Chapter 27

No one had ever calledme smart before. But there wasn't any lie in her voice. She believed what she was saying. She thought I was smart. Not math smart or reading smart, but people smart because I understood her and Leo and helped them get better. Pride filled my chest and I couldn't stop myself from swooping down and kissing her hard.

Maybe not the smartest decision. Once I started, I didn"t want to stop. My pajamas weren't thick enough to hide it when I got excited, and my body wouldn't ever listen to me. I swelled and when she opened up to let my tongue in on the action, I twitched hard enough that she noticed. I jerked and rolled away, throwing my arm over my face with a groan.

"Sorry. Ignore that. Maybe I should sleep in the tub."

She giggled, and the sound warmed my insides. When I peeked out from under my arm, she didn't look mad or upset. She was smiling, and her cheeks were pink.

"I don't mind, Teddy. It was… nice last time. I… I wouldn't mind doing it again."

That didn't help. It made it worse. I shouldn't be pushing that, they just got here, but my body wasn't listening to me.

"Did… Did you not like it?"

Her timid question surprised me, and I dropped my hand quickly. "I loved it! Bein' with you is better than anything I've ever done before!"

Loud. I was being too loud. I was going to wake up Leo if I didn't stop. Grimacing, I dropped my voice to a whisper.

"I just don't wanna push you. You've been hurt before. And you did something brave today. You don't gotta take care of me."

Her delicate brows drew together tightly. I hated seeing her frown. She should be smiling always. She deserved to be happy.

"What'd I say?"

"Nothing… I just… I like taking care of you. You take care of us. I want you to be happy too. And… I like making you feel good. It was… really nice."

She was always testing my willpower. I tried to stay strong, tried to tell myself it was too soon, but she looked up at me with those gorgeous brown eyes and I couldn't resist her even if I tried. I rolled until she was underneath me, capturing her lips. Her surprised gasp opened her up for me, and I tangled my tongue with hers, overeager and needy. Most of my concentration was focused on being gentle. Talia needed gentle. The rest was telling me we were wearing too many clothes.

Her movements were timid, uncertain, but her hands settled on my chest once my shirt was off and she started to explore little by little, running her palms over my skin. I only stopped her when she got to my ribs, huffing out a laugh.

"Ticklish."

Her smile was pleased and happy. If she was anyone else, I'd be worried she'd use that against me, but she was Talia. She wouldn't do that. I settled her hands on my chest again and she moved them up and around my neck instead, lifting her head to meet me when I leaned to kiss her again.

Taking clothes off was slow moving, and I was throbbing by the time our clothes were missing. I reached between us, gripping the base of my dick to stave off my arousal a little. I wanted her so bad, I was worried I'd come too quick. She was less scared this time, her kisses more enthusiastic. It was hard to pull away from her, but I needed to prep her. I was never ever going to hurt her by rushing it.

Using my fingers, I rubbed circles around her clit, drawing quiet moans from her. When I pushed one finger gently inside, she only tensed for a second before relaxing again. I switched between teasing her clit and using my fingers inside her until I felt her channel tighten. She was getting close. I could feel it. I moved on instinct, pulling my hand away and shifting lower on the bed. She let out a surprised sound when I kissed her clit, and it took only a few licks before she was coming with a gasp. I groaned, licking up her release, pushing my tongue inside her for more. She was so sweet, and I couldn't get enough.

"T-Teddy… I- It's– Ohhh…"

I pushed two fingers in her while licking her clit, and she came again with a moan. I kept my fingers moving until she relaxed, but I couldn't take any more. My dick was so hard it hurt, and I needed to be inside her. I made sure to check with her first, giving her a questioning look when I pressed against her entrance. She nodded, reaching for me, and I captured her lips as I pushed the head inside.

My whole body shook as I forced myself to go slow. It felt so good, it was hard to focus. Only my desperate need to keep her safe and happy kept me from thrusting hard. I wouldn't do that to her. I took my time, pushing in a little at a time, until my hips were finally cradled with hers. Then I needed a minute to calm down, because I felt like I was going to come before her.

"Are you okay?"

Her sweet question made me smile, and I lifted my head from where I'd rested it against her shoulder. "Yeah, I'm okay. Feels good. I don't wanna go fast and hurt you."

‘O-Oh… Is it– Do you like going fast?"

"I like all of it. Fast, slow, don't matter. As long as I'm with you, I'm happy."

Her smile lit me up inside, and I tried to capture it with my lips. I stayed that way, buried inside her, kissing her senseless, until I couldn't take it anymore. I tested the waters with small thrusts, and when she let out a breathy moan, I figured I was doing alright. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to concentrate on her and not the tingly feeling in my balls, but it was hard. She felt so good. Warm and wet and her needy whimpers were driving me up the wall. I panted heavily, desperation kicking in, and I had to fist the bedding beneath us to keep myself steady.

"Teddy…"

Opening my eyes, I took in her parted lips, her flushed cheeks, the pleasure making her eyes all hooded.

"You're beautiful," I murmured.

A smile flashed across her face, but I shifted and changed the angle a little, and it disappeared, replaced by surprise and ecstasy. Her hands clutched my forearms, and I watched in fascination as her release swept through her, her eyes fluttering from the intensity of it.

Watching her and feeling her tighten around me made it impossible for me to hold back. I bucked into her, burying my face against her shoulder to muffle my groans as I raced over the edge. I came so hard, I almost blacked out. Even behind my eyelids, I saw the sparks in my vision. It took everything not to collapse on top of Talia. I'd crush her by accident. Instead, I sank to my forearms and waited until I could move again without melting.

Talia didn't seem to be in a hurry for me to move. She cupped the back of my head, leaning into me as our breaths steadied out. When I flopped to the side, I took her with me, cuddling her close.

"I love you, Talia."

"I love you too."

I wokeup in the morning to whispered voices in my kitchen. I yawned, stretching my arms over my head. I hadn't slept that well in over a week. Having Talia in my arms settled my bear in a way I didn"t realize I needed. I took care of her, got her cleaned up and dressed, but once she was cuddled with her head on my chest, I passed out hard.

The smell of sweets got me out of bed. I went to the bathroom first, brushing my teeth and emptying my bladder, but I couldn't stay away for too long. Talia and Leo were leaning over to look through the glass window of the oven, whispering to each other. It was cute, and I kinda wished I had my phone on me to take a picture. I was going to sneak away to grab it, but Leo noticed me before I could.

"Mom's making cheese danishes for breakfast. They look really good."

My stomach rumbled at the thought of sweets for breakfast, which made them both laugh. I shrugged, smiling brightly as I came to join them.

"I like pastries. Can I see?"

Leo waved me closer, pointing at the trays in my oven. "They've got fruit in them. You had a lot of fruit in the fridge."

I nodded, straightening again. "I get snacky at night, but it"s not healthy to eat too late, so I make healthy snacks instead. If I ate sweets all night, no amount of exercising would help me."

Leo eyed me, his head tipped curiously. "Do you exercise a lot?"

"Every day. There's a gym down the street. Did you wanna go with me? I'm allowed to have guests."

Leo's eyes darted to Talia, and I saw a flash of nerves, but he masked it pretty quick, blowing out a breath. He was trying hard not to comment so she could make her own decisions. I rubbed his hair with a smile.

"Good cub."

He pushed my hand away, but he didn't look mad. And when I opened my arm for a hug, he didn't hesitate. It made me happy, and I scooped him up for a squeeze, making him laugh and wriggle.

"No fair! You're bigger than me!"

Setting him on his feet, I shrugged. "You'll get bigger, little cub. Maybe you'll be as big as me one day."

He snickered, but Talia looked dismayed at the thought.

"I'll never be able to leave the kitchen…" she whispered.

That made Leo laugh out loud and I joined him, pulling her in close and kissing her temple. Feeding two of me might be a little daunting for her. Shifters ate a lot in general, our animals burned a lot of calories, but I was hungrier than most. It took a lot to keep up with me. At least she wasn't mad about it. She sounded like she was teasing and she smiled when Leo started going on about being the biggest lion around if he got as big as me. She wasn't afraid of how big he'd be in the future. She loved her cub. And she loved me. Even if we ate her out of house and home.