9781631054747HerstoBearHoffa

by Tamara Hoffa

  Bern speed dialed Martin and he picked up on the first ring.

  “Ja, Sippe.”

  “I just had a visitor at Andy’s market.”

  “Oh?”

  “Ja. Somehow a Von Drake wolf made it past all the guards, without notice, to deliver an invitation to my mate and me. Make sure he has left clan lands.”

  “Was it a threat sir?”

  “No, simply an invitation to dinner. However, Von Drake knows of my mating already. How, I do not know. That makes me nervous. And the fact that this wolf made it past our guards undetected…that is unacceptable.”

  “I agree, sir. I am sorry.” Bern could hear the contrition in his second’s voice. “I will see to it.”

  “I know you will. I will be with my mate tonight. I do not wish to be disturbed unless it is an emergency. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good.” Bern hung up without further discussion and went in search of his mate. He found her at the register checking out with her purchases. Wonderful timing. He snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck and kissing the sweet smelling spot behind her ear. Jenna shivered and he licked the shell of her ear and whispered, “You taste like honey.”

  A delicate blush crawled across her cheeks and Bern leaned in and brushed his cheek against hers. He wanted to feel her warmth against his flesh. Her skin was soft as eider down and he closed his eyes in bliss. His mate. God the peace of touching his mate.

  Jenna giggled and it pulled him from his trance. “That tickles,” she said.

  Bern waggled his eyebrows and Jenna laughed, a deep rich sound that grabbed him by the balls and pulled. He couldn’t resist and turned her in his arms, pulling her in for a blistering kiss.

  Jenna melted into him, her arms going around his neck. She stretched up on her tip toes and molded her entire body to his. Her breasts pressed into his chest, his throbbing erection pressed into the tender swell of her belly, and it was all he could do not to grind against her. God his mate was perfection. He needed to get her out of here and somewhere private. He slowly gentled the kiss and used every ounce of willpower he possessed to pull back. Now was not the time or place to ravish his mate.

  Andy cleared his throat, “That will be thirty-five dollars and forty-two cents.”

  Jenna started to open her purse, but Bern stayed her hand. “Here you go.” He handed Andy a fifty dollar bill and picked up the two bags, “Keep the change, my friend.” He put his arm around Jenna and led her from the store. “Come, little one, let’s go home.”

  * * * *

  A thousand thoughts ran through Jenna’s mind as they stepped out onto the street. What in the hell was with everyone calling Bern Sippe? What did that mean? Who was Von Drake, and why would he want them to come to dinner? Why did it matter that there was a wolf in Andy’s store? There where wolves all over town. Bern had some explaining to do and he’d better get to it or he was going to see one pissed off Jenna.

  “I can see the wheels turning in your head, my mate. I promise I will explain when we get home, but it is complicated and I don’t want to get into it on the street.”

  “Am I that transparent?”

  Bern crooked a brow, “No, my mate, but I can feel your anxiety and smell the burning of your anger.”

  “You can smell my anger? That’s kind of creepy. And what do you mean you can feel my anxiety? How?”

  “While we are not mate bonded, yet. My bear knows you as his mate and when we are this close he can sense your feelings. Once we are fully mated I will be able to sense your feelings even when we are apart.”

  “Seriously? I’m not sure I like that idea. I won’t have any privacy.”

  “You will be able to sense my feeling too. It is a wonderful feeling of closeness. My parents often shared tender looks from across the room that shut out everyone else. I can’t wait to experience that myself.”

  “Your parents are gone?”

  Sadness colored Bern’s features, “Yes, Four years now. They passed together in a train accident in Prague.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

  “It’s all right, little one. They are not bad memories. I mourn their passing, but I have only fond memories of my parents. They were wonderful people, wonderful parents. They loved us well. They are remembered with love.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Tell me about your parents.”

  “My dad is a bank examiner and my mom is a stay at home mom. Unusual I know in this day and age, but she loves it. She likes to garden and grows beautiful roses and orchids. Dad built her a green house. They live in a little town about forty miles west of Nashville on five acres of land. Daddy works in Nashville, mostly. Although he travels to some of the surrounding area banks too.”

  “Are you close to them?”

  “Yes, we’re very close. I lived at home until college. They weren’t happy at all when I chose to go away for school. They wanted me to go to MTSU and stay at home, but I needed to branch out on my own.”

  “What did they think about your moving to Honey Corners?”

  “They weren’t happy that I decided to settle someplace other than Tennessee, but at least West Virginia isn’t too far away and they can visit easily enough. They plan to come for Christmas.”

  “Good. I can’t wait to meet them.”

  Jenna felt her cheeks heat, she’d never had a boyfriend to introduce to her parents. What would they think of Bern? He was so handsome. Would they wonder what a man like him saw in a girl like her?

  “What is that look for?”

  “What look?”

  “You’re blushing.”

  “I’ve never had a boyfriend before.”

  “I think perhaps then all the men you have met before have been blind and stupid, but I am glad they were because it saves me from having to hunt them down and kill them.” Bern growled.

  Jenna stopped dead in her tracks and gazed up at him in stunned silence. He was serious. Bern shrugged his shoulders and planted a kiss on the end of her nose. “I cannot help it. I am a jealous man.”

  They continued walking in companionable silence and reached Jenna’s house in a few minutes. She unlocked the front door and Bern held her back from entering. “Let me check the house first please.”

  He left her standing on the front porch while he took the bags into the house. She saw the lights flip on methodically throughout the rooms and then Bern returned to the porch. “All clear,” he said and pulled her into the house. He attempted to pin her against the wall and kiss her senseless, but Jenna put her hands on his chest and pushed. It was like pushing against a brick wall!

  “Oh no you don’t, Mr. Bear. This honeycomb is closed until I get some answers. Get your furry butt to the kitchen and you can talk while I make dinner. I want to know what the hell is going on around here.”

  Bern had the good grace to look sheepish. “Yes, ma’am,” he said and strode toward the kitchen, leaving Jenna to follow that delectable and at the moment, not in the least bit furry backside. Oh yum.

  Jenna pointed to a kitchen chair. “Sit. Talk.”

  “Okay, little one. Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I promised I would tell you everything and I will. What do you want to know first?”

  “What is this ‘Sippe’ business, and why did Andy act so weird around you?”

  “You would ask the hardest question first,” Bern mumbled.

  Jenna arched a brow at him.

  “Sorry, I was hoping we could start with something less intimidating, but we may as well get right to it. Sippe Leiter is my title. It loosely translates to clan leader.”

  Jenna’s mouth fell open.

  “Y-y-you’re the clan leader? Head bear? Numero uno? Head honcho? Big Kahuna?”

  It was pretty funny to see a seven foot grizzly blush, but Bern did, all the way to the tips of his ears. “Um, yeah.”

  Jenna flopped into a chair across from him. “Wow. Shit. So, if I ma
te with you I’ll be like the first lady, or some such shit?”

  Bern growled. “There is no if, you are my mate.”

  Anger burned in Jenna’s chest. “You better slow your roll, mister. That crap might work on bears, but I’m a human. I get to choose who I mate. Not fate and not you!”

  Bern took a deep breath and she watched as his fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. Sadness washed over his features and his entire body stiffened. “You are quite right, little one. I apologize. It is your choice, but you must understand how I feel. I have waited for you for over two hundred years. Finding you is a dream come true for me. If you reject me, it is likely I will die of a broken heart.”

  Jenna gasped in shock because the look on Bern’s face said he was not being melodramatic, he was serious. He looked so forlorn and so alone, she went to him and dropped to her knees on the floor in front of his chair. She threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. Bern’s hand gently stroked her hair and then slid under her chin to tilt her head up until she was looking into his eyes.

  Chapter Four

  Jenna’s beautiful blue eyes gazed up at him swimming with unshed tears. He reached down and pulled her onto his lap, kissing her eyelids, temples, cheeks, and then down to the corners of her mouth. He teased and coaxed at her lips until they opened for him like a flower to the sun and dipped inside to taste her honey sweetness. God, she was exquisite.

  One hand held tight to the braid in her hair while the other roamed her back, pulling her ever closer as his mouth plundered the depths of hers. He could feel her nipples peak against his chest and smell the scent of her desire.

  A small moan escaped her lips and Jenna tugged his shirt loose from the waist of his pants so she could slip her soft hands underneath. Bern could not stop the growl from his bear at the feel of her running her hands over his chest.

  He reached behind and pulled his shirt off with one hand, giving her free access to his upper body. Jenna purred in appreciation at the revelation and Bern preened with pride. Jenna kissed down the side of his neck to his chest and swirled her tongue around one of his nipples. The flat brown disc stood up in notice, and an electric jolt shot straight to Bern’s cock.

  Bern kissed Jenna’s neck, the delicate spot just behind her ear made her shiver. He continued down, pushing the collar of her peasant blouse off her shoulder and baring her lacey bra. The swell of her breast above the cup received the same treatment, and then he used his teeth to lower the cup and expose her beautiful flesh.

  He licked the strawberry nipple and then drew it into his mouth and sucked. Jenna bucked so hard she almost fell off his lap. “Oh my God. That feels so good,” she murmured.

  “Maybe we should move somewhere more comfortable?” Bern said pulling back to look deeply into her eyes.

  Jenna stared at him for a long moment, finally she nodded. “Yes, let’s go to my bedroom.”

  Bern was surprised. He had been thinking of the couch in the living room. He didn’t think Jenna was ready for a full mating, but his little mate was constantly surprising him. “Are you sure, little one?”

  “I’m sure. Just…remember I’ve never done this before.” She licked her lips.

  “Oh, my sweet Jenna, that’s something I would never forget. I am so honored to be your first. I promise I will make it good for you.” He leaned in and gave her a kiss full of all the passion and love that was filling his heart.

  Bern stood with her in his arms, never breaking the kiss and carried her to the bedroom. He kicked the bedroom door closed with his foot and didn’t bother to turn on any lights. It wasn’t fully dark outside yet. So, the room was lit by the twilight.

  Jenna’s bedroom was like her, bright and colorful. Feminine and sweet. A queen size bed sat against the far wall covered in a quilt of greens and blues, cherry night stands sat on either side of the bed. Two bookcases overflowing with romance novels took up one wall and a small dressing table with a blue stool graced the side of the room. Throw pillows of every color of the rainbow adorned the top of the bed.

  Bern allowed Jenna to slowly slide down his body until her feet touched the floor. He pulled the tie from her braid and ran his fingers through her hair, spilling the thick tresses over her shoulders and then he proceeded to gently peel off her clothing one item at a time. He wanted to worship his mate. He removed her blouse and bra, caressing her shoulders and neck, kissing and touching, trying to keep her nerves from overrunning her desire.

  He dropped to his knees and removed her shoes. Her cute little toes were painted pink and he had to kiss each one. He slid his hands up her calves and over her thick thighs, he had to stop there to squeeze, oh God, those thighs, what they did to him, and then her luscious ass. He couldn’t wait to see that ass. His hands slipped around to the front and he undid the button on her trousers, sliding down the zipper, he pushed her slacks and underwear to her ankles.

  Bern leaned in and kissed her stomach and Jenna trembled. He rested his head against her middle and just held her close for a moment. She sifted her finger through his hair and sighed. Bern looked up and smiled at her. “Step out of these for me, little one.”

  Jenna complied stepping out of her garments and taking a step back at the same time, this caused Bern’s hands to slip from her waist to her ass and he left them there, crawling forward on his knees he nuzzled at her mound and Jenna gasped.

  “Open for me, baby,” he said and he moved his hands to the back of her thighs and applied pressure to spread her legs apart.

  Jenna widened her stance and Bern kissed the curls at the juncture of her thighs. He darted his tongue out and swiped it across her opening. Damn, she tastes good. He took a long lick from the bottom of her slit to the top and then swirled his tongue around her clit and Jenna shuddered.

  “Oh my God, Bern.”

  “Feel good, baby?”

  “Mm, yeah. Do that again.”

  Bern chuckled. He used a finger to tease her slit, back and forth, back and forth and slowly dipped it inside. All the while licking and sucking her clit. Jenna was moaning now, thrusting her hips in time to the movement of his finger. He added a second finger and her moans turned to chanting his name. Her cream was coating his hand and his tongue. His dick was so hard, he was about to cum in his pants like a randy teenager. She tasted like heaven, like nothing and no one else in the world. His mate. His life.

  She was panting now. Calling his name. He added a third finger and bit down on her clit. She came screaming his name. His arm around her waist was the only thing that kept her upright. Bern slowly brought her down from her climax. Making sure she got every moment of pleasure possible and then he lowered her to the bed and lay down beside her. Cupping her face and kissing her deeply, his hands thrust into her hair, holding her head in place for his kiss.

  When he pulled back she looked at him with passion glazed eyes. “You are beautiful when you come, little one,” he said.

  Jenna blushed all the way to her pretty pink nipples. “Thank you, I think. But, what about you? You didn’t come.”

  “We’re not finished my pet. We’ve only barely started.”

  “Oh.” Jenna laughed and turned to snuggle into his side. “Then I guess it’s my turn to play,” she said as she began to run her hand up and down Bern’s chest.

  * * * *

  Oh my God, Jenna had never orgasmed like that in her life. She felt like her world had split into a million pieces and then come back together again, and that was just with his mouth! God, what was it going to be like when he was actually inside her? She couldn’t wait to find out.

  For now, she had her sexy bear mate in her bed and his express permission to explore at her will and, oh boy, was she going to take advantage of that. She was curled up into his side and running her hands up and down his furry chest. God, it felt so good. His chest hair was wiry and coarse, she bet it would feel marvelous rubbing against her bare breasts.

  She sought out his nipples in the pelt of hair and was thrille
d to see them pucker and stand at attention when she twirled a finger across the small nubs. Did a man get the same pleasure as a woman from having his nipples played with? She leaned forward and licked one of the small brown discs and Bern moaned. Hmm, it appeared he liked that. So, Jenna sucked his nipple and nipped it lightly with her teeth. Bern growled. Oh, he really liked that.

  Jenna kissed down his chest and followed the happy trail that lead to the waistband of his pants. Just how bold did she dare to be? Bern had performed oral sex on her, could she do the same for him? She’d seen it done on porno videos. He was her mate, she’d give it her best shot.

  She popped the button on his pants and the head of his cock popped out. Commando. Why wasn’t she surprised? She gingerly slid down his zipper over the large bulge underneath. Damn, that couldn’t be comfortable. Tentatively she kissed the bulbous head and a drop of pre-cum leaked from the slit. She swiped it with her tongue, salty and musky, but not bad tasting.

  Jenna slipped her hands into the sides of Bern’s pants and worked them over his hips, he lifted to help her slide them down. She removed his shoes and socks when she got to his feet, tossing them off the side of the bed, followed by his pants. Then she stared at the naked man before her, laid out on her bed like a smorgasbord and decided she was really hungry.

  Starting at his feet she kissed and caressed her way up his body. She wanted to touch and taste every part of him. Bern was so handsome. Solid sculpted muscle, not an ounce of fat on him, covered in that glorious pelt of man fur. God how she loved hairy men.

  She rubbed her cheek against his thighs and nuzzled the crease between his thigh and groin. A low groan came from Bern and he spread his legs wider on the bed. Jenna licked the crease, teasing. With one finger, she traced the line on his sac between his balls, then up the thick vein on his cock, before cupping him in her palm.

  Her tongue followed her hand and she licked along the vein and then engulfed him in her mouth. “Jenna,” he groaned. “Sweet heaven, baby. Your mouth is so hot.”