Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Callie

I t doesn’t take me long to get cleaned up, although I’m beyond impressed at the size of Kodiak’s shower. I swear it’s as big as my whole bathroom at my house. I briefly wonder if the one at his cabin is as large, then push that thought to the back of my head. This feels so good I don’t want to turn off the water. The rainfall design feels like I’m standing in the middle of a summer storm with soft droplets of warm water cascading over my body. I could get used to this.

My thoughts drift to Kodiak and I’m still a bit blown away at how attracted I am to him. I definitely don’t trust others easily, especially after the debacle with Jeremy. The biggest thing that bothers me is that now Kodiak and his club brothers are involved. I don’t want anyone to get hurt, especially not the bear of a man who has been steadily pulling me into his life. More than that, I don’t want trouble brought to the club because of me.

“This isn’t you, Callie,” I murmur to myself as I turn off the water and wrap myself in fluffy brown towels. They’re exactly what I would think a bear would use, extra thick, wide, and generous as I dry my hair, trying to pull as much water from the strands as I can before I leave the bathroom. I wasn’t sure he’d have a blow dryer, but I found it underneath the sink cabinet, still in the box.

It’s almost as if he was prepared for me, but that’s not possible. Is it? Shrugging, I finish with my hair, get dressed, then waver between putting makeup on or not. Finally, I decide to just go with my moisturizer. Gathering up my dirty clothes, I place them in the hamper so I can ask him where I can do some laundry. It feels oddly domesticated and when those butterflies start low in my gut, I have to take several calming breaths.

If this is how I feel and we’ve really only slept next to one another for warmth, I’m in big trouble where Kodiak’s concerned. Oh, he’s kissed me, but not my lips, although forehead and temple kisses are quickly becoming a favorite of mine, that’s for sure. The thought of his lips against mine, however, have desire pooling in my lady bits.

A thought crosses my mind and I decide to ask Kodiak. Opening the bathroom door, a wave of steam precedes me which has him turning, a smirk on his face. Waving my hands, I look at him and say, “Sorry about that, I like warm water.”

He chuckles while standing from the recliner that’s off to the side near where the huge television is mounted on the wall. For this being a temporary room, it’s definitely well appointed. It feels cozy and inviting, even though Kodiak tends to come across as grumpy and surly. At least with others; but with me, he’s gentle.

“I have a question, Kodiak,” I tell him, moving closer, taking care to let my hips sway a little and catch his attention.

“What’s up, Sweetheart?” he asks as his gaze sweeps over me, dragging back to my eyes.

“Do you think it’s possible that the reason Jeremy is so hellbent on finding me again is because I told him no?” I question. “I mean, he pushed for more, but my gut wouldn’t let me go through with it, you know?”

A low growl comes from deep in his chest and I see him clenching his fists. Surprisingly, I’m not scared; I know he says I’m his mate, so it’s probably got something to do with that whole male thing.

“Maybe? From what Sly unearthed about him, he doesn’t like to lose what he deems as his,” Kodiak finally says.

It’s clear he doesn’t like that anyone has a claim on me, especially another man. Is that part of the mating bond? Kodiak feeling overprotective, jealous, and possessive seems to fit with that notion. To be honest, I like it.

Maybe I’ve read too many romance novels, but I want to be desired, needed, and devoured by a brute of a man like my bear.

Wait. My bear. I’m already thinking of him as mine too. It’s surprising but not unwelcome.

Who wouldn’t fall for a handsome protective hero like Kodiak?

“It’s something to consider,” I reply, placing my palm on his chest as I reach him. “Now, you mentioned something about food?”

His large hand wraps around my lower spine and his teeth flash in a smile. “I’m here to satiate all your needs.”

Yeah, I don’t doubt that. The best part? I’m looking forward to it.

The kitchen is full of Kodiak’s brothers, and I feel all eyes on us as we enter. Suddenly shy, I find myself moving closer to him as he all but growls until they go back to their conversations. Food is served buffet style and the quantities of dishes and their overflowing metal pans are mind blowing to me. This is enough food to feed an army. But, seeing the size of some of these men and knowing that they’re shifters, it’s not totally out of the realm of possibility that they have to eat more. Another question for me to ask at some point.

I have a feeling this will happen often, and my curiosity will take time to be appeased. Kodiak leads me to the food and hands me a tray, placing silverware, a plate, a bowl, and napkins down before he gestures for me to go first. The smells hit my nose as the lids lift and my mouth waters as the aroma of bacon, sausage, syrup, buttery pancakes, and seasoned potatoes send my stomach rumbling. I add a bit of everything because it all looks so delicious, including the scrambled eggs with colored peppers, onions, and cheese. I add baked oatmeal and fresh fruit, finally moving toward the drinks.

“Go ahead and snag a spot, babe. I’ll bring whatever you want to drink to you.”

“Orange juice and coffee. Hazelnut creamer if you have it. Two sugars.”

“You got it.”

Kodiak joins me and we dig in, too hungry to make conversation until we’re nearly finished. Once our plates are empty and I’m sipping my coffee, Kodiak clears the dishes. As soon as he sits back down, club members join us.

Kodiak growls and stands, reaches for me, and pulls me onto his lap. A few of the guys smirk or laugh. I can tell my grumpy bear doesn’t care what they think about it and surprisingly, neither do I.

Spike sits closest to me and ticks his chin, something I’ve seen the guys do several times in the short time since I arrived. “So, this ex of yours,” he begins.

“Jeremy,” I interject as I sense he’s gathering his thoughts.

“Jeremy in a gang?” Spike asks.

A gang? I almost laugh. He’s a bully and an abusive prick but that’s only because I’m weaker and smaller than him. “Not that I know of, Spike. If you’re asking if he’s a threat to any of you, I highly doubt it.”

Grins appear on multiple faces.

“No,” Spike answers with a slight head shake. “You ever see him wear a cut?”

A cut? I must look confused because Peanut, who isn’t tiny by any means, points to his leather vest. “That’s what we call these. They’re our colors. It signifies our allegiance to a specific club.”

“Shifted Misfits,” I murmur, understanding finally dawning. “Hmmm. No. I don’t think I ever did. I don’t remember ever seeing one.”

“That’s good,” Kodiak rumbles from his chest, holding me closer. “Ever see Jeremy with any guys who were wearing a cut?”

“Not that I recall.” I mean, it wasn’t like we lived together or anything. I only ever saw him in suits or business casual style clothes. I don’t even think he owns anything as casual as the jeans and t-shirts the men sitting around me wear like a uniform of sorts.

Some of the tension in the room eases. It catches me by surprise because I didn’t sense it before now. I was probably too caught up in Kodiak to notice. Not that it’s difficult to get lost in him; he’s everything I never knew I needed and while I’m still a little wary about him saying I’m his mate, I’m willing to explore a relationship with him.

“I hear you organize stuff,” Nix blurts out into the silence, and Kodiak snorts.

“I do.” The change of subject is welcome. I don’t like thinking about my ex. He’s caused me enough heartache. “I’m a professional organizer. I help businesses or individuals better utilize their space and arrange their belongings or inventory to promote wellbeing, productivity, and better functionality.”

I almost giggle at the looks on their faces. It’s priceless. Most look confused while the rest look shocked that a person can make a career out of what I’m doing.

“The point is to reduce clutter, avoid costly errors, and develop good habits that will increase success,” I add. “So many people become overwhelmed, which impacts all aspects of their health. By organizing their homes, they’re able to enjoy their sanctuary, and at work, they’re able to be more productive, which helps their employer.”

I’m in my element so it’s hard not to continue but I don’t want to lose their attention now that I have it, so I rein it in and go back to what my focus is this year.

“But that’s not what’s driving me this Christmas. It’s the kids in foster care who don’t have much for the holidays or even many toys that are all their own. They need coats, gloves, and hats for the winter. Snow boots, scarves, and maybe their own blanket to snuggle with.”

Kodiak squeezes me and drops a kiss on my hair. He knows my personal experiences have given me insight others will never have. Someday, maybe, I’ll share it with his brothers. Because of how he reacted, the embarrassment and humiliation I’ve carried most of my life has eased to a dull roar. None of what I went through was my fault at all; I was merely an innocent byproduct of others. I’m proud of the life I’ve built from virtually nothing.

“I want them to rip into those presents and see their little faces light up with wonder because Santa knows what they need and he’s going to deliver,” I say.

“That’s why we want to help,” Fang replies.

“No kid should go without,” Chomp adds.

I’m beaming a smile at the guys when I poke Kodiak with my elbow. “And I’m really looking forward to seeing this big bear dress up like Santa and pass out those presents.”

Snickers follow as Kodiak grunts.

“You think you could find out some info on the kids? Sizes, wish lists, that sort of thing?” Spike questions, interrupting my mental thoughts of seeing Kodiak with little ones climbing on him.

I nod at Spike. “Sure.”

“Because all of us want to make sure this happens for the kids, and they have a Christmas to remember.”

Wow, I’m touched by their generosity. With the items we’re gathering from local businesses, it’ll put us in a surplus for the kids and provide all they need.

“I’m so thankful and I know the kids will be too,” I reply, eager to reach out to Cheryl so I can get the information Spike asked me to gather.

The afternoon passes quickly and soon I’m stifling a yawn, leaning my head on Kodiak’s shoulder. In front of us, the fire flickers, steadily providing heat that warms the entire floor.

“Let’s go back to the room,” he suggests, and I rise from the couch with him, curling my fingers around his as he leads me down the hall.

Outside, I lean against the wall as he turns his key in the lock, and the door swings open. “It’s hard to believe we’ve only known each other a few days.”

He turns to me, raking his gaze over my body from my toes up to my eyes. The hunger in them causes my stomach to flutter. Heat blooms between my thighs and I feel my nipples harden with desire.

Kodiak sniffs and his upper lip lifts in a snarl. “I love the smell of your arousal.”

I blink, surprised. “You can smell that?” I ask, shyness overcoming me that how I’m feeling isn’t a secret to him.

His lips twitch as he cages me in, his big body a solid wall of muscle I long to trace with my fingertips. I want to feel his body heat pressing to mine. I need to memorize every contour of his hard boy and boy is he hard . I can feel the bulge pressing into my lower belly and I squirm, wanting more contact, less clothing. My arms lift and I brush my hands up to his biceps. His strength emanates from him, making me feel protected and safe.

“Mate,” he growls low. “Mine.”

Oh, I must be tapping into his bear. His voice sounds far deeper and grittier.

“Say it,” he orders.

“Yours,” I comply without hesitation. And it’s so very true. I’ve never wanted anyone like I do with this wild, burly man.

His pupils dilate as the words leave my lips. He’s staring at them, and it’s taking too long for him to claim my mouth. Now that I think about it, it’s time he claims me in every way.

“Kiss me, Kodiak.”

Need flashes in his eyes. His head lowers.

“My bear,” I whisper just as his lips touch mine.

That must unleash something primal in him because Kodiak picks me up, wraps my legs around his waist, and enters the room, kicking the door shut behind us with his boot. He doesn’t waste time but goes straight to his bed where he lays me back against the dark comforter.

His eyes darken as his gaze sweeps over me. “Need to taste you.”

Oh. Yes! I’m all for that if he wants to do this first before we have sex. I’m in for every position and kinky idea he has because he makes me feel things I’ve never felt, and I don’t want to hold back.

“Callie?”

I nod in reply, hardly able to keep the excitement from my voice as I answer. I’ve not had a lot of experience with intimacy and I’m guessing he senses that because my handsome protector is taking things slow. Our eyes stay locked as he reaches for the button on my jeans, unsnapping it with deft fingers and then tugging the zipper down. I hold my breath as he slips the denim over my hips and down my legs, taking a moment to stare into my eyes.

“I want this,” I assure him. “Please.”

A smirk rides his features before his gaze drops to my calves, glides over every inch as he makes his way up my thighs, and finally stops as he focuses on the apex, taking a ragged breath. His fingertips brush across my skin and I’m happy I chose black silky underwear and not something less sexy.

As he pulls my panties down, exposing my pussy, I can hardly breathe. I’m trembling as he removes them, eager for more as Kodiak tugs my bottom toward the edge of the mattress.

“Open for me, baby.”

I do.

“Wider.”

God, that guttural tone as he orders what he wants me to do is addicting. Kodiak pauses to remove his boots, pants, flannel, and shirt. He’s the hottest man I’ve ever seen. Powerfully built, I can’t help but salivate as I see his muscles ripple with every movement and the dark hair on his chest. His shoulders seem even broader when he’s undressed. He towers over the bed as I watch him, a grin twitching his lips. He knows I like what I see.

My gaze finds the tattoo on his chest. A bear paw in dark ink forever marking his left pectoral muscle. I wonder if that’s a shifter thing or he got it because of another reason.

He’s moving toward me before I think to ask. His palms circle my hips as he leans in, resting between my thighs as he drops to his knees. I’m thinking he’s going to take forever to finally bring his mouth to my center, but my bear surprises me.

Kodiak drops his head, inhales, and dives in.

I jolt with surprise, arching my back at the rush of pleasure that fills me. His mouth is warm against my skin but it’s his wicked tongue, lapping between my folds that sends waves of desire through my lower body. It’s so carnal and intimate that I moan.

“Taste so fucking good,” he murmurs before he slides a thick finger inside me.

As he pumps in and out, his tongue moves from my core to my clit, sucking hard.

“Kodiak,” I gasp. My hand moves to his head, and I grip his hair, trying to hold back as the urge to move my hips takes over.

“Do it,” he answers with a growl. “Pull my hair. Ride my face. This is all for you.”

He’s right. I can let go. He’s got me, and I trust him implicitly.

Kodiak adds another finger, stretching me as he pistons them in tandem with his assault on my clit. “Goddamn, you’re tight. I know you’re gonna grip my cock so fucking good.”

I don’t react to his dirty words, too caught up in the sensations coursing through my body, the heat that’s steadily rising as I begin to sweat, and the tension building in my core. I can’t get enough of his touch, his mouth, or the need that’s taking over.

When Kodiak curls his fingers, reaching a spot deep inside me, I reach the peak and topple over, coming hard as I wail his name. The sloppy, wet sounds of my pussy and his fingers fill the room with my cries. It’s so sinful that I keep riding his face, barely noticing that he’s lapping at me with zeal, as turned on by my orgasm as I am.

It’s the craziest, most erotic moment I’ve had. No man has ever done this to me before and now I understand why women enjoy it. I’m eager to turn and do the same for him but my eyes flutter as I come down from the high. My thighs are still shaky as he withdraws, licking his fingers clean as our eyes meet.

“Delicious. I want to taste you every fucking night, Callie.”

“That’s a first for me,” I say as I feel heat blossom in my cheeks, growing warmer as I admit what I haven’t up to now. “It was incredible.”

The lust fades as I see his expression soften. He’s pleased by my admission but also something else. I don’t know until he tells me, draping his body over mine as he rises.

“I’m honored to be your first.”

I almost cry at the gentleness in his tone. He’s serious and I can fall in love with him just from that sweet sentence alone.

Kodiak’s lips press to mine, and the kiss is everything. It’s hungry, sensual, and exploratory but also contented if that’s possible. I see it in his face as he pulls back. The man is happy and sated even if he didn’t come. It surprises me.

“We’ll get to more later,” he promises, picking me up to lift me higher up the bed.

As he’s wrapping a blanket around us, spooning me from behind, I whisper what’s in my heart. “I think I’m falling for you, Mr. Bear.”

“That’s good. You already have me and my bear.”

I close my eyes, listen to his steady breathing, snuggle into his warmth, and drift into peaceful slumber.