ROMANCE: Bear Naked Passion (Billionaire Bear Trio Book 2)

by Audrey Storm

  After scrubbing her scalp with shampoo, soaking it in conditioner, and running a lemon-scented loofa all over her body, she emerged from her shower refreshed, and more than a little excited to see what the hell kind of dress Hector sent for her.

  She hung it on the shower rod, keeping it straight while she unzipped the dust cover. A long blue dress caught the light immediately, shining under the light bulb as Alex pulled it out. Little gems, similar to those that Alex had seen on bedazzle machines, were stitched into the soft material, lighting up like a giant sapphire.

  What kind of underground club demanded formal wear like this?

  Her bathroom was small, even for a studio apartment, and she had to be mindful of her elbows as she tried to squeeze into the dress. It was pretty obvious that she wasn’t a size two, and it seemed that Hector had definitely noticed as she glanced at the size sixteen tag. Yet, it was only as she had it hallway up her hips, that she realized she was going to need a bra.

  Unlocking the bathroom door to crack it open, she called, “Hey, you still out there?”

  “Yes?” the man answered, sounding alarmingly close.

  “Um,” she said, shrinking behind the door. “Could you, like, step into the hall for a sec?”

  “I am in your kitchenette, staring at the wall,” he answered calmly. “Please proceed as if I were not here.”

  “Cause that’s comforting,” Alex muttered under her breath. Grabbing a towel to wrap around her breasts, she cautiously stepped out with the dress on her hips. The man was true to his word, his back to her as he stared straight ahead, and she made a mad dash for her bra. Grabbing it (and a pair of underwear), she moved back to the bathroom and shut the door, flicking the lock once more.

  “Cool,” she breathed to herself. Letting the towel drop to the floor, she pulled on the bra and clasped it in the back, and went back to pulling up the dress.

  It fit better than anything she’d ever worn. Her mirror was small and could only show her from the waist up, but just that alone made her gasp. The dress, while a solid bright blue, wasn’t just randomly sprinkled with gems like she’d first thought. They created a diamond design that lead inward, making her stomach seem smaller while accentuating her curves.

  It looked good.

  Stepping out of the bathroom, she said, “Uh, I’m ready?”

  The man whirled around, checking his watch again as he did so. “Much better,” he said. “Now, come along. We have a car waiting.”

  Before he could shoo her outside, she grabbed her purse, doing a double-take when she saw the envelope on her bed. Hesitating for a moment, she grabbed it, sticking it into her bag. Better safe than sorry.

  “Come along, come along,” the man urged.

  “When does this fight start, anyway?” she asked, locking her door behind them.

  “The match starts at seven,” he said, a hand on her elbow. “In precisely one hour.”

  Chapter 5

  The drive was shorter than she had expected, seeing as the escort they’d sent for her wouldn’t shut up about being on time. But, as it turned out, the fight was taking place in the city at one of the older buildings belonging to the Oglethorpe Club. When they arrived, she unbuckled and stepped out of the car, the man who’d driven her there hot on her heels.

  “In the future,” he said sternly, “If you could wait for me to open your door, that would be much appreciated.”

  “Oh,” she said, her eyes on the tall building before her. “Sure thing.” Not that there would be a next time, but she’d clear that up with Hector when she found him.

  She followed the man through the front of the building, a security guard at a desk nodding when he saw the two of them. Alex stayed closer to the man after that—the last thing she wanted was to get lost.

  As they turned down a hallway and walked toward a set of stairs, Alex picked up her dress, expecting to walk downstairs. Instead, the man led her up, even offering her an arm. She pointedly grasped the handrail instead.

  By the next landing, he was unlocking a door with a set of silver keys and holding it open for her, ushering her inside. She went slowly, keeping her eyes open as she entered the room.

  It wasn’t the cold, harsh concrete or the low lighting of a storeroom that she’d been expecting. Instead, the room was outfitted with hundreds of golden chairs that had red velvet cushions, all leading down to the first floor in a sloped coliseum set up. Alex realized that they were on the very top, with a glass window between their particular row and everyone else. Was this where Hector had demanded she have a reserved seat? But how on earth was he supposed to be able to spot her way up here?

  “Ah, Miss Andrews,” a new voice greeted her.

  Alex turned toward it, surprised and a little relieved to see a woman in a black gown and white laced gloves. “Hi,” she said awkwardly, which just made the lady laugh.

  “Don’t be so stiff, dear,” she smiled, her wrinkles making themselves apparent as she moved. “We aren’t going to put you into the ring.”

  “Yeah, about that,” Alex said, glancing at the bottom floor. A giant gilded cage, one with floor to ceiling gold bars, was in the center. “What is this? I’ve never seen an underground ring like it.”

  “That’s because it’s not underground,” the woman corrected her. “Or, rather, it’s not illegal. This is an old pastime that’s been going on for far longer than those Fight Club followings, my dear, and it’s much grander than any of them combined.” Motioning toward the glass, she took Alex over to it.

  “You are here,” she said, “Because we finally secured a fighter that we’ve been recruiting for over a year. And he wants you here,” she finished simply.

  Alex wanted to protest, to tell her how she barely knew this man and that she didn’t even want to be here, but something made her stay silent. This woman was nice, yes, but also quietly commanding in the simple way that she just walked across the room. Alex got the feeling that she couldn’t trust her.

  “And I’ll be up here?” she asked instead.

  “Oh, no,” the lady laughed. “We offered, of course, but he wanted you on the ground floor, beyond the audience but protected beyond the ring. He said you’re a medic?”

  “A nurse,” Alex lied easily, her throat scratching as she said it.

  “Then you’ll come in most handy,” she said encouragingly. “Now, John will show you downstairs. The show is about to start, after all.”

  Alex went willingly, a little relieved to be out of the woman’s presence. She froze when the woman called after them.

  “Oh no, John, that won’t do,” she said sternly. “Use the elevator. The poor girl is liable to slip on those stairs.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” John said, leading Alex back into the room. In the far corner an old iron elevator with glass doors and silver etchings of lions and bears stood silently, but the moment John pushed a button it whirred to life, a heavy hum sounding as the doors opened.

  She went inside with John, surprised to find a lush blue carpet on the floor and old jazz music playing softly through the speakers. Grabbing the side as the elevator jolted down, she watched the different levels through the glass doors.

  Finally, on the first level, it let them out.

  “You’ll be seated over here,” John directed her past the roped off front seats, and into the no man's land between it and the ring. One seat was placed there, just beside one of the corners of the ring. John strolled over to it and pointed, “Here you are.”

  Alex stared at it, gulping. “I had a feeling.”

  Chapter 6

  Alex sat there, useless and self-conscious as the seats filled in around her. Some people noticed her and pointed, while others acted as if her seat was the most natural thing in the world. She tried to follow the mindset of the latter, and sat calmly in her seat with her hands folded across her lap. Then, when she thought about just getting up and walking out, the lights went out and a man stepped into the ring, a microphone in his hand.

&nbs
p; “Welcome to another match!” he yelled, and though Alex waited for the uproar of excitement, it never came. The good people, with all their furs and jewels, stayed patiently in their seats, fanning themselves or peering down below with their small binoculars.

  “It is my pleasure to introduce a new player tonight, one that you’ve heard rumors about for months—a Mr. Hector Herakles!” This time a few people clapped, but as a spotlight illuminated a corner of the room, more stood up.

  “Hector,” Alex muttered. The man was standing there in a fur robe, and the top of it was outfitted with what Alex could swear was a real lion’s head, mouth open with sharp fangs lining the jaw. A trumpet tune, simple but catchy, played as he began his walk toward the ring.

  “And matching him is an old favorite: Brother Cain!” the announcer pointed, and the opposite corner spotlighted a taller man with a black robe. A different tune played for him, something with drums, but the way it overlapped the trumpets worked beautifully.

  “All right, gents,” the announcer said as they both dropped their robes and stepped into the ring. “You know the deal—first man to fall loses. Winner takes all!” With that, he jumped out of the ring, landing right beside Alex. With a wink and wave he was gone, rushing out of the limelight and into the shadows. Alex watched him go until she heard someone calling her name.

  “Alex,” Hector said, smiling at her from the ring. His opponent watched, rolling his eyes at the new guy’s antics.

  “Hector,” Alex said, standing up to meet him at the ropes. “This is stupid. You can’t make me come here—”

  “Did you open the envelope?” he asked.

  “I have it with me,” she said, turning back for her purse.

  “Never mind,” he shook his head, looking up. “Sit back down—it’s starting.”

  “But—”

  “Players!” the speakers boomed. “Take your position!”

  Alex had no choice but to retake her seat as Hector and Cain met in the middle. Their hands were raised, Cain’s wrapped knuckles to Hector’s bare ones, and they tapped them as a gentle bell sounded.

  Then all hell broke loose.

  Alex screamed, covering her face with her arms as Cain slammed his fist into Hector’s head. Or, at least, he would’ve, if Hector hadn’t dodged, replying with a swift kick in kind. It connected, and Cain stumbled, but regained his balance by rushing forward, arms out to tackle Hector. Rather than move, Hector planted his feet and threw up his own hands, grasping Cain’s so that they became locked in a battle of weight.

  “And our newest player looks to be holding his own! Cain isn’t pulling any punches with this demigod though, and one wonders how long he will last.”

  As Cain took a step forward, pushing Hector towards the ropes, Hector roared and pushed back, gaining an opening as Cain’s arms slacked for a moment and Hector was able to slam them downward. Cain yelled, and when he moved to punch again he kept his left arm at his side.

  “Oh, and it looks like Herakles just broke Cain’s wrist. That’s some godly strength, for you!”

  Dodging a punch, Hector danced around Cain, eventually putting himself across from where Alex was sitting. His eyes were their usual dull blue, but as they connected with Alex’s they seemed to take on a brighter hue. Jabbing Cain in the back, he waited until the fighter tried to throw another punch to block him, sending a kick to his stomach while his hands were up.

  Cain flew backwards, landing flat on his back.

  “And we have our winner!”

  Finally, the crowd moved, clapping and whistling for Hector as he stood in the center of the ring and raised his fists up in triumph.

  “Miss Andrews,” John said, suddenly appearing beside her. “If you would follow me.”

  “Why?” she asked, glancing at Hector. “Are you taking me home?”

  “No,” he shook his head. “There is one last part of the contract that we must fulfill.”

  With a pit in her stomach, Alex rose and followed him away from the ring. He led her back to the elevator, calling for it with the push of a button. It only took a moment for it to arrive, and Alex was surprised to see the woman from before riding in it.

  “Ah, Miss Andrews,” she greeted her. “Such a lovely match, wouldn’t you say?”

  “It was, uh, quick,” Alex said lamely.

  “Faster than expected, yes, but just long enough for me to place a few prize winning bets,” the woman laughed.

  “Wait, you guys place bets here?” Alex asked. They were so proper about everything else, she hadn’t expected them to gamble.

  “But of course, didn’t you notice?” she said, fluttering her brown feathered fan. “Every player has a color, and this match I bet on your Herakles.” Suddenly moving closer, the woman asked, “How did you snare such a man? Especially one with such a reputation.”

  “Reputation?” Alex repeated.

  “Oh yes,” the woman giggled. “Before coming here, he was quite the philanderer,” she gossiped. “But,” she said, straightening up. “That’s none of my business. Have a nice night, John.”

  “You as well,” John bowed slightly.

  Alex followed him onto the elevator, even more frustrated than before.

  Chapter 7

  As it turned out, John was leading Alex to the locker room, or “trophy room” as they called it. Stopping at the fifth floor, they got off into a dark corridor, turning immediately right into the first well-lit room. Hector was sitting on a bench, downing a bottle of water with a towel covering his head.

  “Hector?” Alex said, approaching him slowly. John didn’t follow her, but merely closed the door behind her as she went in.

  Hector whirled around, a smile splitting his face as he greeted her. “Alex! Did you see?”

  “Yes, you won,” she said, grinning. “Good job.”

  “No, no,” he shook his head, standing. His skin was wet with sweat, his curled black hair dripping with it. “Your eyes. When I saw them, your sapphires, I felt it. I needed to win, for you.”

  “For me?” she frowned. “Hector, I might like fighting, but this place—I don’t know, it’s off. If you’re doing this for anyone, it should be for yourself.” But Hector just laughed.

  “What do you think of your dress?” he asked suddenly, taking her hand as he urged her to spin around.

  “It’s very nice,” she admitted.

  “I picked it for you. To match your eyes,” he said, staring into them.

  “Hector,” she said, putting a hand on his chest as he got uncomfortably close. She knew what was coming, what he wanted—she couldn’t mistake the force in his hands or the desire in his eyes. “I don’t know you.”

  “You don’t know me,” he repeated slowly, and she didn’t push away his hand as he ran a thumb over her bottom lip. “This man who you saved,” he said.

  “It wasn’t like that—”

  “It was,” he stated. “And you continue to save him when you show up to give him inspiration.” He ran his hands over her sides, stopping at her hips to squeeze them gently. “My inspiration,” he added.

  “Hector—”

  She saw the kiss coming. He was so fast in his fights, she thought that she might be able to blame it on that, but with her he was so slow, so careful. His eyelids fell the closer he got, until his lips were sealing hers and she couldn’t do anything but close her eyes too.

  It was a mistake. Cutting off her vision only amplified the kiss—his chapped lips grinding against hers, his tongue coaxing her mouth open. She started when she felt something on her neck, but it was just his fingers, sliding up to mess her wild red hair.

  She blushed when she realized that she was grinding against him, her nipples hard as they dragged against his muscled chest. His hard dick, a bulge against her thigh, only spurred her on, and the heat curling in her belly made her mind hazy.

  “Come closer,” he whispered, his hot breath in her ear making her shiver. She jumped when she felt his hands suddenly slap against her as
s, palming and squeezing at what they found there. She sighed, pulling away from his mouth. He only took it as an opportunity to attack her neck, dotting her skin with butterfly kisses and sweeping licks.

  His hands slowly moved up her lower back, finding her arms as she stepped closer into his embrace.

  She snapped her eyes open when she felt him tie something around her wrists.

  “What—” She glanced behind herself, already trying to pull free from the bonds. She could only stare as she saw that it was Hector’s lion robe he’d used to tie her up with, her hands in the mouth of it.

  “Herakles killed the Nemean Lion with his bare hands,” Hector said, licking his lips. “He used it in battle for years after, as the hide was indestructible.”

  “So you’re saying I should stop struggling?” Alex snorted. “Keep dreaming.”

  “What have I given you to struggle over?” Hector asked innocently. As Alex just gaped at him, he took his chance and picked her up, setting her on the locker bench.

  “The fuck—”

  He kissed her quiet, holding her chin as he worked his tongue in her mouth. By the time he pulled away she was panting, her cheeks red and lips bruised.

  “Now,” he said, grinning. “I shall tame you with these hands.”

  Without waiting for her to respond, he grabbed her under the knees and flipped her legs up, sending her onto her back. Ducking down, he wasted no time and mouthed her through her underwear, a black laced thong that she though would fit with the dress nicely.

  “H-Hector,” she gasped, turning her head every which way to hide it. She’d never had a man do that to her, and the sensations of sparks were making her squirm.

  He hummed in response, using his tongue to swirl as his lips moved. It was like he was kissing her vagina the same way he’d just kissed her mouth, and it made her stomach swell like a volcano ready to burst.

  Moving down, he found her entrance and used his teeth to pull the underwear away to one side. Glancing at Alex with the same fire in his eyes that she’d seen him win the match with, he bent and struck her with his tongue.