite sure what I was doing when I
decided to come out here.”

“Well, I’m glad you did. The business I have here is not
pleasant, and you are a bright spot.” He looked around. “Where is your car?”

“I walked,” she shrugged. “It felt good. Sometimes I feel so
cooped up living in the city.” She paused. “I wonder if I really belong there
or if I’m just running from where I really should be.”

Drew nodded. “I know exactly what you mean.” He motioned to
the car. “Can I drive you home?”

“Sure.” She slid into the passenger side. “I’m not sure what
I’m doing here,” she confessed.

Drew kept his eyes straight ahead as he turned the car. He
remembered that sometimes not responding immediately to Avery was the best way
to get her to talk.

Staying silent paid off.

“I’m afraid of what this is, Drew. I don’t know how I feel
about you.” She stopped, wringing her hands. “That’s not true. I
do
know
how I feel about you. I just don’t know if I should feel that way. I’m sorry.
I’m really confused, but it seems that the only way I can deal with my feelings
is being around you.”

It made sense to Drew.

And she had every right to doubt him, to question him.

He had hurt her tremendously.

He didn’t deserve her unwavering trust.

The ride to her house was much too short, and Drew pulled
into the driveway. There was a quick flash at the window and then a curtain
fell back into place.

Avery sighed. “That would be my mother. I guess I have some
explaining to do.” She glanced over at Drew. “Thanks for the ride home.” She
opened the door to get out but Drew reached over quickly and grabbed her hand.

She looked over at him with alarm.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” he told her. “I’m
sorry.”

She nodded, her brow furrowing as hurt filled her eyes. She
quietly slipped her hand from his grasp. “Thank you for the ride,” she repeated
softly.

She got out of the car, shut the door and walked to her
house. She turned around and gave him a quick wave before disappearing inside.

“Fuck!” he yelled, banging his hands on the steering wheel.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!”

He was so close to Avery now, so close, and yet he couldn’t
quite win her over.

And no wonder.

Trees were falling over around her and buildings were
bursting into flames.

As if she wasn’t hesitant enough around him, he was
competing with the damn supernatural.

He had half a mind to drive back over to Seraphina’s and
give her another earful, but he knew that would get him nowhere.

He tried to control his anger, especially since he had just
exhausted so much energy in his bear form.

Keeping his eyes on the road, he drove back to the hotel. He
wasn’t even going to bother stopping in to see his mother. He had to sit in on
a business deal for Seraphina tonight, and basically rip off an unsuspecting
very old and wealthy man. It made Drew sick, but he had no choice.

Even if he tried to resist, he knew that he couldn’t. Aside
from Seraphina being able to control him, she also had the power to kill him.

He had to meet with Seraphina again tomorrow, and then he
would be finished with her for the time being. He simply wanted to get things
over with, deal with Seraphina and then spend more time with Avery.

Avery.

How strange that he was literally grateful for his father’s
death because it brought Avery back into his life.

Chapter Fifteen

The sun was already high in the sky by the time Drew woke up
the following morning. It was Memorial Day, yet it felt like any other day to
him.

He had sat in on the business meeting last evening, which
had taken place nearly an hour south of Russet Falls. The older man had been
oblivious and had signed away his fortune.

Afterwards, Drew spent nearly two hours dealing with the
other crook on the deal, making sure that Seraphina’s wishes were carried out.

It was actually one of the tamer tasks Seraphina had given
him.

Drew shuddered to think about some of Seraphina’s tasks—nothing
was beneath her—and she was a fan of torture and fatal “accidents.”

Which is why Drew knew the tree crashing and the fire were
both of her doing. He knew her far too well now.

Which also made him worry.

No good could come of knowing too many of Seraphina’s
secrets.

The time would come when Drew would know too much, or push
Seraphina too far.

And then what?

Drew needed to find a way to conquer Seraphina before that
happened.

He dressed and showered quickly and went downstairs to the
front desk to request one more night at the hotel. He would be back in Portland
tomorrow.

Once that was taken care of, he drove back to Seraphina’s
house, dreading having to deal with her again.

Surprisingly, Ryker was outside working on his truck.

Shit. What was Drew going to say he was doing there?

“Hello Drew,” Ryker said in his deep voice, his biceps
flexing in the sun.

Everything about Ryker demanded attention—from his bulky
physique, to his deep voice, to his arms covered in tattoos. There was
something dangerous and cruel just below the surface.

Drew figured that he and Seraphina were a perfect match in
some ways.

“Hi,” Drew said, getting out of the car. For some reason
Ryker didn’t seem surprised to see him.

“Jade is inside,” he told Drew, motioning to the house with
a screwdriver in his hand.

Drew nodded, walking towards the front door.

“Drew!” Ryker called, and Drew turned back around.

“That’s my little girl in there, and she just turned
eighteen. You watch yourself.”

For fuck’s sake!

Seraphina was a conniving bitch.

Another way for her to shove Jade down his throat. As if he
would go anywhere near their scheming, evil twit of a daughter.

“Yes, sir,” he practically hissed.

He knocked on the door, and not surprisingly Jade answered.

“Hello Drew,” she said brightly, smiling widely at him.

She was dressed in her usual skin tight clothing—tiny white
shorts, showing her long, slender legs and a low cut green blouse that showed
nearly all of her cleavage.

Drew made a mental note that if he ever had a daughter, she
would never be allowed to dress like a harlot.

Her dark hair framed her face, and her eyes reminded him of
a cat’s.

“Where’s your mother?” Drew asked flatly, walking into the
house.

“Well hello to you too,” she sniped.

“I’m not here to play games,” Drew informed her, catching a
whiff of her overpowering perfume.

“I never said that you were. I was just being polite. I
don’t know why you’re always so cold to me, Drew.”

He turned around to face Jade, looking her straight in the
eye.

“This is not cold,” he said pointedly, “This is me showing
you that I have no interest. None. Do you get that? I. Am. Not. Interested. The
sooner you understand that, the sooner this will all be less awkward.”

Jade pursed her lips, looking somewhat disbelieving at him.
“We would be perfect together,” she said in her overly sexy voice.

Drew laughed out loud. “Are you serious? You just turned
eighteen. Your mother is a nut job. I want to be as far away from this family
as possible, and you are crazy enough to stand here and tell me that we are
perfect?”

Jade’s eyes darkened and flashed and she looked so much like
her mother that Drew had to pause.

“Watch what you say,” she hissed, a sinister copy of her
mother “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Drew scoffed and strode into the kitchen. “Let’s get this
over with, Seraphina,” he called, “I don’t have all damn day.”

“My, my, aren’t we impatient,” Seraphina murmured breezing
into the kitchen.

“I’m not here to play games,” Drew said flatly, taking a
seat at the table. His bear was just as aggravated as he was.

“Leave us, Jade,” Seraphina said sharply, and Jade, who had
been lurking in the corner, flounced off in a huff. “You would be wise to not
be so rude to my daughter.”

“You would be wise to stop pushing her on me,” he retorted.

“She would be good for you.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“Stay away from Avery.”

Drew’s head snapped up. “Don’t talk to me about Avery.”

“I warned you about her seven years ago,” Seraphina said,
her voice icy cold.

“Yes, and I did as you told me. I left her behind. I told
her nothing. I haven’t broken any of your rules.”

“I’m telling you now to stay away.”

“And that’s impossible. So let’s drop it and you can tell
Jade to go sink her fangs into some other poor soul.”

“Insult my daughter again and you’ll be leaving my house in
a body bag.”

“Let’s get this over with,” Drew said in a business-like
tone, ignoring her threat.

Seraphina held her head high and then sat down across from
him.

Drew filled her in on the events of the previous night, and
she closed her eyes, as she often did when they talked business.

When Drew was finished speaking, she opened her eyes and
looked at him.

“Well done,” she said coolly. “I can always count on you to
deliver.”

Drew bit his tongue and nodded.

“I require one more thing of you,” she said slowly, closing
her eyes and tilting her head up to the sky. “I have a problem in Portland that
will not go away.”

Drew’s stomach turned. He knew what Seraphina meant when she
said she had a
problem
that wouldn’t go away
.
She was going to
make that problem vanish.

For good.

And Drew would be the one carrying out the plan.

“Seraphina,” he said cautiously, “You know how I feel-’’

But she held her hand up to stop him. Keeping her eyes
closed, she spoke. “This problem needs to go away. I trust that you will do
just that for me.” She opened her eyes and reached for a pen and notepad that
sat on the table. She scribbled down an address and name, tore the paper off
and slid it across the table to Drew.

“Make this problem go away,” she ordered, fixing her eyes on
him. “By Friday.”

Disgusted, Drew took the piece of paper and glanced at the
name.  He didn’t recognize it. “Is there anything else?” he asked between
clenched teeth.

Seraphina fixed him with a cold stare. “If you don’t have
any interest in my daughter, then no, I guess not.”

Drew pushed back his chair and stood up.

“Jade!” Seraphina called in a sing-song voice. “See Drew
out.”

“Not necessary,” he spat, pushing past Jade as she instantly
appeared in the kitchen doorway.

He strode past Ryker who was still working on his truck and
luckily Ryker said nothing to him.

Drew drove directly to the hotel, seething the entire way.
He could feel the ripples moving across his body as he struggled to stay in his
human form, and bury his animal urges. He wanted to tear Seraphina’s throat
out, and he wondered if doing so would solve all his problems.

He slammed the door shut, and made his way into the hotel,
ignoring the looks of the people he passed. Once inside his room, he sat down
on the bed, closed his eyes and inhaled slowly.

He pictured Avery’s face and that calmed him.

Suddenly something she had said popped into his mind, and it
seemed the perfect invitation to spend more time with her.

With a vein still pulsing alongside his head, but otherwise
calm, he picked up his phone and called her.

“Hello?” she answered on the first ring.

“It’s Drew,” he said softly, working on calming himself
down.

“Hi! How are you?” Her voice was warm and welcoming and it
helped him calm down further.

“I’m good. Actually, I would be a lot better if I could see
you.”

“Oh really?” He could hear her smiling through the phone.

“Yes. I was thinking I could take you up on that other idea
you had last week.”

“What other idea?”

“Pizza and hanging on the sofa.”

Avery laughed. “Yes, I did say that, didn’t I? That sounds
wonderful!”

“How about tonight then? My hotel room? Pizza and a sofa?”

Avery laughed again. “Yes. That would be wonderful! What
time?”

Drew glanced at his watch. It was just past three in the
afternoon. “How about five? Is that too early?” He didn’t want to have to even
wait that long but he didn’t want to seem desperate.

“Sounds perfect. What room are you?”

“Three-twenty-one.”

“Okay! See you then!”

They hung up, and for the first time, Drew felt truly
relaxed.