Guardian Bears: Lucas

by Leslie Chase

  That sent a shiver through her, and for the first time in too long she felt like she had a future. It was an intoxicating feeling, one which she didn't quite know how to cope with. She felt, all of a sudden, alive.

  Alive, and very aware of the man she was curled up next to. Of the powerful muscles of his body, the hard smooth skill he possessed, of the animal intensity of his presence. She shivered again, not with fear this time but with a passion that she couldn't deny.

  Her hand, almost unbidden, stroked across his chest, feeling the heat of him through his thin t-shirt. Lucas' eyes flashed, a mirror of her own feelings flaring to life inside him, and she smiled at the sight.

  "I should make some calls," he said, his hand reaching up to grasp hers. For a moment, she thought he was going to lift her hand from him, but he held it there unmoving. There was a hint of a question in his gaze. Desire warring with a need not to push her too fast.

  I am not that delicate, she thought. I won't shatter.

  "Can't it wait, just a little while?" She felt her heart beating faster, felt her cheeks flush. And under her fingers, the pulse of his heartbeat sped up to match hers. She leaned up towards him and felt more than heard his intake of breath. "You rescued me. I want to thank you."

  That, and I need this, she admitted to herself. I need him.

  Their lips met in a gentle kiss, starting slowly. His lips were firm under hers, his face rough, unshaven. Emily gasped at the heat that shot through her at his touch, melting her, making her heart race.

  Lucas groaned, releasing her hand to slide his arm around her, pulling her close. Their bodies pressed together, and Emily could feel the flame of passion burning inside him as hot as it was in her. The aching, pent up tension of the day, waiting to be shattered and to free them both.

  Her hand stroked down his body, tracing the contours of his muscles through the thin cotton of the t-shirt he wore. She could hardly believe that this man wanted her, that she had so powerful an effect on him, but the way he responded to her touch left no doubt. His breath was fast, impatient, his heart beating as quick as hers, and she knew that he needed this as much as she did.

  "Not here," he growled, sliding a hand under her and pulling her to him. "You deserve better than the hallway floor."

  With that, he stood, lifting her. Emily gasped, the casual power and control of his movements overwhelming her. She wasn't exactly light, but he made it seem as though picking her up was no effort at all.

  Clinging to him, she let him carry her where he wanted. He was in charge now, and she didn't have to worry about a thing – and it was a delicious feeling to give herself over to him and his strength.

  Lucas kissed her as he carried her slowly through the apartment, and Emily lost herself in the sensation of him. His lips, firm yet yielding. His tongue, pushing against hers. His hands, gripping her tight, cradling her against him and keeping her safe. His body, hard as iron under a layer of soft, hot skin.

  She groaned into the kiss, body on fire with desire for him. And she could feel how badly he needed her too, how badly their bodies cried out for one another.

  Striding through the bedroom door, he lowered her onto her bed slowly. The frame creaked as their combined weight pressed down on it, his body covering hers, his weight pinning her. Emily gasped, pulling him down onto her, but he chuckled and straightened up, standing over her. Looking down, his eyes glittering, he admired her body and for once Emily didn't feel an urge to cover herself. Instead, she wished he could see more of her.

  She admired him in turn, looking slowly up and down his magnificent figure.

  Wow, she thought, caught again by just how sexy he looked. How beautiful. The power of his muscles was undeniable, but it wasn't just that. The way he moved, the way he stood, the way he radiated confidence and power – he was, quite simply, the hottest man she'd ever met. She just wished that she could see more of him.

  As though he could read her mind and her desires, he smiled and pulled off his t-shirt, casting it aside. Emily's breath caught as she watched, unable to take her eyes off him as he moved, slowly undressing as he stood over her. His hands went to his belt, pulling it off, and then his hands went to his jeans.

  She whimpered softly, fumbling at the buttons of her blouse, but he shook his head. "No. Not yet."

  His eyes pinned her, freezing her in place. After a moment, his gaze wandered downward, drinking her in. She couldn't think that she looked very attractive at the moment, but it was clear he disagreed – his eyes were hungry, and she could see the bulge in his jeans grow. Slowly, very slowly, he looked back up along her body, until he was once again looking her in the eyes.

  Without breaking that contact, he kicked off his boots and undid his jeans, sliding them down and stepping out of them until he was standing naked before her.

  Emily watched, feeling her excitement and need mount as he stripped. Her gaze was locked with his until he finished undressing, but what she saw at the edge of her vision was enough to drive her wild with anticipation.

  His strong face, rough and hungry. His chiseled muscles, moving smoothly under tanned skin as he undressed. And his dick, standing proud and straight as he freed his erection. Emily breathed a moan as he looked down at her and nodded, giving her permission to move.

  She fumbled with the buttons of her blouse, impatient with them. Taking a deep breath, she got control of herself and slowed down – there was no rush, after all, and she wanted to take her time with this. With him.

  Each button came undone in turn, and she could feel the pressure of his gaze on the skin she bared towards him. His own impatience, his desire to see her. It felt strange to her, this man wanting so badly to see her, but it also felt right, proper, wonderful. There was nothing she wanted more than she wanted him in that moment.

  And she could see that he felt the same. But he didn't rush her, he let her take her time undressing.

  At last the final button was undone, and she slipped the blouse off, wriggling out of it on the bed. Lucas gave a guttural growl of approval as she reached behind herself and unhooked her bra, tossing it aside. Slowly, gently, he reached down, his powerful hands touching as softly as feathers as he traced his way across her skin.

  "You are so perfect," he said, making her blush brighter. His fingers brushed her nipples, and a shock of pure pleasure arced through her like lightning, making her back arch and her body tingle.

  "I'm not," she protested, panting. "I'm really not."

  "Yes you are," Lucas said, eyes, flashing. "You are in no position to judge."

  His stroked down her body, his touch firmer, fingers leaving a trail of pleasure burning on her skin. She wriggled, wanting to argue but knowing it was futile. He had made up his mind: she was perfect for him. And she realized that she didn't want to talk him out of it.

  Her hands reached her skirt ahead of him, undoing it and letting him pull it off her. Emily lay back on the bed, wearing only her panties, acutely aware of how intense Lucas' gaze was as he looked down at her.

  Lowering himself onto the bed beside her, he pulled her close and kissed her passionately, his body pressing against her, his leg pressing between hers. Emily moaned at the pressure of his thigh against her pussy, her body melting against his strength as he pushed himself to her.

  Sliding one hand down his body, she felt him shiver. It was a wonder to her that she could have such an effect on him, even as his touch was driving her own body wild. Her hand found his cock and she felt it grow as she stroked it gently, the skin like velvet under her fingers.

  Lucas groaned, his kiss hungry and intense. Emily felt herself tremble as he pressed her down into the mattress, and she could hardly breathe. It was the best feeling in the world as she surrendered herself to him.

  No, not the best. She knew that she needed more, that there was something which would take it to an even higher level.

  "Lucas," she breathed as their lips parted, "I need you inside me."

  His answering growl tol
d her that he needed it as much as she did, that he too desperately longed for their bodies to be one.

  He lifted himself off her, giving her enough space to slide down her panties. As she did, his hand slid between her legs, brushing over her lips, feeling how wet and ready and eager she was. She felt herself shudder at his delicate touch, and blushed at just how ready for him she was.

  Lucas reached out, grabbing at the bedside table and the condom packet. Greatly daring, she pulled it from his hand and opened it, biting her lip in concentration as she put it on him, rolling it down his cock. Her fingers teased him as she went, and he caressed her in turn, fingers brushing over her body as she struggled to focus.

  Stroking his hardness gently, she guided him between her legs and felt the touch of his cock against her. His eyes met hers, and they shared a look of mutual longing, of need, as he slowly slid forwards, pushing into her.

  It was glorious. It was perfect. It was a feeling she never wanted to go away. His slow and gentle thrust took him deep into her, burying him inside her and filling the aching void. She arched under him, pressing her body up against his, feeling the heat of his breath on her neck, his strong unyielding chest against her as he filled her perfectly.

  She tried to say something but all that came out was a gasped "Oh!" as his teeth nipped at her earlobe. His slightest movement sent sparking jolts of pleasure through her nerves, adding to the building pressure inside her.

  "You are perfect," he growled again, his deep voice hoarse and shaking. His own control was weakening, she could hear it in his breath and in his voice.

  Then he began to move. Slowly, powerfully, he pulled back and thrust again, driving her down onto the mattress beneath them and making her gasp out a cry of joy. It felt like heaven as his body and hers pressed together.

  The next thrust was faster, harder, and almost unbearably enjoyable. Each came faster and stronger than the last, each time his body met hers she cried out louder, and soon the room echoed with the sounds of her pleasure. The force inside her grew more powerful, and Lucas' growls more guttural, as their rhythm synchronized and their bodies shook with sensation.

  She was almost afraid of the climax he was carrying her towards. The power of it was too much to contemplate, and her fingers dug into his back as it built. That only urged him on, drove him to more powerful thrusts, and Emily lost all control.

  "Lucas," she gasped out. Whatever else she'd intended to say was driven from her mind as an explosion of pleasure overwhelmed her. White light filled her senses and for a moment there was nothing else in her world.

  Lucas shuddered above her, saying something she couldn't make out as he, too, lost control. He twitched inside her, convulsions running through him as he came, the movements sending her into renewed fits of pleasure.

  She held onto him tight, savoring the feel of him, of his movements, of his muscles tensing and relaxing. His gasps of pleasure merged with hers and the two of them clung together as the storm of their joint orgasm rocked them.

  Eventually, the storm subsided, and she fell back against the pillows, utterly exhausted. Her body ached in all the best ways and her breathing was ragged and deep. Lucas was still inside her, and her legs wrapped around him, not wanting to let go of that sensation yet. They looked at each other, panting and sweat-slick, awed by the strength of their shared experience.

  "You are amazing," he said at last, a note of admiration in his voice. Leaning in, he kissed her, and then regretfully pulled away. Collapsing on the bed beside her, he shook his head. "I never thought I'd feel something like that."

  Emily smiled and blushed and wanted to hide her face. But she made herself face him, letting him see her. He made her feel safe, and she didn't want to hide from him. Not ever again. She found herself thinking of the future for the first time in weeks, and to her dismay she couldn't think of one without Lucas by her side. But why would a man like this stay interested in her?

  She snuggled into him, holding tight, suddenly irrationally afraid that she'd lose him if she ever let him go.

  Lucas held onto Emily tight, feeling her confusion of feelings. The fear giving way to joy, the joy tainted by new fears. He didn't know what to do apart from holding her tight, but that seemed to be enough to calm her.

  Eventually, she looked up at him.

  "When this is over, what happens?"

  He couldn't read the look in her eyes. Fear and hope, yes, but what was she afraid of? That was still a mystery to him.

  "Then we have time to ourselves," he said, reaching down to brush a strand of hair from her eyes. "We can do whatever we want. Together."

  The feelings in her eyes intensified, and she bit her lip in that endearing gesture. "Do you really mean that?"

  "Yes," he said, frowning. "Don't you trust me on that? I want you to stay with me when this is done. I need you to."

  "I guess I do trust you," Emily said, though her eyes didn't show it. "But… why? Why me?"

  "Because you're my mate," he told her, feeling his bear grumble agreement inside him. "I know that doesn't mean anything to you, yet, but it's the way bear shifters like me work. My bear knows that you are the only one for me, and for him."

  Emily shook her head, confused. He didn't blame her – he couldn't imagine how that sounded to a non-shifter, someone who didn't have an animal soul to help them find their one. But he knew that fate had brought them together and marked them for one another. And he wasn't about to let that go.

  "Are you sure your bear's got that right, then?" Her voice was full of doubt. "I'm no one special. I'm sure you can find someone better than me."

  Lucas laughed. He couldn't help it. The look of confused hurt on her face sobered him instantly, but still he smiled as he answered her. "I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you. But that's ridiculous. You're smart, you're pretty, and you're brave enough and fast enough to fight off a wolf-shifter hitman and give him the slip for weeks without help from anyone. And then fate sent you to me, or me to you. Don't doubt yourself so much, Emily, you're wonderful, and the universe has made its decision clear. We belong together."

  Her smile seemed more genuine this time as he pulled her close for another kiss. He didn't think he'd gotten all of her doubts, that would take time, but it seemed like a good start.

  "Now, let's get cleaned up and I'll make those calls," he told her. "The sooner the wolves are off your trail, the sooner I can show you just how serious I am."

  15

  Lucas had long since given up wondering how Karl had so many friends and contacts, but they were very useful in the security business. By the time Emily was getting out of the shower, Karl had gotten back with a number for a wolf shifter who was willing to talk about their community.

  Hopefully this guy knows our wolves, he thought, dialing. Emily came through to the kitchen while he waited for someone to answer. The sight of her lifted his heart, and he watched her bustle about putting on a pot of coffee as the phone rang and rang.

  Just as his impatience was about to take over and he was about to hang up, the line clicked open.

  "Harper," a voice said. It was powerful, deep, a voice which commanded attention.

  "Lucas Barns, Guardian Bears Security," he replied. "My colleague Karl gave me your number – I need some information regarding a group of wolf shifters."

  "Ah, yes. Karl." Harper sounded slightly amused. "A good man. How can I help you?"

  "I need to track down a pack," Lucas explained. "I don't know much about them, unfortunately: I have a client who is being menaced by them because she is a witness to a murder one of them committed."

  "That sounds unfortunate," Harper said. "When you say 'murder'…?"

  "I mean what I said. My client's employer, Sam Tanner, was killed over a disagreement with less-than-legal investors. The killing was carried out by a wolf shifter."

  There was silence at the other end of the phone. It stretched and stretched, to the point where Lucas started to wonder if the other man had hung up on
him. Eventually, though, the wolf shifter sighed a heavy sigh.

  "I was right, then. Unfortunate." Harper paused again and then continued. "There is a pack in your area that has rejected the Compact between wolves and men, and gotten involved in organized crime. They have seen the inherent possibilities of using their talents as enforcers for the mob, I understand, sordid as that is. Probably they are the ones you want."

  He didn't sound happy, and Lucas couldn't blame him. That was a nasty business – the supernatural community getting involved in criminal activities was something that happened, of course, but a group working as enforcers was the kind of thing which couldn't last. Sooner or later, someone would slip up and get caught.

  The Compact Harper spoke of was the deal between all the members of the supernatural community, the arrangement that let them get on with their lives. Its most important rule was keeping their existence from the rest of humanity. A group that rejected the rules would be dangerous, because they turned their backs on the protection and aid of the society of their peers.

  On the other hand, it was somewhat good news for Lucas. Everyone involved would want the evidence to go away quietly, and no one would back up the wolves if it came to it. Even other wolf shifters wouldn't want to get caught up in protecting them, not when it meant risking the secrecy of their existence.

  "That sounds like them, yeah," he said aloud. "Can you get me in contact with them?"

  "I certainly can make some introductions," Harper replied, less than enthusiastically. "But you need to understand that these are not reasonable people. They have stepped outside the Compact and risk bringing danger to all of us; they may not react predictably to your involvement."

  "I have a client whose life is on the line here," Lucas growled. "If they don't listen, then there'll be danger for them. I will deal with them, one way or another. And if they've dumped the Compact, then there's nothing to hold me back."