Bear With Me (Redwater Shifters Book 3)

by B. N. Kasner

  “Are you unhappy, mate?” Grace shivered at the word mate coming from his lips. He didn’t call her mate, ever. Her wrist tingled when Carter ran his fingers over the already healed mark. “I know you’re not. Even if I couldn’t feel you, I can still scent you.”

  Carter took a deep breath, burying his face in the crook of her neck. His lips grazed her skin when he spoke, “Happiness and lust. A heady combination coming from you, my pretty girl.” Teeth scraped along the column of her neck. “Grace Elaine, you were made for me, and now, everyone else knows it too.”

  Damn, she melted at his words. Not to mention, what she felt coming from his side of the bond. To her, it felt like love, but she knew he wasn’t ready to admit it yet. Not to her or himself, so she’d keep the information to herself. “You sure know how to charm a girl.” It came out as a moan, instead of sarcastic.

  Grace felt Carter’s lips turn up into a smug smirk. The bear had an out of control ego. One which she knew would grow because of her reactions to him. She couldn’t help herself, though. Her mate should’ve been gracing a GQ magazine cover he was that sexy.

  With a dirty mouth which made wearing panties an inconvenience and a cock a porn star would be jealous of. Carter’s heart though is what got to Grace the most. Deep down, he was a mush ball. She’d come to learn she came first to him. How could she keep herself together when this specimen of male perfection treated her like a Goddess?

  The timer on the stove went off before Carter could kiss anymore of her exposed skin, which was truly a shame. “Go get our dinner ready, I’m going to wash all this dirt off me.” He murmured, laying a soft kiss on her lips. His work clothes were covered in dirt and a tiny bit of blood. One of them must’ve gotten in a punch before she stepped between them.

  Instead of following Carter like Grace wanted to, she checked on their dinner. The pasta was overcooked and the garlic bread burnt to a crisp. Good thing Redwater had a pizza place who delivered. After placing their order, Grace went in search of her mate. He’d been in the shower for what seemed like forever.

  Before she opened the bathroom door, Grace heard her mate groan. Growling, she flung the door open, not caring at all when it slammed into the wall. Carter’s shower had glass doors, even though they were steamed up Grace saw the outline of her mate and what he was doing. “What’s this?” Grace snarled, feeling like she wasn’t a good mate.

  What kind of male had to hide in the shower, jerking himself off when he had a mate? One whose mate apparently wasn’t meeting his needs. Her eyes watered with the urge to cry. Carter looked like a bear caught with his hand in the honeypot. She turned to walk away, Grace didn’t want Carter to see her cry.

  “Damn it,” Carter growled from behind her, before his soapy hand wrapped around her wrist. The one he’d just left a mating mark on. So of course, her body betrayed her by getting soaking wet for him. “This isn’t what it looks like.” The honesty in his eyes had Grace waiting to hear his explanation.

  Grace planted a hand on her hip, tapping her foot on the tile floor. “I didn’t think I’d be able to control myself if you touched me and I know we can’t-”

  “We can.” She cut him off, her cheeks on fire. Grace had worked up the nerve to talk to Annie. Annie always acted like an older sister to her and the other women. Grace knew she wouldn’t give her a hard time about asking questions regarding sex.

  “But…I thought you said no? And no means no, I’m not one of those guys who-” Grace cut him off again. “I know you’re not. Annie said it’ll be a little messy, but otherwise, it’s fine. It might even help with my cramps.”

  “Then do what you have to and get your fine ass in here. I want to fuck my mate.” He watched with hungry eyes as she undressed. Carter always made her feel womanly and beautiful, but this time she felt like a temptress. His hand jerked his cock in slow movements, “Enough teasing, pretty girl.”

  Grace’s giggles turned to moans as her mate pulled her into the shower. The pizza and dinner entirely forgotten.

  ◆◆◆

  He paid the pizza delivery kid, “Sorry again about earlier.” When he’d heard the pounding on his front door, Carter hadn’t hesitated to growl before opening it. Then as if he hadn’t already scared the poor kid, Grace had come out with hardly any clothes on. Carter had snarled like a fucking beast on the verge of killing someone. The someone being the kid ogling his mate’s curves.

  Needless to say, they probably weren’t going to be allowed to order anything from Hannigan’s Bar anymore. At least, not if they wanted it delivered to the house. Shoving the pizza into Carter’s hands, the boy took off for his car. Carter didn’t blame him, he would’ve run from Carter too if he was the boy. He also would’ve been fucking Grace with his eyes, like the damn kid.

  His mate was the most beautiful creature in the world. She had a body with curves for miles. A double whammy and that was before you got to know her. Once anybody did, they were done for, just like Carter. Grace had the heart of an angel and the spirit of a warrior.

  Since they were fully mated, he needed to tell her about Becky. It wasn’t fair for him to know all the details about her true mate and for Grace to know none about his. Sitting down beside her, Carter lifted her feet, placing them on his lap. “Mmm.” She already had a piece of pizza in her mouth.

  Glaring at the offending food, he kept his mouth shut. The pizza didn’t have Grace’s love. “I love Hannigan’s pizza, don’t you?” Carter just growled, shoving a piece into his mouth. It was delicious, but not as tasty as his mate.

  “What else do you remember?” His hand hovered over the open box, already he’d been going back for seconds.

  “Umm, what are you talking about?”

  “Outside, you said you remember lots of stuff.” Obviously, she could see he still wasn’t catching on to her line of questioning. “From the past. The leaves in my hair, stuff like that. What else?”

  Grace practically bounced out of her seat. Leaving the pizza, because a part of him hated it for getting all his mate’s moans, he started to give her tiny feet a massage. She moaned for Carter, “That feels amazing.” It was almost like they were fucking, with her moaning and saying it felt good. Grace made his ego swell to monstrous proportions.

  “Alright, the past. Oh, I’ve got one. Remember for your sixteenth birthday we went down to the lake?”

  “Yeah, how could I forget.” For being so confident around her girlfriends, Carter could get her to blush with ease. “I was so embarrassed. Why did you have to remember that?”

  “You popped out of the water without a top on. How could I forget it?” He chuckled at the look of disbelief on Grace’s face. “It was the first time I saw you as something more than Gene’s kid sister. Your tits looked so perky, the tan lines with your pale skin let your nipples stand out.

  “I went home, jerked myself off to the image of you. Then I locked the lust and image away because I was twenty-two and you were a fucking kid. I couldn’t let myself get close to you anymore. It’s why you weren’t allowed to come over without Gene or someone else here.” Her little moans had stopped, so he looked over at her.

  Her hunter green eyes shimmered with tears. If it weren't for the bond, he would’ve thought he’d said something wrong. “Don’t cry, pretty girl.” Carter gently set aside her feet, scooped her up and cuddled her on his lap. “I don’t think I could handle it if you start crying, even if it’s because your happy.”

  She giggled and sniffled at the same time, “Damn you for being so perfect.” Grace snuggled closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Back then I thought you didn’t like the way I looked. I hadn’t really developed anything yet.”

  “Like I said, you were a kid. I did like what I saw, it’s the whole reason you had to stay away.” Carter kissed the top of her head, breathing her scent deep into his lungs. The scent had become his haven. It calmed him down, made him feel at home, got his cock hard and healed his heart all in one fell swoop.

  �
��A lot was different back then, huh?” He felt her uneasiness through the bond. Was this her way of asking about Becky and the past? Carter would never deny her anything, and he wanted her to know everything anyway.

  “Hell, yeah it was.” Dropping his head back, he stared at the ceiling. How did he tell her about his past without making her feel insecure? She meant the world to him, her self-esteem and confidence came first. “If anything I say makes you feel uncomfortable, tell me and I’ll stop. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Her voice sounded normal, but Carter felt her anxiousness grow.

  “Becky and I met when we were eighteen, she lived two towns over. I was the first shifter she’d met besides herself. She didn’t know anything about being a shifter since she was an orphan. Through teaching her, we fell in love. I’d known she was my mate all along, but I hadn’t wanted to freak her out.

  “Saying, ‘Hey I know we’ve just met, but we’re meant to be together forever. So, let me bite you,’ didn’t really seem like something which would’ve gone over great. Anyway, Becky got sick. Cancer. Since I was the only person she had, I sat by her side through it all.

  “Watched as her life faded right in front of my eyes. I never bit her, we never claimed each other. It’s part of the reason I resisted the pull to you so much. How could I give you something that I never gave her? I’ve realized even though she’ll always be in my heart, you’re the one who’s supposed to get the bond.

  “You’re my mate, Grace Elaine and I wouldn’t change that for anything in this crazy world.” Tear tracks were on Grace’s face when he looked down at her. “Shit. I told you to stop me.” He kissed each cheek, then her eyes and tip of her nose.

  Grace smiled then, making it easier for Carter to breathe again. “I just felt the pain you’d went through. How did you pull yourself out of that kind of darkness?” He must’ve not been making it very clear if she didn’t know the answer to her question.

  “I didn’t pull myself out.” Carter took a deep breath, drawing in her scent, letting it give him confidence. He didn’t do vulnerable well. “You reached down there and dragged me out. You’re my light, pretty girl. Without you, I’d still be drowning in darkness.”

  Carter kissed her, he’d always been better at showing rather than telling. “I’m taking you back to the shower.” He growled, standing up with her in his arms.

  “You do know we’re bears, not fish? We’ll get all pruned up in there.” She giggled, clutching onto his shoulders.

  “If I get to have you again, a little pruning is worth it.” Carter spent the rest of the night showing her just how much pruning he could stand. It wasn’t until Grace sagged against him hours later that he finally took them to bed.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Carter laughed at the look of disbelief on Gene’s face. Gene couldn’t believe his dad had known Grace was moving out all this time and never told him. Settling his mate more comfortably beside him on the couch, Carter sneaked a look at his friends. Most of them weren’t over the sudden newness of Carter and Grace. They were used to the couple dancing around each other with stolen glances.

  That wasn’t the case anymore. Grace was his mate now, Carter wasn’t going to tone down how he acted around her for them. If anything, he upped his possessive tendencies. Both Alex and Isaiah were unmated. He had to show them his pretty girl was his. No one else’s. Was he overreacting? Yes. Did he care? No.

  “You can quit glaring at me,” Alex growled, but had a smirk on his face. “I’m not going to steal your mate away.” Carter snarled at him, pulling Grace onto his lap. The others all laughed at him for acting like an obsessed fool.

  Fuck, he was obsessed with his Gracie, and the soft smile on her face made acting like an idiot worth it. “I still can’t believe they’re finally together. It’s only been what?” Mason looked over at Nathan. The two of them silently debating something. “Three years?”

  “More like four, maybe even five,” Nathan commented, sliding an arm around Annie. “I knew something was up with them when I first moved here.”

  “Six,” Gene grumbled from beside his dad at the kitchen table. “Six fucking years, I’ve known. Should’ve done something about it back then.” He growled, but Lani waddled over to him asking for a snack. She winked when Gene turned his back.

  He took back his thoughts of not liking the loud mouth she-wolf. “What are you assholes talking about anyway?” Isaiah had taken a seat on the stairs leading to the second floor. “Six years of what?”

  “It’s how long they’ve been playing footsie with each other and thinking none of us realized.” Mason and Nathan laughed while Gene mumbled under his breath.

  “It all started when Grace lost her top swimming in the lake.” His mate’s brother glared at everything and nothing at the same time. Carter knew then it would take more than a week for Gene to come to terms with their mating.

  “Red lost her top? Well fuck, I wished I’d-” Carter cut the damn mutt off, “Don’t even utter the words. I’m not laid back like these assholes. I’ll bleed you where you stand.” His grip on Grace tightened, causing his pretty girl to lean further into him.

  “Sexy, you know I’m not going anywhere, right?” Gracie whispered in his ear, nipping it in the process. “That wolf has nothing on you.” He felt her growing lust and excitement through the bond. She wiggled on his lap, golden eyes shining at him.

  “We’re going to get the last couple boxes.” Carter announced, standing with Grace in his arms. Stomping past his chuckling friends, he didn’t stop until he had his mate in her old bedroom with the door closed. He set her on the bed, “What was all that back there? Are you trying to get fucked right here and now?”

  Her eyes lit up, the bond sparking with exhilaration. “Maybe. If it helps calm you down, I’d be okay with it.”

  “Oh, no. Only if you really want my cock are you going to get it. Not to calm me down, that’s bullshit, and you know it.” She pouted, but Carter wasn’t going to give in this time. Lately, she’d been getting him to do anything she wanted. “I have to hear you say it now.”

  “Lock the door and fuck me.” Grace purred, already slipping her top over her shoulders. Damn, she was a fucking vision of beauty. He’d never get tired of watching his pretty girl move. Her body was a work of art. “It’s been too long since I’ve had my mate’s cock.”

  “Fuck.” By the time he locked her door and turned around, she stood in front of him completely bare. “Goddess give me mercy. You’ll be the death of me.” He snarled, only unzipping and pulling out his already hard cock. Who wouldn’t already be hard looking at a woman who could pass for a Playboy Bunny?

  He helped maneuver her onto the bed, getting Grace on her hands and knees. They didn’t have time for any foreplay, but Carter vowed to himself he’d take considerable time eating her later. The tip of his cock slid through her wet folds. Carter almost took her bare, her fertile body tempted him each time they fucked. One of these times, he wouldn’t be able to resist his Gracie.

  “What’s taking ya so long?” She snarled, pushing her dripping wet pussy towards him. Her golden eyes narrowed at him over her shoulder.

  “Quiet mate or I won’t let you come.” Wrapping one hand around her hip, he lined himself back up to her opening. His other hand gripped her around the throat, just enough to show her who was in charge. If it didn’t make her cream even more, he wouldn’t do it, but his mate liked to be dominated. “Do you want your mate’s cock?”

  She nodded her head, only Carter was too far gone to be appeased with her mild reaction to him. No, he wanted her to scream for the unmated males to know she didn’t need or want them. On the other paw, Carter didn’t want anyone to hear his mate’s moans. Those were for his ears and his alone. “Beg.”

  Apparently, it was going to be a combination of both his emotions. “Please. Please, fuck me.” Grace whimpered. The sound got him every, fucking, time. Sliding inside her tight pussy, Carter groaned at the same time Grace moaned.


  Loudly. Carter’s hand shot to Grace’s mouth, “The sounds you make when I’m fucking you are for me only. Understand?” She nodded enthusiastically, nipping the palm of his hand. “You drive me crazy.” Pulling out until only the head of his cock remained inside her, he slammed into her.

  Her moans stayed muffled against Carter’s hand as he continued his assault on Grace’s pussy. He pulled out all the stops to make her come. With the luck they had, any minute someone would come pounding on the door. Carter wasn’t about to leave his mate needy and aching for him. His threat from earlier, was just that, a threat.

  Just like he’d thought, someone tried to open the door and then knocked. “Hey, why’s the door locked?” Of course, it’d be Isaiah, the dog had a damn death wish. “What’re ya’ll doin’ in there?” Carter could hear the laughter in his voice.

  “Rub your clit.” Carter made sure to whisper directly into Grace’s ear. He didn’t want Isaiah and his God-blessed ears overhearing him. “Use your mate’s cock to get yourself off.” Carter made sure to hit all of Grace’s buttons. Within moments, her inner walls were rhythmically pulsing, drawing his own climax to the surface.

  It caught him off-guard, causing him to half lay on Grace. She wasn’t complaining, but he was sure she didn’t want him laying on her. “Quick get dressed.” Disposing of the used condom, he zipped up his pants. Carter sat on the bed, trying to catch his breath. “Damn. Each time with you hits me square in the chest.”

  Grace’s sweet smile made his heart beat wildly. He swallowed hard, three little words on the tip of his tongue. Carter opened his mouth the same time her brother’s voice came through the door, “If ya’ll are fuckin’ in there, I’m gonna ring both of your necks.” His pretty girl opened the door, the smile still on her face.

  “Big brother, you’re not gonna do anything. Ya wanna know why?” She planted her hands on her hips, blocking the path to him. He could handle his own battles, but he’d let Grace take care of her brother. “Because I know you brought your prom date back here and took her up against the house.