The physical effects of these emotions were undeniable. Goosebumps would rise on my skin at the mere touch of his hand, sending shivers down my spine. Every time our bodies brushed against each other, a surge of electricity coursed through me, igniting a fire of uncontrollable lust.
But it wasn’t just the physical sensations that left me wanting more. There was a deeper connection I felt. It was as if our souls were dancing in harmony, resonating within each other that I couldn’t describe. Bear seemed to understand me in a way no one else ever had, effortlessly deciphering the unspoken desires and fears that lay within me.
As time went on, the lines between protection and desire blurred, and I couldn’t help but question the nature of our relationship the past week. Was it possible that the chemistry we shared was not purely coincidental? Could it be that Bear, the one who had sworn to keep me safe, also harbored the same feelings?
Our moments together were sacred to me. With each passing day, the intensity grew, surpassing the boundaries of mere friendship. At least, to me they were.
Yet, amid this emotional whirlwind, I had my doubts. I questioned whether these feelings were one-sided, whether my perception of Bear’s affection was merely a projection of my own desires. He had a mate, and he never once brought up that I was his.
The fear of rejection weighed heavily. I didn’t want to bring it up, so I kept anything sexual between us off-limits.
I’d kept my distance, trying not to harbor more feelings toward the giant. I’d let him hold me, I’d sought his warmth, slept in his bed, and let him coddle me. Let’s face it, I was too selfish to give it up and deny what he wanted to give.
I just saw it as he had a strong sense of looking after the weak. Protecting those who needed help. That was the Iron Fang’s motto.
I admit, I let it slip getting turned on the first night and succumbed to his body and his filthy words, but I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to experience my first orgasm, but after that, I knew I couldn’t let that happen again. I would become too attached, and then what? His mate would come along and take him away.
Where would that leave me? With a broken heart. And I didn’t want to be theother woman.The one that had to be talked about with his new significant other, his soulmate.
Bear stared back down at me, his eyes glowing bright yellow and his brows furrowed. His eyes snapped back up to everyone else in the room, where it had gone silent, and growled.
And for the first time since I’d let him touch me, I didn’t hide the tingling between my legs. I didn’t run off to the bathroom to take a shower to hide.
My fingers tightened around his shirt, and I looked at the rest of his friends. They looked absolutely petrified at what they saw.
Fabric ripped behind me, and my hands that held onto the fabric of his shirt fell away. My heart thrummed in my ears. Now I was too fearful to look at what they saw.
“We should go,” Hawke finally announced, dragging Delilah behind him. “Delilah, get to the truck.” Delilah nodded but was shifting in her bag and pulled out a phone, not keeping her eyes off Bear.
“Nadia, phone.” Delilah slowly raised it up, showing it was just a phone, put it on the kitchen table, and slid it across. “Has my number and Journey’s in it.”
Whoops, I guess I haven’t called her this past week.
She followed Hawke out the door, and all that was left was Bones. He continued to sit in his chair, his hands raised. I took that moment to look up at Bear. His eyes were black, the seams of his shirt ripped and hair, so much hair, had grown on his chest that he had recently shaved just for me. He was now covered in it.
And it washotbut also freakishly terrifying seeing him half man half animal. The longer he stood, the more animal-like he became. “Nadia,” Bones spoke slowly. “I need you to talk to your mate. Calm him down. He sees me as a threat.”
I swallowed, slightly panicking. His face was shifting the last I saw, and I didn’t think I was quite ready to face it again.
What the heck do I say?
“I am unmated. Bear’s grizzly is in charge and very angry. If I make the wrong move, he will rip me to shreds. Grizzlies do not take kindly to unmated males near their females.”
Claws elongated from Bear’s nails, and I gasped. They were thicker than the other night. Dark brown hair sprouted out of his hands, partially covering his nails.
“Oh my god,” I whispered, watching Bear’s hands reach out in front of me.
I was caged, and I swore his body was growing behind me.
“Nadia,” Bones whispered. “Say something.”
I fisted my hands together, my eyes shutting tightly, gathering the courage to see what was behind me. Would he be fully shifted now? Would he be a giant grizzly? Would he hurt me?
Questions swirled in my head, and I wasn’t sure what I was getting into, but I knew I had to help Bones. Putting it all aside, I twirled around and stared up at Bear. His eyes were on Bones. Bear’s shirt was gone, his pants barely hanging from his waist.
He was just a very hairy male with long claws, big, ferocious teeth, and a foot or two taller than he should be.
“Bear?” My voice shook more than I wanted.
