“I never want you to leave my bed.” I sighed against her skin.
“Then I won’t,” she replied softly. She turned over to face me, breaking us apart.
She kissed me deeply, her tongue finding mine with a renewed, needful energy. She drew me back inside her then, straddling me. I clutched at her waist, watching her beautiful, soft, curvy body glide up and down on my cock.
Fucking hell.
She was a complete goddess. Her dark hair gently fell around her breasts as they swayed and bounced gently with her motion. Her breathing came in short gasps and her legs clasped against the sides of my body. She was close.
I watch her, mesmerized by her beauty as she took her pleasure from me. I thrust upward, moving my hips off the bed. Her eyes widened and her pussy clenched me tightly as she cried out, my name falling sweetly from her lips.
That was all it took. I couldn’t hold back any longer and my entire body exploding in release.
“Fuck Chloe.”
She collapsed down next to me, smiling up at the ceiling.
“That was incredible,” she sighed.
I wondered if she could feel it. The strengthening of our bond every time we touched one another. I felt more in tune with her body, her moods. As if part of her now inhabited me.
“Are you hungry?” I asked, feeling my own stomach knot with a ravenous appetite.
“Starved,” she laughed.
“I’m going to order in, I don’t really feel like sharing you with the world right now. We can eat on the terrace.”
“Good, I feel the same way,” she gave me a mischievous look, “I also don’t think we should move too far from the bed.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
Chloe stood and retrieved herself a fresh white shirt from my closet and brought it back to the bed. I smiled. Just the thought of watching Chloe spend the evening in a shirt that only just covered her sexy ass made my balls ache.
“This will do,” she smiled back at me.
I reached for my cell. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten at home in the evening. And I’d never done it with a woman before. It felt good. Natural. For the first time since I’d moved in five years ago, my apartment suddenly felt like a home.
17
Nathan’s terrace was spectacular. Its view overlooked the twinkling lights of the city below and the mountains beyond. A few candles I’d found in Nathan’s kitchen drawers flickered on the table.
We’d ordered Korean food, the take out boxes cluttered the table because Nathan had distracted me with neck kisses when I’d tried to plate up the food. He held my foot in his lap, his fingers running up and down my leg while we ate. The evening was perfect, and I wanted to get lost in the moment but all I could think about was returning to his bed.
Something strange had happened when we slept together. I didn’t understand it, and I wasn’t sure if it was just my hormones going crazy after sex, but I felt connected to him on a deeply profound level that I couldn’t explain. This whole thing just felt so… big.
“Do you feel…?” I started to ask him if he was experiencing the enormity of emotions that I was, but stopped suddenly afraid he’d think I was crazy.
He smiled at me, his eyes burning bright.
“The connection?” He replied.
“Exactly. I feel like…I don’t know… like I can feel your moods, like you’re inside my head. Or something…” I trailed off. I needed help here, before I started sounded like an infatuated teenager.
“Good,” Nathan answered sounding relieved. “Yes, I feel it. It’s the start of the bonding process,” he cleared his throat and I could feel a nervous energy pass between us, “I don’t want to scare you off, but I think, I know, that my bear wants to… claim you. As my mate.”
“Wasn’t what we just did? Mating?” I asked, confused.
“Not exactly,” he smirked, “When a shifter claims his mate, he marks her.
“Marks her?”
“A claiming bite.”
He laughed when he saw my expression.
“The bite is a mark that tells the world, and other shifters, that his mate has been claimed. Forever bonded,” he continued. “Once mated, the process is irreversible. I know you’re not ready for that yet.”
Wow.
“Are you?” I asked, with genuine amazement.
“Yes,” he replied simply, “But as a shifter, I know. I can feel in every fiber of my being, that you’re mine. You’re it for me. It’s not the same for humans. I can’t expect you to feel the same way. So, we’ll wait.” He shrugged, unperturbed by the intensity of the conversation.
I thought about it. The crazy potency of feelings I had for Nathan, which in retrospect I’d felt even that first day in the forest. It had grown exponentially in the ridiculously short time I’d known him, but forever?
Was I ready for forever? I knew without a doubt that Nathan was the one for me. I couldn’t walk away, even if I wanted to. Now that I had experienced our connection, there wouldn’t be a day or an hour that my body and soul didn’t yearn to feel it renewed.
“I will never pressure you into anything,” Nathan held my gaze, “My feelings for you won’t change, however long it takes you to decide.”
I nodded. A blissful contentment saturated my entire being. This incredible man loved me, without wanting anything in return. I felt humbled.
“Am I interrupting?”
A man appeared through the kitchen doors, grinning at us both.
“Yes you fucking are,” Nathan growled at him.
“Hey, you’re one of the girls from the forest,” he smiled at me and held out his hand, “I’m Byron, and I hear I’m the reason you spent the night in a dank basement. My sincerest apologies.”
The brother. I shook his hand, bemused. I had thought I’d feel anger toward the man responsible for such a mess, but there was something about him, a recklessness and a rebel charm that made it impossible to hate him on sight.
He looked so much like Nathan, but Nathan cultivated an image of raw masculinity tempered with a strength and control that would put the fear in any Ivy League business mogul. Byron was the kind of guy that put fear into the hearts of mothers. The poster boy for broken hearts, unwanted pregnancies and bad choices.
“You’re not forgiven.” Nathan snapped.
“Chloe, I am so sorry.” Byron beseeched my forgiveness again, practically getting down on one knee in earnestness.
“It’s okay,” I smiled at Nathan, “It’s nice to meet you Byron.”
“You too,” he shot his brother a look of triumph.
“How are you feeling,” I asked, “after your fight?”
“Fully recovered, so my generous brother is kicking me to the curb.”
“You’re lucky I haven’t thrown you off the roof, idiot.”
Byron ignored him and turned his attentions back to me.
“Tell me about your friend, Bri – the girl who was so bear friendly in the forest.”
I laughed. Not in a million years would Byron appeal to Brianna. His good looks couldn’t be denied, but Bri was violently allergic to any whiff of ‘bad boy’ impulses.
“Brianna,” I corrected, “She works at the same company I do. I’ll introduce you if you like.”
He beamed at me, delighted. He didn’t have a chance in hell, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. Besides, after all my failed matchmaking attempts, perhaps I wasn’t the best person to judge what my friend actually wanted.
“Alright, you got what you came for, now get out,” Nathan commanded.
Byron backed away with his arms out in mock surrender.
“It was lovely to meet you Chloe. Call me if he gets out of hand.”
Nathan rose to his feet, furious, and Byron turned and ran from the terrace. I burst out laughing. Seeing Nathan antagonized by his younger brother showed me a new side of him, one I hadn’t seen yet, and it warmed me.
“I’m going to get him a collar and a bell,”
Nathan said in disgust.
“He’s harmless, and it all turned out okay,” I soothed him, “I can think of a million things we can do to distract you, if that’s what you want?” I teased.
He grabbed me, his mood suddenly light and playful.
“That’s what I want,” he smirked.
“Good, it’s what I want too,” I smiled up at him and batted my lashes and he tightened his grip around my waist.
“And while we’re at it, we’ll talk about that claiming thing.” I looked up into his eyes, wanting him to read the unspoken promise in mine. He nodded perceptibly.
Suddenly I could think of nothing I wanted more than Nathan. Forever.
Enjoy A Free Sneak Peek…
Billionaire Bear’s Bride
Kodiak Island Shifters Book 1 (SNEAK PEEK)
1
Take a seat Doctor Cooper.” Hannah’s lawyer proffered a chair opposite his paper-strewn desk. He adjusted his spectacles before continuing, “It’s all fairly straight forward—all monetary assets are to be transferred from your uncle’s estate at your earliest convenience.”
Hannah smiled tightly, not really knowing what to say. It had been an overwhelming week. It began with her uncle’s funeral, a man she hadn’t spoken to in years and only vaguely recollected. It was now ending, on a warm Friday afternoon, in her lawyer’s office, discussing the deposit of a large inheritance into her bank account.
“I have to say,” the lawyer continued, “it’s a rare pleasure allocating such large funds to someone so risk-adverse. You have a very healthy credit record, Doctor Cooper.”
“Well. I don’t come from a wealthy background, Mr. Moore. I think that helps.”
“Indeed.” He nodded, “There is, however, another matter I wanted to discuss with you today.” He cleared his throat before continuing, “Your marriage to a Mr…” He peered down at the document in his hand, “Bradley…”
“Brad Crawford,” Hannah interrupted him. “Yes. We’re not actually married. I mean, we’re married, technically, but… well, haven’t been together for many years now. We just never got around to a divorce.”
“I suggest that you do. You understand, of course, that he could cause,” he hesitated, looking for the right word, “issues as your legal husband if you were to receive the inheritance and then opt for a divorce. My suggestion to you would be to obtain signed divorce papers before the transfer proceeds.”
Hannah nodded, “I don’t think that will be a problem… once I track him down.”
“You don’t know Mr. Crawford’s location?”
“No. I haven’t seen him in ten years.” Hannah shrugged, she really hadn’t thought about him for an entire decade. They broke up a month before she left for medical school, and neither of them had been in contact with one another since.
“Well, I suggest you locate him. My understanding is that these funds will enable you to start your own medical practice?”
Hannah nodded, “Yes… and pay off my student loans.”
“Admirable. I hope it proves a fruitful endeavor. I will have the divorce papers drawn up for you by next week. Once you have the co-signature, we can reconvene and transfer the funds.
“Okay. Well, great.” Hannah rose from her chair, and shook her lawyers hand. “Thank you for your help, Mr. Moore.”
“It’s a pleasure, Dr. Cooper.”
Riding the elevator down from Delaney, Smith and Wexler LLP, Hannah felt dizzy. She had hoped that one day she’d have the financial means to open her own practice specializing in family medicine, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that day would come so soon. Thank you, Uncle Henry. May you rest in peace.
All she had to do now was get a divorce. She slipped on her RayBans as she stepped out of the office building and into the bright Chicago sunshine, heading towards a Starbucks across the street. Hannah wasn’t on call, so this was only the second cup of the day. If she was going to start trying to locate Brad Crawford, she reasoned, she’d need all the help she could get.
As the barista smiled at her mechanically from behind the counter, Hannah contemplated her options. She knew that neither of her parents had heard from Brad in years, and she wasn’t really in touch with anyone from High School. That was one of the drawbacks of medical school; you could forget about maintaining old friendships during the four years of intensive study, as lab partners and classmates became the only faces you ever saw. The four years of residency that followed had been no easier, but at least Hannah had shared an apartment with two other young doctors who understood the need to get shit-faced drunk the first day you lost a patient, that black-out conditions were mandatory during the day if you were on night shifts, and that the fridge needed to be stocked with Diet Coke twenty-four seven.
Hannah figured her best bet for tracking Brad would be to start with his sister. A few months ago, Hannah was sure she’d seen a new baby announcement on Facebook with Brad’s sister tagged in the group. Lila, that was her name. Lila Crawford. As far as Hannah could recall, she still lived back in Montana, so maybe Brand was near that area too. It would be nice to visit. Maybe she could pop by and see her parents.
With renewed vigor and a tall steaming black Columbian coffee, Hannah set off back home to her apartment.
“Lila?” Hannah asked when she heard a confused ‘hello’ at the other end of the line.
“Speaking. Who’s this?” Lila’s voice sounded sleep heavy.
“It’s Hannah Cooper. We went to High School together.” Hannah prompted.
“Oh, yeah. Brad’s wife.”
“Yeah,” Hannah paused. She hadn’t exactly expected a warm reception, but Lila’s tone was particularly cold. “I was actually looking for Brad. Do you know where he lives now?”
“Not really. I haven’t heard from him in over a year. No surprise there.”
Hannah made a sympathetic noise, “Any idea where I might find out?”
“Why are you looking for him anyways? You two haven’t seen each other in years.”
“I just wanted to catch up with him, see how he’s doing…” Hannah trailed off. “I also need him to sign some divorce papers. We never really got around to it, before, you know?”
“You getting hitched again?” Lila asked.
“No, no, just getting my paperwork in order.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the phone. Eventually Lila sighed.
“Well, last I heard, he was in Alaska.”
“Alaska?”
“Yeah. He was doing odd jobs here and there. No idea where he’s at now though.”
“Okay, thanks Lila. Do you know what area?”
“Port Ursa.”
Hannah had never heard of it. So much for her trip to Montana.
“Great. Thanks, Lila, you’ve been really helpful.”
“Anytime.”
The phone went dead before Hannah had a chance to say goodbye. Hannah stared bemusedly at it. Lila had always been a bit of an oddball, and as far back as Hannah could remember, she’d never gotten along with her own brother.
The Crawford siblings hadn’t exactly had the Leave it to Beaver upbringing, though. Brad may have been the all-star favorite on the school basketball team, but he had also been a wild card–constantly in trouble, forever in detention, and he often missed long periods of the school semester. It was that wildness that had attracted her to Brad in the first place. Hannah smiled to herself, remembering her days as a straight-laced high school student. She had been forever studying, positively obsessed with getting straight ‘A’s. Brad had caught her attention during senior year, and they had started dating casually.
When High School came to an end, they and a group of their friends decided to celebrate their freedom with a cross-country road trip. Predicated by a night of free drinking at a casino, and Hannah’s first actual falling-down drunk, Brad and Hannah had found themselves in an Elvis Chapel in Vegas, pledging their future to one another.
Hannah went into her bedroom
, and dug out a shoebox from beneath her bed. It was full of old photos and mementos. She searched through the piles, till she came to the cheaply framed picture of her wedding day. Brad had insisted on dressing up in a Rhinestone body suit. It still made Hannah laugh. He looked ridiculous, but she didn’t look any better. Having drunkenly decided to go “full Vegas,” she’d found the tightest, shortest mini dress she could find and the highest stilettos. In the picture they were surrounded by their friends—people Hannah hadn’t seen in years. She looked at the picture fondly. Brad had been troubled, no doubt about that, but he had been fun. The foolish marriage aside, she would never regret that vacation. Her last hurrah, a taste of much needed freedom before she buckled down to carving out her career.
She was intrigued to see what had become of Brad. She was actually surprised that this much time had passed without him contacting her to get the marriage annulled. Hannah’s dating landscape had been pretty barren, solely due to her working hours and somewhat narrow-minded focus on her job, but she would have thought Brad would have found a nice girl to settle down with by now.
“Do we have any ice-cream?” her roommate, Laura, stood in the doorway looking utterly miserable.
“No, honey, we don’t. Are you okay?”
“No,” she pouted, “Long shift working with Grayson. It was horrible. He yelled for hours, and I was so tired I didn’t even know what he was yelling about.”
“Yuck. I’m sorry, that sounds rough.” Grayson was the Chief of Staff at the general hospital where Hannah and Laura where finishing off their residency. He was an acidic demon, and getting on the wrong side of him would lead to shifts ending in tears. For Laura, it always necessitated buckets of ice cream.
“Come on,” Hannah ushered her into the living room, and wrapped her up in a blanket on the sofa. “I’ll go out and get some.”
“Really?” Laura’s eyes lit up, “Thank you, thank you. I’ll do your laundry duty next week.”
Nathan: Billionaire Bear (Shifters of Denver Book 1) Page 6
