Authors: Ariana Hawkes
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love (Lori) BBW Bear Shifter Romance (Hope Valley BBW Dating App Romance Book 5) (17 page)
“You can go harder,” she panted. He growled again and began to thrust with more force, and she wrapped her arms around him tight, hanging on for the ride. He lifted one of her thighs, and she wrapped both legs around him as he pounded in and out of her. She loved the way he was taking her. It was so primal, so real.
“My mate, my beautiful mate,” he muttered in her ear. “You’re fully mine now. All mine. Now and forever.”
His words were driving her crazy. She loved being possessed by him. As his tempo picked up, her muscles clenched down hard and another climax started to build inside her.
“You’re mine,” he muttered, and it tipped her right over the edge. With a cry, she exploded again, orgasming right around his thick shaft.
He gazed down at her, eyes filled with wonder.
“Lori, that felt unbelievable. Feeling you come around me like that… it did something crazy to me,” he whispered. She reached up and stroked his face, which glistened with the perspiration of his exertions.
“I want you to come now, Bruno. I want to feel you come deep inside me. I want to share your orgasm too,” she said. He let out a growl that was pure bear, and arched above her, huge and powerful as he thrust himself strongly into her body. It was rough, but she loved it, loved to feel the strength of this huge, fearless being in the moment of passion, sharing his sexual energy with her, and only her. He moved faster and faster and the sounds he made were wild and primal. Tension showed on his face and the hands that held her shoulders suddenly felt sharp and piercing.
“I can’t control it,” he muttered, and pulled out of her at the same time.
“What?” she faltered, too stunned to do anything.
“There’s too much of the bear in me right now,” he said.
“Will it hurt me?”
“No, of course, not, but I don’t want to scare you if you see me like this.”
A thought crossed her mind and her lips curved into a smile.
“How about if we do it like this?” she said, and flipped over, so she was on her hands and knees. Bruno let out a purr of appreciation.
“That would be perfect,” he said. His hands gripped her hips, and in a long, smooth thrust, he entered her again. She cried out. It was extra intense like this. As he moved inside her again, his cock stimulated her in a different way, rubbing the front wall of her pussy and a tiny, very sensitive little spot deep inside. She clenched down hard on him and her muscles rippled in jerky little contractions.
“Bruno, I think I – ” she said in amazement as another orgasm began to well up inside her.
“I want to come with you, baby, my mate,” he muttered, and he fucked her with abandon, his fingers sinking into her flesh, holding her tight.
I’m his
, she thought over and over, with every thrust. Finally he gave a deep roar and she tipped over the edge again at the same moment that he came deep inside her, filling her with his seed.
Almost immediately, he lay down, turning onto his side, and bringing her with him so she was snuggled against his chest, surrounded by his magnificent body.
He whispered her name over and over, telling her that she was his mate, now and forever. She reached up to stroke his face, and discovered that his cheek was damp.
“Bruno?” she wriggled onto her back so she could see him. “Are you ok?” he gave her a soft, beautiful smile.
“Yes, I’m fine, baby. It was very emotional for me. You know, it’s been so long, and I’ve wanted this with you for so long too. Ever since I first saw you.”
“Really? That first day, when I was in such a mess?” He nodded.
“Of course. I knew you were my mate – as if my bear wouldn’t have told me! I struggled so hard to repress the connection between us though.” He lifted her fingers and kissed each one. “But no longer. You’ve redeemed me. You’ve made me see that there can be light in my life again. I rescued you, but you’ve rescued me too.”
“Oh, Bruno. I don’t know what to say,” she whispered. His lips quivered, a question behind them.
“Lori Bianco, will you become my mate forever, and bond with me in a public mating ceremony?” he said at last.
Now tears filled Lori’s eyes too. She held his firm, angular jaw in her hand.
“Of course I will, Bruno,” she whispered, barely able to believe that she was uttering those words. “Nothing would make me happier!” His teeth were dazzling in the darkness.
“It’s not too much for you that I’m a bear, is it?” he asked, suddenly looking uncertain. “You won’t get bored of me and decide that you’d rather be with a regular guy?” Lori drew a sharp breath in.
“Are you kidding? It’s a huge plus that you’re a shifter!” she said. “It means that I get an amazing sexy man all to myself, and a strong, fearless bear all to myself. What more could a girl want?” Bruno laughed and hugged her tight.
“I love your take on things!” he said.
“So, what does this ceremony involve?”
“Oh, just some ancient rites and a couple of witnesses. It’s pretty low key. But you can have a human wedding if you like as well. Dina and Logan had theirs last summer at the town hall. It was a lovely event.”
“I think I’d love to have both,” she breathed.
“I’d love that too,” he said, and kissed her cheek and her nose and her mouth.
Half an hour and another orgasm later, she tore herself away from his warm embrace.
“Ok, I hate to say it, but we should probably get some sleep, since a certain person tends to wake up very early,” she said. “I’ll just go check on her now though. Do you have a robe I could borrow?”
“Uh, no. I’m not a very domesticated guy, I’m afraid. I never think about things like that. You could borrow my T-shirt though?” He handed her the one she’d recently taken off him. She pulled it over her head, and it went down to her knees. It smelled of his incredible, masculine scent.
“Perfect!” she said.
Nancy was still fast asleep, and hadn’t moved at all. Lori tiptoed back to bed. As she pushed the bedroom door open, the moment felt surreal. She couldn’t believe that there was an incredibly handsome, kind-hearted man waiting for her in bed. A man who wanted her to be his mate. Forever.
But there he was, holding the covers open for her. She climbed back into bed and snuggled into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her again and kissed the top of her head.
“I love you, Lori,” he whispered into her hair. “I should have told you earlier, and I’ve been wanting to tell you since I rescued you the other day, but I’ve only gathered the courage to say the words now.”
“Oh, Bruno, I love you too,” she said, tilting her chin up to meet his lips. He was irresistible. She adored the flickers of vulnerability that shone through his strength.
They couldn’t remember falling asleep, but when they woke up, they were still wrapped in each other’s arms. Nancy’s plaintive wails drifted up from downstairs. It was 6.45am. Not too bad by her standards. Lori got up with a sigh and put Bruno’s T-shirt on again.
Nancy stopped crying the moment she saw her mom and gave her a brilliant smile. Lori picked her up and held her against her body.
“I’ve got some very exciting news for you, little one,” she said.
Bruno came downstairs a moment later, dressed in pajama pants, his glorious tanned torso bare. He was followed by Tad, who broke into a grin when he saw Lori.
“You slept here!” he exclaimed.
“Yes.” She nodded, a little bashfully.
“Awesome!” He ran over and gave her a hug.
Lori volunteered to make pancakes and they all ate breakfast together.
“I wanted to ask you something,” Bruno said, once Tad had hurtled upstairs to get ready for school. “Feel free to say no, if it seems too soon.” He reached for her hand across the table. “But I was wondering if you and Nancy would like to move in here, so we could all live as a family?”
“You mean now? Like today?” He laughed.
“Today, or tomorrow, or the next day.”
“I would love that. And I think Nancy would too,” she said with a grin.
“You don’t need to worry about anything ever again, Lori. I’m here to love and protect you forever,” he said in his deep, rumbly voice, and something inside her let go. It was something that had been coiled tight inside her ever since she’d discovered that her ex-husband wasn’t the man he’d pretended to be when they’d first met. She didn’t have a name for it – it was hurt, sadness, and disappointment, all rolled into one. But now it was gone, because she knew that Bruno would protect her, and never abandon her.
They saved the news for Tad until he got home from school that night. When he saw Lori’s things piled up in the hallway, his eyes lit up. Lori hid in the kitchen to give father and son a moment of privacy.
“Are you happy for Lori to move in and live here permanently, Tad?” Bruno asked him.
“Are you kidding?” he said. “I would totally love that! Especially if she makes pancakes every morning!” Then he scooted around the house looking for her.
“Welcome to our home, Lori!” he said, and he stretched his arms up to give her another of his fierce little hugs.
She thought again what an amazing kid he was. He wasn’t jealous or resentful of her. He was positive and generous spirited, just like his dad. She’d be so proud to call him her stepson, and for him to become Nancy’s stepbrother.
It was a brilliant, sunny day, and Lori was standing in a clearing deep in the forest. She was wearing a simple white cotton dress that flowed to her ankles, and she carried a bouquet of wild flowers. Tad stood on her right hand side, expertly balancing Nancy on his hip.
Bruno emerged from behind a tree and strode towards them, fastening the buttons on a crisp shirt that was the same shade of blue as his eyes. He was also wearing a light gray linen suit. Apart from the tux he’d been wearing at the ball, Lori had never seen him in a suit before, and he looked absolutely stunning – so elegant and debonair. Her eyes lingered on the triangle of tanned skin visible above the open neck of the shirt, and she gave a little shiver. He stood on Lori’s left side and took her hand. The ceremony officiator beamed at them.
“Lori, you have been formally bonded to Bruno in his human form, and now in his bear form. You have spoken your unbreakable, everlasting vows to each other. I declare that you are officially mates. Forever” he said. Bruno turned to Lori, lifted her right off the ground, and pressed his lips to hers.
“My mate. My beautiful mate,” he whispered. “I promise to love, and protect and cherish you forever.” He’d already spoken these words during the ceremony, but he said them again, as he said them to her every morning. Lori’s heart was so full of happiness and love that she thought she’d burst. He put her down again, and they drew Tad and Nancy together into a family hug.
THE END
Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review, even if it’s only a line or two; it’ll make all the difference, and it will be greatly appreciated.
Turn the page to get your free book!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
A 4.6-star rated, comedy romance featuring one kickass roller derby chick, two scorching-hot Alphas, and the naughty nip that changed their lives forever.
The only thing missing from Aspen Richardson’s life is a man who will love her just the way she is. In the small town she calls home, bullies from the past remain, making her wonder if it's ever going to happen. But, things are about to change in a major way, as the secret Aspen’s parents have been keeping from her comes out…
“This book definitely needs to be added to your MUST read list – you will quickly fall in love with this steamy and fast paced story.”
(If your device doesn’t support links, go to www.arianahawkes.com/freebook)
