“Please. Inside.” He thumbed over his shoulder. She walked into the house and made for the silverware drawer, and she was struck how natural it felt to be in his house, knowing where all his things were.
Back outside, she helped him to put the meat on plates and they sat down and ate at the table.
“Not bad, Adler,” she said, when they were both full, leaning back on their chairs in satisfaction.
“Thanks.” One corner of his lips curled up, a little bashful, but pleased. Then he leaned forward, eyes narrowing. Her heart beat a little faster, wondering what he had to say to her. “Is this date okay so far?” She allowed herself a small smile.
“Full marks so far. I’m really enjoying myself.” His shoulders relaxed a little.
“Dating’s kind of nice. I feel so relaxed with you. I mean, my bear’s not relaxed at all. But I’m having a real nice time being here with you, spending time together.” Marilyn stifled another laugh.
“You know, it’s hard to square you with the guy who picked me up that night in the bar,” she said instead. His forehead furrowed.
“How do you mean?”
“Well.” She stared up at the darkening sky for inspiration. “That guy was very confident, very smooth, seemed very practiced at picking up women.”
“Did you like him better?”
“Nuh-uh.” But she couldn’t help grinning as she recalled the way he’d taken control in the bar, striding over to her and drawing her into what was then the hottest kiss of her life. It had been very sexy. “He was what I needed then, though.”
“And now?” There was such a look of yearning in his eyes, that she was temporarily struck dumb.
“What do you think I need?” she countered.
“I think you need to be taken care of. I know you’re as feisty as all hell, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t need protecting too. I think you need a real good guy, who will take care of your heart, and never hurt you. And love you a lot. And mate you every day.” She looked away to cover her shock. Is he saying what I think he’s saying? she thought.
“You seemed different in that bar too. You were wearing those fancy clothes, like a hot-shot business woman.” She sighed.
“I used to think I needed those things. Because my husband and I couldn’t conceive, I think I used to buy a lot of stuff to make up for it. But having my babies has made me understand what’s important. I like the simple life these days.”
“Our babies,” he repeated teasingly. “And what am I like these days?”
“You’re gentle,” she said after a pause.
“I am?”
“Yeah. I can see you have that side to you.”
“If I’d heard that a few months ago, I would’ve laughed in your face. In fact, right before I messaged you on Shiftr for the first time, I’d just started a dumb fight with Niall, because he said I needed to find a mate, and I didn’t want one. I know I’ve changed, but hearing it from you is the best thing you could’ve told me.”
“Tell me about your father,” she said gently. They were sitting back on the edge of the porch, their knees barely brushing. Ryzard’s jaw clenched and unclenched.
“He was a violent drunk. He used to go out, get loaded, then beat the hell out of me. Pay day was the worst. He’d spend his whole week’s wage on booze, gambling, whatever else. Realize what he’d done, then come home and take it out on me. He used to beat me with a strap. Sometimes with his belt buckle. Shifters heal fast, but I’ve still got a few scars.” He lifted his shirt and showed her a strip of flesh at the base of his back. She gave a gasp at the sight of an ugly rectangular area of scar tissue.
“I’m so sorry,” she murmured, her eyes tearing up.
“It’s okay. It’s old news,” he said gruffly. “Do you hate it?”
“Of course not.” Reflexively, she reached out and ran a fingertip over it. He let off a low, rumbling purr. “It’s a sign of what you suffered, that’s all.” His eyes met hers, the irises dark and stormy. And suddenly, they were kissing again. He held her head in his hands, and kissed her tenderly, his tongue flickering between her lips, softly exploring her mouth. Her hand moved to his thigh, feeling the bulge of his muscles beneath the rough fabric. She wanted him bad. Wanted him to make love to her, for a long, long time.
“Marilyn,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist and drawing her closer. The sensation of his huge, powerful body pressed against hers made her dizzy with lust. She was way too turned on, getting to the point where she could hardly control herself. With an effort, she drew away from him.
“I want you, Ryzard. But I don’t want you to think that this makes us mates,” she said.
“It can be whatever you want it to be. We can mate, but I wouldn’t claim you until you were ready.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Claiming is different from mating. It means that you’re mine.” Against her will, a shiver of desire ran through her.
“I know that idea appeals to you,” he breathed.
“It does,” she said simply. “But –”
“I know. You don’t have to say it. You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
Abruptly, she straightened up and pulled away from him.
“I can’t do this. It’s not right. I don’t want to confuse things until I’m sure about us.” The disappointment in his eyes was so sharp that it cut at her soul.
“I understand,” he said at last. “But we’re still going to date?”
“Of course. I’ll take you on a date next time. When are you free?”
“Every single night,” he said with a smile.
He put the flowers in the trunk of her car, they pecked each other on the lips to say goodnight, and she drove herself home.
“Am I crazy?” she murmured, watching him in her rearview mirror until he was out of sight. Turning him down had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done, as the throbbing between her thighs testified. But she knew she couldn’t be casual with him; that despite what he’d said, mating with him was a serious thing, and she shouldn’t accept until she was ready for him to claim her.
16
Three weeks later
Marilyn laid Angus and Blake down in bed, kissing their soft foreheads and whispering a lullaby into their ears. By the time she’d checked the baby monitor and closed the bedroom door, they were already asleep. She crept downstairs, her heart hammering in her chest. She’d just spent three blissful weeks dating Ryzard. They’d spent lots of time together, hanging out, just the two of them. They’d not only learned all about each other’s lives, they’d also begun to create a history of their own, together. As she observed him day after day, her heart had warmed by degrees, and she was well aware that she had fallen hard for this big, uncouth, yet gentle and funny man. But still, nothing had happened between them. She’d even stopped kissing him, because it made it so much harder to keep her composure. But it was torture. She wanted him so badly. And, from the way she kept catching him looking at her, the feeling was mutual. Her skin tingled all over from the intensity of his gaze on her body. Her nipples continually ached to be taken into his mouth, and her pussy ached with need to have his long, thick cock inside her again. She was almost drunk with lust. He must smell it on her, she realized. But he remained the perfect gentleman and didn’t pressure her.
But tonight was the deadline she’d set for herself. Three whole weeks of perfect dating. And she knew. She trusted him implicitly, and there was no reason in the world to hold back any more.
The sweet scent of midsummer was filtering in through the screen door, and Ryzard was lounging on the sofa. She whispered his name from half way up the stairs. He turned his head and looked at her. And instantly, he understood that look in her eyes. He bounded right over the back of the sofa and up the stairs, and swept her into his arms.
“Baby? Is it time?” he whispered, his pupils flooding the irises, turning them to a navy hue. She nodded.
“Yes, I’m rea
dy.” He let off a low growl, then he carried her to the bedroom and sat down on the bed with her in his lap.
“Marilyn,” he breathed into her ear. “You’re the most incredible woman I’ve met in my life. Although we met under strange circumstances, I can’t regret them, because they brought us together, and made us the parents of the two most incredible boys. I want to love and protect you forever, and make you happier than you ever imagined. Will you be my mate?” Marilyn gazed at him, her heart swelling with bliss.
“Yes, Ryzard, I want you to claim me, to make me yours.”
“Mine,” he growled.
“I won’t let you down, Marilyn. I couldn’t if I wanted to. Mates are for life. And it’s an unbreakable bond.”
“I know that, Ryzard. Now mate me,” she said. With a sexy smile, he brought his mouth to hers, kissing her long and hard, with barely restrained passion. Then his hands went to the buttons on the front of her blouse and he unfastened them, one by one. She trembled a little, suddenly feeling shy. It felt like they were having sex for the very first time. Last time, she’d been too drunk to be inhibited, but now she was exposing herself to her mate. What if he was disappointed when he saw her post-childbirth body?
As he slipped her blouse off her shoulders, leaving her in a white lacy bra, he purred. He cupped each breast in his big, rough hands, and his fingertips sent electric shocks all the way from her nipples to her clit. She needed his mouth on her so bad. Impatiently, she unfastened her bra, letting it fall off her, and exposing her large breasts. With a groan of appreciation, he drew her left nipple into his mouth, suckling it just as she yearned for him to do. She reached for him, sliding a hand beneath his shirt and stroking his hard, rippling abs, before pulling at his zipper. He gave a rumble of desire, and suddenly his shirt was off, and her jeans were being tugged down to her ankles. Her panties quickly followed, as did his shirt and jeans, and they were naked, entwined in each other’s bodies. They writhed together on the bed, wanting to be as close to each other as they could. As soon as his cock brushed her soaking wet pussy, it began to slide in. She bucked her hips, desperate for him to enter her, to claim her as his mate.
“Marilyn?” he said suddenly, in his rich, deep voice.
“Yes?”
“You do know you’re fertile now?” She froze.
“What, right now?”
“Yup, this very moment is the perfect time for you to conceive.”
“Seriously?” Her jaw slackened as a hundred thoughts raced through her brain.
“Baby.” He stroked her jaw, peppered her face with lots of soft little kisses. “Let’s make another one. This time I’ll be there right from the start. You won’t have to do it all by yourself. We can make a little brother or sister for Angus and Blake. Won’t it be fantastic to have three little cubs running around?” Marilyn’s eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, Ryzard. Yes, it will,” she whispered.
No sooner had she spoken than his long, thick cock entered her. She gasped as he filled her up, gliding on her wetness all the way to the hilt. It was exactly the second time in her life that she’d been filled like that. He began to thrust, huge and muscular as he arched above her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, wanting him as deep inside her as he could go, and she clung onto his ass, luxuriating in the taut muscles as he moved in and out. His biceps bulged from the effort of supporting his weight, and the look in his eyes was wild yet tender. It was delicious – euphoric and exciting and intense – and she yearned for him to come, to shoot his seed into her womb and make her pregnant.
But he didn’t seem to be in a hurry. He stroked her breasts, and kissed her passionately, while he fucked her skillfully, gradually driving her into a frenzy. Her pussy muscles clenched around him, and her nails bit into his back, urging him to go faster, to give her the rhythm she needed to tip her over the edge.
“Not so fast, sweetheart,” he crooned in her ear. “A bear takes its mate from behind.” He pulled out of her and flipped her onto her front. He didn’t enter her right away, but admired her behind, spreading her labia and circling her clit with a fingertip. She made a mingled sound of pleasure and frustration, and of its own accord, her back arched, presenting herself to him, begging him to take her. A growl escaped his lips.
“It’s driving my bear crazy to see you like that. I can hardly control it,” he muttered from between gritted teeth. Marilyn glanced at him from over her shoulder. His face was different, the bones broader and his eyes glittering with animal hunger. She shivered with the thrill of being taken by this animal man.
“Then claim me,” she said, her voice no more than a pant.
With a louder growl, Ryzard’s hands bit into her hips, his fingernails much longer and sharper than before. She cried out as he filled her again, his pelvis butting against her ass.
His fingers stayed on her clit, and seconds later, she exploded, a powerful orgasm ripping through her body, leaving shooting stars in its wake. Her pussy spasmed hard around his cock, and the ripples spread right through her. Ryzard held her tight, continuing to fuck her.
“Mine. My beautiful mate,” he muttered over and over. As her orgasm subsided he sped up, pounding into her, before, with a wild snarl, he orgasmed, his hot seed shooting deep inside her.
“Do you think we did it?” Marilyn asked, half an hour later. They’d barely moved. Ryzard had collapsed onto his side, pulling her with him, and he was still inside her.
“I think so,” he said, kissing the nape of her neck. “But maybe we should try a couple more times for good measure.” He began to move back and forth, very gently, and she felt him growing hard again, filling her completely. She’d thought she was completely sated by the incredible sex they’d had, but her clit twitched, and she realized that she could keep doing this for a long, long time.
They mated again and again, before falling asleep exhausted in each other’s arms, just as the sun was coming up.
Epilogue
Four months later
Marilyn rushed to the door of Ryzard’s cabin – which was now her cabin too – as his truck pulled into the driveway, her eyes wide. Ryzard ran toward her, starting to say something. But the grin that had been plastered onto his face at the sight of her instantly transformed into an expression of concern.
“What is it?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her.
“Here.” She took his hand and laid it on her stomach. “It kicked!” he gasped, eyes crinkling in amazement. “Wow, I can feel it! Our baby. This is so incredible.” As he looked into her eyes, his own became very bright. “I’m sorry that I missed all this with Blake and Angus. But I’m going to make up for it now. I don’t want to miss a single kick from this little one.” Marilyn burst out laughing.
“I wish I could say the same, but experience tells me that I’ll get tired of being a human football very soon! For now though – oh my god – our baby just kicked for the first time!” Ryzard hugged her tight, peppering her with kisses.
“What did you want to tell me, honey?” she said, pulling away from him laughing.
“Oh, nothing as exciting as this – just that the clan has said that I am officially a member again, and that they’re excited to be part of our mating ceremony.”
“That’s fantastic!” she said.
“Isn’t it?” He lifted her up and spun her around, and they laughed and laughed, not stopping until a little voice called from the hallway, “What’s so funny, mom?” The two of them squatted down and held their arms out and Angus and Blake ran into them. Together, they surrounded their three babies in a little cocoon of love.
THE END
A Thank You from Ariana Hawkes
Thank you so much for reading Ryzard and Marylin’s story! I really hope you enjoyed it and if so please consider leaving a review; even if it’s only a line or two, it’ll make all the difference, and it will be greatly appreciated.
If you enjoyed this story, there are eight more books waiting for you in the world of Hope
Valley. Check them out on the next page.
I’ve also included a free bonus story for you - Bare Knuckle Bear, the second book in my Broken Hill Bears series.
Sign up to my mailing list to receive notifications about future releases, promotions and giveaways.
Thanks again for reading – and for all your support!
Yours,
Ariana
Ariana loves hearing from readers! You can reach her here:
@arianahawkes
arianahawkes
www.arianahawkes.com
ALSO BY ARIANA HAWKES
Shiftr: Hope Valley Dating App Romances
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 1 (Dina)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 2 (Kristin)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 3 (Melissa)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 4 (Andrea)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 5 (Lori)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 6 (Adaira)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 7 (Timo)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 8 (Jessica)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 9 (Ryzard)
Broken Hill Bears
Bear In The Rough (Broken Hill Bears Book 1)
Bare Knuckle Bear (Broken Hill Bears Book 2)
Bear Cuffs (Broken Hill Bears Book 3)
Ravished by the Ice Palace Pack
Bonus story: Bare Knuckle Bear (Broken Hill Bears Book 2)
1
Braxton Quentin sat on a small wooden stool at the side of the ring, resting his elbows on his knees and sucking in great lungfuls of air. Perspiration dripped down his forehead and stung his eyes. His knuckles ached from the many blows he’d inflicted on his opponent, and his head was ringing from a few that he’d received himself. While one of his clan mates poured ice-cold water on the back of his neck and another inspected his wounds, he glared at his opponent, who was sitting on the opposite side of the ring from him, glaring back, eyes burning with hatred. Mikal Havonson. They’d once been clan mates; brothers, almost, until Mikal made a terrible mistake that led to him being banished from the clan. He was now a member of the Black Paw Ridge Bears, sworn enemies of the Broken Hill Bears.
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love (Ryzard) BBW Bear Shifter Romance (Hope Valley BBW Dating App Romance Book 9) Page 10
