A Date For The Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Bear Brides Book 2)

by Natalie Kristen

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Tony sucked in a sharp breath. He pushed off the wall as every head in the room swiveled to cast shocked, disbelieving glances at him.

  Keeping his gaze on her, he strode to Terri's side and loomed over her. “You choose me,” he said, keeping his voice level.

  She swallowed and jerked up her chin. “I choose you.”

  There was a flash of defiance and challenge in her eyes. “Are you not up to it?”

  Tony's lips twitched. Even at this time, with her life in the balance, she couldn't resist taunting and daring him.

  She was breathing rather too quickly, and Tony saw sweat beading on her upper lip. She was fighting her pain, and being so brave about it. Any human would have been scared witless by now. It was terrifying to not be in control of your body, to know that there was a beast inside you just waiting to shred your insides to ribbons and kill you.

  Tony cupped her upturned face in his large hand and stroked her cheek. It was a gentle, tender gesture, one that surprised the both of them. And from the muttered comments around him, it surprised everyone as well.

  “I will Turn you, Terri. You are a strong, beautiful human, and you will be a strong, beautiful werebear,” he said softly. “I...I'm sorry I was such a jerk before. I shouldn't have...judged you, without knowing you.”

  Terri frowned. “Judged me?”

  “I assumed you were like all the other human women I'd known. I didn't want to get involved with a human female ever again. So...”

  “So you tried to deny yourself, deny your attraction to me,” Terri finished for him.

  “Yes. I was a bloody fool.”

  “You most definitely were. A fool and a jerk.” Terri frowned. “But...y-you were going to ask me something...in the car...”

  “I wanted to ask you if you would...go out with me.”

  Terri's lips parted, and she blinked. She looked surprised, confused and delighted at his words. To his amazement, she looked down and blushed. She was really so pretty when she blushed.

  Tony ignored the gasps and mutters around them, focusing his attention solely on Terri.

  But he didn't get to hear Terri's reply. Amanda came up to him and tugged urgently at his arm. “A word.”

  Tony understood her look and tone. There was something important the elder werebear needed to tell him. He let her pull him to a corner and bent his head low so she wouldn't have to crane her neck to look up at him.

  “Yes, Amanda.”

  “The human has made her choice,” Amanda began. “She is obviously strong in body and spirit. But...”

  “Go on,” he said grimly.

  “There is always a risk that her body will reject the foreign shifter cells. You must be prepared.”

  “I will Turn her properly.” It was a promise to Amanda, Terri and himself.

  “I know you will.” Amanda patted his hand. She hesitated briefly before carrying on, “There...is something else you should know. During the Turn, the animal instincts may take hold of the human host. The human will experience the intense, unbearable hunger and lust of the animal. The bear will want to mate. It is a natural animal need and want. And, if I may add, mating will ease the process, distract her from the pain, and quicken the Turn.”

  Tony felt his jaw drop. “You're asking me to...to...”

  “I'm not asking you to do anything. It's up to the both of you.”

  “But you're saying...”

  Amanda shrugged and gave him a shove. “You better go. Your lady is starting to lose her looks.”

  Tony jerked when he saw Terri convulsing and thrashing on the bed. Amanda wasn't joking. Terri's human features were contorting and twisting into some unrecognizable shape, halfway between bear and woman. Her gray eyes were darkening, flashing, changing colors and cycling between human and animal. Fur appeared and vanished on her arms and neck, and parts of her seemed to become invisible. Tony tried to grab her hand, but his fist closed around thin air. A paw shimmered below her wrist, complete with curved, glinting claws. Tony held on to that shaking paw, only to have it change shape in his palm. Terri's small, trembling hand lay in his, covered in blood as pinpricks of fur stabbed through her soft, human skin.

  Terri screamed, a wrenching sound that tore his heart and soul in two. Tony pulled her to him and bellowed, “Out! All of you, get the hell out of my room!”

  Cole and Dalton barked orders, and by the time Tony turned back to Terri, there was only the echo of rushing footsteps as his bedroom door closed. He had ordered them out of his room, but he knew his clan wouldn't leave him. They would be close by, ready to render assistance and support at a roar.

  Tony tore off Terri's clothes and pressed her feverish body back on the bed. She scratched at him and hissed when he tried to hold her.

  “Terri, trust me,” he said, sliding his hand to her nape. “I will never hurt you.”

  Terri's body relaxed visibly at the sound of his voice. Her eyes stopped darting in all directions and focused on his face. Tony thought he saw her smile, but it could just have been a twitch of her facial muscle.

  “Tony?” Her voice sounded uncharacteristically small. “You won't leave me?”

  “No, Terri, I will never leave you. We will get through this together. I will take care of you. I promise.”

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked. There was a brief moment of absolute clarity in her eyes.

  “Because...I—I like you. A lot.” Tony closed his eyes. More than a lot. More than...

  “Even though I'm a human female?” Terri coughed out a laugh and patted his cheek. “I like you a lot too, Tony-boy. Even though you're the grouchiest bear I've ever met.”

  Turning away, she flicked her hair back and bared her neck for him. “I might not be human much longer,” she mumbled. “I just know that this is going to hurt like a bitch.” She closed her eyes and sighed, “I wonder if I can choose the color of my fur...”

  Tony pulled his bear to the surface, letting the beast prowl just below his skin. As his fangs and claws pushed out, he glared at the discolored, dried blood on Terri's neck. The shifter cells in her blood had set to work immediately, repairing and healing the wound. The wound had closed so she was no longer bleeding outwardly. But she would start to bleed internally if he didn't Turn her fast. She would drown in her own blood as her half-formed bear clawed her insides to mush as it tried and failed to emerge.

  “Your fur will be brown,” Tony answered her question. “You will be a beautiful, brown bear, Terri.” Not a fucking polar bear.

  Terri gasped as Tony bit down on her neck, reopening her wound and pushing as much of his shifter cells into her blood through his fangs.

  Her body began to shake and tears leaked from her eyes, but Tony didn't let go. He refused to withdraw his fangs from her flesh even though he was causing her indescribable pain.

  Tony closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to see her tears. This was so fucking hard. He had to hurt her, to save her. If he could take her pain away, bear her pain for her, share her pain...

  Tony pushed his fangs deeper into her neck and pressed her quaking body to him. He was already sharing her pain. He could feel her torment, her trauma, her terror. And in that blinding moment, he realized just how strong and special she was, and how much she meant to him.

  He had sworn off human women, and he had tried to scare Terri off by being mean and menacing but it was clear she didn't scare easily. His bear had wanted her, but he hadn't wanted to give Terri a chance. He owed her. And if she would let him, he would spend the rest of his life making it up to her.

  But first, they had to make it through her Turning.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Terri stifled a scream as Tony pushed his fangs deeper into her neck. She forced herself not to struggle, not to panic, not to feel fear and anger.

  He's not Silas, he's not Silas, he's not...

  This was Tony. Tony was holding her, biting her, because s
he asked him to. He wasn't forcing himself on her. He wasn't forcing her to Turn. She chose to Turn. She chose him.

  Terri whimpered softly as Tony licked gently at her wound. He stroked her hair, her cheek as he pierced her flesh again with his sharp fangs. He was trying to ease her pain, make her comfortable, but there was no comfort to be had. The Turning bite hurt—like a fucking bitch.

  Terri swore she would kill Silas, with her bare hands. She would survive this, and she would make the bastard pay.

  How dare he inflict this on her! She was perfectly happy with her little human life. Well, not perfectly happy. But happy enough.

  Silas had no right to bite her and Turn her. And he only did a half-assed job of it. Leaving her in limbo, between human and beast, life and death.

  Tony bit down harder, and she shrieked in pain and wrath.

  “Shit, shit, shit! I hate this! I fucking hate this!” She clawed at him, trying to shove him off. Tony held her firmly, his fangs buried deep in her neck. Despite her yelling and thrashing, he held her securely in place, biting her deep and hard, refusing to let her go even when she cursed and swore at him.

  “I hate you! I hate you, I hate you so much!” Terri sobbed, her fists beating weakly against the solid wall of his chest.

  She continued railing and ranting until she ran out of steam. Her neck burned and throbbed as Tony slowly withdrew his fangs. When he laved his tongue down the column of her throat, Terri actually moaned and shuddered. After the pain of his bite, she craved that sweet, erotic pleasure from his skilful tongue and lips.

  Terri raised her hand to her neck, expecting to feel her own warm, sticky blood. But her skin was dry and all she felt were two puncture marks. Tony had been very careful with her. He hadn't broken any skin unnecessarily, unlike Silas, who had chomped down savagely on her like she was some bloody piece of meat.

  Her hand moved to Tony's chest as she gazed up at him. She could feel his powerful heartbeat, his body heat, his solid, rippling muscles. She was suddenly aware of how handsome and how utterly male he was. Tall, muscled and virile. She glanced down and saw the growing bulge in the front of his jeans.

  Tony growled when he saw what she was staring at.

  “How are you feeling?” he said roughly.

  “Hot.”

  He frowned at her.

  “I'm really hot.” She fanned herself and writhed in his arms.

  “Terri...”

  “No, it's getting really hot. Why is it so hot in here?” Terri shoved him in frustration. “I need to get out of my clothes.” She glanced down and saw that she wasn't wearing any clothes. Clawing down her arms, she screeched, “I need to get out of my skin! It's too hot!”

  “Terri, look at me!” The note of urgency and command in his voice made her whip her head up.

  “Listen to me,” Tony said, looking deep into her eyes. “You're going to Turn. Don't fight it. I've injected enough shifter cells into your blood. I made sure of it. You will Turn, soon. Don't be afraid. Let it happen.” Tony gripped her shoulders.

  “But I'm so hot!” she screamed. “I can't...ah, argh!”

  Her eyes rounded as her pupils dilated. Claws sprouted from her fingertips and she screamed in pain. The heat enveloping her body was becoming unbearable. Terri grabbed at Tony, ripping his shirt off with her claws. She wanted to feel bare skin, needed to rub herself against him, every inch of him. Her own skin was tingling and she felt her nipples harden and ache maddeningly. Every part of her body was sensitized, throbbing, burning, needing to be touched.

  Terri panted as she yanked at Tony's belt. Tony let her claw his clothes to shreds, not stopping her, not fighting her. Terri purred in satisfaction as the fabric ripped to reveal his tanned, glistening skin. This was how she wanted him. Stark naked. She rubbed wantonly against him, needing him to touch her, lick her everywhere. She needed to feel him inside her, pounding into her, taking her hard and fast like an animal.

  Terri gasped as the word formed in her fuzzy mind.

  Mate.

  She needed to mate.

  Don't fight it.

  Terri was gulping and panting, feeling thirsty, hungry and hot. But she didn't need or want water and food. In fact, the thought of eating and drinking made her retch. Her body was churning, clamoring, screaming for one thing.

  One person.

  Tony.

  Terri gasped and clung to Tony's powerful shoulders. He was the only thing that was steady and solid in her strange, shifting world, which was growing more confusing and bizarre by the second.

  Her body was controlling her mind, not the other way around. Her body wanted Tony, even though her mind tried to fight her body's ridiculous demand and appetite.

  And looking at the magnificent sight of Tony's hard, rippling body, it was obvious that she wasn't the only one with a big appetite. He wanted her too.

  In one fluid movement, Tony covered her body with his and took her mouth in a deep, bruising kiss. As he worked his lips and tongue down her body, Terri moaned and spread her legs. This felt good, so damn good. The tormenting heat in her body began to ebb and wane as Tony touched her and licked her all over.

  Terri panted hard, wanting and needing more. She could feel something growing stronger within her. She could sense her bear, and her bear wanted to mate.

  “Tony...” she whimpered. “Take me. Please!”

  CHAPTER TEN

  Tony kissed down Terri's hot, shivering body. Her skin felt hot to the touch, and her eyes seemed to be glowing. The shifter cells were taking hold and changing her body's dynamics and signals.

  She was getting the first taste of her bear's mating instinct. She wanted to mate right now. Her bear needed the comfort, the stimulation, the pleasure and assurance. Tony licked every inch of Terri's curvy body. He would pleasure her, ease her, distract her from the pain.

  Tony ran his fingers down Terri's amazing, luscious body. She was beautiful, all generous, womanly curves. She had a body that was made for pleasure, his pleasure. He wanted this body in his bed every single night. Tony growled. She had begged him to take her, but he knew that if he took her, there would be no turning back. He would hunger for her always, and he would never get enough of her.

  His greedy bear slapped him upside the head with a heavy paw. His bear wanted to taste her, savor her and have its fill of her. It wasn't backing down this time.

  Pushing her legs apart, Tony swirled his tongue around her nub and placed his palm on her belly as she bucked off the mattress. Laving his tongue down her pussy lips, he tasted her thoroughly, lapping at her juices and pushing his tongue into her slit. She was exquisite, hot and wet, and so responsive. He suckled her clit gently as he pushed a finger into her. Her tight channel spasmed and rippled when he inserted another finger into her. She was so fucking tight. Tony slid his fingers languidly in and out of her body, sucking and licking at her erect clit.

  Terri cried out and fisted the sheets. She muttered incoherently as Tony caressed her curves reverently with his fingers, inching his way to her heaving breasts.

  When he closed his mouth over a dusky nipple, Terri gasped and arched her back. Sucking and pulling at her pebbled peak, Tony thumbed her other nipple, coaxing it to harden and throb.

  “Now, now...” Terri panted, thrashing her head from side to side. She put her hands under her knees and pulled her legs apart. “You, I need you...” She breathed hard, her eyes wet and imploring.

  Tony could deny his beast and his manhood no longer. Kneeling between her thighs, he nudged his cock into her opening and bent forward. Her eyelids fluttered and she stared up at him with a gasp. Holding her gaze, he slid very slowly into her body.

  Tony clenched his teeth. She felt so amazing, slick and tight. He wanted to take her slowly, and he had to stop himself from thrusting madly into her.

  Terri sighed and made small, yipping sounds of pleasure as he began to move. She raked her little claws down his arms and back, encouraging
him to go faster, harder.

  Tony held her in his arms, his muscles flexing as he drove deep into her. He suckled her, laving his tongue all over her delicious, large breasts. Terri made a keening sound and arched her back. Her orgasm was powerful and beautiful, and Tony savored the look on her face as she came. He kissed her jaw, her collarbone, her shoulders, letting his fingers stroke up and down her arms.

  Her skin had cooled down, and she was no longer overwrought and feverish. Her breathing slowed and her eyes were clear and focused once more.

  Tony started to pull out of her, even though he hadn't taken his release. He had eased her ache and torment, helped her through the worst part of her Turning. From the curve of her lips, he had done a good job of distracting her from her pain.

  That was enough. Easing her, comforting her, pleasuring her. He wouldn't allow his bear to fuck her raw. He would pull out of her now, even though his cock was raging and pounding for release.

  “Tony.” Terri wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her again. “Don't go.”

  “I...”

  “Don't leave me.”

  “I will never leave you, Terri,” Tony said on a ragged breath.

  She smiled and whispered, “Then love me. Again and again. I want to feel you come inside me.”

  Tony stared at her for a beat. Her eyes were clear and intelligent. She knew what she was asking, what she was doing, and she wanted him. It wasn't the mating instinct talking. It was her. She wanted him.

  With a roar of fierce pride and love, Tony lunged forward and grabbed her. He pushed her knees up against her chest to spread her wider for him. Then he surged into her, driving himself deep into her body. Terri threw her arms up over her head as he fucked her hard and fast, their flesh slapping wetly together.

  This was hot, possessive sex. He thumbed her nipples as he pounded into her, wanting to own and claim every inch of her. He wanted to hear her scream his name as she came. This beautiful, perfect woman was his. His bear had known it all this time, and was clamoring to claim her. He had been a fool to deny his bear and his heart.