The Wolf Wants a Wife (A Second Chance Christmas in Bear Creek Book 2)

by Harmony Raines

  “I love this house.” Gemma wanted to stop and look in every room.

  “Me, too. It needs decorating, I kind of lost heart in it a few years ago.” He pulled her onward. “It needs a woman’s touch.”

  She pushed open a doorway that led to the master bedroom where he’d slept alone since he’d bought the house. “This is your room.”

  “Soon to be our room, I hope.” Simon watched as she entered the room and looked around at his sparse belongings.

  “I like it.” She nodded with satisfaction as she sat down on the bed. “Come sit with me.”

  He swallowed down his desire as he entered the room and sat down carefully on the bed. She was so close their thighs touched and heat spread through his body. “What’s mine is yours, Gemma.”

  “And what’s mine is yours.” She lifted his hand and placed it on her stomach.

  “I believe I’m getting the best deal,” he said, trying to keep his tone light.

  “I don’t know. Perhaps we’re equal. Both bringing the very thing the other needs.” She inclined her head forward and kissed him.

  Simon’s arms wrapped around her and he cradled her to him as their kiss deepened. He might have imagined being here with his mate a million times, but it had never been as perfect as this moment. The scent of her, the taste of her, she made his mouth water and his heart race. He longed to lay her on the bed and make love to her. But he didn’t want to hurt her or the baby.

  Gemma angled her body and slid her hand over his thigh, squeezing his flesh as he hardened at her touch. She knew the effect she was having on him; did she intend to tease him, or did she want things to go further?

  “Isn’t a shifter supposed to claim his mate?” she asked as she kissed his neck, her hand sliding higher along his thigh.

  “Yes,” he answered hoarsely. “But...”

  “No buts. It’s okay, you can’t hurt the baby.” She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. “Unless you want to wait until after the birth.” She was as uncertain as he.

  “I don’t want to wait.” He gave a small smile. “I’m just unsure of the logistics.”

  She tilted her head back and laughed. “I’m sure between us we can work that one out.”

  He lifted the edge of the quilt and pulled it back. Gemma slid under the covers and began to unbutton her shirt, while Simon did the same. He drank in every inch of her flesh as she pulled the shirt off her shoulders, revealing her voluptuous breasts encased in her bra. As he dropped his shirt to the floor, he moved stealthily toward the bed, wanting to kiss her skin and taste her flesh.

  “What big eyes you have, Mr. Wolf.” She reached out for him and circled her hands around his neck as he knelt on the bed, his body hovering over hers.

  “All the better to see you with.” He gazed on her body, his eyes filled with desire as he lowered his head and kissed the swell of her breasts. Slipping his hands around her body, he unclasped her bra. They were made to fit in the palms of his hands and he cupped each one, his thumb brushing over her hard nipples.

  Gemma closed her eyes and a small gasp escaped her lips as he lowered his head and kissed the tips of her nipples. Her hands slid over his back, nails digging into his skin with just the right amount of pressure that drove him wild. His beast wanted to escape and ravish her, but he needed to take it slow.

  Kissing her breasts, he rolled his tongue over her nipples and grazed the taut buds with his teeth. She whimpered, her hands fumbling with his belt as she tried to undo it. Simon closed his hands over hers and helped her undo his belt and push his pants down over his thighs. Immediately her hand curled around his hardened length and he groaned as she slid her hand up and down.

  His hand covered hers. “I’m going to come too soon.”

  “Don’t you want to?” she asked, searching his face for an answer. Then she understood. “You might have to help me with the rest of my clothes.”

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “I’ve never been more certain,” she told him as she pushed herself up to a sitting position.

  Simon moved to the edge of the bed and hooked his fingers around the waistband of her skirt and pulled it down, removing her panties at the same time. He let them drop to the floor and then turned back toward Gemma who was shuffling over to the other side of the bed and covering herself up with the quilt.

  “You don’t have to hide from me.”

  “I’m not exactly sexy like this, am I?” she asked.

  He lifted the quilt and gazed at her feminine body. “Yes, you are. You are all woman, Gemma. A woman who is about to become a mother. For a shifter, that is about as sexy as it gets.”

  She reached out for him and he lay behind her, helping her as she parted her thighs. He inhaled the scent of her as his fingers pushed inside her. He needed to know she wanted this as much as he did, that she was ready for him. There was no mistake, her slick heat told him everything he needed to know. She wanted him and damn it, he wanted her more than anything in the world. His need to claim her was overwhelming and so he guided himself into her.

  The sensations flooding his body were almost too much. Skin against skin, he slid into her, deeper, not thrusting hard, but moving slowly, deliberately, experiencing each small movement fully. His hands cupped her breasts, tweaking her nipples, making her inner muscles tense as he pushed her arousal to its limits.

  Gemma was right, a shifter did need to claim his mate. Simon never expected their connection to deepen so profoundly, so dramatically, as this. Each small thrust forward, every inch he pushed inside her seemed to strengthen their bond. Lifting her knee, he rested it on his thigh and stroked her mound, rocking his body as he pushed deeper and deeper. He’d anticipated not being able to fully impale her on his hard length. Somehow, he’d figured the baby might be in the way. What did he know about pregnant women? But he certainly was buried up to the hilt and he took a moment, simply lying completely still inside his mate.

  Gemma moved, adjusting her weight and her inner muscles gripped him fully. Simon closed his eyes, fending off the need to come. He wanted this to last longer, but her nearness overwhelmed his senses, pushing him to lose control.

  Finally, he moved, pulling out before thrusting his hips forward, to fill her once more. Biting down on his bottom lip, he moved in a steady rhythm, his fingers playing over her intimate flesh. He listened to her sighs and moans, adjusting his rhythm until her breathing grew rapid. She was close to coming and he pinched the small bundle of nerves between her thighs with his right hand, mirroring the motion as he tweaked her nipple with his left.

  She came, her body pulsing and throbbing around him as she lost all control. Simon couldn’t hold himself together and he jerked into her, his seed filling her. He hoped one day his seed might give her another child. But for now, he was content to raise the child growing inside her.

  Not letting up, he stroked her skin, teasing her as her orgasm swept over her. Gemma hooked her hand around the nape of his neck and drew his head down to hers, as she leaned back on his shoulder. Their lips met, and he kissed her, sweet kisses as their climax crested and waned.

  “So that’s how a shifter does it?” she asked as she rolled over carefully and faced him.

  “One of many ways.” He kissed her mouth. “And I want to spend a lifetime exploring all the other ways with you.”

  “Do you?” She stroked the sprinkling of white hair across his chest.

  “I do. I want to explore everything with you.” He took her hand in his and kissed her fingertips.

  “For now I’d settle for exploring the rest of your house and for you to show me where you think the nursery should go.” Despite her words, she didn’t seem in a rush to leave his bed.

  “Our house,” he corrected. “What’s mine is yours, remember?”

  “I remember.” She kissed him and then slid awkwardly to the side of the bed, her hand resting on her swollen belly.

  “Everything okay?” Simon asked in concern.

&nb
sp; “Yes,” she said, looking over her shoulder at him. “Everything is perfect.”

  Simon sat up and moved to sit behind her, his lips planting soft butterfly kisses along the length of her spine, while his hands cupped her breasts. He truly was the luckiest man alive. Tonight they would set up the nursery and then tomorrow, they would go and see Brad and hopefully set in motion the means to put Gemma’s life back together.

  If not, he might have to rip Gianni apart after all. Because no man had the right to hurt his mate. In any way.

  Chapter Nine – Gemma

  “Good morning.” Simon looked ridiculously happy and Gemma could not help but return his bright smile, despite her nerves.

  “Morning.” She hadn’t slept well and had come downstairs early for a cup of tea and some toast. “I made breakfast.”

  “Thanks.” He sat down at the table and she poured him a cup of strong coffee. “I thought you said you couldn’t cook.”

  “I can rustle up eggs and bacon, but that’s just about it,” she admitted. “I’ve decided to make the effort and learn, though. Since I don’t want our baby to think I’m a failure at anything.”

  His eyes lifted to hers. “Our baby. I like the sound of that.”

  “Me, too.” Gemma buttered another slice of toast. “I was thinking we could spend the day thinking of baby names.”

  Simon studied her over his cup of coffee. He was too perceptive and had seen straight through her diversion. “I thought we were going to see Brad this morning.”

  Gemma bit into her toast, giving herself time to compose her answer. In truth, she’d had second thoughts. Why rock the boat? If Gianni didn’t know she was here in Bear Creek, why paint a target on her back? “I thought it might be better to wait until after the baby is born. I don’t want the stress to make the baby come early.”

  It was a half-truth. Gemma was concerned about her stress levels. After weeks of living on the edge, she finally felt calm and settled. She wanted to build a nest for her baby here with Simon. But if they went to Brad and told him about Gianni, she would be caught up with thinking of the man she’d rather forget.

  “Don’t you want this to be over?” Simon asked gently.

  “Yes. Of course. I have spent the last few weeks, months even, with my life falling apart. I’ve lost everything. But I don’t want Gianni to ruin this last part of the pregnancy. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to the baby because of him.” She sighed, her voice trembling with emotion. “I know you think I’m chickening out and I suppose in some ways I am. But it doesn’t change the fact that I want to focus on the good things in my life, not the bad.”

  Simon ate in silence for a moment and she thought she’d upset him. Sitting back in her chair, she ate her toast and waited for him to speak. If he insisted, would she give in and go to the sheriff? Simon had been so good to her, she didn’t want to offend him or throw his offer to help back in his face.

  “Gemma, this is your choice. You’ve told me the details of what happened, but only you know the whole truth. If you believe you and the baby are safe here with me, then I trust your choice.” He looked at her for a long time, and she squirmed in her seat.

  “Damn it, you are good,” she said as she picked up her tea and drank it.

  He gave her a weak smile. “I didn’t say it to manipulate you. I mean it, if you think the both of you are safe, then let’s leave it and see what happens.”

  “But since I turned up here in Bear Creek, completely destitute with only a necklace and earrings to my name, I’m not safe, am I?” She sighed deeply.

  “I would say not.” He picked up his knife and fork and continued to eat.

  “It’s so easy to think I’m safe when I’m here with you,” she told him. “But what if I was out on the street alone? Or what if he’s here in Bear Creek now, just biding his time before he tries to ruin you?”

  “I’d like to see him try.” Simon’s tone was hardened steel.

  “I still don’t know how he wrecked my life. I can only guess he paid someone to hack my bank accounts.” She raked a hand through her hair. “The man is a monster who needs to be stopped before he does this to someone else.”

  Gianni had ended his relationship with Gemma and immediately started dating someone else. A tall blonde who looked like she could handle herself. But this new woman in his life had no idea what, or who, she was up against. Maybe this was how Gianni got his kicks?

  Her stomach clenched. How could she have been such a bad judge of character? The time she spent with Gianni had been fun, he’d been charming, if a little self-centered. Gemma had never expected him to behave like this. Which left her troubled. If she were such a poor judge of character, what if she was mistaken about Simon?

  What if underneath his concerned exterior, Simon was as controlling and greedy as Gianni?

  “I will go with you to Brad if that’s what you want. But this is your choice,” Simon repeated.

  Had Simon manipulated her into agreeing with him?

  “I need some fresh air.” Gemma got up from the table and rubbed the small of her back.

  “I’ll come with you.” Simon pushed himself to a standing position in one fluid movement. He was strong, he could easily overpower her.

  “Thanks but I need some time alone to think things over.” Gemma prepared for a battle of words, but Simon simply nodded and let her go, although the concern on his face nearly caused her to change her mind.

  “Do you have a cell phone?” he asked as she grabbed her coat and headed for the door.

  “No. It was knocked out of my hand and smashed.” She didn’t tell him that she was certain it was done on purpose so that she had no evidence of the threatening texts she’d received from Gianni. Gemma tried to stop her hands from trembling as she put her hand through the sleeve of her coat.

  “Here, let me help you.” Simon stepped forward and held her coat. Nothing was easy when you were this pregnant.

  “Thanks. I will be back,” she promised.

  “I know.” He reached for the front door and as he opened it, he handed her his cell phone. “If you need me, just call home. Kit’s number is in there, too.”

  “I’ll see you soon.” Gemma stepped out into the icy air which took her breath away. With great care, she walked down the driveway and onto the sidewalk. All she needed was some fresh air and a chance to clear her head. As much as she wanted to believe in Simon, she needed some distance from him to ensure she hadn’t been swept along on a romantic notion.

  Looking over her shoulder, she glanced back at the front door, where Simon stood watching her. Had she made a mistake? What if this was all an elaborate setup? This whole thing? If Gianni knew about shifters, he might have sent Simon to meet her at the museum.

  Her heart rate increased, and she placed her hand on the wall to steady herself. She was being paranoid. The auction at the museum for the local animal shelter, that had been real. She’d seen Simon on the stage and heard him auctioning off the different lots. That was real. Her feelings for Simon were real and she was certain, beyond all doubt that his feelings for her were real.

  She’d overreacted. A bitter taste filled her mouth. Was this how her life would be from now on? Suspecting everyone new, not able to trust acts of kindness without thinking they might have an ulterior motive.

  Gemma turned the corner and joined another road, there was a clear flow of traffic and she was certain this was the way to the main street through Bear Creek. That was where she was heading. Because that was where the sheriff’s office was.

  Brad. That was his name. She was going to march right into his office and tell him everything.

  Maybe this could all be cleared up by the time the baby was born. A Christmas free of fear was just what the doctor would order.

  With a lighter step now that she had fought her way out of her desperate mood, she walked along the sidewalk, careful to step around any icy patches. Reaching the main road, she turned left and followed the road
around, looking in the different stores as she walked. When the situation at the bank was sorted out and they freed her accounts, she would come to town and spoil herself with a new wardrobe, after she’d lost her baby weight.

  Catching a reflection of herself in a store window she slowed, taking a good look at her figure. How she’d changed. Not just her stomach, but her breasts and her face, too. She kind of looked as if she were glowing. Or maybe that was from the cold. Time to get to the sheriff’s office and then head back to Simon before he got worried and came looking for her.

  Hurrying on, she took one last look at herself. Her heart stopped beating in her chest. It wasn’t only her own reflection in the window, across the road, she saw the woman Gianni was dating. Gemma had no idea what her name was. But one thing she was certain of, if she were here, then Gianni must be here, too. They’d found her.

  Not yet, she reminded herself. They were in the right town, but they didn’t know exactly where she was.

  What to do? Gemma turned her back to the blonde, watching as she walked gingerly through the snow and ice in five-inch killer heels. Gemma’s feet hurt just thinking about tight-fitting shoes. After her pregnancy, she didn’t think she could ever look at tight shoes or tight clothes in the same way again.

  She would happily live the rest of her life in loose clothes and sneakers.

  Of course, that would soon change once she wasn’t carrying around a second person in her belly.

  Gemma smoothed her baby bump, hoping her reaction to seeing Gianni’s girlfriend hadn’t caused the baby any discomfort. All the baby books she’d read said to keep calm and not get stressed. Well, she was stressed.

  Where is she going? Gemma watched as the blonde woman stopped outside a building, looked up at the sign and then went inside.

  “What?” Gemma said aloud. Gianni’s girlfriend had gone inside the sheriff’s office. Did that mean Gianni was already inside? If so, why? Was he going to have Gemma arrested on trumped-up charges?

  Was taking her baby worth that much to him?