Saved by the Bear [Red Mountain Bears 2] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Fel Fern

  “Oh,” he whispered, fast becoming aware of his deliciously aching body.

  “Morning,” said a voice, and he shakily rose to his feet. Seeing Mac wearing only boxers and working the stove made his heart race.

  “You know how to cook now?” he asked.

  “Just basic stuff. Connor’s been teaching me.”

  He frowned and found his clothes in a neat pile next to him. After putting his boxers on, he approached his…mate? Mate. Mac called him that, a term reserved for a shifter’s soul mate, and shifters choose one partner for life. His heart beat faster. “As I recall, Connor doesn’t even know how to use the microwave,” he said, glad his voice sounded steady.

  “I told you that story?” Mac asked, then grinned at him. “Kidding. Of course I did.”

  Mac referred to the story of how Connor and he attempted to cook eggs in their microwave but ended up nearly burning down their kitchen. He hid a smile.

  “When did Connor learn how to cook?” he asked, watching his gorgeous werebear place freshly fried bacon on a plate.

  Good thing the werebear didn’t bother with a shirt. This way, Pat could appreciate Mac’s ripped body in the morning light. His dick pulsed, and he turned to the side, hoping Mac wouldn’t notice. Then he remembered werebears possessed a sensitive nose. Oh hell. It wasn’t like he needed to hide his arousal. Last night, Mac taught him to be fearless, unafraid of his wants and desires.

  “After he found his mate Danny,” Mac said.

  What were they talking about again? Noticing Mac’s stare, he blushed. Was the werebear aware he wasn’t paying attention?

  “Can you tell me about them?” he asked, recovering from his tongue-tied moment. Thank God. Mac always had a way of scrambling his mind by simply standing there. Damn, but his man was gorgeous though. Daylight only highlighted the differences between them clearly.

  What was a gorgeous, charming shifter like Mac doing with an average nobody like him? Mac could have anyone he wanted, even that pushy shifter last night, but instead he chose Pat. Was Mac simply curious about him? Would he end up being a momentary distraction and nothing more?

  He refused to think about that. Not now. While they ate breakfast at the counter, Mac told him about the circumstances of how Danny and Connor met. Pat had to admit, he was taken by surprise, because among the three O’Riley brothers, Connor always seemed the most volatile, barely able to control the bear with him.

  “This Danny must be impressive,” he said. Thinking about the famous model taming a temperamental Connor made him smile. It took guts to handle a dominant shifter

  “They live two cabins down, you’ll meet them soon enough,” Mac said. “So, what’s your verdict? Do my cooking skills pass?”

  “Hmm, there’s room for improvement,” he said, holding up a slightly burnt piece of bacon and chucking it in his mouth.

  Pat didn’t know why he said that, why he wasn’t a little more cautious, but this was Mac, after all. They knew each other since they were teens, except last night, Mac reminded him they were no longer boys. Mac had grown into this lethal, gorgeous male who would go after what he wanted, full steam ahead.

  Mac quirked an eyebrow at him. He didn’t think Mac was mad at his remark. He knew from the internet that most dominant shifters were temperamental by nature. Puny humans shouldn’t antagonize them, but would Mac recognize this as teasing?

  Mac not saying a word unnerved him a little. Golden eyes pinned him in place, making it hard to breathe. The werebear walked around the counter, until a piece of marble and wood no longer separated and prevented them from touching. He swallowed as Mac shoved all the plates and cutlery aside to pin him against the counter.

  He let out a breath, aware of the erection Mac sported.

  “Um. Did I say something wrong?” he asked quickly. “I’m sorry.”

  Mac smirked. “You didn’t. I like seeing you all nervous around me. It’s so fucking adorable.”

  “Adorable my ass,” he muttered under his breath, then gasped when Mac gave his dick a squeeze through his boxers.

  “Let’s not forget one vital thing, little human.”

  “What’s that?” he whispered, mouth dry when Mac slipped his hand past his boxers to curl his fingers around his dick. He moaned, recalling how Mac took him last night—like Mac owned his body. On the heels of that thought, his pulse quickened and his dick turned to half-mast from the touch of Mac’s fingers.

  “I’m in command here,” Mac said.

  “Cocky bastard.”

  Mac leaned in close in answer, using his free hand to tilt his chin upward, before zeroing in for a rough and bruising kiss. Just like that, all his apprehension melted away. He yielded to the kiss, loving the press of their bodies, his soft and slender one against Mac’s inked and scarred muscled frame. Last night, he remembered tracing the old scars on Mac’s body, marks left by other lone dominant shifters who wanted to see who was the bigger and badder bear, Mac told him.

  When he grew concerned, Mac told him in a matter-of-fact tone that it was normal. Mac fought other shifters and his own brothers all the time to settle the beast within. That fact reminded Pat that they came from two different worlds.

  “Little human,” Mac said in that deep voice that felt like a caress. “You look like you’re torn between begging me to fuck you and bolting out the door.”

  “You scare me.”

  Mac paused at his words.

  “N—not you, but this attraction between us,” he explained before Mac misunderstood.

  “You’re my mate,” Mac simply said. “Meant to be mine.”

  “You said that last night,” Pat reminded him.

  “And you said you needed time to think. Well, I’m just trying to help you make a decision faster.”

  Mac stole another kiss, this one slow and tender. The effect was the same. His dick grew rock hard, and he didn’t protest when Mac moved his hand from his prick to pinch his balls, then thumb his asshole. His heartbeat accelerated as he recalled how deliciously helpless Mac rendered him the night before. Mac being inside him easily disabled his ability to think.

  “Go ahead, little human. Stop me,” Mac said.

  “No,” Pat murmured.

  Mac froze, raising his brows.

  “I mean,” Pat said quickly. “I don’t want to stop you. I don’t know how long this between us will last, but I want to enjoy being with you for long as possible.”

  Mac snarled at those words as if he said the wrong thing. The werebear placed a hand on his hip, holding him in place. He sucked in a breath, unsure why his own prick grew only harder at the intense look in Mac’s eyes.

  “Let’s get one thing straight, little human. If you think you’re a distraction, think again. You’re far from that.”

  Chapter Six

  Pat didn’t know what to think about Mac’s words. Yes, the werebear told him the night before he wasn’t going anywhere, but a man like Mac would lose interest in a boring human like him easily. He was sure of that. His confidence was at an all-time low. His freshman year were spent hiding from Joe, the rest of his high school years weren't any better. Pat got bullied in his adult life, too, used by others for their own gain. He shouldn't let his defenses down. Better to be ready for disappointment than be caught-off guard later. That was his motto.

  He leaned in close until their faces were nearing touching, liking how Mac’s gaze shifted from anger to curiosity. He pressed his lips against Mac’s, unsurprised the werebear closed a big and callused hand on the nape of his neck to take control.

  Pat yielded to the demanding press of Mac’s mouth, moans muffled when Mac slid a hand past his boxers to work his prick to half-mast. Mac began pressing kisses down his neck, seemingly fascinated by the spot between shoulder and neck.

  “Mine. Soon.” Mac seemed to utter those words more to himself than Pat.

  His heartrate accelerated as Mac peeled down his boxers. Not wanting to remain a passive participant, he reached out and lowered Ma
c’s boxers, too, unveiling the werebear’s hardening dick. He sucked in a breath, still taken aback by Mac’s massive member. He licked his lips as he kicked his boxers away. Mac did the same. Now, no piece of annoying clothing stood in their way.

  “Want my dick in you, little human?” Mac asked with a smile.

  “Yes,” was all he could say. Mac gave his prick a few more tugs, before turning him by the shoulder.

  “Wait here,” Mac said, placing a kiss on the nape of his neck. “I’m getting the lube.”

  That unexpectedly gentle touch threw him slightly off-guard, so did Mac’s possessive touches. If this was truly only a brief affair, then Mac wouldn’t need to show him such tender affection. Then again, Pat always knew his bear had a way of getting past all his layers of skin and bone, to reach his heart.

  “Something wrong?” Mac asked, behind him again.

  He shook his head, refusing to ruin the moment by voicing his self-doubts.

  Good thing Mac seemed focused on making them both feel good.

  “Spread those legs for me, baby,” Mac said.

  He shuddered at the term of endearment but obeyed, shifting his legs a little only to hear Mac uncap the lube. Moments later, Mac slid two fingers inside his ass. Mac began to widen him for access, and he began to crave for something much larger than Mac’s digits in him.

  “Patience,” Mac told him, laughing when Pat thrust his ass at him. “Who knew shy little Pat had a mischievous streak in him during sex? I fucking like it. See? You’re making me hard.”

  Pat groaned when Mac pulled his hand away and pressed his dick teasingly between the crease of his buttocks. Mischievous? Him? He gripped the counter as Mac slid his huge prick inside him. Unlike last night, Pat was ready for his bear this morning. He moaned as Mac gripped his waist and sheathed all the way in without pause, until his balls rested against his ass.

  Mac didn’t move, not immediately. The werebear brushed his lips over Pat’s racing pulse point, dragging teeth down his neck. He shuddered in anticipation.

  “You’re dangerous,” Pat found himself whispering. “At this rate, you’ll have me falling heads over heels for you.”

  “Why do you make it sound like a bad thing?”

  Mac didn’t sound angry, at least, his tone had been flirting, teasing. Maybe the werebear got off from his lovers falling in love in him. No, Mac might have been a playboy in high school but he’d never been cruel. The man who cooked him breakfast, who saved him from turning into a vampire’s snack the night before, those were the gestures of someone who cared.

  Mac began to move, making him forget about the jumbled thoughts in his head.

  “Touch yourself,” Mac ordered.

  He curled his fingers around his own shaft and began to work his prick while Mac pounded him from behind.

  “Faster, please.” The plea slipped out of his lips easily.

  Mac complied, moving faster and deeper with each turn. The werebear found his prostate at the last push, making him cry out. He dug his nails into the counter top as Mac slammed into the incredibly sensitive spot again. It wasn’t long before the pressure inside him burst open. He came, crying out as he emptied his balls. Pat’s head spun, mind filled with bliss.

  Mac thrust into him several more times before filling his ass with cum. He moaned, Mac’s softening prick still inside him. Pat leaned against the powerful muscled werebear for support, relived Mac only tightened his embrace around him.

  “Wow,” he murmured.

  “You know, if I’m being honest here,” Mac stated, licking at the salty sweat on the side of his neck. He shuddered when Mac bit him there, hard enough to bruise but not draw blood.

  “Honest?” he prodded.

  “If I’m selfish,” Mac continued, “I’ll make sure you never leave me or the Red Mountains again.”

  His heart thudded at those words.

  “I’ll keep you forever,” Mac finished, those words undoing Pat completely.

  Was the werebear being serious? Then Mac released him, albeit reluctantly. Those pupils still remained gold, like bright orbs set into Mac’s face. Pat understood it was both the man and bear staring at him.

  “Get ready,” Mac eventually said, familiar smile on his lips. It was as if that moment Mac had turned scary serious passed. He wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or disappointed. Had he imagined that part where Mac said he wanted to keep Pat forever? Then again, he’d been at fault, too, too tongue-tied to give the werebear an answer.

  “Ready for what?” he asked, voice hoarse.

  “We’ll play tourist today. I’ll show you around town.”

  He blinked. “What about work?”

  “I take care of O’Riley Cabin Rentals, but I’m also my own boss. I can spare time for you,” Mac said, already putting back his boxers. The werebear walked over to the living room to don the rest of his clothes. Mac flashed him a toothy smile. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

  * * * *

  Mac shouldn’t have said those words that morning. He still couldn’t forget Pat’s look of shock. Well, it didn’t matter. Pat had a lot going on in his life right now, wasn’t in a good place to give him a straight answer. Still, it disappointed his bear. No matter. Pat was human, didn’t understand the irresistible pull of the mating call.

  He’d wait, except for how long?

  Back at the kitchen, he came that close to marking Pat as his forever. He knew he couldn’t hold back for long. His bear would take over and claim Pat as theirs, would ensure Pat wouldn’t be going anywhere.

  Pat had more self-esteem issues than he initially thought. Did the human really think this thing between them was only temporary, some kind of affair? Mac huffed, only to realize Pat had been calling him.

  “Mac, look at these,” Pat said, excitement in his hazel eyes. Pat wore a look of longing in his face as he eyed the cakes on display. “God, don’t they look delicious?”

  They spent the entire day walking around town. It was a pleasure, being around Pat, talking to the human who would soon be his. Pat wore a wide-eyed look the entire time, pointing out the differences and changes in town since he left. Now they were inside one of his favorite cafés, Sweet Tooth.

  “They’re famous for their honey cakes,” he told Pat, running a possessive hand down Pat’s spine.

  “What would you fellows like? Oh, hey Mac, how’s it going?” asked Susan, the elderly witch who owned the café.

  “Pretty good,” he replied, giving Pat’s neck a squeeze. Pat blinked, looking at him. “A slice of honey cake and black coffee for me. How about you, Pat?”

  “There’s so many to choose from.” Pat moaned.

  Susan smiled at him. “How about getting a half slice for a few cakes?”

  “Really? That would be wonderful.”

  After paying for their orders, they choose an empty table for two near the windows.

  “Oh, this is so good,” Pat said, taking a forkful of blueberry cheesecake.

  “You still like sweet stuff, huh?” Mac commented. “I remember that one week back in high school when you only ate dessert.”

  “You reprimanded me for that, told me a growing boy needed vegetables and protein,” Pat said with a scowl.

  “You said I sounded like an annoying adult.” Mac smiled at the memory.

  Pat’s parents had always seemed away when they spent time together. “How are your folks?” Mac asked.

  “I haven’t heard from them in years. They’ve retired, so they’re traveling. Mom occasionally sends me postcards, if she remembers.”

  Pat’s tone sounded a little bitter, which didn’t sit well with his bear. Mac didn’t like seeing his mate look distracted. Mac and his brothers might have lost their parents early, but at least he had good memories of them.

  Despite being busy running the bar, his father always took Rick, Connor, and him to the woods, teaching them to control their bears. His mom would always be cooking something amazing in the kitchen or ready with medical supplies
when he and his brothers started to brawl in human or bear form.

  “Let’s not talk about them,” he said. “I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

  Pat blinked. “Oh, I’m not sad. It’s just the way things are. It’s not a big deal.”

  “So, tell me more about your life in the city,” Mac said instead, quickly changing topic. He really wanted to know more about his mate, to understand what Pat had experienced and been through during their time away.

  They chatted some more. Mac liked the sound of Pat’s voice, liked seeing different expressions cross Pat’s face and learning more about Pat’s likes and dislikes. Pat asked him about his brothers and the business, too.

  “Thank you,” Pat said after they paid for the bill and headed back outside for a quick walk in the local park.

  “For what?” he asked. Their shoulders brushed, and he found he liked being close to Pat. Pat didn’t seem to mind his little touches, either.

  “For taking time out of your day to show me around. I mean, when I left the city, I was really depressed. Seeing you, talking to you, really lifted my spirits.”

  “Aw. Don’t forget about the mind-blowing sex we had,” Mac pointed out.

  Pat blushed. “Yes, that, too.”

  “How long are you staying? Just want to know, because I’m handing you the cabin rental papers later on.”

  “Oh, right. Sorry, that was the first thing I should have asked. You were really kind to give me a place to stay last night,” Pat blurted.

  Damn, but his little human always looked so adorable, so bitable when he was flustered.

  “No worries.”

  “I’m not sure, maybe four weeks?” Pat asked.

  A month, Mac thought. He had that long to persuade Pat not to go back to his own life. From the sound of it, Pat didn’t just need a break, but a massive change, and Mac didn’t back away from a challenge.

  “Mac?”

  “Hmm?”

  “You’re wearing that evil bear grin again. Should I be scared?”

  Mac waited his entire life for his lost mate to find his way back to him. Forcing the mate mark on Pat might only produce disastrous results, especially if Pat harbored resentment toward Mac for not giving him a choice. It didn’t matter.