Bearing It All (Grizzly Affairs Book 1)

by Magenta Phoenix

  Jerking her eyes up to his face, she froze at the knowing grin he flashed her as his eyes slowly roamed over her flushed skin. Jerking her eyes from his tempting form, she drew her knees to her chest. As if in her own way of donning armor to protect her again the weapon of Doyle's seeking eyes.

  Small part of her wondered whether she should be more afraid of the possible ferocity of his bear or of his watchful eyes. His eyes saw too much. She felt too exposed, more than she could possibly feel by just her presently naked state. With one look from him, she felt he could unveil all her secrets, leaving her bare and vulnerable.

  The bath water softly splashed as Doyle stepped into the steaming water before lowing himself down across from her. “Why are you looking away? You weren’t complaining last night if I recall.” He teased while stretching his arms along the sides of the tub.

  Crossing her arms over the mound of bubbles covering her breasts, she stretched out her legs over his while she smirked back at him. “There were probably no complaints because it wasn't that memorable.” Her heartbeat quickened as Doyle's eyes glowed and his chest rumbled with a low growl.

  Leaning forward, the water lapped lovingly at his muscles that flowed with movement beneath his skin. “In that case, let me refresh your memory.” His hands moved too quickly for her to anticipate.

  Gripping her hips beneath the evaporating bubbles, he easily jerked her along the length of the tub. Pulling her onto his lap, his arm wrapped around her waist, effectively trapping her in place. Not missing a beat; Aria wrapped her arms around his neck as her legs rested against his ribs. At the brush of his cock between her thighs, her body clenched with need.

  Leaning back, she smirked down at him. “I don’t remember this position.” She teased. Shifting her hips, her pulsing channel rippled with desire as she felt the hard length of his cock slide against her aroused clit. Sending drugging sensations through her entire body as her womanhood tightened with the need to be filled.

  “You will.” Gripping her wealth of golden, slick tresses, Doyle tilted her head to the side as his hungry lips sought out his mark. Running his tongue along the bite mark he'd placed on her last night, he felt his mate's body shiver as he caressed the sealed wound.

  She closed her eyes as heated bliss washed over her. Her stomach fluttered and heat pooled within her pulsing entrance. She needed him. Where had this need come from? She didn't care if she got an answer. But if he stopped moving his deviously skilled tongue, she wouldn't be responsible for her actions. Each flick of his tongue and nip from his teeth against the side of her neck she felt against her weeping center. Biting down on her bottom lip, she struggled to prevent her aching body from grinding against his pulsing length that was lightly stroking against her.

  “Doyle...” She begged as one of his hands slid around to cup one of her heavy breasts. She moaned as his mighty hand kneaded the aching breast.

  The heavenly weight in his hand made his mouth water as his eyes descended upon the neglected nipple. Gripping the back of Aria's neck, holding her still as his hot mouth covered her pebbled nipple.

  Gasping, her eyes flew open as his hot mouth drew from her breast with no mercy. “Doy-le...” She choked out in shock as waves of hot ecstasy threatened to drown her. She felt like she was about to come just from the feel of his sucking mouth. Threading her fingers through his wavy, dark locks, her fingers tightened, pulling him even closer to her. “W-what are you doing?”

  Releasing her nipple with a wet pop, he began to knead the other one. “Have you remembered yet?” He panted out, purposely sliding his cock back and forth against the soft lips of her sex.

  Remember? Remember what? She was supposed to remember something? Did he really expect her to form a single intelligent thought while he was causing her insides to clench tighter and tighter at every feel of his lips and cock?

  As she felt his hard length sliding against her clit, her inner muscles clenched with desire and with need as her entire body quaked with anticipation. She wanted to feel him so deeply within her clenching channel that she'd never remember what it felt like to be without him.

  Her body clenched as the heat he'd slowly built within her suddenly exploded into a raging inferno, consuming everything that she was. Rapture was the consuming flame that washed over her as her lips opened in a voiceless cry. Her body clenched and trembled over and over as her orgasm rushed through her very soul.

  Collapsing against his burning chest, she fought for air as her heart threatened to leap from her chest. Doyle's body heat seeped into her suddenly chilled skin as his powerful arms wrapped around her. He held her to him without cause or question.

  “Remember this moment. Because I am the only one that will give you pleasure. You are mine now and I plan on reminding you of that fact every day.”

  Leaning back, Aria shoved at her golden hair that fell along one side of her face. “Are you...” she began as she struggled to catch her breath. “Are you planning on always being this domineering all the time?”

  Shrugging his shoulders, Doyle rested his head against the cool edge behind him. “It’s part of my charm.” He replied, flashing a grin at her.

  “Where did you go earlier? I woke up and you were gone.” She asked, deciding to change to a safer subject.

  “I'll tell you later.” He stated firmly as his eyes trailed hungrily down her bare form.

  His hands slid down to grasp her firm buttocks, pulling her loins even impossibly closer to his straining desire. Shaking her head, Aria pressed her hands against the hard muscle of his chest. She couldn’t allow him to distract her with sex—no matter how much she wanted him to. Leaning back, she tilted her chin at him in the familiar way that told Doyle that she wouldn't be easily swayed.

  Heaving out a deep breath, he silently pouted. Now of all times his mate wanted to talk when any other time he practically had to yank every word out of her at a time. It was so unfair!

  Tell her what she wants to know. Then take our mate, idiot. His bear groaned out pathetically, obviously disappointed that he was being denied his mate as well.

  I intended to anyway, I just got distracted. Go hibernate and shut up.

  Tell her about the claiming.

  I will.

  So I can claim my mate too. I want honey...lots and lots of our mate's delicious honey...

  I will. The thoughts of his bear were becoming to visual for him to concentrate on what Aria wished to know. His cock ached with the need to bury deep inside his mate and claim her in the most animalistic and primitive way he could.

  You won’t forget will you? Our mate can be distracting when she on her back with her thighs...

  Go lay down, hairball! The force of Doyle's mental frustration caused his bear to cuff at his outburst. Doyle didn't wait to listen to the rest of his bear's description. His mate needed answers, not for him to bend her over the closest surfaced and plow into her like an animal or possibly an oil drill.

  Great idea!

  Groaning; Doyle slammed his mind closed to his bear as he focused back on Aria's waiting face. She was looking at him with a perplexed expression. More than likely she was wondering about his exchange between his bear and himself.

  “Where'd you go just now? You seemed to space out, but your face looked like you were in pain.” She asked with genuine concern.

  “I am in pain.” He pouted. When his mate raised a skeptical eyebrow, he continued on, “We could play nurse and patient again.” he whispered against her quirked lips.

  Placing a hand on his wet skin, Aria forced some much needed distance from him. Though every fiber of her being wanted nothing more than to participate in some naughty bath time with her more than willing companion, she knew that answers had to come out first.

  “Maybe later,” She lightly teased. “Answer my questions first.”

  Seeing she wouldn't budge until she got the answers she wanted, Doyle called upon many years worth of self control. Shifting into a more comfortable position, he coul
dn't help the growl that vibrated his chest when his cock continued to brush against his mate's soft flesh, as if with a mind of its own.

  “Mark stopped by early this morning. He suspected that whoever is after you may have been watching the cabin.”

  “And...?” She asked, almost afraid of what his answer would be.

  “We found evidence of two individuals camping out on the property.” He stated softly.

  Watching Aria's expression he could tell that the news worried her. As Mark suggested he need to get to the bottom of who was after her and why. The sooner they dealt with the problem the sooner he could begin preparing her for what was to come.

  * ~ * ~ *

  Inhaling slowly, Aria glanced away from Doyle's watchful gaze. Two? Malca had sent two people to hunt her down? The news wasn't unexpected, but it did concern her deeply. Could Malca have had that girl murdered as a message to her? Her chest squeezed tightly, trapping air deep within her frozen lungs. A deep well of panic began to flood her system, causing the pressure in her head to build once again.

  What am I going to do?

  Suddenly, without warning she felt Doyle grip the sides of her averted face, forcing her to look directly at him. “Breathe.” He ordered softly, his concerned eyes glued to hers.

  “I am...” She mumbled, trying to pull her face out of his grasp but his hands tightened, holding her still. Her lungs burned for air, but she couldn’t seem to pull in enough air.

  “Breathe.” he repeated roughly. Doing as he asked, Aria took in a few short inhales of sweet air into her starving lungs before slowly expelling it. When her breathing took on a calm rhythm, she felt his hands slide down the sides of her neck before settling on her bare shoulders.

  “I don’t want you to worry. I am your mate and it is my right as well as my duty to protect you.” he stated with absolute conviction.

  “What are we going to do? They will be back and these people are not just simple stalkers like you think they are. These people will come with guns and an army if necessary to keep their secrets.”

  “What secrets? What do you know?”

  Shaking her head, Aria struggled to find a way....heck, even a lie to tell him that would protect him from pulling the unsheathed truth to light. Quickly, she decided to tell him as much truth as she could risk without disclosing anything that would make him a threat to Malca. Slowly she was beginning to want to protect him more than she'd ever wanted to protect anyone before.

  “I've been their prisoner for three years.”

  The half truthful words tasted bitter as they past her lips. She didn't tell him that it wasn't the hunters that had held her prisoner, torturing and experimenting on her for those years. Part of her worried of the danger she'd be putting him in with that knowledge. Another part of her was worried what he'd think. Would he think of her as a freak of nature...and why did she even care? Ugh! Her brain felt like a bowl of scrambled eggs.

  “I suppose they are after me to keep their secret and possibly to kill me. The girl that was murdered last night was more than likely a warning to me.” She added. Grimacing as her head began to feel tight and painful as the pressure continued to slowly build.

  “I won’t give them the chance.” he promised, his hand reaching up to stroke his thumb against the softness of her cheek. “You don’t have to worry. As my mate you have not only me, but the whole power of my pack prepared to defend you.”

  His words only offered a slight comfort to her troubled mind. She had so many secrets she was hiding from him. There was so much she wanted to just tell him, if nothing else it would be a relief just to tell someone about what she'd endured and what she still was enduring. Nodding her head, she gave him a slight smile regardless of her present thoughts.

  “What is the plan now?”

  “Don’t worry about it. I will handle it. The first thing I think we should do is go see my pack and tell them about all this. It's not how I envisioned introducing you to my pack, but we may need their help. Hopefully with you safe with the pack, these guys will slip up and making catching them easier.”

  Pausing over his words, she gave him a perplexed expression. “What do you mean 'safe with the pack'?”

  Though she knew without a doubt what he meant, she was praying that he wasn't that stupid as to suggest for them to split up. That's just the advantage Malca needed to get them to play right into her clutches.

  “I intend to make the pack aware of the threat. When I am certain you are somewhere safe, I intend to return and take care of the issue.” he stated matter-a-fact.

  “Trust me when I say that is the most stupid idea I have ever heard.” Ignoring his scowling look, she continued. “That's what they want! If they have been watching the house they know that we've not left without the other. We separate, they will be certain that something is up. All they will have to do is find out where I am, come after me and then kill you for the heck of it.”

  “I know how to protect my mate.” He defended, looking away from her unconcerned.

  Throwing her arms up in frustration, Aria scoffed. “Oh for heaven sakes! Stop calling me that.”

  “It is what you are. Do you recall the claiming that took place just there last night?” He asked with a snarling voice, his hand pointing towards the open doorway and bedroom.

  She remembered. Every touch, kiss and second of last night would forever be etched in her mind. She'd been the one to agree to it in the first place. Part of her liked the idea of being his mate; however she couldn't promise Doyle anything while she was looking over her shoulder. Not to mention whatever Malca had done to her was possibly killing her. Already she could feel the fatigue settling over her as her head continued to feel too heavy and painful.

  “Listen to me. I know how these people think—” She began, desperate to break through Doyle's stubborn will.

  “No, you listen to me.” He interrupted his eyes boring into her with an impenetrable resolve. “Aria, you continue to think that I am some simple minded man. I am a shifter, more importantly a grizzly. It would take more than one bullet to put me down. Stop worrying so much. I can and will protect you. I am the protector here; you will obey me in this, mate.” His words growled out with promise.

  She glared back at Doyle, hating the expecting look he wore on his face as he waited for her reply. She struggled not to bare her teeth at him like a tiger that she wished she was in that moment. He wouldn't be able to this domineering if she ripped his furry, grizzly hide to shreds!

  Obey? Did he really just use the word obey in reference to her? He treated her as if she were some child that needed told what to do.

  Fat chance that any of that would be happening!

  What did he expect her to do? Just stay behind and wait for him to take on Malca single handed. All he would succeed in doing is getting them both kill or captured. Hell with that! Was that what he called a mate? Just some woman to listen and obey every word that came out of his stupid mouth! Anger suddenly replaced the soft concern she'd once felt for his wellbeing. He could go after Malca if he wanted to, let her tag his ear and put him in a cage for all she cared!

  Too enraged to even yell at him, she abruptly stood up in the bath water, uncaring of her naked form. She ignored the way his eyes lit up as the soapy water slid down every contour of her glistening form. Licking his lips in anticipation, he reached up to grasp a glistening thigh only to have his hand slapped away.

  "What's wrong, love?" He asked with a confused look.

  For a moment she was willing to overlook his words and keep her anger in check—then that moment passed. "I will obey you? Screw you! If that is what this mating stuff is about, you can go find someone else and have whoever shove it up your ass for all I care!" She yelled. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides in her effort to refrain from clawing his eyes out.

  "Ok,” he said softly placating, holding his hands up in defense against her outburst. What surprised him even more is that even his bear took a step back with eyes w
idening with fear. “Maybe I could have phrased that better."

  "Maybe!" Too angry to even look at his face, she moved to step out of the tub only to be stopped when he too rose to his full height. His hand moved to grasp her arm, stopping her from moving an inch from his side.

  "I'm sorry. But I am the man and you need to let me handle this. You are my mate and I will protect you, even if I have to do it from your own free spirit." He stated matter a fact.

  Slowly he drew her closer. She quickly jerked her eyes from his deliciously slick body. Unfortunately, she didn't look away before he shot her a smug look at her notice. The bastard. His touch suddenly softened as his hand drifted down from her arm to her hip. Grasping her buttocks, he jerked her wet form against his equally wet one.

  "Now that's settled,” His demeanor turned too smug for her liking. If he thought he was getting anything from her after that, he could forget it! “I need to find a use for this. Any ideas?" He whispered in a desire filled voice, while he grinded his straining cock against the soft swell of her stomach. His heavy eyes ranked over Aria's form; completely ignorant of the danger his chauvinist attitude was putting him in.

  Leaning in to kiss her, he felt her pull away before he could guess her intent. With an emotionless expression, she bent down swiping up the wash cloth out of the steaming bath water before tossing the soaked cloth over his pulsing manhood. The dripping cloth hung limp over his straining cock, effectively turning his desire for her into an immature towel rack.

  "There." She bit out. Flames that could only hope to rival her rage shown deeply within her bright eyes "Now it has a use." Without another look she stepped out of the tub. Taking with her the only towel, she strode haughtily from the bathroom. Never knowing that behind her, Doyle was mutely gasping after her like a startled fish out of water.

  You’re an idiot. His bear commented in the stillness of the steam filled bathroom.

  12

  The bell above chimed as the door of the only grocery store in the quiet town was slowly pushed open. Tucking the keg of beer under his arm, his opposite hand reached up to tug his dark baseball cap lower, shadowing his face against any that would happen to look his way. Keeping his head tilted down, he buried his free hand within his jacket pocket.