The Write Bear (Highland Brothers 1) (7 page)

S
he didn’t know
how long she sat shivering before she heard the crunch of leaves behind her.

“Shh. Shh.” Warm arms wrapped around her. Warm, strong, human arms. “Are you ok? Did he hurt you?”

Hudson gathered her against his chest, but his hands canvassed her body, looking for cuts or bites.

“N-n-no. He tried.” She rested her head against his chest. His hand cradled her cheek.

“Thank God. I should have been here. I was trying to give you space.” He rocked her against him. “I was trying to let you sort things out.”

Riley sat forward, realizing Hudson was naked. “Where are your clothes?”

He shrugged. “Shifter hazard. I heard you scream and I transformed. My clothes are somewhere shredded in the driveway. I ran as fast as I could. I never should have let you in the woods with a wolf shifter in the area. It’s my fault.”

“What do you mean a wolf shifter?”

“Another shifter pack. I smelled it last night, but thought maybe it was only a drifter passing through. Now I’m not so sure. He attacked you. God, I’m sorry, Riley.”

“That was a shifter?” Her head swam with the information. It was a man trying to bite her, not an animal of the woods. Another being like Hudson.

Hudson ran his hand over the top of her head. “I knew him. His pack will discover his body in the morning. I’m afraid there might be a war brewing.”

The shaking quaked through her muscles. The fear, the cold, it was deeply rooted in her veins, making everything feel icy.

“You’re freezing, Riley.” He hugged her closer. “Come on.”

Before she could protest, he lifted her in his arms and carried her along the trail. He carried her in silence, and she rested her head in the warmth of his hairy chest. Her hands traced the lines at the base of his throat. It seemed to steady her, touching him lightly and repeatedly.

Hudson kicked the front door open and deposited her on the couch. She didn’t argue when he began to peel the wet clothes from her body. It occurred to her she was so cold her vocal chords may be frozen. She couldn’t utter a word.

He stoked the fire, tossing more logs in the great fireplace. Her turned toward her and wrapped a quilt around her shoulders. The shivering rattled her teeth and her eyes. She couldn’t stop.

Hudson’s eyes darted back and forth in panic. “You’re in shock. Riley, hold on.” He lifted the quilt and laid himself behind her, coaxing her frigid limbs against his heated frame. His hands rubbed her legs, her arms, her back. He took her hands between his, pressing and squeezing before he massaged her shoulders and neck.

Slowly, Riley felt her limbs tingling with life. The heat from Hudson’s chest, warming her back. His hands pressing warmth into her skin wherever he touched.

He swept the damp hair from her neck and kissed below her ear.

“I thought I had lost you.” The anguish filled his voice.

“I don’t know, Hudson,” she whispered. “Nothing makes sense.”

“I will protect you. I will take care of you. Don’t you see that?” His arms gripped tighter around her waist, and she felt it, the shield of warmth encasing her like a cocoon.

She nodded. “I’m scared, but not of you.” And it was true. This man wouldn’t hurt her.

“I know. It’s why I fought my nature for so long. But now that I have you I can’t lose you.” He sighed.

“When I saw the wolf I thought he was going to kill me.” She fought the tears stinging the corners of her eyes. “I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want to leave you. It was all I could think about—the pain of being ripped away from you, Hudson.” She let the tears fall.

“Shh. Shh. You’re where you belong now,” he soothed. “I won’t let you out of my arms.”

He breathed a deep breath across her back, and her skin prickled. She felt the want for him spring to life. If she didn’t have him inside her would die on this couch. She turned to face him, her body twisting against his. The fire popped and they both jumped.

“I’ll keep you safe. I won’t let anything happen to you.” His hand ran to her stomach. “Or them.”

Her eyes flashed to his. “Is this for real?” Everything had felt like a dream, but her body was alive like it had never been. It was pulsing with current. Surging with life.

His hand moved below her belly button, edging over her soft skin. His hand spread her legs, sliding between the sweet, slick folds. She opened for him, moaning as he toyed with her entrance.

“Does it feel real?” One finger slid inside her.

“Ohh,” she sighed. Her eyes locked on his, her hips rocking against the pressure building inside her. “But how can it happen so fast? It’s impossible.” There was no way this had happened, although she could feel the new energy in her body.

His teeth raked against her throat, dropping to a nipple. He clamped around the perked nub.

“It’s the shifter magic. It’s strong.” His tongue swirled over the skin. “I claimed you. There’s a chance I might need to do it again.” His eyebrows rose. “Just to make sure. But if you need to rest I can let you sleep.” He flicked his tongue over her breast, pulling it deeper in his mouth.

Riley moaned against the warmth.

“I don’t think I can wait though,” he growled. “I need to claim you now.”

Riley nodded eagerly. She wanted him inside her, warming her from the cold of the night, washing away the chill of the lake, erasing the fear of the wolf shifter. Hudson’s hardness could penetrate through all that. She needed it like the fire in the fireplace warming her flesh.

She gazed at him, as she opened her legs. Her hand found his throbbing cock under the quilt and she guided him toward her, rubbing it with gentle strokes.

“This is what you want, isn’t it?” he asked, brushing his lips over hers.

“I want you. I want your bear. I want your cubs.” She smiled. She nestled the tip against her entrance, letting him feel her glorious wetness drenching him with heat.

“Oh fuck, Riley.” He plunged deep inside her, bowing her off the couch. She writhed against him, forcing him tight against her chest.

She pulled his mouth against hers, dragging her tongue over his lips. “I know you’ll take care of us.”

His rhythm picked up as she widened her legs, allowing him to hit her deeper.

“Like that, baby. Yes.” She clawed at his back. The heat and the warmth overwhelmed her. She felt the waves of pleasure, knowing she was in the safety of his arms. Encased in the protection of his body meant only for her.

They clung to each other, spiraling in the friction of their bodies. Kissing, licking, sucking until their flesh was red and raw from each other’s touches. And when they finished, they paused for only seconds before claiming each other again. She didn’t know her body was made for only one man until now. For Hudson. For her mate. Her bear.

Riley looked up from the floor at the couch. “When did we end up down here?” She laughed.

Hudson moved his leg from under her. “I think the third or fourth time, maybe?”

He kissed her forehead.

“Was that time more bear or more writer?” she teased. She liked that he had both sides. The animal took her like he wanted. The man was sexy and gentle. How had she lucked out with a man who could give her everything she wanted?

“Oh, you don’t remember either, do you?” He slapped her on her bottom, his hand stopping to cup her flesh.

She sat up on her elbows. Somewhere in the distance she thought she heard her phone ring. “Oh, shit.” She scrambled out from under Hudson’s naked limbs.

“What’s wrong?” He looked startled.

“I’m sure it’s my boss. I was supposed to call in with a report on our progress. I haven’t exactly kept her up to date. I don’t even know what day it is anymore.”

Hudson pulled her back against his chest. “And you’re going to give her a report on this?”

Riley squealed. “No. Are you crazy?” She wriggled free and ran to her messenger bag, scrambling for the phone. “Hey, Helen. Yep. It’s going great. Mmmhmm. Yes. Yes. I will. Mmmhmm. It’s right on schedule.” She hung up, stuffing the phone back in the bag.

“That was quick.” Hudson grinned.

“She asked if we were almost finished. And I told her yes.”

“You did what?” His eyes widened in surprise.

She laughed. “I need book four, mister.” She poked her finger into the center of his chest, landing on a solid wall of muscle.

“You really expect me to finish a book when we have wolf shifters in the area? Not to mention I need to take care of you.”

Riley huffed. “I’m perfectly fine. I’m not the first woman to be pregnant.” She chewed on her lip. That hadn’t really sunk in yet. She wasn’t carrying humans. They were shifters like their father.

There were a million questions. Like would they be born little bears, or did that happen later in life? Would she be able to physically manage the pregnancy? How many of the cubs were there?

Her face went white.

“Riley? What can I get you? Did I hurt you?” Hudson’s voice was soft, his hand stroking her shoulder.

She shook her head. “Is there a book on how to expect cubs?” She looked in his eyes.

He chuckled. “You’re going to be fine. I’ll take care of you. We’ll stay here until the cubs are born.”

“I have a job, Hudson. I have a life in Atlanta. That doesn’t just go poof because you claimed me.” Her voice was firm.

This man might be her mate. He might be her forever, but it didn’t mean she was suddenly giving up everything she had worked for. Shifter or not, she was still human. At least she thought she was.

“I’m not letting you out of my sight. I took a chance I shouldn’t have tonight and someone from the pack almost killed you.” He shook his head. “No. You are safe here. I’ll call my brothers in the morning and we’ll figure out what’s happening with the pack. Striker and Crawford might know something.”

“I have a job. You have a book. What about that?”

For a second she could let herself be lulled into the idea of living here in the cabin, making love to Hudson every day, raising his family. But she knew he had a life in New York. There were serious details they had to consider.

“Sometimes you’re just too damn practical,” he growled. He nipped at her shoulder. “Together. We’ll figure it out together. And I will finish the book. I promise.”

She smiled. “Tomorrow?”

His finger trailed along her throat. He lowered his head to kiss her collarbone. “Yes, tomorrow. My night is already booked.”

She let him push her back to the floor as his mouth took control. “As long as you mean it, Hudson,” she breathed. Her body was already aching for him again. Being a bear’s mate was incredibly electric. Her sexuality had never been so alive.

He kissed her, his lips firm and warm against her skin. “You’re my mate now, Riley. I mean every word I say to you.”

She sighed as the words whispered over her flesh.

“Now,” he looked at her. “What do you want this time. Bear or writer?”

She grinned. “Bear. Definitely your bear.”

“You’ve got it, baby.” He growled as he pulled her under him, ready to claim her, love her, like Hudson Highland’s mate should be loved.

C
rawford

C
rawford’s hand
reached across his shoulder, gripping the firm muscles in his palm. The pain ran from his neck down his back. He couldn’t stand over these blueprints any longer. He massaged the mass of muscle, knowing it was futile. He needed a hot shower and a cold beer. He straightened his neck, widening his chest. The office was dark. He looked up, the lights of the Seattle skyline twinkling around him.

He worked best at night when the usual hum of the office died to complete silence.

He scanned his work. The building wasn’t right. There were either too many windows or not enough. He scowled at the structure, erasing the lines around the front door, pressing the eraser hard against the sketch. He ripped the paper in his hands, tore it in shreds, and watched it crumple around his feet.

“Damn it,” he growled.

He had been working on the sketches for the museum for over a week, and nothing worked. Nothing felt right. This had been his third attempt to have something ready to present to the museum board. He had landed the job based on his reputation alone. But the contract wasn’t signed yet. The design was critical to sealing the deal.

His eyes ached almost as much as his back. He had to get out of here. He turned off the light as he closed the door behind him. Maybe he should let his bear out. Sometimes it helped to tap into his animal side. It relieved the pressure he put on himself.

It was late enough he could go for a run when he got home. He would have to be careful. He lived near a park bordered by a natural area, but that didn’t mean it was always bear friendly. If he were spotted, it could cause problems for the city.

He didn’t hear the elevator open or the click clack of high heels across the marble floor, until he looked up from his phone.

“Crawford, hi.” Mila greeted him in the reception area.

“What are you doing back here?” he asked. “Everyone else left hours ago.”

He grazed the top of her arm as he reached for the elevator button. It was accidental, but he noticed how she stiffened at the contact as if he had tapped her with an electrical shock.

His blond assistant chewed lightly on her bottom lip, slowly chafing the pink lipgloss from her mouth.

“I-I forgot something. I didn’t know you’d still be here.”

“Yeah, well I’ve been working on the museum prints.” He scratched the back of his neck.

“Any luck?” she asked.

“Not really. I decided I need a break.” He paused. “It’s late. You shouldn’t be walking in the parking garage alone. I’ll wait for you.”

“No, you don’t have to do that.” She pulled something from her purse. “I carry mace. See?”

He chuckled. He tried to imagine Mila defending herself in those high heels she always wore. He had no doubt she could hold her own, but he wasn’t going to take a chance and leave her in the office alone. Especially since he had his own set of protective skills.

“I insist.” He nodded. “I’ll be right here. I’ll wait.”

She took a hesitant step back. “Oh, all right. Thanks. I promise I’ll only be a minute. I don’t want you to have to wait for me.”

“It’s fine.” He tried to smile, but every muscles in his body was stiff, even his lips. God, he needed to run.

She hurried through the lobby, looking over her shoulder at Crawford. He settled into one of the reception chairs, hoping she wouldn’t be long.

M
ila

H
oly shit
. Mila fumbled the keys in her hand as she tried to unlock the door that led to Crawford’s design studio.

He was here. He was actually here. Holy shit.

She straightened her hair, and pressed her lips together. He wasn’t supposed to be here. Well, he had every right to be here. It was his firm. His office. His everything.

She moved files on her desk, looking for the flash drive she had left behind.

“Shit,” she whispered. She looked through the door, catching a glimpse of his back.

His massive shoulders filled the chair. His legs almost too tall for the seat, made his knees jut forward. She realized she was licking her lips when he ran a hand through his hair.

She didn’t know when he had gone this long without a haircut, but it worked. The man could try any style and she’d find him attractive.

God, he was gorgeous, mesmerizing, and sexy. Why did Crawford Highland have to be her fucking boss?

It was bad enough she had to sit on the other side of his office door all day, daydreaming of all the ways he might finally notice her, but now he was here. He was waiting for her in the lobby.

Mila pushed aside another stack of files, revealing the missing drive.

“Ah-ha!”

She held it in front of her face. It had all her files for the museum proposal. It was the reason Crawford was in the office so late. He still didn’t have a drawing to present, and she was responsible for putting the presentation together.

He had the same look in his eye all week. The one that said he was lost, looking for his next inspiration. She knew him well enough to know he wasn’t going to get any sleep until he had a mockup of the museum. Crawford worked hard. He built the firm from the ground up, and she knew he wouldn’t rest until he had something worthy of the firm’s reputation.

She dropped the drive into her purse, turned off the light, and closed the door behind her.

For the past year she had worked for the city’s most prominent architect, fetching coffee, making copies, taking calls for him—doing anything he needed in the office.

When she had taken the job she wanted to get her foot in the door of company where she could gain experience. It was going to be a stepping-stone. Instead she had taken one look at the head architect and almost tripped out of her high heels.

To say she had an office crush was an understatement. She had fallen hard for him before she had finished her HR paperwork.

She rushed to the sitting area. “Ok, I got what I needed.”

He rose from the chair, his frame expanding in the process. She sucked in a breath. Crawford’s arms and chest always did things to her. Bad things. She shook her head, trying to regain some sense of balance.

It was pointless. There was no cure for the kind of crush she had.

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded slowly.

Mila followed him into the elevator aware of how small the space was with Crawford next to her, filling every corner of the wood-paneled square. She could smell his masculine scent of mint and juniper cologne. And something so intoxicating she often thought being near him made her drunk.

“Plans tonight?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Oh no, I’ve got to finish the proposal for you.” She patted her purse as if that explained everything.

“Hmm,” he grumbled. Crawford grumbled often. But she loved it. How the sound of his voice would vibrate over her ears. How she could tell what kind of mood he was in by the pitch in his voice.

“What about you?” She looked up at him. He towered over her. She saw the creases around his eyes. He looked exhausted.

“Same.”

“I know you’ll find the right design.” She hesitated.

She wanted to tell him he was the most brilliant architect in the country. That his work had inspired her when she was in design school, but she always thought her words sounded more fan girl than something a serious work colleague would say. Besides, she wasn’t on the design team. She doubted her opinion counted for much.

“Thanks.” He placed a palm over the elevator door as it opened.

The ride was too short. She wanted to stay trapped inside with him for a few more minutes. But that’s how every day was with Crawford. She wanted coffee breaks to run into lunch. She wanted budget meetings to turn into drinks after work. She wanted walks to the parking lot to turn into invitations home.

No matter how much time she spent around him, it was never going to be enough.

She stopped next to her car, digging her keys out of her purse. “Thanks for the escort.” She smiled brightly.

“Sure thing.” He turned from her. “Have a good night, Mila.”

“Good night, boss.” She slid into the driver’s seat.

She closed the door behind her, started the ignition, and watched the man she was completely in love with walk away.

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