The Write Bear (Highland Brothers 1) (5 page)

“I loved it, Hudson. Don’t say that.”

He kissed her shoulder, and her skin warmed under the heat of his mouth. “I meant what I said, Riley. You’re mine now.” He adjusted himself, pulling out of her and she felt hollowness where he had been.

She felt the wetness between her legs. Shit. He wasn’t wearing a condom. And her birth control was sitting on her kitchen counter in Atlanta.

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

He kissed the top of her head. “You’re my mate.”

“Mate?”

His hand palmed her breasts, coasting over the heat of her skin, landing over her navel as if he were thinking about something else.

“I couldn’t resist you anymore. You know I tried, right? I gave you every chance to leave.”

She nodded, even though she had no idea what he was talking about. The sex had been primal, hungry, and fucking hot. She wanted him to take her like that. The way her body felt left her with no regrets.

But Hudson wasn’t making any sense. Maybe he was thinking about the book—clearly a weird choice of words. But artists were unusual.

“I wanted it as much as you did.” She smiled, admiring the gorgeous man in front of her. How was it possible that after he had taken her to heights she’d never experienced, pushed her body to places she didn’t know it could go, she already missed him inside her?

He knelt beside the bed. His hands stroked her hair. “I hope you mean it, Riley.”

She saw sadness in his eyes. Despair. A hint of regret.

“Are you sorry you slept with me?” She didn’t know where she found the courage to ask him. Maybe her body was firing differently after what she learned she could do with it.

He brushed the damp blond tendrils from her forehead. “No. I’ll never regret it.” He pulled the sheet around her shoulder. “Why don’t you sleep now and we’ll talk after you nap?”

“But I’m not—” She started to sit up and felt the weight and exhaustion of their lovemaking sink into her muscles. She scooted into the covers, her eyes heavy. Her body sated like it had never been. She smelled Hudson on her skin. His release warm and oozing between her legs. She never wanted to move again—she wanted to lie in his total encompassing essence.

H
udson tossed
another log on the fire and ran his fingers through his hair. How in the hell was he going to explain this to her?

He could still feel her on his skin. Her scent was all around him. He didn’t want to let her sleep. He’d rather take her in his arms and make love to her like a man would this time, not his bear.

His bear had won. It had taken over with force and fury when she offered herself to him. There was no going back now.

He paced in front of the fire while the logs crackled and popped with fresh timber. She was unbelievable. There was no doubt she was meant for him. The way he fit inside her. The way her body responded to him. He had found his mate. As hard as he had tried to hide out from the responsibilities of creating the next generation of Highlands, it didn’t matter. His mate had landed on his doorstep. Fate must be laughing at him.

The sun rose early with the thick canopy of the forest shielding the house like a warm cloak. He thought it might be best to break the news over a meal. He went to work in the kitchen, preparing a breakfast for his mate.

The white cream sauce simmered on the stove, while he sautéed peppers and onions for the omelets. He moved around the kitchen diving into the spices and seasonings, blocking out the reality of what was about to take place.

There were two different types of muffins in the pantry, but he opted for the blueberry mix, hoping Riley would like the combination he had prepared. Champagne for mimosas might help. He jogged to the wine cellar below the kitchen to choose the right blend for the orange juice.

He heard footsteps overhead and rushed up the stairs. She was awake.

“Hey, there.”

“Hey.” Riley’s hair loose around her shoulders. Her neck red from his kisses.

“I was in the wine cellar choosing a champagne.” He held the bottle toward her. “Is this ok?”

She nodded. “I’ll take a huge glass please.” She slid onto one of the barstools. “Have you been cooking the whole time I slept?”

He blanketed a towel over the cork and popped it free. He reached for the orange juice to prepare the mimosas when she stopped him.

“Can I just get my straight?” She laughed.

“Certainly.” He handed her a full glass. She was going to need it.

“I brought in some more wood for the fire. Thought I’d feed you after…” his words trailed off.

He saw the crimson touch her cheeks. Damn, he didn’t know how she could be any more fucking sexy than when he was between her legs, but she looked radiant, beautiful. This is what it meant to have a mate. Someone who could still your heart with a look.

“Hudson?”

“Oh yeah.” He cleared his throat. He was lost in the nearness of her. The beauty of knowing what they now had between them. Only, he still had to tell Riley.

She took a sip of the bubbly drink. He watched the liquid glistening on her lips. He could hear her heart speed up as he reached out to touch her. “Are you hungry?” he asked.

“Definitely. I think we may have worked up an appetite.”

She bit at her lower lip, dragging it against her teeth, and for a second he thought he would clear everything off the bar and take her right there. But he had to calm the bear. He reached for a hefty glass of champagne. She needed the man right now.

“Do omelets, eggs benedict, and blueberry muffins sound good?” He turned toward the stove, ready to serve her whatever she desired.

She nodded. “Divine. I’m starving.”

He slid a plate on the counter in front of her, taking the seat next to her.

“Oh my God, Hudson, this is delicious.”

He smiled at the expression on her face. “You like it?”

“Where did you learn to cook like this?” She loaded her fork and dipped it in the cream sauce before savoring a second bite. “First you grill lunch. Now this.”

“My mother taught me actually.”

Her eyes widened. “The Claire Highland knows how to cook.”

“She knows how to do a lot of things.” He chuckled. “Just because my family is wealthy doesn’t mean we can’t fend for ourselves. I think we’d all surprise you.”

“All? You mean your brothers?” She tipped the glass to her lips.

Hudson finished chewing a bite of muffin before answering. “Yes, Crawford and Striker. We know what people think about us. But, there’s more to us than the last name. A lot more.” He swiveled so he was facing her. He didn’t want to launch into the family history.

“I think I found that out today.” She winked at him, her eyes dropping to his belt.

Just the gesture made him harden against his pants. What was she doing to him? No woman had this effect, this pull. She’s your mate, he reminded himself.

“About that.” He gulped the rest of the champagne, resting the empty glass on the bar.

She grinned. “I think you need to know we are going to get your book finished.”

“What?” He stared at her. “My book?” That damned contract kept coming up.

“Maybe now it won’t be so difficult for you to share it with me.” She paused. “You know since...”

His neck tightened. He felt his pulse rising. His bear was itching to touch her again. She had no idea what she could do to him. How he craved her.

“Riley, I don’t think you understand. I don’t want to talk about the book.”

“Oh.” She looked hurt. He didn’t like it. It cut into his soul deep and quick. What was happening to him?

“I need to tell you something.” He waited for the last drops of champagne to slide down her throat.

“What is it?” she asked.

He stood next to her, his chest puffed toward her, his shoulders back. He looked in control, but felt powerless in this moment. What he was going to tell her would change her life. Destroy what she knew. Alter any course she had planned.

“I can’t do this.” He darted out of the kitchen, slamming the front door behind him.

If he ran into the forest, he could find peace. He could find answers. He trudged along the track they had taken to the fishing hole. He thought he heard Riley calling his name from the porch, but he jerked forward, snapping twigs and branches as he marched into the darkness. She wouldn’t want him. She wouldn’t want this. And she certainly wasn’t going to want what he had done.

R
iley stared at the door
. Hudson had been here one minute. Cooking, flirting, talking about his family, and then in an instant he was gone. The fire snapped across the great room, and she walked toward the flames.

She ran her hands over the tenderness of her breasts, her stomach, and her hips. He had taken all of it. Her body. Her soul. The minute she let him kiss her, she had let go of someone she used to be and become someone he possessed.

She sat on the floor, watching the sparks dance between the logs. She didn’t know what happened. Why he ran, but she knew she had to wait for him. Something told her he needed space. He needed her to wait.

She fell asleep, watching the embers glow red and orange. Her eyelids struggled to stay open, hoping Hudson would walk through the door, but she lost the fight, falling into a deep sleep.

She felt strong hands lift her and carry her up the stairs and down the hall. The footsteps steady and strong as she rested against the solid wall of his chest.

He laid her on the bed.

“Hudson?” Her eyes blinked open. “Are you ok?” The sleep quickly faded.

“I am. You should sleep.” He turned for the door.

“Are you leaving?” It sounded more accusatory than she had intended.

“I thought you would want to sleep.”

“Aren’t you going to tell me where you went? Why you left?” She pulled her legs under her.

“I needed a little air, that’s all. I went for a walk.”

“Hmm.” She saw the worry and fear on his face. “Is it about today? Just tell me. If you think it was a mistake I can handle it. Just tell me.”

“Oh God, no.” He rushed next to her. “Not like what you think, Riley. It’s not.”

He buried his head in the softness of her lap. She ran her fingers along his scalp, threading his thick locks through her fingers.

“Then what is it? What freaked you out?”

He lifted his eyes to her. “I can’t lie to you.”

She pinched her lips together. “I would hope you wouldn’t lie anyway, but what’s going on?”

He nuzzled into her neck, sniffing behind her ear, his hand cradling her cheek. “Please let me make love to you. Just once.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “Didn’t we already do that?”

“No, that was different. Let me show you.”

Her body was sore and aching. The nap helped, but she was afraid the slightest touch from him would burn.

“I’ll be gentle, I swear,” he moaned into her throat. “Please, Riley.”

She nodded, feeling the need building between her legs and he had barely touched her.

“And then.” He held her gaze. “I’ll explain.”

“Ok,” she whispered. Explanations suddenly seemed secondary. This man had control of her.

He let the folds of her shirt fall open, and took one of her breasts in his hands. His head lowered and she watched in awe as his tongue barely touched the tip of her nipple.

“Ahh,” she moaned. It wasn’t enough.

He licked lovingly, soothingly, melting the stinging sensations from early. His tongue circled wide, then closer together. “These are so beautiful,” he murmured. “So perfect.”

Her head reeled back, jutting her breasts closer to his face.

His hands moved to her hips, wriggling her yoga pants over her hips. “And your curves. Your fucking curves,” he growled. “I want to get lost in you. Do you know that?”

She held his gaze, marveling at the new tenderness in his fingers. She shuddered when she felt him peel her panties from her ankles.

“I’m so sore,” she whispered.

“I know, baby. I’m sorry.” His fingers parted the folds between her legs. “I had to do it. You wanted it, remember? I didn’t have a choice anymore.”

She nodded, moaning as he moved her legs farther apart. Nothing he said made sense, yet next to his body everything made perfect sense.

She felt a deep ache inside. One that was clawing for him. Desperate for him to invade her, take her, command her body. She arched up, begging for his fingers to find entrance into her warmth.

“I want it again.” She looked at him as if there was some explanation in his eyes. “I want you again, Hudson. Why?” Her back writhed and her legs spread, letting his fingers dance lightly. She felt the sudden heat of wetness between her legs and she smiled, knowing how much it turned him on.

“You’re so good at that, fuck,” he growled. “I want to bury myself in you. Taste you. Suck you. Lick you. Fuck you until the moon goes to bed. Riley.” He closed his eyes.

“I want it too.” She rocked against him, forcing his fingers to slip inside her. She clamped tightly around them and began moving her hips. It hurt, but it was a beautiful soreness reminding her of him. How he had taken her. How she had found something of herself when he was buried deep in her core.

“No.” He laid a kiss on her navel. “I want you to see how I worship this body of yours. I can be both to you, Riley. I can be an animal, but I can be your lover.” His tongue began lapping between her legs, sliding over the nub already pulsing with want.

“I can give you this.” His finger moved to her entrance, spreading her with tender strokes. She buckled at the sensation. It felt raw and sore, but exquisite with his touch. He circled her nub again, before dipping inside, drawing moans from her throat.

“More,” she breathed.

He inserted another finger, stretching the center and she cried out from the pain.

“I’m sorry.” He pulled away and his brow furrowed in worry.

She sat up. “Don’t stop. It hurts, but it’s an amazing ache. It’s pure bliss when you touch me.”

“Really?” he asked, returning his fingers to her hot and wet center. “Like this?” He added another finger and she groaned, leaning forward gripping his shoulders.

“Yes, yes.” She began to rise and fall on his fingers, her hips rocking, into him, sinking deeper into his hand.

“Yes, Riley. Come like this.” He gripped the back of her hair, yanking her head back.

She jolted on to his hand as he added a fourth finger inside her and she screamed toward the ceiling.

“That’s it, baby. Come on my fingers.”

She glided over them, letting the wetness spill onto his hands. “Hudson.” She clawed at his back, letting the surges fill her, take her one spiraling breath at a time.

She pressed her forehead against his. “It’s not enough,” she moaned. “I need you.”

He shook his head. “No, I’ll hurt you.”

She reached for his buckle. “No, you won’t. That felt amazing. I’m ready for you.” She eyed him. “
All
of you.”