Kodiak's Claim (14 page)

“Gee, don’t I feel all warm and fuzzy inside?” she said with evident sarcasm.

“You should take it as a compliment. It’s not something I’ve ever had happen to me before. I’m usually much more picky about my bedmates.”

“You mean you’re used to skinnier, prettier ones.”

The shock on his face wasn’t feigned, and his words rang with sincerity. “You did not seriously just say that. For one thing, I like a woman in my bed. Not a stick. And we both know you’re cute as a snow bunny with your big brown eyes.”

“A bunny?”

“You’re right. Too gentle. More like a lynx, wily and violent when threatened. Make no mistake. I’m attracted to you. I want to explore your curves. Rub myself against your skin. Make your body flush with passion.”

“You speak as if we’re going to have sex, and yet, I’m telling right now, it won’t happen.” Yup, she said it, and yet even she didn’t truly believe it. She knew her body was more than willing. Then again, what woman wouldn’t react to a virile, handsome man declaring his attraction?

“Give me a few more minutes. You’ll be singing a different tune.”

“I won’t become your lover.”

“Yet.”

“Ever.”

His confident smile called her a liar.

She shook her head. “You are being really stubborn. Not to mention unethical. How can I properly do my job if I’m sleeping with you?”

“Is that all that’s stopping you? Then fine. I withdraw my claims.”

Her jaw dropped. “You can’t do that.”

“I can and will if that’s what it takes.”

Surely he jested. What man gave up a fortune to spend the night with her? “Stop joking.”

“No joke. I wasn’t kidding when I said I wanted you. If your only objection is your ability to provide an unbiased report, then fine. No report needed. I won’t follow through on the claim.”

“You can’t do that. It’ll make you look suspicious. Like you know what’s going on.”

“I do. A rival is making a bid for my territory.” He said it with nonchalance as he stripped his shirt off.

It took her a moment to regain her wits, as so much flesh bared all at once addled her. “I don’t understand. What do you mean someone’s after your territory?”

“It’s simple. I am the head of this town. Clan. Company. Whatever you want to call it. I run it. I make the rules. I enforce them. In my world, that gives me the title of Alpha.”

“So you’re the big boss.”

“Exactly. In shifter society, if someone thinks they have the strength, or if they get greedy, then they can make a move on a clan, either by outright challenge to the alpha or by striking out at them. In other words, doing things that will weaken the alpha’s position and his pack.”

His words reminded her of what his grandmother said earlier. “Kind of like sleeping with me would also weaken you.”

“Says who?”

“Your grandmother. Isn’t that what she meant earlier when she was reminding you of your position?”

He grimaced. “More or less. As alpha, I’m expected to marry for political reasons. To form an alliance with another clan.”

“In other words, stick to your own kind.”

“Yes. But, until then, that doesn’t mean I can’t take a lover, even a human one.”

“So you want me to sleep with you, knowing we don’t have a future.” Well, she couldn’t berate him for being honest. At least, unlike most men, he didn’t pretend.

“We won’t be doing much sleeping.” His words, almost purred, sent a shiver through her that had nothing to do with the temperature in the room. Unless the heat in her body counted.

“What you’re suggesting is—”

“A no-strings, no-promises evening of pleasure. Make that days, until you have to return to your life back in the city.”

“That sounds so … tawdry.” And exciting. What he suggested, on the one hand, was to treat her like some sort of sex kitten, a mistress for his pleasure. It was oddly arousing. Tammy had never had a man so openly proposition her before. A man who wanted her, at any cost, because he found her sexy.

If words could stroke, his did, and her body reacted. Could he sense it? Smell it? His nostrils did flare, and she could have sworn his eyes flashed. The animal within him reacting to her evident desire?

“At our core, human or bear, we both have needs. Carnal hungers. There is nothing wrong with feeding that hunger.”

What he suggested, no strings, no emotional attachments, no expectations, was it something she should even contemplate? In a sense, he offered her the perfect solution. Indulge in the arousal, get it out of her system, then leave. Still, though, there was a name for girls who had sex just for the sake of it. “I don’t kno—”

“You think and talk too much,” he growled, cutting her off. In the blink of an eye, he’d closed the gap between them and taken her into his arms. His mouth claimed hers in a torrid kiss, one that wiped away her silly rebuttals.

Who was she kidding? She could argue until she turned blue. The simple fact of the matter was she did want Reid. Bear or not, he brought her body to life and made her blood boil in a way she’d never imagined. Yes, there was a chance she’d get her heart broken. Been there, done that, and she’d survived. But could she live with the regret of wondering what it could have been like? To always wonder if she’d missed out on the best experience of her life, however fleeting?

I can’t.
She wanted this. Needed this. Needed him.

Accepting it unleashed something within her. Her entire stance softened as she threw herself wholeheartedly into the embrace. If he noticed the difference, he didn’t protest, but she could have sworn he grunted in approval.

With his big body wrapped around hers, it proved simple for him to maneuver her toward the bed until the backs of her legs hit the mattress. She tumbled onto it, losing his mouth in the process. But she didn’t mourn its loss, not when it went in search of other places to kiss, like her neck, which led him to travel lower until the neckline of her shirt got in his way. Whoops. No it wasn’t. In a deft motion, he’d yanked the offending garment off her, baring her to his view.

With the lights on in the bedroom, there was no hiding her lily-white skin, the roundness of her belly, or the ugly practical sports bra holding her heavy breasts in place.

But the sight seemed to enflame him, or so his guttural, “delicious”, seemed to indicate. His lips pressed to her exposed flesh, exploring the valley between her breasts, while his hands fumbled at the clasp to her bra.

“Need some help?” she teased.

“No,” was his disgruntled reply. “Stupid contraption.” His solution? With a wrench, he forcibly snapped the clasp and peeled the offensive item from her.

“Hey, I happened to like that bra.”

“I’ll buy you another one. Hell, I’ll buy you ten if you promise not to wear them around me.”

“You want me to let the twin peaks swing free?” she said, her words ending on a gasp as his lips tugged at first one nipple then the other.

“Yes, or you’ll end up with a pile of useless fabric.”

She giggled at his vehemence, a sound that turned into a moan as he suckled at her erect tip. His hot mouth engulfed her breast, the sucking and tugging sending a jolt of pure pleasure to her sex. She writhed upon the mattress, apparently too much, because he settled his large body between her legs, pinning her.

She wrapped her legs around him, barely. Good thing she was tall or they wouldn’t have fit. He was a big man. A solid man. A man who was slowly working his way lower, his hot mouth leaving a blazing trail in its wake as he edged closer and closer to the waistband of her slacks.

He managed the button and zipper on those without damage, and in short order, they went flying over his shoulder, leaving Tammy wishing she’d packed nicer underwear. Pink cotton panties did not scream seduction. As if he noticed. His mouth continued its descending exploration, nuzzling the fabric covering her sex then wetting it as he opened his mouth as if to take a bite. He didn’t chomp down, but he did blow, warm, moist air.

She cried out and grabbed at his hair, her fingers tugging at the strands as she bucked against his sensual torture.

When he peeled her panties off, she was more than ready for his mouth to claim her sex, his tongue delving between her plump nether lips and lapping at the entrance of her pussy. A shudder went through her, and her channel tightened and clenched, eager for something to hold on to.

But he didn’t give her what her sex so ardently wanted. Not yet. Instead, his tongue switched tactics, applying itself to her clitoris.

She yelled as he licked it and clasped it with his lips, the direct stimulation all her body needed to get pushed over the edge. An edge he seemed intent on shoving her off, again. He would not stop. In the throes of a climax that he just wouldn’t allow to stop, she finally had to plead, “Enough!”

“Oh no, city girl, we’re not done yet,” he growled. Somehow during his oral assault of her tender parts, he’d lost his pants. Or so the probing head of his shaft indicated as he braced himself over her with arms corded with muscle. His lips caught hers, the taste of her still flavoring them, and she cried against his mouth as he penetrated her still-quivering sex, the thickness of him exactly what her body craved.

Big, so big and yet she stretched to accommodate him. But it was a tight fit. He grunted as he wiggled his way in until he was fully and firmly seated. Then he paused and said the most incongruous, and yet sweetest, thing, “Are you okay?”

Reid didn’t understand her soft laughter at his query. He was well aware his large girth could cause discomfort. He did his best to ensure she was fully prepared for him, but at the same time, he remained—if barely—aware of her humanity and her more fragile nature.

Fragile and yet with a courage forged of steel. She was also, despite her silly doubts, a perfect-sized girl with curves that delighted him, a wanton desire to match his own, and a heavenly taste.

But she was also tight. Oh so very pleasurably tight. Enjoyable as he found that, he retained enough wits to make sure she was comfortable with the way he surely stretched her.

“I’m more than okay,” she purred against his lips as her fingers threaded through his hair. As if to prove her statement, her hips undulated, drawing him impossibly farther in, and her sex must have enjoyed it because it quivered and squeezed

It was his turn to gasp, and his head bowed until his forehead touched hers. Without further words, they began to move, him thrusting in and out with long, slow strokes while she arched her hips, tilting them in such a way as to allow him deeper access. He knew he’d gotten the right angle to hit her sweet spot by the way her channel milked him like a vise each time he slammed his way in.

Her fingers stopped their painful tug, a pain he welcomed as a sign of her ardent arousal, and clutched at his shoulders. Her legs were wrapped around his waist, ankles locked, the strength in them welcome, as she seemed determined to hold onto him as fervently as he clung to her.

Together they moved in rhythm, their hearts racing in time, their ragged breathing matching up, and when their climax claimed them? They both yelled out, his body bowing in one mighty thrust, her body arching as her channel convulsed.

And in that one glorious moment, Reid knew he was in trouble. Big trouble. It didn’t stop him from cradling the panting body of his city girl, of staying wrapped around her even as she fell asleep in his arms. He couldn’t leave her side. Not only was his bear determined to remain close at hand to protect her, he wanted to stay.

So he stayed and screw anyone who didn’t like it.
I’m the fucking alpha, and if I want to spend the night with a human I will.

But of course his actions didn’t go unnoticed or unchallenged.

The following morning, as a blushing Tammy finally left bed, sated, sticky, and in search of a hot shower, Reid took a quick sluice of his own before heading downstairs to face a bear who, while not bigger in size, definitely tried to tower over him in attitude and spirit.

His grandmother boldly stared at him as he entered the kitchen, the wooden spoon in her hand—the sturdy kind that didn’t easily break off when applied to a naughty cub’s butt—held high. “You spent the night with her.” Stated not asked.

“I did.”

“Was that wise?”

Nope. Pleasurable? Yes. “I don’t see what wisdom has to do with me having sex with someone I find attractive.”

“Don’t get smart-mouthed with me, Reid Carver. I’ve got a spoon, and I’m not afraid to use it.” Especially since she knew he wouldn’t do a thing to protect himself.

His parents and grandmother had raised him to never lift a hand against a woman and, most especially, not against his beloved Ursa.

“What do you want me to tell you? There’s something about her that I can’t help but crave.” Problem was, despite their night of pleasure, the craving remained. He’d thought by the third time he claimed her willing body he’d have regained some measure of control. Instead, it seemed his hunger for her had deepened.

His grandmother sighed. “Believe it or not, I do understand. She’s different than the women you’re used to seeing every day, and she’s got a strong character. I can understand your attraction even if I don’t condone it. Please tell me you at least used protection?”

No, he hadn’t. He’d not even thought to bring condoms to her room. Didn’t pull out. Didn’t take any of his usual precautions. He would have liked to blame his frazzled mental state, maybe even his bear, which had pretty much run the show, but no, a part of him had known what he did. Known and didn’t care. But he wasn’t about to admit that to his Ursa. So he adopted an affronted and embarrassed tone. “I am not discussing my sex life with you. Suffice it to say, you’ve nothing to worry about.” Tammy was a city girl. Chances were she was on the pill.

And if she’s not?
The thought of her belly swelling with his child—
my cub
—didn’t send him into a blind panic. Not like he had when he thought he’d gotten his college girlfriend knocked up.

What did that mean? Was he ready to perhaps settle down and start a family? He thought of various alpha daughters paraded past him over the years. Most attractive and intelligent. None made him want to rush out and hitch a knot. On the contrary, he grimaced. And yet, when he thought of the tousled-haired human upstairs? He wanted to race back to her side and make love to her until she let out that soft moan that meant he’d hit her sweet spot.