Bewitching The Bear Read online

  “You okay back there?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  She rested her cheek on the top of his back as he headed out of town and up into the wilderness above the city. He glanced down and saw her fingers with their pretty pink polish, pressing against his black leather jacket.

  They climbed higher and higher until they were in the spot that was secluded and private and where he often came to transform into his bear half. He pulled into an opening in the trees and turned off the engine. Cade slid off the bike and held Gillian’s hand as she got off and stood next to him.

  “This is so beautiful,” she said.

  “How was the bike ride?”

  “It was better than I thought. I had my eyes closed for part of the way but then I relaxed and enjoyed it.”

  “Good to hear. Let’s set out the blanket and we can eat.”

  He handed her the basket while he put the blanket on the ground. They both sat.

  “Salmon quiche with a tossed green salad with honey and huckleberry dressing. And for dessert, huckleberry cobbler, recipe courtesy of Hannah. She said it’s one of Bear’s favorites.”

  “You do know that a way to a bear’s heart is through his stomach, right?”

  “Hannah did mention it.”

  She set some quiche and salad on his plate and then handed him a bottle of soda.

  He took a bite of the quiche and it melted in his mouth. “Are all witches great cooks?”

  “I don’t know, my mother was, Aunt Louise, not so much. Hope Eddie knows where the kitchen is.”

  “He’s an old bachelor so I’m guessing they won’t starve if she likes pizza and TV dinners.”

  Gillian laughed and he did too.

  He felt the need to lean over and kiss her. He ran his finger down the side of her face and they looked into one another’s eyes for a few seconds.

  “Damn, I want you like I’ve never needed a woman in my life.”

  “Are you sure it’s not just because you can’t make love to me?”

  Cade shook his head. “Since the moment I first laid eyes upon you, you’ve fascinated me, consumed me. Gillian, you’re my mate.”

  They kissed but Gillian pulled away first. “Try some huckleberry cobbler.”

  Cade burst out laughing. “Is this how we’re going to deal with our dilemma? When we feel a desire for one another, we’ll eat. We’re going to gain hundreds of pounds.”

  “I have whipped cream too?”

  “Maybe one day we can use the whipped cream to…”

  Before he could finish his sentence, Gillian had spooned some cobbler into his mouth. It, like the quiche, melted on his tongue and excited his taste buds. She could even cook like a professional chef.

  “I’m not letting you go,” he said.

  “I hope you’re not.”

  She put a dollop of cream on the cobbler before diving into her own portion.

  “The sun will be setting soon,” Cade said. “How about we rest up against that tree and watch it disappear over the horizon.”

  ******

  Gillian rested her head on Cade’s shoulder. The end of the day was so beautiful. She didn’t know what she loved best, sunrise or sunset; both were pretty spectacular in this part of the world. Of course, having Cade sitting next to her, them holding hands, witnessing its glory, made it extra special.

  She glanced at the bike sitting there. She hadn’t yet admitted how much she’d enjoyed the ride here.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  She was guessing he could read her mind so she might as well be honest.

  “I like riding the bike. I guess it was inevitable it was going to happen.”

  “Why because I can charm you into doing anything?”

  “No, my Mirror showed the bike and…”

  She’d said too much.

  “Your mirror did what?” asked Cade, squeezing her hand.

  “The antique Mirror in the store gives me a glimpse of something in the future and the first time I looked in there, after I’d met you, it showed me…”

  No, she couldn’t tell him, it was erotic and they’d need more of that huckleberry cobbler which they’d both eaten in record time.

  “Showed what?”

  They were destined together that was obvious so she had to at least be honest.

  “Me leaning over the bike while you had your way with me.”

  “Geez, that’s given me an instant hard on.”

  “Sorry, but I tried to warn you, however, you insisted I tell you.”

  “You want to give it a try?” he asked.

  “Cade, what are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking we can get creative again.”

  He jumped up, offered his hand and helped her to her feet. He led her over to the bike.

  “This better not lead to trouble,” she said.

  “No baby, I know what I’m doing.”

  He put his hands either side of her face and kissed her. Not the quick sort they’d enjoyed earlier but the slow, mouths open, tongues dueling sort.

  Cade pulled away and then turned her around to face the bike. He put his hands down the front of her jeans, unzipped them and then tugged them down her legs. She stepped out of them and he put his hands inside her pants, massaged her mound while kissing the side of her neck.

  “Umm, you smell so good,” Cade whispered while bringing his hands to her hips and pulling the panties down until they sat at her ankles.

  She heard him unzipping his own jeans.

  “Cade, you know what you’re doing, right?”

  She had the awful feeling something would go wrong and they’d be on a street they couldn’t turn around on.

  “Trust me, bend over and you’ll see.”

  She put her forearms on the seat of the bike and felt Cade parting her legs. She had to trust he was going to be in control and not give into his desire. Gillian drew in her breath as she felt the tip of his shaft brush her pussy.

  “Cade, no,” she said.

  “I’m not going to enter you. I promise you won’t lose your virginity, but we are going to have a mutually good time.”

  He slid the top of his cock back and forth, gliding easily over her pussy and then up to her clit and back. It felt so good that she had to close her eyes and miss the last of the sun setting in front of her. Cade picked up speed, pressing the very tip of his cock onto her clit.

  She trusted him and knew he’d be able to control himself. Cade groaned as he picked up speed. The world in front of her spinning as she dug her nails into the leather of the seat.

  Her clit felt like it was on fire but in a good way. She moved her legs, lifted her butt just enough for him to focus more on the swollen nub. Fireworks explored before her as she dug her toes into the ground and let her orgasm wash over her.

  She couldn’t wait for the day, she hoped it was coming soon, when he’d be inside her and she experienced what an orgasm in her pussy was really like.

  Cade called her name and then she felt his own release slide down her inner thighs.

  They both leaned over together and breathed deeply.

  “This just won’t do, baby, tomorrow I’m going to find a way out of this predicament and then we’re going to fuck like the world’s going to end.

  Back to Top

  Chapter 20

  Gillian wouldn’t give Cade the address where he could find her half-sister, but Eddie had managed to get the information from Louise.

  “You be careful,” Eddie had told him when he’d handed Cade the sheet of paper on which Louise had scribbled the address. “Louise said Matilda isn’t to be messed with.”

  “All the more reason that she shouldn’t be allowed to take over and push everyone around.”

  “Do you think someone should go with you. I could…”

  Cade put his hand on Eddie’s arm. “I’ll be fine.”

  Now that he stood on the doorstep of her house, fine was far from how he felt. He lifted the brass k
nocker and let it fall against the door.

  No response, so he knocked again.

  He looked around, saw no sign of anyone in the neighborhood but then heard the door opening. He turned to see a woman in a white see through dress staring back at him. She, like, Gillian, obviously didn’t like wearing a bra, and she, also like, Gillian, bore the two marks over her nipples. She was taller and broader in the shoulders than her half-sister but not half as pretty. He looked down to see her feet were bare.

  “I’m not buying anything,” she said.

  “Great because I’m not selling anything. I’d like to talk to you about your half-sister, Gillian.”

  “How did you find me?”

  “It wasn’t Gillian, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “I can’t imagine what we have to discuss about her, but you’d better come in.”

  Cade stepped inside and followed her through to the living room. She didn’t ask him to sit, but not that he wanted to. She sat and crossed her legs, the strong smell of her perfume hitting his nose. In fact, it was almost overpowering.

  “I can see why she picked you. You’re her type. She’s a lot like our mother in her choice of men,” Matilda said.

  “I know the Quest is important to you.”

  “Thank you for being so understanding.” Her comment dripped with sarcasm.

  “But this is more about Gillian being my mate.”

  She burst out laughing.

  “Your mate. You think my sister is your mate?”

  “I…”

  She ran her hands through her long hair.

  “Tongue-tied are you?”

  He hated this woman already.

  “Okay, let’s cut to the chase, call off this stupid sibling rivalry with your sister,” Cade said.

  “Half-sister,” she said, pointing at him. “Stupid, well, if you’re going to take a witch as a mate, I suggest you don’t call anything we do, stupid.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way but I don’t think she realized when she chose me that we were intended to be mates. It’s something out there in the universe and that means she can’t possibly fight it. It’s an unfair disadvantage to her.”

  “I see, you want to fuck and she’s unable to. What a shame.”

  “What do I have to say or do to convince you to drop this?”

  He was about to say stupidity but knew better.

  “Go ahead, give in to your bear sexual appetite and fuck away and that hands the leadership to me. I have so many plans for the changes I’ll be making that you’ll be doing me a favor. One being banishment of all shifters from the area. The smell is getting pretty bad around here.”

  He wanted to slap her but had never laid his hands on a woman and wouldn’t start now.

  “I’ll let that remark slide and guess you’ve had a bad encounter with a shifter and hence your bigotry.”

  She burst out laughing. “If only you knew. The Quest stands. If she fails, I take over and you all are banished, I’ll even make sure that none of you ever get to shift again.”

  “Why you…”

  Before he knew it, she raised her hand and made movements like her fingers were knives cutting through the air. He felt the first incision across his forehead and then his cheek and then down the center of his stomach.

  “Leave my house and never return or pay the price,” she screamed.

  Cade felt and smelled the blood sliding down his face, then saw it seeping out from under his t-shirt.

  If she wanted a war, then he’d give her one.

  Back to Top

  Chapter 21

  “You’re hiding something,” Gillian told her aunt.

  “Your witch radar is way off today. Must be because you’re in love. And yes, my witch radar knows that.”

  “Don’t change the subject.”

  Louise picked up the feather duster and went about cleaning the top shelf of the main display. “Fall is pretty but my goodness, it causes the dust to accumulate.”

  “Aunt Louise.”

  Gillian stopped herself from stomping her foot on the ground.

  She turned around. “When have I ever hid something from you…from anyone for that matter?”

  “The time you went to the supernatural conference with that awful wizard who was totally wrong for you.”

  “And that’s why I kept it from all of you, including your father. Jacob Benson was anything but awful, well apart from being terrible between the sheets.”

  “What did you do?” asked Gillian.

  “I told him we couldn’t see one another ever again.”

  “Aunt Louise.”

  This time, she did stomp her foot which she quickly regretted. She wasn’t a prima donna but her aunt was trying her patience.

  “I’ll find out sooner or later.”

  “I’m pregnant.”

  “That’s it, you’re fired.”

  “How dare you fire me just because of my condition.”

  They both burst out laughing.

  “Tell me, please,” Gillian pleaded.

  “I may have told Eddie where Cade could find Matilda.”

  “You may have, either you did or you didn’t.”

  “Okay, I did, but he can be persuasive, in fact, all bear shifters can.”

  “I have to call him before he goes over there and lands in trouble.”

  Louise waved her hand in front of her. “He’ll be fine. Big bear shifter can handle himself.”

  “In the wild as a bear, yes, but as a man, no, and he’s hardly liking to hit or defend himself against a woman.”

  “Now I wouldn’t call your sister a woman.”

  Gillian picked up her phone and began to dial Cade’s number, hoping she’d reach him before he even considered heading to her sister’s place.

  “See, he’s fine, he’s pulling into the parking lot right now,” said Louise.

  Gillian stopped dialing and walked to the window. Cade rode closer to the store and she could see he was anything but alright. Even from this distance she could see he was covered in blood. She dropped the phone and ran outside.

  “Cade, what did she do?”

  He grimaced as he got off the bike.

  “I’m okay, really I am.”

  Gillian saw the slash on his face and the blood caked t-shirt that clung to his chest and abs.

  “I take it you found my sister,” said Gillian. “Here come into the store and I’ll clean those wounds.”

  He walked fine for the first few steps but then started to stagger so she supported him as they walked to the door. Louise must have seen them and ran outside to help her bring Cade safely inside.

  “Here sit here,” said Gillian.

  “Feel sort of dizzy for some reason.”

  “Did Matilda offer you anything to drink?” asked Gillian.

  “I don’t think she considered it a social call,” said Cade, grimacing again and holding his stomach.

  “His wounds… she’s given him something toxic to shifters,” said Louise.

  Cade looked up. “I don’t see how because she didn’t touch me, just waved those long, bony fingers of hers around in the air.”

  “She doesn’t need to. We’re able to will the toxin into the slashes we give you,” said Gillian.

  “Geez, remind me never to piss you off,” he said, almost like he was drunk.

  “Let’s get your jacket and t-shirt off,” Gillian said.

  “Anything to get me naked.” He winked at Louise but then grimaced as Gillian helped him lift his arms so she could remove his t-shirt.

  “Strange that shifters can usually heal wounds like these. I tried all the way home, but I couldn’t do it.”

  He leaned back in the chair and groaned.

  “Louise, grab me some of the raspberry elixir and the bottle of elderberry oil, and some of the tonic I mixed the other day.”

  “Coming right up.”

  “I think I’m going to pass out,” Cade said.

  “Hang
in there, I’m going to mix some of my special brew that should counteract the toxin she’s put into your system.”

  Louise brought the tray of mixes along with a cup.

  Gillian mixed equal parts raspberry and elderberry and topped the rest with the tonic. She waved her hand over it and mumbled under her breath. This hopefully would do the trick. Gillian held the cup to his lips.

  “Take it slow. This should help but I think you need to go to the ER to have those wounds stitched up.”

  “I need to go to the shifter clinic,” he said.

  “You have your own clinic?” Gillian asked.

  “Yeah, Bear, Ash, Cole and Charlotte work there.”

  “You feel strong enough to walk to my car?” asked Gillian.

  “With you by my side, I’m strong enough for anything.”

  “You take care of Cade and I’ll mind the store for you,” said Louise.

  “Okay, but you’ve got a lot to answer for when I get back.”

  “Don’t go blaming your aunt. I can be very persuasive when I want.”

  *****

  The feeling that he was going to throw up had passed and he wasn’t so lightheaded which he knew was thanks to Gillian’s magic brew. He’d been fascinated seeing her mix it and then cast her spell upon it.

  The cuts were stinging but the fact that Gillian sat next to the bed they’d placed him in, holding his hand, made all the difference. He was about to say something when Bear walked in.

  “Heard you had a run in with an angry witch,” he said.

  “Yeah, she’s not half as nice or as beautiful as her half-sister,” Cade said. Cade lifted Gillian’s hand and kissed the back of it.

  Bear turned on to the overhead lamp and shone it down onto Cade’s face.

  “I tried healing myself but it didn’t work.”

  “We’ll have you fixed up in no time and I’d like to keep you in overnight just for observation.”

  “I’ll stay with him…I mean if I can,” Gillian said.

  “Sure, you can, we can get another bed in here,” Bear said. “Okay, let’s get your stitched up and then I’d like to run a blood test to make sure everything’s back to normal. I’ll be right back.”

  “I’m so sorry about this,” Gillian said.