The Grizzly Bear's Barista: A Howls Romance (The Shifters of Sanctuary Book 3)

by Kasey Belle

  “Opening up your mouth and telling her is the plan, ass.”

  Storm did just that. “I’m a shifter. A bear shifter to be exact, and you are my mate.”

  Bow blinked then said, “Oh.”

  “That’s it? Oh?” He cocked his head and looked at her as if she had grown a second head. “No, you’re full of shit? No running for the hills? No get the fuck out of my house, crazy psycho?”

  Rainbow grinned. Her cornflower eyes twinkled with merriment. “I guess I can let you in on my little secret, now that you’ve told me yours. I’ve known shifters existed practically my entire life. I was five years old when Gran revealed the truth about the magical creatures that live among us. The commune I grew up on was made up of extraordinary people. Gran was a clairvoyant. A seer. The real thing not a con artist who bilked the desperate out of their money. Because Gran had a true supernatural gift, preternatural beings entrusted her with their secrets. They knew she would never betray them. Growing up my best friend was fae. Gran dated a man named Silas. Silas was a tiger shifter.”

  “Hmm.” For some reason Storm felt as if he should be pissed. All that worrying for nothing. “This has been extremely anti-climactic. I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

  She leaned in and brushed her lips over his. “Well, if it will help, I’ve never met a bear shifter before you. At least I don’t think so.”

  “Really?” That knowledge did make the situation a bit better.

  “Mmhmm.” She nodded. “Would it be okay… I mean… Could I meet your bear?”

  “He would love that. Actually, he’s been kind of annoying about the whole meeting our mate thing.”

  “Well then you probably shouldn’t make him wait any longer.”

  “I don’t know,” he hedged. “He can be rather obnoxious.”

  “Fuck you. Am not.”

  She slapped his arm. “Don’t be mean.”

  “What she said.”

  Storm snorted. “If you could hear the shit he gives me you’d change your tune.”

  “Whatever.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “So? What do you say? Can I meet him?”

  “I suppose,” Storm huffed before hauling his big body off the sofa.

  ****

  Storm walked over the open area between her coffee table and front window. He toed off his tennis shoes then removed his socks before pulling his t-shirt off over his head and tossing it to the floor. There was a tattoo on his chest over his heart.

  “That’s a pretty wicked tattoo.”

  “My team tat. We all got one.” He reached for his belt buckle and she nearly whimpered. Rainbow wanted to avert her eyes, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it, because damn. Yep… just damn. He was beautiful. Miles of bulky muscle and tanned skin.

  “Woman!” Storm chided. Bow’s eyes shot up to meet him. “You’re killing me.”

  “Sorry.” Not sorry.

  He narrowed his eyes as if he read her mind. His eyes never left hers as he unbuckled his belt and unfastened his jeans then pushed them along with his underwear down his legs. He kicked them off once he reached his feet and stood there in all his naked, panty melting glory. She shouldn’t peek. Fuck it. She had to. The cock fairy certainly blessed him. Her body ramped up the lust to epic proportions. Bow was pretty sure her ovaries exploded as she took in his long, thick―

  “Bow!” Storm reprimanded when his length began to harden.

  She jerked her eyes away from his crotch and gave him her attention.

  “Don’t freak out. I won’t harm you. Not ever.”

  Unable to speak for fear she may drool, Bow nodded. She winced when Storm’s bones popped and reshaped. His entire body elongated. His muscles grew larger. Thick brown fur sprouted from his skin. His hands became paws tipped with razor sharp black claws. His face morphed from human to bear. After a few moments, a large grizzly bear stood on his hind legs in the middle of her living room. He was so tall the top of his head brushed the ceiling. Storm dropped to all fours and stared at her through golden brown eyes.

  “Wow. You’re beautiful,” she stated in whispered awe.

  He chuffed, and Bow swore he smiled. Storm slowly walked toward her with his head hung low as if he were afraid he might frighten her. Not likely. She stretched out her arm as he drew closer and ran her hand through the fur on top of his massive head. It was much softer than she anticipated. His snout nuzzled her arm making her giggle.

  “Mom?”

  Both she and Storm froze at the sound of Stevie’s sleepy voice.

  “Is there a bear in our house or am I dreaming?”

  “Um.” Wow, intelligent response. “Why aren’t you asleep?” Yeah, that will distract him.

  “I was thirsty.” Stevie rubbed his eyes and shuffled over. He stared at the bear in confusion then poked his shoulder. Stevie gasped and jumped back. “It’s real.”

  “He is. He won’t hurt you.” Bow held out her hand. “Come here.” She pulled Stevie into her lap. “The bear is Storm.”

  Storm dropped to his butt and grabbed his feet. He rocked his big body. A giant deadly bear trying to appear playful was so surreal Bow smiled. The bear waved at Stevie making them laugh. It reminded her of that video on the internet. The one practically everyone on social media used to welcome people.

  “Storm?” Stevie asked, cautiously eyeing the large grizzly. “Is it really you?”

  Storm nodded.

  Stevie jumped from her lap and threw himself at Storm who caught him easily. He wrapped his huge arms around her boy until all she could see were Stevie’s head and feet.

  “I knew you were special, Storm. You’re so soft and warm.” Stevie glanced back at her. “You were right, Mommy. There are magical creatures in the world. Can he sleep with me?”

  Storm made a noise that sounded like laughter. His body shook as he nuzzled Stevie’s hair.

  “Baby, I’m afraid he wouldn’t fit in your bed nor would it withstand his weight. He’s an actual bear. Not a teddy bear.”

  Stevie’s lip poked out in a pout. “Oh.”

  Storm placed Stevie on his feet nudging Stevie’s belly with his snout making him giggle. Storm lumbered his large furry form over to his jeans and gathered them up in his jaws. He carried them into the kitchen between his teeth. A few moments later Storm emerged in human form.

  “Hey! You’re you again,” Stevie accused with a disgruntled expression.

  “Sorry buddy. Would you like me to tuck you in?”

  “Sure.” Stevie held up his arms. Storm relented and carried her little boy back to bed.

  Chapter 8

  Stevie was back to sleep before his head hit the pillow. Storm tucked him in and went back to his mate. He found Bow on the sofa where he left her. She smiled when she saw him. In a few moments he planned to trace those sexy lips with his tongue.

  “Since you know about shifters, does that mean you know about mates as well?”

  “It does. Amber, the best friend I told you about, would go on and on about finding a mate. I finally got up the courage to ask her about it. She explained the preternatural birds and bees to me when we were fourteen.”

  “We’re mates,” he stated matter-of-factly. Bow’s smile grew wider. Who knew that was possible?

  “I wondered why I felt so drawn to you. Why my feelings grew so quickly.” She climbed off the sofa and walked to him.

  “Did Amber happen to do me a solid and tell you about claiming?” Storm asked, impressed that he could actually form words as he ogled the hypnotic back-and-forth sway of Bow’s hips.

  “No.” Bow’s hands slid seductively up his chest then around his neck.

  Storm’s breath hitched in his chest. He wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged until her body was flush with his. “I think we should discuss it.”

  “Okay,” she purred. “Discuss away.”

  “Hm?” Discuss? What were they discussing? The feeling of her hard nipples poking him in the chest? He could discuss them or lick and suckle them…
whatever.

  Bow cocked an eyebrow. “Claiming?” She prompted.

  “Right. Claiming. Sorry.” Storm explained claiming worked. How he would bite her and release his DNA into her system. He told her about how her physiology would change. How her senses would become more acute. How her life span would increase. He made sure she understood that a claiming was an eternal bond not broken by the constraints of time.

  Once he was finished an impish smile curled her lips. “Do want to claim me, Storm?”

  “I do. When you’re ready.”

  “Do you love me?”

  He nodded. “Yes.”

  “Good. I see no reason to wait because I definitely love you.”

  Tears stung his eyes. Storm pressed his face to her neck and nuzzled her flesh. “Say it again.”

  “I. Love. You.”

  His control shattered at hearing those three perfect words again. His gentlemanly intention to take this slow flew out the window replaced by a rush of pumping blood and blind need. “I love you, too. So much.”

  He took her mouth. Tongues tangled, and hands groped. Bow’s moans of pleasure went straight to his balls. He pulled back from the kiss and she whimpered. “Jump,” he ordered.

  She did as he asked. He cupped her perfect butt as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  “Where’s your bedroom?”

  “Last door on the left,” she responded as she nuzzled and licked his neck.

  Storm forced her down on the bed. He ripped off her blouse and pulled her pants and underwear off her body. She was naked in the blink of an eye. He caught her surprised gasp with a deep kiss.

  His Rainbow was soft and warm. Her skin tasted so fucking sweet. He couldn’t wait to pierce her skin and taste her essence on his tongue. Bow’s heart pounded hard against his chest. He needed to be inside her. He had to be inside her. She arched against him, whimpered into his mouth, her hands sliding out of his hair to run impatiently over his bare chest. Her fingers threaded through his chest hair, spreading fire over his skin.

  Balancing his weight on one arm, he popped the button on his jeans and lowered his zipper. He pushed them off his hips sighing as he freed his aching cock. Once he got his pants to his knees, he kicked them off. Storm forced her legs apart with his own and guided himself to her cleft.

  He ran kisses along her jaw as he pushed his hips forward, nudging the tip of his cock into her slick heat. She was already dripping. She was also impossibly tight. Her inner muscles resisted his invasion. He pressed his forehead to her neck taking a deep breath. “How long has it been?”

  “Um… a while?” She wiggled beneath him then moaned. He leaned back to look at her. She was biting her lower lip and looked uncertain.

  “How long is a while?”

  “I haven’t been with anyone since Kip.”

  The implication hit him like a ton of bricks. Damn it. He should have taken more time with her. Once. She’d had sex exactly one time. The night that callous fuck took her virginity. “Am I hurting you?”

  Bow shook her head. She raised her hips taking him deeper inside. His eager body praised her actions while his mind rejected it. He grabbed her hip and held her still. Bow whimpered. “Easy, cupcake. We aren’t stopping and I’m not going anywhere. Give yourself a minute to adjust. I’d die if I caused you any pain. We have all the time in the world. Well at least until Stevie comes looking for water or something.” He shot her playful wink making her giggle. He groaned as her muscles contracted around his cock which only made her giggle more. He loved how playful his mate could be even at his own expense.

  She looked up at him with those beguiling eyes and grinned. “You can move now. In fact, if you don’t I might have to hurt you.”

  He snorted a laugh. The mere idea was hilarious. However, he obliged her. He slowly withdrew, then pressed in. He pushed into her then pulled back, again and again stretching her a bit more each time, until his body shook with clawing need to be completely inside his mate.

  Bow’s eyes were closed, her breathing ragged. She wrapped her legs around his waist drawing him closer, urging him on. Unable to hold back any longer, he buried himself to the hilt, felt her contract around him like a fist. Wet. Tight. Perfect.

  “Oh, goddess” She moaned, a sound of raw sexual pleasure, her nails digging into his shoulders, her hips lifting to meet him. And then he was moving, thrusting in and out of her, the snug, slippery friction driving him dangerously close to the brink. But, Storm was determined to hold off as long as he could. He would not go before her. He fought a good fight, but it was inevitable he’d lose the war. She felt too damned good. His balls draw tight and knew he was going to come—and far too soon. He couldn’t hold back. He pushed a hand under her and tilted her upper body toward him. He stared at her beautiful face. Her eyes half closed, her skin flushed pink, her lips parted. He knew she was close as well.

  “Oh, Storm. So perfect. I’m going to…” She moaned. Her muscles rippled and contracted around him as she came.

  “Come, Bow. I want to feel you come around my cock while I claim you. I need it.” Storm’s voice distorted as his bear surfaced. His canines elongated, and he placed his sharp teeth against the soft skin between her neck and shoulder. He pierced her skin. Her blood splashed on his tongue shattering his control and sending her into another orgasm. Peace filled him as the threads of fate united them as one.

  Bow’s eyes remained closed. He wasn’t sure if she blacked out or slept. After the intense orgasm she had it could go either way. Storm kissed her cheek and climbed from the bed. He went to the adjoining bathroom to wet a washcloth, so he could clean her up. Bow stirred as he wiped away their combined juices from between her legs. He tossed the towel toward the bathroom door. It landed on the tile with a splat. He’d drop it the hamper in the morning.

  Storm slid under the covers behind Bow wrapping his arm around her waist. He pulled her close to him. Bow’s back was pressed to his chest, her ass pressed into his groin, the back of her legs pressed to the front of his. She was the little spoon to his big spoon. Nothing had ever felt so right as Bow in his arms. He vowed to show her his love every day for the rest of their lives. Storm’s large hand rested against her stomach. One day their cubs would grow there. Bow placed her dainty hand on top of his and laced their fingers together.

  “Go to sleep, cupcake,” Storm ordered then kissed her shoulder. Her body relaxed, and he finally allowed her rhythmic breaths to lull him to sleep.

  ****

  Bow woke the next morning and frowned when she found herself alone in bed. Where the hell was Storm and why wasn’t he cuddling with her? She growled at the injustice of having to leave her warm, comfy bed so early on her day off and kicked the covers away. She went to the bathroom took care of her business and brushed her teeth. Bow dressed in the t-shirt and pajama pants hanging on the back of the door before making her way down the hall in search of her mate. She stopped in her tracks at the sight of the broad, muscular back of the half-naked man cooking her breakfast. Was there anything sexier? Nope. She might even forgive him for making her leave her bed if he also washed dishes.

  Storm glanced over his shoulder and smiled. “Good morning, cupcake.” His dark eyes sparkled as he checked her out from head to toe. “Cute pj’s.”

  She frowned and glanced down at her cotton pants decorated with smiling cupcakes. Of course, he thought they were cute. The man was obsessed. “Thanks,” she muttered.

  Storm cocked an eyebrow. “Ah. You’re one of them, huh?”

  “One of who what?” It was too early in the morning to answer cryptic questions. Bow shook her head and walked over to the counter to make herself a cup of coffee.

  “The anti-morning people,” Storm answered with too much cheer.

  “If you mean normal, the answer is yes.”

  “You’re grumpy.” He chuckled.

  “I’m not grumpy. I’m just morningly happy challenged.”

  “Morningly? That’s not a word.”


  “It’s my word.” Bow stuck her tongue out at him as she filled a mug with the nectar of the gods. “For the record. I don’t trust people who are all happy and perky in the morning. It’s not natural to be so jovial the second your eyes open. Uncaffeinated freaks,” she muttered. She took a sip of her coffee and sighed.

  “How is this possible?” Storm actually sounded bewildered by her attitude. He was the anomaly not her. “You own a coffee shop that opens at six in the morning. You know to the public? Public meaning people you actually have to talk to and serve.”

  “You don’t say?” Her response dripped with sarcasm. “Let me school you a little. Pay attention. By the time I unlock the doors I’ve been up for two hours. Drank three cups of coffee while I baked alone in a quiet kitchen. Minding my own fucking business. Where nobody speaks to me.”

  “In other words, don’t talk to you before you’ve had your coffee, or you might find a creative way to murder me?”

  “Yes.” Bow stood on her toes and gave him a little peck on the lips. “Sexy and smart. Now if you could just curb your way too fucking early in the morning enthusiasm, you’d be the perfect mate.”

  Storms large meaty hand smacked her on the ass making her yelp and almost spill her coffee. It didn’t hurt per se, she just hadn’t expected it. Warmth bloomed where his hand made contact. Bow bit her tongue against the urge to ask him to do it again. Instead, she shook her ass sassily in his direction before she made herself comfortable at the breakfast bar to watch her man slave over a hot stove.

  Chapter 9

  Claiming his mate last night had been everything. His cock hardened as he thought about the way her pale skin flushed with arousal and the way her body felt as she shattered so completely. The first thing he did when he woke was inspect the claiming mark on Bow’s neck. It took every ounce of self-control he had not to shout with joy when he saw it had taken. He didn’t doubt she wore his marks on other parts of her body as well. Storm couldn’t wait to inspect her lush figure and find them all. He couldn’t find it in himself to feel bad about it either. Bow was his. She belonged to him as he belonged to her.