Wild Bear (7 page)

H
armony couldn’t believe it
, but she actually missed Maverick. Missed that feeling of not knowing what he was going to do next. Missed that intense glare when he was cooking up something in that brain of his.

Missed the way the whole group seemed more entertained, more alive when he was there.

They were playing poker now, using chips but no money, and Ruby and Shane were playing on one team, Bonnie and Jesse on another, leaving Arnie, Harmony, and Richard all as individuals.

And, dare she say it, it was boring.

Shane was trying to keep banter going with the city men, but they seemed hell bent on only casual putdowns and snarks about the lodge, the men, even the horseback ride they’d had earlier that day.

Bonnie and Ruby were cuddled in against their men, and Ruby kind of wished she had someone to cuddle in against at this moment. A shield against their douchery.

“Full house,” Richard said, spreading them on the table.

Everyone groaned as he pulled in all the chips. He gave Harmony what he probably thought was a charming gaze. “Maybe we should play for something more interesting.”

“Oh?” Harmony asked, sighing and leaning her chin on her palm. “Like what?”

“Strip poker?” Richard suggested, and Arnie let out a snicker.

Harmony had initially thought Arnie was a nice guy, but now she was thinking he just seemed nicer than Richard but was equally willing to sink to his level.

She already couldn’t wait for their trip to be over so they could go back to New York and leave the rest of them alone to their land.

She sat up a little straighter as she realized she’d included herself when thinking about those who owned the land.

This wasn’t her place. Sure, Mav would probably like her to stay there, in some form or another.

She should probably talk to him about what that meant. He hadn’t said marriage. He hadn’t really said anything, except that she was somehow his because he’d managed to have sex with her.

“So who’s in?” Richard asked, looking around the table.

Shane and Jesse looked ready to commit murder, but Harmony put a hand out. “My friends don’t play like that,” she said. “But I’ll play with you.”

“Harmony,” Bonnie warned.

“Relax,” Harmony said back. Her friends didn’t know, but she knew how to cheat at poker. She’d enjoy taking these men down. “I’ll play for strip if you play for money.”

Arnie raised an eyebrow, but Richard just grinned. “Deal.”

He was about to deal cards as a hand landed on his shoulder. It was there only for a split second before he was sent flying back, crashing into the ground while still on his chair.

“Mav!” Harmony barked, standing up to see the huge man had somehow come in and gotten behind Richard without them noticing. He really had a way of surprising people sometimes.

“No one plays strip with her,” Mav said in a growly voice, staring down at the offended Richard, who looked ready to kill, but not brave enough to stand. “You treat our guests with respect.”

“If she wants to play, you should let her,” Richard said.

Mav reached down to grab him by the collar, but he was stopped by Jesse, who put a hand on Mav’s chest to hold him back.

Jesse reached down to grasp Richard. “I’m afraid we don’t allow anything like that here.” He pulled Richard to his feet. “I’m sorry, but it’s probably best if we all turned in.”

Richard shot a look at Harmony, and Maverick let out a snarl.

Not this again. He didn’t own her. Richard hadn’t been attacking her. And what’s more, Maverick was supposed to be giving her space, like he said he would.

Richard just sent Maverick a death glare, grabbed Arnie, and headed up the stairs to their rooms.

Maverick was scowling at Harmony, dark eyes burning in anger.

“Well, um, I think we better go,” Shane said, standing with Ruby.

“Don’t you dare,” Harmony said.

“Yeah, I think it’s time to head out,” Bonnie said, stretching and trying to look innocent.

“Don’t leave me alone with him,” Harmony grated out. If they did, he would probably just pull something Neanderthal again.

This wasn’t the calm, cool Maverick from the ride. That had run out, apparently, when she’d agreed to play strip poker with another man.

This man looked ready to throw her up against a wall again just to prove she liked it.

And heaven help her, she would.

“Maverick,” she said, taking a step back as he advanced on her, looking tall and very intimidating. The neat clothing he wore did nothing to make him look less feral and primal.

He rolled up his shirtsleeves as he went, eyes glinting dangerously. “I give you space. I try to back off. And you’re going to take your clothes off for other men?” he grated out.

“I wasn’t going to,” she said. “Come on. I was just going to take their money.”

“Take my money,” he snarled. “Not theirs. Don’t take anything from them. Don’t give them anything. They’re assholes. Didn’t you hear them on the ride?”

“I did. Did you?” she asked.

“Not all of it. Just enough to want to punch them.”

“You had no trouble staying away tonight,” she muttered. “So you couldn’t have been that concerned.”

“I made Shane promise he’d stay with you,” he retorted, folding his arms. “But I guess that wasn’t enough.”

“For Pete’s sake, I wasn’t going to take off my clothes,” she said. “It was a joke. A trick.”

“It’s not a joke or a trick to me,” he said, backing her up until she hit the wall, then pinning her there with his hands on either side of her head. “You’re mine, you belong to me.”

“You don’t just get to keep saying that,” she said. “I’m my own person. You aren’t married to me. You aren’t my family. You’re just a guy I slept with.”

He raised a dark eyebrow. “Just a guy you slept with.”

She nodded.

“So that’s what you want from me? You want me to sleep with you, please you, and let you go?”

She didn’t really know. She didn’t like the idea of ever leaving Maverick, but they belonged in different worlds. And why shouldn’t she feel only lust for him? That was all he seemed to feel for her. It was fair.

“Yes,” she said, knowing she might regret the words as soon as she said them.

“So you could be with me again and just walk away?” he asked.

“Hell yeah,” she said, tilting up her chin in challenge. He was hot. He was strong. But he was a caveman and she wasn’t made to live in a cave.

And it was clear he couldn’t change himself to be more of what she’d need. At least not for more than a few hours at a time.

“So what now?” he asked, folding his arms. “I take you, it’s amazing, and then in the morning, we pretend it didn’t happen until I see you again?”

“Yeah,” she said defiantly. “Why not? It’s not like you love me.”

The words were out before she could stop them. Was that what she wanted? Was that what was bothering her? That Maverick wasn’t the type to romance? That he’d only ever talked about wanting her and owning her, but never about caring for her?

She half expected him to claim he loved her. He had a habit of trying anything to get his way. But instead, he just tilted his head to the side, looking slightly confused.

She knew it.

“I’m not… I don’t really… That doesn’t apply to me,” he said, narrowing his eyes as he thought it through.

“So you’d expect me to just stay here, just wait around in a cabin for a man who doesn’t love me?”

“I would be your mate,” he said. “I would protect you. We would have young.”

She threw up her hands. “Oh my gosh, I can’t believe how you talk sometimes. It’s so ridic—”

She was cut off when he caught her lips with hers, stifling her words with a harsh kiss that seemed to echo into eternity. His whole body pressed up against her.

“My feelings aren’t ridiculous,” he said. “Even if you can’t accept them.”

“Your feelings don’t exist,” she said. “You said so yourself.”

“So because I don’t love you, as people would say, because I’m not made that way, you don’t want me.”

She blinked back the pain. “I want someone to love me, yes,” she said.

He pushed away from her with a growl, showing her his wide back as he thought it over.

“Possession, lust, isn’t enough for a relationship,” she said.

“I wasn’t asking for a relationship,” he said. “I was asking you to mate me.”

“And I don’t even know what that means!” she spat.

“Fine,” he said. “Then just have sex with me. You’re fine with that as long as I don’t ask for more, right? That’s all you want from me?”

She lifted her chin. It wasn’t all she wanted, but it was all she was going to get. And she doubted she could resist his body anyway. “Yes.”

His expression darkened. “Then that’s what you’ll get.” The next moment, she was over his shoulder and he was carrying her out the front door of the lodge toward his cabin.

“No more grunting about me being yours after sex,” she said. “And you will use protection.”

“Yeah, I’ll use protection,” he said. “And I’ll keep taking you until you beg to be mine forever.”

She sighed as he took long, harsh steps toward the cabin. Even as her brain was saying this was ridiculous, her body was shouting,
Yes, please!

She’d just have to hope that at the end of this, she could somehow rectify the two.

M
averick plunged deep into Harmony
, savoring each of her little groans as he stroked in and out.

Several days had passed since their fight, and things were almost easier now that they were both on the same page.

During the day, she spent time with Bonnie or Ruby, and at night, he gave it to her as hard and as hot as she wanted. Any way she wanted.

But she loved him inside her the best, and that suited him fine. It was the only thing that made the bear in him stop screaming that he hadn’t fully claimed his mate yet.

In order for it to be final with a human, he had to show her his bear form and have her accept it. And since all she wanted was flings with him, he didn’t know when he’d have the chance to do that.

But these moments were precious, and at least in bed, her body was honest. She wanted him. She liked him. And she saw his eyes searching for him whenever he entered the lodge during the day.

He’d kept up shaving because she liked it. Kept up with dressing well.

He didn’t know what she wanted from him. He didn’t have feelings like regular humans. He was ready to give the world for her, stay with her forever, protect her young and give her a home.

But love? That wasn’t something he even understood the meaning of. That was about as human a concept as one could get, and even for Harmony, he couldn’t ever see himself being the type to recite mushy poems or do things men in love did.

No. She was his fated mate, but he didn’t have those kinds of feelings for her. He was a bear. She was his. It was that simple. Anything else was out of bounds.

He pulled all the way out, teasing his tip at her wet entrance. Her mouth opened, gasping, and then he drove in again, filling her to the hilt.

She felt so good around him, her wet heat clenching him on all sides. Nothing would ever feel like this again.

A part of him was afraid that at the end of the week, she would leave him.

But his plan with the sex had been to show her just what she’d be missing. To get her addicted to the wild, sticky things that were so good between them.

She’d already orgasmed at least a dozen times tonight. In his mouth, in his hands, on his dick. Each time they came together was better than the last.

He felt her getting close and increased his speed, driving into her as she cried out and convulsed around him.

He looked down at her, so beautiful, her dark curls framing her face like a halo, her voice like a song as she called his name. Her breasts rising and falling with her breaths, her soft stomach under his wide hands as he stroked her.

She was perfect in every way, and he felt his soul call out to her.

Mate. Mate. Mate.

But he kept his mouth shut. He didn’t say mine. He just kept driving, mindlessly, wanting her to orgasm again and again. But she was tiring.

Her breaths were rapid, shallow, and her nails dug into him less viciously. “Maverick, you’re driving me crazy,” she said.

“Good,” he said. Then she couldn’t leave. He wanted her to feel an ache inside her every time she thought of him if she dared entertain the thought of leaving.

He was watching her always. Even during the days when they weren’t together, his eyes followed her any chance he got. Especially if she didn’t know he was around.

She was his female, and he didn’t see how this couldn’t be enough for her. Soon, they would have a house built however she wanted it. He wouldn’t let any other males near her. She’d be safe. And happy. And he could even help her find a way to record an album or something. He had money that his dad had left him, plus years of savings from working the ranch.

But somehow, he knew even if he offered all of that, it wouldn’t be enough for her.

She wanted more. Things he couldn’t give her. And the thought drove him crazy, made him frown as he went deep inside her and she came around him, gripping him hard and finally drawing his release out of him.

When they were both gasping, finished and replete, he gathered her against him. He could almost feel the bear in him purring, if that were possible.

“Dammit,” she said, still breathless. He could feel her heart hammering behind her ribs. Would it hammer like that for anyone else? He didn’t think so. “You really are a wild animal.”

“Sweetheart, you have no idea,” he said, kissing the top of her head.

“How many times is that now?” she asked, turning toward him and laying her head on his sticky chest.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Every day. Twice yesterday.”

She sighed in contentment. “This is just what I need. Mountain air. Hot man. Amazing sex.”

He restrained himself from saying anything. He’d agreed to this. Now he needed to stick to it.

But with things so good between them, he had to think that maybe they had a shot at something lasting. After all, how could she leave when this felt so good?

“Mav,” she said, running a hand over his chest. “Do you want to do something tomorrow?”

He nodded.

“No, I mean do you want to go talk or something? Go on a picnic?”

His eyes went wide. That was outside their agreement. He wasn’t sure if he should agree. But the prospect of spending a little more time with her was irresistible. It meant more time trying to win her over. Trying to come up with the perfect plan.

Because for some reason, with Harmony, none of his plans ever worked out like he thought.

“This is a date, Mav, okay?” she asked, talking to him like she would a child.

He perked up. “Date?”

“Yes, so plan something nice. Some food. Someplace we can talk. Get to know each other more.”

He rather thought they were doing a pretty good job of getting to know each other, but he had a feeling that what Harmony was offering was meaningful, so he meant to try and make the most of it.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll make a plan.”

“Good,” she said, kissing him on the nose and standing to get dressed.

He wished just once she would spend the night, though. Time was going too fast, and he hated the moment when she got up and left.

“Stay,” he said.

She paused midway through putting on her clothes and gave him a warm look, her dark eyes glowing. “Not tonight. But I’ll see you tomorrow, Maverick.”

He sat back in the bed as she finished changing. When she was done, he put on a robe and walked her to the door. Then he watched her all the way back to the lodge.

The city boys had been sent over to Wyatt’s ranch, so he didn’t have to worry about anyone bothering his mate.

He saw her turn back and blow a kiss to him just before going in the front door. He caught it absentmindedly and looked down at his empty hand.

Then he walked back into his room, turned off the light, shed his robe, and got into bed.

He put his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. Already, he couldn’t imagine a life without her.

So he’d just have to figure out a way to get her to stay.

H
armony was
nervous as she waited for Maverick to come pick her up for the picnic they’d scheduled.

It’d been a risk, asking him to hang out during the day, wanting to get to know him better. It violated the careful lines they’d set out for themselves a couple days ago when they’d made their agreement.

But they’d both been angry then, and ever since, every time she and Maverick made love, the lines had been blurred.

Each time, he loved her with a fierce, caring intensity. Only focusing on her pleasure, as if his were an afterthought. He let her see the full animal inside him, and he was beautiful. The image of his sweaty body writhing over her, tensed in pleasure, intently staring down at her, was something she’d carry for the rest of her life.

She sang to herself as she finished getting ready. It was a way to calm her nerves as much as a way to distract herself from the feelings that she knew were beginning to blossom.

That night when Maverick had burst in on the strip poker game and she’d been able to verbalize her exact fears in regard to him, he had at least been honest about not feeling love was something he could offer.

Was that what she wanted? For him to take it back, say he could give her everything?

He wasn’t the type you had the picture perfect fairy tale with. He was as likely to irritate her as he was to impress her.

She wasn’t at all surprised to see him showing up with two horses, leading them by the reins with one hand and holding a basket in the other.

He looked gorgeous as usual, in a well-fitted country-style button-up, and jeans that were stonewashed to be soft but fitted. His tall, buff body looked like perfection to her. His handsome, chiseled face was outwardly calm but held a hint of excitement in the eyes.

Excitement she shared.

If she were honest, she was probably falling in love with him. She’d tried to stay distant while making love, tried to keep it about the physical heat, but it was hard when looking up into those dark, soulful eyes, so intensely focused on her pleasure.

She flushed as she walked forward. She eyed the white horse he’d brought her, the same one she’d ridden the other day.

“Marshmallow,” he said, helping her up into the saddle before mounting his black horse. It had a white stripe down the middle of its forehead and seemed high-spirited, much like Maverick himself. “And this is Cornflake.”

“Why Cornflake?” she asked, biting back a laugh.

Mav laughed himself as he moved the reins and started forward, Marshmallow obediently following close. Close enough they could actually talk this time.

He looked at her over his shoulder.

“I wanted to go on a ride alone with you,” he said. “Be able to see you. Talk to you.”

She bristled slightly. Why would he care if it was just about sex for him, not love?

But she forced herself to relax. The situation between her and Maverick was a complicated one, and she had the feeling she shouldn’t rush him.

“So Cornflake?” she asked as he led them into the shade of the trees, the opposite direction of the trail they’d gone on the other day with the men from New York.

She’d heard Maverick insisted they be transferred to another ranch first thing in the morning, and that seemed to have happened, because she hadn’t seen them around.

Good riddance.

“Cornflake,” Maverick said, a wistful look on his handsome face. “Well, when they first found me and brought me back to the ranch, my favorite food was cornflakes.”

A twinge of pain touched her heart. Did she know so little about this man? “What do you mean
found
you?”

“Well, my mother had left me in the woods.”

Harmony raised an eyebrow, and Maverick bit his lip like he’d decided they shouldn’t be talking about it.

“I mean, well, it’s hard to explain. She brought me to my dad, just not quite all the way.”

“That sounds traumatic.” Harmony gasped, looking around her at the twinkling shadows of aspen leaves all around them as they walked, thinking of both their beauty and the danger that could be hidden there.

He shrugged. “I was fine.” He let out a long breath, enjoying the nature views around them as much as she did. Maybe more. “Anyway, I was really difficult for my brothers and my dad, but they gave me cornflakes and I calmed right down.”

She laughed. “That’s kind of cute.”

He shrugged. “And then, as I got older, I was still having trouble, and some therapist doctor said I should try working with horses.”

“Ah,” she said. “I heard that works.”

“I don’t know if it worked like they thought. Anyway, my dad had just bought a new colt, this guy.” Maverick patted his horse’s flank. “And they thought he was too wild. But I felt he was just like me. When I was around him, I was calm. When he was around me, he was calm. Because I liked him so much, I called him Cornflake.”

Harmony put up a hand to her chest, as if she could use it to rub away the ache everything he was telling her had put there.

She’d only seen the tough, tall man who didn’t know how to follow rules. She’d never thought about what kind of childhood would make a man like this. A man who liked to get into trouble, liked to do things his own way.

And didn’t really understand things most people did.

Her heart ached inside her, and she knew for sure. She was falling in love with Maverick McAllister.

“Why are you being so quiet?” he asked, looking over at her, dark eyes flickering in the shade. “You aren’t pitying me, are you?”

“No.” She lied. “I just… didn’t know.”

He shook it off. “It’s fine. I’m not…I’m not affected by things like that. I can’t really explain it now. But yeah, I’m not like most people. Like most humans would react to it.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Why is it sometimes it feels like you don’t even seem to count yourself among humans?”

That made him pull the horse to a halt. He was sitting too straight in the saddle. Almost nervous. “I don’t know,” he said warily, his voice deep. “I just don’t.”

“Maybe because you grew up too wild?” she asked. “Where did you live before your mom dropped you off? How long were you in the woods?” It was hard to even imagine. Had the mom been brought up on child endangerment charges? Maybe he was exaggerating and just meant he’d been dropped off at the edge of the woods.

Still, being abandoned by a parent was no laughing matter. It left deep wounds. Harmony knew that. Her dad had walked out when she was little and never come back. Her mom had never been the same. She’d been feisty. Strong. Independent. But Harmony had seen her looking at the door sometimes with a sadness that seemed bone deep.

Being left by anyone you cared about was no laughing matter.

“I’m sorry that happened to you,” she said.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” He shrugged. “It’s more normal than you’d think for people like me.”

She had no idea what he meant. Was he bred by hill people or something? The mystery was bothering her, but he urged his horse forward again, a little more eagerly now, as if he could leave his past behind in the dust if he just kept him and Harmony moving.

“You know, my dad left me,” she said. “I was too little to remember.”