Bear His Mark

by Reina Torres

  “Is this a public beach?” Her words were soft and hushed.

  “Beach?” His laughter warmed her cheeks with a blush. “It’s mostly dirt and rocks with some smaller grains to break up the look, but it’s ours.”

  She listened carefully as he pointed out the edges of his property and where it became Wayland land. It was all a bit much for her brain to handle, but every moment she was in Sylvan City her whole world seemed to be getting bigger and bigger.

  “That’s enough talking for now.”

  Hollis turned to look at him with heat flooding into her cheeks. “You’re not saying we should… I mean it’s beautiful out here, but like you said Boone’s land is…” she trailed off as she realized where her mind had gone. Before he’d said anything of the kind, her mind had taken her straight to thoughts of stripping off his clothes and-

  “Oh goodness!”

  “Later, Hollis,” his eyes were dark enough to reflect her own heated gaze. “If that’s what you want, you’ll have it, but right now… food.”

  Before she had gathered her thoughts together in some semblance of order, he knocked her for a loop.

  Hands reached back over his head and pulled the shirt from his body and her breathing became a little labored. But he took some pity on her. He shucked his pants as he moved, kicking them free of his feet as he dove in the water.

  Standing at the edge of the lake, she wondered what he was doing, and didn’t have to wait long.

  A bear rose up out of the nearly placid lake water, shedding water from his fur as he found his footing.

  “You’re crazy!” She laughed and paced closer to the water. “What are you doing out there?”

  Conor’s bear got up on his feet and paced a little circle in the water, his great head dripping little trails as he went.

  It was a sight to see. This magnificent bear, almost shoulder deep in the water. It would be only too easy to find a place to sit and watch him as he moved along the shore.

  Something in the heavens must have smiled upon her. Finding Conor had been the best day of her life, and now she had to figure out how to keep this happiness for herself.

  Somehow.

  Something darted beneath the surface of the water and sent an arc of drops cascading back into the lake.

  She didn’t have to ask Conor if he’d seen it, his eyes were following it with great interest.

  Keeping very still, Hollis watched as Conor’s bear followed the subtle movements under the lake’s surface, and just when she was sure the fish would swim away and out of his reach, the bear’s massive paw struck the surface of the water, sending a massive rush of water toward the beach.

  Before the drops had all fallen to the ground, Hollis found herself staring at a fish as it flopped on the smooth rocks just a few feet away.

  “Conor! You got one!”

  Lifting his head in a manner that looked very much like human pride, Conor’s bear moved along the edge of the lake.

  She wasn’t much of a judge on the weight of fish. Goodness knows she had no idea what to do with it now that it was out of the water, but she felt a measure of pride blossom inside of her.

  Her man.

  Her bear.

  Her mate.

  Happiness was so close. All she had to do, was reach out and take a hold of it.

  But, she wasn’t going to take a hold of that fish.

  Yuck.

  Chapter Nine

  Conor came awake with a slight shake, his arms tightening reflexively. When he felt Hollis’ body stretch against him he relaxed.

  She was there.

  She spent the night in his arms.

  She was his.

  Ours.

  His bear groused and then turned over in his mind and fell back asleep.

  Yes, he agreed with the grouchy boar. Ours.

  Even if she hadn’t exactly said the words, he knew she was thinking it.

  She’d touched him over and over, leaned into his embrace. And after dinner and her bath, she’d crawled onto his bed and as he wrapped his arms around her, she snuggled deep into his embrace before she’d fallen asleep.

  Hope. Happiness.

  Both emotions filled his heart and he just had to remind himself to take it one step at a time.

  “Conor?”

  He heard her sleepy voice and felt her hand slip back and touch his thigh, trailing her close-trimmed nails along his bare skin.

  Instantly hard, he managed to hold still as she snuggled closer in his embrace.

  He was going to die of depravation before he marked her as his mate, but he loved the scent of her hair and her skin. The torture of her breathy sigh twisted in his gut but he also felt the warmth of her skin against his. Somehow even the aggravation of waiting was a delicious diversion. Just having her to hold onto was a joy as much as it pained him.

  “I can hear you thinking, Conor.”

  His shoulders shook with a soft chuckle as he nuzzled the side of her neck. “Sorry if I woke you.”

  “No worries,” he could hear the tone in her voice and knew she meant her words. She wasn’t trying to placate him. That, he hoped, was another step closer together.

  “You want me to make you something to eat, little one?”

  Her laughter warmed him even more. “Probably not.” She wriggled a little closer but stopped when he groaned. “Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize.” He placed a kiss on the underside of her chin. “I’ve dreamed of having my arms around my mate for so long, this is incredible.”

  He could almost feel her blush even though he couldn’t see her face. “Are you sure you want to spend the day with Willa?”

  “Oh, yes,” her laughter was so happy, even his bear chuffed at the sound, “I think she needs some female company. She said she’s drowning in testosterone.” Sighing, Hollis smoothed her palm over his thigh in the other direction. “And you’re okay with me going to the doctor with her?”

  Before he could stop himself, Conor pulled her closer against him and heaven help him, they fit together like a particularly naughty set of spoons.

  The night before, while they were having dinner, Willa had called over to talk to both of them. She had an appointment with her OBGYN and wanted to know if Hollis wanted to go along for her own appointment.

  The suggestion had been a simple one, but it also seemed to break down more of the walls between them. Hollis’ worries over her ‘broken’ status had been weighing heavily on her. Seeing a doctor, and one who specialized in shapeshifters had put her at ease.

  “I want you to go because I want you to take care of yourself, Hollis.” And he meant it. “Like we talked about last night,” he trapped her hand against his thigh and sighed at the heat of her skin on his, “cubs would be a blessing, but my first concern is you. It took too many years to find you, Hollis. I want an eternity with you before we’re done.”

  Turning her head slightly, he felt her place a kiss on his bare arm. “You don’t ask much, do you?”

  “Hardly. I just want everything for us. Everything. And that’s going to take a while to give it to you, so we’re going to need to get started as soon as you’re ready.”

  Her laughter was like sunlight, warming him all the way through. “You make it sound so easy.”

  And then she stretched, a long languid motion that began in her lower back and moved through her body, rubbing her skin against his. It was splendid and perfect and made him ache in all the best places.

  His mate.

  Before his bear could argue, Conor murmured against the nape of her neck.

  “Ours.”

  She giggled as his lips nipped at her skin. “Hey,” she inched away and slipped free of his arms, “if I don’t get in the shower soon, I’m going to be late to meet Willa and the girls.”

  He slid free of the sheets and padded after her into the bathroom to watch her bend over to turn on the water. “I’m perfectly happy with you being late.” His growl held more than a hint of his bea
r. He had a bone deep appreciation of her body, but the full, heart shaped curves of her backside were a thing of beauty.

  Her sigh echoed off the tiles in the shower. “I’m serious, you know. I’m going to be late if you keep looking at me like that.”

  He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall in no hurry to leave.

  Stepping into the heated spray of water, Hollis leaned her head back and let the water work its way through her hair and down over her body.

  The rivulets of water draped over her like a gossamer-thin silk, and the force of the cascade rolled over her breasts, giving him teasing glimpses of her budded nipples.

  Their color reminded him of berries, ripe and ready to burst on his tongue.

  He felt, rather than heard his growl as it rose up in his throat, but Hollis did.

  Her hands paused as they worked her shampoo into her hair. The look that she sent his way was pure heat.

  “You’re torturing me, aren’t you?” Her tone held the edge of accusation, but also a light tone of humor.

  “How,” he ground out between his clenched teeth, “am I torturing you, little one.” He worked his gaze over her from head to toe. “I could lick the water off your body, if you’d let me.”

  Her eyes slid shut as she leaned against the wall of the shower as her thighs pressed tightly together.

  “And you’re standing there testing my self-control, Conor.” Her gaze moved over his chest and stopped a little lower. “Go away and let me finish.”

  She turned to face the wall and reached for the bottle of body wash he’d placed on a shelf.

  The height was perfect for him but just a little too high for her to reach easily. When she got up on the balls of her feet to wrap her hand around the bottle, damn if it didn’t make the curves of her ass tighten and lift.

  His bear was so close under his skin he felt his pores itch.

  Conor’s breaths came fast and deep, dragging air into his lungs with the force of a bellows, feeding the fire in his blood.

  With the last shred of his self-control, he turned on his heel and walked away.

  The sound of the water on his mate’s body chased after him like laughter.

  #

  Paranoid.

  Hollis felt her skin crawl as she walked with Willa across the parking lot to the medical clinic. The skin across the back of her neck prickled with sensation and a voice droned on in the back of her head.

  Walk. Walk. Walk.

  It made no sense really, but even when they’d been at the nail boutique for pedicures and foot rubs, she’d spent much of the time looking out the windows.

  Looking for something.

  “You’re doing it again.”

  Willa’s gentle comment didn’t sound like a scolding. It sounded like concern.

  Hollis gave Willa’s elbow a little squeeze. “I’m sorry I’m not better company. I have-”

  “A ton and a half of things on your mind. I’m in the same boat.” Willa’s steps slowed and she came to a stop just short of the front steps. “Goodness.”

  “What’s wrong?” Hollis kept hold of her friend’s elbow and smoothed her hand over Willa’s back. “Are you-”

  Willa gave her arm a pat. “I’m fine. My stomach didn’t like the mention of a boa- of a sea craft.”

  “Oh!” Hollis was so relieved.

  “But really, I can’t blame you for being quiet. After that shock we all had this morning, I think we’re all a little… thoughtful.”

  Hollis nodded, although she had other words for the feeling. Unsettled being the one that came to her mind first. “I’ve hardly ever had anyone take a picture of me before, but having one taken and put into a newspaper and online where the whole world could see it?” Shuddering, she continued. “I just don’t know what to make of it.”

  Willa nodded and squeezed Hollis’ hand, starting them walking again. “Absolutely. I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I know that Paige’s guards went over that man before he left. Took away his microphone and whatever audio recording device he used. I just can’t see how he got pictures of the table without someone finding the equipment.”

  “I just hope,” she winced at the thought, “that my father won’t see the photo.” Hollis sensed Willa’s eyes focused on her. “My father didn’t… doesn’t approve of me being here. Not that he knows exactly where ‘here’ is. He’s already screaming mad at me for leaving on my own, but staying there. Waking up every day and waiting for him to decide that the choice is out of my hands? I just couldn’t.” She felt a momentary rise in panic. “I just can’t!”

  Hollis leaned heavily against the outside of the clinic, the bricks of the remodeled Victorian two-story home biting into the flesh of her arm just above her elbow. The pain was barely enough to distract her from her worries.

  “I called him yesterday. I wanted to let him know that I was fine and I had found a mate.”

  Willa blew out a breath. “Let me guess. He was a little… less than thrilled?”

  “He yelled. Well, bellowed. I’m not sure how much his bear agreed with him, but it’s been years since he let his bear have much say in anything. At least he had a say at one point, unlike the rest of us.”

  Her lips pursing into a thin pale line, Willa leaned against Hollis’ shoulder. “I’m so sorry to hear that. He should be thrilled that you found Conor. The two of you are going to be a brilliant match. Goodness knows Gerri is a wizard at this. You’ll be happy with Conor.”

  Willa’s phone beeped in her purse.

  “Just wait. When you’re ready, when you’ve made the decision that you want to stay… and accept Conor’s mark, you know that Boone and I will stand by you and help you with your father.”

  Hollis gave her a smile and pulled open the door for her new friend. “Thanks, Willa. It means a lot.”

  The look on the other woman’s face said she knew that Hollis was still hesitating, but Willa’s heart was as big as a mountain and that’s exactly what Hollis needed.

  “Now, let’s get you inside and to your appointment.”

  Nodding, Willa stepped inside and up to the desk.

  “Ah, Mrs. Wayland,” the plump nurse with a bouffant of purple hair stepped out from behind the desk, “I’m so glad I’m here for your appointment. I can’t wait to get you another set of pictures of your little cubs.”

  Hollis froze, like petrified wood, looking around for everyone’s reactions to the open conversation, but no one seemed to notice. If anything, the general reaction in the room was to smile at the happy news.

  The nurse continued on. “Are you ready to go in? Is Mr. Wayland coming in to be here with you?”

  “No, not today.” Willa smoothed her hand over her rounded belly. “But, I was wondering if my friend Hollis could come in with us.”

  “Ooh,” the nurse lifted her midnight dark eyebrows, “careful. Once you see those little babies, you’ll be wanting a whole litter of your own.”

  Hollis felt Willa’s hand wrap around her wrist and saw her worried eyes, but she wasn’t going to ruin this moment for her new friend. She wasn’t going to tinge Willa’s happiness because of her own worries.

  “I can’t wait to see the pictures,” she told the nurse and felt the truth of her words down in her soul, “we don’t have anything like this back home in the valley.”

  The nurse had started to walk down the hall but almost caused a pregnant pileup when she stopped to look back over her shoulder at Hollis. “No ultrasound?”

  Hollis laughed and gestured for the nurse to keep walking. “No ultrasound,” she shook her head even though the nurse couldn’t see the gesture, “we don’t even have a hospital or a doctor. We have a midwife and her daughter is training to take over when she’s ready to step down.”

  The nurse pushed open a door and gestured for the two ladies to precede her inside.

  Hollis helped Willa up onto the exam table and watched as Willa lifted the bottom edge of her blouse. The nurse tapped a few keys on
the keyboard and brought up a screen. “Looks like the babies are already wrestling with each other.”

  Following the nurse’s pointed look, Hollis saw the movement just under Willa’s rounded belly.

  “I know,” Willa sighed, “I feel like I’ve run a marathon before bed and it’s not even me. Just the way these two are moving around.”

  The nurse squeezed a dollop of the warmed gel on her belly. “Have you decided on any names yet?”

  Willa’s gaze was already glued to the screen. “No, we’re going to wait. Boone thinks…”

  As Willa and the nurse continued to talk, Hollis watched in rapt attention as the simple movements of the wand in the nurse’s hand became the most amazing images on the screen. Two heads and bodies, arms and legs… it was the most amazing sight she’d ever seen.

  “It’s like magic.”

  The sudden hush in the room told Hollis that she’d spoken out loud.

  “I’m so sorry, I-”

  “No worries, sweetie,” the nurse was grinning at her, “I feel the same way. It’s the best part about working here.” She shared a quick look with Willa. “I heard that you might be moving to Sylvan City.”

  It was so difficult for Hollis. Her instinct was to blurt out a rather enthusiastic, ‘yes!’

  “That’s a definite possibility.” Oh, she knew she had made her decision, but she wanted to share her thoughts with Conor first. She owed him that much.

  “I checked the schedule right before you two arrived and the doctor has an open appointment in about twenty minutes. Maybe you should let her examine you.”

  Hollis looked to Willa for her advice even though she knew what her friend’s answer would be.

  “I think it will go a long way to easing a lot of your doubts, Hollis.”

  Oh, how she wanted to say yes. “I should talk to Conor first. I barely have any money of my own and-”

  “The first visit for any new patient is free,” the nurse assured her, “and I know you’ll love Doctor Kondo. She’s the sweetest thing and the best doctor I’ve ever seen.”

  Willa nudged in her own encouraging words. “She’s a shifter herself. She’ll answer any questions you have. Goodness knows I had a ton when Boone and I figured out that I was carrying cubs!”