Her Bear for Life (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Second Chance Shifters) (2 page)

Chapter Three – Mia

Something’s not right, Mia thought, as she sat silently on the drive to Drake’s house. Why did he say he didn’t know why I left, and why I hadn’t come back? What about my letter?    

He was obviously brooding, so she decided to wait until she’d showered the trip off of her to delve into the topic. Drake had always been a champion brooder. She’d learned pretty quickly to let him have his space whenever he got the look on his face that he had now.

That was fine. She was content to sit back and watch him warily out of the corner of her eye. He was so handsome that she literally ached, and she worried that her attraction to him was still so intense.

When he’d gotten all bossy with her, rather than be offended and mouth off about taking care of herself like she’d normally have done, Mia had found it oddly thrilling. It was Drake after all, and he’d always taken charge of any situation. He was a natural born leader, and it didn’t surprise her at all that he was now the sheriff.

What did surprise her was the house they parked in front of after driving down a secluded gravel road. Rustic, beautiful, and charming. Those were the adjectives that popped in Mia’s head as she took in the two story log cabin in front of her.

With a smile, she turned to see Drake watching her intently.

“It’s gorgeous,” Mia admitted, as her hand went to the door handle. “Did you have it built?”

“Tyson and I did most of the work, but we contracted what we couldn’t do,” he replied, surprising her.

“No you didn’t,” she said, the awe she felt apparent in her voice. As she rounded the car, she realized what he said and asked, “Tyson? He’s still around?”

Drake and Tyson had been inseparable, and when Drake and Mia had started dating, Tyson was often the third to their duo. Mia had never minded; she’d loved Tyson like a brother. He was always cracking jokes and having fun, while Drake was more serious. She’d missed him over the years, and realized just how much she’d lost when she’d left Spring Creek.

“Yeah, of course,” Drake replied, as if it was a foregone conclusion that Tyson would stay in town, and Mia guessed that it was. She’d always known Drake was a bear shifter and had assumed Tyson was too. It would only make sense that they’d stay to be with their clan. “He’s actually my deputy.”

That made her smile. Mia was happy that some things hadn’t changed and that the two men were still as close as ever.

“C’mon, I’ll show you around,” Drake said, holding out his hand.

Mia looked at it for a moment, her stomach a battle of nerves as she wondered just what she was getting herself into by staying at Drake’s house, before placing hers gently in it.

Sparks flew at his touch, as if they’d never been apart. Mia took a deep, cleansing breath and let him guide her up the stairs of the porch.

Mia gasped when she walked inside, her eyes trying to take in everything at once. The open floor plan was perfect: you could see the kitchen, dining space, and living area, as well as the stairs that led to the second floor. Big, plush recliners bookended a large sectional sofa, which made her yearn to curl up with a good book. The fireplace looked warm and inviting, and the kitchen was a cook’s dream.

Drake’s hand moved to the small of her back, shifting until it touched her skin, which caused Mia to jump as if she’d been burned. She turned her head to ask him what he was doing, but as soon as her lips were in range, his mouth closed over hers.

Jolted and riddled with memories, Mia opened for him, eager to feel the heat that only Drake had ever been able to stoke within her. Even at fifteen, she’d known that the way she melted whenever he kissed her was not normal. Over the years, the truth of that had only become more glaring. No man had ever measured up to Drake.

As she reached around his back, Mia explored the contours of his massive deltoids and admitted that even Drake from her youth couldn’t measure up to the man that held her in his arms now.

His tongue delved into her mouth, and Mia whimpered unabashedly as she moved in closer, trying to become one with him.

Drake’s hands seemed to be everywhere. Her ass, her breasts, even gently cupping her face. The fire stoked into a raging flame, and Mia began to wonder if it was possible to come from only a kiss. Her body was that revved up.

Drake tore his mouth from hers, his hands at her ass, cradling her, pushing her up against his hard length. Mia rocked uncontrollably against him, reveling in the growl that erupted from deep within his chest.

“I’m taking you upstairs,” Drake declared, leaning down to bite her lower lip between his teeth, then pulling gently.

“I thought we needed to talk,” Mia replied, trying to shake the fog out of her head. She also remembered that she needed a shower; she couldn’t imagine that she smelled all that great, and she wasn’t sure if she’d shaved that morning or not.

“Later,” he bit out, surprising her by lifting her up as if she weighed nothing.

Instinctively, her legs wrapped around his waist, as her arms came around his neck.

“I’m too heavy,” she argued, self-conscious of how much she weighed.

Chuckling, Drake moved toward the stairs; it was obvious carrying her wasn’t a struggle at all. As he moved, Drake bent his head to press his lips against her neck, so Mia tilted to give him better access, desire pooling when he nipped her there, then nuzzled.

Once they reached the top of the stairs, Mia tried to redirect him once more.

“I really need a shower,” she breathed, and when he rocked against her, his cock as hard as steel, she forgot why she cared.

“I can’t wait anymore, Mia,” Drake said gruffly, and any resolve she had left crumbled at his obvious need.

Chapter Four – Drake

He could barely string words together, that’s how badly he wanted, no needed, to make Mia his… finally. His bear was trying to take over and render him unable to do anything but claim his mate.

The feel of her. The smell of her. The sounds she was emitting. They were all driving Drake wild. His dick had never been so hard in his life, and he knew if he didn’t try to keep hold of at least a little control, he was going to fuck her like the wild animal he was.

He stalked toward his oversized bed as Mia writhed in his arms, her mouth seeming to be everywhere at once.

Drake could smell her desire, which only fueled the need raging through him.

He threw her back on to the bed and flipped her, her feet hitting the floor as she bent in half over the bed. Drake’s hands tore her at clothes as she bucked and moaned beneath him. Once she was successfully naked, he put his hands on her fleshy hips and pulled her back, her naked ass brushing erotically against his jeans-clad cock.

One hand snaked around to cup her full, hanging breast, while the other moved over her ripe ass cheek, then lower, until he found the spot that made her moan loudly.

“God. Yes. Drake,” she cried, making him feel like the king of beasts.

He eased two fingers inside, pumping furiously while his thumb moved in little circles over her clit. At the same time, he pinched her tight nipple and pulled.

Mia started pushing her hips back, fucking his fingers as she tried to reach the orgasm that he could hear building within her. Her breath came out in quick little pants, with a sweet throaty moan emitting every few seconds, and when her breath caught and her head dropped, he knew she was there.

His pants were off in a flash. Drake pushed Mia’s back slightly, urging her to bend further, which caused her ass to tip up to him. She spread her legs wider as he ran the head of his cock from clit to ass and back again, lubricating his dick with her arousal. Each time he hit her tiny bundle of nerves, Mia rocked back and begged him to fuck her.

Unable to wait another second, Drake sheathed himself inside her hot, wet channel, sliding in until his balls hit the back of her thighs.

“Ahhhh, Drake,” Mia managed to say, as she dropped her cheek to the mattress and balled her hands in the comforter. “Fuck me. Hard.”

That was all the invitation his bear needed.

Drake held on to her hips as he pounded. In and out, as hard and fast as he could. Mia’s screams were driving him out of his mind, and when he felt her body clench around him and start to pulsate, he wrapped his arms under hers to pull her up, so she was almost standing as he fucked her. Her body shook as she rode out the crest of her orgasm, and her hands covered Drake’s over her breasts, as her head fell back to rest on his shoulder, leaving hers exposed.

The smell of sex filled the air, and Drake breathed in deep as release hit him. Pumping furiously, he bared his teeth, then bit down on Mia’s shoulder as he filled her, claiming her as his mate for life.

Mia cried out as she came again, her voice hoarse from calling out her pleasure.

Drake kissed his teeth marks, nuzzling her as she came down.

“You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met,” he murmured in her ear. “I knew we’d be magnificent together, but I had no idea we would be this good.”

Turning her head, Mia kissed his cheek and gave him a tired smile.

“I did.”

Drake smiled as he slid out of her, hoping she realized exactly what his claiming her meant, even as the bear within him hoped she’d become pregnant with his cubs and never leave him again.

“Let’s get you cleaned up,” he said gently, then took her hand and led her to his massive shower.

With full body jets, two shower heads, and an adjustable side bar, the shower was one of Drake’s favorite toys in his house.

“Oh my god,” Mia purred as hot water hit her from all directions.

Drake lathered his hands with body wash and slid it over her silky skin, washing her thoroughly as his hands memorized every inch of her body. Next, he squirted the shampoo in his hand and spread it over her long dark hair, lathering it as he used his fingers to massage her scalp.

Once she was clean, totally relaxed, and halfway asleep, he guided her out of the shower and toweled her off, then pushed her gently toward the bed and eased her inside, covering her up as her eyes fluttered closed.

Since he was the one who spoke with her father after her mother had been rushed to the hospital, Drake knew Mia had been in Milan just a few short days ago. He figured with the exhaustion from her travel, coupled with the news that her mother had been shot, that Mia was in need of a serious nap.

He probably should have waited to claim her, instead letting her get rest and giving them a chance to go over the questions they both had for the other, but once he’d had Mia in his lair, there’d been no chance of him waiting.

It just wasn’t possible, after so many years apart, to resist the temptation of claiming his mate once and for all.

Drake drew the covers over her and kissed Mia gently on the forehead, smiling as he inhaled his scent on her.

Knowing she’d be hungry when she woke, he threw on some basketball shorts and went downstairs to see what he could forage in his kitchen.

Chapter Five – Mia

Mia woke up feeling refreshed and limber. She stretched, reveling in the feel of the cool sheets against her naked body and the delicious aches that were letting themselves be known.

She couldn’t help but smile. That was the best sex she’d ever had in her life, bar none. In fact, she’d never imagined that the joining of two people could at once be totally primal and forge such an intimate connection.

Mia now knew what the expression rode hard and put away wet meant.

Yes, they probably should have talked first, tried to work out the misunderstandings that seemed to have occurred over the years. But she had to admit, the fact that Drake had wanted her so badly, so much that he couldn’t wait another second before throwing her down and having his way with her, did beautiful things to her self-confidence. And, if she was honest, it made her heart swell.

Could he really still love her, after all these years?

Eager to lay her eyes on him again, Mia got up, grabbing Drake’s t-shirt off the ground and pulling it over her head. As she walked down the stairs, she tried to comb her fingers through her hair and tame it as much as possible.

She heard movement in the kitchen and started that way without looking up, then smiled and said, “God, Drake, I can’t believe you just literally fucked me into a coma.”

Mia started to laugh, then lifted her head quickly when she heard not one, but two answering male chuckles.

Drake was leaning against the kitchen counter, but he wasn’t alone. He and his best friend and deputy, Tyson, were watching her approach with matching grins.

Forgetting her embarrassment, and lack of clothing, Mia grinned at the large, beautiful, black man and launched herself at her old friend.

“God, Ty, it’s so good to see you,” she exclaimed, as she threw her arms around him and hugged him close. “How are you?”

“I’m great, Mia,” he replied, his arms just as tight, then added, “Lookin’ good.”

Mia pulled back to smile up into his handsome face.

“You too!”

She heard a low rumble before Drake pulled her out of Tyson’s arms and into his own.

Ty chuckled and shook his head as Mia tugged on the hem of the shirt she was wearing and remembered to blush.

“Uh, sorry… about what I said,” Mia said, turning her head toward Drake’s.

“No problem, I thought it was hilarious,” Ty said, butting in.

Drake looked at her intensely and she felt her insides begin to quiver.

“Anytime,” he said simply, obviously unfazed by the fact she’d just put their sex life on blast. Then her body heated when she realized he’d just said he’d fuck her into a coma again. Anytime.

“Well, I can see you guys have some catching up to do, so I’ll leave you to it,” Ty said, pushing off of the counter. “But, Mia, dinner soon, yeah?”

“Definitely,” she replied, giving him one more quick hug before he left.

Alone with Drake and suddenly unsure of herself, Mia moved out of his grasp and pointed to the full pot of coffee on the counter.

“May I?”

“Yes, of course,” Drake said, lifting a hand to brush a lock of stray hair off of her cheek. “Then have a seat, you must be hungry.”

As if on cue, Mia’s stomach grumbled, causing her to laugh nervously.

“I am,” she replied unnecessarily as she grabbed one of the mugs that was hanging off of a hook.

“Cream? Sugar?”

“No, thanks, just black.”

Mia took her coffee to the breakfast bar and settled on one of the stools, her hands wrapped around the mug as she sipped gingerly. She watched as Drake laid out a platter of French toast, bacon, and pancakes, then a bowl of scrambled eggs and a plate of toast.

With eyes wide, Mia squeaked, “Is that all for me?”

Looking adorably unsure of himself, Drake scanned all the food and replied, “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I made a little bit of everything. Don’t worry, I’ll help.”

Drake placed two plates and flatware on the bar and sat next to her.

“Dig in.”

Starving, and now salivating at the sight of all the delicious food, Mia helped herself to a little bit of everything. He had gone to the trouble to make it for her, after all, so she didn’t want to be rude.

At least that’s what she hoped he assumed.

After she’d dressed her French toast with butter and maple syrup, Mia took her first bite and moaned.

“Oh My God… Soooo good.”

Every bite was better than the last, and Mia let her approval be known with each savory taste.

“Mia, if you don’t stop making those noises, I’m going to have to fuck you again.”

She sucked in a breath, causing a chunk of egg to fly down her throat, and immediately started choking.

Drake hit her on the back and asked, “Shit, are you okay?”

Mia nodded as she tried to regain her breath, which was nearly impossible with thoughts of Drake throwing her on the wood floor and getting naked.

Once her breathing was back to normal, Mia took a sip of coffee and turned to Drake.

“I think we need to talk.”

Drake turned on his stool so his body was facing hers and nodded. “We do. I’ll begin… Why did you disappear without a trace?”

Mia’s eyes flew to his, confusion on her face, and said, “I didn’t. Drake, I got home from school that day and my mom was waiting for me with my bags packed. She said she was sending me to live with my dad because she didn’t think our relationship was healthy. I begged, pleaded with her to let me stay, but she refused to listen. I asked to call you, but she wouldn’t let me do that either. When we got to the airport I wrote you a letter and she said she’d give it to you. I wrote you, every week for the next two years, and never heard anything back.”

Drake’s face was tight, his anger obvious, but he grasped her hands gently in his and said, “I never received any letters, Mia. Not a one.”

“What? That’s impossible.”

“When I went to your house, your mother told me you were gone, that you were out of my reach and I’d never see you again. She wouldn’t tell me where you went, but I assumed it was to your father’s in New York… I just couldn’t do anything about it.”

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know. I couldn’t call because you didn’t have a phone.”

“I always assumed, even if your parents were trying to keep us apart, that once you turned eighteen and graduated, you’d come to me. We were supposed to be together forever.”

Mia searched his face, her sadness at the situation evident.

“When I didn’t hear from you, I figured you’d moved on. I was heartbroken, Drake.”

Drake’s brown eyes were soft on hers when he answered, “So was I.”