My Curse to Bear: Standalone BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (The Everson Brothers Book 1)

by Alana Hart

  Quit being mean, Merrie! I mentally kicked myself. It’s not her fault you don’t quite measure up.

  “Hi, Cassie,” I replied, squeezing her back. “How was the journey?”

  “Boring, dull, uneventful — so, fine.” She winked at me. “Enough about me. Any gossip? Mom sends her best, she misses you. Why don’t you visit?”

  Because they don’t want me. Because I’m a dud?

  “Because I’ve been way too busy fixing up this shop,” I said aloud, desperately trying to think of a way to change the subject. “So, what’s been happening with you? How’s Gary?”

  At the mention of her husband, Cassie’s beaming smile flickered for a millisecond, so fast I almost missed it. Oh-oh, trouble at home?

  Recovering quickly, the beaming smile firmly back in place, she flicked a hand dismissively.

  “He’s fine — the same. Nothing ever changes.” She peered around the shop, interest apparent on her face.

  “You’ve got some gorgeous stock, Sis. I’ll have to buy a couple of things to take back with me. To show Mom. She is so proud of you, setting all this up on your own.”

  “You can take whatever you’d like, no charge,” I said, laughing at the sight of her flitting from shelf to shelf. “It’s not much, compared to what you guys do…”

  “Don’t be silly! You are what you are, Merrie. It doesn’t take lots of power to be a good witch. It takes having strength in your soul, in your heart. You know this already. Mom was always telling you…”

  “Yeah, as I failed — for the umpteenth time.” I could hear the bitterness tainting my words, so I rallied every ounce of cheerfulness I could find.

  “Come on, I’ll show you were you can dump your bags. Then I’ll take you on a tour of the town — that should last all of about ten minutes!”

  Blinking her wide blue eyes at my sudden change of topic, Cassie nodded slowly. “Sure! Lead on, Sis.”

  ***

  Merrie

  Grabbing my purse, I hustled my sister out of the shop, deciding to take her down to the bakery — unfortunately, the bear claws hadn’t made it through the night.

  So, I might be a stress eater. It’s not like I got stressed a lot — at least not until recently.

  I shot an accusing glance at my blithely unaware sister, happily pinning the blame on her.

  “What do you want for lunch? There’s a great little…”

  Oomph! The breath was forced from my lungs in a whoosh, as I walked into what felt like a brick wall. A suspiciously warm brick wall — clad in a cotton button down shirt. A ‘wall’ that smelled very nice. Of course, I noticed these things, as my nose was smushed up against the living, breathing ‘wall’.

  Two strong hands steadied me, carefully extracting me from the heavenly scent of warm male.

  “Merrie, I was just coming to see you. I wanted to say sorry for…” Craig started to say, then stopped abruptly.

  Dialing down the space-cadet grin that was surely plastered over my face, I looked up to see Craig staring quizzically at Cassie.

  “You must be Cassie, Merrie’s big sister,” he said, holding out his hand in greeting. “Merrie speaks about you a lot. I’m Craig.”

  “And she hasn’t spoken about you at all,” my sister replied, elbowing me sharply in the ribs. “Pleased to meet you, Craig.” She shook his hand, shooting me a pointed look. Wow! She mouthed.

  Craig turned to me, a contrite expression on his handsome face. It didn’t suit him. I much preferred his smirk.

  “Listen, Merrie. I’m sorry about last night. Let me make it up to you?”

  “Not so fast, mister,” Cassie ordered, her arms crossed and foot tapping. “Just what did you do last night, and what are your intentions with my sister?”

  The tips of my ears burned as I flushed, remembering.

  Craig smiled, a slow, easy grin, and my heart thumped, skittering out of rhythm. Damn! The man should come with a warning sign hung around his neck — WARNING Smoking Hot <--HERE.

  “Oh, I have intentions and they have a lot to do with your sister. In fact, they are wholly focused on Merrie. Last night was…a blip. Something that will not happen again,” he answered, his voice a low rumble, his face the picture of innocence.

  I hope those intentions involved pressing me up against the wall, kissing and licking me. Using his fingers to ease the ache that had been building in me since yesterday. The ache that, after many dates with a hot, then cold shower, had just built and built until every nerve ending I possessed felt raw and abused.

  “Merrie?” said Cassie, obviously not for the first time. They both stared at me, expectantly.

  “Uh, yeah?” I mumbled, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me. Shit. What was I supposed to say? Yeah, I want to bang him. But, his mood swings are like trying to read a road map upside-down, back to front, and written in Russian?

  “So, I can take you out again?”

  Why not, eh? The least he could do is scratch my itch — the itch he had irritated into existence.

  “Okay. Sounds good.” I was proud of how calm and collected I sounded.

  “Great! I’ll call you later to fix things up. Nice to meet you, Cassie,” he said, his shoulders relaxing in relief. Backing away, he turned and walked back down the street.

  I watched his denim-clad ass cross the street, his worn jeans hugging and highlighting the tight muscles with every step. He had a great ass.

  “Soooooo, Merrie. You have been keeping secrets!” Cassie teased, grabbing my attention back and looping her arm with mine, we carried on our way to the bakery.

  “Not really, I only just met him. And he was a little…weird last night.”

  “Weird? How so?”

  “Just….” How to explain? “He saw the photos, you know, the family ones on the wall — and he just freaked out a little.” I grimaced. “Maybe he really didn’t feel well, and I just overreacted.”

  “Which photo in particular?” asked Cassie, her tone distinctly uninterested. My internal radar started to ping. Sometimes they spoke like that around me…a little too indifferent.

  “Why? What’re you thinking?”

  “Doesn’t matter. I think I can guess…what was his name again?”

  “Craig,” I said, bewildered.

  “Craig?”

  “Craig Everson.” I was now completely confused.

  “Ah. My mistake. Don’t worry about it! Let’s go pick a pie, I feel like having some pecan.” Cassie licked her lips comically, waving off my confusion.

  I wouldn’t get anything else out of her, I knew from previous experience. Shut out again. I tingle ran thought me, leaving me a little lightheaded. I was going to see him again! I gritted my teeth. But this time — he wasn’t going to get away so easily. Nope. No way.

  ***

  Craig

  Pushing the door open, I stepped into Magical Gifts, my eyes immediately seeking out Merrie. There she was, leaning against the counter, animatedly talking with a customer, her hands dancing gracefully to illustrate her point. She was dressed in another tunic-style dress, the hem grazing her thighs, leaving her shapely legs bare and inviting my gaze. Her curly hair had been pulled back and tamed by two silver barrettes, then left to ripple over her shoulders and down her back. She was breathtaking. All pale, supple curves and hot, fiery hair. I closed my eyes, imagining laying her down on my bed, fisting her hair as I drove my cock deep inside her.

  “Earth to Craig! I feel like I’m having deja vu!” Merrie’s voice tinkled with mirth. Opening my eyes, I saw that she was looking over at me, her green eyes amused and warm.

  “It’s what you do to me, love,” I quipped, my heart skipping when her face broke into a broad grin. Crossing the shop, I settled next to her, leaning against the counter.

  “Busy day?” I asked, just wanting to hear her voice again.

  “So-so. But Magical Gifts doesn’t really attract a large crowd. We’re a little too niche for that. But that’s not why you dropped by, is it
? To check on my financial status?” she said, leaning back against the counter, her face a parody of seriousness.

  She was flirting with me! And her neckline was flirting with me. The creamy mounds of her breasts were displayed tantalizingly by the square neckline, driving me crazy. I wanted to lick and nibble my way down, until the heavy weights filled my hands and I could feast on their…

  “Is there anywhere we can go? To talk — privately?” I croaked out.

  Her eyes were hooded as she nodded slowly.

  “We can talk in the back,” she said, grabbing my hand.

  “Cassie, would you mind watching the shop for a couple of minutes?” she called out, not waiting for an answer.

  Cassie’s head bobbed up from behind one of the displays, surprising me. I hadn’t seen here there and I should have scented her. Man, I was distracted.

  Pulling me through the shop and into the back, she kicked the door shut, launching herself at me. Her lips connected with mine, while simultaneously tugging at my shirt, her hands roaming over my chest and shoulders.

  Yes! This was exactly what I needed. Angling my head, I deepened the kiss, chasing her tongue with my own, molding her lush curves to my hard lines. Our gasps of delight mingling, I pulled down the neckline that had been driving me crazy, releasing her ripe, heavy breast into my waiting hand. On a moan, I thumbed her nipple, pinching and rolling until it stood erect, begging for attention. Breaking off the kiss, I took the waiting bud in my mouth, swirling the peak with my tongue and tugging gently with my teeth.

  I felt a sharp tug at my jeans as she popped the buttons in one jerky movement. Her small hand dived inside and closed tentatively around my heavy cock, gripping and stroking, exploring its length. On reflex, I thrust into her hand, drawing a startled gasp from her parted lips. Pulling away, she stared at me, her eyes wide and glazed with passion.

  Inside her, now! My bear roared, demanding that I mount her and mate her.

  No. She deserves to know. I will not mate with her without her knowledge.

  But you said, she’s just a witch?

  I did but…no. She’s Merrie. She’s nothing like Meridith.

  I took a deep breath, the scent of her invading my every cell and, with a groan, I pulled myself from her clasping hand.

  “We need to talk…”

  “Talk? You really meant talk?” Her expression changed from one of glazed passion to incredulous disbelief.

  “Yes…no…I really don’t want to, but we should,” I forced out, taking another deep breath. The scent of her arousal clouded the air, thick and welcoming. A sweet, honeyed nectar that I could nearly taste…that I had to taste…

  Determined, I gripped her shoulders, moving her to one side. Pushing aside the stack of papers that littered the small table in the center of the small kitchen, I backed her up until her thighs bumped the smooth wood. It looked sturdy enough for the task.

  “Let me just do this first…” I murmured, encouraging her to sit on the edge. Dropping to my knees with a thud, I reverently pushed up her short dress, exposing her smooth, silky thighs.

  For her…I sent to my bear, pushing him deep down inside, and quashing the urge to take, to claim. And for me…

  Her breath came out in a gasp as I stroked my hands up her legs, dipping a finger inside her pale-blue panties. She was wet. Sticky with honey. Pulling my finger back, I licked the tip, my vision blurring at the taste. Like raw honeycomb. Thick and heady, spiced with flowers.

  Muffling a roar, I pulled her closer, yanked down her panties, and settled in for a feast.

  ***

  Merrie

  Laid on the kitchen table, my legs spread wide and held by his broad shoulders, my entire focus was on his tongue, his hands — and what he was doing to me. My back arched as though pulled by a string, as he licked his way deep inside my pussy, tonguing and swirling, while his large, blunt fingers rubbed and tweaked at my throbbing clit. Moans filled the air, echoing around the small room — my moans, I realized foggily, as his fingers slipped down, pressing and gaining entry inside, filling me. Shuddering, I started to flail — it was too much, but he pinned me firmly, his hand holding me still so he could continue to feast. And that was what he was doing. Licking and sucking every private part of me while his fingers drove deep inside, rhythmically pushing me toward the peak. With single-minded determination, his blonde head burrowed deep between my pale thighs, the blonde a startling contrast against my red curls. I couldn’t look away. Looking up, his blue eyes burned with intensity as he licked with one long sweep up to my throbbing clit, latching on, sucking and flicking with his tongue.

  “Craig…” I groaned, writhing in his grip, my hips bucking against his mouth. I couldn’t— My eyes fluttered shut.

  And then I was falling, spinning, as every nerve ending shuddered and sparked in orgasm. Gasping, I opened my eyes, seeking his as an anchor, but his were firmly shut as he rung every last whimper and groan from me.

  “Wow,” I croaked, my limbs languid and a big grin plastered on my face.

  Pulling away, his eyes hooded, he gently laid a kiss on my red curls. Then, rearranging my legs, he pulled down my skirt and looked up at me.

  His eyes flashed like glowing silver, then they were their usual gorgeous blue. A trick of the light, I decided, riding the wave of sleepy contentment that tugged at me.

  “Wow?” he repeated, a smirk tugging his lips.

  “Yup. Wow.” I couldn’t string a sentence together, not at the moment. “That’s the one.”

  “Hmmm. I never would have taken you for a ‘roll over and sleep’ kind of girl. Would’ve pegged you more as a ‘talker’.” He chuckled, sounding pleased.

  “Doesn’t matter, I just need you to listen anyway…” He broke off at the sound of the door handle turning.

  “Shit!” I hissed, lurching upright and tugging my neckline straight. Looking around, I spied my panties strewn on the floor, over by the fridge.

  “My panties…” I whispered, blushing furiously and gesturing at Craig.

  Raising an eyebrow, he sauntered over to the offending scrap of blue lace. He was leaning down as the door swung open and my sister strolled in.

  ***

  Merrie

  “Merrie, the shop is empty and I just wondered…” called my sister, her voice trailing off as she entered the room, taking in the sight of me perched — and obviously flustered — on the table.

  Craig, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, scooped the offending panties up and stuffed them in his pocket, while hastily fastening the top button of his jeans.

  Cassie watched all of this with shrewd eyes, and Craig shrugged as if to say ‘I’m not telling’.

  She snorted, a strangely inelegant sound, at odds with her usual polish.

  “Anyway, what I was saying is — the shop is empty now, so I thought it might be nice to have a coffee break…and a chat,” she continued, the last directed at Craig. Flicking on the kettle, she leaned back against the counter and pinned Craig with her best big-sister stare, one I knew really well. Poor Craig, here comes the inquisition. And there goes my post-coital bliss. I crossed my legs, trying to forget I was going commando.

  Craig coughed, a strangled sound, his eyes wide and hungry and focused on the bare skin my dress was doing a poor job of covering. A ripple of desire rocked through me, I wanted him — still.

  “Coffee?” Cassie asked as the kettle flicked off. Not waiting for an answer, she prepped three mugs.

  “So, Craig. How long have you lived in Craggstone?” she asked casually, handing him a steaming mug. “Cream? Sugar?” she added, gesturing to the counter.

  Adding both, then taking a cautious sip, Craig answered, “Quite a while. My family is from around here, most still live local. One of my brothers is the Sheriff, and another owns the restaurant, Ralph’s.”

  “You have quite a few brothers, then?”

  “Yeah, four. The other two moved to the city.”

  “So, how old are you?”


  “Old enough,” Craig quipped, relaxing against the counter and taking another mouthful of coffee. “How old are you?” he countered.

  Cassie brushed his question aside with a flick of her hand.

  “If your family has been in the area for a long time, maybe you might have met our Grandmother? She lived here — for a while.”

  “Grandmother? I don’t think I’m old enough…”

  “One of your kin might have, then?” Cassie persisted.

  “I don’t think so,” he ground out, his mouth set with tension. “I don’t recall…”

  “Are you sure? She was called Meridith…”

  “Cassie!” I interrupted, furious with my sister. “Craig, pay no attention to her. She’s being rude…”

  “A man treated her badly, broke her heart…”

  “Enough! Cassie, what is wrong with you? Of course Craig doesn’t know Granny Meridith. We didn’t even know her!”

  Craig set his cup down with a clatter.

  “Broke her heart, did he? Treated her badly?” he answered, his voice a low rumble as he stared at Cassie, his whole body tight, relaxed no more.

  “Yes,” Cassie spat out. “He was a jerk. A user. Made promises that he never kept.”

  What the hell was Cassie playing at?

  “Cassie, this has nothing to do with Craig, why…”

  “Doesn’t it?” she murmured, eyeing him thoughtfully. “Do you have something to tell us, Craig?”

  Taking a deep breath, Craig looked her straight in the eye.

  “No,” he said flatly, vibrating with tension, a muscle in his jaw jumping. Turning to me he murmured, “I have to go. Sorry.”

  His eyes pleaded with me to understand, then he lurched out of the room. Distantly, I heard the shop bell signal his departure.

  I slowly turned to my sister who was calmly clearing away the coffee cups.

  “What the hell was that?” I was fuming. How dare she? I had met a great guy, and for some reason, she just couldn’t handle me being happy.