by Jenny Brex
“What do you say, sunshine?” King waited for her to answer.
“I say, the past should stay in the past. I’ve got to go.” It wasn’t even worth considering. She’d only get hurt again. A relationship with King was a big fat no.
King paused. “Don’t hang up. Just think about it.”
“I have thought about it. No. Good day,” she finished and clicked off her phone.
***
It wasn’t the way he wanted to end things. In fact, he didn’t want to end things at all. He was ready to get started again. While he’d always been a loner, he’d actually been lonely a lot lately. She’d been swell. Seeing Lexi again brought back all of those familiar, old feelings. He missed her. They laughed and worked well as a team. He loved their banter and playfulness.
King knew she’d be resistant to the idea, but he had plans. Once home, he looked up Harmony Bay and jotted some details down. Humming and singing, he tucked a bottle of wine, a couple of glasses, and candles into a picnic basket. A romantic picnic on the living room floor, rose petals into the bedroom, and they’d be back in business. With the directions to her home in place, he grabbed his toothbrush and a few things to pack into an overnight bag. Now to buy some roses to de-petal, and he’d be ready to go.
King whistled as he walked to his truck. Shame it took him driving all the way home to figure out he wanted to go back. Oh well, not like he had other plans. He’d spend the night, have a leisurely morning, then head home around ten. He had a few things to take care of in the afternoon the following day, so he’d have to stay firm when she begged him to stay.
Back on the road, he made good time. It took him an hour to get there, but she was worth it. He couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when he surprised her. Now, to go through the gate or over the fence? Might as well try the gate first, see what it’s all about.
King pulled up to the fenced entrance. There was no way to open the gates, but he had an idea. He pulled aside and waited for another car to open the gate. Quickly, he turned in behind them and went the other direction. He’d just drive through the development and look for her car. That shouldn’t be too difficult.
On the third lap around, he was growing snarly. Her stupid car wasn’t anywhere. He didn’t want to give away his game plan, but needed to call her. King rang her number.
Lexi looked at the phone and put it on the table. Nope. She wasn’t going to answer it. They were through. No point in going on and on about it. She walked into the kitchen and glanced for something to munch on. When her phone finally stopped ringing, she was glad. She was almost tempted to answer it.
It rang again. Crap. Lexi walked over to the table and picked up the phone. She shook her head and answered it. “Hello, King.”
“Hey, baby, I was in the neighborhood, but don’t know which house is yours. What’s your house number. I couldn’t find your car anywhere.”
“You what? You’re where?” Lexi groaned. “How did you get in here?”
“Where are you? We can discuss it when I get there.”
No. How? The last thing she needed was a guard to find him and learn he was looking for her. Lexi clenched her teeth and counted to three. “I’m 101 Diamond Drive.”
“Oh, perfect, I’m just around the corner. I’ll be there in a minute.” Click. He was gone.
Be strong, firm. Tell him he’s not coming inside. Send him home. On his way. When he rang the bell, she drew a deep breath and answered it. “King, you…”
He walked right by her, carrying a picnic basket. “I brought a bottle of wine.”
Lexi closed the door and followed him inside. “No, King. What is this?”
“You, me. Don’t tell me you didn’t feel anything? I forgot a bottle opener. Do you have one?” He was already in her kitchen rifling through her drawers.
“King! Stop! This. You. Me. We’re done. Why are you here?”
“Gee, pussy-cat, I just kind of felt something special today when I saw you. I thought you were going through the same thing when we…” He stopped. “Found one.”
Lexi groaned as he pulled the bottle opener from the drawer. “Listen, you pushy, old bear. Now is not a good time.”
He slipped in closer and wrapped his arm around the small of her back. “You used to like that about me, Lexi. You liked when I was pushy in bed. Do you remember that? The way I’d lick your sweet honey while telling you to rub your clit? Or the way I’d slide my fingers into your asshole while you were leaning over me sideways in bed, blowing me. You couldn’t get enough.”
Lexi had trouble telling him no. His lips were on the side of her neck, and his hot breath teased her as he spoke. “King, we shouldn’t…”
“Are you married? Committed in a relationship? I don’t see why a girl can’t enjoy herself,” he said, nuzzling the nape of her neck.
Lexi breathed in deeply and rolled her head to the side. It felt so good. Her body tingled. No! She had to stay firm. “King…King…oh, King,” she moaned
“Let’s get more comfortable,” he said, scooping her up in one smooth move. “Damn, you’re sexy, girl.”
“King,” she said, but he stopped her with a kiss. Lexi parted her lips and drank in the passion. Fuck. He knew how to make her engine purr.
“Let’s get back together, Lexi. You, me, we were made for each other,” he whispered as he placed her on her bed.
“It’s a mistake,” she whimpered.
He was lifting her shirt, shoving her bra up over her breast and then latched onto her nipple, suckling it hard like she liked. “I want you.”
She wrapped her hands around his head and pressed her tit tighter into his mouth. Fuck. Yes.
He nibbled her, then shoving her bra up fully, took a handful of her other breast and squeezed it tightly, twisting and tugging at it, letting her groans guide him. She liked it rougher and he was glad to oblige. His bear liked the aggressive side of sex.
Her pussy was throbbing, heated and wet. Every touch set her on fire. Her body was tingling, electricity coursing through her veins.
King spread her thighs and helped her wiggle her skirt higher. He grabbed her over the flimsy material of her panties and fingered her through them, pushing the material into her with his hands. His cock felt like it might explode. He was so hard, so ready, but he wanted to take care of his angel first. The kitty knew what she liked and he remembered it well.
He pressed the elastic of her panties aside and pushed a couple of fingers into her. She was sopping wet. With a quick thrust, he slid one of his big, fat fingers into her asshole. She squealed with pleasure as he stretched her open.
“Oh, fuck. Yes, baby,” she growled. “Stretch me wide.”
He wanted her so much. King pressed his face to her clit and sucked her nub as his fingers did their magic.
“Oh, oh, oh…” she called out, her body going into short waves of spasms.
“That’s my girl. Say my name, baby. Say it for me,” he nudged.
“Oh, King, oh fuck oh…” She couldn’t finish.
Lexi drifted on the high of her orgasm. Her entire body relaxed.
“I love watching you orgasm,” he said. He reached down and undid his pants.
“Whoa, wait. Maybe we shouldn’t.”
He looked at her as if she were crazy. “So you get your rocks off and leave me hanging? I thought we were a team, kitty.”
She worded it cautiously. “No, we’re not a thing. We were a thing. We have great sex, but we’re not a thing anymore.”
When her phone started to ring, he dared her to ignore it. “I can’t,” she said, pushing to get up. She quickly snagged her phone from the other room.
King followed her.
“Hey, Ty. No, this isn’t a good time,” she started.
King snagged the phone. “She’s got a guy. Bug off.”
She snapped it away from him. “No, no, ignore him. Who? My brother…”
He raged. “Are you telling me you just had an orgasm with me, and you’re
not going to tell him we’re back together?”
Her eyes flung open wide. “No, no…I’m okay. I’m sure. Oh…”
King waited.
“Sure, I get it. Right, okay. Some other time.” She hung up the phone and let out a wicked growl. Her face slowly morphed, her ears pushed back, and whiskers grew from her nose and cheeks. “Get out!”
“Come on now, pussy-cat.” He watched as her hands turned into paws, and then long curved, pointy sharp nails sprung out.
“Don’t fucking pussy-cat me.” She twitched as her body morphed and a long tail whipped behind her.
“Two can play at that game,” King said, challenging her. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. Cracking his neck to the side, he bristled. Fur and a muscled hump along his neck pushed out. He arched his back and then stretched larger. His shoulders expanded, his nose elongated, and as he lifted his lip, his large teeth showed themselves. A snort, a huff, and then a growl bellowed up from his belly. Fur covered his massive body. He stood on all fours. Standing on two legs, he’d bump his head on the ceiling.
She jumped on him and together they rolled. He grabbed her in a bear hug and held her tight. She bit his arm, causing him to let go with a yelp. He caught the mountain lion by the tail and spanked her. “Naughty, kitty.”
She hissed and roared, then found her way back to her human form. King followed.
“Why, King?”
“Because I love you, baby.” He stroked her face. “I forgot how much I missed you. I saw you today and knew you were everything I needed.”
Lexi dropped down onto the loveseat. “I can’t do this, King. I’m going to get hurt again. We don’t want the same things. I want a family, you want independence.”
“I’ll move in, we’ll get married, have kids, whatever it is you want.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Just like that? Everything you didn’t want, you suddenly do?”
“If it means I have you back in my life, I’ll give you the world.”
She was stunned into silence. Finally, she whispered, “I don’t know. They’re big words.”
“I’m a big bear. I love you, Lexi.”
She leaned into him and let him wrap his arm over her shoulder. “I hope this isn’t a mistake.”
“Nah, we were meant to be together.”
Maybe it could work. Enough time had passed. He seemed sincere. He’d only ever wanted to live up in the woods. Moving here showed his ability to make a change.
Chapter 9
They were going to move his stuff into Lexi’s place the following week. He needed to take care of a few details and make sure Jimmy the squirrel was okay. King wanted to clear out part of his shed and make a couple of shelves with comfortable places for Jimmy’s family. He’d do a second little door for the squirrels. If he sold his property down the road, he promised him he’d get him set up safely.
Jimmy had fallen from the sky as a toddler, landing on King’s shoulder. His family had a nest up in the trees, but an eagle got his parents in a daring swoop and grab. He only survived by wiggling out of the bird’s grasp. He thought he’d splat on the ground, but instead he found the best friend a squirrel could have. King promised to look out for him as he grew, so he’d always have a safe place to sleep away from the birds-of-prey.
Jimmy took the news as best as he could. He wished him well, but told him to take it slowly. King and Jimmy said their good-byes for the short-term. He wasn’t selling his place any time soon.
***
The inkling of doubt that crept up Lexi’s spine refused to go away. Sure, she’d thought of all the ins-and-outs of their relationship, but she always did love the bear. King was the one guy that pushed her buttons like nobody else. He was big, strong, and all alpha, refusing to take no for an answer. He knew what he wanted and went after it. It made her weak in the knees most of the time.
And their time in bed, wow. Yeah, nobody had made her feel the way he did. They might have tried, but in bed, no one compared to King Carson. That sexy man was a beast in and out of the sheets and lit her on fire. She wanted him like she’d never wanted another.
Lexi looked back at their past. Big mistake. She remembered how it all fell apart. When he split up with her, she crumbled. Her entire world fell apart as she cried for days. He was the one, in her eyes. Lexi grumbled. Things were different now, right? He’d learned from the past. He said he did. She just wasn’t sure if she believed him.
He wanted her. He said so. He’d missed her when she was gone. Maybe he just told her what she needed to hear. Oh, fuck. He told her what she needed to hear. What had she done? Lexi cringed. She let that big old fur-ball back into her life. What was she thinking?
No. This can’t and won’t work. He’d hurt her again. He said he wouldn’t, but she knew him. King wanted her now – after the adrenaline rush they’d shared. Once that died down and they were back in the routine of day to day life, it would change.
Lexi hated the truth. It was crystal clear, but she didn’t want to see it. She’d need to find a way to tell him that getting back together was a mistake. She had to stay strong, and do it before he moved in. Her mind was cluttered with too many thoughts. She decided to go out for a run. She needed to clear her head before it was too late.
Lexi changed into workout gear and tucked her key into the small inside pocket of her shorts. Once outside, she wasted no time. She hopped onto the trail and took off running, slowly at first until her legs warmed up, then she’d give it all she had.
Lost in thought, she barely noticed him. Ty was coming straight at her from the other direction.
“Lexi,” he called out.
She blinked a few times and pulled herself out of the daze she was in. “Oh, Ty, hey.”
“How are things going?”
“Yeah, so sorry about that.” She blushed, embarrassed over what had happened. “An ex-boyfriend, I umm...”
“Sure, I get it. No worries. If you’re ever up for a change, give me a shout.”
“Okay, I will.”
He started to go.
Lexi stopped him. “Ty, wait. About that date? Maybe we can get a drink or something. The other thing isn’t going to work out. Old times, we were caught up in the moment.”
“Are you sure?” He cocked his head and looked at her.
She nodded. “Yeah, actually I am. I’m going to give him a shout and break things off this afternoon. You know, before he gets too caught up. I’m ready to move forward.”
“Sounds great. I’d love to go out. What do you say to Saturday, somewhere around seven or eight, we could enjoy a nice dinner?”
“Perfect, Saturday it is,” she said and flashed him a smile.
He waved as he started back on his run. “See you on Saturday.”
Lexi smiled. It was better this way. Now, she just had to break the news to King.
She hated herself for choosing to run away, but it was the safest bet. Her heart couldn’t handle another break-up like last time.
***
Lexi dialed King’s number and waited. Her heart lodged in her throat. It wouldn’t be easy.
“Hey, babe,” he answered on seeing her caller ID.
She could hear the smile in his voice. “King, we need to talk.”
“Don’t tell me you picked out a wedding venue already,” he said with a laugh. “I mean, give me time to move in at least before you pick the date.”
She wanted to hang up, run, hide. She forced herself to continue. “King, I don’t think you should move in. We both know this was rushed, and I don’t think I’m ready to jump back into our relationship.”
“Cold feet, huh?” he asked, his expression glum.
She hated their conversation. It plagued her with guilt. The change in his voice got to her. “We got carried away. I shouldn’t have slept with you. King, this isn’t love, it’s lust. Our lives are going in different directions. This isn’t going to work out for me. I hope you understand.”
King sat
quietly, listening. He waited for the part where she changed her mind, only she didn’t.
Silence.
Lexi spoke softly. “King?”
“It’s probably better this way,” he said, looking at the boxes he’d started packing. “I’m a bachelor at heart. You’re right, I’m a playboy. Nobody is going to tie this old dog down. I was dragging my feet on packing. Barely even thought about it. Glad you sorted this out.”
She sighed. “So you’re okay?”
“Yeah, sure, no problem. Let the good times, roll. Hey, I better go, the guys are stopping by later to grab a couple of beers. No time like the present to party. I’m a free man.”
“Sure, great. Good. Best of luck in your future, King. And it was great to reconnect.” A weight fell off her shoulders. Maybe he’d be okay. She thought he’d take it harder.
“Yeah, you too, babe. Good thing you didn’t tie me down after all,” he answered playfully.
“Right, okay, bye.”
“Bye,” he said and hung up his phone. Huh? What just happened. He trudged to the kitchen table and dropped into a chair. Lost and alone, he stared at the wall, heartbroken.
Chapter 10
Lexi clicked off her phone and drew a deep breath. It was better this way. He’d grow bored, and she’d want to move too fast. Yep, she’d made the right choice.
She went down the hall and turned into the bathroom. Turning the faucet on, the shower head sprang to life. She undressed and climbed in. Only, there was no singing or humming, just the gentle splash of the water as she stared at the tiled wall.
Damn that bear.
She’d been fine. Now she was all emotional. One of these days she’d get over King Carson. How did he get under her skin again? It was smarter to break it off now; she’d only get hurt. He’d try to convince her otherwise, but she knew.
