by Bianca D’Arc
“I’m not leaving you tonight. Whether or not we sleep together, I’m going to stay in this apartment. I have to keep you safe, and I don’t like the idea of you being all alone up here with your sister staying at the bakery. But I’ll stay to protect you, even if we don’t end up in bed together.”
“But what if I want you in my bed?” Her voice dropped low, into places that made him want to lick her like a honeycomb.
He stood from the couch, with her still in his arms and turned toward the hall that led to her bedroom. “Then you’re going to get what you want.”
Urse’s head spun as John lifted her up off the couch in one fell swoop. The man was just so darn strong. That bear thing was super attractive, if she was being honest with herself.
And that’s what it was, really. She was finally being honest about what she wanted. She wanted him.
Everything could all go to hell tomorrow. Nothing about what she planned to do was guaranteed. The leviathan knew about her now and wouldn’t be taken by surprise again. It would be waiting for her. Ready.
She could easily die tomorrow, or be gravely injured. She could burn out magically. She could burn out her brain. There were so many dire possibilities that John didn’t know about. Being a strega wasn’t like being a shifter. At least not as far as she had been able to tell. He was merged with his beast. It was part of him and had been since birth.
Her magic was something apart that she called and did her best to control and shape. She could lose control of it all too easily. She could push too far and go beyond her abilities. She could go beyond what was possible for her and into realms where she was in mortal danger of her soul all too easily. John didn’t know that—at least, she didn’t think he realized it—and she wasn’t about to tell him.
The less he knew about the danger to her right now, the better. He was too involved in protecting her, and she had the feeling he’d forbid her from doing what she must if he knew the true depth of the dangers she faced.
Yet she had to do what she could for this town and its people. The shifters who lived here were good people just looking for a peaceful existence. They wanted to be happy. The core group of men had been soldiers and had chosen this little patch of earth to settle down and try to create a life for themselves and whatever females they could find to complete their community.
Urse wanted badly to give them that chance. It was a good goal, they had. A pure one. Peace and love were two objectives she could get behind and endorse.
Maybe that made her a bit of a hippie, she thought with some amusement. She had grown up in San Francisco, after all.
She smiled to herself as John carried her into her bedroom, and then, the amusement changed to a feeling of joy that she was here, in her private sanctum, with this incredible man. She was going to reach for this moment out of time—this night of nights—where they were alone in the apartment and grab it with both hands.
She was going to grab him with both hands and hold tight ‘til morning.
John let go of her legs, letting her lower body slide down against his until she was standing in front of him, just in front of her bed. She was glad now that she’d opted for a full-size bed when setting up this room, though it would still be a bit too small for a guy of John’s height. At least it was better than the twin she’d left behind in her tiny apartment in San Francisco.
He looked downward, meeting her gaze. His eyes were molten with unspoken desires, but there was a tiny bit of reserve that told her he would leave if she gave him the least bit of indication that she didn’t want this.
But she wanted it. Oh, how she wanted it.
“You’re very tall,” she said softly, looking up at him. It was a nonsensical thing to say, but it brought a smile to his lips.
“Is that a complaint?” The gentle amusement in his growly voice told her he wasn’t at all serious.
“No. Just an observation,” she quipped. “It makes it hard to kiss you unless I do something like this.”
She stepped back and up, to stand on the edge of the bed, looking down at him from a few inches. It wasn’t much, but it gave her a taste of what it must feel like for him, so far above everyone else’s heads all the time.
She looked around, surveying her room with a comical air. “It’s kinda nice up here.”
“Even nicer down here.” He growled in a sexy way, drawing her attention. She realized what he meant as his gaze zeroed in on her breasts, now much closer to his eye level.
“Come here, you,” she whispered, cupping the nape of his neck and encouraging his head to tilt upward as hers tilted slightly down.
Yes. There it was. She captured his lips with her own and led him into a kiss that spoke of want and need and…things she didn’t dare name this early into their relationship.
After a few minutes of enjoyable friction as their tongues dueled and danced together, she stepped backward on the bed, drawing him onto it. He knelt, putting one arm around her waist and one behind her knees. He helped her come down onto the bed, his strong hands guiding her into just the position he wanted.
She ended up lying on her back while he leaned over her from the side. Looking up at him, she was fascinated by the swirling magic in his eyes. She could actually see it. She could see the bear magic that lurked within his soul. It was beautiful. Like him.
Though she was pretty sure he wouldn’t appreciate being called beautiful. Most men were touchy about a word like that. She smiled, thinking of his reaction, tracing the laugh lines around his magical eyes.
“What?” he asked, pausing in their passion as he met her gaze.
She liked that about him. He wasn’t an impatient man. In fact, he seemed to have patience like the mountains around them. Timeless. Ageless. Meaningful.
“I can see the magic swirling in your eyes,” she admitted, smiling softly. Let him make of that what he would.
“They say bears have more magic than most shifters,” he said, surprising her.
“That’s what Nonna taught us. She was proud of the bear in the family tree, even if it didn’t pass down to us.”
“As she should be,” he agreed with a mock modest face. Then he kissed her. Just light, little nibbly kisses on her face and throat. “You taste like honey, Urse.”
“Then it’s true what they say about bears liking honey?” she teased as he nibbled his way down the sensitive column of her throat.
“Oh, I don’t just like honey. I love honey.” He nipped and sucked a particularly responsive spot on her neck, down in the bend by her collarbone. Urse had to bite back a whimper.
Then his fingers were on her clothing, unbuttoning buttons, unzipping zippers, and unhooking hooks. She was all for getting rid of the fabric that separated them. She pushed at his shoulders, wanting his shirt off. She didn’t care where it went or how. She just wanted it gone.
Once again she wished she was more like that old time witch on TV, and could make things disappear with a wiggle of her nose, but sadly, magic didn’t work that way. At least, hers didn’t. Instead, she tugged at the hem of his shirt, pulling it out of his pants while he worked on her clothing.
She probably hindered more than helped, but her foggy mind didn’t quite realize it. Never before had she been so eager to share pleasure that she almost stopped thinking altogether and just…felt.
John did that. Only him. He overpowered her conscious mind and sent her into a realm where only sensation mattered. The scents, sounds and feel of him against her were the only things that registered. Thoughts of the past and future were banished, and all that existed was the now. A delicious now that included a hunky grizzly shifter in man form, who knew exactly how to drive her wild.
Chapter Nine
John did his best to hold in the growl of his bear as he shed his clothing and helped Ursula out of hers. The bear was very much present in his mind as he made preparations to join with her for the first time.
That was new.
Never before had his bear side taken much notice of the
women he fucked. Sure, it pushed him to take pleasure where he found it, but it hadn’t been interested in the women themselves, only in the end result. This time was different. This time, the bear side was well aware of the magical woman beneath its alternate form, and it was encouraging John’s human side to take her and make her theirs.
The bear was thinking mate. John had thought about that for the past day or two, and had come to terms with the concept, though neither his human side nor his bear side would know for sure until they had claimed her. It might’ve been different had she also been a shifter, but Ursula had only the faintest traces of shifter blood in her ancestry, and John had no idea if she felt the mating pull as strongly as he did.
Time would tell. Time, and actually being inside her, learning her body and touching her soul. Only then would both halves of his nature be satisfied and know for certain whether or not she was the one woman destined for him.
He had a strong suspicion that she was, though. This was probably just going to confirm it, and Lady help them both when he knew for sure.
It would change everything. Both for the better and possibly for the worse, if his people couldn’t accept their mating and he had to give up everything he’d worked for here. He would, though it wouldn’t be easy, but his true mate would be worth it. If that’s what she was.
And he was about to find out.
He’d wanted to take his time undressing her, but it was impossible. Not this first time. Maybe…after he’d taken the edge off…in a few years, maybe…he’d be able to take his time with her. But for right now, the passion was rising and driving him hard. Luckily, she was with him. The way she tugged at his shoulders and sank her flat, human teeth into his lip—not to hurt, but to encourage—told him that she was as eager as him.
Within moments, they were both naked, and heaven help him if he broke her flimsy little bed. He supposed it was what regular folk called a double bed, but it wasn’t anywhere near big enough for him, much less both of them. Hell, if he managed to break the thing, he’d just have an excuse to make her a real bed, out of sturdy pine, and big enough to hold them both and more importantly—hold up to anything they might get up to in it.
The thought made him grin. He liked the idea of making a bed especially for them. A little love nest. A place only they would ever use.
But he was getting a little ahead of himself. Again. Dammit.
He tried to slow himself down and really appreciate the moment, but it was hard. Actually, he was too hard to go slow, but he owed it to Ursula to give her more to remember than a blur from their first time together.
He made himself look at her. Her luscious curves made his mouth water, and without conscious thought, he began to work his way down her neck, over her collarbones and onto her chest. His hands sought out the soft weight of her full breasts, offering them up for his lips, tongue and the gentle pressure of his teeth. He was careful of her delicate skin, but he knew she liked what he was doing when she shivered in his arms and moaned in delight.
He could really get used to hearing that sound. Damn. That made his dick even harder, which was something he’d thought impossible only moments before.
Her skin tasted like honey, and her scent was that of the cool, green grass of a spring meadow. Fresh. Pure. Magical. Little sparks of her energy zinged him gently, adding a sparkle of sensation everywhere they touched. It wasn’t unpleasant. In fact, it was almost addictive. The tingle made him feel more alive and brought a certain amount of joy to the proceedings, which was a new one for him. Her magic sparked against his in a happy way that he felt right down to the soles of his feet. Interesting.
John ran his hands down over her ribs, framing her waist, which made her squirm a bit.
“Ticklish?” he asked, raising up enough to meet her gaze. Her cheeks were flushed with arousal…and perhaps a bit of shyness?
“A little, I guess.” She looked uncomfortable admitting to it, so he didn’t tease her. Why would a woman as beautiful as Ursula not be used to men touching her waist? Maybe there hadn’t been that many before him? Maybe she was shy about her body?
She had nothing to be shy about. Ursula was built solid. Bombshell solid. Nicely rounded hips, generous breasts. Maybe she wasn’t the waif-thin skeleton many humans aimed for nowadays, but John didn’t want a scarecrow. He wanted a woman. Specifically, he wanted this woman. The way she was put together only drew him more, if he were being honest. He liked the way she looked, and he’d spend some time convincing her of that little detail as they got to know each other better.
At the same time, he had a primitive sort of moment thinking that she hadn’t let too many other men touch her like this. He wanted to growl in satisfaction. Not that he’d begrudge her anything in her past, but he was just possessive enough to want to be the one to show her all the delights he knew they would find together. He liked that it would be new to her. Or at least, not old hat. If that made him a bit of a caveman, then so be it.
“Don’t worry, honey,” he whispered, moving his lips back into contact with her skin, pausing to dip his tongue into her navel. “I’ve got you.” He reveled in the shivers that overtook her body as he worshiped her with his mouth.
He had more in store, but he’d have to move this along if he wanted to keep from embarrassing himself. When he came, he wanted to be inside her, not jetting into the sheets like some untried kid.
Urse couldn’t believe the way John was making her feel. She’d been with a few guys, but every encounter with John so far had been something completely new in her experience, and tonight was no exception. She was glad he wasn’t teasing her about being ticklish. She couldn’t help it. She wasn’t really used to people touching her body so intimately, so she was still a bit more sensitive than she probably should be at her age.
So sue me.
But John seemed to understand. Rather than double down on the teasing and making her super uncomfortable, he simply went on touching her gently, careful of her more sensitive areas. He kept the mood going flawlessly, without triggering her embarrassment in any way. He was a gem, and he made her feel cherished.
That was new. Exciting. Enticing. She’d never felt so special in a man’s arms before. She’d never felt like the man she was with wanted to be with her—and not just a willing female body. With John, she was sure he knew exactly who he was with and that he’d made the deliberate choice to be with her, even though his people might object.
She didn’t like the idea that he might get into trouble with his Clan over this, but by the same token, she was powerless to deny the attraction between them. It was bigger than Clan politics. Bigger than societal prohibitions. Bigger than the two of them combined.
It felt…important. And necessary.
She’d figure out what that might mean later, but for now, she was just going to enjoy the moment. Their one night together that might be all they were allowed. If that were the case, then by the Lady, she was going to enjoy these stolen hours with everything that was in her.
She squealed a bit when John’s hands slid between her thighs and pressed outward, presenting her most private place to his gaze. She looked down and saw the way he was gazing at her, studying her body. He licked his lips, and she shivered in anticipation.
Was he going to…? Sweet Mother in heaven!
Urse’s hips came off the bed when John’s mouth covered her clit. And when his tongue roved downward and inward… Holy moly!
His hands framed her hips, holding her, guiding her. His mouth remained fastened below, his talented tongue teasing and licking, flicking and pressing. She nearly swooned as she came under his ministrations, crying out his name as her hips bucked in his hands.
He rode her through the small orgasm, gentling her with his strong hands, rekindling the flames of her arousal when she’d really thought she’d need some kind of break. But there were no breaks. Not with John still so ready, so hard and obviously eager to join with her. And she found, after only a few moments, she was jus
t as eager. She wanted to know what he would feel like inside her, claiming her, possessing her.
She wanted it with all her heart.
And then, he moved over her, slotting his big body between her legs and holding his chest just a few inches above hers. He was leaning on his elbows, careful not to crush her, but the way she was feeling, she wanted to know what his weight would feel like against her body, covering her completely.
He was big though. Built on the massive side, even for a shifter. So she’d follow his lead and let him decide what she could handle, for now. She didn’t want any sort of disagreement—even a silly one—to interfere with this first joining. She trusted him to take care of her, which felt like something his beast half would truly appreciate.
She’d ask him about it later, if they could somehow make this work long enough to actually have a later. For now, she was just going to go with the flow and live in the moment, trusting John’s protective instincts to see them both safely through to the end.
Had she ever trusted a man this much before? Sadly, she realized she hadn’t. No one had ever been like John. Quite possibly, no one ever would again.
When he pushed inward, claiming her with his thick cock, she held her breath. He went slow, letting her body become accustomed to his size, but when she figured she’d taken all she could, he kept pushing. Surprisingly, her body accepted more than she’d thought she could. There was no pain, only the slight, scintillating burn of her body stretching to take in something of a size it had never had before.
Long, thick, hard. John was amazing.
He began to move. Just a rocking motion, at first, while her body got used to him. He rubbed up against her clit on each push inward, and she was soon clutching at his shoulders, begging him silently to go faster, to push deeper.
And then, he did. She met him thrust for thrust, both of their bodies moving in time. Her fingers wrapped around his shoulders, and she felt the fine edge of control in his muscles as he strained against her. Faster, he plunged, and she heard a rhythmic moaning sound coming from somewhere. It took a moment before she realized it was coming from her. She was moaning in time with his thrusts.
