Lone Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Bear Mountain Book 1) (4 page)

He gave in and loved the breast with his tongue. The man was a master and she rubbed her skin against his, begging for more.

He finally gave in and guided his cock to her center. He kissed her mouth again and left a blazing trail of pecks down her neck. She turned her head to give him better access and he grazed his teeth across the tender skin between her neck and shoulder. She could tell he fought for control. She didn’t want control.

“Fuck me, Gage. I can take it.”

He pulled back and pushed his cock balls deep inside her pussy. He paused, hovered over her with his weight on his hands, and let her adjust to his size. She could feel him trembling and relished in the fact that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Her pussy stretched to accommodate his long, thick rod and she’d never felt so full.

He moved, painfully slow, sliding all the out and pushing back in until she thought she’d go crazy. Her orgasm hovered just out of reach and she needed him to move so she could take the leap and grab it. He seemed to read her mind and moved faster, pounding in and out at a bruising rate. She loved every minute of it and when she jumped off the cliff, she screamed his name and came all over his cock. He pushed in and out a few more times and joined her, filling her pussy with multiple jets of his warm liquid.

The gravity of feeling him come inside of her threatened to ruin the moment, but she didn’t let it take shape. They couldn’t undo what they did and she didn’t want to anyway. Sleep threatened to claim her and she turned on her side and snuggled deep into the pillow. She was only vaguely aware of Gage as he settled next to her and pulled her back to his front. In those precious moments, nothing else existed but the two of them.

He covered them with a comforter and it was the last thing she remembered before she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Four

Kate woke surrounded by warmth. She slept like the dead and the only thing worth waking for was the hard man pressed up against her back. The arm draped over her middle seemed unresponsive, but every time she moved it pulled her closer to him. His hard cock pressed firmly against her ass and she longed for him to take her from behind.

“Oh shit.”

He loosened his hold on her and rolled on his back.

She turned toward him.

“What is it?”

“We didn’t use a condom. I’m so sorry, Katie. We should’ve talked first.”

Minutes ago she’d been ready for him to take her again, but the disappointment lacing his words snuffed out her desire. She had no regrets and she didn’t want to hear his. She knew what would come next and she needed a shower before he gave her the brush off.

“I’m going to take a shower.”

“Okay, I’ll make breakfast.”

Once she stood safely under the water, tears threatened, but she pushed them away. She’d have plenty of time to cry later, alone in her apartment. She needed to stay strong. He didn’t need to know the depths of her heartbreak.

She avoided the bag from the mall and dressed in the outfit Gage had brought from her home. Luckily he’d thought to bring undergarments and a jacket as well. She needed a ride to the police station, but then she could walk home. The jacket would help keep her toasty on the short journey.

She emerged to find the table set. Each place-setting had an omelet and orange juice, and a shared plate in the center of the table contained five pieces of toast. One omelet looked to be a lot bigger and she didn’t know what she’d do if he’d made that monstrosity for her.

“Just in time. Have a seat,” he motioned toward the table and she took the seat with the smaller serving. When he sat across from her, she realized her emotions were going crazy and she needed to get a grip.

“Thank you for cooking,” she said in a meek voice.

“Anytime, honey. Look, before we go to the police station, we need to talk about some things. I need to tell you something about me, something personal, and I know you might be afraid at first, but I need you to keep an open mind, okay?”

“Okay,” then, because she wanted to get moving, she said, “is this about you turning into a bear?”

He stared at her for a full minute before he responded, but she ignored him and ate.

“You know?”

“Yes, I’ve known for some time now.”

“How did you find out? Do others in town know? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Remember last year when you helped that boy find his mother? After you made sure they were reunited, you went down an embankment and changed back into a man. I’d been hiding in the embankment, reading. I’d watched the bear with the boy, amazed by his tolerance. When you changed back into a man, I stayed hidden. I didn’t want to freak you out.” She paused and took a drink of her orange juice. “I don’t know if anyone else knows or not. I kept the information to myself and didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to worry you. I figured you’d tell me when you were ready.”

“And you came here after your attack because you knew I’d keep you safe. You recognized me in my bear form that day. I thought you were hallucinating.”

“Man or bear, I knew if I asked for your help, you’d keep me safe.”

She’d actually come to him because she felt something stronger between them, as if they were meant to be, but she’d never tell him that now. Not when he was getting ready to dump her.

“Always. I will always keep you safe, Katie.”

She broke eye contact and busied herself with her breakfast. She didn’t trust herself when he looked at her like that. She wanted to give up everything and be with him forever. Knowing he didn’t want the same thing caused her chest to ache.

“I had a whole speech planned and everything. Now that the hardest part is over, I can fill you in on some of the other details.”

She didn’t want to hear them, but she couldn’t think of a way to stop him without being rude.

“Let’s see. Along with the ability to transform into a bear, I’m immortal. I feel pain, but virtually nothing can kill me.”

“You’ll live forever? Doesn’t that get lonely?”

“Yes, it does. I’ve been alive nearly three hundred years and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished to end it all because of I was tired of being alone. On the plus side, when I find a mate, I can make her like me. She won’t be able to shift into a bear, but she’ll be immortal.”

When I find a mate…

Meaning he hadn’t found one yet.

“How does that work?” she asked to keep him talking. If he stopped, she’d have to admit she’d imagined their relationship to be more than he did. She wouldn’t be able to stand the embarrassment.

“I have to bite her neck—mark her—and come inside her at the same time.”

She’d felt him graze her neck the night before, but he hadn’t marked her. She couldn’t take any more of his rejection and stood abruptly.

“I’m ready to go, are you?”

“I think we should talk a bit more, don’t you?”

“No, I’m good. I’d really like to get the police report over with.”

“So… You’re okay with everything? You understand?”

“Yes, Gage. I understand completely.”

“Okay,” he took their plates and set them in the sink. “But we’re not done here. Once everything sinks in, you’re going to have questions. You have to agree to ask me anything, anytime.”

Yeah, right.

She liked him, but she wouldn’t let him use her while he searched for a mate, even if it took him the next three hundred years. She wanted him more than her next breath, but she didn’t want to be anyone’s second choice.

“I agree.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

***

Gage made sure he had the fax he’d received, keyed in the alarm and locked the house. He followed Kate to his truck and tried to hold open the door for her, but she’d moved too fast and performed the task herself. She’d been distant all morning and he wondered if the events of the day before were really bothering her, or if she’d changed her mind about being with him.

She’d blown him away when she’d admitted to knowing about his bear. Very few humans knew about shifters and the ones who did usually became obsessed. They either acted as groupies, or adjusted their whole lives to search for other shifters. Rarely did they try and alert the authorities, but it did happen.

He knew his secret was safe, but he didn’t know about his heart. He’d expected her to want to be with him, but now he wasn’t so sure. The ride to the sheriff’s office was silent and he could feel the tension in the air. Once they handled the report, they needed to talk again. Something didn’t feel right, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

He decided to let it go and focus on the task at hand. Before breakfast, he’d showered in the guest bath and called in a favor to an old friend. The man had access to files most people couldn’t get their hands on. He’d asked for information on the sheriff and the rap sheet that came back startled him. He hadn’t decided what to do with the information yet, but he knew the marshal would want to see it. The town would be electing a new sheriff soon.

Kate walked into the sheriff’s office with her shoulders back and her head held high. He flanked her on the left, ready to protect her at a moment’s notice, but it wasn’t necessary.

“He’s gone, Gage. Tom took off sometime last night,” the deputy said when they entered the small office.

“Did you report it?”

“Yes, and I’m sorry Kate, but word has spread about what happened yesterday. In addition, three business owners have come forward with allegations against him for harassment.”

“Has anyone else come forward and admitted to being assaulted?” Kate asked.

“No, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen,” Dave replied.

“I called in a favor and he’s got a rap sheet a mile long. He should have never have been sheriff in the first place,” Gage said, handing over the fax.

“Theft, embezzlement, sexual assault… Geez,” the deputy said.

“Yeah. It’s not good.”

“There’s a town meeting tonight at six to spread the word and elect a new sheriff. Maybe we can convince others to come forward.”

“Wouldn’t you automatically succeed the office? Why elect someone new today?” Gage asked.

“Most of the town’s people want it to be you, Gage, and I agree with their choice. I’m not ready to be sheriff, and many are wary of me because I worked so close with Tom. They trust you.”

“His actions aren’t your fault, Dave. I would support you if you decided to run,” Gage told him.

“Gage is right, Dave. I would support you, too,” Kate added.

“No,” he shook his head. “I understand how they feel and I agree with them. At least come to the meeting tonight and hear what they have to say. Maybe they’ll convince you.”

“Okay, we’ll be there.”

The next hour passed slowly as Kate filled out the report and relayed a detailed account of the previous day to the officer. Gage listened again, and stayed by her side for support, but his bear wanted to shift and hunt the man down.

He didn’t relax until the meeting was over and they were seated safely in his truck on the way to her apartment.

“How do you feel about me taking on the job as sheriff?”

“I think you’d make a great sheriff,” she answered quietly.

“Thank you, but that’s not what I asked. How would you feel about it? I don’t have to work, but I like to keep busy. Would it make you nervous? Would you prefer I stay home? Or does it matter to you either way?”

“It doesn’t matter to me either way. Thanks for the ride,” she said when he parked on the street in front of her building.

“What are you talking about? You’re coming home with me. I only brought you here so you could pick up a few things.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t see you anymore. I won’t keep you company until your mate comes along. I deserve to be more than second best.”

She hopped out of the truck, raced up the stairs and disappeared behind the concrete slab that she had to walk behind to get to her apartment.

Dumbfounded, he sat in the truck and tried to figure out what she meant.

Last night, after she agreed to sex first and talking later, the urge to mark her rode him hard. He’d used every bit of control he’d had to keep his canines from elongating. The result had ended up in unprotected sex. It had been a first for him. No woman affected him like Kate. He didn’t have a problem with it, but he’d wanted to give her a choice. Unprotected sex with a shifter usually resulted in a child and he didn’t want her to hate him for taking her choice away.

She hadn’t let him explain much over breakfast, but he’d told her she belonged to him and she said she understood. He replayed their conversation over in his mind and realized one thing: he’d never said the words. Kate tried to push him away because she believed he wanted to use her until he found his mate.

She hadn’t understood him at all, but he couldn’t blame her. He hadn’t been clear about his intentions.

Suddenly, he realized Kate never reappeared from behind the concrete wall. He got out of his truck and started up the stairs when Tom’s unmistakable truck rumbled down the main street in town. He aimed for the National Park and Gage jumped in his truck to follow them.

He saw Deputy Dave on the street and honked, but the man was already on the move. Soon Dave followed both vehicles with his siren blaring.

Tom veered off the highway, but the size of his truck, combined with his poor driving skills, failed him and they ended up stuck in a ravine filled with logs from fallen trees. He revved the engine several times, scattering dirt everywhere, but the truck wouldn’t budge.

Before the other two men could get to them, Tom crawled over Kate and excited through the passenger door, then pulled her out by the hair. They slid off the log, deeper into the dried ravine and her scream echoed through the forest. Gage wanted blood. He approached the pair head on from the top of the hill and motioned for Dave to take cover behind the bed of the truck.

“Stay back, Gage,” Tom shouted from below. The man had lost the upper hand, but still didn’t give up. He grabbed Kate from around her waist and pulled her flush with his body. “She’s mine.”

“No, she’s mine,” Gage bellowed back, “and if you don’t let her go, I’ll kill you.”

Tom pointed the gun back and forth between Gage and Kate, but her safety was all that mattered. He hadn’t marked her yet, and she could still die if Tom decided to shoot her.

“Everything will be okay, Katie,” he said. She immediately stilled her escape efforts from the other man’s hold and focused her attention on him. “Remember what we talked about this morning?”

She nodded.

The lack of struggle agitated Tom and he continued to wave his gun around, yelling at the couple. “Don’t listen to him! Stop talking to her!”

They both ignored him.

“The part about how long I’ve lived?”