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“Grilled cheese sound okay? I have to find the nearest grocery store and stock up.”

  “Fine with me. In fact, it’s one of my favorites.”

  “I’ll get that started and have it ready for you.” She took Sophie and put her in her crib then walked to the kitchen and set about turning on the grill and getting out the block of cheese.

  Ash whistled as he walked by and headed for the kitchen. She watched his gorgeous ass disappear around the corner. As soon as he was gone, she’d be the next one needing the shower—a very cold one.

  ****

  They’d just napped and he’d eaten a rustic grilled cheese sandwich, but it had been one of the best afternoons of his life. He’d hated leaving. Hated the fact that he’d be here all night.

  He logged into the computer and looked through the patients they had that night. A cougar shifter had given birth and was doing okay. A bear shifter had dropped a rock on his foot and broken a bone. Two wolf shifters had flu-like symptoms. Bear had left a note that he had them on oxygen and to monitor them every hour or so.

  Ash put his stethoscope around his neck and headed out, waving to the night nurse as he walked by her office. He knocked on the door of Jon who was one of the wolf shifters. “Hi, how you feeling now you’ve had some oxygen?”

  “A little better. My chest felt tight and I was lightheaded there for a while.”

  Ash checked his notes. The other shifter had reported the same thing. “You know Marc? Associate or work with him?”

  “Sure, we work on the construction site that Brady Walsh owns.”

  Ash made a note of that. Maybe he should go check it out because this was actually the fourth case he’d heard of and if the other two worked there too, they had their connection. “I think I’ll give you some antibiotics. I know they don’t always work on us, but I think it’s worth a try. Maybe we’re starting to get more human-like maladies. You were born here on Earth, right?”

  Jon nodded as he coughed again.

  “I’ll be around all night, so just call me or the nurse if you need anything.”

  “Thanks, Dr. McWilliams.”

  Ash made some quick notes and then headed down the hall to Marc’s room, where he was watching TV.

  “Hi, Marc, feeling any better?”

  “Much. I think the oxygen and all the coughing I’ve done helped clear my lungs.”

  “I heard that you’ve been working with Jon on the construction site out near Glacier.”

  “That’s right. He told me about the job. Pretty good pay.”

  “What sort of work have you been doing there?”

  “Digging mostly. We’ve been getting the foundation ready to pour the cement.”

  “And you were also born here, right?”

  Marc nodded. “You think this has something to do with that?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to check it out see what’s going on because we’ve had some other members of the group with the same symptoms.”

  “Probably a bug going around or something?”

  “Maybe, but I’ve prescribed antibiotics for Jon and I’m going to do the same for you.”

  “I’ve never had to take them before.”

  “Maybe everyone’s getting more human.” He knew a lot of shifters wouldn’t be happy to hear that, but it was a possibility. “I’ll have the nurse get you that medication and I’m around all night if you need me.”

  Ash walked out of the room and went back to his desk. He typed his notes into the computer and made a note for both Charlotte and Bear to check on Marc and Jon tomorrow to see how and if the medication was working.

  He leaned back in his chair suddenly, thinking of the day he had. The picnic, fighting with a real bear, and having sex with Chloe. Snuggling up to her and then Sophie joining them like one big bear family. He dug his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed her number. He hated the long night shifts. It had been the worst thing about being a resident. So tiring and lonely. He’d get through this evening talking to Chloe.

  She picked up after the third ring and he heard Sophie crying.

  “Hi, just wanted to see how your evening’s going,” he said.

  “Fine, but I think Sophie misses snuggling with you.”

  She continued to cry.

  “Put the phone to her ear and I’ll talk to her,” said Ash.

  “Okay, hold on…okay, go ahead.”

  “Sophie, don’t cry because I’ll see you soon.”

  Still Sophie sobbed. He wasn’t the greatest singer, but it was worth a try. He began singing the teddy bear picnic song, which seemed the most appropriate one. She finally stopped crying half way through.

  “Wow, how did you know what to do?” asked Chloe.

  “Everyone loves that song.”

  “I’ll have to remember that. It even looks like she’s about to fall asleep.”

  “Great, and you can have a good night’s rest. Well, at least for a few hours.”

  “I think the fresh air tired me out,” said Chloe.

  “Is it okay if I call you again in a few hours, because I get lonely on the night shift?”

  “Sure, I might be in bed, but you can sing to me.”

  “Okay, kiss Sophie for me.”

  “Will do.”

  Ash ended the call. The thought of Chloe in bed…he’d like to do more than sing to her.

  He looked at his watch. He’d get Jon’s and Marc’s medication started and then settle down for a few hours of sleep himself.

  ****

  Chloe changed into her t-shirt and slipped under the covers. She ran her hand over the quilt, remembering less than twelve hours ago when Ash had made love to her on top of it. She wished he could have stayed the whole night. That they could have had sex, woke up together, and made love again. He was good for her and good for Sophie. Maybe it was all too good to be true. Wasn’t it always the case when things were a little too perfect that something came along to put an end to it?

  No, she’d think positive about this one. She’d found a safe haven for her and Sophie and a wonderful man in Ash.

  She looked at the details of the online courses Ash had downloaded and printed out for her. For the under graduate program, she needed biology and chemistry classes, so maybe she’d tackle them first. She’d be the first one in the family to get a degree and maybe she could be vet to the shifters. Did they need vets? Probably not or they wouldn’t need a hospital. But she might be able to help there in some small way. Maybe she’d have her own practice one day.

  Dr. Chloe Davis, DVM.

  Dr. Chloe McWilliams DVM.

  Now she was getting way ahead of herself. He had his career and she had her studies. She was young. She had a daughter to take care of.

  Chloe put the papers on the bedside table and switched off the lights. She got farther under the covers, wondering if she’d hear the phone when Ash called. She put it by the pillow and turned it low so it didn’t wake Sophie.

  ****

  Ash made his rounds, but as he’d thought, everything was quiet. All the patients were asleep. He went back to his office and pulled out his phone, quickly stabbing at the numbers for Chloe.

  “Hello.”

  She sounded sleepy and sexy. A combination that drove a bear crazy. “Did I wake you from your sweet dreams?” he asked.

  “I can’t remember what I was dreaming about. Maybe a bear. How’s your shift going?”

  “It’s quiet and boring compared to the hospital in LA where I was a resident.”

  “I bet you must have seen lots of weird people and cases.”

  “Oh yeah, could definitely write a book about it. You humans are crazy people.”

  “I guess we are.”

  “Sophie okay?”

  “She’s been asleep for most of the night. I fed her, changed her diaper, and she went out like a light. I think I should buy her a teddy bear mobile for over the crib. Maybe you can record your rendition of ‘Teddy Bear Picnic.’”

  “In your dreams.”<
br />
  Chloe laughed. “I wish you were here to snuggle with me.”

  “I wish I was too. Feels like the temperature’s dropped outside.”

  “I saw a few snowflakes circling when I pulled the drapes,” said Chloe.

  “Winter’s on its way.”

  “Guess I’ll have to buy a coat.”

  “Yeah, I have to as well. LA’s a lot different than Montana.”

  “I guess we can keep one another warm.”

  “Umm, sounds good, and I have a hard-on just thinking about rubbing my body next to yours.”

  “You do not.”

  “You want me to take photo and send it to you.”

  “I don’t have a phone that accepts photos, remember?”

  “Damn.”

  “I feel sexed up, too,” said Chloe.

  “You could always pleasure yourself.”

  “I could if you talked me through it.”

  “Phone sex?”

  “Sure.”

  He’d only done it once and when he was a first-year medical student to a girl in his anatomy class. They said it was for learning purposes, but it had been fun.

  “You have your panties on?” he asked her. He checked the door just to make sure he was all alone.

  “Nope, just my t-shirt.”

  “Put your hand down over your belly and keep going till you reach your bush.”

  Chloe laughed. “I haven’t heard that word since I was in school.”

  “You doing it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Take your middle finger, push down through your curls, and touch your clit.” He could see the nub all swollen and her finger passing over it. “Downward some more and tease that little pussy opening for me.”

  She groaned…she actually groaned.

  “Push your finger inside.” He heard her draw in her breath. His cock pulsated and his balls pulled. “Finger fuck yourself, Chloe.” He bit his lip, made a fist as he heard her groan and moan. A few minutes later, he heard her come. A very vocal orgasm that he guessed might wake Sophie.

  “You all wet and slippery?”

  “I am and I want you so bad,” she said.

  He swallowed, clearly seeing her pussy all pink and wet, waiting just for him.

  “As soon as I get off my shift, I’ll be stopping by to get you a special breakfast treat.”

  ****

  Had Ash meant food or sex? Chloe wasn’t sure, but when she saw him heading up the stairs carrying a bag with a local fast food place’s logo splashed across it, she guessed it was the latter. Disappointment washed over her. While she was hungry, her appetite was more in need of sex than food. He tapped on the door and she let him in. Sophie had just been fed, bathed, and was sound asleep.

  He held up the bag. “Would you rather eat first or have me ravish you?”

  “Wow, that’s a tough choice,” said Chloe. “I think ravish me sounds really good because the phone sex didn’t really satisfy me.”

  “Me neither.” He put the bag down and pulled out a stack of condoms from his back pocket. He pulled her in close and kissed her, pulling up her t-shirt.

  “Still no panties—so much the better for me.” He wrapped his arm around her and drew his finger down her crack, approaching her pussy from that way and tickling its entrance.

  “You have long arms and fingers, Mr. Bear.”

  He circled her pussy, making her cream and her legs shake.

  “Don’t tease me. I hate to be teased,” she said.

  He pulled out his finger, lifted her up, and took her to the bedroom. She’d never had a guy do that before. She’d never been with a half bear before. He sat her down on the bed and pulled off her t-shirt.

  With any other man, she might have been self-conscious of her body, of the extra weight she carried on her previous curves, but he made her proud of who she was and how she looked. She sat back on her elbows, allowing her breasts to rise in the air.

  Ash unzipped his pants and pushed them down, along with his boxers. He sheathed himself like it was effortless. “Turn over on your belly, put your arms out to the side and spread your legs.”

  She liked his bossiness. So many demands, but she had the feeling this was going to be so good.

  ****

  Ash ran his hands over her ass. Big and soft just how he liked his females. He parted her cheeks, seeing her juices glistening and clinging to her pussy. “Hang on tight,” he said, leaning toward her and slipping easily into her channel.

  He rested his body on hers while still keeping the bulk of his weight from crushing her. He held her forearms as he began thrusting into her. He leaned over and did something that he knew he might regret. He was going to mark her as his. It might even make her a little sleepy, but she was his and other shifters needed to know it just in case they had crazy ideas.

  He nipped at her.

  “Ash what are—”

  “Keep still and enjoy the ride.”

  He nipped at her again, stopping his thrusting, allowing the shifter’s secret skill of moving his cock inside his mate without moving his body. Chloe’s pussy grabbed him, held him tight, making him almost come. She groaned. Her legs kicked out and he knew she’d just come and was about to do it again.

  “Ash, I…”

  He smiled. She’d come again. He squeezed her hands as he rode her, feeling her climax repeatedly, and now it was his turn to find release with the woman who was now his mate.

  Chapter Twelve

  If Chloe would have known about bear shifters before now, she would have tracked one done and claimed him as her own. Loser human guys made snide remarks about her weight, but she’d found Ash, who embraced her. He even tagged along on her clothes shopping expedition. And to make things even better, he had Sophie cradled in the carrier that he wore across his shoulders so she could go to the dressing room and try on some dresses for the upcoming wedding.

  She stepped into the store where he was looking some shoes. “What do you think?” she asked.

  He turned around and whistled. “I like it a lot, but I also liked the first one you tried on.”

  He’d encouraged her to take it to the dressing room and give it a try. A sexy red wraparound dress that she would never have thought about picking. She had to admit, when she tried it on, it made her feel like she was the sexiest woman in town and that she owned the world. Neither of which was true nor would ever happen. But Ash made her dream and believe all things were possible.

  “That one is pretty but it hides your curves.”

  Yeah, that was the whole idea. She’d always gravitated toward those loose-fitting dresses for a reason. Now with her added post baby weight, she’d thought it an even wiser choice.

  “Red one, definitely,” said Ash, setting his chin down on Sophie’s head and lifting her arms so she made her now familiar gurgling sound that Chloe had come to realize meant she was in happy mode.

  Red one it was.

  “And the black shoes here are perfect to go with it.” He walked over to the shelf and pulled down a pair of black pumps with just a splash of red on them. They were high-heeled and sexy. This guy was a keeper.

  “Ma’am, do you have these shoes in a size eight?” asked Chloe as the assistant walked by.

  “Let me go take a look.”

  “Red dress, those shoes…you might just need that bear repellant,” said Ash.

  Chloe laughed. Not just a smile, but a good belly laugh that she hadn’t done since before she’d overheard the doctor telling the Langens that the baby she was carrying for them had Down syndrome.

  ****

  The breast pump had been a great idea—not just for Chloe, but for him, too. This way, he was able to feed Sophie, too. He hadn’t realized what a wonderful experience it was until the first time he’d tried it. She gazed up at him as he held the bottle for her. Yes, she looked different than other babies, but she was beautiful in her own way. Chloe had obviously known that and he was glad she’d made the decision to run and clai
m her as her own.

  Sophie’s tiny hand rested on his. He’d see that she got the best life possible. She’d go to regular school. He and the other shifters knew what it felt like to be different in a world where most people weren’t like you. Sophie would never feel that way. She’d feel like any other kid. She’d go to a regular school in a regular classroom. He’d teach her she could be anything she wanted to be. Just like Bear had taught Ash. Despite him and Bear only been six years apart in age, when Ash had lost his parents in the explosion that had brought them to Earth, Bear had taken over the role of parent, teaching him, scolding him, and encouraging him to get an education. He looked up to Bear and had used him as a mentor to become a doctor.

  Sophie had finished feeding, so he put the bottle down and was about to lift her up when a stream of half-digested milk flew from her mouth onto this sweatshirt. Chloe chose that moment to walk into the living room. She’d been putting away groceries she’d purchased on the way back from their trip to the mall.

  “Oops, you want me to take her from you?” she asked him.

  “Yeah, could you? I’ll have to remember to use one of the spitty bibs next time.”

  “Spitty bibs? Is that what they’re called?” she asked. She lifted Sophie up and Ash removed his shirt.

  “I’ll soak this in the sink right away.”

  “Good idea, and I’ll change her diaper and put her down for her nap. All that shopping has probably tried her out.”

  Ash ran the water in the kitchen sink and set the shirt down in it. He added some hand soap and swished it around.

  Chloe crept up behind him, laying her cheek on his back. She circled her fingers around his tattoos. “Maybe I should get one of these,” she said.

  “Where on your body?”

  “Maybe my butt.”

  Ash laughed.

  “I think I’d be too scared of the pain,” said Chloe.

  “You gave birth in the middle of a plane with a recently dislocated shoulder and no pain meds. I think getting a tat would be a walk in the woods.”

  “We’ll see.”

  She snuggled in closer to him while running her hand down the front of his jeans. His cock immediately reacted by pulsing against his boxers.

  “Thanks for tagging along with me while I shopped.”