Need to Bear (Heart of The Bear Book 4) Read online

  “Reagan.” His deep, quiet voice halted her. “I’ll drive you home.”

  Swallowing, she turned around. It was only polite to face someone when refusing their help. Somehow, he had managed to zip that thick, hard erection back into his jeans. Mark had always complained that he would be in pain for days if she didn’t give him relief, all he asked for was the relief he needed to keep—

  Stop it.

  “You don’t have to take me home, Mr. Black. I don’t live that far.”

  He looked pained at the formal address. “I promise not to lay a hand on you, Miss Kennedy. I won’t feel right just letting you walk out the door—not after the night you’ve had. On top of that, my mother would skin me alive if she knew I sent you home unescorted.”

  Some of the panic eased. “I wouldn’t want to be the reason for you being skinned.”

  He smiled, and despite herself, she wanted him. “My truck is parked outside the kitchen door.”

  He led the way, and Reagan followed him, less panicked and more nervous. She was about to be alone in a car with this kind, big man. A man who was obviously attracted to her.

  It was a short ride to her cottage; she could make it that long without touching him.

  She could.

  ***

  By the time Greyson pulled up to the front of her cottage, Reagan had composed herself, and felt more than a little foolish at her wild overreaction.

  “Thank you,” she said. The next words popped out before she could stop them. “Would you like to come in for a minute?”

  He studied her, those whiskey gold eyes sober. “Not if you’ll be uncomfortable.”

  “I’m not.” She let out a sigh. “I’m sorry for the way I reacted. You just—surprised me.”

  His smile shot heat through her. “That goes both ways.”

  She slid out of the truck, using the safety bar to help lower herself to the street. Greyson waited for her, obviously wanting to help, but keeping his hands tucked in the pockets of his jeans. He looked so incredibly handsome, his gold eyes intense, the rising wind blowing his black hair around his angular face.

  He was a good man, Reagan knew that. She trusted him, instinctively—which was why she had ended up on his front doorstep instead of running. She was so tired of running.

  She could feel him standing behind her, a steady presence, while she unlocked her door. It surprised her that she had locked it, in her condition. Only one of the locks had been engaged, so she didn’t have to try and explain why she had three locks on her front door, in a small town. Greyson probably would have been too polite to ask.

  Once she opened the door, she paused, took a shaky breath, and turned to face him. “Please, come in.”

  He filled the small entry with his big, solid body. It felt right, having him here. The feeling threatened to overwhelm her, and she turned away from him, heading into the living room. He followed her.

  “Reagan?”

  “All right.” She proved it by facing him, a smile plastered on her face. “Thank you, for your patience. Finding an hysterical woman on your porch first thing must have been a shock.”

  “Happy I could help.” He glanced around, taking in her carefully chosen décor. “I haven’t seen this place since my cousin moved out. It looks much nicer than when he lived here.” He winked at her, and she felt herself sway. “Reagan?”

  “I’m all right. I didn’t get much sleep.” More like none.

  “Shit. Sorry.” He ran one hand through his hair. “I should leave you to get some—”

  “Please, don’t go.” She covered her mouth, staring up at him.

  He swallowed, his gold eyes darkening. “I want to stay, Reagan. God help me, I want you. But I can control myself, if you want me to stay here while you sleep.”

  “I’d like that.” The thought of being alone right now left her even shakier than the thought of Greyson’s hands on her. “There’s a guest bedroom on this floor, if you want to take a nap. Just having you here makes me feel safer.”

  She gave him what she hoped was a smile, before she practically ran for the stairs, not stopping until she was in her room, the door closed. The need to touch him, be with him, was almost overwhelming. It was also stupid, to even think that she could get involved with a shifter. They played for keeps, and Reagan didn’t think she would be ready for anything beyond a casual fling for a long time, if ever.

  You could—if it was Greyson.

  “Shut up.”

  She started undressing, in her camisole and plain cotton panties by the time she reached the bed. With a relieved sigh, she crawled under the covers, ready to fall asleep—and found herself staring at the ceiling.

  Thinking of the man downstairs.

  ***

  When Reagan tiptoed downstairs, she expected to find the first floor of the house quiet. Instead, she heard the shower running in the bathroom at the end of the hall.

  “Don’t go in there. You know why he’s in the shower. Don’t go in there.”

  She didn’t listen to herself and walked down the hall.

  Steam rolled out from under the closed door, which told her that at least he wasn’t taking a cold shower. She let out her breath, opened the door, and stepped into the bathroom.

  Condensation fogged the glass door, but even with that, she could tell that Greyson was stroking himself. Probably finishing what she had interrupted before. His hand stilled, and she knew he had sensed her.

  “Reagan?”

  “Sorry—I didn’t mean to disturb you. Again.”

  “Open the door, Reagan.”

  Her heart started pounding, so hard she could feel it in her throat. She reached for the handle, and pulled the shower door open.

  Nothing prepared her for the sight of a naked, wet, hard Greyson Black.

  He filled the shower stall, his shoulders broad, every muscle taut. She swallowed, and forced herself to look down. His big hand wrapped around his cock, and she could tell that he was close to a climax. He was huge, hard, and God help her, she wanted him inside her.

  She took in a shaky breath, and met his eyes. “I really need to stop walking in on you.”

  He closed his eyes and swallowed. “I was hoping to finish before you woke. You didn’t sleep, did you?”

  “I couldn’t. All I could think of was you.” That popped out before she could stop it. She glanced down, and saw his hand slide along the length of his cock. “Can I help?”

  He jerked, his whiskey gold eyes darkening. Reagan had a feeling that was his bear showing itself. The thought of his primal side wanting her was exciting, and terrifying.

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I want to.”

  God help her, now that she’d seen him, all of him, she wanted to touch. Needed to touch. She stepped into the shower; water pounded her, turning her camisole and panties transparent. As long as her cami didn’t ride up, it would cover what she didn’t want Greyson to see. Up close, he looked huge, his cock thicker than she expected. Heat coiled through her, and she moved before she could talk herself out of what she was about to do.

  Greyson’s eyes widened as she slipped off her white cotton panties. He let out a deep growl and grabbed her, pinning her against the tile wall before she could take in a breath to gasp. His cock slid between her legs and she arched against him.

  “Hot,” he muttered, sliding against her. “Already wet. Shit, Reagan—I didn’t plan—”

  “I know.” She gasped when he stroked again, so hard, so hot. She wanted that hard, hot length inside her. “Greyson—”

  He leaned back enough to guide himself, pressing his thick tip inside her. She let out a low cry and tilted her hips, trying to take more of him in. God, he felt so good, and it had been so long since she had trusted a man enough to touch her like this.

  “This won’t be gentle.” He brushed his lips over hers, pushed himself in another agonizing inch. “I wanted it to be romantic, for you.”

  “Are you going to keep talkin
g, or make love to me?”

  He studied her, his eyes a dark gold now. “I want you, Reagan. To claim, as mine. But I’ll understand if that’s too much for you.”

  “We can—just do the sex part, without the ‘I’m your mate forever’ part?”

  He chuckled, and she relaxed. “Absolutely. But I have to warn you—I want the ‘I’m your mate forever’ part as much as my bear.” He looked as surprised as she felt.

  “One step at a time, Mr. Black. If you could take the next step, I’d be grateful.”

  He captured her lips in a kiss that left her lightheaded, right before he drove himself in to the hilt.

  Reagan cried out against his lips, the feel of him, so thick, so deep, driving her to the edge. Then he started moving and she thought she would lose control after the first stroke.

  Greyson freed her lips, his breathing ragged. “God—you’re so tight. I have to move faster.”

  “Please—oh, God, Greyson—” She arched off the wall as he thrust into her.

  “Shit—Reagan—hold on.”

  She dug her fingers into his broad shoulders, and let out a raw moan when he hooked her legs over his hips, changing the angle of his thrusts. Her body tightened around him, and she knew she was close. She didn’t want to let go, not yet. He felt too good, filling her over and over.

  His breathing changed, his cock so hard now she could feel every inch.

  “Greyson—faster, please go faster.”

  He did the opposite, easing out of her, then sliding in, so painfully slow she wanted to scream in frustration. She lowered her head, and heat built as she saw his cock pull out of her, and slide in again. It was so incredibly sexy, watching their bodies join together.

  “Reagan.”

  She lifted her head and met his eyes. They were whiskey gold again, telling her that he was in charge, and not his bear.

  “Love me, Greyson.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment, then he started stroking her, long deep strokes that sent heat spiraling through her.

  She felt him shudder, and he stroked her faster, hands braced on either side of her. Every thrust drove her higher, and she fought for breath. When he leaned down to kiss the curve of her throat, it changed the angle of his cock, and she arched up as he nibbled at her skin, sensations flooding her.

  “Reagan—shit—”

  “Faster, Greyson—please—”

  He obliged, plunging into her. She let out a raw cry, clutching his arms as her body tightened around him. Her climax was so close, and she moved against him, needing harder, faster, more.

  Instead, he pulled out of her and set her on the floor of the shower, taking her hand.

  “I want to see you, Reagan, without distraction.” He turned off the water, and led her out of the bathroom, heading for the guest bedroom.

  Like her room upstairs, there was a fireplace in there, and she wasn’t surprised that he had started a fire before his shower. He laid her on the thick rug in front of the fireplace, leading her right into a fantasy scenario—making love in front of a roaring fire.

  “Stay here,” he whispered. He walked out of the room, giving her a long, delicious view of his firm ass, and his broad, muscled back. He returned with two towels, drying himself with one as he handed her the other. “I can wait a minute, while you make yourself comfortable.”

  His control was admirable, but her body screamed for release. She stood, heading for the closet as she scrubbed at her damp skin, throwing the towel over her shoulder as soon as she was dry enough. Before Greyson could say anything, she ducked into the closet, grateful that she stored the overflow of her wardrobe here, and grabbed the first shirt she could reach.

  She peeled off her wet cami, replaced it with the soft, dry t-shirt, and stepped out of the closet. Greyson raised his eyebrows, but he didn’t say anything, just held out his hand to her.

  “I need to feel every inch of you, sweetheart. Stretch out on the rug, on your side.”

  She did, not surprised when he moved behind her, his hard, hot cock sliding between her legs. He spread his right hand over her belly, and held her in place as he tucked his knees up behind hers, and slowly entered her. The new position left her trembling—and when his hand slid down to her clit, she let out a raw cry.

  “Greyson—oh, God—”

  She covered his hand with hers, letting her head fall back against his shoulder as he slid over her clit, his cock stroking her at the same agonizing, slow pace. His lips found her throat, and she moaned when he scraped his teeth over her sensitive skin.

  His fingers moved faster, one of them slipping inside before it slid back out to tease her again. She pressed her hand against his, wanting him to touch her.

  “Tell me what you want, Reagan.” His deep, rough voice caressed her. “I want to pleasure you.”

  “Do—what you just did,” she whispered. No man had ever asked what she wanted. It had always been about their needs, their satisfaction.

  “This?”

  He slipped his finger inside her again, and she gasped when a second finger joined it, his thumb pressed against her clit.

  “Oh, God—yes, don’t stop.”

  He thrust hard and deep, his breath hot on her throat. She moved her hand up and clutched his arm, her free hand digging into the thick rug. His fingers slid out of her and spread over her belly, right before he drove himself into her.

  Reagan cried out, arching against him. Pressure spiraled, driving her to the edge. That set him off, and he plunged into her, faster, harder.

  Her body clenched, and she screamed as her climax slammed into her.

  Greyson kept stroking her, faster now, more desperate. He stiffened, and let out a roar as he emptied himself deep inside her, taking both of them over the edge.

  Five

  Grey held Reagan, cradling her against his chest as he fought for breath.

  Not even Shannon had driven him so high, pushed him so far. He felt completely spent, and he never wanted to let go of the woman in his arms. It should have terrified him.

  Instead, he felt complete, like he had been only half a man his entire life, only to find his other half in this vulnerable, wounded woman.

  He had taken a chance, moving as quickly as he had. She didn’t tell him much, but he knew by her body language, and the fact that she kept her body covered, that she had been hurt by the bastard she had run from.

  “Greyson?” Her low, sweet voice had his cock twitching. He was still buried inside her, and she smiled at him over her shoulder, the minx. “I was going to ask if you were all right, but I don’t think I have to.” She pressed her firm, beautiful ass against him. “You feel so good.”

  He growled, his bear wanting her again. This time for keeps.

  Down, boy.

  The disgruntled rumble made him smile.

  He eased out of Reagan, ignoring her protest. She cut it off as he lowered her to her back and straddled her, his already hard cock sliding between her legs. Her low moan drove straight through him.

  He knew she might be sore—he had hardly been gentle with her. Bracing his hands on either side of her head, he leaned down and kissed her.

  “Only if you’re ready, sweetheart,” he whispered, brushing her lips.

  She answered him by reaching between them and wrapping her fingers around his cock.

  He let out a strangled groan and pressed his throbbing tip inside her.

  “Oh, God—all the way in, Greyson—don’t tease me.”

  She tilted her hips up, inviting him inside. With a growl, he wrapped his arm around her waist and hauled her up. He sat on the edge of the bed, her knees on either side of him. Her hands slid up his chest, and she closed them over his shoulders as she eased down onto his cock, taking him in, inch by torturous inch.

  Seemed it was her turn to tease.

  Grey lowered his head and closed his mouth over her breast, using the thin cotton of the t-shirt to his advantage.

  She gasped as his tongue slid over
her nipple, the fabric creating friction between his tongue and her breast.

  “Greyson—” She arched into him, so distracted it was easy for him to grab her hips and pull her all the way down, until he filled her completely. “Oh, God—”

  It was his turn to groan when she rocked against him, her body so tight, so hot. He felt her fingers brush the base of his cock, and let go of her breast, because he wanted to watch her as she pleasured herself.

  Shannon had refused to do anything for herself, demanding that he give her pleasure. But Reagan obviously didn’t have the same inhibition. She stroked her clit, gasping as he tilted his hips and thrust himself in deeper.

  “So good, Reagan.” He wanted to cover her hand with his, feel her touch herself, but he chose to watch. “You are so damn beautiful.”

  She dug her fingers into his shoulder, rocking faster. Grey stilled, watching her race toward her orgasm. Her head fell back, and he took advantage, pressing his lips to her throat. Her skin tasted salty, with a touch of vanilla and orange. He wanted to taste every inch of her, including whatever she hid under that t-shirt.

  Give her time to trust.

  “Greyson—oh, God—”

  She moved faster, gasping, her body clenching around his cock. He had never been with a woman who took charge of her own orgasm, and it turned him on in a way he didn’t expect. He let her take the lead, setting the pace as she rocked into him, fighting for breath.

  Her fingers pressed against his cock as she sank deep, rubbing faster. He was mesmerized, and shocked by how hard he was, feeling her body ride him as she started to climax. He joined her, his hands spreading over her hips as he drove himself into her.

  Her orgasm triggered his, and he roared as he spilled his seed, claiming her as his in body. Soon, if she trusted him, she would be his for life—body, heart, and soul.

  ***

  Grey woke, and found himself alone in the guest bed.

  With a sense of foreboding, he got up and dressed, padding barefoot to the living room. He found Reagan there, huddled in the corner of the brown leather sofa.

  “Sorry,” she whispered.

  Grey sat in the chair on the other side of the coffee table, to give her space. “Sorry for what, sweetheart?”