by C. D. Gorri
Still, as she watched the handsome semi-stranger hold a beer bottle to his full sensuous lips she wanted to moan. He was so handsome. So very fine. But she wasn’t ready for the type of commitment he would want.
Luisa was scared to death he’d want more than she could give. What if he can’t live with my choice? My career? It’s better to stay away then, right?
Still, there was a secret place inside of her that wished. Okay, maybe a not so secret place, whispered the naughtier part of her brain that was slowly waking up under the influence of the alcohol she was readily consuming.
Nope, if she were being honest, it was more than the place between her legs that wished for him. More than the throbbing, moistened cleft that was clenching on air, desperate to be claimed by him.
Every time he was near it got worse. Her entire body was readying her for the invasion that was inevitable. Her body could take it, she was sure. But it was the place inside her heart that she was worried about. That secret place where she knew she could lose herself entirely to him. She shivered at the thought.
What would become of her if Nate, this gorgeous, larger than life man, completely took control of all of her desires? Who would she be if he could steer her life with a crook of his long fingers? As if she was a ship, just a vessel with him at the rudder telling her which way to go. Luisa’s eyes narrowed.
No way. She wouldn’t allow herself to be taken over by Nate. Even if the universe had declared him her mate. That didn’t mean she had to go along with the universe’s plans! Heck, it seemed to her the universe was being a bit of a bully!
She snorted as she thought the words. Tipping back her sixth or was it seventh shot, she sucked on the lime and grinned wickedly.
“I have plans of my own, you know,” she announced to the bartender who smiled and poured another shot.
“Si, senorita!” He agreed.
Damn straight she did! I am going to be the best doctor EVAH! Luisa was going to help her Clan by offering care and aid to young Bears during their first Change! And she was planning an entire series of classes specific to Shifters. Imagine a new age where expectant mothers of Shifters could learn how to carry and care for their young and prepare for the birthing process. Fortunately for her, the age of chauvinism was coming to an end.
With more female Shifters stepping up and entering the professional world they truly had a chance to make a difference. She knew they were rare and precious, but women were made for more than breeding! She bit her lip, excited to implement her ideas among her Clan. She’d been thinking about it forever and could finally do it in her new position. It meant the world to her.
Having been born to a normal mother who knew very little about what having cubs meant, Luisa understood that what she was offering was unique and very much needed. She would be able to help the new generation of Bear Shifters that would someday lead the Barvale Clan from the moment of their conception!
The universe was just going to have to shut up about Nate Cordoza. She was not mating him. Period. The end. Bye-bye! What the hell was up with that anyway? Sure, her girly parts were literally drooling for the man, but that was just too bad! Nothing Mr. Vroom-Vroom at home couldn’t fix!
Firmly decided that she wasn’t about to stay home, barefoot and pregnant, just because the universe threw her fated mate at her now of all times, Luisa straightened her shoulders. Whoa! Why is the room spinning? It didn’t matter, she was going to tell that big old sexy Bear exactly how she felt.
Well, as soon as I finish this shot!
Chapter 3
After the speeches were made and the bar was nearly empty, Luisa finally remembered her new resolve to confront Nate. A few Clanmates were plucking away at their instruments and she rocked her hips and danced across the sand in her bare feet. Where did her sandals go anyway? Oh well. She had bigger fish, or bears, to fry! She moved with new determination around the bonfire to where she’d last seen him.
A few Bears asked her to dance as she made her way and she might’ve been sidetracked a bit. Luisa loved music and dancing, not that she was any good at it. That natural rhythm that most Shifters had seemed to pass right over her, but she gave it her all. Breathless and laughing, she gently pulled out of the man’s arms she’d been dancing with and stopped right in front of the man she’d been meaning to set straight, Nate Cordoza.
His green eyes glittered down at her and he bared his teeth at the young Bear who she’d just been dancing with. The man scurried away. Frightened no doubt by the possessive gleam in Nate’s eyes. It should have pissed her off, but it didn’t. In fact, it seemed to warm her from the inside out. Mine, growled her Bear.
She gulped, need and hunger rising within her as she took in his large tanned body evident through the gap of his now unbuttoned shirt. Holy hell the man had a physique to die for! She should know. Being a doctor made her somewhat of an expert, didn’t it?
His usually easy green eyes focused on her every move as she leaned closer to him. Nate was looking at her like a starving man stared at an all you can eat buffet, all but licking his lips as he stared.
“Hey there, honey girl, ‘bout time you came ‘round my way,” his cocky grin had her frowning through the alcoholic haze that fogged her brain.
“I came t-to tell you something,” she wobbled a little and he reached out and gripped her by the waist.
Luisa closed her eyes against the onslaught of tingles that zipped through her blood at the mostly chaste contact. His fingers squeezed tightly, but not uncomfortably and he dipped his head, inhaling her scent. His eyes glowed as his Bear joined their exchange and Luisa felt hers rise in response.
Awareness flared to life starting deep in her belly and moving throughout her entire body. She sucked in a deep breath. His woodsy autumn sage scent filled her nostrils. Heady and spicy, her Bear growled deeply, savoring his natural fragrance.
What was she doing again? Telling Nate to back off. Why would she want to do that? Because...uh, just because-
“I knew you’d come to me, I just had to be patient. Didn’t I, honey?” He breathed the word against her temple, his full lips pressing soft kisses to her hair and cheek.
Luisa leaned into him, loving the feel of his big, strong body. He was barely touching her. Hands still at her waist, mouth brushing baby soft kisses against her skin. But still, she couldn’t catch her breath. Not why you came here. Have to tell him.
“Nate, I-”
“Yes?” He asked, slowly travelling down her face to her neck and collar bone, pressing butterfly soft kisses there before looking up to meet her gaze.
She wanted to look away, to fight being trapped in his emerald gaze, but she had no will left. She was powerless to fight her attraction and her growing need. Maybe it was the tequila or maybe the moonlight? Shit. Maybe it was just him.
“I-” she gasped as he pressed one long kiss against her lips, slowly dipping his tongue inside the warm cavern of her mouth. Eyes open, he watched her. Saw the reactions she couldn’t suppress plain on her face. Luisa’s Bear roared in her mind’s eye as Nate lifted his mouth from hers and held her face in his hands.
“You. Are. Mine.” Each word ended on a meeting of lips and Luisa had no rebuttal for the sentiment. Every single inch of her burned for him. She was his as much as he was hers. In her heart, that was the only truth she needed.
Tossing caution to the wind, she placed her hand on his chest. It was hard, like concrete or steel, but hot to the touch. Very hot. She smiled against his lips. Nate was here now, with her. They were both alive, together. She felt his heartbeat thunder along with hers as they pressed against each other for one long minute.
“Yes,” she said looking at him through lust glazed eyes.
“Luisa,” he breathed her name, his forehead resting on hers as he twirled a lock of her hair around one of his long fingers.
Hand in hand they walked towards the row of tiny cabanas where most of the Clan was staying. Before they reached the door to his room, he swep
t her off her feet and carried her to a dark corner where his lips crashed into hers.
It was as if the entire world stopped and shook at the same time. Her Bear roared and pawed the ground inside of her mind’s eye. Yes, her entire body seemed to scream the word. The rightness of them coming together echoed through her and set her heart aflame. His fingers skimmed her curves, the slightest of touches making her want even more.
His hands were callused as if he spent a lot of time outdoors. He might. She knew he liked to draw outside, using pencils, charcoals, paints, and even just his tablet at times. At the moment, those talented fingers seemed to be everywhere. Running across her jawline, down her neck, over her large breasts to her soft belly, and down further to her knees. He parted her legs with his knee, his tongue still exploring her mouth as his hands slid underneath the clingy dress up her smooth thighs, to where she wanted him most.
It was getting harder and harder to breathe as he continued the physical onslaught that was just this side of overwhelming to her tequila addled senses. More, her Bear roared. She agreed with the sentiment. She wanted more of him. All of him. Now. Mine.
“Honey mine,” Nate murmured as he nipped her ear lobe. That tiny mark of dominance sent a shudder of pleasure spiking through her veins and she clung to him.
“Nate, inside now,” she demanded, and he complied. Making a noise somewhere between a moan and a growl, he lifted her up, Cinderella-style in his arms. He suckled her neck as he carried her the rest of the way to his own private cabana.
Nate opened the door with a quick punch of numbers on the pad over the doorknob. He slammed it shut with his foot, capturing her mouth once again as she attempted to slide down his formidable length.
Luisa trembled as he stamped himself on her with his kiss. Her raging desire grew with each swipe of his talented tongue. Licking, sucking, nibbling, he didn’t let up. Not for one second. Thank God.
She hardly knew where one kiss ended, and another began. His rough hands kneaded the plump flesh of her ass, tearing her dress off with a few quick movements. Cool air met her moist skin and she shivered deliciously as he went about removing his own clothing.
“Fuck, honey, you’re so beautiful,” his voice was deep and husky, sending shivers through her as she stood before him in a pair of skimpy pink lace panties and a matching strapless bra.
Luisa mewled as he pulled her into his body and pressed his mouth to hers once again. She found pleasure and sweet oblivion in his expert kisses. All her worries faded away with each passing moment. She had one goal now. Nate. Mine.
The room was spinning, but whether that was from the tequila or Nate she couldn’t say. Never like this. She hardly felt it as he dropped her onto the soft cover that draped the extra-firm mattress. Her senses were almost totally overwhelmed with all things Nate.
The Bear inside of her grumbled approvingly as he dominated her, pressing her into the mattress with his incredible bulk. She felt his rock-hard length at the apex of her thighs, and she looked down. When had he removed the rest of their clothes? Didn’t matter. He was magnificent.
His hands were rough against her skin, but tender, oh so tender. They felt good. His eyes were heated, wild, almost as if he wasn’t quite in control. She liked that. A lot. The Bear inside him peeked out, causing his dark green eyes to glow in the darkness of the room.
Luisa was blind, deaf, and dumb to everything but him. Every touch, every kiss, was perfection. The universe sure knew what it was doing, she admitted as he dipped his head and captured one plump nipple in his mouth.
Eyes wide, he watched her every reaction as he bit the taut nub and placed his engorged cock at her slick entrance. Lifting up he looked into her eyes solemnly as he thrust his hips, entering her slick heat in one swift motion while keeping their gazes locked.
“That’s good, honey. You feel so fucking good,” he growled the words as he pushed deeper inside of her wet heat. Using every inch of his body he pressed himself against her drawing out a long, slow moan from her lips.
He was magnificent. She wiggled to get closer, sliding her hands up and down his muscled back, pulling him closer. Chest heaving, he pressed her knees out farther and she welcomed the bite of pain, needing to get closer to him.
Nate opened her up, wide and good, using his thumb to circle her swollen clit as he swiveled and pumped his thick cock into her tight channel. She loved the warm hard feel of him touching her deep, deep inside.
“Nate,” Luisa said his name as she writhed beneath him.
Embracing the crush of his weight as his hair roughened chest pressed into her sensitized nipples, she raked her nails down his back drawing a low growl from his lips. Pleasure zapped along her nerve endings like lightning and she squeezed him tighter, noting the flare in his glittering green eyes.
“More,” she moaned.
“Yes,” he growled the words into her neck, “Mine.”
She nodded her agreement. It was the only answer she could give him. Together they moved as one, towards the same goal. There it hung just out of reach. The ultimate glory. And she would have it. Tonight. Now. With him. Only him. Swivel, swivel, thrust, thrust, swirl, swirl. And repeat. On and on they continued, grasping and clenching, pushing each other further and further until she was mindless beneath him.
Nate and the exquisite pleasure of his touch were the only things that existed for her in their fevered embrace. Not rushed though, never that. He was undeniably thorough as he touched, licked, fucked, and worshipped her entire body.
She cried out as her channel clenched around his shaft, the beginnings of her orgasm making her grow taut as she found her release. In that exact moment, Luisa reveled in Nate’s fangs as they sliced through the skin just above her left breast.
Yes! Mate! That wild part of her, unburdened by doubt cried out in happiness. Her Bear roared joyfully as the bonds of their matehood began to wrap around the two of them.
The she-Bear inside of her bellowed, demanding she reciprocate. And she did. Mindless to all but the animalistic need inside of her to claim her mate. To make her his. Luisa bit down on his shoulder, loving the feel of his cock as it pulsed deep within her. She swallowed mouthful after mouthful of his sweet lifeforce. Heat and desire flared to life once more.
He was breathing heavily. His chest pounded against hers with the strength of his heartbeat. Luisa’s eyes flared. She watched as Nate groaned aloud, clinging to her body as she licked the wound closed. Never before had she seen a man so vulnerable. It was private and secret. A wondrous thing only mates shared.
His cock still pulsed within her and she felt her Bear rise. The animal was sated, pleased that his seed had bathed her womb, marking her from the inside out. She felt the magic of their matebond pulse around her. It was new and fragile, but it was real. It was there.
Luisa sighed and watched as his breathing began to return to normal. His mossy green eyes held hers in a stare so intense she couldn’t break it if she tried. The entire world could be on fire, but she wouldn’t know it. When she was with him, he was the only thing that existed.
He bent his head, eyes still open, and touched his lips to hers. This kiss was slow. A toe-curling monument to kissing. Delicious and warming, she readily opened her mouth for his tongue.
Sex was sex, but this was something else. Something she was unable to stop or slow down. Why would she want to? This claiming was an ancient and powerful rite and Luisa would own it. At least for the while.
They’d remained indoors the entire next day. She’d finally managed to sneak away while he went out to scrounge up some food. She’d felt horrible about it, but she couldn’t think when he was near. She’d needed some space. So, she’d left him a note.
It had been a cowardly move. She still felt ashamed. But he’d respected her wishes. Nate, ever the gentleman, had given her space. Almost an entire week’s worth.
But he was here now, in her clinic, with a concussion. She walked down the hall to check on her other patients. She n
eeded time. You’ve had time, her she-Bear growled. Her heart was beating her to death. Nate was so close. All she wanted to do was go to him.
But how could she remain who she was and do that?
Chapter 4
Nate woke up to the sounds of machines beeping and the smell of strong antiseptic soap burning his nostrils. He’d always had a sensitive nose, even for a Shifter.
“Fuck,” he groaned as he tried to sit up. His head was fucking pounding. Goddamn Polar Bears! Those mountainous fucks from the North that had recently moved to Barvale did this to him! His Bear, that half-Grizzly half-Black Bear monster that lived inside of him, growled long and hard. The beast demanded he get his revenge.
“What are you doing? Stop that!”
Only that voice could make his beast stand still and take note. The fact it was tinged with a hint of annoyance made him want to grin, but he couldn’t ignore the fact of how she’d left him in Cozumel. He couldn’t deny she’d rejected his mating claim. But he also couldn’t deny himself the pleasure of being near her, so he turned around.
His aggravated Bear immediately calmed just looking at his lovely little mate. Luisa, or Dr. Sposa, since they were in her clinic walked over to him from the doorway and placed her hand on his chest, shoving him back down on the bed. Damn she was strong. Even for a she-Bear.
Not that he minded. Still, he’d have preferred she’d do that to him in their own bed. The one he’d ordered specially for her the second he’d gotten home from Mexico. Alone.
In fact, he’d spent most of his free time the last week fixing their den. The cabin on the shore off Lake Ursa was one of the larger ones his half-brothers had owned. They’d wanted to give it to him as part of their Bear Claw Brotherhood plan to win his mate, but he insisted on paying for it at the current value of both the land and the house.
