Runaway Bear

by Alana Sapphire

  “You ready?” he asks, getting to his feet.

  “I guess.”

  Mom makes her way inside, smiling as she passes by me.

  “Have fun, sweetie.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  Zax takes my hand, leading me back to his truck. When he opens the door, I turn to him.

  “Are you sure about this? I mean, I can make us breakfast. You don’t have to—”

  “Get in the truck, Callie,” he commands.

  Sighing, I climb in. He doesn’t say a word the entire drive, and I don’t bother him. He wants to make this all look so simple, but it can’t be. You don’t just change who you are overnight. He says the rules don’t apply to me, but for the time being, I’m going to act like they do.

  He pulls into a parking spot at Jimmy’s, and I wait for him to get my door. Just like last night, he grabs my waist, picking me up like I weigh nothing at all. He sets me on my feet, but doesn’t move, so I tilt my head back to look up at him. Reaching for the strap of my sundress, he pulls it up from where it had fallen on my arm.

  “I like this,” he says. “Can’t wait to take it off you later.”

  With a smirk, he takes my hand, leading me to the diner’s entrance. The whispers start up from everyone we pass in the parking lot. Again, the stares send me sticking to Zax’s side in embarrassment. I know what they’re all thinking and saying—what’s he doing with her? He releases my hand, curling his arm around my shoulder, and pulling me closer.

  “Don’t pay ’em no mind, Callie.”

  We step inside, and the reactions are the same.

  “You’re quite the celebrity, Mr. Knight.”

  “Nah. They’re all just wondering what a gorgeous woman like you is doing with a dick like me.”

  I giggle, lightly pinching his arm. “Maybe that’s the reason.”

  “What?” He looks down at me in confusion.

  “Your dick,” I whisper, blushing and quickly averting my gaze.

  He throws his head back, his laughter booming throughout the small diner. It dies down to a chuckle by the time we slide into a booth.

  “You’re a hoot, Miss Masters. I live for the moments when you break through that layer of shyness.”

  He lives for moments with me? Why is it that he seems to be saying and doing all the right things? Could I be wrong about him? Is Zax Knight finally giving up his philandering ways? Yeah, right. That’ll be the day.

  Daisy, the diner’s oldest and longest-standing waitress, walks up to our booth with a huge grin.

  “Aren’t you two the cutest thing!” she gushes as she hands us our menus. “Don’t let this one get away, Zax.”

  “I’ll try my best, Daisy.” He chuckles.

  “Oh, you’re going to have such beautiful cubs!”

  “Whoa, there, Daisy.” I stop her from going further. “You’re getting a little ahead of yourself.”

  “Trust me, honey. I have an eye for these things. I’ll get you some coffee while you look over the menus. Although I know exactly what you’re gonna get. You both order the same things when you come in here.”

  I smile as she walks away, mumbling. I look from her to Zax, and find him staring at me.

  “What?”

  “Just love to see you smile, baby.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it lights up my fuckin’ day. Bright enough to rival the rays of the sun.”

  “Wow.” I blink rapidly in surprise. “What’s gotten into you?”

  He doesn’t answer, only smiling at Daisy when she returns with the coffee.

  “So, let me guess.” Daisy turns to me. “You’re having the big stack, and you,” she turns to Zax. “Are having the lumberjack special, extra honey.”

  I laugh, covering my mouth. She was right. I’ve been ordering the same thing since I was a cub. It seems Zax and I have something in common.

  “You got it, Daisy,” he says.

  I check my watch as she leaves again.

  “I’m off today, but don’t you have to go to work?” I ask.

  “Nope. I’m all yours.”

  “Hmm.” I place my elbow on the table, dropping my chin into my palm. “What am I supposed to do with you?”

  “Whatever you want. I can give you a few ideas, though.”

  “I bet you can.”

  He reaches for my free hand, staring down at my fingers as he plays with them. The light touches are in no way sexual, but they send shivers running through my body. His hair is down, the ends brushing his shoulders, and it’s just calling to me. I don’t know why, but running my fingers through it, grabbing a handful… it does something to me.

  “Tell me… what have you been doing the last five years, Callie?”

  “Nothing much.” I look away, hoping he won’t see the lie in my eyes. “Got my degree in Sociology. I was working as an office assistant at a top law firm before I came back.”

  He inclines his head to the side, raising a brow. “Sociology… law firm?”

  “I know. It was my first job out of college. I needed the work experience.”

  “Plannin’ on going back?”

  I return my gaze to him, almost certain I heard fear in his voice. Our eyes lock, and he tightens his hold on my fingers.

  “Should I?” I ask, my voice shaking.

  “Depends on what you want. You go back to California, you have your job at the hot shot law firm, or maybe put your degree to use. You stay here, you have the sheriff’s office, and… me.”

  “Tough decision.” I try to smile.

  “It really isn’t.”

  Daisy shows up with our plates, and I concentrate on eating. If I stay here, I have him. I know I’m being hard-headed, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. My heart was broken once before. Granted, it was my own fault, but I can’t allow it to get shattered now. I’d never recover.

  We eat in silence, then he pays the check and we leave Jimmy’s. He takes my hand, seemingly offering an olive branch. I thread my fingers through his, doing the same. At the truck, he pauses before opening my door.

  “Callie… I know I’ve led a fucked up life until now. Mostly, I don’t have any regrets. The only one I have is letting you walk out of my life before. I… you…” He sighs, shaking his head. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, I want you to stay.” He cups my cheek with one hand, the other sliding into my hair, gripping it and pulling my head back. Leaning in, he presses a gentle kiss to my lips. I moan, moving closer to him, but he doesn’t take it any farther. “I can take care of you. The shop’s doing good.” His eyes move over my face desperately. “I’m even lookin’ to expand… hire some more guys. Just think about it.”

  He releases me, then helps me into the truck. I stare out the window, contemplating his words as he drives. He wants me to stay. Can I? Is it possible to have everything I’ve wanted since I was a teenager? Has Zax finally felt our connection?

  I don’t realize we’ve stopped moving until he’s opened my door, extending his hand to help me down.

  “What are we doing here?” I ask, looking up at the supermarket’s sign.

  “Getting you coffee for tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “What?” He chuckles. “You thought you’d be sleeping anywhere but in my bed?”

  I smile, grabbing a cart and motioning for him to push it. I don’t know where this is going, but I think I like the direction.

  “In that case, Mr. Knight, you’re gonna need a hell of a lot more than coffee.”

  “All I need is you.” He releases the cart, tugging me into his arms. “Stay,” he begs, his voice desperate. “Stay with me.”

  I stare into his eyes, knowing this is more than him asking me to stay at his place, after the conversation we had earlier. He wants me, and for the first time, I don’t think it’s just for sex. Zax wants me. For however long that is, I’ll take it, and deal with the repercussions later. Having him, even for a short time, will be worth the pain.

  “Okay. I’
ll stay.”

  ***Zax***

  I smile as I stare down at her picture on my phone. I took it this morning as she made me breakfast, wearing only one of my Metallica T-shirts. It’s way too big and passes her knees, but it’s one of the sexiest things I’ve seen in my life. She’s been at my place every night for the last two weeks, and I still can’t get enough of her. Callie. My Callie. After pining for her for years, she’s finally mine. She’s the most perfect woman I’ve ever met, and I’m never letting her go. After our breakfast at Jimmy’s, my phone almost blew up. I’ve never had so many women wanting to see me “urgently” before. I sent out a mass message to all the women in my phone, telling them not to contact me anymore, then I changed my number. That part of my life is over, so they can all go fuck themselves—literally and figuratively.

  “You know,” Scott breaks into my thoughts. “Callie’s done a real number on you.”

  “What the fuck does that mean?”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile. Now it’s like that thing is permanently glued to your face.”

  “A good woman will do that to you. When you gonna find one of your own?”

  “Hey, the whore of Fall Valley is out of commission. My odds are amazing now,” he says, laughing.

  “Fuck you.” I chuckle. “Get back to work. I’m not paying you to crack jokes.”

  Strawberries and cream hits my nostrils, and I turn to see my baby approaching the garage.

  “Get lost, Scott.”

  “You just told me to get back to work!”

  “And now I’m saying get lost.”

  “Don’t talk to him like that,” Callie admonishes me.

  I roll my eyes, hopping up on a table. “Scott, please get lost.”

  “Jeez. You know what? I’m outta here. I know when I’m not wanted.”

  Callie giggles as we watch him strut out of the garage. “Bye, Scott.”

  “See ya later, Callie. Tame that beast of yours.”

  “I’ll try.”

  As soon as Scott pulls down the roll-up door, I tug her into my arms. She happily wedges herself between my legs.

  “Hey, baby.”

  “Hey. I brought you lunch.”

  “You or what’s in the paper bag?” I ask.

  “The paper bag.” She tuts. “Well… maybe a bit of both.” She blushes, averting her gaze.

  “Come here. Give your man a kiss.”

  “Oh, so now you’re my man?”

  “You bet your sexy ass. Better not forget it.”

  She blesses me with her gorgeous smile as she slides her arms around my neck. I inhale her scent, still amazed at how easily she gets aroused. For me. I tangle my fingers in her hair, pulling her lips to mine. She moans, pressing her body against me. Her lips part, giving me entrance to the sweetness within. She tugs the tie from my hair, and her fingers go on a roving mission. My bear loves it when she does that. He purrs like a fucking kitten every time. I quickly unbutton her top, dragging her bra down to free her breasts. Her back arches, and I leave her lips to kiss down her neck. I circle her nipples with my thumbs, loving her little whimpers of pleasure. As I suck at the base of her neck, the urge to bite her, to mark her as mine slams into me. I’ve wanted to do it for a while, but the need is getting stronger with each day that passes. However, I don’t think either of us is ready for that.

  “Zax….”

  “You want me, baby?”

  “Yes.” She wiggles her hips. “Please….”

  I pull up her skirt, bunching it around her waist. Sitting back, my gaze roams her body from head to toe. Her skin is flushed, breathing ragged, body ready for the taking.

  “You’re beautiful, Callie. Fucking beautiful.”

  “You really think so?” she asks timidly, trying to hide her breasts.

  “Don’t think. I know. You’re perfect.” Grabbing her waist, I lift her, making her straddle me. “And I told you to stop fucking trying to hide your body from me.”

  I move the crotch of her panties to the side, salivating at the sight of her wet, swollen lips. As I slide my fingers between them, I thank God I hadn’t started working yet, so my hands are clean.

  “Zax….”

  Her head is thrown back, that spot on her shoulder calling for my mark. Instead of giving in, I gently sink my teeth into her nipple as I slide two fingers inside her. She cries out, clenching around them. She’s so fucking tight. And that’s because I’m the only man who’s ever been inside her. The only man who’s had her like this. The only man who ever will.

  She grinds on my fingers, taking her pleasure as I suck on her nipples. I swear this woman has the most perfect breasts. Fuck it. Everything about her is perfect. She’s perfect for me… for us.

  “Fuck, Zax!”

  Her fingers tighten in my hair, and her pussy clamps down on my fingers, signaling she’s close. I press my thumb to her clit, rubbing it in tight circles. Then, I feel it—the clench and release of her orgasm that always drives me crazy. I watch her come, the way her body shakes, the sounds she makes, the way she clings to me like a lifeline… I love it all. I love her smile, her laugh, her body, her mind. I love everything about her. Fuck. I love her.

  I’m in love with Callie Elizabeth Masters.

  “Mmm…” She moans, regarding me with half-closed eyes. “You never cease to amaze me, Mr. Knight.”

  “Good. Means you’ll never get bored with me, Miss Masters.” Mrs. Knight. There’s no doubt about it. Callie is going to be my wife.

  I slide my fingers out of her, sucking her juices from them. She watches with parted lips, attacking mine as soon as I pull my fingers out.

  “I taste myself on you,” she says as she breaks the kiss.

  “Now you know why I call you ‘sweetness’.”

  She giggles, attempting to climb down. I help her, watching with interest as she reaches for the button on my jeans. I lean back on my palms, waiting to see what she will do. She’s still pretty shy, mostly embarrassed every time we have sex. This is the first time she wants to take the lead so I let her. Her eyes widen when she releases my dick. You’d think she’s seeing it for the first time. She grips it in a fist, stroking slowly up and down. Leaning forward, she slides her tongue across the head, licking at the pre-cum. I drag a breath through my teeth, watching her smile at my reaction.

  “Is that okay?” she asks with uncertainty.

  “More than okay, sweetness.”

  She continues tentatively, and I know without a doubt it’s not only her first time doing this with me, it’s her first time, period. She wraps her lips around the head, staring up at me as she sucks gently. I grab a fistful of her hair, urging her on.

  “Harder, baby.”

  She nods, taking more of me while following my instruction. Her grip on the shaft tightens as she continues to stroke me, reaching for my balls with her free hand.

  “Callie!”

  She eases up, circling the head of my dick with her tongue, her hand stroking faster and faster. I resist the impulse to force her head back down, but we’re so in sync, she does exactly what I want her to. She takes me into her mouth again, sliding her lips down as far as she can manage. Her hands and mouth work in unison, intent on making me explode. And I’m pretty damn close. She lets my dick slip out of her mouth and stares up at me.

  “Come in my mouth, Zax.”

  “Fuck!”

  My balls tighten and the moment she closes her lips around my dick again, I come. She keeps sucking, intent on getting every single drop of my cum. She swallows, licking her lips as she straightens.

  “You taste good, too.”

  “Fuck, Callie.” I grab the back of her neck, pulling her close. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

  She blushes, giving me a self-conscious smile. “Amazing, huh? I’ll take that since it was my first time.”

  “I know.”

  I drop a gentle kiss on her lips, then help her get her clothes in order. Her phone rings and she digs it out o
f her purse. Worry creases her brow as she stares at the screen, but she rejects the call and drops the phone back in her purse.

  “Problem?” I ask.

  “It’s nothing. I have to get back to work. See you later?”

  “Of course. I’ll try to be home early. Call you when I leave here.”

  “Okay.”

  I reach into my pocket for my keys and remove a spare for the house, handing it to her. “Let yourself in.”

  She bites into her bottom lip, trying to hold back her grin. “You’re giving me a key?”

  “Just make sure you’re there when I get home.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  She kisses me, and as she walks away, I playfully smack her ass. She freezes, speaking without facing me.

  “Please don’t do that again.”

  That catches me off guard. I still remember the look on her face that first night when I told her I’d spank her ass. I guess the prospect seemed more exciting than the reality.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I won’t.”

  And then she’s gone. I watch her leave, wondering what’s going on in her head. I also know that phone call wasn’t “nothing.” Something’s wrong, and I’m going to find out what it is.

  ***Callie***

  I start setting the table when I hear Zax’s truck pull up. I have to admit, playing house these last couple of weeks has been amazing. Almost makes me think this could work. Almost. I just can’t shake the reservations I have about him being able to change. What if he gets tired of me? Bored with just one woman? There’s also the fact that my demons from California won’t leave me alone. I didn’t just come home. I did what my default reaction is—run. Things got hairy, and I got out of there as fast as I could. After that call came in today and I saw Zax’s face, I finally changed my phone number; ditched that phone entirely. I should have done it a long time ago. I know I’ll have to explain the reason to him. He suspects something.