Bear's Bride (Bear Heat Book 1) (BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance)

by Natalie Kristen

  “Oh!” She grinned. “I thought I'd lost it. I dropped the bag when those wolves stuffed me into the van. That was such a good buy, I love that dress!”

  “I'd love to see you in it.” Ethan quirked a smile. And out of it.

  “I could wear it for the wedding reception. It'd be a small reception, but we have to make it look real. Get your bears. They can make up the crowd and keep an eye out for the wolves.”

  “You have this all planned out, don't you?”

  “Of course. It's my wedding!” She winked and huffed. “Now, do you want to have sex with me or not?”

  Ethan grabbed her and rolled her onto her back.

  “This...won't be just sex, Cora,” he growled.

  She writhed beneath him, undulating maddeningly against his erection. He could scent her moisture between her thighs. Her breathing quickened and she licked her lips.

  The woman was aroused, and she wanted him. She was all passion, all heat and sweet, soft curves.

  Ethan pressed his lips to her neck and growled at the bruises on her shoulder. He would make her better, mate her and speed up her healing.

  “My Cora,” he growled. “Mine.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Cora was breathing hard, trying to catch her breath. She had outdone herself this time. Aubrey always said that she had a penchant for coming up with the most outrageous, outlandish plans. But being the supportive best friend, Aubrey never bailed on her.

  She had goaded and challenged Ethan to mate with her, to help her heal and set her plan in motion. But the feral, scorching heat in Ethan's eyes made her think that perhaps she had pushed the man too far.

  His lips on her neck seared a trail of fire down her body and straight to her core. She heard his possessive growl and tried to suppress a shiver.

  Ethan slipped his large hand behind her neck and raised her to meet his lips. His mouth covered hers and Cora whimpered as he unleashed all his fiery, burning passion and desire into his kiss. There was nothing tentative or unsure about how he took her mouth. Every stroke of his tongue, every movement of his lips stoked the fire in her belly and inflamed her spiraling desire. His hands, his lips, the feel of his rock hard body pressing down on her made her burn out of control. She moaned and clung urgently to him, needing and wanting more of his touch, his maddening kisses. She wanted more, more of him, every delectable, hard inch of him, against her, on her, inside her.

  She wasn't wearing any underwear under her big t-shirt, and boy was she glad. Ethan slipped his hands under her t-shirt and she absolutely loved the feel of his huge, calloused hands on her bare body, moving under her t-shirt, cupping her ass, caressing her hips, her waist, her torso and stroking the underside of her breasts.

  Cora sighed as Ethan pushed her t-shirt up above her breasts. She stretched her arms, allowing him to pull the t-shirt smoothly over her head and toss it to the floor.

  Ah, naked. Gloriously, deliciously naked.

  Cora had never been ashamed of her body. Her body had bountiful curves and was soft and round, not toned and angular like some of her friends who hit the gym every single day. She had enough exercise running after her lively, active students every day. Plus, shopping was great exercise. Going up and down those escalators, racing from mall to mall and toting bulging, heavy shopping bags home burned up loads of calories and made one crazy-hungry at the end of the trip.

  But with Ethan gazing down at her like that, she felt even more confident and wanton in her nakedness. She felt beautiful, womanly, desirable and so sexy. She stretched herself out and undulated against the soft, satin sheets. Ethan growled and his claws dug into the mattress. Cora smirked and crooked a finger at him. Watching a big, gorgeous, powerful guy like Ethan lose his mind for her was such a turn-on and a huge ego-booster.

  Cora raked her greedy eyes down his body and felt the wetness between her legs when she saw that enormous bulge in his jeans. She reached out and yanked at his belt with trembling fingers. She wanted to see him completely naked, feel his hot, bare skin against her, have nothing between them so she could revel in the pure, raw joining of their bodies.

  Seeing her urgent, frenzied movements, Ethan got rid of his shirt and shucked off his pants swiftly and smoothly, and captured her wrists in one hand. Holding her hands high over her head, he kissed down her face and neck, swirling his tongue skilfully across her skin.

  Cora started to pant as he laved his tongue languidly down her chest, between the valley of her breasts and down to her navel. He moved his mouth up to hover just above her aching nipple, letting her stiff, erect peak brush lightly across his lips.

  “Ethan...” she whimpered, begging him to suckle her. She was going to explode if he didn't take those throbbing nubs into his mouth and suck hard.

  His tongue shot out and flicked around her nipple. Cora cried out, twisting and arching her back for more. Growling, he captured her nipple suddenly between his teeth and gnawed on it. She screamed as pain and pleasure exploded through her body. Cupping her breasts in his hands, he suckled each breast in turn, his fingers rubbing and pinching relentless at her wet, throbbing nipples.

  Cora clenched her muscles, feeling her body hum and thrum with escalating pleasure. Ethan ran his tongue and hands down her belly and reached her wet, needy pussy.

  Pushing her legs apart, he laved down her folds and licked at her engorged clit, tapping it with his tongue until she was almost mad with need.

  Ethan took his time, licking and kissing down her thighs and making her quiver uncontrollably. When he slipped his tongue into her, she thrashed her head from side to side, her entire body coiled so tightly, at the very edge of a building, cresting orgasm.

  But he kept his pace and rhythm slow, withdrawing just as she was about to come.

  Cora was breathing hard, her eyelids fluttering furiously. Her entire body was heating up, burning up from the inside.

  “Please...” she rasped.

  Ethan touched her body reverently, tenderly, trailing his lips and fingertips all over her skin.

  Cora pushed her hand down her body. She would get herself off, since he wouldn't bring her to orgasm. She needed the release. He was tormenting her, making her want and not giving her what she needed.

  She needed him to fuck her, make her scream, take her hard and fast and deep.

  But before she could touch herself, Ethan caught her wrist with a snarl.

  “Not yet, Cora,” he said gruffly, pushing her onto her knees.

  Bending over her, he snarled in her ear, “You will come for me. Only for me, Cora.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Ethan knelt behind Cora and placed his hands on her sweet, fleshy hips. Her body was amazing, feminine, curvy and so damn beautiful. Ethan kissed down her spine, whispering over her skin as he touched her. His female was trembling, her core wet and hungry for his cock.

  His Cora was so tough, so full of lust and love. She knew what her body wanted, and she knew how to pleasure and pamper her body. But this was his job from now on. She was his to protect and pleasure, cherish and indulge. Their bodies, hearts and minds would be joined. She would be his mate. From now to eternity.

  Ethan roared his claim and plunged into her. Cora cried out and shuddered as he filled her and stretched her fully. Her sheath was so tight and hot, and he wanted to start pounding into her straight away. But he forced himself to remain still. He was huge, and he had to give her time to get used to his size. He wouldn't cause her any pain. He would take her, claim her, but he would make sure it was good for her.

  Ethan ran his hand up and down her back, holding her until her shudders subsided. When he began to move, he heard small, high-pitched yips of pleasure escape her lips. She felt so good, so perfect. She was everything he had been dreaming of, everything he hoped and longed for in a mate.

  Wrapping one arm around her waist, he slid in and out of her body, gradually increasing his pace until the headboard hammered against the wall in
time to his thrusts.

  Cora groaned and rocked her hips, taking him deeper into her body. Ethan pulled his cock all the way out of her pussy before surging into her again. His cock glistened with her sweet juices and he could feel his balls tightening and pulsing violently.

  “Cora!” he bellowed her name and clamped his jaws around her shoulder.

  She jerked and screamed as they orgasmed together. Ethan held onto her, feeling her shatter so beautifully beneath him. Goose pimples raced up her back and arms, and her body shone with a light sheen of sweat. Ethan withdrew from her slowly and lowered her onto the mattress.

  Cora lay down, completely exhausted. Her ragged breathing began to quieten down and she blinked slowly, repeatedly until her eyes regained their focus.

  “Wow,” she breathed. “That was...just wow.”

  Ethan stroked her cheek softly. “You were amazing.”

  “I feel amazing!” she gushed and turned to him suddenly. “I know some shifter groupies and I never understood why those girls would want to bang shifters all the time. Well...I guess I know now,” she finished with a lopsided smile.

  “No, Cora. This isn't just shifter sex,” he said, his eyes flashing. “This is different. Completely different.”

  “I know. You told me. This is mating,” she said. “It's supposed to help me heal faster. Right?”

  Ethan was about to tell her that a faster rate of healing wasn't the only thing that came with the mate bond when his eyes snapped to her neck and arms.

  “Your...injuries,” he said.

  “What about them?” She sat up immediately.

  “They've healed. Completely.”

  Cora stretched her arms out in front of her and turned them over. With a squeal, she scrambled up and twisted this way and that, trying to look down every inch of her body.

  “Oh my God! You're right!” She let out a whoop. “I thought it would take days, or hours at least. How could this be? This is a miracle!”

  “You—are a miracle, Cora,” Ethan was beaming at her with wonder and pride. “You are strong, resilient and adaptable. I can feel your strength, Cora. In me.”

  She clapped and launched herself at him. “Oh, Ethan! This is so great! There's not even the faintest scar on me!” She grinned and began to clamber off the bed. “Now, let's get the wedding underway.”

  “Cora.” He caught her hand. “Are you sure…”

  “Of course I'm sure. I'm sure the wolves will fall for this. And oh, there is physical proof of our mating, right?” She canted her head at him as she massaged her shoulder. “You mate-marked me, didn't you? That didn't feel like any ordinary bite. You marked me.”

  “Yes. I...”

  “Great! The wolves will see your mark and they'll believe that I'm really your mate, your bride!”

  “You really are...”

  But she had already disappeared into the bathroom.

  Ethan got up to go after her but her head appeared round the bathroom door and she said, “How much time do your bears need to set up everything? We need our big fake wedding to look real, so we need a wedding cake, flowers, food, decorations...”

  “We're good at undercover work. We can set up all the wedding decorations in a few hours.”

  “Perfect!” she grinned. “I just need a wedding dress. Do you think you could go and get me a ready-made wedding dress? You know my size, just grab one off the rack and I'll squeeze myself into it. Oh, and don't forget...”

  “Cora, slow down. Don't you think you should rest and recover after...”

  “Nope. I feel fine, more than fine.” She flexed her fingers and looked thoughtful for a moment. “In fact, I've never felt better, or stronger, or healthier. That was seriously the best sex I've ever had!”

  She winked saucily and waggled her brows at him. “We've got to do it again.”

  The little minx clearly thought she could get away. After all, she had the bathroom door between them.

  Ethan stalked forward and growled, “Oh, we will do it again.”

  Cora squealed when he kept walking towards her. But before she could slam the bathroom door in his face, he pushed into the bathroom and backed her into the shower cubicle.

  “W-what are you doing?” she squeaked.

  “You did say we have to do it again,” he said, caging her in with his arms.

  “I...” She pressed her back against the cool wall tiles and shivered. “When?” she teased.

  Ethan adjusted the temperature and pulled her under the shower with him. Cora raised her face to the warm water, sighing contentedly as the water caressed and massaged her face and body.

  Ethan watched the warm droplets race down her flushed, luscious body, rolling off her shoulders, her heavy breasts and down her soft, creamy thighs. She was incredibly beautiful, so sensual, so warm and strong.

  Breathing in her scent, he nuzzled her neck, slowly kissing her collar bone and licking the water off her hot skin. He worked his way down her body, taking his time to savor every delectable, lush curve.

  “Ethan...” she cried out when he parted her legs to lap at her clit.

  He continued licking her until she screamed in ecstasy. In one swift stroke, he impaled her on his cock and took her against the wall. Cora wrapped her legs around his hips and bared her throat for him, letting him nip and suck at her neck.

  Implicitly, she trusted him with her body, her pleasure. She might be bold and stubborn, and she would fight and challenge him, but she also surrendered and submitted to him completely.

  He couldn't believe that he had finally found her. As Ethan made love to her, his heart soared with the knowledge that he had found and claimed his perfect mate.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Ethan closed his bedroom door very softly and jogged down the stairs. Cora was finally fast asleep.

  He had held her and talked to her for a long while before she fell asleep. But the woman would not be dissuaded from her plan. “Unless you have a better plan,” she had said defiantly. “If not, we stick to my plan.”

  Ethan had called his beta and asked him to come up to his house. It was a fifty-minute drive from the Black Bears' office to his house, but Caleb made it in half an hour.

  Ethan heard a car door slam and he opened the front door to see Caleb striding up the front steps to his door.

  “You got more information out of him,” Ethan said, seeing the look on Caleb's face.

  “Of course. Give them a chance to know us better, and they all become real chatty,” Caleb deadpanned as they walked towards his study.

  “Who did the honors?”

  “Well, the wolf got to know Baxter's fists real well.”

  Ethan nodded. “You were with Bax?”

  “Yeah. Good bear, bad bear. Works all the time.”

  Ethan sat down behind his desk and asked, “What has the wolf got to say?”

  “Ziel. His name is Ziel. He confirmed that Marlo is in town. Marlo was planning to be present during the execution of Keith Maxwell's cub. He would record the execution and send a copy of the recording to Keith.”

  Ethan shook his head. “Let the man hear his cub screaming for him and see his terror before he died. That will drive him mad.”

  “That's the Hyland Wolves for you. They've perfected torture to an art form. They perfect their skills by practicing on their own wolves. The blood in the other empty cage in the bunker—you're right. That was the blood of a Hyland wolf.”

  “Those three wolves in the bunker are just low-ranking lieutenants in Marlo's army. He lets them conduct an execution on their own. Fuels their blood lust, and gives them a false sense of power. That's how he rewards his wolves, with violence and blood. Keeps them sharp, he believes,” Ethan said.

  Caleb nodded grimly. “Marlo will attack Keith Maxwell and his cub again. And he will come after the human woman. He won't let this go. He never lets any witness survive long enough to testify. And he'll have an axe to grind wit
h you too, since you helped Keith and foiled his best laid plans.”

  Ethan dragged in a long breath and leaned forward. “So we have to be one step ahead of him. Lure him to us. Bait him, and trap him.”

  “But Marlo Hynderland is as slippery as an eel. He's elusive, devious and impossible to catch. Many have tried and failed. What exactly are you planning, Alpha?”

  “We let him have the human woman.”

  “The woman is of little consequence to him. He'll just get one of his underlings to kill her and...”

  “Not if she is my mate.”

  Caleb's brows popped up and he stared at his Alpha for a beat. Then he said slowly, “If she's your mate, he will hurt her to hurt you. He took Keith's cub. He will take your mate...”

  “And we take him down,” Ethan finished.

  “But—you can't fake a mate. She has to wear your mark, your scent, and...” Caleb gestured wildly. “You may even need to get married, since she's human!”

  “Yes, yes. Everything's been done. We just need to fake the wedding bit.”

  Caleb spluttered. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean she already has my mate mark, my scent.”

  “You...claimed and marked her?”

  “Yes.”

  Caleb blinked at him. “And you're going to fake a wedding to lure the Hyland wolves to her?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does she even know…?”

  “It's her idea.”

  “What?”

  “This is Cora's idea. She thinks it will work, and I hate to admit it, but I think she's right. We did talk about this, remember? But we were just kicking ideas around, talking in the abstract. But there's nothing abstract about this now. We will put the plan in motion. The wolves will take the bait, and we can take them down, before they hurt anyone else.”

  Caleb was shaking his head and frowning deeply. “She...she's willing to be bait?” he repeated incredulously. “I know we talked about this but we were all just imagining the scenario...”