Mary and the Bear

Chapter Seventeen

The next morning, Mary Elizabeth lay in a tub of scented bubbles. She was deliciously sore and pleasantly tired, having gotten little, if any sleep last night. When Hugh said he had days’ worth of abstinence to make up for, he hadn't been joking. He'd been insatiable, his passion causing hers to rise over and over again, far beyond anything she ever believed her body capable of sustaining before.

He truly brought out the wild woman in her, reducing her to her most animalistic nature. She became a creature of sensation, all thought and reasoning swept away. He touched and she responded. He demanded and she gave. She'd bitten, clawed, scratched, and screamed. Hugh's body looked as if he'd been in a war, and he had, one of the most sensuous kind. He'd brought out the feral part of her nature and then tamed the beast he created.

She looked up as the door opened and Hugh walked into the bathroom naked, carrying a cup of coffee. His cock jutted from his body proudly. After the excess of last night, he shouldn't have been hard. One thing she learned last night was to never underestimate this man's ability to achieve and maintain an erection. Granted she was a novice, but whatever the normal parameters were for men, Hugh fell way outside of the norm.

He came over to the tub and squatted, holding the coffee out to her. She reached out, bypassing the coffee and grabbed his cock instead. Just the mere sight of his desire for her raised an answering desire within her. She stroked her hand up and down and he gave a hiss of pleasure.

"Woman, we don't have time for this. You have to be to work in an hour."

Ignoring him, she rose up out of the tub and replaced her hand with her mouth. She made slurping sounds as she sucked on him for all she was worth.

He sighed. “I tried to warn you. Don't blame me if you're late.” Having said that, he gripped her under her arms and pulled her off of him. As he stood, he lifted her dripping, slippery body out of the tub.

"Wrap your legs around me."

She immediately obeyed. He cupped her hips with his hands and buried himself inside, driving in to the hilt. After a night of intense loving, her body was so sensitized that she immediately came. He rocked her through her first orgasm and straight into another. He loved the way she responded to him. Knowing they didn't have time to linger, he braced her against the wall and took her hard and fast, growling as he came.

Once their breathing settled, he carried her to the tub and lowered her into the water. Kissing her lingering on the mouth, he stepped away as she lay back down, her body sated for the moment. He handed her the coffee and called over his shoulder as he left, “Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes. Hurry and finish. I will not be the cause of you being late."

She smiled wickedly in satisfaction as he left. There was something to be said to having all of that potent masculinity at her beck and call. She would hate the way she responded to him if she didn't know that his reaction to her was just as strong, if not stronger.

Because she'd never desired any man before Hugh, she'd secretly feared that she was frigid. Because of Hugh, she now knew she was as warm-blooded as any other woman. Umm, imagine having all of that in your bed for the rest of your life? The minute the question crossed her mind, she shied away from it. This was an affair and she would enjoy it while it lasted. She wouldn't ruin things by allowing thoughts of the future to intrude.

Although Hugh seemed to be her perfect match in every way, what did she really know about him? She'd known Charles a lot longer and a lot better and look how that relationship ended. Since she didn't expect anything from Hugh, so she wouldn't be disappointed when the relationship ended, which it would. It was better this way. There was less chance of being hurt.

She finished washing and got out of the tub, her body offering only a twinge of protest. Knowing Hugh would come and get her if she dawdled any longer, she dressed in a loose outfit that was also concealing. She pulled her still wet hair up into a knot at the nape of her neck after making sure that her neck was sufficiently covered. She didn't want to answer any embarrassing questions about the love marks on her body.

Her stomach growled reminding her it was time to eat. Because of Hugh's spoiling, her appetite was changing. Where before she disdained breakfast, now she needed it, and not the coffee and toast she was used to eating. Eggs, bacon, sausage, and more. She wanted it all, and heavy on the protein, which was surprising since she'd never been much of a meat eater. Lately she craved the stuff, which she guessed was a good thing since Hugh did most of the cooking and he ate a lot of meat.

She poured another cup of coffee before sitting down to eat. She was so hungry, manners went flying out the window as she wolfed down everything in sight, going so far as to snatch the last piece of bacon off of Hugh's plate. He just sat and watched, amused.

Finally, once she'd eaten her fill and all the food was gone.

"I told you that you would have to eat more if you wanted to keep up with me."

She leaned back in her seat, cradling her coffee in her hands before replying. “After last night, I'd say I keep up with you just fine."

Heat flared in his eyes as the memory of the night before lingered in the air between them. With a low growl, he got to his feet and reached for her. Laughing, she slipped out of the chair and darted out of reach. “No, no, no. You wouldn't want me to be late for work, would you?"

"Kiesha will understand.” He unbuttoned his jeans and pulled down the zipper, allowing his heavy cock to spring forward. The sight of it stopped her for a minute as lust surged to the surface, causing her to lose her train of thought. Fortunately, the phone chose that moment to ring, snapping her out of it and allowing her to dance gracefully out of the way of his reaching hands. She ran to the phone to answer it.

Looking at the caller's ID, she felt her desire die when she recognized the name. She picked up the receiver.

"Hello, mother."

"Mary Elizabeth, you need to come home.” Her mother's voice was as commanding as always.

"I'm not coming home. We have this conversation every time you call. This is my home now. I like it here and I'm staying."

When Hugh realized who was on the phone, he zipped his pants back up and came closer to her, silently offering support.

"That is not your home. It's time you gave up this foolishness and came home where you belong."

"Mom, this is not foolishness. This is my life, my career. I explained all of this to you before. I'm not moving back."

"Well, since you refuse to move back here to be with your father and me, when are you coming for a visit? You've been gone a long time and your father misses you."

The comment about her father got to her, weakened her resolve. “It's only been three weeks. I just started working. It's too soon for me to ask for time off and the distance is too far to come down for just the weekend."

"Mary Elizabeth, you're our only child now that your poor sister is gone. It's only natural that we would want to spend time with you, no matter how short a timeframe. So, when can we expect you?"

Feeling harassed, her eyes unconsciously sought Hugh's for support. He must have understood, for he wrapped his arms around her. His presence gave her the strength she needed. “Mom, I can't come home for a visit right now. I'll come when things are more settled on the job."

"I can't believe the selfishness I'm hearing. Fine, we'll wait until the job is more settled. Imagine, putting a job before your aging parents. Since we have to wait for you to find time to visit, at least tell me where you're living. All I have is this phone number and your email address. I don't even know your mailing address. What am I suppose to tell my friends when they ask about you?"

Mary Elizabeth immediately felt guilty. She hadn't told her family where she was living. All they knew was that she lived in a small town in North Carolina. She hadn't even told them the name of the town. She meant to give them more information once she arrived, but it had slipped her mind. “You're right. Forgive me. I should have given you my address. If you have a pen, I'll give it to you now."

When her mother was ready, she rattled off the address to her. Looking at the time, she said, “Listen Mom, I've got to go or else I'll be late for work. I promise I'll get home for a visit to see you and Dad as soon as I can."

"Okay, dear. You go to work. I'll speak with you later."

"Bye, Mom. Give Dad my regards.” Mary Elizabeth hung up the phone, grabbed her things and headed for the door, with Hugh trailing behind her.

"Everything alright at home?"

"Everything's fine. I've got to run or I really will be late.” She buzzed him on the lips before heading out of the door.

At the other end of the line, Susan Brown hung up the phone and turned to the man seated next to her. “How was that?"

Charles smiled at her and said, “You did just fine, Mom. I couldn't have done better myself."

"And you'll do what you said?” Her eyes were full of hope as she handed him the sheet of paper with the address on it.

"I'll bring your little girl home. I promise.” No matter what it took, Mary Elizabeth was coming home where she belonged.

In spite of everything, Mary Elizabeth was only a few minutes late. Both Kiesha and Shannon were waiting for her. She called out as the breezed in the door, “Sorry I'm late. Things were crazy this morning. Hey, Shannon. I'm surprised to see you here. I thought Kiesha said you preferred to work at home?"

Shannon rolled her eyes. “I do, but my brother's there right now. I came here for some peace and quiet."

Kiesha turned to her in surprise. “From the little Alex said, I got the impression you and your brother weren't on speaking terms."

"It's a long and complicated story. I'd rather hear about Mary Elizabeth. I gather you changed your mind about Hugh? You're positively glowing."

Mary Elizabeth sputtered in surprise, causing Kiesha to turn and examine her closely. “You know, now that you mention it, there is something different about her.” She sniffed the air around Mary Elizabeth. “You even smell different. Are you wearing a different perfume?"

"Would you quit smelling me! That's just freaky, the way you people do that."

Shannon shook her head. “That's not perfume you're smelling. That's Hugh. His scent is all over her."

Kiesha looked at Mary Elizabeth and smiled as she began to fidget under the weight of their combined stare. “Do tell,” she smiled wickedly. “You have anything you want to tell us?"

Mary Elizabeth shoved her bangs out of her face and wondered if she could get past them and into her office. Knowing them, they'd follow her and then she'd be trapped. Damn, they were nosey. Couldn't a woman satisfy a few needs without everyone knowing about it? Damned wolf senses!

"If you must know, Hugh and I have been seeing each other a bit."

Shannon snorted in disbelief. “Yeah, try telling that to someone who doesn't know any better. You've been doing more than seeing him ‘a bit.’ The man put his mark on you."

Kiesha squealed and hugged Mary Elizabeth. “Oh, I'm so happy for you. Now I know you'll be staying. Wait until I tell Alex."

Mary Elizabeth pushed Kiesha away. “Tell Alex what? And what do you mean, ‘now you know I'll be staying'? I had no intentions of leaving.” Turning to Shannon, she said, “And what the hell are you talking about, ‘he put his mark on me'? Hugh's not a werewolf. I haven't been marked by anyone."

Kiesha immediately sobered. She and Shannon exchanged a look that spoke volumes, before turning back to Mary Elizabeth. “Sweetie, he's not a werewolf, but he is a shifter. Didn't he tell you?"

"What do you mean he's a shifter? If he's not a werewolf, what else is there that he could be?"

Shannon piped in. “I don't really know the man, but from his scent, I'd say he was a were-bear."

"A bear! There are bears? No one said anything about bears."

Kiesha frowned at her, obviously thinking back. “Well, no. But I did tell you there were other shifters here besides Alex."

"I thought you meant there were other werewolves! No one said ANYTHING about there being other types of shifters. Just how many others are there?"

Shannon started counting them off. “Well, there's Rome, the sheriff. He's some type of cat. Fatima, the woman who owns the health food store, she's a fox. And of course, there's Hugh. He's a bear. That's all I personally know about, but then I'm new. If you really want to know, you'd have to ask somebody like Alex, or Hugh."

Kiesha brought the conversation back to the main issue. “I take it Hugh didn't tell you what he was before he mated you?"

"Stop saying that! I am not mated. This is just an affair. We agreed. I won't allow it to be more.” Mary Elizabeth was ready to pull her hair out.

Shannon said under her breath, “Damned sneaky bear."

Kiesha nodded in agreement. “So he hasn't bitten you on the tendon where your neck and shoulder join?"

Mary Elizabeth's hand flew to that spot instinctively, as though trying to hide the evidence, forgetting that her shirt covered the mark on her neck. Her movement only gave her away and she knew it.

Kiesha patted her on the shoulder sympathetically. “Don't worry. There's still hope. According to Alex, the mating bond isn't complete until you mark him in return. As long as you didn't bite him like he bit you, it should be okay. If you really don't want him, though, you'll have to stay away from him from now on."

Mary Elizabeth looked at Kiesha in despair as memories of last night exploded in her mind. She'd marked Hugh. Not once, but several times. What the hell was she going to do now?

Correctly interpreting the look on her face, Shannon asked, “I take it by the look on your face that it's too late? You've already marked him?"

Mary Elizabeth nodded. “Last night, but I didn't know what I was doing, I swear. What am I going to do?"

Kiesha turned to Shannon. “I'm new to this whole mating business. Does it count if she didn't know what she was doing? Is there any way out of it? Any kind of loophole?"

Shannon shook her head, and Mary Elizabeth knew she was not going to be happy with what she was about to say. “They are well and truly mated now. If this was just a regular mating there might be a way, but I've got a feeling from the way they react toward each other that she's his One. Even if there were a way, he'd never let her go now. They are as good as married. There's no divorce in our world. Mates stay mates until the day they die."