The Bear's Reluctant Bride: A Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance (18 page)

“You're teaching me how to avoid a fight. You're supposed to be teaching me how to win one,” she accused, her hand on her hip as she glared at him, knowing just want he was up to.

“I don't know what you mean,” he said, making every effort to look innocent of what she was accusing him of.

“You do know exactly what it is I'm talking about,” she said, poking her finger in to his chest.

“All you really need to be able to do is avoid an attacker. That way, you and the baby will be safe until I can end the life of whoever would harm you,” he said, looking as though it was of no real concern to him.

“That's not our deal. You need to really fight me so that I can learn. You said it yourself,” she said, making no attempt to hide her anger.

“Fine, but I'll not attack you at full force,” he said, crouching in preparation to attack.

“I don't think any of those who want to see us dead will go easy on me because they love me. Do you?” she asked, her annoyance clear.

“If that's what you want, it's what I'll do. Don't even think of pouting when I beat you. I train warriors as my mission in the tribe. There will be no shame in losing to me. At least it'll show you how much you need to learn,” he said.

She didn't answer. Instead, she trained all of her senses on him, waiting for him to pounce. She felt them humming, as though she'd elevated herself to some sort of new state of consciousness. Usually, something like that would've frightened her, but knowing Luke was nearby allowed her to embrace it.

When he finally did make his move, she bested him easily. In fact, as he came at her head on, she was able to kick his legs out from under him and pin him to the ground, twisting his arm behind his back.

“Did you let me do that?” she asked as she released him, angry that he was still not taking her training seriously.

“No, I swear to you I didn't. I attacked you with all my strength. Have you been training behind my back? Kalia, you promised me that you wouldn't. It's so dangerous to do while you're pregnant,” he accused as he got back to his feet, pacing back and forth as he spoke.

“But I didn't,” she swore, looking so surprised by what had happened that he couldn't doubt her sincerity.

“Then how?” he asked, shaking his head at the impossibility of her having such skill without training, yet there was no other explanation.

“I don't know,” she gasped, looking down at her own hands as though they were foreign.

“Perhaps it was just a fluke,” he said, lunging at her again.

He made no effort at all to hold himself back but she again took the upper hand. Each time, she was able to knock him off balance or to get her hands on him before they reset. After what felt like an hour of sparring, she was able to pin him against a large oak tree, which brought them both to a fit of laughter.

“Oh darling, I seem to have the upper hand,” she said as she laughed out loud.

“You usually do, Kalia,” he said, spinning her around so that her back was pressed against the tree.

“It doesn't bother you that I seem to have some strange fighting ability?” she asked meaningfully.

“It gives me peace of mind to know your skills before were not the result of the baby within you but rather your own,” he said, locking his lips on to her neck when he finished speaking.

“You don’t think we should try to figure this out?” she asked before the sensation of his tongue gently drawing circles on the sensitive skin of her neck drove all thought from her mind.

“Oh no, I'm afraid the time for talking has passed,” he murmured against her skin before turning his attention to her shoulders, kissing his way across her bare skin.

“Really?” she asked, trying to keep her senses about her.

“Yes, I cannot stand to be so close to you for so long and not have you. It's torture. You don't want to torture me, do you?” he asked as his hands roamed her body, roughly kneading her breasts as he kept her pinned against the tree.

“The real torture is having your hands on me like this. I cannot stand the waiting. It's been weeks. I need you now. Take me, please?” she asked doing her best to rub herself against him, taking what pleasure she could from the motion.

“We don’t have to rush it,” he purred as his mouth traveled down her skin. Gently, he turned her arm so that he had access to the sensitive skin of her inner arm and work his way down. He placed a gentle kiss on her wrist, relishing the vibration of her pulse against his mouth.

“I need you now,” she moaned, arching her back against the tree in frustration.

“Patience is a virtue,” he teased, turning her hand over and kissing the back of her hand. He smiled up at her, then darted his tongue between her fingers, sending her nearly mad with want. All she could think of was all the other places on her body that she would rather his tongue was. Still, there was something so sweet about the painful desire burning within her. The longer he teased and titillated her, the more her desire for him grew.

“Is it my virtue that you love so much?” she teased, knowing that he was as desperate for her and she was for him.

“Oh, I love every bit of you. I love your virtue, your mind, your hips, your breasts. I love the way I feel when you're near and the way I feel when I'm inside of you. There's nothing about you that I don't adore. I don't think there will ever be a day where you don't amaze me. I think you were put on this earth for the sole purpose of being my match in every way,” he said, before blowing on the sensitive skin he had just finished exploring with his tongue.

“Funny, that's how I feel about you. It seems so strange to me to think that you feel the same way about me. It seems nearly impossible someone like you could love me as deeply,” she said, overcome with their closeness and emotional connection.

“Don't say such things. You, my dear girl, are the most special person in the world to me. You're everything I ever thought I wanted and so much more. Don’t devalue yourself. I wouldn't let anyone else say such things about you and I don't intend to allow you to, either,” he whispered to her.

“Then make love to me,” she moaned. “Show me that you love me as I love you.”

He didn't answer her. Instead, he gripped her butt tightly and pressed her against the tree as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Her fingers dug in to his shoulders as he devoured her mouth. Though she still needed him inside of her desperately, the passion in his kisses was enough to satisfy her for the moment. The feeling of the tree's bark against her back was exhilarating. Her thighs clenched around him, trying to keep him close to her on a primal level.

Despite her groan of disappointment, he managed to untangle himself from her. He sat her on the ground and stepped away to admire her beauty. They were both so alert and tuned in to their primal side from their sparring that he wanted to be sure that he was in full control when they made love. He wanted to take his time and enjoy every sweet and slow moment of it.

Kalia, for her part, wanted nothing but to be with him. He gripped the hem of her dress and pulled it over her head, revealing her body to him. Though he knew every inch of it by heart, it always took his breath away to see her nude body, offered up to him as a gift from the heavens.

He walked to her slowly, placing his hand against her cheek and leaning down to kiss her as if they had all the time in the world. It was Kalia who lowered herself to the ground, extending her hand and beckoning him to join her. She lay back on the grass and he couldn't resist any longer. He quickly divested himself of his shirt and pants and joined her on the soft grass.

He bent over her and touched her most intimate place, light as a feather at first. There, between her legs, he explored her core while watching her face contort with pleasure as he circled the source of her pleasure. His rhythmic motions were nearly more that she could stand. She threw her head back and gave herself over to the sensation of his touch. Then, as his desire grew, he ran his hands up her ribs and returned his focus to her breasts. They seemed made for his hands, but he wasn't content to simply touch her. He needed to taste her. As his mouth latched on to her sensitive buds, a shiver of anticipation shook them both. She knew then that he couldn't hold back much longer. He would give in to his desire and enter her soon and the sense of satisfaction at that knowledge nearly enough to make her cum right then.

He sensed her need and couldn't deny it any longer. He thrust into her then and she couldn't remember ever feeling so fulfilled. When he began to move within her, she could see stars behind her eyes. Her toes curled as she felt her climax coming closer and closer. With each thrust, she held him tighter. She was so lost in her passion that she couldn't control herself. She screamed his name, digging her nails into the skin of his back as he drove into her faster and faster. Each time she called out his name, he grew wilder and wilder.

They fed off each other’s desire. It was as though they were in the midst of an inferno, in danger of being burned alive by their passion for each other. When they finally reached their climax, it felt as though the very earth itself was shaking beneath them.

After, when the adrenaline had passed, they simply lay there in the grass, holding each other and pretending that the rest of the world didn't exist.

*

For a week they went on like that, training each day. Though she clearly didn't need to practice her skills, it helped to keep both of their minds occupied as they waited for their enemy to strike. From time to time, the thought popped into her head that it'd be best if they just attacked first but it was against the code of the tribe. 

In her heart, of course, she knew that she could never do such a thing. She might be able to defend herself but she could never attack another unprovoked. Her strange, innate fighting ability was one thing but she wasn't capable of taking the life of another without provocation. That she knew to be true.
One evening, lying in his arms in the quiet darkness of their room, Kalia was doing all she could to savor what peace they could find while it lasted. Still, Luke seemed restless and it made her nervous. He had never seemed so restless when they were alone together and her mind was racing, thinking of everything that could be causing his stress. The only logical solution was that he had heard concrete news of when their enemies would come for them.
"Tell me," she whispered in the darkness, her head upon his chest. "I can handle it."
"My sentries have seen a change in our enemies. They are coming in larger groups and they are more organized. Before now, they have only entered our territory individually. Now, they come in organized scouting parties. It'll not be long now. Soon, they'll attack us. It could happen at any moment," he admitted, holder her tighter each second he spoke.
"It's come then," she sighed. "It's alright, Luke. We're ready. Your warriors are the best trained our people have ever seen. There's no way your enemies are as strong, determined, or well trained. Besides, they don't have nearly as much to fight for. You have our family and our love. You cannot fail."
"With you, love, I could move mountains," he said as he held her close. His lips pressed to hers and she ran her hands up and down his strong arms, savoring the feeling of him there, safe beside her. Though her faith in him was unwavering, it would have taken a cold creature to know that her love faced such a threat and not worry.
"I don't need you to move mountains. I just need you to come home safely to me," she said as she kissed him lightly, memorizing the taste of him.
"I'll not leave your side until this is over. I'll not take my eyes from you," he growled, gripping her so tight that she was sure she would bruise.
"We both know that's unwise. You need to be outside this house with your men. Be on the defense line closest to the house. Keep us safe. You'll be only a shout away and you'll be able to do the most for us by leading them."
"You're right. Of course, you're right. I don't know if I can bear to leave the two of you, though. Not having you in my sight might drive me absolutely crazy before the enemy even arrives," he admitted, looking so torn that she couldn't think of any way to comfort him.
"Then you should be comforted to know that I can take care of us," she said gently.
"Yes, you can, but I never want you to have to," he sighed.
"I don't want that either, but if the worst should happen, then we are prepared," she said confidently.
"How did I get so lucky as to have you in my life?" he asked, holding her close.
"When will you go?" she asked, suddenly wishing she were the kind of woman who could beg him to stay with her. Still, she knew that she needed to be strong for the both of them.
"I should go now. Otherwise, I may never be able to go," he said, reluctantly rising from the bed.
"I suppose that's for the best," she said reluctantly.
"Yes, but I want nothing more than to be selfish and to stay here in the warmth of your presence," he said as he began to dress. "That's why I must go out to the men now. If I don't join them out there now, I'll lose my will entirely."
"I love you more than words. Your soul and mine are one," she said, reaching out and taking his warm hand in hers.
"There's no one in this world who means as much to another soul as you mean to me," he said with a smile. "I thought I could never love you more, then you gave me our son and I felt a whole different kind of love for him and for you."
"Come back to me," she begged.
"I would defy death itself to return to you," he said, leaning down to kiss her once more before turning and leaving the room and the cottage behind him.