Badgering the Bear: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Mate in a Minute Speed Mating Agency Book 1) (5 page)

A
fter Des dropped off coffee
, Gabe finally rolled out of bed. He could have murdered the stupid sycophant that took him away from Jolie at the Ball.

It’s my own damn fault. I saw the look in her eyes the moment she realized I wasn’t just a mechanic. That I was something way different.
He hadn’t meant to lie, per say, it was…He wanted her to like him for him. After his divorce, he’d sworn he’d never trust anyone again. When someone had pots of money, people wanted to get their own piece of it.

And he hadn’t wanted to see her eyes sparkle with avarice. Instead, he misjudged Jolie completely. Her eyes had gone almost black and the hurt was writ all over her face. He flinched from the memory of the moment she had gone from being so vulnerable and open to him, wanting him back as much as he wanted her. The moment it had gone from them being the only two people in the room.

That vulnerability is what lead to her walking away with a shuttered face without saying another word. He’d hoped she’d be waiting for him, had prayed. But when he finally got off the stage, the assistant he’d left her with had chirped that she’d taken care of escorting Jolie to her taxi and she was safely off.
Could have killed her, she was so pleased, thought she’d done such a good job.

It was finally Monday. He could leave another message for
Mate in a Minute
.
I’m sure they won’t think I’m batshit crazy if I leave another rambling message with them. They’ll get right back to me.

She was The One and he’d royally fucked up, and his bear was screaming in his ear to shift and sniff her down. He had no way of knowing how to even find her. Or how to make it right with her when he did.

Des might be a very irritating little sister, but she would know what he should do next. She’d let him mope all weekend, although they had mysteriously run out of booze when he decided he needed a bender. As much as it annoyed him to admit, he was glad.
I’d have been mooning under every window, serenading strangers hoping to find her. The Chief of Police would have never forgiven me.

He threw open the curtains and let light flood into the room. He saw his sister making her way back to the house with two strangers.
Shit, I’m going to have to put up with them until I can get Des alone.
He started to turn away when something about one of the women caught his eye.

He knew. It was
Her
.
What the hell had Des done?
Thoughts whirled in his mind, recalling their conversation.
“I promise I won’t do anything stupid or crazy or stalkery, okay?”
His grip tightened on the window sill as they approached the house.
This is why no one trusts lawyers, Des. She’s going to think I tricked her again.

I’m going to lose her, this time forever.

He panicked and his bear was done being tamed, when faced with the loss of his mate, it screamed for satisfaction. Before he’d realized it, he was half shifted and running down the stairs. Heading for Jolie.

He wrestled for control to keep from shifting, but his mind was wild and untamed.

“Mine!” He roared the single word as he burst through the doors to the back terrace and the three women froze, staring at him.

His sister approached, raising her hands. “Hang on cowboy, you need to settle down.”

He growled at Des, forcing human words past partially shifted teeth. “You tell her right now. You did this. I didn’t trick her.”

Des flinched and nodded slowly, turning to face his mate. “I’m really sorry, Jolie. I already knew who you were after your first date with Gabe. I thought it would be a funny coincidence, and then when the Ball went so badly,” his sister winced. “I thought it could be a cute meet and make up.”

Jolie stared at him, feet rooted to the ground in shock. It was the third woman who broke the silence. “What a clusterfuck. You must be Gabe. I’m Zane. Her bestie that is going to whoop you for hurting her.” The woman was small. He could take her. Zane rested a hand on his mate’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Let’s get out of here, hon.” Zane looked to Des. “Mona, I’ll send you a bill for the consult. We won’t be taking this job.”

The words bellowed out of him before he could call them back. “My mate. Mine.” He took a step closer. “You’re mine.” And another. Zane stood between them, and he shook his head. “Move.”

Jolie’s voice was soft, but carried to him, the gentle tones nearly snatching away what remained of his control. “Go, Zane. We need to settle this.”

At that, the other woman reluctantly stepped to the side. “I think I lost that bet.”

Then he was close enough to touch Jolie. Their heat mingled and he could smell her again, her delicious scent filling his lungs. He breathed deep, drawing it in and savoring the mixture of sweet heat.

Their gazes locked and she spoke first. “You lied. I don’t know who you are.”

This time her eyes weren’t broken and sad. They were angry and strong. He reveled in her perfection. “I made a mistake. But you are mine. I’ll spend forever making it right.” He lowered his face to hers, again holding himself millimeters away. “Tell me you aren’t mine.”

Her breath fanned his skin, warm and wet, her tempting lips so close. He wanted them wrapped around him, swallowing all of him. His bear screamed at him to take her, but he was in control, she was going to come to him.

Or she would never be his, and that wasn’t acceptable.

So he waited the thousand years she needed, until she finally gave a guttural moan and lifted her head the little bit she needed to meet his lips.

Triumph and lust raced through his blood as their arms wrapped around each other.
Mine. She’s mine.
He lifted her easily and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Her hot pussy was snug against his hard dick and he couldn’t wait to pound into her. Her natural scent filled his nose. She smelled of the forest and the earth and it called to him. He wanted to coat her in his scent so everyone would know she was
his
.

Distantly he heard his sister muttered, “Get a damn room already.”

Excellent idea.
He stalked back through the house, never separating their mouths while he took the stairs two at a time until they were in his room. He tossed her onto the bed and smiled down at her.

Mine.

J
olie landed
on the bed with a bounce. Gabe loomed over her, larger than life. Now that they weren’t touching, she could think clearly again. Barely. The intensity of her desire for him shook her.

He stalked around the bed, pacing, but keeping his distance.

She became very aware of how grubby she was. Her pants and shoes were smeared with dirt. Her hands were still muddy from the digging she’d done and sweat soaked down her back and through her bra. She broke his gaze and looked down at her hands. Her nails were brown crescents and she balled them in fists to hide them from his sight.

She scooted to the side of the bed and dangled her feet off the edge. She didn’t want to get away from him, but she was so self-conscious. He walked—
stalked
—across the room and dropped to his knees in front of her. His touch was gentle as he unfurled her balled hands.

She tried to pull away, muttering, “I’m dirty.”

“You were working.” He covered her hands with his and looked up at her. “Do you realize that I think you are so fucking hot that I can barely breathe? I can’t not think about you. My bear is screaming to claim you so completely we don’t know where one of us begins and the other ends.”

Her heart beat a little faster.

He lifted her hand to his cheek and pressed it to his skin. “I know I messed up with you. I saw how important working was to you. And I didn’t want you to think I was some rich bro who fluttered around. I didn’t want you to think badly of me for not working. I’m restoring cars, because I love it.”

“Wait, you worried about me thinking less of you, for being rich?”

“I wanted you to like me for who I am. And ever since my divorce, I’ve hidden who I was, because I was scared of getting taken for a ride again.”

“You thought I was a gold digger?”
Did he think so poorly of me?
She tried to pull her hand away from him.

Gabe held strong and pressed his lips against her wrist. “No! Not at all. When you met someone you think you like, and then they learn about you…they get a certain look. And the thought of seeing that look in your eyes, I couldn’t bare the idea of it. So I took the easy way. Can you forgive me? Can you let me show you over and over again that you can trust me?”

His clear blue eyes were so sincere, so vulnerable to her. She couldn’t resist his beseeching gaze and smiled at him. “I understand. I forgive you.”

The edges of his mouth twitched upward. And he pulled her into another kiss.

Jolie was lost in his embrace until she realized her feet were back on the bed. “My shoes! The bed.”

“Fuck the bed. It’s all washable.” She blushed hard as he slid down her body and back to the floor. “However, I want you to be comfortable.” He unlaced her shoes and slipped them off, tossing them over his shoulder.

Then he stood and plucked her off the bed. She squealed as he threw her over his shoulder. Jolie delighted in how easily he could pick her up, how he made her feel so delicate. He strode into the bathroom, setting her down in front of the massive glass in shower.

“The benefit to being rich is I have an amazing shower for two.”

Desire, no, lust shot through her as his fingers found her waist band and popped the top button. Her breath caught as his fingers eased the zipper down and a shudder ran through her body.

He was taking his time, enjoying her every sigh. He flicked the top button of her shirt open and softly stroked the line of her neck into her collarbone. Then along the edge of her shirt until he reached the center and another button, pausing only to pop it.

Jolie was shaking by the time he exposed the lush curves of her breasts. She wanted to cover up the plain bra, until his fingers slipped under the edge and traced the soft skin. The next stroke followed the underside of her bra. She looked up at him with glazed eyes and moaned when he stroked the sweet curve of her stomach.

Gabe leaned down and pressed his lips against the sensitive spot behind her ear. Dampness swelled between her legs when his teeth nibbled their way down her neck. He fisted her hair in his hand, tugging it slightly, creating a frisson of excitement that threatened to knock her off her feet.

He growled in her ear, “I can feel your heat, smell your desire and I am going to go slowly and explore every inch of you until all you know is me. When I claim you, it will be completely.” His hands slid to her shoulders and pushed her shirt off, leaving it to pool at their feet. He continued his path down her back, pausing only to unhook her bra, leaving it hanging loosely.

He cupped her ass, pulling her tight against him. She felt his hard length and licked her lips as he said, “Of course, what I really want to do is lift you up and impale you on my cock, pounding into you until you scream my name.”

She ground against him, her voice stuttering as she said, “I’m not opposed to that.”

He groaned at her words, “Fuck, you’re so goddamn sexy.” He shifted, moving his hands up her sides, then down her hips, sliding under her jeans and panties, pushing them down. “I need to see you, all of you.” His voice was thick with need.

He stepped back, taking her bra with him, and gazed down at her creamy satin-smooth flesh. “Perfect. You are perfect, to me.” He followed his gaze with deft fingertips, pausing to cup her breasts and circle the passion-hardened nubs with his thumbs. “I have to taste you.”

J
olie watched
his head descend and dug her nails into his shoulders when his lips wrapped around her pebbled nipple. His teeth lightly grazed the tender nub and she could only moan helplessly against him.

The fabric of his shirt kept his warmth from her and she growled in frustration. “You have all your clothes on.” He didn’t stop, so she pushed him away. She wanted to tease him like he’d teased her. Her grasping fingers found his belt buckle while he stripped his shirt off.

Her throat went dry as a desert. He had a broad, muscled chest, lightly covered in hair that trailed down his magnificent rippled abs and disappeared into his jeans.
Treasure trail, indeed.
His eyes glinted with pleasure as her hands skated down the slab of his belly.

Her hands fumbled with the belt and button, but then she swallowed hard as his aroused flesh burst free from the confines of his jeans. When he’d pressed against her, she had a sense of his size, but seeing his manhood, she quailed.

He chuckled at her apprehension and kicked his pants the rest of the way off. “See, now we’re both naked.” He pulled her into the shower stall and fiddled with some dials. Water started softly falling from above, covering the entire stall. Jolie gasped with delight.

“Oh, it gets better.”

Jets sprayed them from all sides. Jolie laughed, “This is amazing.”

Gabe dispensed some soap onto this hands and gathered hers between his. He gently lathered her hands, then lightly used a nail brush to clean under her nails. “You were worried, now you don’t have to be.” He lathered more soap in his hands, and from her hands, rubbed bubbles up her arms, down her back, until he was once more cupping her ass.

The hardness of his sex pressed against her and she shivered at the sensations, the water surrounding them, the steam rising up. He slid down her body, until he was on his knees. His hands guided the slippery soap around her torso, paying special attention to her pink-tipped breasts, caressing them then swooping down to the lush curves of her hips.

His fingers danced around the nest of downy curls at the apex of her thighs, until she was ready to beg him to touch her, to taste her. When he finally parted the cleft between her legs, she was wet and needy for his touch. Jolie cried out when he circled her clit and screamed when he lowered his mouth to pull the tight nub into his mouth.

Her knees buckled, but his arm supported her, leaving the other free to explore the soft folds of her sex. He eased into her slick core, stretching her gently. Her hips bucked against his mouth as his unrelenting tongue flicked her and he pressed into her tight, sweet warmth.

She undulated against him, screaming as he drove her to the point of no return, until she exploded in a fiery, shattering release. He stood, scooping her up and stepped out of the shower.

She was boneless, floating in the clouds as Gabe carried her to the waiting bed. He settled her on the bed and hesitated. “I could let you rest, sleep.”

A fierce need rose in her. She needed his claim, he needed to feel her nestled between her thighs. She grabbed his hand and pulled him on to the bed, spreading her legs. She flushed with desire, her shyness vanished. “I need you. Please.”

He was hot and hard against her, the opposite of her soft, lush curves and she welcomed his well-muscled body pressing against hers. He held himself above her, looking down at her panting body.

She shifted, gasping at the feel of his engorged flesh pressing against the moist heat of her core. He moved against her heated flesh and her fingertips curled against the sheets. She brought her knees up to ease his entry.

Frantic need flooded her body and she shuddered against him, the tip of his shaft pressing at her entrance. He growled in her ear, “Are you sure? Is this what you want?”

Jolie lifted her hips, mad with desire to have him, trying to fill herself with him. But he held her back. “Say it. Tell me you want me. Tell me you’re my mate.”

She stared up into his intense blue eyes. A flash of vulnerability went through gaze eyes and she realized he was as unsure as she was. He could simply take her in his heated moment, but he wanted her completely.

Jolie curved her neck towards him and said, “Claim me. Make me yours, forever.”

Gabe threw his head back and roared his approval. He inched forward, agonizingly slowly, his hot flesh gliding into her. She trembled beneath him, wrapping her legs around his waist as he impaled her on his arousal. When he finally filled her to the hilt, she writhed against him, circling her hips, desperate to explode in his arms again.

He stilled her hips with a hand, then relentlessly thrust into her. He tried to build a slow, steady movement, but her frenzied bucking pushed him closer and closer to the edge. He had to take her there, to claim her. She arched into him and he increased the tempo until they were frantically writhing together.

Her nails drove into his back and she screamed out her approaching release and he knew they would crest together. He roared again and as she convulsed around him, he bit down on her waiting neck, claiming her as they exploded in a final glorious moment of ecstasy.

She went limp and he rolled to the side, keeping their connection but letting her lay on top of him. Gabe pulled the sheet over her, wrapping his arms around her. He kissed the bright mark on her neck that would forever bind them as they both drifted blissfully.

Mine. Forever.