Mending the Bear Read online

  “The private hospital. It’s for shifters right?”

  He nodded. “It was Charlotte’s idea after she married Aiden.”

  “So she’s not a bear?”

  “Human just like you,” he said, tapping her on the butt.

  “And there are other human wives… I mean, is Hannah?”

  “Hannah’s human, so are Lily, Lucy, Melanie … I could go on and on.”

  “And no one knows about you guys?”

  He shook his head. “You’ve got to promise you’ll keep it a secret, too.”

  “Who’s going to believe it?”

  “Which reminds me. You still owe me for doubting my word.”

  “The ride here wasn’t punishment enough?” Eve asked.

  “No, it has to be something I’d get great pleasure from.”

  She smiled. “I can only begin to imagine what that’s going to be.”

  “I have this fantasy. Have since the first time I saw you. I want to take you while you’re bent over my bike.”

  “Really?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Guess I can’t say no. I mean seeing how I wronged you. How about I take in the view while you have your wicked way with me?”

  He kissed her and then stepped away from her.

  “Is that the reason you headed up to this remote part of town so no one would you see you having your way with me?”

  “It might be. Now turn around and enjoy the view while I go to work.”

  Eve turned to face the bike and view. The sun was beginning to set and a few lights in Kalispell were beginning to be switched on.

  Ian un-popped the button on her jeans and slowly pulled them down her thighs. Next he tugged at her panties and soon they sat around her ankles.

  “Lift your feet so I can get rid of anything that’s going to impede you opening wide for me,” he said.

  She closed her eyes, knowing what he was going to do soon. A stream of her juices slid down her leg, anticipating his cock being deep inside her.

  “Open wide baby,” he said.

  She widened her stance, feeling him running his lips up and down her legs, the stubble on his face, rough but exciting every single nerve ending in her body. His hands traced the same path his mouth just had. He leaned her over, allowing her butt to rise in the air. Eve rested her forearms on the seat of the bike, seeing more lights being to twinkle in Kalispell.

  His fingers brushed her folds, back and forth from her clit to her anus, teasing her, making her groan, making her cream with anticipation. She heard the familiar sound of him opening the condom package, and then slowly, inch by inch, he was inside her.

  “Remember to enjoy the view,” he whispered as he began a steady thrust.

  She leaned over some more, feeling him thrust deeper. Her nails slid over the leather seat of the bike. She’d have to make sure she didn’t mar it when she came. With Ian she had a tendency to get carried away. He drove harder and then stopped, and, as always, let his cock do all the work of thrilling her and bringing her to her first climax.

  She made sure it was her finger pads and not nails digging into the leather as she groaned, and her toes curled downward into the ground. He began moving his hips again. She moaned and he grunted as their bodies smacked into one another.

  The lights were everywhere now. Was it real or were the non-stop orgasms causing her to see so many pretty flashes of blues, pinks, and greens?

  She grabbed the entire seat of his bike, held on as the best climax of her life washed over her. Within seconds, Ian was calling her name and filling her with a warmth that spread quickly throughout her pussy.

  He kissed the back of her neck.

  “I love you,” he said.

  “What did you say?” she asked. Thinking that maybe she had post-sex hearing loss or perhaps she was dreaming the whole thing about him being a bear who’d just told her that he loved her.

  “I said I love you.” He pulled out her and she turned round to face him.

  “I love you, too,” she said.

  Chapter Fifteen

  They’d spent their first all night together. Eve was snuggled into his shoulder. She had a smile on her face. Probably because he’d told her he loved her. It had taken him years to get to that point with Joanne. With Eve, it had just glided over his tongue and out of his mouth.

  He pushed a stray hair away from her mouth and was tempted to lean over and kiss her. She turned, causing the blanket to fall from her chest. Her breasts were so inviting, those ruby red nipples called his name. Sucking them would wake her and he wanted to do that in another way.

  He got out of bed, making sure he was as quiet as he could be. He went to the bottom of the bed and got under the covers, gently parting her legs. She moved slightly, but didn’t wake. He sneaked farther up the bed, finding her mound and positioning himself between her thighs. He put his head down and began to flick her clit with his tongue. Her legs twitched.

  “Ian, is that you?” she asked.

  He stopped flicking so he could respond. “Of course it is. How many other guys do this for you?”

  “None. I mean no one’s ever given me oral sex.”

  “You’re joking, right?”

  “No, I’m a virgin in the oral sex department.”

  His cock twitched just thinking about her being a virgin. “Geez, a shifter woman demands this at least once a week or there is all hell to pay.”

  He threw the bedclothes to one side and went back to work, this time, snaking his tongue into her pussy.

  He held her thighs as she bucked against him. He glanced up to see her touching her nipples. That was so damn hot. He got back to fucking her with his tongue, feeling her muscles spasm, and tasting and smelling her arousal. Shit, he was going to come and he hated to waste it. The nightstand. He made a dash for it, tore open the condom, and sheathed himself in record time.

  “Sorry about the urgency, baby, but you’re too damn hot for this bear.”

  He rammed his cock inside her, thrust a few times, and then gave a bear growl as he found the sweetest release. He pulled out and she rolled into his body.

  “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something,” he said. “It’s our monthly shifter viewing tonight. We gather to do some stargazing and try and find where our planet was before it’d got hit. I’d be very honored if you’d accompany me. I mean that is if you’d feel comfortable with the being around my whole group.”

  “Sure, I’d love to.”

  “We meet for drinks and some of the shifters BBQ before the viewing. I guess we can go by bike now you’re okay with it. Aiden said he and Charlotte would pick up Charlie. He leads the viewing and knows exactly what part of the sky to look at.”

  “How did he get those scars?” Eve said.

  “He got badly burned saving people the night we crashed here,” Ian said.

  “Is that when your parents were both killed?” Eve asked him.

  “We never knew what happened to Dad. He was out running when the asteroid hit. We found Mom here a few days later, but she was already gone. My baby brother was only two and Charlie got him to safety with a whole bunch of others. He’s our hero.”

  “I’d love to come along and meet everyone, which reminds me, Ally and Kent are dropping by the office this morning. She wants to see what I’ve done with the place.”

  ****

  Eve could see that Ally was fighting back some tears as she walked back to the area that Eve had recently overhauled to be the space for housing the pets that were recovering from surgery.

  “I like all the animal paintings you’ve put on the wall. And the cute—”

  Eve didn’t have to ask her what was wrong and why she’d suddenly stopped talking. She knew Ally’s water had broken as it gushed down the legs of her maternity pants.

  “You okay?” Eve asked her.

  “It’s too early. The baby.”

  Ally had lost all her color, so Eve grabbed a chair and sat her down. “Are you ha
ving contractions?”

  Ally nodded. “Could you go get Kent and call Bear?”

  “Sure, you just wait there and I’ll be right back.”

  Eve rushed out to the reception area where Kent was talking to Chloe.

  “It’s Ally, her water just broke.”

  Kent didn’t say a word, but rushed to the back offices.

  “Could you call Bear and tell him that Ally’s in labor and I guess Kent will be driving her to the hospital?” Eve told Chloe.

  “Sure thing.”

  Eve walked back to see Ally doubled over. Kent looked up at Eve. “She said she feels like she’s going to have the baby any minute,” Kent said.

  “Ally, I’m not a doctor, but how about we lie you down and I’ll take a look? Chloe’s told Bear you’ll be heading to the hospital.”

  “I won’t make it,” Ally said.

  “Honey, you let Eve take a look at you,” Kent said.

  Kent and Eve lifted Ally up onto the couch in Eve’s office and while Ally raised her butt, Kent and Eve eased her jeans and panties from her legs.

  Ally cried out, “Hurry, I’m having contractions, don’t let anything happen to the baby.”

  “Honey, nothing’s going to happen, you’re fine,” Kent said.

  Eve checked her and it was true, the baby’s head was already crowning.

  “Good news is you’re going to have a quick labor,” Eve said. “Bad news is you won’t make it to the hospital.”

  “Can you deliver our baby?” Kent asked.

  “I’ve only ever brought puppies and kittens into the world. Oh yeah, and a foal while I was in vet school.”

  Chloe chose that moment to knock on the door. “Bear’s ready and waiting.”

  “Could you call him back and tell him Ally’s having the baby so he should get here ASAP?” said Eve.

  “Really?” Chloe asked.

  “Yes, and after you’ve done that could you come in and help me?”

  Ally cried out again.

  “Honey, nice deep breaths like we’ve practiced,” Kent said.

  “Okay, Ally, on the next contraction I want you to push,” Eve said.

  Chloe returned and she and Kent got either side of Ally and held her hands.

  Ally took a deep breath and pushed as tears ran down her face. “No one told me it was going to hurt so bad,” she cried.

  “It’s okay, Ally, it’s over before you know it and then you have a beautiful baby to hold,” Chloe said.

  Eve saw the baby’s head slowing emerging as Ally pushed again.

  “You are doing great,” Eve said.

  Kent wiped her brow and then kissed her head. “I love you so much, honey, just breathe and then push.”

  Ally pushed again and then took a rest.

  Eve couldn’t believe she was delivering a baby. One that was half human, half wolf, right? Well at least she could put wolf delivery on her list of credentials now.

  “Okay, push,” Eve said.

  Ally cried out and gave one long hard push and the baby fell into Eve’s waiting hands.

  “It’s a boy,” Eve said.

  Both Ally and Kent burst into tears and held one another. Eve put the baby on Ally’s belly and tied off the cord just as Bear stepped into the room.

  “Looks like I wasn’t needed after all,” he said. “You ever thought about becoming a doctor?”

  Eve stood. She did feel sort of pleased with herself. And the baby boy was so beautiful. Was it natural to cry at the birth of a child? She stood aside while Bear checked on Ally and then had Kent cut the cord.

  “He’s doing just fine,” Bear said.

  “Thanks to Eve,” Kent said, blowing her a kiss. “Maybe we should make her his Spirit Guardian.”

  “Would you do us the honor?” asked Ally.

  She wasn’t quite sure what it involved, but she couldn’t refuse them.

  “I’d be happy to.”

  ****

  Ian wondered what was going through Eve’s mind as he introduced her to everyone as they went through the buffet line at the stargazing gathering. He wondered how he’d feel if he was the human and she’d revealed all that he had. She’d had quite the day, delivering Ally and Kent’s baby and being asked to be a Spirit Guardian. He’d not even been asked before. He knew she didn’t realize the significance of such a duty, but she’d learn. Aiden arrived with Charlie who waved to everyone.

  “You remember Aiden,” Ian said.

  “I sure do,” Eve said.

  “Where’s Charlotte and Bridgit?” asked Ian.

  “Bridgit’s been sick all day so Charlotte said she’d stay home and look after her. I think she’s running a fever and picked up something at the playschool.”

  “Okay, everyone, if we could gather around and tonight’s perfect for some stargazing,” announced Trent who was overseeing this month’s event.

  Ian looked up into the sky. It was true because he couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen the sky this clear with not a cloud in sight.

  “Let’s start with announcements for the group. If you want to line up here and tell us your news for the month.”

  Ian had some to share and he hoped Eve didn’t mind.

  He stood and listened as a few announced their engagements, the birth of Kent and Ally’s baby was next on the agenda and everyone learned his name was David Samuel. Ian was next up.

  “I’d like to take his opportunity to introduce someone new, yes, another human to our fold. It’s Dr. Eve Barclay, many of you already know her as the new vet in town and the person who delivered another new member of our group.”

  “Welcome Eve,” everyone said at the same time. She nodded.

  He stepped down and next up was Bear and Sam. He put his hands on his step son’s shoulders.

  “I know lots of you have been asking where Hannah is tonight and we’ve just said she was busy with the restaurant, but that’s not true. Sam and I were holding off so we could make our announcement now. Okay Sam, what’s going to happen in about six months from now?”

  “I’m getting either a brother or a sister,” Sam said.

  Ian clapped along with everyone else.

  “She’s had some morning and evening sickness, so I’ve made her rest up for a while and hence the reason she’s not here tonight. But she sends her love and hopes to see you soon.”

  ****

  Eve checked her e-mails and saw that Ally and Kent had sent her two photos of the baby. He was the cutest thing she’d ever seen. A tear ran down her face. A baby was the reason that she and her ex had split. She’d wanted to start a family, but he’d been adamant he didn’t want any children. How could someone keep something like that from a spouse for so long?

  She turned to look at Ian lying next to her. They loved one another and this was her second chance. She’d seen the way he’d looked at the children at the stargazing event and how attentive he’d been to Bridgit and Sophie. She snuggled into him.

  “I want to have a baby,” she said.

  He turned over and looked at her.

  That hadn’t come out quite like she’d planned.

  “Where did that come from?” he asked her.

  “It just slipped out, but it’s something I really want.”

  Ian turned over onto his back, suddenly looking up at the ceiling.

  She sensed they weren’t on the same page and her heart sank.

  “You want children, don’t you?” she asked.

  She’d had this same conversation about two years ago and it was almost like déjà vu.

  “I think I do, but not right now. I’m not ready for the commitment of a family.”

  He turned and looked at her. Tears were already running down her face.

  “Does this make any difference to us? I want to be honest with you because I don’t want the same thing to happen to us as it did with Joanne and me.”

  “How long do you think it will be before you’re ready for that commitment?” she asked him.
/>   “I don’t know. I’m not the type to put something as important as that on a schedule.”

  She had a career now, had a new man who loved her and she loved him, but she wanted a child. If she hadn’t then she and Nick wouldn’t have gone their separate ways. She was back where she’d started.

  “I’d really like to get pregnant in the next year. I know I’m not into the clicking biological clock stage yet, but I don’t want my age to be a factor in my ability to have a family.”

  He took a deep breath. “Eve, I’m sorry I can’t say that I’d be ready to father a baby that soon.”

  She didn’t say another word, but got up and walked out of the bedroom, into the bathroom, sat on the side of the tub and cried.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “I thought you two were getting into the serious phase,” Liam said when they’d finished their run. It had been a month since he and Eve had broken up.

  “We were, but she wants a baby and I’m not ready.”

  “No one’s ever ready. Lucy and I thought we weren’t quite ready, but we decided, yes, we are and we’re now trying to get pregnant. Don’t lose a good woman because you feel you’re not ready.”

  Ian was about to respond when his cell phone rang. It was Charlie’s number.

  “Hello.”

  “Ian, I’m not feeling so good again, I need you to come help me.”

  “Charlie, call an ambulance to get you to the clinic. I’m out west of town and I might not get there in time.”

  “No, it’s got to be you and you have to do me a favor.”

  “Charlie, are you there…”

  Ian looked at Liam. “Charlie’s sick and I have to go.”

  He got on his bike and hit the road, going well over the speed limit, but he didn’t care. He had the strange feeling that Charlie wanted to say goodbye to him.

  ****

  “Are you okay?”

  Chloe’s voice made Eve jump. She’d been doodling on a notepad for the last ten minutes.

  “I’m fine, just feeling sorry for myself.”

  Chloe stepped into the office and pulled up a chair. “You want to talk about it?”

  “I thought maybe I could compromise and tell Ian, I’d wait for as long as he wanted with the whole family thing, but then I went into Starlight Café for lunch. Hannah’s bump is getting bigger and then Ally came in with David and I knew I couldn’t. Now I’ve been thinking maybe I should go ahead and adopt.”