BEARly Mated to the Grizzly (Bear Clan 2)

Huge.

I clenched my thighs together as the image of his cock played on repeat in my mind.

Although he’d taken a couple steps back, I could still feel him, his body, his very presence surrounding me, blanketing every part of me in this safe warmth. This low rumble left him and I swore it was like a trigger inside of me, lighting off fireworks, having my arousal climb even higher, if that were possible.

I opened my eyes, not really realizing I’d closed them, feeling slightly embarrassed that he’d seen me all but lose control. I watched him breathe in deeply. And as he stared at me, as I looked into his eyes, I saw a flash of something move across his expression, as if his inner animal were trying to break free.

I reached behind me and gripped the counter for support. The very thought that he couldn’t control himself, that he could shift at any moment, that his bear wanted out, was such an aphrodisiac that I couldn’t help myself moaning.

The air left me on a soft whisper. I didn’t know what I was going to tell him, but inside of me, I was screaming for him to stay. I was yelling for him to take me.

“I’m trying real hard here, baby.” His voice was slightly distorted, as if he were trying not to shift in front of me, as if his animal was trying to take over.

Let it take over. Let your bear have control.

Those words played over and over in my head, and I was so confused by them, so confused on why I wanted that so much, why I needed it, that I couldn’t wrap my head around this reality.

“You have no idea how much I fucking want you,” he said and I felt my eyes widen. “But if I stay here, I’m going end up doing just that … taking you, claiming you, filling you up with my cum so it marks you, so you smell like me.”

My chest was rising up and down frantically, his words like gasoline on the inferno already raging inside of me. A part of me wanted to say that I desired all of that and more. But before anything could be said, before I could let caution be thrown to the wind, before I could give myself over to my needs, Maddix ran his hand over his face and shook his head.

“I’m not a fucking beast who can’t control his basic urges.” It was almost as if he spoke to himself.

And then he lifted his head and looked right at me, his gaze clashing with mine. It was silent for long seconds, but then he exhaled, that sound like this rumble of thunder bouncing off the mountains surrounding me, filling me.

“And as much as I know you want this right now, I want you to be sure before you give yourself over to me.” He took one step closer and lifted his hand, wrapping his fingers gently around my throat, his thumb tracing my jawline.

I was the one to inhale now, the scent of him almost making me feel drugged.

He leaned in close, our lips barely touching. I gasped, wanting to run my tongue along his mouth.

“But not tonight. Your inhibitions are lowered because of the mating, because of your confusion.” He leaned to the side and his lips brushed along my cheek before settling by my ear.

I closed my eyes and curled my fingers against the counter once more, trying to stabilize myself so I didn’t collapse right then and there.

Common sense told me this was insane, that my reaction to him wasn’t normal. But a stronger, almost volatile part of me told that common sense to shut the fuck up.

“And make no mistake, mate, I’m not walking away because I want to. I’m doing it because if I don’t, I won’t be able to control myself.” He pulled back just an inch, his lips sliding along my cheek. A soft moan left me. “Because when I finally spread these pretty thighs of yours—” He placed his hands on my outer thighs and I clenched my legs together to stem off the flow of arousal. “—it’ll be when I’m thrusting in hard and fully, burying myself balls deep inside your hot little pussy, and making you mine. There will be no going back then, Allison.”

He pulled back and I forced my eyes open to look at him.

“In fact, there is no going back.” He looked at my mouth and I knew he wanted to kiss me. I wanted him to kiss me.

Before I could lean in and do just that, Maddix was moving away from me and heading out the door.

And then I was left there alone, so damn aroused my knees were weak and my panties were soaked.

God, what in the hell was going on with me, and how would I survive?

Chapter Six

Maddix

I didn’t go back to the campsite, and instead headed straight home. I needed a cold fucking shower, needed to jerk off and relieve some of the pressure in my balls. The fact I’d actually left my mate without claiming her was fucking insane. The amount of self-control I had displayed should’ve given me a damn title of being a saint.

My mate.

Our mate, my bear growled in response.