Brother Bear Mated (6 page)

But did he want her to see it yet?

“And by that logic…” she breathed, “that means I love you too.”

Oh, damn.

Those words. From her mouth. They fluttered over him like her magic had when she healed his back. Maybe even better. Whether she meant them or not, they affected him like nothing else in his life ever had. Under the water, he trembled like a lost boy, torn with what to do, say.

She inched forward, her shoulders coming out of the water like she’d forgotten about her modesty.

“Thames?” Her voice was small and scared. A lost girl, torn with what to do, say.

Need her
. His bear was oddly calm.
Mate needs comfort
.

Under the pool, Nastia’s hand touched his, grabbing onto his fingers like he was her lifeline.

“Thames.”

“Yeah, baby,” he croaked.

“What is happening?”

Mate so close. Hold her
. Just hold her.

He trusted his instincts before, when he’d given her the rock, and it had turned out perfectly. He should trust them again. He knew what his female needed. Reassurance. To feel his strength.

Yanking gently where their fingers were entwined, he pulled her forward until they were close enough for skin to touch.

Another soft sob escaped her throat, and Thames knew her tears weren’t because of the mate or her conclusions about love. They were about the weight she carried, the responsibility she felt for her coven and the clan. For herself and now, for him. They were about her future as a Sorcera and the unknown, and suddenly no longer having to face those fears alone. That’s what she understood now. What his revelation had shown her. And it was liberating. Her tears were liberating her drop by drop.

The bond
, his bear growled low.

Yes, the bond was strengthening. Thames knew all these feelings his mate had because he could sense it through their bond. The connection was so satisfying he had to force himself to keep going slow with her.

“It’s going to be alright, my female.” His voice was sure. He knew it in his bones, they were going to get through this. Her, him. The sisters. All of them.

Beneath the surface, he pulled her body flush with his, finally feeling everything she hid under those modest dresses. Her palms fell to his chest, drawing a soft rumble from his bear.

“What does that sound mean?” she breathed.

“It means my animal likes what we’re doing.”

“What are we doing?”

“Getting closer,” he whispered at her ear.

She sighed, shuddering, and her body melted into him even more as he wrapped his arms around her. “I like it too.”

Her skin was softer than his. Softer than anything he’d ever felt. Against him, she felt so small. But he knew her strength, the power she could wield. Both in mind and spirit.

They stayed like that, entwined in the hot spring until her breathing evened out and the tears dried.

Nastia eased back, staring up at Thames with her studious gaze. Her dark lashes were still tipped with moisture, making her eyes seem even larger and more beautiful.

“This might be wrong,” she said, carefully. “I don’t know. My spirit is so mixed up that right looks wrong and wrong looks right, and by tomorrow I might not be able to feel my light at all. But… I don’t care when we’re like this. I feel safe. And I want to keep doing this. With you. Your mating ritual.”

Thames stared down at her, troubled. His mind was hung up on the word wrong. This was
not
wrong. There was
nothing
wrong with them. He was for her and she was for him. And he would prove it.

Taking her face in his hands, he went in slowly but determined, inching closer until his desperate lips connected with her tender ones. She didn’t move so he moved for her, plying her mouth with his until she opened.

And then it was on.

His tongue dove in, sweeping and tasting his mate for the first time. And she was. So. Sweet. Dark cherry wine that he couldn’t get enough of. He lapped and licked like a starved man until she went utterly limp in his grasp, her tongue moving to catch his. A delicate butterfly trying to soar with an eagle.

But still, he couldn’t slow to wait for her. He needed to memorize every part of her mouth, every sensation, every sound it made.

Nastia moaned loud enough to echo in the small cavern and everything within him went primal.

Mine
.

Never breaking their kiss, he lifted her out of the water, swallowing her gasp as the air hit parts of her body she’d been trying to keep covered. Sliding backward against the rock wall of the spring, he settled her legs over his lap. There was no missing his erection, but he wasn’t going to hide it anymore. No, this was him, showing her they weren’t wrong. They were so right, he could barely stand it.

He eased their kiss to an end, sucking on her lower lip as he released her, and finding her shocked gaze.

“This does
not
feel wrong. Me and you, we are
not
wrong.” Thames stared hard at her, not willing to give an inch on this. “Understand, mate?”

Nastia’s eyes swirled with emotion as she nodded.

“Good.”

His gaze moved down, taking in what he could see of her body for the first time. Freckles that matched the ones on her cheeks dotted her shoulders and sprinkled the skin above her breasts, fading out to creamy pale mounds tipped with pink nipples. Lower. Her waist tapered inward at her tiny belly button before the rest of her disappeared under the water.

His mate was exquisite.

His hands tightened at her waist as he struggled for control. He would do this right. He wouldn’t scare her by being a brute.

But then she tossed back her shoulders, sticking her perfect breasts out like she was proud of them. And she damn well should be.

He caught her gaze, and saw a tiny ounce of apprehension remained. That was his female, naïve yet bold.

“I don’t know much about getting um, physical, but I know you’re staring at my body like it’s a book that holds the secrets of the universe.”

Oh, it held the secrets to a universe alright.
His
universe. And he was going to unlock every last one.

Tonight.

Chapter Eight

Nastia’s heart beat a hundred miles a minute as Thames carried her through the tunnels back to the great room. The lantern had been forgotten in the hot spring cavern and even though they were bathed in pitch darkness, she clutched her dress to the front of her body as if it was still necessary to remain covered.

She wasn’t sure how far they were from the great room but there was no light anywhere. Maybe this was how it would be when she’d completely succumbed to evil. When all her goodness was blotted out.

Each step Thames took was sure. He wasn’t fumbling like he should be in a blackout. Like she’d be. He squeezed her closer against his chest as if he could sense her toiling thoughts.

“You can see in the dark,” she whispered.

“Yes.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, happiness warring with fear. Thames wasn’t her Anchor. She knew it to be true. Darkness still sang to her. Her light still faded. But right now, it didn’t matter what he was. She cared for him, risked her future to protect him. It meant something. And she was going to be with him as long as she could, starting tonight. Starting now. Because she didn’t know how long she had left to be herself.

The way his kind mated was beautiful. Maybe some women would want the feelings first. The unexplainable passion that built and built until love was proclaimed and plans made, culminating in a union of bodies and life.

But that wasn’t what Nastia needed. His way made sense to her. Touched her deep inside where her hopes collided with reality making something messy. It was that messy part of a person that made them unique. Finding someone who was willing to take on that mess with her was something special.

Even if it only lasted a night.

“If I was a bear, the darkness wouldn’t come for me.”

It was several steps before he answered.

“It doesn’t matter if the darkness comes, Nastia. We’ll go through it together. You’ll see.”

The tunnel began to get lighter, an orange glow bleeding out the black and casting shadows on the rocks. Nastia blinked as they stepped into the great room. The only light was that coming from the fire in the stove but it seemed much brighter after walking through the dark tunnel.

Thames stalked straight for the bed, but then stopped suddenly, his arms stiffening around her.

She stared at his rigid profile. “What is it?”

He tipped his head forward, a frown pulling his brow tight. “Someone’s made the bed.”

Sure enough, the sheets were crisply folded around the mattress instead of bare bones the way they’d left it. A fluffy white comforter and too many pillows made it look heavenly.

Thames walked with her to the edge, and Nastia gasped at what rested in the middle of the bed. A small heart shaped stone. A geode crystal from what it looked like. She could see the dark amethyst color peaking through the rough gray exterior.

He set her carefully on the bed, and she reached for the rock, drawing it close to examine.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, her cheeks puffing up in a smile she couldn’t help. She stared over at Thames. “Two?”

But he looked even more troubled as he shook his head. “I didn’t do this.”

“Oh. Adira and Mirena then.” She rubbed her fingers over the rough stone. “They probably brought it as an apology.”

“For what?”

Nastia shrugged. “They were a touch judgmental earlier about Newt. They think he’s a familiar.”

Thames touched her cheek and brought her gaze back to him. The worried look on his face held her attention. “What’s a familiar?”

“A familiar spirit. An animal companion the Magei keep to do their bidding.”

His eyes narrowed. “A dark spirit?”

Nastia pressed her lips together. She wouldn’t lie to him. Familiars usually
were
dark spirits. But Newt wasn’t that.

“They take on the characteristics of their witch. So, yes. They belong to the darkness. But perhaps if the witch wasn’t dark, they wouldn’t be either.”

Thames seemed to relax a bit. “How can you tell if an animal is a familiar?”

“I don’t know. A feeling maybe? Like you knew I was your mate? But Newt isn’t my familiar. He’s just a pet. I would know. You have to trust me.”

Thames took her hand in his and she stared down at the connection. His touch calmed her. Grounded her.

Anchor or not.

“I do,” he said. “How could I not after what you risked for this clan.” His throat bobbed with a heavy swallow. “For me.”

She saw the truth in his eyes. He believed her. And after the fight she’d had with her sisters, it meant the world that Thames had faith in her.

“Thank you,” she whispered, tears welling again.

But he didn’t let them fall. Instead, he swept her up in another soul-shattering kiss, gently pushing her back against the bed as his mouth danced in time with hers.

She loved this. Kissing was much nicer than she’d ever anticipated. If this was any indication what sex would be like with Thames, she’d be picking herself up tiny confetti piece by tiny confetti piece by the time morning came. Because he was breaking her. Breaking her in the very best way.

Like one of those chemical light sticks you have to crack before it will glow. With his lips on hers, she almost believed he could snap her and bring her light back.

Nastia moaned when his tongue once again swirled seductively with hers, and the rock clattered to the floor as she wound her arms around his neck. His body lying over hers felt like raw power. All coiled energy just waiting to be sprung.

Thames was intoxicating. His breath, his heat, his hands roaming her body. The rumble of his bear vibrating his chest. It sent delicious chills running from her spine to her toes.

More
.

Pulling her bottom lip between his teeth, he nibbled his way across her jaw to give her earlobe the same attention.

“Tell me,” he whispered, his breath skipping along her skin and making her shiver. “Does this feel wrong to you?”

“N-No,” she managed.

He dragged his lips down her neck and along the curve of her shoulder, nipping gently at the cord there. God, the sensation was almost too much. Nastia jerked involuntarily but she didn’t want him to stop. When he went to pull back, she tangled her fingers in his short hair to make him stay.

Thames chuckled softly, working his mouth across her collarbone. “How about this, little witch? Feel wrong?”

“Goodness, no.”

His big hand swept upward, rippling along her ribs, touching her soft enough another round of chills broke over her skin. If only he would touch her harder maybe she wouldn’t squirm so much. Palming her breast, he squeezed and sucked her nipple into his mouth causing her to jack up off the bed with a cry.

Oh my
.

“Wrong?” he asked.

“No. No, no.”

With a sexy snarl, he mouthed her tender nipple again, swirling and lapping until her breath came hard and mixed with odd sounds she’d never made before. Nastia lifted her head to watch, but then slammed it back to the bed when Thames’s hand slipped between her thighs. Instinctually she clamped her knees together and his touch stilled.

The opposite of what she wanted.

But as much as she wanted him there, she couldn’t move to let him in. Couldn’t catch her breath. Couldn’t think. Then again, maybe she wasn’t supposed to think. Maybe that was the point.

This… this was
invigorating
.

He pulled his lips from her breast, nuzzling the valley of her cleavage and placing a gentle kiss to her sternum before meeting her gaze. A carefully neutral expression masked something else, but she couldn’t think about what.

“I know you were never taken by a male,” he rumbled, “but has anyone ever touched your body like this? At all?”

He knew? How did he know if she’d never told him? Maybe his animal could sense it. Or perhaps it was the way her thighs were playing sentinel to her lady parts.

Nastia shook her head to answer because she didn’t trust her voice. No. No one had touched her like this ever.

His breath rushed out and his shoulders where they bunched to hold him above her seemed to sag in relief.

“Good, okay. That’s good.”

Nastia wondered…

“Are you untouched too?”

Slowly, he rose up, pressing his forehead to hers so their noses touched, and then just breathed.

“Yes,” he said finally. “But I’ve touched others. Long ago, when I went through the Mother Bear’s training to become a full grown bear shifter.”

Nastia frowned, her forehead crinkling against his. “Mother Bear?”

“The leader of my clan. Former clan. They’re all gone now.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Those were horrible times for me and Theo.”

Horrible times. The pain in his voice might as well have bled her heart. Thames’s darkness had come for him long ago. But maybe she could be his light now. Until she had no more left.

Nastia curved her palm around his cheek, loving the way his scruff abraded her skin.

“Your past is history. That’s all,” she whispered. “It has no place in the present.”

Thames pulled back to look at her, his gaze shifting from painful memories back to the fire she’d seen only minutes ago.

“I don’t want that between us right now. Just want to give your body what it deserves.” He dropped a soft kiss to her lips. “Wanna make it sing for me. Wanna make you
need
me, little witch.”

Then he disappeared down her body again, this time passing her breasts to go lower.

Oh, she needed him alright. The ache between her legs was nearly unbearable.

Nuzzling her belly, nipping at her hips, circling her navel with his attentive tongue. And then lower. Where she burned for more.

Nastia gasped at every movement, jerking as she tried to get used to the wonderful sensations of his body gliding against hers. Nothing had ever felt so good. Nothing had ever hurt so beautifully.

“Open for me, mate,” Thames murmured, his lips brushing against the crease of her thigh where she held so stiff. His hand on her other leg urged her to let go, to spread wide for him, but it felt impossible. His teeth clamped gently on her skin, making her feel wild in the best way. “
Trust
me.”

Trust. Like he trusted her.

She had trusted him since she woke up here. Why should now be any different. She trusted Thames with her body, with her secrets, with her future. That’s what this was. She was giving this man her future. And somehow, she knew he’d hold it carefully in the palm of his hands.

Nastia relaxed under him, letting her legs fall open so he could kneel between them. He looked wild, like he was going to gobble her up in the sexiest way. His eyes traveled down, over her breasts that arched up for his touch. All the way down to where she was spread for him.

“My female is
beautiful
,” he husked. Thames stared at her with such emotion, it drove her heart wild. “Especially inside. I feel it in our bond, how noble your sacrifice was in battle. How pure your intentions. Your heart isn’t dark, mate. I’ve seen dark.”

Later she would get to the bottom of that darkness he talked about. She’d ferret out his secrets and insecurities and make him realize how wonderful he was. Just like he was doing with her.

Without another word, he settled in, gripping her thigh with one hand, the other flat over her hips to hold her still for his attention. A deliberate lick up her center had her hips bucking with pleasure. Nastia cried out, but he didn’t ease up at all. His tongue made another long, slow stroke over that part of her that burned so hot with desire. Like he was savoring an ice cream cone.

“Mmmm,” he hummed, and she bucked again, but he held her strong for his attention.

More of his urgent tongue along her tender folds, swirling and plucking until she was delirious with pleasure.

“Didn’t… know…” she panted. “Didn’t know… it could feel… this good.
Thames!
”

A growl against her flesh threatened to send her over the edge.

He lifted away just long enough to demand, “Say it again.”

“
Thames
,” she cried helplessly. She should be embarrassed by her reaction but she wasn’t. “Thames, Thames, Thames…”

“
Fuck
,” he breathed, but she didn’t even mind the profanity. Not when his trembling breath had barely managed to get through the word in one piece. Not when it felt like a prayer from the heart.

Latching on to her, he sucked softly, wringing more pleasure from her body. Nastia’s hand flew to his hair, tangling and pulling, which only made him suck harder, and his throaty growls louder.

She was there, at the edge. She knew what was coming but could hardly believe it was actually happening. One more hot lick of his tongue, and she tumbled over, her mouth open on a silent gasp as her body convulsed in waves of pleasure.