Her Reluctant Bear: A Hot Paranormal Fantasy Saga with Witches, Werewolves, and Werebears (Weres and Witches of Silver Lake Book 5) (22 page)

He tossed her a fake scowl. “If you don’t decide quickly, I’ll go first. If I do, you better watch out, because I plan to strip you naked slower than paint can dry.”

She laughed, amazed at his sense of humor and his newfound confidence. Knowing Brian, he would be true to his word. From the way he made incredibly tender love with her, he understood what a woman wanted. “I’ll start with your shirt. I do adore a good chest.”

Jillian slipped her hands under his black T-shirt. Running her palms up over his abs, she halted when she captured his pecs. She squeezed his hard flesh, loving the size of his muscles. He growled, and she swore he sprouted hair right under her palms.

His eyelids lowered, and Brian looked like he was ready for a feast—with her as the main course. Jillian slowly eased his shirt upward until it cleared his body. Dropping the material on the floor, she rubbed up against him. “You’re fun to undress.”

“Oh, yeah. Remember, it’s my turn next. As they say, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

“I can’t wait.” As Jillian nibbled on his lips, she eased his pants over his hips.

Brian stepped back. “Did you forget what happened the last time you teased me too much?”

“No.” She’d never forget anything about their first lovemaking session, which was why she’d be cautious. This time she wanted them to come together.

Before she could stop him, Brian stepped back and slipped off his pants and briefs. What he revealed had her licking her lips once more.

Brian groaned. “You are so tempting.”

“Thank you.” She nodded to his cock. “Someone’s excited I see.”

“That shouldn’t come as a surprise. I can’t keep my mind off you.”

She smiled. “Spoken like a true bear.”

“I wish.”

If Jillian could snap her fingers and make him shift, she would.

No, you wouldn’t
, her animal shot back.

Her tiger was right. Brian needed the satisfaction of transforming into a bear himself. Perhaps that was what was blocking him—his fear that his life as he knew it would change. Jillian wanted to show him that it would be different for sure, but in a much better way. The best way to accomplish that would be to love him completely.

A very naked Brian closed the gap between them. “My turn,” he said as he slid his hands under her shirt until he cupped her covered breasts. “I do love these.”

She laughed. “If you take off my shirt and bra, I bet you’ll get a better visual and feel for them.”

“That so? Then I guess I’ll have to see for myself.”

You’re stalling
.
Get going.
Her tiger clawed at her to get on with the lovemaking.

I like foreplay, so shut up
.

Jillian felt the kick in her gut. Jerk.

Just as she’d done to him, Brian lifted her shirt over her head and tossed it to the floor. After undoing her bra, he dropped it where her shirt had landed. “Nice.”

He leaned over, and when he kissed her neck, thoughts of mating whipped through her, sending heat straight between her legs. She wrapped her arms around him, yearning to explore every inch of his body.

Starting with his back, she slid her hands downward, enjoying his strength. Passing his waist, she reached his bare butt, and when she squeezed his delicious rear, something inside her snapped, and every hormone in her body exploded. The kiss that followed more than curled her toes, and with each dip of her tongue, Brian walked her backward. She thought he was taking her into the bedroom, but apparently the wall next to the door was far enough.

“I have to taste you,” he whispered. Brian dropped to his knees and spread her legs wide.

Anticipation had her pulse shooting skyward, and the first lick took it from there. She threaded her fingers through his thick hair and noticed how the strands seemed to have grown coarser. It was as if his bear was slowly emerging from a long hibernation. For Brian’s sake, she hoped that was true.

As soon as he slipped a finger into her opening, Jillian nearly came on the spot. She’d hoped that after having made love with him the first time, her tiger would have calmed down. Wrong! Her animal was more determined than ever to climb the highest peak of ecstasy again. And again.

“More,” she begged Brian.

He winked, leaned over, and swiped his tongue across her clit, all the while wiggling his finger inside her. Her nub exploded with need and set off a chain reaction that started at her core and worked its way up her spine. She tugged on his hair and grunted. “Please, Brian.”

As if her plea was what he’d been waiting to hear, Brian eased up to his feet and then pressed his body against hers. Every inch of her, yearned to become one with him. When their lips met, he tasted like her, and the heady aroma of sex had her delving deeper into him.

After a long, amazing, taste, she broke the kiss and cupped his face. “Fuck. Me. Now.” Jillian hadn’t meant to sound so demanding, but between her tiger and her human, she had to have him.

“I can’t wait any longer either.” He grabbed her butt. “Wrap your legs around my waist. I don’t know what’s happening to me. It’s like I’m combusting inside.”

If Jillian had the strength, she would have smiled. She bet his bear was ready to roar, and when he did, she’d be right there alongside him. With her back to the wall for support, she hung on tight as Brian placed his thick cock at her entrance. He hesitated.

Take him
, her tiger demanded.

Hell yeah she would. Jillian sunk down on him but had to stop halfway when the stretching became too intense.

“God, you feel good.” Brian trailed kisses up her neck before nabbing the shell of her ear with his teeth.

Her body caught fire as he traced the edge with his tongue. Why was he taking his time? He’d lick then inhale as if savoring the moment. Wait until his bear emerged fully. They might never see slow again.

Withdrawing part way, he waited a second before easing back in. This time she was able to handle all of him. She sat up straighter and arched her back, begging him to suck on her tits.

Taking the hint, he stepped away from the wall and dipped his head. The first tug on her nipple left her breathless. He licked, sucked, and twirled until she was so hot that her nails sharpened into points.

“Hurry, Brian. You don’t want me to shift on you.” And she would too. Soon.

“No.” Slipping his hands up to her waist, he lifted her up at the same time he eased out.

Capturing her lips, he thrust into her, and all hell broke loose. Jillian dug her heels into the sides of his thighs for better purchase and rode right along with him. He’d plunge in just as she’d drop down. They kissed, moaned, dipped, and fucked hard. Time seemed to stand still, and no matter how fast he drove into her, she wanted more. With each foray, he took her closer to that point where she’d reach wonderful oblivion.

Tongues entwined, and on the next surge, Brian plunged into her so deeply that Jillian cried out his name as her release shoved her over the edge. His cock exploded a second later and he dipped his head to her neck. For a second, she allowed herself the luxury of imagining his sharp bear teeth sinking into her skin and mating with her.

What if it never happens?
her tiger asked.

It will.

*

Not wanting to
let go, Brian kept his arms around Jillian, long after both of their hearts had slowed. His whole life he’d wanted to be with someone who understood what he’d gone through. Then Jillian had walked into his life with a fury and embraced him. Her tiger and his bear were so close to becoming one that he could taste it, but his head just couldn’t figure out how to draw out the creature inside him.

If I fail, will she leave me?
that stupid voice asked.

Brian refused to worry about something that far in the future. It was destructive. As his therapist always said: Think positively and you can make it happen.

Brian slipped out of her. “I’ll get something to clean us up with.”

He trotted to the bathroom, wondering how much of Jillian’s attraction to him came from her tiger and how much was her actually liking him? Doubt was like a cancer that should be avoided at all cost, but he couldn’t help it. The facts kept stacking up. She was a lawyer for God’s sake, living in a big city, and Brian was a wannabe carpenter with only a few tools to his name. Sure, he’d saved his money over the years, but it wasn’t a fortune by any means.

He’d grown up in a fairly rural area in Ohio. What if she changed her mind and decided not to move out here because she missed LA so much? If she asked him to go back with her, would he be able to cope? And what would happen with Elana? Brian had already fallen in love with Aiden even though he’d only seen his nephew a few times. Having family close was what had helped him heal this much in the first place. He needed to stop worrying about something that might not occur.

“Brian?” she called.

“Sorry.” He’d been standing in front of the sink. He nabbed a clean towel, wet it, and returned. He gently cleaned her up, and then wiped off. As much as he wanted to sit and talk about her needs and desires, from the way she was looking off to the side, that madman had returned to the forefront of her mind.

In silence, they both dressed. “Let me get my keys and I’ll follow you home,” he said.

Her shoulders sagged. “You don’t have to.”

Really?
“Jillian, I want to. If that crazy man is out there, what better time to harm you than on a dark road at night?”

She held up her hands. “You’re right. I can’t be too careful. You need to be aware of your surroundings too. If he shifts and attacks, you wouldn’t survive.”

“I’ll look before I move about.”

She sidled up to him and pressed against him. “You’re too good to me. First the beautiful box, then the amazing sex, and now you want to protect me.” She lifted her head and kissed him tenderly. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, but don’t worry. I understand my limits. I’d ask you to stay here, but Dalton can protect you better.” He kissed her back, fearing that if he delved into her sweetness again, he wouldn’t be able to stop.

She nodded. “True.”

He helped her on with her coat and then escorted her downstairs. This time Jillian insisted on poking her head out first, claiming she could sense if Frank Whitlaw was near. When she signaled it was safe, Brian walked her to her car then jumped into his.

All through the drive back to Dalton’s house, he kept his gaze on the rear view mirror. As he considered Jillian’s situation, he realized there might be worse things in life than having bad parents—such as someone who wanted to kill you.

Once he’d come to grips with the fact that he was part bear, he wondered if as a child he had been a nightmare. His human side could have been fighting his inner bear, creating a child no parent could control. Add in the fact that his parents were totally human and his mother was embarrassed by her indiscretion, and it was a disaster waiting to happen.

*

When Jillian entered
Dalton’s house, he was on the phone with his back to the entrance. She set Brian’s present on the dining room table then slipped off her coat.

“When did he arrive?” Dalton asked the caller.

He didn’t seem to hear that she’d come in, so she softly called to him. “Hi, I’m home.”

Her brother waved a hand then paced in front of the kitchen island, his gaze on some far away place on the floor. “I think Kip should keep an eye on Jillian. Whitlaw will think he’s some ordinary man and won’t give him a second glance.”

Jillian’s stomach tumbled. Did Dalton just say a bodyguard was necessary? While she didn’t know what kind of shifter Whitlaw was, she had mad skills of her own. Her tiger was not only powerful, she was fast. Hell, Whitlaw would never know what hit him if she attacked.

Regret swamped her. She should have charged Whitlaw the moment he came out of her house and put an end to his miserable life. Then again, explaining how a man died from a tiger bite that close to the city would have raised an insane number of questions.

Dalton turned around and nodded to her. “I can drive her over tomorrow. Yes, I agree. See you at nine.”