Bare Instincts: A BBW Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance (11 page)

The need to touch all of him consumed her, and she ran her hands up and down his corded back, loving the texture and his raw power.

Burke broke the kiss. “I don’t know how much longer I can last. I’m sorry. What is it about you that makes me lose control?”

Her insides glowed at his sincere words, and her heart skipped a beat. Perhaps it was the fire, or what Burke was doing to her, but her flesh overheated. “Please, don’t stop.”

“Never, but I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I’m good.” She’d never been better.

When he took her once more, he dipped his head and caught her breast in his mouth. He made love to it with the same thrilling passion that his cock was doing to her pussy. Ripples of ecstasy crested into waves, taking her to another world.

She dragged her nails down his back. “Yes. Faster.”

As if that was what he was waiting for, Burke appeared possessed as he pounded into her, unleashing a torrent of pleasure so strong, a tight band formed around her chest. She could barely breathe from all the carnal joy zipping through her veins.

He broke away from her nipple and traced a fiery path along her neck up to her lips. When they connected once more, it was as if she’d been struck by lightning, and her orgasm came so fast and so swift, stars blocked her vision.

“Oh, God. Burke.”

“Tasha!”

As if lava had finally burst from the volcano’s core, his hot seed pummeled her. She hugged him hard and let him carry her away as her world spun.

Only the sound of laughter brought her back to her senses. People were coming up the path. Holy balls of fur. Tasha looked to the trail entrance. While she didn’t see anyone yet, the voices were getting louder. “Oh, shit.”

Chapter Ten

D
espite Tasha’s embarrassment
at being out in the open with Burke inside her, she actually giggled. They were about to be found out by who knows who.

Burke jumped to his feet. “Take all of our clothes and hide.”

There wasn’t time to ask why she should take his stuff, too, so she just obeyed. Grabbing everything, she managed to dart across the area with little damage to the souls of her feet. Heart pounding, she ducked behind a big tree, and then glanced back around. Stark naked, he was closing the picnic basket, acting as calm as could be. Tasha wanted to yell at him, but she didn’t want to attract any more attention.

Needing to get dress, she pulled down her bra and donned her top. Stuffing her panties in her jeans pocket, she stepped into her pants.

Before she could pull on her socks, a scream sounded, and she stilled. Afraid to peek out, she prayed the newcomers didn’t have any kids with them. If she’d been a mother and walked in on a naked man, she might panic, too.

Footsteps sounded, and a roar followed. Tasha dropped her head back and had to clasp her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. Only Burke would think to shift and scare them away. Those poor people.

“It’s safe now
,” he telepathed.

Tasha slipped on her shoes. Picking up his clothes, she stepped from behind the tree, and then halted. He was still in bear form and eating
her
fish!

She didn’t want it now anyway, but still. Normally, she would have gotten mad, but Burke looked too damn cute. She ambled over to him, set down his clothes, and waited for him to finish the meal. As soon as he was done, he shifted back to human form.

“What happened?” she asked.

“I didn’t need them to see me, so I scared them away.”

“I figured.” She shook her head. “I feel sorry for them.”

“Them? What about me?”

She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re a big boy. You can handle it.” She scrunched up her face. “You ate our fresh catch.”

He grinned. “I did, didn’t I?”

*     *     *

Not wanting to
have anyone else come upon them, Burke suggested they pack up and head out.

“I never got to use my new pole.” Tasha gave him a fake frown, but he doubted she really cared.

He wiggled his brows then glanced down. “I got to use mine.”

She burst out laughing. “Oh, boy.”

“Don’t worry. There will be plenty of other weekends. We’ll come again.”

Excitement zinged through her. She wagged a finger. “Okay, but no sex next time. I don’t want to chance anyone finding us.”

“No sex. Got it.” Like that would happen.

More than ever, he was convinced Tasha was his mate. His sixth sense told him she wasn’t as sure. As difficult as it was, after ravishing her twice today, it might be better if she dropped him off at the library and he kept his distance for a day or two. He didn’t need her to get sick of him before he could convince her he was the one for her.

Was he
in
love with her? No, but that would come. At the very least, he could say he was highly attracted and intrigued by her. “Let’s head back.”

The trip down the trail seemed to take only minutes, as did the drive to town. When he pulled into the library parking lot, he half expected her to suggest they go back to her place, but she kept quiet. He angled her car next to his dad’s old truck and pushed open the door. “I’d suggest I shower at your place, but I know I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you.”

She smiled and placed a palm on his thigh, shooting streaks of heat straight to his cock. “I appreciate your concern. I would like to be able to walk into work on Monday.”

He laughed. “Got it. Dad asked me to help him with some things around the house tomorrow, but maybe Monday?”

“Sure.”

He leaned over and kissed her quickly before jumping out. He didn’t trust himself in the least. He grabbed his pole from the back and strutted over to his truck. Fearing he’d change his mind, he slid in, and cranked up the engine, all the while recognizing just how amazing Tasha was.

His biggest fear was if she decided he wasn’t the type of man for her. She might have little interest in someone who rarely read fiction. In the past, he’d spent all of his time either working or trying to get into a woman’s pants. Man, he sure was a piece of work. For Tasha’s sake, maybe he should head back to Pennsylvania sooner rather than later.

Not needing to dawdle, he drove back to his parents’ house.

As he stepped inside, his dad approached. “How was the fishing?”

He smelled of fire and river water—a scent his father was sure to detect. “Tasha caught one. I didn’t.”

“Hmm.”

He waited for more questions, but his father donned his reading glasses and picked up the book on his lap. Burke must be the only one alive who wasn’t a reading enthusiast. He had building codes to study and architectural magazines to pore over. He didn’t have time for fiction. Tom, too, had taken up a lot of his time.
Excuses, excuses
. Man up. Perhaps he was just that shallow.

Burke climbed the stairs to his room, and the euphoria from this afternoon dimmed in the light of reality. Burke should have set a better example for Tom. Well, damn.

*     *     *

No sooner had
Tasha arrived at work on Monday, than her boss, Mary Cripp, rushed up to her and clasped her arm. “Can you come into my office?”

Tasha’s stomach tumbled. Someone must have spotted Burke climbing out of her car and suggested it wouldn’t look good if she dated someone so wild. Well, tough shit, if they had. The more she’d thought about Burke and considered all of his actions, the more she realized he’d changed. Tasha refused to think he was just using her. Sure, she should have asked if he’d ever told another woman that he thought she was his mate, but she wasn’t ready for the answer if he said yes.

No one seemed to know how this mate thing really worked, anyway, but she doubted whoever was in charge would worry about things like looks or perfect bodies. She and Burke got along, and that should be good enough.

“Have a seat, Tasha.” Mary sat behind her desk and steepled her fingers. This couldn’t be good. “I received a call about an hour ago that my mother had a stroke.”

Tasha slumped. “I’m so sorry.” Mary and her mom were close. “What can I do?”

“I have a three o’clock flight to Michigan to see her.”

The pieces fell into place. “What about the conference you’ve been looking forward to?”

“That’s where you come in. This conference would be perfect for you. There will be a ton of panels on what’s new in children’s literature, and the authors will be signing their books.” She opened her desk drawer and retrieved a pamphlet. “Here is the list of events. Would you be able to go in my place?”

Excitement raced through her. “I’d love to.” The idea of discussing what was new and upcoming in children’s books thrilled her. The only downside was being away from Burke when their relationship was just getting off the ground.

“Perfect. I’ll cancel my flight now. Can you call and switch the hotel reservations?”

“Absolutely. Don’t worry about a thing.”

Mary stood, came around her desk, and hugged her. “Thank you.”

“Hope your mom’s recovery is quick.”

“Thanks. Buy whatever books you think we could use.”

Really? This was better than she could have hoped for. Once Tasha left Mary’s office, she stepped into the break room and made some calls. Tasha was fortunate enough to get a flight out Wednesday at noon to Parkersburg, West Virginia, which was the nearest airport to Clemsworth—a remote town in the Ohio Valley. She’d have to rent a car, as the conference was at a retreat center, a good hour and a half from there.

That meant she’d only get to see Burke tonight and tomorrow. Packing would have to be sandwiched in somehow. He’d be outside working right now, but she didn’t want to disturb him. The last thing he needed was for her to bother him while he was the new guy on the job.

She had planned to meet with the girls tomorrow night, but now she’d have to cancel, so she dialed Emmaline first as she doubted she could reach Chey at the clinic.

“Lawson, Parker, and Francolini’s office. How many I help you?”

Tasha smiled. She wasn’t sure she could say that more than a few times a day. The funny thing was that Lawson and Parker had passed away years ago. Only Mr. Francolini remained, and he was as old as Methuselah. “It’s Tasha. Something’s come up. By any chance are you free for lunch?”

“Let me check.” Keys clicked. “Sure. The café at noon?”

“Perfect. See you there.” She saw no need to go into detail on the phone about what happened. Besides, Em wouldn’t have been able to talk while at work.

Until it was time to meet with her, Tasha gathered the list of children’s books that were available at the library, and then checked the copyright dates to see how old they were. After studying the types of stories, she made a list of what they could use.

Mary had already gone home to pack, so a few minutes before noon, Tasha slipped out in order to get a good table. When she entered the café, who was seating people but good old Dee Dee Duncan. “Hey, Dee Dee.”

“Tasha. Just one?” Her snarky attitude rubbed her the wrong way, so she pretended Dee Dee was just jealous.

What Tasha wouldn’t give to be able to say that Burke was meeting her. “Two, please.”

With her chin held high, Dee Dee picked up the menus and escorted her to a cramped table near the back. That worked for Tasha. It would hinder the Café’s catty waitress from overhearing any of her conversation.

A few minutes later, Em rushed in and sat down. “What’s so urgent?”

“Did I say urgent? I have to cancel tomorrow night.” She told her about the conference in southeastern Ohio.

“That sounds like an awesome opportunity. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. The only downside is being away from Burke for four days, just when we’re getting to know each other.”

She clasped a hand over her mouth. “That’s right. You went fishing with Burke! How did that go?”

Tasha let out a sigh of contentment. “It was amazing and wonderful.” Normally, she would have called Em and Chey and discussed her incredible sexual adventure since something like that had never happened before, but she’d needed time to think things through.

Emmaline clapped. “So now what?”

“I don’t know. It’s so intense when we’re together. Do you think that means we’re mates?”