Tempted by the Bear - Complete (3 page)

A
nnie

A
metal baking
sheet clatters on the stove top as I set it down. The aroma of chocolate chip cookies fills the room. I say, “My vote is to send them to some other clan.”

My mother is sitting at the kitchen table, and her spoon clinks against her teacup as she stirs. “Tristan really gets under your skin, doesn’t he?”

“That’s putting it mildly, Mother.” I lift the tray of raw dough and place it in the oven. “Tristan thinks he needs to tame me.” I slam the heavy stove door shut.
“Tame me!”

“You are quite headstrong, dear. Perhaps he didn’t mean it in the Neanderthal way.”

“You’re one to talk. I think you gave me that trait. I recall Dad didn’t always have the last say.”

“Good point. But when it mattered, we were a unified force.” She lifts her teacup to her mouth and blows on the steaming contents. “You’ll need to learn to do what’s best for his clan.”

His clan. If I marry Tristan, I’ll be the prima of the De Rozier clan. I shake my head. “Right now, I can’t fathom leading anything together peacefully.” I also can’t fathom the idea of living anywhere but this house. I don’t think three alphas in the same residence would work, which means I’ll be moving out of my brother’s house, which has been my home for the last few years.

“Repeat after me. Marriage is a compromise,” says Mom.

I squint my eyes at her. “You’re not helping.” My spatula scrapes on metal as I slide a cookie off. “Besides, the De Roziers still don’t have any land.”

“It’s in the works. You’re going to have to find a way to live with him.”

What she’s not saying is that I don’t have a choice. The draw of true mates is almost impossible to ignore, and I’m stuck with Tristan De Rozier. For life. My bones thud when I fall into the wooden chair across from Mother, and I place a plate stacked with cookies on the table between us. I take a large bite of one and let the sugar race to my bloodstream. Speaking over a mouthful of food, I say, “I feel like the spirits keep punishing me.”

Mother reaches out and touches my arm. “It does seem that way at times, doesn’t it?”

Ever since I found out I was barren, along with all the women in my clan who are of child-bearing age, it’s been one thing after another. Kyle and my father were killed not long after that discovery. And recently we lost one of the women we brought in to save our clan to the same werebears who killed my husband. It would be so easy to hole up in my room and drown myself in my misery.

Fortunately, I’m too strong for that sort of wallowing, and I stand up to get milk. “Help me see the silver lining.” White liquid gurgles into my glass.

“You’re going to be a prima. You’ll have a clan that looks up to you as a leader. You’ll no longer be in the shadow of your brother as the Le Roux alpha.” I sit back down at the table and she continues. “You have the love and support of your immediate family, and”—she reaches over to place her hand on mine—“Tristan is one hot ticket. I’ll bet he’s an animal in bed.”

I chuckle at my mother’s brazen way. I give her some back. “I do think the sex will be hot. Can I survive on that alone?”

Mom winks at me. “It definitely helps smooth over the rough patches.”

Great. My destiny is to be with a control freak, but at least I’ll have plenty of orgasms. I sigh. “I suppose it could be worse.”

“What could be worse?” Carly asks as she enters the kitchen with her baby Audrey.

I reach out to take the small girl. “We’re talking about Tristan.”

“Annie says she won’t mind the sex,” says Mother.

Carly chuckles. “No, I bet not. He’s smoking hot, and I guess he knows what he’s doing.”

Donna says, “Fortunately, that’s a werebear thing. Never heard of one who couldn’t please his mate.”

Carly grins. “Don’t tell Brady. He thinks he’s special.”

Mother says, “They all do, and that’s how we like it.” She stands up to take Ashley from me. “Any word on how Ashton’s talk with Tristan went?”

“I got a one-word answer to my question. ‘Good,’” says Carly.

I say, “Got to love that man’s efficiency.”

Mother says, “So let’s hope he’s got a clue now. Because the scent of unrequited lust in the air is getting old.”

I resist the urge to sniff myself. “Mother, sometimes you really shouldn’t speak your every thought.”

Donna lifts Audrey in the air above her head and gets a squeal. “I thought that was part of my charm.”

Carly says, “It is now.” She flashes a grin at Mother. “But when we first met, not so much.”

I ask, “So tell me about where Brady plans to put the De Roziers. Where is my new home going to be?”

Carly smiles at me in excitement. “Be glad I was at that meeting.” She glances around as if Brady’s going to pop up from a hidden corner. “Don’t tell him I told you, but he’s thinking about one thousand acres around the lake where you used to ice skate as kids.”

Warmth floods my heart because that’s one of my favorite places, and Carly knows it. “Was that your doing?”

She nods as her eyes glisten. “I’m not sure how I’m going to manage here without you, but I want you to be in a special place that will make you happy.”

My eyes fill with tears too. I whisper as I pull her into a hug. “Carly.”

She squeezes me tight. “You deserve the best.”

I pull away and sniff. “Yeah, well, we need to whip that true mate of mine into shape, because right now he’s kind of the worst.”

Carly frowns. “Yeah, about that. I wouldn’t be so sure he’s as much of a mess as he wants us to think.” She shrugs. “I can’t explain it, but Kimi has been teaching me to use my gift, and I sense there’s a whole lot more to his story.”

Kimi is our medicine woman, and we only recently discovered Carly has untapped magical powers. I think about how orderly Tristan is in his personal habits. The kind of orderly I am, which tells me he’s not only got a need for control in our relationship, but I bet he isn’t quite the free spirit he tries to portray. “Interesting. Seems I need to get to know Tristan a whole lot better.”

Mother perks up. “Does this mean you’re going to do him?”

A rush of desire burns in me, and I say, “Yes, Mother. Consider him done.”

I
sabelle

I
stroke
the smooth fabric of Tristan’s comforter while I wait for him to get out of the shower. He left me alone to go work out with Ashton earlier, and I’m bored. I sit on the end of Tristan’s bed, and the mattress bounces.

He’s rubbing his hair with a towel when he walks into the room, and I say, “I’m thinking about a tattoo.”

Tristan stares at me for a moment. “Really? Whatever for?”

“They’re beautiful. Have you seen Sierra’s?” Sierra is Carly’s best friend, and they own a tattoo parlor in town.

“I have, and they are very nice. But why the sudden interest?”

I get up and wander toward his bureau. The usual contents of his pocket are on it and arranged neatly because he placed the phone, small utility knife, and wallet there carefully. The leather case of his phone is smooth in my hand as I pick it up. “I’ve got nothing else to do.”

“You mean drinking too much and riding Mr. So Right Tonight isn’t enough?” The fabric of his jeans rustles as he pulls them up.

“Your attempt to shame me isn’t working.”

“I didn’t think it would. But your time would be better spent doing something useful.”

I grin at him and lick my lips. “I’m quite useful.”

Tristan rolls his eyes at me and buttons up his Oxford shirt. “I mean get a job.”

I shudder when I recall the horrible work positions I had to take to help us survive back home. “No.”

“You could work at the lumber mill, or the gym, or even the tattoo parlor. All you have to do is ask, and I’m sure the Le Roux would find you something to do.”

I don’t want a job, so I change the subject. “Speaking of the gym, how was your workout with Ashton? And why wasn’t I allowed to come?”

Tristan smiles slowly as he keeps me in suspense. “It was a test to see how well I fight. And some helpful advice on how to win over Annie.”

I flip open his phone. Tristan snatches it out of my hand as I ask, “And how did it go?”

“I impressed Ash with my skills and pretended to listen to his speech about honor and trust.” He glances over at his bed. “It might be time to make my move.”

I snort. “You act so in control, but I know how true mates work. You want her as badly as she wants you. Why don’t you be your charming self and get laid tonight?”

Tristan rolls up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt to reveal his strong forearms. “Not a bad idea, Izzy. Not a bad idea at all.”

I follow my brother as he makes his way downstairs. Annie seems to bake every day, and my mouth waters at the aroma of something chocolate that awaits us in the kitchen. When we enter, Annie is at the table with her mother.

Donna says, “My two favorite polar bears. Come. Have some milk and cookies with us.”

Tristan sits next to Donna and pours on the charm as I pour us two drinks. He says, “I can never refuse my two favorite black bear. You look lovely today, Donna.”

She replies, “And you as well, Tristan. How was your session with Ashton?”

“Grueling. He’s a tough warrior.”

I hand my brother a glass of milk and sit down across from him. The scent of Annie’s arousal is pungent, and I smile as I speak in my brother’s head. “
She’s practically sliding off her chair.”

Tristan turns his attention to Annie. He licks his lips slowly and says, “Delicious.”

She masks her desire well. “You haven’t even taken a bite.”

My brother lowers his voice to a sexy growl. “I can tell by the smell.”

I let out a disgusted noise from the back of my throat, and he flashes me a smile before he says, “I enjoyed running with you this morning. Any chance we can slip out for a movie or coffee later tonight?”

“Tristan De Rozier, are you asking me out? On a date?”

He puts a finger in his mouth and slowly removes it as if he’s licking off chocolate. It lingers on his lower lip. Annie sucks in a breath before he replies, “I sure am.”

Donna chuckles, and Annie says, “I’d like that.” Her hand moves up to her neckline, and she tugs on it as if she can’t breathe. Tristan’s gaze follows as her movement reveals her cleavage. He mutters in my mind.
“Holy mother of God, I could take her right on the table.”

I ask, “Should Donna and I leave you two alone?”

Annie shakes her head and stands abruptly. “No, of course not.” She walks quickly to the fridge and asks, “More milk, anyone?”

I decide to give Annie time to recover. “Donna, do you think Carly would be interested in some help at Ink It?”

“I bet she would. Are you running out of
activities
to keep you entertained?”

Donna is blunt about sex, and the only time I’ve seen her contain her thoughts is around Annie. Because I appreciate her candor, I answer, “Amazingly, I need more to feel fulfilled. Who knew?”

Donna grins at me as Annie returns to her seat. She says, “Yes. I imagine you do. Balance, after all.”

Tristan has leaned back and has his arms crossed over his chest. “Balance is good.” He glances at Annie’s chest and then back up to her face. “Anticipation is even better. Don’t you think, Annie?” He raises his eyebrows at her.

She leans forward on her arms and squeezes her breasts with them to offer my brother an eyeful. “Sometimes the reward is worth waiting for.”

Donna’s eyes widen, and it reinforces the fact that Annie doesn’t flirt like this easily.
“Holy crap, brother. She’s penciled you in. I’ll pass out the earplugs for later.”

His laughter comes through before he says, “You do that. Because I’m going to make sure the whole house knows she’s mine.”

A twinge of jealousy grips my heart, because I haven’t met the man who makes me want to scream his name yet, and I’m afraid I never will.

Tristan’s eyebrows rise just the slightest as he glances at me.
“Tonight would be a good time for your date as well.”

I give him the slightest nod, because our plan is working beautifully. “
Indeed it is.”

A
nnie

O
nce I decide
to do something, I can be like a torpedo racing toward my target and blasting through anything in my way. My decision to mate with Tristan is solid, and after I put a lasagna in the oven, I come to my room to prepare for my evening. Steam fills the bathroom as water splashes in the tub. My skin is already overheated with lust, and the ache between my legs is begging for relief. I’m tempted to do something about that and open a cabinet before I can stop myself.
Anticipation.

The wooden door slams shut as I push it with a bit more force than necessary. It’s been a while since I’ve had a man satisfy my needs, and I’d rather wait for the real thing. I shudder and close my eyes while the fantasy of what Tristan’s body against me, on me, and in me would feel like plays in my mind. I sigh and step into the lavender-scented water of my bath. Heat envelops me as I sink in.

I lean back against the edge and stretch out my limbs. I gaze down at my shapely legs, and the hair I notice makes me sit up to grab a razor. Excitement courses through me as I think about my date. Dare I hope Tristan will be charming the whole time instead of displaying his annoying side?

Water trickles as I raise my leg to scrape over it and remove stubble. Tonight is going to mark the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I’d gotten quite comfortable being Brady’s sidekick, the alpha’s sister. And when Carly came along, I settled into taking care of them, along with the children who were born a few months ago. While they hired a nanny to help with the triplets, and we have a cleaning lady, Brady and Carly are going to have to start cooking for themselves when I leave. I should look into a chef for them.

I snort at myself. Carly is more than capable of figuring out what to do for meals, and I ought to be planning for my new home instead of worrying about my brother’s family. The triplets’ squirming bodies and sweet faces flash in my mind, and my heart gets heavy as I realize I won’t be seeing them as much as I do now. While I look forward to setting up my new home as the prima of the De Rozier clan, I can’t help but wish that included children of my own.

Plastic clatters as I set my razor down on the edge of the tub. I’m being foolish, longing for something I’ll never have. I need to be happy with what I’ve been given, because it’s amazing, considering I’d resigned myself to life as a widow and doting aunt. I grab a washcloth and finish my bath.

As I’m toweling off, a knock sounds on my bedroom door. Carly speaks to me in my head.
“It’s me.”

“Come on in.”

Soft carpet cushions my feet as I make my way to my dresser, and my sister-in-law enters. My bed whooshes as she sits herself on the end of it. She asks, “Are you excited for tonight?”

My drawer thuds open, and silky fabric is smooth in my hands as I search for a bra and panty set for Tristan’s eyes. “Yes, because it’s about time. But no, because I’m afraid he’ll let the jerk side show.”

“My suggestion is to try to control your anger and be honest. Tell him how it makes you feel and be rational. I bet he’ll respond better to logic.”

I bend down to place my breasts in the cups of my bra before I stand and hook it. “I’ll try.” I glance at Carly and add, “But being rational with that man is hard to do.”

Carly smiles at me, but it fades quickly into a frown. She says, “There’s something I need to tell you. I only remembered it today, and it’s important you know.”

“Okay.”

“Isabelle mentioned this in passing, and I had forgotten until tonight. Tristan has children.”

“What?” My stomach clenches. Has my true mate been mated before? Who is she? Where is she? And more importantly, where are the children? I walk over and sink down on the bed next to Carly as she twists to face me.

She says, “I don’t know much more than that. It was Christmas Day, and Isabelle mentioned that she thought you were a good match for Tristan. She said it wouldn’t be a problem because the next alpha of the De Roziers was already secured and something about the mother being gone.”

“Great. That’ll be a handy conversation starter.” It figures there would have to be one more thing to make mating with Tristan difficult.

“I know, right? I’m sorry I didn’t tell you this sooner. I’m not sure why I’d forgotten it.”

I reach out and take Carly’s hand. “Maybe because we had a rather big crisis at that time where we lost Taylor.” When Victor Veilleux kidnapped Sierra’s babies, a group of us went to rescue them. The fight that occurred killed our enemy as well as our fiercest female warrior. She was one of the women we called here to be turned into a werebear and provide children. “I know you felt incredible guilt for bringing her here, and I bet that took precedence in your mind.”

Carly squeezes my fingers. “I still do. But I have to learn to live with it.” She releases her grip. “Anyway. I’m glad I remembered in time so you enter your relationship with Tristan knowing what you’re getting into.”

I nod and stand up to walk over to my closet. This news changes things, and my need to mate is not as paramount as it was a few minutes ago. No. Now information is what I crave. I grab my favorite knit dress without thinking and tug it off the hanger. Mating with Tristan will lead to becoming more than a prima. I’ll be a stepmother too. Soft wool caresses my skin as I slip the garment over my head and pull it down. I recall how moments ago I was longing for a family of my own that involved more than a husband. I squat down to find my matching shoes.
Careful what you wish for, Annie. You just might get it.