by Haley Jacobs
“I’m an only child,” said Julia. “But my friend Molly is as close to a sister as I’ve ever had.”
The maître d called Jake’s name.
“I don’t know about you,” said Julia. “But after all that’s happened today, I’m starving!”
Jake and Julia were seated in a private booth near the back of the Redwood Grill. In the candlelight, Julia looked ravishing. They sat close to one another, their knees brushing. Julia rested her hand on his powerful leg. He leaned over and kissed her lightly just as the waiter brought menus.
“So what’s good here?” asked Julia.
“Barbara says the Beef Wellington is incredible,” said Jake.
Julia’s face darkened and she pulled her hand away from his leg.
“That sounds fine,” said Julia, her voice sounding forced.
“How does a nice bottle of red wine sound?” asked Jake.
“Fine,” said Julia, shortly. The waiter left.
“Okay,” said Jake, “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Sorry,” said Jake. “Not buying it. If we’re going to have a nice evening, and if we have a future together, we’d better learn to talk openly. So what’s on your mind?”
The waiter arrived with the wine. It was an expensive Napa merlot. Julia raised her eyebrows as the waiter poured the glasses. She took a healthy sip and looked at Jake.
“So, what’s between you and Barbara?” Julia blurted out.
Jake looked surprised. “Absolutely nothing. I mean, we’ve been friends since grad school, and I’d do anything for her. But I swear, there’s nothing between us. She’s more like my sister.”
“But I’ve seen the way she looks at you, Jake,” said Julia. “Trust me, I’m a woman and I know that look well. She’s got something for you.”
“Barbara? No way! Not going to happen.” Jake got a mischievous look on his face. “You’re jealous!”
“I am not!”
“Ooooh, yes you are!” Jake could feel the effects of the bourbon and wine. “You’re getting all protective of me.”
“No I’m not!” Julia could feel the buzz from her gin and tonic combined with the wine. For the second time that night, the color of her face matched the color of her dress.
“Jealous…” He was grinning like a little boy. He poured them each a second glass of wine.
The Beef Wellington arrived. It was one of those dishes that Julia had heard of but had never had. Not many restaurants served it anymore. It was just too old fashioned, and very difficult to make. A beautiful steak was surrounded with a mixture of paté and mushrooms, and enclosed in a delicate puff pastry. Julia felt the sensuous textures and flavors combine on her tongue. She moaned softly.
She looked over at Jake. His fork was frozen and his mouth was open.
He put his fork down. “I’m going to need some more wine.”
Dinner was finished, and not a crumb remained. They had gone through an entire bottle of wine. They left the restaurant, laughing at everything. Julia couldn’t believe how easy it was to be with Jake. They stood at the foot of the Grand Staircase. Jake swept her up in his arms and kissed her. Before she knew what she was doing, her tongue had found his. She pulled back to look at Jake. She was pretty tipsy, but she knew that the warmth and joy she felt had nothing to do with the wine.
“Okay, Professor,” Julia said. “It’s time to take me to my room.”
“Okay, Mate,” said Jake, grinning.
“Stop calling me that,” she whispered breathlessly.
Julia and Jake somehow made it up the Grand Staircase and to Julia’s room. It was not an easy climb. The ever-present need between them was unbearable, and they had to stop every so often for a passionate kiss. Julia fumbled for her keys. She was trembling. The butterfly kisses Jake was giving her on the back of her neck weren’t helping.
She finally got the door open and pulled Jake in. She turned to lock the door, but Jake was holding her from behind. She could feel the heat of his core against her bottom and she felt the strength of his arms wrapped around her. Heat spread deep inside her. She pulled away from him and removed her shoes, her heart beating against her chest. Her palms were sweating. She could smell the sweet, spicy musk of Jake. A full moon flooded Julia’s room with silver-blue light.
She watched Jake, standing there in the moonlight. He slowly pulled the hem of his shirt over his head. The moonlight showed every detail of his muscular chest, every ripple of his abdomen. He was breathing heavily.
“Next the shoes…” said Julia.
Jake reached down and pulled off his shoes and socks.
“Now your belt…”
He unhinged his belt, and snaked it around his slim waist, then dropped it to the floor.
“Now your pants…”
Jake’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he unbuttoned his pants and pulled them to his ankles. Julia could see his strong, firm thighs and calves. The bulge in his boxers was clear.
“And now?” asked Jake, smiling.
Julia shook her head. “The next part’s my job.”
Julia put her hands on Jake’s shoulders, tracing them slowly down his powerful back. She played with the elastic of his waistband, bringing her hands around to the front. Teasing him, she touched his chest and gently kissed his flat nipple, first one, then the other. Jake moaned softly.
Julia slowly guided her hands down his chiseled abdomen, around to his waist. Grasping the elastic waistband, she pulled his boxers down to his knees and stepped back. Jake let the boxers fall to the floor and stepped out of them. Julia could see his firmness in the moonlight, and wondered if he would fit inside her.
“Now it’s your turn…” said Jake. He turned her around and slowly unzipped her dress, kissing the nape of her neck and down her spine as the dress spread, releasing her body. Julia shivered as the dress dropped to her feet. He pulled the straps of her bra over her shoulders. Jake unhooked it from the back, and turning Julia to face him, pulled it away from her body. Her nipples hardened as she made contact with Jake’s chest. She wrapped her arms around his strong torso and nestled her head into his neck.
“Oh, Jake,” she said. “Never let me go.”
Jake kissed the top of her head. She could feel his large hands caressing her back, stroking her hair.
“I’ll be here,” he said, “I’ll always be here.”
They held each other for several minutes. Never had Julia felt so safe and so connected. Was this real? Surely there was a powerful physical attraction between them, but there was something else, something deeper. Julia was sure of it.
“Touch me, Jake,” Julia said.
Jake’s hands went down the small of her back and beneath the lacy black panties as he caressed her curves. Julia could feel goose bumps rise on her flesh as he slowly teased her panties down to her knees. He stood and looked into her eyes.
“You are so, so beautiful, Julia,” said Jake. He led her to the bed, pulling off the covers. She sat on the edge of the bed and reached for Jake. He lowered her head onto the pillow. She was on her back as Jake propped himself on his elbows over her. They kissed as Jake eased his body onto hers. She could feel the weight of his body covering her. She ran her hands from his shoulders, down his back, over his tight buttocks and back. Their tongues found each other as their kisses became more intense.
Jake brought his lips to Julia’s neck and worked his way down to her right breast. Her nipples were hard, and she shivered when he touched one with his tongue. His sweet moistness on her breast made her back arch. He moved to her other breast, caressing it with his hand. From there, Julia felt Jake’s hot breath move down her stomach. He lifted her parted legs and kissed between them. Julia closed her eyes, lost in the ecstasy of the moment. He was driving her wild, bringing her to the edge, then slowing down, allowing her to build again.
Julia felt herself slipping into a blissful oblivion as Jake continued
. She could feel herself getting closer and closer to the edge. With a loud cry, her hips lifted and her back arched giving sweet relief.
“Jake! Jake!” she cried. “I love you!”
Jake lay on her, holding her until Julia’s breathing returned to normal. She was clasping onto him. As her body relaxed, she began to think about what she had said. Did she really love him? She wondered if he had heard her.
“I love you too,” said Jake.
“I don’t know what I feel,” Julia said. “All I know is that I need you inside me. I don’t have a condom, but I’m on the pill. Are you okay with that?”
“That’s all that I want, Julia,” said Jake. He got a serious look on his face. “But if we do that, it means you’re my mate. It means we’re together forever, and there will be no one else for me. I need to make sure you completely understand that.”
Julia lay there, her emotions as naked as her body. She thought about her dream. The female bear had said that Jake was her mate. That he was a shifter. She didn’t know what that meant, but all she did know was that the love she felt for Jake shook her to the core. After Jake, no one could even come close.
“It sounds crazy,” said Julia. “But I love you, Jake. I really do. I can’t even imagine being with anyone else.
She took a deep breath. “So I guess that means that, yes, I’m your mate.”
“I love you with all my heart, and all my soul, Julia,” said Jake. “After all the years of searching, I can’t believe I’ve finally found you.”
Julia could feel herself stretching to encase Jake with her body, with her soul. They were joined, as Jake stopped for a moment. They both savored the merging of their hearts, of their lives. They were mated.
Julia wrapped her legs around his hips and clung onto his body as he began to move faster and faster. Julia joined in the dance, her hips urging him deeper. She inhaled his scent, the sweat glistening off his body. Jake let out a deep growl. The sound excited Julia even more as she arched her back. She was moaning loudly as the first wave hit her.
“Jake! Jake!” she cried. Jake was so strong, so relentless! Julia’s body stiffened as another wave of ecstasy rolled over her body. As soon as she thought she couldn’t take anymore, she crested higher and higher.
“I love you! I love you!” she cried as her body and soul pushed over the edge. Julia felt Jake suddenly stiffen as he let out a huge guttural roar and his precious seed flowed into her. They were both breathing hard, and Julia felt the strong beat of his heart against hers as he collapsed into her. They lay there for several minutes, Julia caressing his sweat-slick back. Jake kissed her.
“We’re mated now,” he said. “We’ll be together forever. Just you and me.”
“I’m yours,” she said.
9
It was the middle of the night, and Julia snuggled against Jake’s back as he slept. She had dozed in and out, too excited to sleep. She couldn’t believe that she had finally found the man of her dreams. There were so many things they needed to discuss: children, where they would live, what their wedding would be like. She had never been to Missoula, much less Montana. After the disaster that was Kevin, she was ready to get out of Phoenix. She’d miss Molly terribly, but she knew that her best friend would understand. Julia knew that because she could get a good job pretty much anywhere. She sighed, and peeked over at the clock. It was 3:36 AM.
There was a beep.
That’s not my phone, she thought.
It beeped again. This time, Jake roused.
“Your phone,” said Julia. “Who is texting you at this hour?”
Jake groaned and got up. He wandered over to where they had left his pants in the middle of the floor. He fished for the phone.
The phone beeped again.
Jake stared at it, set it down on the desk and started hurriedly putting on his clothes.
“What’s going on?” asked Julia. “Where are you going?”
“I’ve got to go,” said Jake, now fully dressed. He leaned over and kissed her. “I’ll explain later.”
“What?!” said Julia. Jake dashed out the door.
The phone beeped. Jake had left the phone on her desk. She hesitated. Should she look at it? Would that be a breach of trust? She sat down on the bed. The phone beeped again.
Julia ran over to the desk by the window and picked up the phone. The text was from Barbara.
WHERE ARE YOU? COME NOW. IT’S URGENT. I NEED YOU.
Julia set the phone down, stunned. From her window, she could see Jake running toward the cabins, not to his room, but to the one next to it. The light was on and the door was open. Barbara stood in the doorway in her bathrobe. The robe was open and Julia could see that she was naked. Jake met Barbara at the door and began removing his clothes.
Julia let out a cry and threw herself on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.
I AM SUCH A FUCKING IDIOT!
Jake dashed out to Barbara’s cabin as soon as he got the text. Barbara was there in her bathrobe, naked and ready to shift. She knew Jake would need her puma as a backup.
“Where is he?” he asked, already shedding his clothes.
“He’s over in the parking area, and he’s already torn up two of the campsites,” said Barbara.
Barbara dropped her robe and Jake, already naked, tossed his clothes inside her cabin. Barbara hid the key behind a flowerpot, and they shifted. Barbara was a huge, mountain lion. She looked over at Jake’s golden brown bear. Jake sniffed the air and knew the rogue bear was nearby, but because of the wind, the scent had been scattered.
Barbara led them to the campsite where the bear had just been seen. There were several tents that had been torn to ribbons by the bear’s powerful claws.
“He’s gone,” said Jake’s bear.
Barbara’s puma scanned the area. She used her keen sense of hearing and night vision, but could not pick up any trace. Barbara sniffed toward Jake and grinned. She could smell sex on him.
“So that’s where you were. You’re mated now?” she said.
Jake’s bear nodded proudly.
There was a nearly silent rustling above them. A huge owl settled in the trees.
“Is that you, Ryan?” asked Barbara’s puma.
“Of course,” said Ryan’s owl. “Your rogue is heading toward the Lodge. I think he’s scented your mate, Jake.”
Jake’s bear let out a roar and headed off back to the Main Building.
Julia had had enough. The crying was out of her system, and now she was just plain mad.
“How dare he take me, promise me the world, then go off to a booty call with her!” Julia was fuming. She put on her clothes and stormed out the door. She ran down the Grand Staircase, through the empty lobby, and out the main doors. She marched toward Barbara’s cabin. There were heavy footsteps behind her.
A voice formed in her head, deep and menacing.
“Where do you think you’re going…human?” said the voice. Julia stopped in her tracks. She turned and saw a huge grizzly bear snarling at her. She froze in her tracks. The bear was communicating with her, just like the female bear had in her dream. Julia heard the voice clearly. How was she able to hear him?
“What do you want with me?” asked Julia.
The bear paused and stared at Julia. “You know beartalk? Are you a shifter?”
“No,” said Julia. The bear came up and sniffed her. She could feel its hot breath. She froze, unable to move.
“But you are the shifter’s mate,” said the bear. “He has marked you.”
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about…” said Julia. She cowered down, as the bear moved in closer.
“Yes, you do,” said the bear. “You smell of sex. You smell of him.”
“What do you want with me?” asked Julia, cowering in fear.
“Humans took my mate. Now I will take the shifter’s mate.”
“But…but…she’s alive!”
“LIAR!” roared the bear. “I saw her killed. I saw her dr
agged away. MY MATE IS DEAD!” The bear stood on his legs and raised his powerful paw. Julia closed her eyes and prepared for a strike that would surely end her life. It never came. Instead, there was a loud thud and a snarl. When she opened her eyes, the bear was on the ground. A second bear had struck down the rogue male.
“STAY AWAY FROM MY MATE!” roared the second bear. The voice was familiar.
“Jake?” She started to move toward the bears. “JAKE!”
A heavy paw caught her shoulder. Julia could feel the edges of sharp claws restraining her. She turned to see a huge mountain lion staring her down. Julia’s eyes got wide.
“Stay back,” said a female voice.
“BARBARA?!”
The puma looked astonished. “You can hear me?!”
Julia nodded her head nervously.
“Oh my God,” said Barbara’s puma, “You’re a Talker! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I have to go to Jake…” said Julia. It was clear that as powerful as Jake’s bear was, the old rogue bear was still a threat.
“Calm down, honey,” said Barbara’s puma. “There’s nothing you can do unless you want to get yourself killed.”
“STOP IT!” yelled Julia. Both bears startled and looked at Julia. It was the chance that Jake needed. With one quick move, Jake had the bear on the ground, holding him down. Barbara pounced, making sure the bear was pinned. Jake was roaring, his bear in full control.
“Jake!” shouted Barbara’s puma, “Let it go! You’ve won!”
Jake’s bear raised his paw for a fatal strike. Julia let out a scream.
“Jake! NO! Don’t end it like this!” cried Julia. Jake startled and looked at Julia.
“How are you speaking beartalk?” said Jake’s bear, astonished.
“Jake,” said Barbara. “She’s a Talker. Your mate is an Animal Talker.”
Julia stood up, shakily, took a deep breath and walked over to Jake and the rogue bear.
“Your mate,” said Julia. “She’s alive. She wasn’t killed. She was just moved away from humans. We’re here to help you reunite with her.”
