by C. D. Gorri
Oliver made up his mind. He wouldn’t go into this blindly this time, but now he had something else to fight for. His son. The child they had made out of love, yes love, he realized and believed it with everything in him.
This woman ripped out his heart once, but here she was begging him for help. It hurt to see her humbled and frightened. He wanted her strong and safe, and with him, always. Fate had given them another chance, and Oliver was going to take it and hold it with both hands.
He dipped his head, ready to take the first step. Teresa’s eyes flashed and he growled in response to the desire he saw there. Their noses bumped, and he smiled, it had been playfully awkward the first time too.
Memories of how good it was tried to force their way into his mind, but he pushed them back. He didn’t want to think about the past anymore. He only wanted to concentrate on the now.
“Resa,” he said her name once more and carefully lifted her face to his, then he kissed her.
His temperature went from normal to boiling in that instant. Shifters tended to run a little hotter than normals, but even he felt the sizzle. She was right there with him, her skin was on fire under his searching hands and lips.
So hot. So good.
Her peaches and cream flavor burst on his taste buds, sending ripples of desire zipping up and down his spine, straight to his groin. She moaned and wrapped her arms around his back, pressing her soft breasts firmly against his chest. He could feel the bite of her pebbled nipples through their combined shirts and the animal grunted, wanting a closer touch.
This was a not just lust, it was mating fever. Oliver recognized it, reveled in it, and deepened their shared kiss. He delved into the hot cavern of her mouth with his tongue until he found hers. He sucked on it briefly, wanting to swallow down every single drop of her sweet flavor.
“Ollie,” she moaned and slid off the chair.
She practically leapt off the chair with her legs wrapped tightly around him. Grunting, he caught her and held her to him, using minimal strength to stand. He lifted her up, cupping the firm globes of her ass, and walked them over to one of the sturdy log walls.
Oliver pressed into her core, allowing her to feel just how much he wanted her. Cock throbbing, pulse racing he kissed her deeper and ran his hands over her curvaceous form. She was so damned sumptuous. Every nuance and angle seemed to fit him like a glove.
“Mm, I’m bigger than I was,” she whispered almost apologetically, and his Bear roared.
“You’re perfect for me,” he grunted, cupping her ripe breasts which were in fact larger than he remembered.
A result of having gone through childbirth, he supposed and his heart ached for the loss of time between them, but he didn’t want to think about that just then. Oliver wanted to live in the moment like the cavalier poets she’d once relished. He wanted to stop time and dive right into the depths fully and completely with her.
“Bed,” he said, and she nodded. That was all the consent he needed.
Oliver took the stairs to his master bedroom and dropped her gently on the bed. He was stunned for a moment. How many times had he dreamed of this moment? Of having her in his bed? Sure, he’d thought about exacting his revenge on this woman who had broken his heart and threatened to drive his Bear insane, but those thoughts were quickly fleeting. Mostly, he just dreamt of having her back.
And here she was, but this was no dream. This was real. Teresa was here in his bed, and revenge was the last thing on his mind. She bit her lip and looked at him, then, as if she’d come to some firm decision. Teresa sat up, eyes heavy-lidded with lust, she tore her shirt off, then her pants revealing every glorious inch of her lush body to his greedy eyes.
Oliver’s dick throbbed as he took in her mouthwatering curves in the simple flower printed bra and panties she wore. Following suit, he stripped himself quickly.
He tumbled into the bed with her, growling softly as their lips met. A few maneuvers had them both fully naked and Oliver settled his body between her two soft thighs.
“Ollie,” she whimpered, another wave of her arousal filled his nostrils.
His Grizzly Bear rose up inside of him and Oliver took one long look at her face before he pressed the head of his cock into her hot, slick entrance. Oh yes, she was more than ready for him, just as snug and tight as he remembered.
“Oh God, Ollie,” she moaned and clung to his shoulders.
Oliver flexed his hips, trying hard not to lose it right then and there. So damn tight, so good. Perfect.
“Relax for me, sweet,” he murmured kissing her again until he felt her muscles loosen their hold.
He was a big man, a big Bear. Even though they had done this before, it had clearly been a long time for her. Oliver had to go slowly, carefully. He would never willingly hurt her. He knew her body could take him, she just had to relax, and accept all of him into her hot, slick, velvety channel.
“S’good,” she moaned, and he could feel her rising desire as it matched his own.
He looked down at her heavy-lidded eyes and dipped his head to capture her mouth. He thrust his tongue deep, mimicking the movement of his hips. Slow, steady at first, then faster and harder. Oliver’s body was slick with sweat, his heart raced as he quickened the pace. This was crazy. They should have talked, but what did Shifters need with words when he could say it all with his body?
Mate, his Bear pushed him to mark her.
No, he shushed the beast.
This was not for the Bear. Not yet. This was for them. For him and Teresa. They needed this release, this closeness. Their relationship was too complicated for another rushed mating bite.
Still, even without the ritual biting, he could feel their matebond renew between them. He recognized the subtle difference, the new changes in her, and even though he didn’t quite understand them, it did not matter. Oliver knew she had told him the truth earlier. He trusted her, in spite of their past. And he wanted her. Then. Now. Always.
“Ollie!” Teresa groaned his name and dragged her nails down his back.
He hissed in a sharp breath, the sting of her scratching hurt so good. His animal loved it. Her walls tightened around him, and her pussy rippled as she groaned her pleasure. She gripped his cock like a vise as she abandoned herself to the ecstasy only he could give her. He was her mate, there would be no other who could touch her this way.
The knowledge made it all the sweeter as he pumped harder and faster, chasing his own orgasm until he felt it erupt from him like a volcano. Arrogant, maybe, but he had right to be. Teresa was his.
“Mine,” he couldn’t stop the possessive word from spilling from his lips, just as he spilled his seed deep into her womb.
The idea that even then they could have created a life made his Bear chuff in approval. He wanted family. Wanted Thomas and all of their future cubs. Wanted Teresa now more than he ever had before.
Her eyes were still closed, mouth open as she tried to catch her breath. Oliver simply stared for a moment. With her blonde hair spread out over the gray comforter like a halo, she looked ethereal. He’d always thought there was something angelic about her appearance, so sweet and precious. Unearthly, and almost unattainable, but not for him. She’d let him have her.
“It’s only ever been you,” she said as if answering his unspoken question.
“I know,” he kissed her softly and slid from her heat, missing the warmth immediately.
The sound of little footsteps had both of them jumping up, and Oliver had his pants back on before the little cub could wander into their room.
“Mommy,” Thomas was still rubbing his eyes so he missed the look between the two adults as she donned one of Oliver’s t-shirts and stood up to walk to him.
“Hey, baby,” she dropped to her knees and hugged their son.
Thankfully, the shirt fell past her thighs though at his tender age he would hardly notice his mother’s nudity. Besides, Shifters were not prudes about things like that. Being naked was natural and made transfor
ming from one skin to another easier and less messy.
He watched mother and cub kneeling together and Oliver’s heart threatened to burst at the picture they made. Were they really both his? He listened to the pleasant conversation the two were having and watched as she drew the cub along with her out into the hall with a wave for him to follow. Oliver did with wonder in his heart.
Teresa brought the boy to the large guest bathroom on the first floor and started the water. The bathtub was massive but not too large for so young a Bear. It was done in natural creams and blues, but suddenly Oliver wished he’d had something fun painted on the walls. He’d made a mental note to have an artist come and do the bathroom and guest room over as Thomas’ private rooms. Perhaps he had a favorite character or movie they could use as models. So much he didn’t know about his cub.
“What’s wrong?” Teresa broke his reverie and he looked into her worried eyes.
“Nothing, I was just wondering if he had a favorite book or TV show?”
“Oh, no favorites yet, but he does like it when I sing to him. Mostly show tunes or movie theme songs,” she shrugged and began humming one of the numbers he’d written for a big cartoon movie that had released last year.
Thomas clapped and splashed in the water and Teresa winked at Oliver. He felt his Bear rumble happily inside of him. She was teasing him, but there was truth to her statement. Also, that meant she’d been keeping tabs on him.
“Toys, Mommy?” Thomas asked.
“Oh, buddy, I’m sorry I forgot the bath toys,” she frowned, but Oliver interrupted.
“Actually, I have something young master Thomas might like,” he said and went to retrieve the toy cars he’d bought at the minimart.
“Vroom!” Thomas squealed with delight when he saw the tiny plastic cars things and Oliver looked at Teresa for approval.
“That was nice of Daddy,” she smiled, “now, settle down you don’t want to slip,” she chided the cub who immediately started racing the two cars through the bubbles on the side of the bath.
“He likes them,” Oliver grinned and Teresa walked over to stand by him.
He immediately tucked her into his side as they stood together and simply watched their son play. Nothing could describe the happiness that welled inside of him at seeing his heathy, mischievous lad splashing water over the side of the bath and giggling wildly at his mother’s faux chiding.
“Thank you,” she whispered to Oliver.
“They’re just little things,” he shrugged.
“To you maybe, but to him it’s a lot. We haven’t had much, but I did my best for him, Oliver,” he caught the hitch in her words and he frowned.
“Hey, I know you did, I would never say otherwise. It’s going to be alright now, I got you both.”
Looking to make sure Thomas was safe for the moment, Teresa tugged him out into the hallway. She turned to face him and he could tell by the way she squared her shoulders she’d made up her mind about something.
“So, I just want to make sure you will take care of Thomas?”
“What? Of course, I know he’s my son-”
“Cause I’ve decided to turn myself in to my father and Witherspoon Tech in exchange for them leaving you and Thomas alone.”
“What?” he whispered barely holding on to his rage.
“It’s the only way,” she pleaded, but he wasn’t hearing it.
“No, Teresa. Just no. I let you go once. I won’t do it again.”
“But-”
“You came to me this time, Teresa.”
“For him. So you can keep him safe,” she said.
“It’s not enough. I love him so much, but I need you too, now do you trust me?”
“Of course, I do,” she said and he could tell from the misery rolling off her that she only wanted to protect them both. It touched him, but it made him crazy all the same.
“I got this, Resa,” he said.
“Alright,” she answered and leaned in, just a breath away from his lips.
“Mommy!” Thomas called, and the two adults jumped apart and raced back to the bathroom just in time to get splashed.
“Welcome to fatherhood,” she laughed as Oliver spit out a mouthful of bubbles.
Chapter Seven
After his bath, Teresa and Oliver took Thomas outdoors to play for a while. Her, no, their son had oodles of energy and needed to expel them in positive ways.
It wasn’t easy to be creative with them always living in the city, but here in this lovely forest, though still a bit chilly, Thomas was in heaven. They’d stopped by the water to fish for a little bit. Thomas was still young, but he played and splashed while Ollie did all the work of hooking the fish. He’d caught quite a few after just a little while.
“How did you do that?” She asked eyeing his catch with wonder. He dropped them into the small cooler packed with ice and grinned.
“An old Grizzly secret, I’d tell you, but then I’d have to, you know what,” he grinned.
“What if I tickle it out of you? After all I happen to have myself a big, strong Grizzly lover,” she said naughtily and loved his growly response.
“Mommy lookee me!” Thomas ran and climbed on some big rocks.
He giggled as Oliver swung him up onto his shoulders. They picked berries and skipped stones on the lake for what seemed like minutes but was really hours. Her heart beat heavily, filled to the brim with emotions she never dared to dream she’d ever feel again. But here she was, and she did, as if those lovely feelings had never gone away or been put on hold.
Love. She gulped audibly. Teresa still loved Oliver Pax. As truly and deeply, and possibly even more than she had two years ago when she’d been a green girl with no knowledge of the very real cruelty that existed in the world.
He hadn’t said anything about love, but she was certain she’d felt it in his careful touch. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she thought about the pleasure he’d brought her mere hours ago. The physical side of their relationship had always been explosive.
There was nothing on the planet that could compare to Oliver’s lovemaking. Not that she had any experience otherwise. He was her one and only. Surely, he knew that, but if he didn’t she could certainly find ways to show him.
Thinking about that made her stomach clench and her needy clit throb with anticipation. Her panties moistened, her breath caught, the need to go to him now, to strip her clothes off and ride him into oblivion coursed through her. Like she was just an empty shell waiting for him to fill her. It was scary, it was heady, hell, she didn’t know what to think about this sudden carnal urge to strip them both and indulge in his magnificent body once again.
She coughed to cover up the moan that escaped her lips. Her entire body felt as though it was on fire. Teresa shook with the strength of it. She looked up to find Oliver had stopped chasing Thomas. He stood between the still bare trees, nostrils flaring, his pupils dilated as he watched her like the predator he was.
Eyes bled to black, a great rumbly growl echoed from his chest as he sucked in a great deep breath. The growl grew as he took in her scent. His eyes flashed as he recognized her desire, and damn, but she found it hard to breathe.
He looked so good. Utterly masculine and tempting in his jeans and cotton shirt. Something inside her rumbled in awareness as even more moisture seeped between her thighs. Her sex clenched on air, breasts swelled, and nipples hardened.
Oliver sucked in another deep breath and licked his full lips. That was nearly her undoing. She wanted those lips, craved them on her own, and further down still. She wanted his hands, his mouth on her breasts and belly, and finally, between her thighs.
“Mommy, thirsty!” Thomas ran through the few feet of space that stood between her and Oliver, and she dropped down to capture him in a hug immediately, breaking their strange intense stare.
“Here have some water,” she smiled and offered one of the three refillable bottles she’d packed in the small rucksack she’d found in the closet alon
g with some snacks, wipes, tissues, and band-aids for her sweet, but adventurous boy.
Teresa stood and wiped her sweaty hands on her pants before reaching in the bag and offering another bottle to Oliver. He stepped forward crowding her a little, and her heart beat double time.
“Thanks,” Oliver winked.
He was still a little breathless after engaging in a game of tickle tag monster with Thomas, or maybe it was from that tempestuous look they’d shared. She couldn’t be sure. That gaze had been filled with promises of impending delightful seduction. Maybe if she was lucky, she’d find out just how delightful later.
Their boy gulped down his water greedily and he watched his parents with a twinkle in his bright eyes. The fresh air was good for him. Guilt and shame washed over her as she thought about all the time hiding and on the run. Living in motels and eating ramen noodles out of cheap cartons.
“It’s alright now,” Oliver said, seeming to read her mind and she offered him a small smile in turn.
“Here, Mommy,” Thomas handed her back the water then tucked his hand shyly into Oliver’s.
Tears pricked her eyes as she watched the only man who’d ever touched her heart accept the child’s hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Perhaps it was for Shifters. She wasn’t quite sure how the biological dynamic worked in so far as familial relationships between supernaturals.
And yes, there were more things out there than Shifters. Her time in a cell at Witherspoon Tech had shown her that. She shuddered in revulsion, maybe fear, and something inside her rumbled. Teresa stopped moving, her panic rising, threatening to take over.
It was back. That strange sensation of the other inside of her. Her body burned and her stomach cramped. Something was scratching at her from the inside out.
A darkness. A demon. What had her father called her? Oh yeah, an evil, cheap, vile bitch. A whore, like her mother, and that she didn’t understand at all.
The thing inside her growled at the memory. It’s anger obvious, and Teresa almost laughed. At least whatever the darkness was, it seemed to like her at times and it definitely hated her father as much as she did. It pushed again, and her fear increased. She closed her eyes, straining to keep it leashed.
