All Roar and No Bite

by Celia Kyle

  Now.

  Lauren brought her hand to the button of her shorts and toyed with the piece of metal. She flicked the bit and then grasped the zipper pull. She tugged the tiniest bit, lowering it just an inch. “Here?”

  “Show me.” His voice was deep and husky, a hint of his natural eye color shining through. “Show me, baby.”

  She licked her lips, arousal warring with unease at exposing herself so thoroughly. Then again, Van bared his body for her. What should she feel embarrassed about?

  Grabbing every ounce of courage, she tightened her hold on the zipper and eased it lower. The purr echoed in the room, pinging through her mind. The cool air bathed her lower stomach, rifled through her curls and crept down to the damp lips of her pussy.

  “Here.”

  His hand followed her arm, skimming her skin as he traced a path from her shoulder to her wrist. He cupped her cloth-covered heat, pressing firmly against the juncture of her thighs. “Right here?”

  “Yes.” Today. Now. Forever.

  “Show me.”

  “Van,” she whined.

  “I won’t touch your skin until you show me exactly where, baby,” he responded, the rumble coming from deep within his chest.

  And that’s when she saw the request for what it was. Baring herself to him wasn’t a punishment, but a way to tease them both, making sure she was comfortable.

  Giving in, she grabbed the waist of her shorts and wiggled. Van removed his touch so she could raise her ass. She eased them down until they rested near her knees. From there it was a quick kick and she was nude. Bare and open and completely at Van’s mercy.

  Pushing past her nerves, she reached for him. She wrapped her fingers around his wrist and guided his hand toward where she wanted him most. He didn’t object or tug free of her hold. No, he allowed her to direct his movements.

  His gaze became darker, the lines of his face tightening with sexual tension as his hand neared her pussy. Finally… finally, his fingers brushed her heat, his touch searing her with the first tentative press.

  “Here. I want you here.” She spread her thighs further to show him exactly how much she desired him. “Touch me.”

  He took a deep breath, body shuddering. “Lauren.”

  Van eased even closer, their skin touching as much as possible while he stroked her pussy. The first touch was tentative, his fingers exploring her outer lips. Then he gave her more.

  One digit traced the seam of her sex lips, teasing her with the barely there touch. Up and down, he tormented her, taunting her with the caress. She rocked her hips, searching out a deeper stroke. Instead of giving her what she desired, he smiled and chuckled.

  The jerk.

  “Van…”

  “You’re so wet, baby. Wet and hot for me.” His finger delved further, grazing her clit and stroking the small nubbin of pleasure. His digit slipped easily through her cream, petting her inner sex lips until the tip of his fingers nudged her opening. “Someday soon, I’m gonna be right here. I’ll slide deep, fill you. You want that someday, baby?”

  Lauren nodded and reached for him, needing an additional touch to ground her, to remind her she was safe and happy in Van’s arms. She clutched his shoulders and rolled to her side while bringing her right leg up and across her body until she was able to hook it over his hip. Now they were face to face, so close it would simply take a small adjustment and flex of his hips and he’d be inside her.

  But he didn’t do any of that. No, he continued his teasing, smiling at their new position and how open she was to him.

  His fingers continued their torment, sliding through her abundant cream and stoking her pleasure.

  “In me. Fingers in me. Please.” She whimpered and moaned, gasping when he gave her what she desired.

  “Like that?”

  Lauren nodded, unable to say anything past the pleasure bubbling inside her. Instead of speaking, she reached for his pulsing cock, ready to give him the same amount of pleasure he gave.

  She wiggled her hand between their bodies and wrapped her fingers around his shaft, squeezing just below the tip.

  “Baby,” Van groaned and then he retaliated, rubbing a tiny circle over her pulsating clit.

  A bolt of pleasure shot straight through her, dancing on her nerves and sending a wave of bliss down her spine.

  “Van!” She couldn’t withhold the shout, couldn’t keep it inside herself.

  “That’s it. Let me do this for you.”

  Lauren rocked her hips in time with his attentions, rolling with every flick and rub of his fingers. Then she did the same to his cock, pretending they were consummating their mating, their future. She stroked his dick, pumping him with a steady, unhurried, sexually charged rhythm.

  Part of her wanted to tear their hands away and allow him to slide inside her. They were so close already, practically making love, yet something held her back.

  Then… Oh god, she was sure she’d died and gone to heaven.

  *

  Fuck, her tiny hand did wonders for Van’s cock. She stroked him, jerky and untutored, but his dick didn’t give a damn. She had her hands on him, fondling and petting him and any fucking minute he’d come.

  Van was dead. Died and gone to heaven and it came in one Lauren-shaped package.

  Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

  He needed to get her off first.

  “You want me in your pussy, Lauren?” He loved this, asking and telling at the same time. He let his hand venture down once again until he was able to tease her opening. Based on the new rush of her juices coating his hand, he figured she enjoyed it, too. “Right here?”

  She squeezed his shaft, the next tug rough and hard and fuck his balls felt that one. He was ready to be covered in her cream as he thrust in and out of her cunt. And he would… when she was ready.

  “Please.” Her face was all flushed pink, arousal filling her and the musky scent of her cream called him.

  His mouth watered, teeth lengthening, and pressing against his lower lip as the need to mark her rode him hard. The bear craved the connection, the solidification of their mating. One bite and she’d be theirs.

  Taking her plea as permission, he slipped two fingers into her sheath, sliding his digits along her silken walls. She immediately arched into his thrust, rocking against him.

  “That’s it, baby.” He picked up a steady rhythm, working to grind the heel of his hand against her clit.

  And thank fuck, she picked up the same pace. She jerked and tugged on his cock in time with his hand, pumping his dick.

  If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine himself inside her, claiming her and filling her.

  Then again, he didn’t want to close his eyes, not when he could watch Lauren come apart in his arms. The woman he craved, the woman he desired, the woman he lo—

  Lauren gasped and moaned deep, her pussy clenching around his invasion. “Oh god, there.”

  He noticed the subtle change, tiniest hint of a different texture within her pussy. Her G-spot.

  Now that he’d found it, he’d always rub that special place and make her scream.

  They worked in tandem then, his hand making magic between her thighs while she stroked him root to tip, her tiny hand gliding along his cock.

  “You gonna come with me, Lauren?” He felt the need for release rising higher, his body and bear demanding he come and cover her with his cum. If he couldn’t claim her from within, he’d make sure she was coated with his scent.

  “Uh-huh.” Passion glazed eyes met his.

  Her pussy milked him rhythmically, but it was her hand he was more concerned with. Like the way she gave a small twist on the up-stroke and a harder squeeze as she went down. Or the way she rubbed the slit on the head.

  “Fuck, baby.” She pressed against that small split right then. “Gonna make me blow.”

  “Do it,” she panted. “Come. Make me yours. Claim me.”

  He would have been able to resist her if she’d stopped at “do it,” but s
he’d continued, teasing and tormenting with what he desired most.

  He increased his pace, overjoyed when she did the same. But then… then he was lost to her ministrations. His balls hardened and tightened, pulling against his body as the pleasure amassed. His body pulsed with the impending bliss, the coming release.

  He pushed her harder, gave her more, demanding she feel as wondrous as him. And her body answered. Her muscles spasmed, a look of pure bliss coating her features.

  “Come for me, Lauren.” He growled the words, his beast overtaking him.

  “Van!” She screamed his name, body stiffening, and he scented the pure pleasure that flowed through her.

  His bear reacted, his orgasm rushing through him in a tidal wave of joy while his fangs elongated fully. Her shoulder was there, bared and naked for him, and he took advantage. Before his name died on her lips, he struck.

  He shot forward and sank his teeth into her flesh, breaking through her skin without hesitation as he sought to tie them together. She screamed with another release and his inner-beast roared in response. Even more, his body answered as well. His cock pulsed and throbbed, twitching for a moment before the bliss of his orgasm coursed through him.

  He snarled against her flesh as the heat of his cum bathed them both, coated their bodies in his primal scent.

  He sucked on her flesh, the coppery fluid bathing his tongue as he swallowed her blood. With every pull, he felt their connection solidifying, firming and shifting into place. The rough edges of his bear’s temper slowly smoothed, the knowledge that she was theirs finally soothing him.

  Shudders wracked them both, his body trembling with the force of his release combined with the fresh mating between them. Lauren clung to him, holding him close and digging her nails into his flesh. At some point she’d released his cock and merely squeezed him.

  Slowly he eased the suction, his bear accepting they were now tied. With care, he disengaged his teeth and willed the bear’s fangs away. He didn’t need them any longer.

  Van lapped at the wound, shuddering as the last droplets of her blood slithered over his taste buds. She belonged to him now, his and his alone. No one could steal her from him, no one could touch her. His.

  His bear puffed up, growling and roaring a warning to one and all that Lauren was theirs. Eventually he’d slide deep into her pussy and claim her fully. His bear grumbled at the delay, but was satisfied with the knowledge they were now bound for life.

  He slid his hand free of her moist heat and, beneath her gaze, he lapped at the digits. Just as he’d imagined—salty sweetness with a hint of what made Lauren, Lauren.

  “Delicious, baby.”

  The sated need in her gaze rekindled, desire flaring to life once again.

  Of course his cock twitched in response. Even as his cum coated them, his dick was ready to go again.

  He rolled to his back, pulling her along with him, fitting her abundant curves to his body. She cushioned and welcomed him with her lush form. He’d never tire of tasting her, losing himself inside her. His cum slowly cooled against their skin, but screw it. He wanted to simply hold her.

  She shuddered and whimpered against him, nuzzling his chest. He reached over and yanked at the bedspread, tugging it until it folded across them. His cock ached once again, throbbing with the need to come, but he brushed aside his desire. Nothing mattered but Lauren. His renewed needs could wait. Regardless of her rekindled desire, she wasn’t prepared to give him what he craved most. Some day. But not today.

  Like a kitten, she rubbed against him, wiggling and shifting until she found a comfortable spot. She settled in with a deep sigh and a low moan.

  “Van? Mmm…”

  “I’ve got you, baby.” He pressed a kiss to her temple, drawing in more of her flavors. Happiness and sexual satisfaction coated her from head to toe. Good.

  “Uh-huh. You’re hard again. We could…”

  “I’ve got everything I want right now,” he murmured against her skin. “When you’re ready for more, we’ll do more. Until then, I’m happy holding you.”

  His cock protested, but when she released a soft, relief-tinged sigh, he knew he’d said the right thing. His cock wanted Lauren for the short term, but Van was playing a long-term game.

  He could wait.

  His dick jerked in protest.

  He just hoped he wouldn’t have to wait too long.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lauren touched the healing wound on her shoulder, fingers brushing the red, scabbed flesh. It was mending a hell of a lot faster than a normal injury, but it still lingered after two days.

  Another thing remained, floating between them like the big, neon green, we haven’t banged elephant in the room.

  Hand jobs? Check.

  Oral sex? Check. Check, like, a lot. What the man could do with his tongue…

  Penis in vagina sex? No check.

  She still hadn’t figured out if that was a good or bad thing just yet. Part of her yearned for him, begged her to go to him and sacrifice herself at the altar of sexy. They’d touched and tasted and explored each other’s bodies. It was like her head was totally fine with exposing herself, but that last step was off-limits for a while. She couldn’t explain it, even to herself.

  She wanted him, but then she remembered she’d just met Van. They barely knew anything about each other.

  Okay, they did cover a lot of ground over the last couple of days, but…

  But, but, but…

  But she did know the scars on his chest were from a recent battle with the hyenas in Boyne Falls. First, hyenas? Wow. Second, a battle? That part of the story had her trembling in fear.

  They were animals at heart, she needed to remember that fact. They fought. They were bloody. They had strong opinions and their bears backed them up.

  He told her about sharing the now hyena-free town of Boyne Falls with the Redby wolves. Also about the fact the wolf she’d seen was a shapeshifter, he just didn’t know who it was.

  “Ready?” His deep voice slithered over her nerves, carrying arousal in its wake.

  He stood in the bathroom doorway, his uniform snug on his body and outlining every muscle.

  The bathroom… She refused to let her gaze skitter to the shower. The blood was gone, washed away by that first shower Van took before he saved her from Charles. But the door was still missing. They’d gotten used to splatters of water decorating the tile floor after they bathed.

  “Lauren?”

  She jerked her attention to him, tearing herself from the memories. “Sorry, what?”

  “You ready to go?”

  Go? Wait. He was in his uniform. Right. They had plans for the day.

  Drop her at the diner where she worked as a waitress while he did his shift. Before her shift, though, she had to walk to her place and see if she could break her lease and still get her deposit back. He didn’t exactly know about that part.

  They’d agreed she should move into Van’s house since they were mated now. Mated. Like married, but more permanent. God, her life had changed a ton in the last handful of days.

  Anyway. Work, but not work. Then real work. Then moving into Vans after real work.

  Somewhere in there Anna and Martin would go to Anna’s and pack up some of her stuff to take to Mia and Ty’s. Her friend refused to live with Martin until she was free of Bryson and she also refused to “shove herself” onto Lauren and Van since they’d recently mated.

  Plus, Anna, apparently, didn’t want to hear them partake of sexytimes.

  Lauren refused to remind Anna about the time they’d shared an apartment before Anna married Bryson. Yeah, Lauren had to listen to a lot coming from Anna’s room.

  Van stared at her expectantly, eyebrows raised in question. “You don’t have to go, baby. You know I make enough…”

  She shook her head. They’d had this conversation, too. He made enough to support her, but she never wanted to be forced to depend on a man. She didn’t make a lot at the diner, but
she earned the money. “No, I’m good.”

  She smoothed her hands over her uniform, thankful that Van sent Keen to her apartment for clothes. She didn’t particularly care that he dug through her panty drawer, but at least she was dressed. She was also thankful that Keen agreed to keep the condition of her place to himself. She’d reasoned with him, assured him that since she was never going back, no one needed to know that she was poorer than a church mouse.

  Van didn’t look convinced when she assured him she was fine, and he opened his mouth to speak.

  Lauren plastered a smile on her face. “I promise. My shoulder only hurts a little and we can’t stay holed up in the house much longer. Besides, the Itan needs you at work.”

  The Itan. She’d had a hard time calling him Ty after she and Van mated. It seemed… disrespectful in a way.

  Van rolled his eyes. “Ty could get along fine without me. He just doesn’t want us to starve. If he makes us leave our den, he can also make sure we eat.”

  That was another thing she’d had to get used to. Van didn’t want anyone coming near the house, near his mate.

  Comforting yet creepy.

  She rubbed her stomach. “I’m good with that plan. I’m wasting away to nothing. Then again,” she frowned at her body. “I could probably lose—”

  One second he was across the room and then he was there before her, finger on his lips. “If you say one word about this body needing to be anything but what it is right now, I will spank you.” He wound his arms around her and palmed her butt. “Love this ass, love these tits.” He used his grip to lift her and she automatically wrapped her legs around his hips. “Love every inch of you.” He nuzzled her neck and pushed at the top of her button-up shirt with his nose. “Love mine.”

  A spark of arousal formed deep within her and she moaned, enjoying the low glow of need.

  “All mine.”

  What she wouldn’t give for another half hour so he could prove how “his” she truly was.

  Instead, she nudged at his shoulders, denying them both what they craved. “We don’t have time, Van.” He growled. “I mean it.”

  He scraped is teeth around her mark and her pussy clenched in response. Jerk. He knew that was a hot button for her. Cheating asshole.