Chapter Twenty-Two-Ryan
Right after Donny came on my tongue, I lost all sense of control.
I stood between her parted thighs, pumping my cock with one fist like I was a damn teenager, and when I came—fuck me—I came hard.
All over her soft belly and lush thighs.
Watching my release coat her body like a brand sent a primal thrill through me.
Mine.
Goddess help me, she looked perfect like that.
Glowing with orgasm, magic humming off her skin, covered in my scent.
The slick shine of my cum on her curves only made my dick harder.
And she didn’t look mad.
She looked hungry.
“Holy fork,” she panted, those gorgeous eyes locked on my still-rigid length. “That was so good, so—”
Her voice trailed off like she couldn’t even find the words.
Her chest rose and fell with each rapid breath.
Lust. Wonder. Maybe even a little awe.
Made a bear want to pound his chest and roar into the night sky.
Same, Honey. Same.
Because that?
That wasn’t just sex.
That wasn’t just me showing off my oral skills—though I damn well should’ve gotten a medal for that performance.
That was everything.
That was the turning point.
The beginning of the bond I’d been aching to forge since the moment I laid eyes on her.
Having sexy fun times with Donny in her after-hours salon? Yeah, it was steamier than anything I’d ever experienced—and I wasn’t exactly inexperienced.
But she was different.
She was mine.
Probably because she’s my fated mate.
The truth echoed through me, deep and dangerous.
If I wasn’t careful, I was going to lose a piece of myself to this woman.
Then again, it was likely already too late.
I lowered my head, pressing my face between her thighs, savoring the taste of her still on my tongue.
Her magic still buzzed against my skin.
Then, I licked her again—slow, possessive, savoring the shiver that ran through her entire body.
“That’s a good mate,” I growled, standing back up and giving her pretty pussy a tap on my way up.
“I’m not your mate,” she shot back instantly, but the words were hollow.
Even she didn’t believe them.
“You are,” I said, firm but gentle. “But I can wait till you’re ready. Bears can be patient.”
I let her legs slide closed and helped her lower them slowly to the floor.
Then I yanked her off the chair and into my arms—sticky mess and all—and I kissed her deep.
Claimed her mouth like it was the only thing keeping me alive.
And for one perfect second, she kissed me back like she needed me just as badly.
Her arms wrapped tight around me, clutching me like she didn’t want to let go.
When our kiss slowed down, I pressed my face to the crook of her neck—right where I intended to bite someday. The spot where my mark would rest.
Her scent was in my lungs. Her thoughts, loud and sweet and sassy, curled around mine.
She was still reeling.
Still trying to figure out what this was, what we were.
But she couldn’t lie to herself forever.
Not when I’d made her come twice.
Not when her body had opened to me like a prayer.
And not when her soul was already reaching for mine.
I kissed her temple slowly and reverently and then stepped back.
It was so fucking hard to do that, but I did. Because this was too big for me to rush it. Too important.
She blinked up at me, dazed and deliciously flushed. “What are you doing? Where are you going?”
I bent down, grabbing my pants and shirt. “It’s getting late—”
“Late? A second ago you were going at me like you were Pooh, and I was a pot of honey.”
“You are the sweetest honey I’ve ever tasted, Donatella,” I said, completely serious.
Her mouth dropped open, and her scent spiked with confusion, want, and frustration.
“Seriously. Where are you going?”
“Home,” I said again.
It was the truth. Just not the whole truth.
Her eyes narrowed. “What?”
“The sun’s already set, and it’s getting late,” I said again, softer this time. “But I’d like to walk you home first.”
“Listen up, Boo-Boo,” she seethed, taking a step forward—completely naked and utterly fearless. “It’s not late. It’s barely eight o’clock!”
“I have to be at the bakery early,” I offered.
She lifted a perfectly arched brow and stalked up to me, her curvy, glorious body on full display.
She jabbed a finger right into my chest.
“Look, Yogi, I can find my own way home. I don’t need you to walk me.”
I couldn’t help it—I grinned.
She was adorable when she was pissed.
“You know what, Baloo?” she snapped. “I don’t need you to walk me, or to finish this either.”
She waved her hand and—bam—we were both fully clothed again. I growled in irritation.
Like I had any damn right to be mad.
I just tasted heaven, and this woman was somehow driving me insane with lust and pissing me off at the same time.
“I’ve got plenty of toys at home,” she added with a sassy little flip of her hair, “to give me what I need—”
That got a rise out of me.
Literally.
I surged forward and grabbed her, lifting her off the floor and pressing my mouth to hers in a brutal, claiming kiss.
Our tongues tangled.
Her hands dug into my shoulders. I growled, and she bit me—gently, but it made me see stars.
I was so damn close to coming again just from her mouth that I almost—almost—got embarrassed.
Almost.
I pulled back just far enough to speak, my voice low and guttural.
“No toys unless I’m the one using them on you. No other men. Or women, if that’s your thing. Nothing, hear me? Not a single thing,” I snarled, the words ripped from deep inside. “Nothing else will ever give you what you need, Donny.”
She froze in my arms.
“I’m the only one for you. You can deny it, curse me out, use every name in the bear cartoon universe—but we are destined.”
I kissed her one last time.
Soft, slow, sure.
Then I set her down gently, turned around, and walked right out the door.
My hands were shaking.
I pressed my fingertips to my lips.
“Fucking hell,” I muttered.
I was seconds away from losing my hold.
From letting the beast take over.
I hadn’t even realized how close I was until it was too late.
The shift came hard and fast.
One moment, I was a man.
The next, my beast broke free.
The great Grizzly Bear roared into the night, scaring the hell out of a poor raccoon digging through the bins behind the bakery.
My paws hit the pavement with a heavy thud-thud-thud, and I ran like hell, trying to outrun the impossible thing that was happening to me.
I turned just in time to see her at the door, eyes glowing, watching me—really watching me—with that same war between curiosity and confusion.
And then, without a word, she disappeared into the salon.
Gone. Just like that.
But I knew this wasn’t over.
Not yet. Not ever.
Donny wasn’t done with me.
And I sure as fuck wasn’t finished with her.
Not even close.