Reforming the Bear Page 7

  “I can understand that,” said Lucy.

  “Okay, you go shower and I’ll drop you at the DIY store in Kalispell. There are lots of other stores close by, if you want to do some shopping.”

  “A dress. I’m going to need a dress. I guess a couple of dresses. Is the wedding super formal?”

  “Nope, Bear and Hannah are keeping it simple and it’s going to be outside, so don’t go overboard and pay too much for something really fancy.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Which reminds me, I have the bachelor party to attend tonight. You going to be okay here, by yourself? I might not be back until the early hours of the morning.”

  “No problem. I can catch up on my reading.” She stood. “I’ll just go shower and wash my hair and I’ll be ready.”

  ****

  It wasn’t until Lucy was in the shower that she realized she hadn’t picked up her shampoo. She looked on the shelf by the taps and saw that Liam had some and hoped he didn’t mind her using it. She popped open the cap and immediately loved the smell. She put it to her nose. It smelled like him. In fact, as she took in its scent an image of him sprung into her mind.

  She rubbed her palms together and then worked it into her hair. She closed her eyes. No wonder he always smelled so good. Breakfast had been a treat. Not only the food, which was cooked to perfection, but sitting opposite him looking into those bluish-green eyes of his. Getting dreamy over the stubble where he hadn’t shaved yet.

  And she actually was looking forward to decorating the apartment and acting like a real interior designer. Maybe she’d like it so much that when she went home she’d switch careers. Yeah, sure would beat being an insurance adjuster. Maybe she’d redo homes of Philly’s rich and famous. She burst out laughing, hoping the sound of the water masked it or Liam might think she was one crazy lady.

  While she was in town maybe she’d chance calling Mike. Public call box wasn’t so traceable. She wouldn’t tell him about what happened. Not about nearly being raped and then injuring her leg. He had enough to worry about and guilt wasn’t something she wanted to lay upon him.

  Lucy turned off the water, grabbed a towel and stepped out of the bath and began drying herself. She’d always been nosy even as a child. She walked over to the medicine cabinet and slowly opened back its door. Aspirin, mouthwash, aftershave, saving cream, antiseptic cream … no condoms.

  Lucy didn’t know any guy who didn’t keep at least a few of those, even if it wasn’t a whole box, in their medicine cabinet. Maybe Liam kept his near the bed. Made sense. Maybe he didn’t have any because he hadn’t had sex in a while. She remembered what he’d said about not being easy to be around but she didn’t believe that for a minute. She enjoyed his company more than any other guy she’d been with.

  Gay. Maybe he was gay. However, wouldn’t he still use condoms?

  The whole thought that maybe he preferred men to women suddenly made her heart sink.

  She knew this was naughty, she knew it was a bad thing, but she was going to test him to see if her inkling was correct.

  She wrapped the towel around her and secured it at the front. She took the crutches and went out in the hallway and hobbled along and then purposely let a crutch slip. It made the noise she’d hoped and as soon as she saw Liam heading into the hallway she stood there, her leg jutting out so the towel divided right by her thighs.

  “The crutch slipped,” she said, realizing this was a stupid idea.

  He’d definitely checked out her thigh before he’d leaned over to pick it up. What happened next was something Lucy hadn’t planned on happening. The towel slipped, leaving her standing naked just a foot from Liam.

  Shit! He’s going to think I did that on purpose.

  They stood looking at one another. Was she turning as red as he was right now? And oh yeah, he had the mother of bulges in the front of his jeans.

  Lucy, as quickly as her injury would allow, bent over and picked up the towel, securing it in the front. “I’m sorry about that,” she said.

  “No need to apologize, but if you could excuse me.”

  He made a quick dash to the bathroom and slammed the door.

  Chapter Nine

  I do not do human pussy repeated in Liam’s head as he quickly lowered his jeans and boxers and moved his hand swiftly over his cock.

  He’d never been this hard this fast, ever. Lucy’s body was amazing. Full breasts, with rosy red nipples, curvy hips and thighs, and on top of all that, shapely calves … plus the triangle of curls that once again had fascinated him.

  He moved his hand so quickly he was pretty sure smoke would begin billowing up any second.

  All he could see was that gorgeous body of hers. Shit, he wanted it, wanted her, but he didn’t fuck humans. He dug his toes into the lining of his boots, feeling his climax reaching its wonderful peak. He blew the air out through his mouth. He hadn’t had sex for a long time, hadn’t even jerked off like this for what must be months.

  He roared and drew his back as the most wonderful release washed over him.

  He’d needed that so badly. He walked over to the toilet and sat down on the lid.

  The bachelor party. Maybe Bear’s cousin had invited some women and sex would be in the cards. Hopefully they’d be shifter women and he could get his pent up libido satisfied.

  ****

  Lucy was pretty sure Liam had been jerking off in the bathroom after the fallen towel fiasco. She’d heard what sounded like a shout that quickly morphed into an almost roar-like cry, and guessed he’d been doing some self-pleasuring.

  She took a sip of her drink as she sat on a patio of a café in downtown Kalispell where Liam had dropped her off an hour ago. Neither of them had spoken about the dropped towel and each had quickly looked away when the other had taken a glance. They’d talked about something totally boring like weather on the drive to Kalispell. The weather, of all things. That was the sort of topic you talked to your parents about or even complete strangers.

  Lucy spread out the sample of paint colors she’d picked up. She’d always been one to play it safe and chosen off-white or beige for her townhouse, but somehow she saw Liam being a bit of a risk taker. Blue maybe?

  She put her face up to the sun and let it warm her cheeks. She was feeling so relaxed and her leg was even starting to cease its aching. She put a little pressure on it but the shooting pain she’d had in her calf didn’t materialize. She looked around her. She liked this place. Maybe one day when things had all gotten back to normal she’d come back here for a proper vacation, perhaps bring Mike and his kids to see where she’d chosen to hide out. To meet Liam so they could see who’d saved her on the most terrifying night of her life.

  Which reminded her, she’d give him a call from a public call box, which she knew wouldn’t be traceable at his end. She stood and decided to try walking with just the help of one crutch. This was easier and her leg felt good.

  Everyone seemed friendly, giving smiles, nods of the head, and one or two hellos as she walked by other shoppers. She arrived at the phone, sorted out some change and then dialed her brother’s number. She heard it ring, heard it continue to ring and then looked at her watch, finally hearing his answering service kick in.

  Should she leave a message? No, instinct told her not to...

  Lucy put the receiver back. Next on her list of things to do was find a suitable dress.

  ****

  Liam splashed aftershave on his cheeks right before heading out of the bathroom. He glanced at his watch. He was running late and had about fifteen minutes to get to Big Sky Bar on the outskirts of town, where Bear’s bachelor party was being held.

  Lucy had turned the TV on, and was skimming through some magazines she’d bought while she’d been in town. He’d tried to avoid her without it being obvious or seeming suddenly rude but after seeing her naked things had become very awkward. He really wanted her but knew the rules. No anyone else’s rules but his and only his, so the sexual tension
he now felt was taunting him–– almost to the point of being unbearable.

  “I’m just heading out. You sure you’ll be okay here?” he asked.

  “Absolutely.”

  “And if you hear my truck or see headlights near the apartment, you’ll know it’s me getting in late, so don’t be scared.”

  “Have a fun time.”

  He was intending to. He was going to have sex to forget about that wonderful human body he’d seen earlier that day. Liam was certain Ash had invited along some shifter women to keep the guys entertained. He’d have a good fuck, get it out of his system and he and Lucy would be back to normal again.

  Liam headed out outside and got into his truck. He started the ignition, pulled out onto the road and headed out to the north. He’d never been to this bar before and Bear had told him Ash had hired a private room out back so they could party without humans watching them.

  Fifteen minutes later he saw the bar, its neon sign flashing, and pulled into the parking lot. He recognized a few of the other guys’ cars and wondered how many other shifters Bear’s cousin had invited tonight. Bear had been away from Kalispell while he’d studied medicine and then began working in a hospital in Vancouver, but was still one of the most popular guys around, with both the men and women. Lots of ladies were heartbroken when they heard about his engagement to Hannah. Now their focus was on his equally handsome cousin.

  Liam walked in to the bar and saw a sign with Bear’s Last Chance To Back Out Party and an arrow that pointed to the back. Two guys were playing guitars in the bar and a few couples were dancing.

  As Liam walked to the back, the sound of guitars was soon replaced with loud voices and laughter. Liam spotted Bear talking to Aiden and Trent Burgress.

  “Glad you could come along tonight,” said Bear. “Have you met my cousin?”

  “No, I don’t believe I have,” said Liam.

  “Ash,” called Bear. A man about five years younger than Bear but similar in looks and build walked their way.

  “Ash, this is Liam Ahern. Liam, this is Ash McWilliams.”

  “Pleased to meet you. Grab a drink and some food, mingle a little, and then be prepared for our floor show.”

  Bear raised his eyebrows at Liam before shaking his head. Rumor was, Ash was a wild one.

  “How’s Lucy’s leg?” asked Bear.

  “Much better. She’s down to using just one crutch.”

  “Bear, over here … let’s get some photos of you and Ash,” shouted one of the cougar shifters.

  Liam took the opportunity to head over to the bar. He took a handful of pretzels and pulled out a beer from the ice in the bucket on the floor.

  “I hear you were quite the hero the other night.”

  He turned to see Dane Reynolds standing with Trent.

  “Well, I guess that’s how it looks,” said Liam.

  “I heard that some trucker tried to rape the woman you picked up. Has she filed a report with the police?” asked Trent.

  “No, she didn’t want to make a fuss.”

  “I’d like to get my hands on that guy,” said Dane.

  “I think we all would,” said Liam.

  “And she’s staying at your place?” asked Dane.

  “Danny’s old apartment. She’s an interior designer and said she’d give it a makeover.”

  Trent whistled.

  “Yeah, I might even rent it out. I realize now I’ve been stupid keeping the place locked up for so long. Danny’s never coming back.”

  Both Dane and Trent put their hands on his shoulders and squeezed.

  “I know how tough it is. After I lost Lucinda, well, the world wasn’t the same for a long time until I met Melanie.”

  “And how’s Jacob?” asked Trent.

  “I’m pretty sure he’s growing by the minute. Keeps us up most of the ni––maybe I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “Yeah, I know what we’ve got to expect with three babies on the way,” said Trent.

  Liam didn’t know whether to pity Trent and his wife Emily, or be excited for them.

  “Okay, gentlemen … if you’d like to take your drinks into the next room, to our left … our entertainment for the evening begins shortly,” said Ash, standing on a chair.

  “I can only begin to imagine what’s in store for us,” said Dane. “I have been warned by my wife to behave myself.”

  Liam followed Trent and Dane into a darkly light room. They sat down at a table and music began playing. Next thing Liam knew, three young women in skimpy outfits were heading out of a side room, gyrating their way toward the guys.

  “Bear, this is your last night of total freedom and fun,” said Ash raising his glass. “Let’s toast the most handsome and sexiest doctor in town.”

  “To Bear,” said Liam, lifting his glass in his direction.

  “Okay, ladies. Entertain us,” said Ash, sitting down next to Bear.

  The three women began dancing around and shaking their hips. Liam put his nose in the air. Fuck, Ash had hired humans.

  They made their way over to Bear and the one with long blonde hair sat on his lap and wiggled about.

  “This is your last chance to mess around with a woman who isn’t your wife,” she told him.

  “No, no messing around, because I have a beautiful fiancé waiting at home. So I think I’ll just watch all the single guys do that,” said Bear.

  “Geez, Bear … you are and always have been such a stick in the mud,” said Ash. “Come here, baby, and I’ll show him what he’s missing.”

  The blonde switched to Ash’s lap while the other two started to slowly take off the few clothes they were wearing. Lots of the guys clapped and cheered. Ash now had his hand down the front of the girl’s panties as she groaned and cried out. Even though it was dimly lit in the room, Liam could see Bear looking somewhat embarrassed by his cousin’s behavior.

  “Ash reminds me a little bit of Christopher Renner before he met Lilly,” whispered Trent.

  It was true: Christopher had been, at one time, even wilder than Danny when it came to women––and now he was a happily married man with a stepdaughter. Would Hannah have reformed his brother too?

  One of the girls suddenly stood in front of Liam as she removed her top.

  Nice tits, but not half as nice as Lucy’s.

  He was supposed to be enjoying the bachelor party but all he could think about was Lucy. The woman took off her panties and sat on his lap. She ran her hands through his hair and kissed him on the cheek. He was getting a little hard but nothing like he had with Lucy.

  Ash and the other two women were now dancing on the floor, gyrating together as Ash ground his crotch into their asses.

  “You want to dance too?” the woman asked Liam.

  “I have two left feet.”

  She put her hand on his crotch and squeezed. Yeah, that felt good, felt even better when he fantasized that Lucy had her hands on his balls.

  “I have a girlfriend,” said Liam.

  “Lucky her.”

  “No, I mean I can look, but I can’t touch.”

  A perfect excuse not to get involved with the humans.

  “I’m getting paid to let you touch me.” She kissed him, biting his lip and then taking his hand and running his fingers down into her folds. One of his fingers brushed her pussy. No, no, if he were going to touch any human it would be Lucy.

  Liam pushed her off, almost knocking her onto the floor.

  “Asshole,” she said, picking herself up.

  Yeah, he’d been called that more times than he cared to remember.

  Liam drank the rest of the beer. This wasn’t as much fun as he’d thought. However, he didn’t want them to think ‘grumpy Liam’ was back, so he tapped his foot to the music as more of the guys got up and danced around with the now nude women.

  He felt someone pat him on the back and turned around to see Aiden.

  “Hey, you’re single … you should be up there, not sitting with all the married guys,”
he said.

  “You know me, never could dance. Not like Danny.”

  “Yeah, Danny was a great dancer. Ever since he was a kid,” said Aiden, now having to shout over the noise of the music.

  “You still have your house guest?”

  “Lucy, yes.”

  Christopher walked over to them and sat down. “Are you bringing Sam to the stargazing event next month?”

  “Sure am,” said Liam.

  “Lilly and I have decided to take Kaitlin for the first time so I know those two will enjoy one another’s company. We’re gradually explaining to her what we are and how she and her mom are different,” said Christopher.

  Liam nodded. Before they’d figured out what was really wrong with Sam, Kaitlin had been Sam’s one and only buddy and they still loved being around one another.

  “I think those two will get married one day,” said Aiden.

  Sam, marrying a human? Would Liam be happy with that? He knew he wanted his nephew to be happy, period, so if marrying a non-shifter did that for him, Liam would never stop him.

  “Well, don’t know about you but my days of this sort of thing are behind me,” said Christopher. “I’m going home to my wife and daughter.”

  “I guess I’ll head home too. Bridget’s been fussy and whiny all day. Charlotte thinks she’s getting her first tooth so I guess I should give my wife a break from our cranky little girl.”

  “Guess I’ll see you at the wedding,” said Liam.

  Aiden nodded. Liam drank the rest of his beer. Most of the other married guys had left. Ash and one of the women had also gone. Bear was sitting talking to other guys, so it was probably the perfect time for Liam to slip out without it looking like he was a party pooper.

  He’d use the restroom and then while no one was looking, head out of the bar via the back door.

  He walked to the left and went through a hallway where the door to one of the rooms was open. He glanced inside: one of the women was leaning over a table with Ash, pants around his ankles, fucking her like the world was going to end soon.

  Liam tried to dart back before being seen but Ash caught sight of him and waved.

  “You want to come and join in the fun? This is some pretty good pussy.”