16. Reese
A s if conjured from my dirtiest fantasy, Sydney waltzes into the bedroom, a cloud of steam following from the bathroom, warming the cool morning air. My eyes heat as they trail up her smooth legs, only a white towel wrapped around her lithe body.
Absent-mindedly, she runs a second towel over her blonde strands. The color, slightly darker now that it’s damp, reminds me of honey. Fuck, after last night I know just how sweet she tastes—like honey and sugar.
I’m so fucked.
Planting my ass against the desk, I lean back and cross my arms over my broad chest.
Sydney comes to stand between my spread thighs, blue eyes darkening as she scans over my nearly naked body. I managed to sneak to my room for a fresh pair of boxers while she finished showering.
On instinct, my hands settle on her hips, pulling her closer to me .
Somehow, Sydney has burrowed her way into my cold, dead heart, past the walls I thought were impenetrable. And I’m desperate to keep her there.
Gentle hands smooth up the thick ladder of muscle on my stomach. Her eyes meet mine as she caresses up my pecs, hooking her small hands around the back of my neck. Lifting up on her tiptoes, she presses her lips to my throat.
“We should talk to Wren and Kiernan.” Her voice is still rough from this morning, but it only adds to her sexy allure. My pulse flutters under her touch. Dragging her nose against my jaw, she uses her hands to tug my mouth down to hers. I let her lead, keeping the kiss soft and sweet, our lips tangling only briefly.
Pulling back, I nod, one side of my mouth twitching with a small smile. “Yeah.”
“What about dinner tonight?” She spins out of my embrace, rummaging through her suitcase for something to wear. I take the opportunity to snoop at the drawings and paintings scattered on the wooden desktop.
“Yeah, sounds good,” I respond, still perusing her artwork. Picking one up, I notice the soft oranges and bold purples blended into a sunset scene. It’s beautiful.
Another depicts a forest landscape; the page filled with vivid greens and browns. Colors mixing together to convey the pure awe of living out in the middle of the woods, surrounded by decades old trees.
“I didn’t know you were a painter,” I say, glancing over my shoulder at my mate, who’s hopping on one foot, trying to get her leg into a pair of denim shorts. Fucking Daisy Dukes. My dick jolts just thinking about how her supple ass cheeks peek out the bottom.
“I’m not,” she spits, wiggling the shorts up her thighs, squeezing them over her ass. “It’s just a hobby that I don’t have time for.”
A hint of sadness flashes in her beautiful eyes as she glances at the paintings I hold in my callused hands. She buttons her shorts, pulls an old graphic t-shirt over her head, before turning her back on me as she returns to the bathroom.
Blowing out a breath, I gently place the painting back on the desk, an idea forming in my head.
B y the time I’ve wrangled my long blonde locks into a French braid and applied sunscreen, Reese strolls into the bathroom dressed in jeans and a simple white t-shirt. His massive biceps stretch the soft cotton to the limit. One wrong move and I’m certain he’ll pop a stitch. I chuckle under my breath, brushing past him into the bedroom.
“Pack your art stuff, we’re going on a hike,” he says, a rare smile lighting up his handsome face .
After pulling on my hiking boots and filling my backpack, Reese leads me back to the same lake where I met Benny and Will yesterday.
“It’s beautiful here.” My eyes catch on the shimmering sunbeams playing on the calm surface of the water. Spinning to face Reese, his eyes are locked on the ground, hands tucked in his pockets, a faint blush darkening his tan, bearded cheeks.
“What’s wrong?” I step closer to him, placing a hand on the center of his chest. His heart beats erratically… like he’s nervous. Squinting up at him, I tip my head as his throat bobs with a swallow.
Clearing his throat, he wraps an arm around my waist. I nearly purr as he pulls me against his hard body, his warmth soaking into me as deep chocolate eyes search my face. A shiver skitters down my spine when the low gravel of his voice hits my ears. “I had an idea. It’s probably stupid. But I saw your paintings and drawings and thought maybe you’d want to draw my bear.”
Seeing this big, burly man suddenly get shy around little ol’ me makes my heart pitter-patter a little faster.
“That would be amazing, Reese. I’d love to draw my Grumpy Bear.”
A boyish grin spreads across his face, making him appear younger. The usual darkness in his eyes melts to a warm mahogany. He’s gorgeous.
“Yeah?”
My giggle floats on the breeze like a dandelion seed. “Of course. He’s a part of you, so I want to meet him, too. Since we’re mates, right?” He nods. “Turn around.”
“Okay.” I spin to face the water, ears perking up for any hint of what’s to come. Clothing rustles, then plops to the ground. Crunching and snapping fills the air, like bones breaking. Reese groans as several loud pops hit my ears. My heart rate picks up speed; is he hurt?
“Reese, are you okay?” My voice wobbles slightly. He’s done this countless times: trust him.
Silence.
“Reese?”
Not waiting a second longer, I whip around, eyes searching for Reese, but I’m met by dark-brown fur, a glistening black snout, and familiar obsidian eyes. Holy shit! One hand covers my mouth as a shocked gasp sneaks out.
The bear plops down on his furry butt, tipping his head to the side with a low whine.
“Is that really you?” I ask, cautiously taking a step closer. Those familiar eyes stare at me—Reese’s eyes. The bear’s tongue lolls out of his mouth with a pant.
Extending a shaking hand, I stroke my fingers through the soft fur on the top of his head. His eyes close, a loud groan slipping from his snout.
“Feel good?” I giggle as he whines and leans into my touch. Wrapping a giant, claw-tipped paw around my waist, he gently pulls me closer. Dark-brown fur tickles the exposed skin of my stomach.
Pressing my face into his neck, I rub my nose along the tuft of silky fur. Mint and pine. He smells just like Reese.
Because he is Reese.
“This is so cool,” I squeal, banding my arms around the bear’s neck, soaking in the warmth of his massive body. “You’re like a giant teddy bear!”
A low growl rumbles from his chest, causing me to burst into giggles. “Okay, not a teddy bear.”
A cool snout bumps the side of my neck, followed by a warm, wet tongue. I laugh as he snuffles along my neck and into my hair.
“That tickles!” Pulling back from the awkward, literal, bear hug, I grip both sides of Reese’s bear face in my hands.
“Thank you for sharing this with me,” I murmur, voice filled with wonder. I still can’t wrap my head around it. A freaking huge bear is sitting in front of me! He’s nearly twice the size of the boys yesterday, thick fur encasing his massive form.
If he wasn’t right here, in front of me, I wouldn’t believe it.
Reese uses his paw to pull my backpack to my feet. Tipping his big head down, he noses the front of the bag. My sketchbook!
“You want me to draw you, Grumpy Bear?”
He huffs at the nickname, spit flying from his nose and mouth, landing on my backpack. Gross.
Bending down, my knees hit the cool dirt, still slightly damp from the morning dew. The snick of the zipper fills the air as I tug open my backpack. Plopping on my butt, I pull out my sketchpad and pencil case.
“Are you going to pose like Rose in Titanic ?” Waggling my brows suggestively at Reese, my mouth drops open at his next move. He falls to his side in the dirt, four paws sticking up in the air as he rolls to his back. I’m not quite sure how to describe the noise that leaves his fluffy chest. It’s a mix between a whine and a bark. Is he laughing?
Dark chocolate eyes swirl with humor as he rests his head on its side, poking his tongue out. Who knew Mr. Grumpy had a sense of humor? I love these little peeks into Reese’s softer side.
Chewing the end of my pencil, I try to hold back my laughter as this mammoth bear rolls around on the ground.
“Alright. Alright. Pose for real, Reese. Something majestic. Ya know, like a real bear,” I tease, getting another huff of spittle in response.
Reese rolls back to his paws, sitting on his furry behind again. He stares at me with affection in his eyes, tilting his head to the side. “Perfect.”
My hand scribbles across the page furiously, not wanting to lose the inspiration flowing through my body. Something about being with Reese, seeing his bear, it’s truly magical.
I sketch and sketch for hours, Reese never complaining when I make him switch poses. The sun now sitting high in the sky, bright rays beating down on us. I’m glad I remembered my sunscreen; the last thing I want is for a sunburn to cut this perfect day short.
Incessantly tapping at the back of my mind is the notion this is only temporary. Reese may still sink back into his fortress of solitude and toss me to the curb.
Pushing the thought aside, I glance at my sketchpad. “I think this one is my favorite.”
On the paper, Reese stands on his hind legs, jaw spread wide, teeth bared in a menacing roar. What might be terrifying to someone else is absolutely beautiful to me. Knowing this beast possesses so much power has flames of lust licking at my skin.
If he was in human form, I’d be jumping his bones.
A soft purr draws my attention, and I slowly lift my head from my sketching to observe Reese. He’s laying on his side, body totally relaxed as he bakes in the afternoon sun. You’d think with so much fur he’d be sweltering. Wiping my own forehead, my hand comes away coated in sweat.
A rumbling snore breaks the silence.
“Reese?” I whisper.
Getting on my hands and knees, I crawl closer, until I can run my fingers through the downy fur on his belly. Taking a front paw in my hands, I hold it up.
“Holy shit,” I mutter, realizing Reese’s bearpaw is nearly three times the size of my small hand. Tipped in vicious black claws that could easily tear through human flesh.
Another soft snore sneaks out of his open jaw. His razor-sharp teeth glisten in the sunlight. He really is a beast. These claws and teeth could hurt or kill in the blink of an eye.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, my eyes linger on the gentle rise and fall of his huge chest. His ears twitch gently with the soft summer breeze. I should be afraid, but I’m not. I trust Reese. He’s my mate. He would never hurt me.
“Hey, sleeping beauty,” I murmur softly, stroking the velvety tip of his ear. His big paw comes up to rub at his face, a low whine leaving his mouth.
“Time to wake up, my Grumpy Bear.” Scratching my nails along his cheek, I coo gently into his ear.
Slowly, he blinks his dark, soulful eyes open, giving me… a bear smile? Black lips pull back, showcasing those terrifying teeth, while simultaneously flopping his tongue out the side of his mouth. I can’t help but giggle.
“It’s getting late. If you still want to have dinner with my sister and Kier, we should head back.”
He snorts in agreement, but makes no move to get up or shift.
“You don’t want to go, do you?”
One giant shoulder hitches up in a sort of shrug.
“Wanna go for a swim first?” My voice drops to a husky tone as I glance through my lashes at Reese. The offer gets him moving like his ass is on fire. I quickly scoot out of the way as he rolls to his paws and charges for the water.
His big furry butt bounces as he runs, making me break out in laughter. He sinks under the water’s surface as I get to my feet.
Slipping off my white Converse, I take off my socks, stuffing them into my shoes. My hands reach for the button on my jeans shorts as my eyes drift across the crystal clear water.
Reese, in human form, stands waist deep in the water, thick muscles glistening as droplets slide over his shoulders and chest. My tongue darts out as if catching one of the drops as it rolls from his big body.
He winks. “Water’s fine. You coming in, Angel?” The deep timbre of Reese’s voice floats over the water. An involuntary shiver slips down my spine. Just the sound of his voice makes me jittery, my body temperature rising along with my heart rate. This is more than a crush, especially after he’s shown me something so special today. A side of him not many see, someone playful and silly.
With shaky hands, I quickly disrobe and walk to the water’s edge. Dipping my toe in, I let the first taste of cool water consume me. After sitting in the sun for hours, it’s refreshing.
Looking out across the rippling surface, I meet molten black eyes. “Fuck,” I whimper.
“Come here, baby girl,” he commands, never blinking.
His eyes sear a path on my skin, goosebumps chasing right after.
I slowly wade into the cool water as Reese stalks his way to me. Saliva pooling in my mouth as my eyes devour his muscular physique. Water droplets roll down his sun-kissed skin, drawing my eyes to his chiseled abs. My pussy practically purrs, eyes tracking down to the perfect V-cuts as they lead to the water’s surface, hiding the best part.
“My eyes are up here, Angel.” His voice rings with laughter as we meet in the middle, the water level resting just below my breasts. My eyes skate up his body, a smirk spreading across his handsome face.
I like this carefree side of him.
Skimming my hands over his tan flesh, still warm from the sun, they come to rest on his powerful pecs. “Your bear is beautiful,” I whisper, meeting his hungry gaze. “Thank you for sharing him with me.”
A genuine smile flits across his face and my heart takes flight. He’s beautiful, not just his bear. I’m falling hard and fast for this beast of a man. I should be scared, but the mate bond reassures me that fate shoved us together for a reason .
The lust in his eyes cools to something akin to, dare I say, love. His forehead rests against mine, our lips brushing lightly as my heart flutters. “I want to share everything with you, Sydney.”