He seemed dazed as he spoke, as though he was witnessing it all over again. “Plus that arm. It was seriously chewed up. I saw the bone sticking out, and the flesh, and all that blood. You think he’ll be able to use that hand again? I mean, that could be it for him, you know?”
Rob looked dejected. He could probably break down or cry any minute. Andrew walked over to him and put a firm hand on his shoulder for support.
“I won’t lie to you. It’s a severe injury. Yes, he lost a lot of blood, but we acted quickly, gave him first aid, and a little bit extra. John’s got a lot going for him—he’s young, he’s a big guy, and he’s strong. He has a chance, and will get the best possible care at Norton Memorial. The chopper service hasn’t called me yet, and that’s a good sign. It means they’re working on him. John is putting in a good fight. It’s best not to worry tonight. You should go get some sleep. We’ll find out more in the morning.”
“Yeah. You’re probably right.”
“I am,” he answered, and walked back to the fridge for water.
“Okay. I’ll head up now. Thanks Andrew. You’ve probably heard a million thanks by now, and I think you should just get used to hearing more. Good night.”
“Good night.” Andrew smiled as Rob left through the main hallway.
These are good kids.
One by one, they were growing on him. More or less.
He took the main hallway to leave. Locking the front door, he went back to his room. He slipped into bed beside Abby. She was fast asleep. He relaxed on his back and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure how things would be when they all left. He drifted to sleep with that thought playing on his mind.
Chapter Five
ABBY turned in her sleep. Andrew’s strong arms were around her. She opened her eyes slowly, and looked at him in the dim moonlight that streamed in the window. He was not only gorgeous, he looked peaceful as he slept. She was tempted to run her hand through his soft, dark hair, but didn’t want to wake him. He needed his rest.
She gently slipped out from under his arm, and got out of bed to use the bathroom. Her ankle felt so much better; there was barely a limp when she walked. There was enough ambient light for her to see without turning anything on, which helped, as she not want to disturb Andrew’s sleep.
When she was finished, she weighed whether she should stay in his room or leave. It was great sleeping beside him. It made her feel safe and warm, being in his arms. Still tempted to stay, she stood in the bathroom doorway and looked over at him. Oh yes, she could love this man. Still, there was so much more she wanted to know about him, and to share about herself with him.
She wondered whether there was enough time. Eventually the plows would come, and they would leave him behind when they drove back to San Francisco and their lives. She wanted to spend more time with him; to understand him better. They lived less than four hours apart in good weather. That distance was not insurmountable, if they were both interested in seeing each other often. Eventually, she would graduate from school, and had planned to settle down back in Reno-Sparks with her father. Lake Tahoe would not be too far away.
She straightened up where she stood, reminding herself of some important facts. The truth was she barely knew him. Yes, they slept together, and there was that strong, unquestionable connection between them. He was a bear shifter like her father. She of all people knew what that meant, and even that fact did not hold her back from being with him. What she did not know was whether her wanted more with her, the way she did. Would he be willing to travel to see her while they got better acquainted and spent more time together?
She had never even asked if he was single. For all she knew, she was a convenient, temporary distraction for him. Although she used the pill religiously, they had not used protection a few times. She took responsibility for that. She knew better; but she couldn’t deny the unfamiliar voice in her head that told her it did not matter.
She had done a lot of research on the shifter phenomenon over the years. The secret body of knowledge about shifters online all confirmed that most of them became sterile after their transformation. The few that did reproduce only bred human offspring. There were no exceptions to date. Because of their self-healing abilities, shifters also carried no diseases.
She wished she could read his mind. Maybe he thought she was sleeping with him out of obligation, or because he opened up his home to them. She walked over to the bottle of water he had brought for her earlier and took a drink. This was one of the reasons she did her best to never worry about situations like this. Worrying was so unproductive. It was not in her nature to overthink. Things were the way they were, and it made no sense to stress out about the unknown, or regret her actions after the fact, or to create an infinite set of what-if scenarios.
She let out a long breath. What she knew was she wanted to see him after this chance meeting was over. She never felt this way before, so completely magnetized to another person. She wanted to get to know him, and she hoped he would want the same. For now, she wanted to get back into bed with him.
She pulled back the covers, and slipped quietly in beside him. He did not stir, so she turned on her side and snuggled up close to him, soaking up some of his warmth as she settled in. He must have felt her touch. He groaned and turned toward her.
“Hi.” He opened his eyes slowly.
“Hi.”
“Do you need anything?”
“No, I just went to the powder room. Sorry I woke you.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’ve always been a light sleeper.” She watched him as he lifted his head to look at the clock. “It’s not time to get up already, is it?”
“No, it’s about four in the morning.” She rubbed her hand down his arm. “Go back to sleep. You must be tired.”
“I could sleep some more. Are you tired?” He slid his arm around to her back and pulled her in closer.
“Maybe a little. Why?”
“I seem to remember someone mentioning she was, how should I say, in the mood?”
“Yes, someone was,” she teased, running her hand through his hair. “But now she’s something else.”
“And what would that be?”
She placed one leg over his and bent her knee around his hip. She could feel his cock stiffen on her thigh. It made her stomach clench with need. “Right now? She’s lustful and completely aroused.”
***
ANDREW growled out a raspy breath. Right there, as they faced each other on their sides, Andrew held her knee and pulled it up high to his waist to position himself. He kissed her neck, moving his hand to her back to bring her in tight. He brought the other hand between them and reached down to her mound. Her clit was swollen. She was wet and ready for him, groaning and begging him to fuck her. He lined himself up at her opening, and slid his cock deep inside her, right to the root.
“Oh God.” She wrapped her hands around his neck and rubbed her breasts on his chest. She was so wet, undulating her hips to take him deeper inside. “Fuck me hard, baby.”
Andrew raised her leg even higher and drove into her. He squeezed his arm under her to grip her waist and pulled her into him. His thrusts grew deeper and harder. Her begging drove him wild. At this angle, he could feel her so deep inside. Her tight walls, so wet and hot, sliding up and down around his shaft. He wanted to satisfy all of her desires.
He pulled out gently and kissed her neck.
“I want you on all fours, Abby. I want to please you.”
She willingly turned on her stomach, giving him a wink as she popped up on her hands and knees. He smacked her behind playfully, and her head turned toward him, studying him from beneath her lashes.
“More than all the times before?”
“Yes.”
“What will I get, if I let you?” She was teasing him.
“Me? Satisfaction. You? Probably the best night of your life?” Andrew smiled broadly.
“Is that a promise?” Her voice had turned husky. It was more like a wh
imper, instead of words.
“I will do my best.”
“Okay.” She bounced to her elbows and shifted on the bed. Not many women could make crawling around on a bed both sweet and sexy, but Abby could. She crawled backward to get close to him, her legs on either side of his. She crouched down and let her forehead press into the sheets. “I’m ready.”
Andrew smiled broadly. “Let me just say this. I love how open you are with me, Abby. That eagerness of yours is damned contagious.”
Picking up her head, she twisted her neck around and raised her eyebrows at him over her shoulder. “Best night of my life, remember?”
She swayed her hips playfully before his eyes. That pushed all other thoughts far from his mind. He never lied. A promise was a promise. He promised her the best night of her life, and he was going to give it to her. Come hell or high water.
“Then hold on. This is going to be slow and gentle.”
He clasped her hips in both hands and stilled her movement. Her forehead fell back to the sheets. He kissed each of her ass cheeks in turn, licking and nibbling them all over. Scooting back in the bed, he got up onto his knees and started to trail kisses and nibbles from her butt to the small of her back and up her spine. The sweet taste of her skin was better than any wine. He could lick her all night. Stretching across her back, he nestled her ass against his groin.
His cock fit perfectly, as though made to be between her legs. He settled it along the length of her slit, sliding slowly to coat his shaft with her wetness. He ground his teeth at the exquisite sensation.
With his weight slightly pressing down on her, he reached beneath her body and cupped her breasts. He loved the feel of them—the perfect size for him. The perky flesh filled his hands as if made for him and him alone. He kneaded them gently, rubbing his palms across and around her nipples. They pebbled and peaked under his ministrations. He took the buds between his thumb and forefinger and gently stroked the hardened, nerve-dense skin back and forth. Abby’s body shuddered under him. He could see her ribs quaking as she struggled to breathe. He loved how she responded to him without hesitation or bashfulness.
He pulled a little on her nipples again, and she arched her back. A low moan erupted from her lips. Her nails gathered the sheets. She clutched them in her fist, seeming to hold on for some semblance of control. He could see her face in his mind. Her bottom lip would be gripped tightly between her teeth, as she did when she was turned on before, her eyes would be shut, and her nostrils would flare slightly. The vein where her neck and shoulder met would make her skin pulse, just begging him to bite and lick. The skin between her breasts would flush pink, a tell-tale sign she was close to her climax.
He continued to play with her nipples as he sat back on his knees, pulling her slightly up. Her head lifted from the sheets.
“Fill me, Andrew,” she whispered her plea. “Please, come inside me.”
Palming his cock, he lined up with her entrance and moved into her gently. She responded by pushing back. He was deep inside her now. She was so tight and wet. He withdrew to the tip and thrust inside again. Her folds yielded, and her channel welcomed him home. He released one breast and caressed a fingertip down her body to her clit.
He palmed her mound and found her clit, causing a deep groaning purr to escape her lips. He circled her clit with deft fingers, pressing along each side of the flesh. It swelled between his fingers, and he felt her core relax and pulse around his shaft. He kept his pace steady, despite the demands of his body, his needy cock, and her own undulating motions.
Rocking back and forth, he ground deeply into her. He tilted her hips to hit her G-spot. She cried out with the contact and reared back, causing Andrew’s hand to lose contact from her breast and her clit.
“Oh God, Andrew. Harder. Please.”
He smiled, and imagined the day he could be comfortable enough to let out a laugh with her at her demands; full-bodied guffaws, while she giggled along with him.
Smacking her ass lightly, he said, “Whatever you need, Abby. Just the way you like it.”
“Yes!”
Then, pressing his fingers into her hips, he forced her down to her elbows and drove himself deeper, faster, and harder into her. Their thighs smacked together. The sound filled the room and blended into the moans of her trembling orgasm, followed quickly by her scream, and then his own husky wail. He pressed on for several more deep thrusts, and exploded into her as her climax rolled on.
They remained connected for a short time, until her movements quieted down. Coming apart, they fell to the bed together. He slid his body off to the side and held her. They rested silently, each trying to catch their breath.
“So?” He tapped her gently in the ribs.
She turned to her side and kissed his neck. “Best. Night. Ever.”
“Tired now?”
“Yes. Let’s sleep, baby.”
Chapter Six
ANDREW woke up to the shrill sound of the satellite phone ringing on his night table. The bright morning sunlight was streaming into his room, and Abby was curled up beside him. He turned and got out of bed to answer it in the back hallway, under the skylight.
“Yes?” He hit the soft key on the right to turn on the speakerphone.
“Good morning, Mr. Carrington. This is Bruce at Angel Air Paramedic.”
“Hello Bruce. So how is he?”
“He just got out of two back-to-back surgeries, sir. He’s stable and resting in the private recovery room.”
“And the arm?”
“They’ve inserted six pins to set it, sir. It will need a few months of physiotherapy after it heals. Anywhere between four to six months. The doctor believes he will be fine.”
“Good. Does he and his girlfriend need anything?”
“I think they’re both fine. She said his parents would travel down from Reno as soon as the roads are cleared, probably later today or tomorrow.”
“If they need anything at all—”
“Not to worry sir. They’ll be fine here. We’ll set her up at the hotel next to the hospital so she can be close.”
“Thanks for the update, Bruce. Take care.”
Andrew hung up. The news couldn’t be any better. John was out of the woods, and wouldn’t lose the arm or experience any paralysis. With any luck after physio, he would be as good as new. It was great news all round, news that would be a lot easier to share with John’s friends than the worst case scenario. He decided he would let Abby tell the rest of them.
It was close to eight in the morning. He put the phone down and went straight into the bathroom for a shower. He thought of her as he bathed himself, thinking how lucky he was to have met her, and he guessed, her friends as well. A pang of anxiety seized up his chest for a brief moment. It was getting closer to that time. His guests—and Abby—would be leaving soon. If the plows were already clearing the roads between Reno and Lake Tahoe, it would only be a day at most before they got to his side roads.
He took in a shallow breath as he thought about it. Stepping out of the shower, he dried off and put a towel around his waist. Abby was awake when he got back into the bedroom.
“Good morning.” She smiled warmly.
“Good morning, Abby. Did you sleep well?” He searched the large closet for a shirt and jeans to wear, and pulled a pair of boxers from one of the top drawers.
“Yes. It must be late. I feel like I’ve overslept.” She sat up and stretched her arms as she yawned.
“You didn’t do too badly. It’s around eight.”
“Okay.” She got out of bed and pulled on the robe before stepping into his arms. “You smell so good.”
He kissed her hair and held her close. The clothes he was planning to wear still hung from one arm. If he could, he wouldn’t let her go. Not for a long time.
“I’m going to have a shower.” She looked up at him, studying his eyes and his face. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Great. I have good news for you and your friends.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The air medic phoned. John’s going to be fine.”
“Oh thank God. What did they say?”
He threw the clothes on the bed and gave her the update on John’s status. He could see the relief on her face. She sank into his chest again, leaning into him for support. It was clear she had been bracing for the worst.
“This is excellent news, Andrew! He’ll probably miss a few weeks of school, maybe a full semester if the demands of rehab are intense. I’m so happy he’s going to be fine! Trina must be ecstatic. Oh, I’ve got to tell the others. I’ll have a shower and go let them know.”
“Perfect. I’ll start breakfast.”
“Wait a minute.” She studied his face again. “Was there something else?”
“No. Not really.”
“You look—well you seem a little worried.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Come on, Andrew. Tell me. What is it?”
“Really, it’s nothing. It’s actually good news. The medic mentioned the roads from Reno to Lake Tahoe are being cleared today or tomorrow. That usually means they’ll get to these lake access side roads later today or tomorrow night.”
“Okay.” She smiled. It was more of a polite smile than her bubbly ones. “So we’ll be able to get out of your hair soon.”
“Yes. Well no. You weren’t a bother. Especially not you.”
“Still, I’m sure you’d like to get back to your peace and quiet again. We’ve created so much chaos and disorder around your place.”
“It wasn’t so bad. I enjoyed getting to know you, Abby. A lot.”
She laced her hands around his waist again and held him, pressing her cheek into his chest. “Same here.”
He cupped her chin and tilted her head up to look at him. “I wouldn’t have met you otherwise, I don’t think. I wish there was more time before you had to leave.”
Cabin Bear Heat Box Set: A Paranormal Fantasy Bear Shifter Romance (A Bear Shifter Romance Retelling of the Billionaire Redemption Series Book 2) Page 17
