Too Much To Bear: BBW Shifter Romance (Shifters of Spellholm Forest - The Bears) (11 page)

"We do?"

"Yes Beck," Mr Hooper smiled wider. "Now, don't worry, I'm not going to object to you marrying my daughter, but there is the problem of the farm."

"Before you continue, I think I ought to come clean."

The smile dropped from Reg's face. "Come clean?"

"Yes. You know how I feel about your daughter, so you probably guessed why I took the job."

"Ahh, yes of course."

"I was willing to work here for low wages to be around her,"

"And now you don't. What a pity." Reg looked most upset.

"I would love to, but I need to earn more money, so we can get a place of our own."

"Oh. So it's not the work you don't like."

Beck looked down at the stuff he was shovelling. Did he really like working here amongst all this stinking mess? "No, I enjoy the work. And I'm not trying to get you to give me a raise," he added hastily.

Reg was smiling again, “Glad to hear it because I wouldn't like to think I was being manipulated into paying you more."

"No. I will look for work, and help out here as much as I can. Jenny loves it, and spends a lot of time working, I get that."

"Good. Because you know the place will be hers one day?"

"Jenny’s never spoken to me about it."

"She's our only child, but it's not much fun unless there's someone working alongside you." He took a deep breath, and then bumbled on, "What I'm trying to say is that Jenny will inherit the farm, and it would put my mind at rest a good deal to know she has a partner, someone by her side."

"Me?" Beck asked, trying to make sure he had understood correctly.

"Yes, Beck. You. And of course, you would need to learn everything about the place first. Not that I don't plan to be around for a good few years, but it would be nice to be able to relax a little. Step back from work. Not easy when there's so much to take care of."

"That is incredibly generous of you," Beck said.

"Not at all. You are about to be part of the family, Beck."

Lost in her own thoughts, the day passed her by. Beck's words haunted her every step, he was going to find work elsewhere. However, she could think of no other jobs for him around here. Maybe Wes would take him on, but that wouldn’t end well, two bears were not better than one in close working proximity.

So he would go away, what if it was far away, would she go with him? The thought of leaving her family behind made her feel sick. It was bad enough they had to come to terms with her not being one of them. To lose her completely, when she was their only child, would leave her parents devastated. However, with Beck being her mate, her loyalty was to him first, and that would never change.

Beck must have picked up on her feelings, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Now he had gone to finish clearing out the barn, and she had gone to help her mom in the kitchen garden. They were harvesting the potatoes, digging them up, and cleaning off the dirt. It was a satisfying job. Jenny loved everything about the farm, following the turning of the seasons, watching the continual process of birth, life and death. She doubted she could be happy anywhere else in the world. This was where she belonged.

"Everything alright?"

Her mom's question made her start. "Yes. Of course."

"Only you look as if you're away on the wing."

She smiled at her mom, knowing if Mother Hart was right, that was never going to happen. "Do you ever wonder what the future holds? Did you always know this was where you were going to spend the rest of your life?"

"I used to. I didn't meet your father until I was in my late twenties, so I had plenty of time to wonder. You're lucky meeting Beck so close to your coming of age. I spent years dreaming about who my mate would be and wondering if we would be compatible. But it usually works out in the end."

"Did you ever have to make a choice?" Jenny asked, placing a handful of potatoes into the half full basket.

Her mom stood up, placing her hand on the small of her back and stretching. Her face wrinkled in worry as she spoke. "What kind of choice Jenny? Is there something you want to talk about?"

Jenny put her fork into the ground and placed her foot on it, ready to dig out the next plant. "Beck's my mate. So am I supposed to follow him wherever he goes?"

"He's leaving?" her mom asked, stunned.

"He wants to make enough money to provide for me, and our family, when we have one." Sooner rather than later, thought Jenny, if they kept having unprotected sex.

"We thought you would stay here."

"There is no way we can all live in the house, I need time to get to know Beck." She looked at her mom, her lower lip trembling ever so slightly. "He's a complete stranger to me, in so many ways. I don't think I'm ready to live with him, not if it means leaving you and dad."

Her mom came to her, and wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. "Oh, honey. It won't come to that. You're dad's gone to talk to him now. We were thinking of converting one of the barns into a house for you and Beck. You're dad's squirrelled some money away. He is quite enjoying the idea of having another man about the place. He's spent so long with the two of us, I think he's more excited than anyone."

"Are you sure? Because I wouldn't want you doing anything you didn't want to. This is your home first."

"And you are our beautiful daughter. We could not be more proud of you, and the way you take on any challenge the farm gives you. You were born to take over this place. And you never know, once things are settled I might persuade your father to take me on that Caribbean cruise he's always promised me. It will give you and Beck some alone time."

Jenny burst into tears, and clutched her mom to her. "Thank you, so much."

Her mom patted her back. "See, there's nothing we can't sort out if we talk to each other."

"There might be one other thing I should tell you then." Jenny stood up and took a deep breath, not wanting to keep it inside any longer. She had been wrong not to talk it over with her family, they had always been so supportive, and there was no reason to think they wouldn't be about this. "It's about my coming of age."

"Ahh. I wondered when we would get around to this. It's alright; your dad and I guessed a long time ago you were not going to be like us."

"You did? When?"

"I don't know. When you were about six I think."

"Six!"

"About then, maybe even before."

"And you didn't say?"

"Why would we? What will be will be, and we could have been wrong, but you acted differently. You don't have the same way of going about things. I can't say why for sure, but we both knew."

"And you don't mind?"

"Why let something you can't change bother you?"

Her mom smiled at her, and everything felt right. "You still love me, right?"

Her mom burst out laughing, "Of course, that will never change." She kissed Jenny on the top of her head. "I loved you more than anything in the world the day you were born, and that will never change. Now let's get these potatoes dug up, and then we can make dinner. Do you think Beck would like to join us?"

"I'll ask him when we've finished here." She forked the ground over, lifting the heavy soil before sorting through it.

"Oh, here they come. Looks as if things went well. Why don't I take your dad in side for a cold drink, he looks like an excited puppy? That way you can have a private chat with Beck. Why don't you walk down to the lake?"

"What about finishing here?"

"Don't worry, there's enough for dinner, the rest will wait." She walked over and picked up the basket, shooing Jenny away. "Go on, talk to Beck, and we'll see you in an hour or two. Your dad can help me with dinner."

"Thanks mom," Jenny said, brushing the dirt off her hands.

Her dad came over, his smile broad as he winked at Jenny. "Good news..."

"Let Beck tell her, Reg. Come on." She took him by the arm and they walked towards the farmhouse. Her dad took the basket from her mom, always the gentleman where she was concerned. To look at them you would think they were lovestruck teenagers. All her life, every day, she witnessed their undying love for each other. She only hoped it would be the same for her and her mate.

Beck came towards her, instantly her body became attuned to his. A current of electricity between them, much like when he changed from man to bear. The link between them must be of a similar ethereal source. She smiled shyly, afraid he might think he had been pushed into a corner by her dad.

"My mom told me my dad had a chat with you."

"He did. He gave me a proposition."

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

"You don't know? I thought you might have put them up to it."

"No, not at all. The first I knew of it was when my mom told me. I was upset, and told her you were leaving. I've also told her about my coming of age."

His face showed concern. “Is that why you've been crying?"

She put her hand to her face; sure there was no trace of her tears. "No. I haven't been. Well only about you leaving. That's when she told me my dad had some idea he was putting to you."

"He's a good man."

"He tries to be," she said proudly. “Tell me Beck."

"Come on, let's walk."

"OK, my mom suggested we go down to the lake."

"Does that mean we can skinny dip?"

"I've never done that!"

"Then today will be a new first for you. I feel I have corrupted your safe world so much already, one more thing won't hurt."

"But what if someone sees?"

"So what if someone sees?"

She laughed nervously, and took his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin against hers. "So what is going on between you and my dad?"

"I told him I planned to leave, and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. At least if it's alright with you."

"If it means you staying here, then it's alright with me."

"He wants to show me how to run the farm, to become a partner in it."

"I guessed as much."

"And that doesn't bother you? You're the one who inherits this place. I don't want you to feel I'm pushing you out."

"Not at all. We are going to be together all of our lives, and then the farm will belong to our children. So it doesn't matter who does what, as long as we keep it going. Anyway, when we have children, I will need you to run the place for a little while. I don't mind working with our baby in a sling, but I don't fancy driving the tractor nine months pregnant."

"Point taken." He squeezed her hand gently. "I am looking forward to much more baby making practice first."

"So am I," she said, turning into his arms and kissing him.

They stopped, hidden from view by the high hedge on either side of them. Here they stayed, enjoying the cool shade, their bodies entwined together. Jenny wanted to lie down right here and make love, but eventually Beck pulled away from her, and grabbed her hand. They ran down the slope to the lake like a couple of children, Jenny shrieking, as they got faster and faster. Once there, Beck stripped off all his clothes, standing before her like some Adonis.

"Your turn," he said, and watched with eyes full of lust while she removed her clothes, safe in the knowledge that swimming wasn't going to be the only thing they did. Not if the hardness of his cock was anything to go by.

The look in his eyes made her feel sexy. For the first time in her life, she wanted to enjoy showing her body to her man. This time she wouldn't try to cover herself up, she wanted to tease him, and make him feel special too. Slowly she undid her jeans, wiggling her bottom as she pushed them down. Turning she let him see her round globes of flesh and the hand print still there from this morning.

"I don't know if we're going to make it to the water," he said.

She turned and looked at him over her shoulder, smiling she said, "I think you have to learn a little patience."

Very slowly, with her back still to him, she grasped the edges of her t-shirt, and pulled it up over her head. Then she undid the clasp on her bra, letting it fall to the ground, but not turning around. Hooking her fingers through the elastic of her panties, she bent down, taking them off by stepping out of them one foot at a time. His eyes were fixed on her, and to her erotic delight, he had hold of his erect cock, and was stroking it with his hand.

"Turn around," he ordered. Slowly, she did as he commanded, watching his hand as it worked up and down on his thick shaft. "Come here."

She walked toward him, her breasts swaying with each step. She did not hurry, wanting him to get his fill of her. He looked desperate, and so when she reached him, she placed her hands on his cock, and stroked it for him. He groaned his approval, and spurred on, she did something she had never imagined she would. Kneeling before him, she guided the tip of his cock into her mouth. "Fuck!"

She smiled, as best she could with the head of his cock in her mouth. Then grew serious while she figured out how she was supposed to do this without looking like a complete idiot. Trying hard she pushed the idea of how many other more experienced women must have knelt before him and given him a blowjob, out of her head. Instead concentrating on the way he moved, and the sounds that escaped his mouth. Sounds of pure pleasure she was pleased to say.

At first she tried to fit him all in her mouth, but that made her gag, so she started slow, going back to just the tip, and then a little more, inching her way down, letting herself get used to the sensation of him pushing against the back of her throat. Using her hands, she cupped his balls, fondling them, tickling them, and then scratching her nails over them lightly. His hips bucked, pushing himself further into her mouth. His hands went to the sides of her face, and he held her still while he moved his hips, his cock sliding in and out of her mouth in the same rhythm he used for their lovemaking.

She felt the tension in him, and knew he was going to come. She wanted to come with him, and eased a hand down between her thighs, stroking her clit, trying to summon the courage to finger herself here in front of him. It was so good, and her orgasm was fast approaching when he stopped her.