Chapter 7

Chapter

Seven

T hey went to the truck to check on the delicate Thimbleberry plant and surrounding smaller plants that Cornelius Digby had created for her as a parting gift. He had created the small ecosystem for the Thimbleberry plant as a microcosm of his, to be transplanted in her own garden, which could eventually grow like his. He offered to come to her house and ensure she was all set up with the plant and system too, to ensure it thrived. She was still riding the high from that encounter, though the kiss with Saul was playing havoc with her insides. Her stomach was full of the fizzy feeling that she often felt around Saul, like the Steamy Sherry and Spirit Velour champagne she had during the last Beltane when her mother was alive. That evening she felt giddy and so happy, yet unsettled, as if she didn’t know what was going on.

She felt the same way now, as if her life was on a wild and out-of-control broomstick, racing through the night sky, doing loop-de-loops, and taking her for a ride. Her whole being was light and weightless, excited and nervous at the same time, feeling this way. Whenever she felt this happy, this wonderful, something always seemed to bring her back to reality, and that terrified her.

Maeve cast a protection spell around the ecosystem in the back of Saul’s truck as Cornelius showed her to ensure it was safe through the evening. Saul gently laid a tarp over the bed of the truck and the ecosystem to protect it further. She then turned to face the spacious log cabin and the question she’d posed to Saul a few minutes prior.

She hadn’t had a lot of experience with men. A few warlocks at the academy, though they could not be classified as men, especially not compared to Saul. Then she had dated a warlock from a good family, or so her father thought, to strengthen the magical ties between them. He was a nasally sort with questionably magical abilities and very poor manners. Kissing him has been like kissing a sponge, with more water.

Saul couldn’t have been any different. He carried himself with a quiet confidence, a raw strength that she found incredibly sexy. Even his temper didn’t disturb her anymore. He was more like an angry teddy bear she wanted to cuddle and see if he was as comforting and sexy as he appeared. Which was a bit odd since she never felt that way about any of her stuffed animals, and especially not her teddy bears.

Kissing Saul had been amazing. She had never thought just kissing someone could be that arousing. Her books that she snuck from the store in town talked about couples kissing for hours. She had always thought that was ridiculous. Why bother? It was all rather boring. But if Saul was holding her, and stroking her with that tongue of his, she could only imagine how it would feel on other parts of her.

“Do you want to go inside?” Saul asked, gesturing to the warmly lit cabin.

She definitely did. She walked up the stone pathway and onto the porch, admiring the hand carved logs that decorated the porch. “Did you build this yourself?”

He nodded. “The clan helped. We have a tradition. When a cub is ready to have their own place, they pick out the spot on clan territory and the rest of the clan helps them build it. It bonds everyone together and shows our support for the new adult in the clan.”

Tears pricked her eyes. “I love that. We give a china set. It’s an heirloom, but it’s just dishes. I like your tradition better.”

He opened the door and gestured for her to walk inside. She entered and was immediately charmed by the rustic interior, so opposite to the cold, formal house she’d grown up in. The main living room had cathedral ceilings, going up two floors. The furniture was oversized and comfortable, in warm earthy tones. He had a sectional couch facing a floor to ceiling stone fireplace that travelled the height of the two floors, with shelves jutting out from the stone and carvings on each shelf as decorations. Two oversized easy chairs were placed catty cornered with end tables between them and the couch. A wood carved coffee table made of a single piece of wood centered the space over a western-style rug. In the corner was a rocking chair that appeared to be hand carved with hand embroidered cushions on it.

She could see this was not a showpiece home, but a place where people lived. There were tiny claw marks in the wood where she suspected Brady had shifted and run amok. A sweatshirt was tossed over the back of a chair, and a blanket haphazardly lay over the arm of the couch.

Saul cursed and pushed past her to pick up some clothes scattered about. “Sorry about this. Hadn’t expected company.”

“Leave it. It’s lived in. I love it.”

He paused and stared at her quizzically. “It’s a bit of a mess right now. I rushed out of here this morning, hoping you hadn’t changed your mind.”

How could she explain she loved this? In her house, there was a place for everything and everything had to be in its place or there would be consequences. It was sterile, bleak, lifeless. But here was an explosion of life and she wanted to embrace it.

She rested a hand on his back, feeling the heat from his body seep into her. “I love this. You live here, Saul. I could see Brady running around here in cub form. I could see you watching the game, or whatever you watch, on Sundays with your friends, drinking beer or whatever. I could see myself curled up reading a book in the chair, though it would be better if it was over by that big picture window so I could look out over the meadow.”

His eyes gleamed yellow, and he pulled her to him. “Do you mean that? That you could see yourself here?”

A note of hope entered his voice, and she smiled, her voice going lower and a little huskier. “Maybe. I haven’t seen the entire cabin. You promised me a tour.”

“Your wish is my command. What would you like to see? The kitchen? The bathroom?”

She cast her gaze around the space and down a hallway. Was she ready? Was this potion acting on her? Who was she kidding? She didn’t care if it was the potion or not. She’d spent the past two days thinking about Saul, unable to think about anything else. And, truth be told, she had been obsessed with him long before that weekend, but she never thought she had a chance in hell with him. If it was the potion, she would deal with that when the time came. For now, she was going to embrace this opportunity and take her chance with Saul.

“I think I’d like to see the bedroom,” she said.

He arched his eyebrow. “You think?”

She tugged him toward the hallway. “I know I want to.”

“Good.”

He swept her up in his arms and over his shoulder, fireman-style, and strode down the hall to the master bedroom in the back of the house. He set her down by the king-sized bed and flicked on the light. The room was rustic like the rest of the home, with the exposed log walls and beam ceiling more intimate in this space. The bed was enormous, with a hunter green comforter on it that Maeve could get lost in easily. The bed itself appeared carved from logs and assembled in the room and adhered to the western theme of the home.

Saul turned her chin to face him. “Only if you want to.”

She slipped the white cardigan off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. Then she tugged the straps of the dress off her shoulders until the dress sagged on her chest. “I want to.”

She made to take off the dress, but he stopped her. “I want to unwrap you.”

She shivered at his words, never thinking that would ever sound sexy to her, but they were almost unbearably sexy. He tilted her chin and took her lips in a gentle kiss. She leaned into him, her lips opening under his mouth and his tongue swept in, stroking along hers, tasting of beer and barbecue and Saul. She sighed and clutched at his shirt, both to hold herself up and to pull him closer.

He slid a hand down her back and cupped her ass, lifting her to make the kiss easier on both of them. She twined her arms around his neck and tentatively teasing him back with her tongue, her body singing with pleasure, the fizzing in her stomach intensifying as the kiss deepened.

Cool air brushed the back of her legs, and she felt his hand tease along the back of her panties. She gasped as he grasped a cheek of her ass in one hand, then tugged her panties down to expose her. The dress fell back down around his hand, the material smoothing across her skin. He gave a jerk and there was a sharp pinch, then he tossed her ruined panties away.

She jerked back and glared at him. “Did you just tear my underwear?”

His fingers delved between her thighs from behind and she moaned, her eyes falling closed. He chuckled. “I don’t think you’ll mind.”

With his other hand, he dragged her dress down over her body until it fell to the floor at her feet. He lifted her out of it and laid her on the bed. He quickly stripped off his shirt and jeans, while she watched with a heated gaze. Nope, he was nothing like the warlocks she’d dated before.

“If I had known shifters were built like you, I would have dated one a long time ago.”

He growled and prowled over her, settling between her thighs. He pinned her to the bed and leaned in to her face. “There will be no one else for you, Maeve. Understand?”

She grinned mischievously at him. “You know that’s a red flag, right?”

“I only know you’re mine and I won’t let you go.”

She rolled her eyes and groaned. “So many red flags.”

He flexed his hips, his cocked rubbing against her soft folds, and she sucked in a breath. He chuckled again. “After you have me, you won’t want anyone else.”

She tangled a hand in his hair and tugged. “That’s a lot of talk for a bear who hasn’t done a lot of showing.”

He growled again and leaned down to suck a nipple in his mouth, licking and sucking the tip, while his fingers plucked and twisted the other one until they were both rosy and swollen from his attention. Maeve moaned, arching her back, and held his head to her breast, even as he switched back and forth, teasing her.

Finally, he kissed his way south, laving the soft skin of her belly and her hips, before reaching the soft folds of her sex. Maeve's hands were clenched in his hair, guiding his mouth as he tasted her, his tongue dipping into her depths and exploring every inch. She writhed beneath him, her breath coming in quick gasps, and his lips sealed against her, sucking gently.

As his teeth gently scraped over her clitoris, she cried out, her body tensed and released, spasming with pleasure.

“Saul,” Maeve gasped, her voice breathy and filled with need. “I need you inside me. Now.”

He lifted his head, a slow smile spreading across his face as he looked at her.

“Anything for you, Maeve,” he murmured, before easing his way between her legs.

He notched himself at her entrance, her sex wet and swollen, inviting him. He lowered himself onto her and slowly pushed inside. At first, he was huge, and she panicked. He was way bigger than anyone she had been with before, but he took his time, murmuring soothing words to her, and she slowly relaxed, letting him fully seat inside of her. The pressure was intense and amazing. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer, lifting her hips against him. Taking it as a sign that she was ready, he moved, slowly at first, then faster as she met him, her body arching to meet his thrusts.

Their moans echoed in the room. Maeve’s head was thrown back, her eyes closed as she was lost to the passion that enveloped her.

As Saul pistoned his hips, driving into Maeve with a ferocity, she met him with equal fervor, their bodies slapping together with wet, slick sounds. He leaned down and took a nipple in his mouth again, sucking and nibbling it as his hips continued to move. Maeve cried out again, her body tensing and releasing as the pleasure built within her.

Saul's teeth scraped over her nipple again, and Maeve gasped, and her body convulsed around him, her orgasm washing over them both. He continued to thrust into her, riding out the waves of her release, until they both came to a shuddering halt.

Panting heavily, Saul pulled out of Maeve, collapsing onto the bed beside her. He glanced over at her, his eyes filled with warmth and affection.

“That was amazing,” he said, a small smile playing on his lips.

Maeve nodded, her own smile broadening. “I’ve never felt anything like that before,” she admitted, running her fingers through his hair.

Saul leaned in to kiss her, their lips meeting in a gentle, passionate embrace. As their tongues danced and their breaths mingled, Maeve felt a sense of contentment wash over her. This was more than just a physical connection; it was a deep emotional bond that bound them together.

As they lay in each other's arms, Saul gently stroked Maeve's hair, his fingers tracing the curve of her ear. “I’m glad you felt that too,” he whispered, his voice low and husky. “I care for you, Maeve, more than I can express.”

Maeve's heart swelled at his words, and she couldn't help but smile. “I care for you too, Saul,” she replied, snuggling into his arms and sighing with contentment.

He was her very own, very sexy teddy bear. Cocooned in the warmth of his embrace, she drifted off to sleep.

Maeve sat in between Saul’s legs on his king-sized bed, while he fed her berries and cream from the improvised picnic he’d thrown together when they’d woken up ravenous after their second round of lovemaking. They were eating and sharing stories of their childhood, along with hopes and dreams, all things he had never once thought about doing with anyone else in his bed.

He had always been more of a get in, get it done and move on kind of guy. He never lingered with a woman, never had the urge to cook breakfast for her, and certainly never had a picnic in bed with her. But then again, he had never found his mate before, either.

“So you’ve always known that you’re going to be the alpha of your clan? No pressure there,” Maeve said.

He shrugged, popping a blueberry in her mouth. “I suppose. To me, it was something I’ve always known, so it wasn’t a big deal. Everything I’ve done, learned, and planned for revolves around that.”

“How does Felicia fit into those plans?”

He grimaced, though he likes the bite of jealousy in her tone. “She doesn’t. Bears look for their true mate and rarely mate without their bond. Felicia is not my mate and never will be, though her family hoped that a bond would form. They need the protection of our clan. My father wouldn’t mind a bond with them, but we don’t need it. We’re a healthy clan.”

Maeve was silent for a few moments, then she asked, “You mentioned that some shifters have mated with non-shifters. Have any of your clan ever mated with non-shifters?”

He sighed. That was a tricky question. “Not exactly. My great uncle Grigori supposedly found his mate many years ago in a witch whom he spent time with, but she rejected him and went back to her family. He believes she didn’t feel the bond like he did. He’s been alone ever since. The rest of the clan either mates with a bear or chooses not to mate.”

She shifted so she could see his face. “Is it forbidden?”

“Of course not. There are risks. The children might not shift or have difficulties, though most believe the children take after one or the other parent. No blending.”

“So the child is either a witch or a bear. Not both.”

He nodded. “Exactly. But there have not been many shifter and non-shifter pairings in our clan.”

She ate a strawberry and was quiet for a while. “Are we fooling ourselves, Saul? This is probably just the potion, right?”

He moved so she could see him. “Absolutely not. I told you that I believe you’re my mate. It’s rare, but it can happen. The potion may affect my human half, but it cannot affect my bear and that’s where the mating bond comes from. The bear feels the bond.”

She eyed him doubtfully, and he didn’t know what else to say to convince her. “Do you want to see my bear?”

Her eyes lit up, and she smiled. “I would love to! Brady was adorable as a bear.”

He scowled. “I’m not adorable. I’m a grizzly.”

He got off the bed, and since he was already undressed, it was easy to shift. In moments where the man had been next to Maeve, a bear stood, huge, powerful and proud. Maeve scrambled backwards, her eyes wide and the scent of fear drifted towards him.

But then she stopped. She crept forward and reached a hand out and tentatively touched his neck, slowly stroking through his fur. He leaned into her touch and she gained confidence, using both hands and eventually hugging him. “You’re gorgeous as a bear.”

He gave a low growl. She laughed. “Okay, all scary and fierce and growly, but beautiful too.”

His bear was happy with that. He shifted back and lunged for her, pinning her on the bed. She squealed, and he cut off the sound with a kiss. “It’s been two hours since I’ve been inside of you.”

“You’re insatiable.”

Her laughter turned to moans as he slid deep and began thrusting. “Oh yes, just like that.”