9781631054747HerstoBearHoffa

by Tamara Hoffa

  His tongue slipped inside her mouth to mate with hers, twisting and twining in a dance as old as time. Her arms crept around his neck, toying with the hair that curled at his nape and his bear stretched toward his skin, seeking the feel of his mate’s hand.

  He pulled her closer, enfolding her in his arms, one hand resting between her shoulder blades and pressing her as close to his chest as possible, the other thrust into the silky mass of her hair, holding her mouth captive for his kiss.

  Time stood still as he drank in the taste of his mate. He explored every nook and cranny of her mouth, slid his tongue across her smooth teeth and tender palate. He pulled away and pressed his forehead to hers. His breath came in pants and his cock was hard enough to pound nails.

  Jenna was breathing hard too. “Wow,” she said.

  Yeah, wow. If a kiss could do this to him, what would happen when they made love?

  Chapter Two

  Bern walked her home and left her at the door with another kiss that curled her toes. Man, she was making up for lost time. That man could kiss like nobody’s business. Woo whee!

  Jenna toed off her shoes and wandered into the kitchen. She had never gotten the honey, or her bread, but she really needed some coffee. She pulled the bag of coffee beans from the cabinet and measured them into the grinder. The quiet whirl of the machine calmed her rioting nerves. Once the coffee maker was dripping, Jenna stood at the sink and stared at the view outside her kitchen window.

  Her little rented house was on the edge of the woods and looking at the quiet beauty usually calmed her down, but at the moment her mind was racing. While, hypothetically she’d dreamed of finding her perfect mate as she read her romance novels, reality was a bit different. Bern seemed nice. God knew he was certainly sexy as hell, but it wasn’t instant love. At least not on her side and she didn’t think it really was on Bern’s side either. A connection, and instant lust, yes, but not love.

  Jenna wanted love. There was so much she didn’t know about shifters. Which of the tales were true? Did they heal faster? Live longer? Would she age, while Bern stayed young and handsome? That would suck. They really needed to sit down and talk, hopefully at a time when she had her shit together and wasn’t feeling like she was on a roller coaster. Maybe she should write down a list of questions. She was a big list girl.

  The buzzer on the coffee maker sounded and she poured a cup, adding a generous dollop of creamer and sat down at the kitchen table with a pen and paper. Then a thought struck her. Should she call her mom and dad? Cripes. She’d never had a boyfriend, she didn’t know what proper protocol was. Did a mate constitute a boyfriend anyway? Or was it more like a fiancé or a, gulp, husband?

  More questions. Alice! She’d call Alice. Her best friend would know what to do. A glance at the clock told her that her friend should be home from work by now, so she pulled the cell phone from her purse and speed dialed.

  “What’s up girlfriend? How are things in Bear central?”

  Thank God for best friends, this was just what she needed.

  “Hi. It’s so good to hear your voice. I miss you.”

  “Uh oh, whatza matta?” Alice said, her Chicago accent thick and heavy.

  Jenna laughed. “No small talk lead up, huh? You got me already. Well…it’s not really a something wrong, just kind of a holy crap.”

  “Spill it, sista. I’m gettin’ old here.”

  “I…kinda…umm…”

  “Jenna Marie Raynes!”

  “Okay, okay. Put a sock in it. I met my mate today,” she squeaked.

  “Holy shit!”

  “Yeah, that.”

  “One of those uber sexy bears ya said are all over that weird little town? Damn, I need to move down there, or at least come visit.”

  “It’s not a weird little town. I love it here. Stop being such an elitist snob! Miss city girl. Would you really come visit? Damn, I could really use you here right about now.”

  “Of course, I’ll come visit, but I can’t come right now. Work is a bitch. Stop trying to steer me off track. Tell me about the bear/man! Is he cute?”

  “Cute is not a word I would use to describe Bern.”

  “Bern, Oh, that’s a sexy name. So, dish. I want deets.”

  Jenna sighed. “He is almost seven feet tall, with big, broad shoulders, and milk chocolate eyes.”

  “Oh shit, you’ve got it bad already, don’tcha, girl?”

  “I’m afraid I do. That’s what I’m worried about.”

  “Why are you worried? I thought this mate thing was the perfect happily ever after. They mate you. Are always faithful, yadda yadda.”

  “It is, I guess, but…”

  “But what? What is the problem? You said the guy is cute, is he mean or something?”

  “No! Bern was very nice, sweet even. It’s just…”

  “For Christ’s sake, Jenna, will you just spit it out? You know I love ya, but I haven’t got all day here.”

  “It’s a chemical reaction. Pheromones. It’s not love,” Jenna replied sullenly.

  There was a pause on the end of the line and Jenna could just picture Alice pulling the phone away from her face and staring at it. Finally she replied in a surprisingly gentle voice, “Jenna, baby, how do you feel about this Bern? Do you think you could love him?”

  “Yes,” she murmured, in fact she was already falling for the big bear.

  “So, what makes you think it’s only pheromones on his part? Did you talk to him about it?”

  “A little. He said the goddess wouldn’t choose us as mates if we weren’t meant to be together.”

  “Damn, that’s so sweet I think you gave me a cavity.”

  “You are such a bitch.” Jenna laughed.

  “So, what are you going to do now? Fuck like bunnies?”

  Jenna could feel her cheeks heat, she cleared her throat. “Umm, yeah, well, that will come, eventually, but Bern said we could take it as slow as I wanted.”

  “Slow, smoe! Get to the good stuff. Is he big all over? Did you check out his package?”

  Jenna laughed again. “Well, if the baseball bat that was pressing into my thigh when he kissed me was any indication, I might not walk for a week afterward.”

  “Damn skippy! That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout. You get you some of that. It’ll fix you right up.”

  “Alice Louise Miller, I’m gonna tell your mother on you!”

  “Shit, Momma would tell you the same.”

  They both laughed because it was true, Mary Jenkins was a wild woman. Since her husband had passed, she had a string of boyfriends a mile long. They all wore broad smiles from her ardent attentions.

  “Listen, girl,” Alice said, a serious note in her voice. “This is what you’ve been waiting for your whole life. Don’t fuck it up by overthinking it. Give the guy a chance. Give yourself a chance.”

  “Thanks. I knew I could count on you. I wish you were here.”

  “Hey, you know I’m only a phone call away, and if I need to hop on a plane and kick some bear ass, you know I will.”

  “Yeah, I know you will, but I’m not so sure even you could kick this bear’s ass.”

  “I’ll bring my Louisville Slugger. Me and Louis can take care of any problem, together.”

  “I love you, Al.”

  “I love you too, Jen. I expect daily reports.”

  “Daily?”

  “Well, maybe not daily, but every few days at least.”

  “Okay, I promise I’ll keep in touch. Thanks for listening.”

  “Anytime.

  “Oh, one more thing, do you think I should tell my folks?”

  Alice was quiet for a few minutes. “No, not yet. I’d wait until you’re sure everything is going to work out and then tell them.”

  “That’s what I thought too. Thanks.”

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  “Well, that leaves just about everything open.”

  “That’s the idea!” Alice replied with a laugh.
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br />   * * * *

  Moments after Bern dropped Jenna at her door he was on the phone. There were things he had neglected to tell his erstwhile mate. He was the Sippe Leiter of Honey Corners, the Clan leader. That meant as his mate there would be those who would try to use her as a pawn in the game of shifter politics. He would have to put a guard on her, and he had a feeling his feisty little mate wouldn’t like that idea one bit.

  Martin, his second, answered the phone on the first ring. “Ja, Bern?”

  “Call the Sippe. Meeting. My house. Twenty minutes.”

  “Yes, sir. Is something wrong?”

  A smile spread across Bern’s face and he breathed in deeply, enjoying the residual scent of his mate. “No, my friend, nothing is wrong. Something is right. Very right.”

  “Are you drunk, Bern?”

  “Ha ha. No…I have met my mate.” Bern held the phone away from his ear in anticipation of the explosion to come.

  “Woo Hoo! Holy Fucking Hell! About God damn time!”

  “I thought you would be pleased.”

  “Pleased? I’m fucking overjoyed! Who is she? Do I know her? Is she a grizzly?”

  “Slow down, my friend. Her name is Jenna, she’s new in town. Human. I don’t know if you’ve met her.”

  “Human? The hot little school teacher?”

  Bern growled.

  “Sorry, boss. I was part of the committee that interviewed her for the post at the school. She is…”

  “You best not finish that sentence, Martin, if you wish to keep your balls attached to your body.”

  “Yes, sir. Oh, shit. She’s human. Have you marked her? She’ll need a guard.”

  “Precisely why I’m calling the meeting. You best get off the phone with me and get to making those calls.”

  “Are you kidding me? All I have to do is call your sisters and the whole clan will know in a micro-second.” Martin chortled.

  Bern joined in the laughter, his heart lighter than it had been in years. “That’s true. I’ll be sure to cover my ears. I imagine their squeals will be heard all the way to Asheville.”

  “Asheville, hell, my bet’s on Nashville, maybe even Dallas, Texas!”

  Bern rolled his eyes at his second’s good natured ribbing and hung up the phone without bothering to say goodbye. He was almost home and he had a lot to do before the Sippe arrived.

  The Tudor style home sat atop a large hill overlooking most of the town. It was the seat of power. The woods surrounded the back of the property, and a nice stream, teaming with fish ran nearby. His bear loved the easy access to hunting and fishing the property provided. The human loved the solitude of the hundred-plus acres that kept the Sippe Leiter safe and secure.

  What would his new mate think of his den? It was family property, passed down from generation to generation. He had lived there all his life. His grandparents had built the original house and his parents had added onto it over the years. Now, it was a sprawling monstrosity. Empty and hollow, with children no longer filling the halls and rooms.

  He couldn’t wait to fill it with life again.

  Stained glass filled the top of the heavy oak door, casting brilliant patterns of color across the hardwood floors in the foyer. Bern stepped into the cool, dark interior. The ceiling stretched the entire length of the two stories throughout the entranceway and the living room, dormer windows allowed natural sunlight to filter into the area, giving it an open and inviting feel.

  Exposed beams, crisscrossed the pale white stucco with deep chocolate. The staircase to the second floor was all hand turned oak planks his father had lovingly shaped and the banister was a work of art. Elaborate carvings of forest animals, with a bear’s head at each end. A Sippe member had created the masterpiece.

  Bern’s mother, Marta, had loved to cook. One of the last things his father had done for her, before the accident that took their lives, was to modernize the kitchen. Stainless steel gleamed amidst the granite countertops. Everything was top of the line, from the ceramic cooktop to the built-in double ovens and duel refrigerators. A kitchen made for entertaining large groups of hungry bears.

  He briefly wondered if Jenna liked to cook, and then dismissed the thought. He didn’t care. He could always hire someone if she didn’t. He had a mate. Such a simple and complex thing. His joy knew no bounds, but he was overcome with fear too. Jenna would be a target. He needed to keep her safe above all else.

  Pulling a bottle of water from the fridge, he downed half the contents in a single gulp. His mind already formulating his strategy. The front door flew open with such force he was surprised the glass didn’t shatter and the excited voices of his sisters all calling at once assaulted his ears.

  “In the kitchen,” he called, and was immediately surrounded by too many arms and mouths to sort out. All hugging and kissing and talking at once.

  “Oh, Bern, I’m so happy for you.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “Is she pretty?”

  “Is she here?”

  “Have you marked her yet?”

  Bern took a step back from the women and held his hands up in a gesture to stop.

  “Hello, sisters. It’s so nice to see you too.” He laughed.

  Julia looked sheepish, “Sorry, Bern. Hi.” She waved her fingers.

  The rest of the women stood in various poses of demand, hands on hips or crossed over their chests and big sister looks firmly in place.

  Keeping his hands out in a placating gesture he said. “I know you want answers, but I don’t want to go through all of this twice. You’re just going to have to wait until the rest of the Sippe gets here and listen with everyone else.”

  “That’s not fair.” Dagmar stomped. “We’re your sisters, we should get to hear first.”

  “Suck it up, buttercup,” he said, giving her the standard response they’d used since they were children.

  She crossed her arms and turned her back to him, and he snuck up behind her and kissed her cheek.

  “I love you, sissy.”

  Dagmar threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “I love you too, bud.”

  Sometimes sisters were easy. A kiss and an “I love you” made everything better. “Let’s move this party into the living room. Everyone should be arriving soon.”

  A knock sounded at the door before the words had even left his mouth. Martin was the first to arrive, followed by a steady stream of clan members. The Honey Corner’s Sippe was large, with nearly four-hundred members. Not all would attend the meeting, of course, but the heads of the families would all be here.

  The house was large, but not big enough to accommodate all the bears that showed up for this auspicious occasion. So, the proceedings were moved outside.

  As more people arrived, small clusters of family and friends dotted the landscape of the back lawn. Four barbeque grills were heated and every kind of meat was cooking, chicken, fish, steak, hot dogs and hamburgers. Beer and soft drinks were passed around and the conversations were buzzing with speculation.

  “What is going on?”

  “Why has Bern called this impromptu meeting?”

  “Is something wrong?”

  Bern stepped from the shadows and walked to the center of the “circle.” Everyone fell silent and all heads bowed in respect to their leader. “Goddess be with you,” Bern intoned in a booming voice.

  “Brotherhood, strength and honor hold the circle,” cheered the group.

  Bern smiled broadly and made eye contact with each bear in the circle, nodding in acknowledgement as he made his way around the gathering. Before he had made it even half-way ‘round someone in the crowd yelled out. “What’s going on Sippe Leiter? You’re smiling, so I’m guessing we aren’t going to war.”

  Bern threw back his head and laughed. “No, we are not going to war. At least not yet, I hope. I have news to share with you, my clan. Grand news.”

  Dagmar, never one to let her brother get away with anything, yelled out. “Will you stop
dicking around and just tell them brother!”

  A collective gasp came from the crowd, but Bern only laughed again.

  “Yes, sweet schwester, I will quit dicking around and tell them. I have met my mate!”

  A cacophony of whoops, cheers and hollers threatened to cause a rock slide in the surrounding mountains. Bern was engulfed by too many arms to count, slapping him on the back, shoving his shoulders, giving him awkward man hugs, the women kissed his cheeks, the older ones patting his head and said, “It’s about time.”

  When the hoopla finally began to die down, Bern raised his arms to call for silence. “Hold, my friends. My mate, Jenna, is human. Until I am able to change her, she will be at risk. I need you all to be on guard. I will be assigning guards to my Jenna, but she doesn’t know my position in the clan or the danger she is in. So, you will need to be discrete.”

  “The wolves may also think this is an opportunity to attack, thinking I may be distracted from my duties. This is a time of great joy for me and our clan, but it is also a dangerous time. We must be on the alert, ever vigilant and attentive.”

  Nods of assent greeted Bern’s pronouncement. “Let’s eat!” he said, and left the center of the circle to mingle with the crowd. Bern spent the evening eating and drinking with his friends and family, but his sweet Jenna was never far from his mind. The scent of his mate overpowered the smell of the cooking food.

  The sweet smells of the forest night couldn’t eclipse her honey scent from his nostrils. He wanted to go to her, to hold her in his arms again, and kiss her ruby lips. To bury his head in the crook of her neck and breathe in her delicious aroma, to bathe in it, until their scents merged into one.

  His cock was a hard throbbing ache in his pants. How was he going to stay away from her? He promised her he would take it as slowly as she wanted, but right now he was ready to kick his own ass for saying that. He wanted her, and he didn’t want to wait. Oh, God, his balls were already turning blue.