Roped By The Bear (Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance)

by Meredith Clarke

He looked at me concerned. “I’m sure someone will realize soon that I didn’t come back. George is always on the lookout for me. He knew I should’ve been back last night, so I’m sure a search party will be sent out for me. And that fiancé of yours, didn’t he call anyone to tell them you are alone?”

  “How did you know I was meeting him?”

  He laughed. “Lucky guess. Plus you didn’t pack any movies to watch with your friends.”

  “Oh, well, he’s not really my fiancé, I mean not yet anyway.”

  “I just assumed since you were coming up here with him…”

  “We’re not really together yet. But yes, I think he would’ve told my father that I was here by myself.”

  He smiled broadly. “Well then, it’s settled. I’m sure someone will be here by morning at the very latest, now that the snow has stopped.”

  We both looked out the window and sure enough the snow had subsided throughout the day and finally stopped, but there was at least ten inches of fresh snow since yesterday. Finn was right, someone would come for us, but it wouldn’t be until morning. We had one more night together.

  I smiled at him. He stood to clear the dishes, and I stopped him with my hand.

  “No way! You cooked. I’ll clean up. Why don’t you go relax in the bedroom? Most of the heat seems to have retained back there. It’s pretty cozy.” I had gone back to use the restroom during our meal, and noticed how much warmer it was back there.

  “Sounds nice. I think I will, thanks.” He leaned in, and gave me a sweet peck on the cheek, before retiring to the bedroom.

  I washed the dishes by hand using what was left of the hot water that Finn had made over the fire. The warm liquid ran between my fingers as I tried to understand my feelings. Sure, before we got here, I had an innocent crush on him, but now that we were together in such close quarters, I felt like there was more going on here than what I wanted to admit. But, again, I was spoken for, and what I was feeling for Finn was just because we were in this dire situation together. Or was it? Whatever it was, I needed to figure it out before someone came to rescue us, because this could be my final time alone with Finn to make my decision.

  After finishing the dishes, I walked slowly back to the bedroom to find Finn sprawled out on his stomach sleeping. He looked so peaceful and calm, but the scars on his back almost ruined the situation. There was something so deep and emotional about them. Something about how newly formed they were and how they had gashed his skin.

  I turned around, took a moment to collect my thoughts, and found myself face-to-face with my suitcase. I realized that I hadn’t changed since my shower, and decided that since Finn was fast asleep, he wouldn’t mind if I put on some fresh clothes. I allowed my liquid confidence to help me choose an outfit. As I pulled on a pair of jeans and t-shirt, I heard rustling behind me.

  “You changed,” said a gruff voice.

  “You were sleeping.”

  “Damn shame. I would’ve appreciated the view.” It was clear he hadn’t completely sobered up yet either. All the formalities of earlier this weekend had disappeared.

  I turned to face him, and his eyes immediately moved to my breasts where he realized I hadn’t put on a new bra. I had made my decision. My previously innocent crush for Finn had turned into a severe lust that I couldn’t control any longer.

  “How’s this view?” I asked, as I dragged my finger down the line of my t-shirt.

  He stood up slowly, walking across the cool hardwood floor, and resting his hands on either side of my hips. It was the first time he had purposely touched me. The feel of his hands made my heart beat so hard; I thought it would come out of my chest. He watched the rise and fall of my breasts with every breath I took.

  “You’re incredible. Do you know that?”

  I didn’t know how to respond, but as he pulled the thin t-shirt above my head, I didn’t stop him. I didn’t want to. My nipples were hard as he admired my curves. I knew what would happen next, but I didn’t know how good it would feel. He slowly dipped his head down, so that his lips met my neck. He trailed light kisses down to my collarbone, and a small moan escaped my lips. I willed it to stay inside of me, but I couldn’t control my feelings any longer. The heat that spread from his lips down my neck could hardly be contained. Within seconds, it had spread from my chest to between my legs. He drew his forefinger from my lips, down my neck, and across my collarbone, stopping right above my chest. Slowly, his finger dipped between my breasts, and down to my navel, where his hand greedily grabbed the front of my pants, and pulled me towards him. My head snapped back before my lips locked with his. The heat radiated from our mouths, wet and juicy kisses joining together. Everything about him was so forbidden and mysterious, just the relief I needed from my perfectly mundane life. I inhaled his woodsy scent, allowing it to take me away. He was the freedom I wanted, and now I would do anything to have him.

  “Finn,” I said in a husky voice. “Finn, take me.”

  His eyes met mine for only a moment, while a smile played on his lips.

  I waited on bated breath afraid to move. My heart was beating so fast inside my chest that I considered lunging towards him, just to end my moment of discomfort. But as he rubbed his lips together, I noticed that his breath increased in pace. He took his free hand, and put it behind my head into my blonde locks, and pulled me towards him. Our faces collided, the air finally releasing from my lungs as our lips converged. Heat spread through my body, as his hand reached inside my jeans, becoming dangerously close to my already wet sex.

  His lips separated from my own as he moved his delectable mouth next to my ear. “You feel so good, so warm,” he whispered throatily. “I want you, all of you.”

  I swallowed, deeply unsure if I could make my lips do any of the talking or saying the things I wanted to say. Instead, I nodded slowly. I turned my head so more of my neck was exposed to him as he started slowly sucking on the side of my flesh. His hands unraveled themselves from my body parts in order to undo the button on my jeans, slipping the fabric slowly and stealthily over my legs. As I stepped out of them, he swept me up into his arms and laid me gently down upon the bed. I thought back to the naughty thoughts that I had just one night ago, that were only dreams. I had never imagined that such a short time later, Finn would understand my need for him. That he would take me into his arms, and have his way with me.

  My skin felt cold against the sheet underneath me, with only the thin layer of my lacy underwear left. His gray eyes searched my body, and his hands curved around my voluptuous breasts. He studied them for a moment before slowly lowering his head to suckle my left nipple. He teased lightly with his teeth, his eyes looking up, and attempting to match mine. However, my eyes began to close in ecstasy. He flicked the tip with his tongue, and I moaned for more. Thankfully, he obliged as his other hand reached down between my legs. He traced small circles over my sex on the outside of my underwear, but he could feel the wetness through the thin fabric. He released my breast, and I let out a frustrated groan, not wanting him to stop. But he stood, removing his own pants, and revealing what I knew would be a large cock bulging under his boxers.

  My confidence got the best of me. “Time to take those off I think,” I said with a sly smile.

  He laughed. “For someone who seems so stuck up, you’re damn good at letting loose.”

  I licked my lips and smiled. “You make me good at it.”

  I ripped his boxers down, and my eyes took in the beautiful sight before me. His tan muscles, rippling in the candlelight, and his throbbing member both standing erect ready to enter me.

  Finn lay stomach down on the bed, but further down than I wanted. He was so far away, but then he rested his head on the bed, and slowly began kissing the inside of my thighs. He moved up slowly, finally resting his chin above my mound. He then used his teeth to take the top of my panties, and I lifted my hips in order to give him better access, so that he could remove them. It was a slow tantalizing process that only caused my need f
or him to become stronger. When they were finally near my ankles, he ripped them off and raised his body up, putting his arms under the crux of my knees, and yanked me towards him. I was at the perfect angle of penetration; he had planned it so well.

  He took a deep breath and said, “You are so beautiful.”

  I smiled for just a moment before he pushed into me, then my smile turned into a moan of affection. I knew I couldn’t last long; the teasing of the past couple days had practically driven me over the edge.

  As he pumped himself in and out of me, I pushed my hips further against him, placing myself up on my elbows so that I could get a better view of what I knew would be our joint orgasm. As my body began to tremble, I attempted to hold back the feeling inside of me and he leaned his head back and released a guttural groan. I felt him shoot his warm seed into my body, and I matched his reaction by yelling out.

  I collapsed back, and he slowly lowered himself on top of me, removing his cock from between my legs. It took us a moment to catch our breath, and I was glad to see I wasn’t the only one that overexerted themselves.

  He kissed the length of my neck, and I drew small circles on his back, lightly touching his tanned skin.

  Suddenly, I heard a sound coming from the front of the cabin. The search party hadn’t arrived already, had they? Finn got up and dashed quickly out to the kitchen. He came back only a minute later, but the stress showed on his face.

  “What was it?”

  “Just a branch falling.” He began to put his clothes back on. I turned my exposed body to face him, unsure of why he was so quick to get out of bed.

  “What are you doing? By my calculations, we still have all night, sir.”

  He shook his head. “No Allie, we don’t.”

  I looked at him puzzled. “What do you mean?”

  He turned to look at me. “I mean, this was a mistake. I shouldn’t have to run to see who might be watching us. I don’t live in secret. And I need my job at the ranch, and your father will never allow this. He hates shifters, you and I both know that. I can’t believe what a fool I’ve been. But you were here… and you’re just so goddamn beautiful. I couldn’t resist you, but I should have.” He ran his fingers through his rugged dark hair. “This,” he began to say before turning away from me. “This can never happen again.”

  “What? Why?”

  “You said it yourself, our world isn’t like any others. You don’t get to make your own choices here. And even if you did, what would people say? You should be with your own kind.”

  My heart exploded inside my chest as tears welled up in my eyes. Another thing taken away from me.

  My ribcage heaved as my shattered heart tried to comprehend this sudden turn in events. Everything else in my life was preplanned; no one let me choose anything. But with Finn, I had a choice. And I had made it. He was mine, and I was his. I couldn’t allow him to walk away this easily. I wouldn't.

  4

  I stood there fuming, completely frustrated with the situation, and bared to the world. I wanted to grab a robe, but I felt like if I put clothes on, they would just burn off with my anger heating up my system. “You don’t understand,” I pleaded with him.

  “Understand what?”

  I didn’t know what I could say to make him grasp the severity of the situation in my mind. He was the type of man I had always wanted but I didn’t know it. And the minute that we were rescued this would all end, my fantasy would turn back into a dark reality. A reality where I would have to lose him before I could gain him back, a reality in which James was waiting for me. But while we were here, it was just the two of us, and it was perfect. I wouldn’t let it just fade away with storm.

  I crossed the room, reaching out to him, and instead of turning away as I expected him to, it seemed like my gaze had him rooted in his place. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling the cold metal of his belt touch my stomach. Then I whispered in his ear, “You don’t understand how much I want to be with you.” I stepped back away from him, realizing the seriousness of what I had just said. It sunk into my skin and flowed through my veins. What was I saying? I barely knew him. “I hardly understand it myself.” I threw my hands up in the air, and reached out onto the bed to grab a blanket to wrap around me. I flopped down on the edge of the covers, utterly exhausted by the dilemma before me. What the hell was I going to do now?

  He sat down gingerly next to me, placing his hand on my thigh. He shook his head, his chocolate brown locks falling into his face. Then he turned to me. “You and I both know that this isn’t going to work.”

  I started to sniffle. “It worked out for Romeo and Juliet! And they had a hell of a lot more people between them. Who’s to say that you and I can’t have this? Whatever this is.”

  “This,” he said, motioning to the space between us. “This is just two people who were in the right place at the right time.”

  I stop sniffling long enough to raise my eyes to meet his. “Then it’s fate.”

  “What?”

  “This is fate. Don’t you believe in fate?”

  He shrugged before standing. “I guess.” He shook his head for a moment.

  “What?”

  “Fate means something a lot more to a shifter than it does to you.”

  I watched the scars on his back as he looked out the window, contemplating the situation. The scars caused by a mountain lion. If Finn could survive that, he could handle anything, even our impossible situation. Even though Finn was right that my dad would never go for this and of course, there was James to think of, but right now the only thing I wanted to think about was climbing back into his arms. I stood up slowly, and walked over to him by the window. I rested my hand on his shoulder as I said, “We can do this. We’re made for each other.”

  He set his lips into a thin line. “If you’re sure…”

  I nodded vigorously. “I’m sure.”

  He turned to face me, placing his hands on my shoulders, and staring deeply into my eyes. “We tell your father when I say, on my terms. I can’t afford to lose this job right now, and I won’t do that to George and Marge. I know how he feels about shifters. He reminds me.”

  “Sounds good. Whatever you want Finn. I’ll do anything.” My voice was barely above a whisper, but I knew he heard me when he took my face into his hands and kissed me slowly, savoring the taste.

  “You’re just so beautiful.”

  I smiled slightly, allowing myself to fall deeper into his gray eyes, and wondering what I would find on the other side.

  He broke away from me, and began to pack his things. “Someone could be here any minute, so we need to get ready to go.”

  I nodded slowly, let the blanket slip from between my fingers, and felt it’s softness leave my bare skin. The chill immediately took hold. Even though the snow has stopped, it was still the middle of winter, and freezing in the tiny cabin. Thank God Finn had made a fire to keep us warm enough. I couldn’t imagine being out here alone.

  I grabbed a pair of jeans and got dressed, putting on an itchy sweater, which felt almost foreign to my skin after the softness of his touch. As we rushed to get ready, I tried to figure out a plan to convince my father that this was what I wanted. But Finn had said he wanted to do this in his own way. Did that mean he was going to even include me in the discussion? I turned to see him throwing things in his pack, and cleaning up the cabin as if we had never been there. It broke my heart to see him erase the time we had spent together. But he was right to be quick, because only a moment later, there was a firm knock at the door, and I could hear James’s voice flowing through the draft. “Allie! Allie, are you all right in there?”

  Finn nodded to me, a seriousness in his gray eyes that I had not yet seen. “Yes! I’m coming.” Our lie was beginning.

  I opened the door, and allowed the frozen air to steal the warmth of the cabin. Finn had been brilliant keeping the fire going. He had saved our lives.

  James rushed at me, his body covered in his snow gear, with
a light dusting of snow touching every part of him. He wrapped his arms around me, and squeezed me tight. His clothing took all the warmth out of my skin. Just like seeing him here removed some of the warmth of my heart. What I was doing wasn’t fair to him. He hadn’t asked for any of this. “Allie, we were so worried about you. I’m so sorry I couldn’t get out here, baby, there was just no way.”

  I stepped back from him, shaking my head. “No, I completely understand! The storm was terrible! If Finn hadn’t been here…”

  He interrupted me. “Finn? Who’s Finn?”

  He began to remove some of the snow gear, his hat, and goggles, shaking his head at me, and squinting as if I was speaking a foreign language. “Finn is one of my dad’s ranch hands. Our snowmobile broke down on his way back to the farm. He stayed with me the past two nights.”

  James’s eyes said everything before he ever spoke. He quickly looked over his shoulder to the rest of the search party that was behind him, and lowered his voice to just above a whisper. “Allie, what the hell were you doing out here with a ranch hand? You know how that makes you look. Not to mention he’s one of those people.”

  Such a James thing to say, always concerned with what other people think. I could hear Finn behind me, pulling my luggage out of the bedroom. I noticed his pack was on the couch, along with the blanket, making it look as though he had slept there. He really thought this out better than I had. James searched my eyes for answers that I wouldn’t give him. “It’s fine. No one cares; if it hadn’t been for him, I would’ve died, James. He probably saved my life.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Of course he did. I’m just glad you’re okay.” For the first time, he acknowledged that Finn was even in the room. “Are these her things?”

  Finn just nodded, not ever making eye contact with the man who was a stranger to him. A rich stranger who likes to tell people what to do. Somehow, I don’t think that was what Finn had in mind for someone to be worthy of me.

  I gave James a nasty glare, and he quickly understood. He removed his right glove, and extended his hand out to Finn. “Hey man, thanks for taking care of my girl. Means a lot.”