by E A Price
He had to keep reminding himself that she was human. She wasn’t like any of the shifter women he’d been with. In more ways than one. She wasn’t free or open with nudity or her sexuality, and, by her own admission, she was seriously lacking in sexual experience. Although, a few more nights like last night would soon have her caught up.
No, lack of experience didn’t matter - if anything he was grateful for it. Male shifters were territorial over their females, and he doubted his a-hole bear could have coped if she’d been half as wanton as he had been. No, he wasn’t looking a gift horse in the mouth.
She was certainly a passionate creature, and he couldn’t deny that being with her had been the best night of his life. But how could he explain to her that he thought she was his mate, and he expected her to bear his cubs? If she were a polar bear, this wouldn’t be an issue. She’d have felt the pull to him, and by now they’d probably be bonded and maybe even expecting their first cub. But no, fate had sent him a human, and he couldn’t deny that anymore. She was perfect for him and his beast.
But, how to make her his without scaring her away? His first thoughts on waking that morning had been that she was leaving him. No, she wasn’t allowed. Well, he’d been in her apartment, so there was no way she would have gotten him out of there without a fight!
Nope, his bear had calmed when she’d offered a perfectly rational explanation. And even better, he’d managed to wangle an opportunity to meet her parents. He understood that was a big thing with humans – meeting the parents. It wasn’t the same for bears. In clans, it was more important for matings to be blessed by the leader of the clan. But since Gunner technically wasn’t in a clan at that moment, he could do as he damned well liked. But he would try and follow human rules as best he could.
A deep rumble escaped him as she licked a drop of maple syrup off her bottom lip. What he wouldn’t give to do that. Her eyes widened at him, and he leered in return, making her cheeks turn an adorable shade of crimson.
“Thank you, again, for driving me.”
Why did she have to keep saying that? Why did she always act like she was some kind of burden to him?
“I told you; I want to be here. Stop thanking me,” he snapped.
His bear immediately snarled at him for his tone, but she didn’t seem to mind. Wisely, he changed the subject.
“So you have problems with your family?” he asked bluntly.
Erin immediately tensed, and he felt bad.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” he said quickly.
She shook her head as she toyed with the pancakes on her plate. “No, it’s fine. It’s not really a secret. I had trouble dealing with my abilities when I was a kid, and my parents didn’t know how to handle me. My whole family is human – in fact my whole neighborhood was human. Shifters and witches were just something you saw on TV, and they never really affected us.”
She winced as she said it, but Gunner didn’t react. The majority of the people in the world were human; he had no doubt there were numerous places where what she said was true.
“My dad was away a lot, and my mom couldn’t cope with me and three younger kids, so the Council of Supernaturals found a home for me to live in.”
“A home?” he repeated in disbelief. Was he hearing this right?
Erin concentrated on the soggy mess of pancakes and maple syrup. “It was kind of like a hospital for supernatural beings who had trouble coping.”
Gunner leaned across the table and hooked a finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “Erin, that sounds like a mental institute.”
The painful look of vulnerability returned to her eyes and he wanted to hit something. All the people who had ever hurt her sounded like a good start.
“It was, but it wasn’t as bad as it sounds. They did help me. If I hadn’t gone there, I doubt I’d be where I am today. I’ve met others with my gift, you know, but instead of facing it head on, they try to drown it out with alcohol and drugs. They weren’t as lucky as me.”
Gunner looked at her doubtfully, but he removed his finger from her chin and instead chose to place his hand over hers. She smiled at the touch, and his bear let out a happy growl.
“Anyway, after I left the hospital, I went and lived with a foster family, with other kids who were kind of like me. Then I turned 18, and the Council gave me a scholarship for college. My family visited me regularly when I was kid, but we kind of lost touch after I finished college. But, about six months ago my sister reached out to me, and since then we’ve been trying to patch things up. She’s actually getting married to a shifter, so my parents are a bit more open minded about supernatural matters. You’re gripping my hand too tightly.”
Gunner flinched and eased up. “Sorry.”
Damn, he wanted to hit something so badly. What kind of parents did that to their child? They even had her thinking that it was a good thing! His bear was unbelievably furious at the way they had treated his Erin.
A smile blossomed over her face. “It’s okay.”
Damn, she was beautiful she when smiled. But then, she was always beautiful, even when she scowled. No, especially when she scowled, and a hint of fire entered her eyes.
“What about you? How come you don’t live in a… umm… I want to say clan?”
Gunner chuckled. “Spot on, bears live in clans.”
“Phew!” She used her spare hand to wipe it across her forehead in mock relief.
Her other hand was still trapped by his, and he was currently rubbing a thumb over the back of it.
“Not much to tell; I was born into a clan in Alaska. I joined the army when I was 18, and after I got out, I joined the SEA. I’ve been in Los Lobos for two years now.”
She thought about that for a few moments. “Do you miss home?”
“Yeah, but right now, I prefer it here. I visit when I can and I figure I’ll retire there one day.” Retire there with his mate…
He frowned at her plate; more than half her pancakes and bacon were still there, and she hadn’t even touched her hash browns. He’d finished all his food; every last bite of the six dishes he’d ordered.
He pointed at her plate. “Didn’t you like it? Would you like to order something different?”
“No, it was lovely, it was just a bit much for me.”
“You haven’t eaten very much,” he grumbled.
Erin raised an eyebrow. “Food seems to be a big thing with you.”
“I want you to be healthy and to have lots of energy.” His lips curled up, and he winked.
Her cheeks turned an enchanting shade of pink; undoubtedly she had cottoned on to what she needed the energy for. “I’m human; I can’t eat that much. Besides, what might equate to energy for a shifter would just mean fat on me. And I have quite enough of that, thank you.”
“I’d say you were just right,” he murmured.
The inescapable scent of her arousal wafted toward him, and his bear almost went wild. Hmm, must remember to compliment her more. That wouldn’t be too hard; although she was small, she had just the right amount of dips and curves to suit him. He could spend all day long worshiping her sinful body, and he’d planned to do just that before she dropped this family gathering bomb. Still, meeting the parents was a step in the right direction.
Erin let out a small moan; the sweetness sent all available blood rushing to his already hardening cock. He had thought the previous night might have alleviated his suffering in that department, but no. Now that he’d had a taste of her, his greedy animal wanted more. And the fact that she just made the same sound when he first sank inside her body really wasn’t helping.
“I guess we should get going,” she said grudgingly.
“Just say the word, and we can turn round and spend the day locked in my apartment.”
Erin giggled. Crap, that was even worse than the moan.
“That is tempting, but my sister’s been so sweet to me, I don’t want to let her down.”
“H
ow old’s your sister?”
“Vanessa’s 19; she was just a baby when I went into the home. But as soon as she was old enough, she used to write to me all the time. We were kind of like pen pals. I have two brothers, too, but we’re not close.”
Her eyes lit up, and she looked at him expectantly before hesitating. He’d come to understand this meant that she wanted to ask a question, but she wasn’t sure if it was appropriate.
“Ask away,” he said smugly.
She pouted. “Am I that easy to read?”
“I like to think that I’m just getting to know you.”
Erin blushed, and he shook his head. It was a wonder her cheeks were constantly flushed with how embarrassed she got over everything. He certainly wasn’t complaining; it was one of the many things he loved about her.
Whoa, love? Fuck, he really was screwed.
The waitress came to collect their dirty plates and leave the bill. He used it as an excuse to remove his hand from hers. His bear didn’t like that one bit, and even Erin wilted a little with disappointment. But, the sudden realization at how deep his feelings were was like a punch to the gut and he needed to take a slight step back. He thought she was his mate, but mate didn’t immediately equate to love.
With her freed hand, she traced patterns on the tabletop. “I was just wondering whether you had any brothers or sisters.”
Ah, safe territory. “An older brother, he’s the leader of my clan. He took over when my dad stepped down.”
“Is that one of the reasons you left?”
His hand hovered over the bill. “How did you know that?”
“Just a guess. I kind of thought that if you were there, you’d feel like you had to challenge for leadership.”
Gunner marveled at her perceptiveness. “Some guess.”
“Maybe it’s just that I’m getting to know you.”
Their eyes locked, and his heart sped up until it was beating away like a jackhammer. He was tempted just to pull her across the table and take her right then and there, but the other diners might have a few objections. However, given the heat in her big, round eyes, he doubted she’d say no.
“Let me get that.” She reached for the bill, and he snatched it away as his animal snarled in consternation.
The sizzling electricity between them cooled, and in that instant her confusion was met by his ferocity. No way in hell was he allowing her to pay.
“It’s only fair,” she reasoned. “You’re driving, so let me treat you to breakfast, it’s the least I can do.”
“No, I should pay.” He was a man; he was supposed to take care of his female. He found it insulting to suggest he wasn’t capable of doing so.
“Because you’re the guy?” she rightly assumed. Wow, she did know him.
His bear roared in agreement. “Yes, male shifters take care of the females.”
“Humans prefer to go Dutch.”
He looked at her completely bewildered. “Dutch? What do the Netherlands have to do with this?”
Erin giggled. “It means to split the bill, usually fifty-fifty.”
Gunner scowled. “I don’t like that idea.” Humans had some funny ideas.
“How about we compromise and I pay 25% of the bill,” she joked.
“I’m paying the bill; please don’t fight me on this.” His voice was as quiet and controlled as he could manage, but even she couldn’t fail to detect the undercurrent.
“Okay.”
Gunner took a couple of deep breaths, and when she didn’t try to argue he nodded and strode off to pay. He watched her as he handed over the money, lest she try and make a break for it from the crazy shifter. He really needed to rein in his controlling tendencies. Female shifters could laugh off his rough chauvinism, but Erin might actually be offended.
He almost collapsed in relief when she came over to him and smiled, unperturbed by his mini-outburst. That was a good sign; she wasn’t completely put off by his need to show his dominance. Yep, he was an asshole, and he knew it; he just prayed that Erin could learn to live with it. Speaking of dominance…
“Out of curiosity, what type of shifter is your sister marrying?”
“Oh, fox.”
Gunner sighed in relief. A fox was nothing compared to a polar bear. Good, he’d be the most dominant shifter at this shindig, and fully prepared to take on all comers if anyone even dared to say anything to Erin.
She looked at him wonderingly, but before she could ask him anything, he took her hand and laced his fingers with hers. “Let’s go.”
*
Erin sighed as she approached her parents’ house. She hadn’t been there in, jeez, more than five years, but it looked the same as always – depressingly so.
She dared a glance up at her handsome companion. He’d been a bit put out about the bill back at the diner, but he’d soon recovered his good mood and had regaled her with his misadventures as a cub up in Alaska. Mental note, never go ice fishing with him. He was one crazy son of a bear.
She’d thought he was joking back at the diner, and had been a little taken aback at his hardness on the subject over who got to pay. He acted like she was insulting him or something. Yeesh, she was just trying to be nice, anyone would think she was casting none-too-pleasant aspersions on his parentage. Second mental note – if they go anywhere together, just let him pay, it isn’t worth the aggravation of an argument. Shifters had some funny ideas.
They were having such a good day; it almost seemed like a shame to spoil it by going into her parents’ house. No one knew they were there; there was still time to turn around and take Gunner up on his offer to lock themselves away in his apartment. Hopefully, for a repeat of last night…
“Erin!”
Crud. Her younger, prettier sister was stood on the porch step, beaming like there was no tomorrow. No chance of running away now.
Oh no! That was something else she hadn’t considered. What if Gunner preferred Vanessa to her? What if he suddenly woke up and realized how foolish he’d been in getting involved with such an average looking – and clearly bonkers – woman like her when there were so many sweeter, lovelier creatures like Vanessa in the world? Oh, this was a bad plan. Vanessa was taken at least, but who knew how many single females lurked through those doors waiting to pounce.
Erin looked up to see the concern evident on his face. “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine,” he whispered reassuringly.
At least he wasn’t a mind reader. Better he thought she was worried about seeing her family than just indulging her irrational jealousy over every other female that breathed air.
When they got to the door, Vanessa gawked open-mouthed at Gunner. Yep, that was probably the expression Erin had when she first saw him too. He was certainly big, imposing, rugged, handsome, swoonworthy… damnit.
Her sister was caught between trepidation and lust as she pulled Erin in for a half-hearted hug. All her attention was firmly directed at the polar bear shifter.
“Umm, Vanessa, this is… ah, Gunner. Gunner this is my sister, Vanessa.”
She almost introduced him as her boss, while an evil little voice suggested ‘lover’ just to see her sister’s reaction. What was she supposed to call him anyway? He was her boss, and up until last night she would have categorized their relationship as friendly with a good dollop of yearning on her side. At least she’d thought it had only been on her side. Now, she didn’t know what to call him. It wasn’t exactly like they were dating.
“Nice to meet you,” rumbled Gunner as he shook her proffered hand firmly, it sent ripples throughout her whole body.
“You too,” she simpered in return. Clearly lust had won over trepidation.
After a few seconds of ogling, Vanessa snapped out of it. “Come on in, we’re having a barbecue in the back.”
Gunner smiled; Vanessa cooed, and Erin just wanted to throw up. They followed Vanessa through the house, and Gunner lightly placed a hand on Erin’s back. Heaven help her, instinctively she arched her back into his tou
ch, desperate to feel his hands on her in any way, shape or form. Heck, she’d settle for a bear hug with his polar bear at that moment.
Erin’s mouth went dry at seeing so many people there; she recognized a few people as her parents’ family and friends, but most were strangers to her. She guessed the others were Vanessa’s fiancé, Roger’s guests.
Darn. All the women were wearing floaty, flowery summer dresses, and she was wearing a pair of jeans and a striped t-shirt. She looked like she was playing Where’s Waldo! Like she needed another reason to feel inadequate or out of place.
Vanessa clapped her hands together. “Everyone, this is my sister, Erin, and her boyfriend, Gunner.”
Boyfriend?! Aww, crap. Would Gunner make a bolt for it? Should she?
People murmured uninterested hellos at her while trying not to stare openly at the beefy shifter stood behind her. A number of the party guests lifted their chins and sniffed before recoiling slightly. Erin guessed they’d figured out just what species he was.
And Gunner? His hand slid up from her back to her shoulder; his fingers splayed over her skin, and he took a step closer to her, so he was standing directly behind her. His warm body pressed against her, sending delighted shivers through her. And she really didn’t want to think about that bulge digging into her back.
He also took an exaggerated sniff before booming out a hello. Numerous guests, the sniffers and therefore shifters, cringed a little. He shook a little in laughter at that. Shifters were weird.
Chapter Nine
Much to his chagrin, Gunner found himself gathered round the smoky barbecue with Roger, the sister’s fiancé, Erin’s dad, Erin’s brothers, and the fiancée’s dad.
What is it with men and barbecues? He could never really see the appeal, preferring to eat his meat fresh. Fresh as in still squirming in his paws. It baffled him that any enjoyment could be derived from crowding round a smoking fire discussing the merits of coal over propane, and arguing with other men about why the food wouldn’t cook.
Erin was nowhere to be seen. She’d pressed a beer into his hand and had spirited away, sylph-like. He sniffed, trying to seek out her delectable scent, but that only resulted in a nose full of smoke.
