Tempted by the Bear - Complete (10 page)

I
sabelle

I
roll over
, and the sheets under me slip.
Ugh.
Someone needs to tell Luke that satin sheets are for porn movies and not real life. My hair sticks to my face with static electricity from the material, and I sit up in annoyance. I pull it back into a ponytail and swipe it through my hands to tame the flyaway strands. Tristan’s been in my head asking where I am, but I’m ignoring him. He can suffer a bit now that I’m on my own.

I glance over at the naked man next to me. He’s kicked off the covers, and they’re tangled in his feet. He’s asleep on his stomach, displaying a round, hard rump that tempts me to take a bite out of one of the sumptuous globes. I snort at that thought, because I need to keep my teeth to myself.

I climb out of bed to use the bathroom. My muscles cramp in rebellion from my workout yesterday, and that’s not all that’s sore. Luke was right about that nineteen-year-old sex drive and his ability to last all night. No wonder he’s sound asleep. When I’m done in the bathroom, I wander to the kitchen in search of coffee. I pray the opulence of his living quarters extends to the pantry.

“Thank goodness.” I spy a one-cup coffee maker on the counter, and after opening two cabinets, I find the cartridges. The cover of the machine clicks as I shut it and push the on button. While it hums, I reach for the fridge door handle and check inside. Things are looking up, because I find plenty of eggs, cheese, and sausage.

Pans rattle in the cupboard as I remove two large skillets, and when I clunk them down on the cooktop, Luke speaks, startling me. “A naked woman in my kitchen cooking must mean I’m in heaven.”

I glance over at him, and damn it, he makes me smile. The goofy I’m-so-in-love kind I’m sure looks like Annie’s for my brother. “Scrambled eggs with cheese and sausage.”

“How about toast, too? I’ll make it.”

Luke is not naked, but that’s probably a good thing. The sight of his chest is enough to get my blood pumping. After he drops bread into the toaster, he comes to stand behind me. I lean back into him as he slides his hands under my breasts to cup them. He says, “This has to be my favorite position. Your luscious ass cradling my dick before I bend you over and—” He lets out a low growl that reverberates through my body as if I’m purring.

I arch back and contemplate how to save breakfast. My voice is raspy when I say, “Let me plate up the food, and then let’s go see how strong your table is.”

The toaster pops as my spatula scrapes up eggs. Luke retrieves the bread and follows me to the dining room, where he lays me out like a meal. By the time we get to the eggs, they’re cold. I swallow a bite as Tristan communicates with me in an alpha tone I have to answer.
“Where the hell are you?”

I sigh.
“At Luke’s. I’m busy, but I’ll be home later.”

“Is something wrong?” Luke asks.

“Tristan and Annie are true mates.”

A piece of sausage falls to Luke’s plate with a soft thud. “What?”

“He bit her. I think we can safely say he’s not to be trusted with the plan. Apparently it’s just me now.” My hand shakes as I lift another bite of food.

Cutlery clatters when Luke sets it down. He reaches for my hand. “No. It’s not just you. You’ve got me.”

I gaze into his blue eyes, so like his sister Carly’s. Luke plans to betray her, and now that my brother is tied to a Le Roux, I suppose I’ll betray family, too. “So what do we do?”

“We change our strategy. Let your brother believe we’re still on track with the original plan.”

I shake my head. “That’s going to be hard. He knows me too well.”

“Not if you don’t have any idea what the alternative will be.” He lifts my hand and threads his fingers through mine. “I’ve got it covered.”

Trusting someone with my life isn’t easy. I’ve got too much history that tells me otherwise. “No. I need to know what we’re going to do. And I need a few days to get over the shock of my brother and Annie. I’ll be fine.” I pull my hand back, but he doesn’t release it.

“I won’t have Tristan ruining things.” Luke’s glare is stern.

“You have no idea who you’re dealing with. I won’t be kept in the dark. I’ve got a lot more to lose than you do. Tell me what we’re doing or I’m out.”

Luke turns my hand over and pulls it toward his mouth. “If you lose, so do I.” He kisses my palm, and the anger that was building in me crumbles. “We’re in this together, Izzy.”

Luke’s use of Tristan’s nickname for me is nice, and I let the warmth of his lips soothe me. We may be mated by a blood bond, but I’ll take it. Because with Luke, I’m not alone. Looking into his eyes, I see the kind of love I long for. The kind of love that comes from being mates. Luke strokes my cheek and traces the faint scar that extends along it. He speaks softly. “How did you get this?”

“Fight with Tristan.”

He grins at me. “Must have been some fight.”

“Yeah. It’s a twin thing.”

“I think it must be a polar bear thing.” He combs my hair with his fingers. “My twin and I never fought physically.”

“Lucy? I just met her at Kick It.”

Luke’s eyes widen. “Did you?”

“Yes. And she asked if I was going to your party. At a frat house, right?”

I move a lock of his hair back from his forehead as he says, “Uh-huh. Want to come?”

While I realize the party will be all be young college kids, I never went to a university, and the novelty of keg stands and rampant sex in upstairs bedrooms appeals to me. “I think I might enjoy that. Do you have a room where we can be naughty?”

He grins. “No. But I bet we can borrow one.”

“Will there be a wet T-shirt contest?” I thrust out my chest. “Because I bet I could win.”

“No. Is that what they do at Arctic U?” Luke chuckles and fondles my breast. “You would definitely win.” He pinches my nipple lightly. “Naked suits you.”

“It is my preferred state, but Annie frowns on that.”

“If you lived here, you’d never have to put on clothes.” Luke leans down and swipes his tongue over my pebbled peak.

The action sends an electric pulse to my core.
Is he asking me to move in?
I blink quickly. “That would be nice.”

“Then consider it. Because our bond is going to make it difficult for us to be apart.” He pulls my head toward him and brushes his lips over mine. “And because I want nothing more than to have you in my bed every night.”

I kiss him back and pull away to say, “On one condition.”

What’s that?

“Cotton sheets. I can’t do that fake stuff.” I shudder a little.

Luke slides his hand between my thighs, and I open them a bit to allow better access as he says, “Anything for my natural girl. Anything at all.”

A
nnie

I
sabelle didn’t come home
last night, and Tristan is so mad that he might blaze a trail of his own. While she’s brought guys home often, she’s never slept elsewhere. He’s tried contacting her telepathically, but she won’t answer. I’m beginning to worry something happened. He stares out the window in the kitchen, and I place my hand lightly on his arm. “Would you like us to send out scouts to search for her?”

Tristan glances at me. “No. I commanded an answer, and she said slept over at some guy’s place.”

“Ah. Do you think she did it because of us?”

He nods. “I know she feels like I abandoned her.” Tristan thumbs my lower lip as he leans down. “Izzy doesn’t like you being my number one.”

I could easily get lost in our kiss, but I stop him because of my worry for his sister. I pull away. “Then we need to find a way to let her know she’s still important to you. What can I do to help?”

He slides his hands down my arms, making me quiver with desire. “Annie, love, you are so kind. But I don’t even know where to begin. When Izzy gets mad—well, you’ve seen it. I’m not sure there’s a way to win her back.”

“Of course there is. She’s hurt and lashing out, but the bottom line is she doesn’t want to lose you. I think she needs you to stroke her bruised ego.”

Tristan glares at me and opens his mouth, but he closes it again and turns away from me to walk toward the pantry. I wait for him to mull over what I said. Bags rustle as he calls out, “You haven’t been baking. Where’s the good stuff when I need it?”

“One pie coming up.” I open the refrigerator to get apples and butter.

Tristan emerges from the pantry with a box of crackers. “I don’t do relationships and people well. But you do.”

The bag of fruit thumps on the counter when I set it down. “I’m a nurturer. I can’t help it.”

He sets down the box and pulls a knife out of the block it’s kept in. “You’re wise. The spirits know I need you in my life.”

I toss him an apple, and his large hand wraps completely around it when he catches it. I say, “I wonder what they think I need from you.”

He winks at me as he begins to peel the apple. “My charm?”

I snort. “Your charm almost drove me away.”

Tristan’s eyes twinkle as he takes a bite of apple skin. “Then it must be my body.” He chews slowly and steps closer. “I give you carnal pleasure to reward you for all the good you do.”

I place my hand on his crotch and squeeze. “Really now. Because I think that goes both ways.”

A low noise rumbles in his chest. “Then I better start doing some good to deserve it.”

I step away from him to get my rolling pin. “Begin with Isabelle.”

“Fine. What should I do?”

“Anything that makes her feel special. Maybe you could take her to our land and show her where the house will be.” Flour scratches at my palms as I rub it on my cutting board surface to prepare it for the pie dough.

“If she ever decides to come back.”

I smile at him, because I know he heard the truck pulling up the drive. “Be nice. She’s feeling vulnerable.”

“Okay, but you might want to make two pies.”

I send him a warning glare when the front door clicks open. He opens his mouth to show me he’s biting his tongue, and I shake my head at him as Isabelle enters the kitchen.

Tristan walks over and pulls her into a hug she resists. Her arms are straight at her sides when he says, “I was worried about you.”

When he releases her, she says, “Right,” and steps away.

I ask, “Are you hungry? I could make you some breakfast when I finish here.”

“No. Thanks. I had something at Luke’s.” She glances over at Tristan to see his reaction. When he keeps a blank face, she turns to me. She grabs an apple skin and inspects it. “You know Luke Robichaux, don’t you?”

“I do. He’s a nice guy.” Dough is soft under my fingers as I press it over the apples and onto the edge of a pie plate.

“Do you think he’s too young for me?”

Isabelle is trying hard to get a rise out of Tristan, but he’s doing a good job of staying in control. I answer, “Age is relative. He strikes me as a rather mature man for a college student. If he makes you happy, I don’t think it matters.”

She turns to her brother. “What do you think?”

“I think if you like him, then you shouldn’t worry about it.”

“Good.” Isabelle lifts her hair up and asks, “Annie, do you have a hair tie?” She tilts her head, and a pink scar from a bite stands out on her porcelain skin. My stomach clenches in fear of Tristan’s reaction.

He blinks, and a low growl comes from his throat. I speak quickly, but my words aren’t heard. “Sure, in the junk drawer.”

Tristan speaks through clenched teeth. “What have you done, Izzy?”

She drags her fingers down her neck and over the scar just below it. “Oh, this?” She smirks. “Love bite. You know how that goes.”

My mate’s hands clench by his sides, and he speaks in a slow, deliberate tone. “You bonded with Luke?”

She giggles like a schoolgirl. “Yup. And he asked me to move in with him. Isn’t that awesome?”

Tristan’s claws are poking out, and he’s dangerously close to shifting, so I speak in his head hoping to avoid a blow-up.
“Just smile and congratulate her. She’s trying to make you mad. You can do this.”

He takes a deep breath
.
“I hope you didn’t say yes. I—I’d miss you.”

I’m holding my breath as I wait for her reaction.

Isabelle shrugs. “I haven’t decided.” She glances at the clock over the stove. “Oh dear. I have to be at Kick It soon.” She walks out of the kitchen and waves her fingers at us. “See you later.”

I let out my breath and touch Tristan’s arm.
“Are you okay?”

“No.”

“She was testing you.”

“I know.”

Tristan walks over to me, and I wrap my arms around his waist. Isabelle is upstairs, and water rushes as the shower runs. “You handled it well. Just think. She’s preparing you for teenagers.”

He sighs. “I’m lucky you’ll be around for that.”

I meet his gaze. “When do you plan to bring the rest of the clan here?”

“Once we get some housing built. I suppose my mother and kids can come once ours is done.”

I reach up and stroke his jaw line. I imagine his children have the same strong features. “I’m looking forward to it. I think you were sent to me so I could finally get the children I’ve always wanted.”

Tristan lifts my chin. “Careful what you wish for, Annie. You haven’t met them yet.”

“They’re children. How could they be bad?”

My mate’s chest quivers as he chuckles. “Annie, my love, just wait and see.”

L
ucy

W
hen my brother
and I were little, we were best friends. That happens often with werebear twins. But when Luke became obsessed with becoming an alpha, our relationship became strained. Even though he never exhibited the traits at puberty, he took on the characteristics and acted as if he could tell me what to do. He also befriended the Veilleux’s next alpha, Victor, and they nurtured a strange alpha brother thing. But Victor was older, and Luke got into the bad-boy circuit at an early age.

Now Carly is here, and everyone knows she is the next Robichaux alpha. When Victor died, Luke had no choice but to accept that he’s just a regular werebear, and he laid low. Or so I thought. Because right now I’m embarrassed to be related to him.

Tori and I are at the Delta January freeze party. And as soon as we walked in, we heard the chants: “Chug, chug, chug!” We followed the voices to find Luke and Isabelle in the center of the crowd. Phones are videoing the two of them as they each drink from a hole in the bottom of a beer can. That’s one classy chick he’s dating. I turn away in disgust.

Tori says, “Luke’s girlfriend’s hot.”

“Yeah. I guess. C’mon, let’s get a drink.”

My purpose for being here is to find Tori a werebear our age that can distract her from Keith. I scan the room and stop when I notice Jax, a Veilleux. He’s got dark hair and blue eyes like Tori’s current crush, and he’s a total flirt. Just what we need.

Tori is pumping the tap as I tilt a cup underneath the spout and squeeze beer out. I say, “We’re going to need three. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

When we’re done, I lead her over to a group of lacrosse players. It’s hot inside, and the odor of musk and aftershave is only slightly stronger than the stale beer that has our feet sticking to the floor. The guys we approach are tall, fast, and strong. And super hot. “Hey guys, this is my roommate, Tori.” She lifts a hand, and they all check her out. Being werebear, they like their women with meat on their bones, and Tori makes more than one squirm as if they can imagine holding on to a few of her attributes.

I notice Jax’s beer is low, and I grab Tori’s arm to whisper in her ear. “Offer the extra beer to the guy with the electric-blue eyes.” I speak loudly, “Hey, Jax. Tori plays left forward, too.”

His male ego is pumped, and he steps over as if he’s clearing the crowd away to let them know she’s his. I elbow Tori, and she says, “Um, I have an extra beer. Do you want it?”

Jax flashes her his million-dollar smile and wraps his hand around the cup, making sure he overlaps her fingers. He holds her for a moment as he tries to hypnotize her with his gaze. “Thank you.” She blushes, and he tilts his head. “I love this song. Wanna dance?”

My inner cheerleader shouts “Yes!” as he leads her away. I check out Jax’s friends and notice Dillon. He’s dark blond and has a smoldering look that works for me in so many ways. He offers me his signature smile that only turns up half of his mouth. “Lucy, Lucy, Lucy, setting up the friend and leaving yourself out in the cold. C’mere and let me warm you up.”

I shake my head. “And just how many girls have you used that line on tonight?”

His friend Eric speaks up. “You’re the first.”

Dillon punches his arm without breaking our gaze. “Freshmen.”

I grin back at him and hold out my hand. “Dance?”

Winding our way through the crowd, I lead him to where Tori is. She sees us and stops to take a big swig of her drink as she waves at me. Dillon and I dance next to them, and the four of us last until our beers are gone. Tori is the first to wave at us to get more to drink.

She shouts to me as we make our way to the keg. “Jax is great.”

I nod. “You should go for it.”

She wiggles her eyebrows at me. “Maybe I will.”

As we get closer to the beer, cheers get loud, and I groan when I see why. Isabelle is standing on her hands. They’re braced on top of the keg, and the spout is in her mouth. Luke is watching with a sappy look on his face as if she’s the greatest thing he’s ever seen. What is wrong with him? Then a realization hits me like a two-by-four. Is Isabelle his true mate?

Fabulous. I could be linked to the blond nightmare for life. I move toward Luke, but I don’t manage to get near enough before Isabelle hops down and throws herself into his arms. She lets out a belch, and they both laugh.

Ewww. I shake my head and turn away. The geeky freshman Eric is by my side. “Hey, want to dance?”

Since Dillon is nowhere in sight, and Tori went back to Jax, I say, “Sure.”

I take us close to where my roommate is so I can spy on her. The music is so loud that the floor shakes with the bass. Jax is making his moves, and when he pulls her against his chest and kisses her neck, she throws her head back to enjoy the sensation. Mission accomplished.

I yell so Eric can hear me. “I have to go to the bathroom. Catch you later, okay?”

He nods at me, and I exit the dance floor to go stand in line. Fortunately there’s only one girl in front of me, and I lean back against the wall to wait. Tired and ready to leave, I let my eyes close for a moment. But my peace is short lived.

“Lucy.”

I snap my eyes open to Isabelle. I sigh. “Hi.”

She grins at me and lifts her hair up off her neck. Her fingers trail down and flutter over a pink scar.
A bite mark.
In the werebear world, it’s like showing off a diamond ring you want someone to notice. I’m tempted to ignore her actions.

She says, “Frat parties are fun. I’ve never been to one before.”

I nod. “Seems you’re making the best of it.”

“For sure. I want to try everything I’ve ever heard about.”

I wonder what B-rated movies she’s seen that inspired her recent actions. “I’m sure you’ll get to come to more.”

She giggles, and the sound makes me want to vomit. “I know. Especially since Luke and I are mated.”

I refrain from rolling my eyes. “I thought that was a recent bite. Good for you.” Sincerity is lacking in my voice, but it’s so loud I doubt Isabelle can tell.

“Thanks. I guess that means we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.”

The door to the bathroom squeaks open, and I’m saved. “Guess so.” I hurry in to put a barrier between us. As I relieve myself, I try to find the good in this situation and decide at least she’ll make it easier to hide from my parents’ scrutiny at family functions, because I’ll bet they’re going to be all about Isabelle. I’ll get to be the golden child. The thought makes me smile.