Bare Instincts: A BBW Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance (9 page)

He hadn’t expected her to hand over the reins, but to him it implied she thought of this as a real date. It was probably silly to be so excited, but he was. “Happy to.”

After he gathered his pole, they both piled into her car, and Burke rolled down the window. The day was warm and clear and he wanted to enjoy it fully.

Once they cleared town, Tasha leaned her back against the passenger side door. “What exactly do you do up in Pennsylvania?” she asked.

“Besides party?” That was what she probably was thinking.

“Yes.” A cute flush raced up her face.

He wasn’t sure how much he wanted to tell her. “I work at a construction company that specializes in renovations.” She’d ask too many questions if he told her he was part owner. Specifically, she might ask what he was doing spending so much time in Hidden Hills. Yes, he was here because he wanted to support his parents, but now that he’d reconnected with Tasha, he wanted to stay around and see if there was something special between them.

“Commercial or residential?”

He hadn’t expected that question. “Both. One of the owners is an architect. He gives me the plans, and it’s my job to make sure it gets done to code and on time.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility.” She sounded impressed, which implied her opinion of him hadn’t been high in the first place.

“It is, but I love what I do.”

“That’s what really matters.”

He liked her attitude. Most of the women he dated only cared about his income—not about his job satisfaction. He’d saved a lot of money since college, but he didn’t flaunt it. If another recession happened, he wanted to be able to ride it out. Few even knew he owned fifty percent of BC Renovations. Since Tom’s death, he’d been toying with the idea of opening a branch in Hidden Hills. His partner, Chris Aldridge, said he’d buy Burke out if he ever wanted, and it was something Burke was considering.

Before he knew it, they’d arrived at the base of the path that led to the mountain lake. He glanced down at her shoes, and was happy they looked sturdy enough to handle the mile-long path. “You up for a little trek?”

“Sure. If you carry the basket and blanket, I’ll handle the poles.”

“Deal.”

Burke still didn’t know how much of this fishing thing was real and how much was a ploy to go out with him, but he planned to enjoy her either way.

To his surprise, Tasha was quite the hiker. She had good stamina, which boded well for the other activity he had planned.

When they reached the lake, she drew in an audible breath. “It’s beautiful. I never knew this was even here.”

“Most people don’t. Look to your left and you’ll see a waterfall coming off the mountain.”

She stepped closer and squinted. The urge to cup her breasts nearly undid him. Patience had always been his strong suit, but it wasn’t when he was around her. It was as if she knew where to stand to distract him the most.

“I see it now!”

He chuckled. “That stream? It feeds the lake. We can fish there or go up the river a bit. You might have better luck higher up with fly-fishing.”

She shook her head. “I prefer the calmer water.”

“Works for me.” He set down the basket, and she handed him his pole. From her small backpack, she pulled out a set of beautiful lures. “Those are yours?” Now it was his turn to be impressed.

“Yes. My dad taught me how to make them. I know most young girls play with dolls, but I spent my time fishing with Dad.”

He had a new appreciation for her. “Maybe you can show me how to make one sometime.”

“Really? I don’t see you as the fishing type.”

That stung a little. “What type am I?” She ran her gaze up and down his body, making him a little uncomfortable.

“I’m thinking you’d take a woman to a fancy restaurant before you’d bring her to a place like this to enjoy the outside.”

Burke really had made a bad impression on her. “You’re wrong. Let me ask you then, why did you ask me to come here?” It shouldn’t matter that he’d asked if he could come—she’d agreed.

Her cheeks reddened. “I’m trying to figure that out. Other than our parents being good friends, along with the fact we grew up together, we have nothing in common. You like to drink and have a good time while I prefer to sit home and read a good book.”

“I hope I hear a
but
coming.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip, looking sexy as hell. “It’s just that when I’m around you, I feel different.” She rubbed her palms down her thighs.

His pulse raced. She must feel the attraction, too. He stepped closer. “Describe different.”

She shrugged. He slipped her pole from her hand, joined it with his, and set down both. “Look at me.” He cupped her face. Inhaling her scent let out his inner bear. “You feel it, too, don’t you?”

“Feel what?”

He wasn’t sure he could describe it. “A connection. I know we don’t really know each other—at least, not as adults—but when I’m near you, something happens inside me. Don’t get me wrong, you’re beautiful and perfect in every way, but it’s more than physical. I get the sense that we’re meant to be together.” When she didn’t say anything, a piece of him seemed to dissolve. “You don’t feel it?”

*     *     *

Tasha was dumbfounded.
Never in a million years had she expected Burke to say something like that. She wanted it to be true, but she didn’t see how it could be. He was suave, sophisticated, and oh, so slick. She was just a small town librarian.

“Tasha?”

She’d practically frozen in her spot.
Tell him
. “Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

He leaned over, his lips near hers. “Yes, I feel something.” His presence was messing with her mind. “I mean, I feel a lot. Every time I’m close to you, it’s as if I can’t breathe or think, but I don’t even know whether I can believe you. You’re so sure of yourself and have had hundreds of women. Are you just trying to get laid?” Oh, God, she couldn’t believe she’d let that slipped out. She needed to think before she spoke.

“I’m going to choose to hear only the first part of what you said and ignore the second. Believe me when I say nothing like this has ever happened to me before. This joy. This confusion. This freedom.”

It all sounded so wonderful that she wanted him to clarify every word, but she didn’t know if she could trust him. “Are you saying you like me?”

He laughed. “Like you? I can’t even put into words what I feel. It’s all so new. Before Tom died, I won’t lie; I partied a lot. I had sex with a bunch of women—women who were only out to have a good time, like me. I’m pretty sure I never had ay of them pining for my affection. I made it very clear up front that I wasn’t interested in something other than a few rolls in the hay.”

She could believe there were many women who wanted to see what he was like in bed. The man was hotter than fire. “So you just want to have sex with me, right?”

“No.”

She wasn’t a fool. “That’s a lie.”

“You can choose not to believe me, but I am being completely honest when I say I want to make
love
with you. There’s a difference. I know this sounds crazy, but the animal in me is convinced you’re my mate.”

A laugh escaped. “Me?” She wanted it to be true more than anything. Joy even rattled in her chest, but she didn’t want to get her hopes up.

“Would you like me to prove it to you? When we’re together, the earth seems to stand still.”

His slick words sounded so good, although she was probably being a fool to believe him. He’d admitted he was a player. Then again, she’d come here to see if they were meant for each other. The least she could do was give him a chance.

“Yes. Prove it.”

His gaze locked onto hers and he backed her up until her spine pressed against a tall pine tree. “I hope you’re ready for some hard loving, girl, because the bear in me wants you bad.”

Before she had the chance to totally understand what he was saying, his mouth captured hers, and her legs weakened. Her body vibrated hard as if he’d poured all of his energy into her. As Burke ran his hands up and down her sides, sparks of need shot out everywhere. When he twirled his tongue around hers, she wanted to believe he was linking them, trying to make them one.

“I need you naked, Tasha,” he said as he lifted her shirt over her head.

She inhaled, offering him her breasts. Her inner librarian screamed not to do this, that they were out in the open where anyone could come upon them, but she couldn’t stop herself. She feared that if her libido went too crazy, she’d shift. God help her then.

He glanced down. “I’ve been dreaming about these.” He rubbed a thumb across her bra-covered nipple.

On purpose, she narrowed her eyes. “And not about me?”

He laughed. “You have no idea what I’ve been dreaming about. You. Me. My cock in your pussy. The list goes on and on.”

This couldn’t be true. It had to be a dream. She laughed as she unsnapped his jeans. Holy shit. His cock peeked out of the top of his briefs, looking much bigger than what she remembered.

Tasha pressed a finger on the top. “Let’s see if I can help make that dream of yours come true.”

Being this bold was pure freedom, but before she could finish unbuttoning his fly, he cupped her face again and dove in. He tasted sweet and powerful and determined. Her hands clasped his shoulders, and she held on for the ride of her life. Their exploration alternated between fast and desperate, and sweet and slow. With each new breath, they delved in farther.

“I can’t wait.” Burke leaned back, kicked off his shoes, and stepped out of his pants. He bent down, folded his jeans, and placed them between them. “Take off your shoes and step on these. I don’t want you to hurt your feet.”

She didn’t mind a bit of discomfort if it meant she could have him, but his thoughtfulness nearly undid her. Once she divested herself of her footwear, she stepped on the soft fabric. “It’s nice, thank you.”

Without a word, he reached behind her back and unhooked and then dragged off her bra with practiced precision. “I’m sorry if I seem so fascinated with these. If I could, I’d ignore them, but I can’t.”

“I do have a brain, you know.” She worked hard not to laugh.

He smiled, and when he stepped out of his briefs, his cock sprang out. Her gaze shot straight to it, and Burke lifted her chin. “I have a brain, too.”

She dropped her head back and laughed. “Point taken. As soon as we’re naked, all thoughts of who we are as people seem to disappear.”

“You got that right.” His grin widened. “How about we just enjoy the moment and forget about analyzing everything?”

She’d been guilty of doing that. “Deal.”

“Those jeans seem a bit restrictive, not to mention hot,” he said as he undid the top button of her pants.

“They are.”

While he unzipped them, she ran her hands under his shirt, loving the way his muscles flexed with each movement.

“Step out of these,” he ordered. “I can’t wait to delve into you.”

From the way he was yanking on her jeans, he seemed pretty desperate—maybe more than she was. In seconds, she was naked except for her panties. “You’re too dressed,” she said.

In a flash, his shirt was history, and Tasha failed to keep the smile off her face. He was even better in the daylight.

“I take it I pass inspection,” he said.

“An A plus.”

He dropped to one knee. “You, too.”

With little fanfare, he pulled down her panties and had her step out of them. Burke closed his eyes and clutched her ass, drawing her to him. When his face pressed against her belly, she latched onto his hair. Everything about the man exuded sex appeal.

The first lick had her reeling, and she widened her legs for more. For the first time in her life, she didn’t think about how fat she was, or if she’d disappoint a man. The only thing she could think of was how incredible this felt. She was soaring, entering a plane of existence she’d never before experienced.

When he nabbed her clit, she couldn’t help but bend her knees. The rush was so intense, that heat sped through her fast. If he didn’t stop soon, she might shift on him.

“Burke, please. I need your cock.” God help her. She’d never begged, but if they were mates, perhaps it was always going to be this way.

He stood. “Then hold on tight and get ready for a whole new experience.”

Chapter Nine