The Bear’s Capture

She moved away from the door until she was a few feet from me, her expression unsure. She was scared, not of me, but of what was happening right now. “I told myself the next time I saw you I would tell you.”

“Tell me what?” I was on a razor’s edge right now.

She took long moments to answer, but I gave her that time–not pushing her, not revealing how I felt, what I wanted. She was looking down at her feet, her hands in front of her twisting together, her anxiety high enough I could feel it like it was my own. And then she looked up at me, licking her lips, this deer caught in headlights expression on her face.

“I’ve been asking to be the one to bring your groceries up this whole time.” I could see how nervous she was saying this to me, but I didn’t speak, just let her take her time. “And it’s because I have feelings for you, Bear.” A long moment of silence passed before she continued. “I know we don’t really know each other, haven’t said much of anything. But I feel something for you. I come up here hoping to see you, hoping that the few words we exchange will lead to something more.” She chuckled softly. “It’s insane, I know. I told myself I’d be honest with you, that I’d tell you the truth. I didn’t want to keep all of this bottled up anymore. As it is, it’s eating me up inside.”

I didn’t respond, not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t know how to. I’d been the one that expected to say these words, to confess my feelings. The last thing I expected was Susie telling me how she felt, that she wanted me as well.

“God,” she whispered and ran her hands through her long hair. “I must sound like a crazy person, professing my feelings when you don’t even know me.” She closed her eyes and hung her head a little bit, shaking it as if she were humiliated.

I felt something shift inside of me. I knew that I couldn’t let her think telling me was wrong. I found myself right in front of her, my hands cupping her cheeks as I tilted her head back so she was forced to look at me. Her eyes were wide; no doubt she was surprised by my actions.

“Bear?” She whispered my name and it sounded incredible.

“I told myself I would tell you how I felt the next time I saw you. I’ve been a coward hiding in the shadows, watching you every time you came up here, wanting you like some possessive bastard. But I’d always stayed back, not wanting to frighten you, knowing that the life I lead isn’t for everyone.” I leaned down slightly so we were face-to-face. “I didn’t know how to tell you that I wanted you as mine.” I stared into her eyes, my control slipping, the need to kiss her running in me strong. “There’s no way I could describe in words what I want with you, how I feel for you. Maybe we are both crazy.” She sucked in a breath. “So I’m going to show you, Susie. I’m going to show you what it means to be mine.”

5

Susie

Before I could understand what was happening, Bear had us inside, the front door shut, both of us just a few feet away from the other now.

“I hope you’re ready, Susie,” he said low, soft, his voice this rough growl.

God, I couldn’t breathe. He was like an animal, stalking me, making me feel so damn vulnerable in the best of ways.

He made me retreat until my back was to the wall. I felt my breathing increase, my chest rising and falling, my nipples pressing against my shirt, the tips sensitive, my body aching.

“Is this really happening?” I whispered, not meaning to say the words out loud, but feeling them with every part of my body.

I didn’t expect him to answer.

He kept his focus trained right on me. “So much more is going to happen, Susie.”

I licked my lips, so wet, so needy for him.

He made this deep sound in the back of his throat, his focus going down to my chest. I felt my nipples tighten even further. This wasn’t just about my arousal, but my emotions as well, running high, taking over. I looked down and saw how hard my nipples were. They ached, wanted to feel his hot, wet mouth covering them.

And then I found myself acting out of character, just going with it, letting my inhibitions go and lifting my hands to cover my breasts, cupping them, my nipples digging into my palms.

“Don’t hide yourself from me. Let me see what’s mine, Susie, what I’ll be claiming.”

Was I hiding myself from him, or tempting him?