Chapter 22: Bear

Chapter Twenty-Two

Bear

I f I were a betting man, I’d put money on Lennox only being agreeable in the shower because I let her ride me while I soap and rinse her skin. She comes twice before I have to lift her off me to give her a solid spray down.

Slick contains properties that combat infections like UTIs, but heats last for days, and there’s no telling when I’ll be able to convince her to shower again.

Once we’re done, I dry us both and help her get dressed in one of my giant sweatshirts. It’s comically long, and I roll up the sleeves before jumping into sweats to tackle brushing our teeth.

After that’s handled, I carry her down to the kitchen.

“How about a sandwich?” I ask, placing her down on the island. It’s a nice height, making it easy for me to bend just a little and capture her mouth.

Her hands land on my chest, digging in like she can’t get enough.

I don’t know what I did for the universe to deliver me such a perfect fucking gift, but I thank God she ended up here. Swirling my tongue over her new bondmark from Thorne, I briefly lament not snagging that spot myself.

At the end of the day, I got more than I ever hoped for. A wrist bite is plenty enough for me. I pull back, and her lips chase mine, so I give her one last tender kiss and stand to my full height with a true smile on my face.

Lennox stares up at me from under her lashes, licking her lips. It’s so hard not to pounce, but what she needs from me right this second isn’t my dick.

“I guess turkey, if you’ve got it,” she says, reminding me to get my ass in gear.

It doesn’t take long to make her a sandwich and cut up some fruit. I spot my mom’s hot cocoa recipe on the counter and make that as she nibbles at her food. She tosses the crust of her sandwich to Shera, and I make a mental note to cut them off next time.

It’s easy enough to see that she’s not truly hungry, but she perks up as I pour the cocoa into the glass pitcher my mom always served it out of.

“It has to cool for a bit,” I say, making a mug for her. “While it does…” I cough awkwardly. “I thought you might want to open the courting gift I got you?”

Lennox’s eyes fly to mine, and she nods wildly. “Of course, but you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“I really did.” Bending, I kiss her forehead and jog over to the table to grab the boxes. I head back, praying it’s not a ridiculous gift. Coming to a stop in front of her, I lick my suddenly dry lips. “It’s basically the worst time of year to do any shopping on the island, but we will court you properly once the storm passes.”

“Storm?” Lennox’s nose wrinkles. “It doesn’t matter. Please don’t worry. Really, I have everything I need.” She grabs my forearm, giving it a squeeze.

Placing down the box with the vase, I hand her the other.

She smiles up at me, and her dimples pop in her full cheeks before she looks back down to lift the lid off the box. I take it and set it down as she examines the gift.

It’s cheesy.

My options were limited, but I couldn’t stand the thought of coming back empty-handed.

“Ohmigosh, it’s so pretty,” she whispers, lifting the platinum rose out of the box.

The flower itself is stardust gray—whatever the hell that is—but it’s mostly a dark matte gray with shiny sparkles that make it look like a galaxy pattern. The stem is engraved with “Until the stars stop shining.”

She reads the stem and carefully places it back in the box before setting it aside. Once she’s done, she turns back to me and wraps her arms under mine. Her fingers dig into my back, pulling me closer as she hugs me.

“I love it.”

I’m pretty sure she’s just being polite until her emotions pulse in the bond. I wrap my arm around her back and nuzzle my cheek to the top of her head.

“They have all different styles, and you can collect bouquets of them that never die,” I say, repeating the information the lady at the gift shop down by the docks told me.

“That makes them even more perfect than real flowers.” She cuddles her face to my chest and sighs contentedly. “Thank you.”

“Of course. Now, should we head back to the nest?”

Lennox’s head shakes. “How about hot cocoa and a Christmas movie?”

“That works for me,” I tell her, pulling her off the counter.

Lennox and I settle in the family room. It’s strange to see the silks hanging from the ceiling, but it’s a good feeling. She’ll eventually leave her mark all over the house.

They don’t block the view of the television. At least, not from where we settle on the sectional sofa.

It’s not difficult to find a sweet Christmas-themed romance, and we make it a good portion of the way through while Lennox sips her cocoa. She sits at my side for most of it, but when she starts fidgeting, I pull her into my lap with her back to my chest. The crocheted blanket she’s been under falls away in the process, and I lose a considerable amount of focus to studying how my sweatshirt teases the tops of her thighs.

The romance builds as the omega finds her perfect pack on the television screen, and Lennox’s wiggling only intensifies. My fingers tease her inner thigh, and I chuckle as she spreads her legs wider until her knees are firmly on either side of mine. With how big my sweatshirt is on her frame, I bet I’d be able to see her entire pussy if I was standing across from us.

It doesn’t matter.

I relish the position I am in.

Brushing my way higher on her thigh, my other hand teases her tit over the material. She swaps from wiggling to straight-up grinding on my cock, like she wants me to envision how easy it would be to pull down my sweats and slip inside her.

I cup her pussy, giving it a solid squeeze. Lennox moans and tosses her head back against my chest kinda hard. Her hand moves to cradle mine, indicating she wants more than what I’m giving her.

It suddenly makes more sense why Rush and Thorne looked like they lost a fight with a grizzly. My pointer and ring fingers tease down her lower lips while my middle slides down to test her opening. She’s soaked, and even working a fingertip inside makes her entire cunt lock down.

Now that my finger is slick, I use it to tease her clit. Her feet dangle in the air, kicking against the sides of my calves.

It’s fucking adorable.

She huffs and moves her other hand to lie on top of the one I’ve got on her tit. The way she slaps at my skin is demanding, and I would address it if she wasn’t burning up.

Bending my head down, I murmur, “Let’s get this off of you.”

I have to release her breast, but she leans forward and helps yank my sweatshirt off over her head.

I toss it down on the arm of the couch and plant a hand on her sternum to pull her back to my chest.

“You could just let me ride you while we finish the movie,” she offers, nodding.

“We’ll get there, but I’ve yet to really get the chance to prep you.” I work two fingers down, testing her opening.

My lips land against her sweaty temple as I growl. Her pheromones are everywhere and more potent than should be possible, considering the spacious room.

I ache to rush to the finish line, but the last thing I want to do is hurt her.

Lennox’s feet dig into my calves, using them as leverage to grind herself over my hand. It takes a while before I feel comfortable stretching my fingers with how snug she is, but she managed me before.

I’m not sure how much of that I owe to her upcoming heat. I haven’t had many sexual experiences. In fact, I can count them on one hand, and she makes up several of them.

I was never obsessed with the thought of sex. Even as a teenager and early into my twenties, I needed some type of emotional or intellectual attraction to feel sexual desire. It never struck me as odd. It honestly felt more bizarre that some people could have meaningless sex with strangers.

“Bear, you’re great. Wonderful. I like you so much, but I swear if you don’t make me come, I am going to have to hurt you…” She thrashes around, and I chuckle.

Making sure my palm brushes her clit, I slowly start to work my fingers in and out while they’re stretched. The farther I move them apart, the louder her begging moans get.

That seems telling.

I pinch her nipple in my other hand, cupping her tit before quickly moving to the other.

Lennox leans forward, sobbing out commands. My cock leaks in response. It would be so much better if she was facing me, but I also like being able to look down over her shoulder and see everything.

“Shh,” I coo, using my hand on her chest to pull her backward. “You’re missing the end of the movie.”

She grunts her displeasure, shooting me a skin-melting frown. “I’d much rather focus on you.”

My head tilts as someone comes around the corner into the family room.

Rush looks like hell. His dirty blond hair sticks up like he’s been running his fingers through it nonstop, and there are dark circles under his eyes. He stops dead in his tracks when he spots us and rocks on his bare feet.

“Holy shit, woman. Wake me up next time you plan to leave the nest.” He swipes a hand over his face. “I panicked.”

“Blame Bear,” she groans. “Actually, come over here and bite me.”

I snort. “You really managed to hurt her feelings. I had to assure her of your interest.”

Rush frowns, slowly prowling closer as he studies the two of us. “I assumed you were talking to Thorne.”

“I was talking to both of you,” she clarifies.

Rush’s Adam’s apple bounces as he swallows. “It seemed like one of those things better safe than sorry.”

“Now you know.” Lennox whimpers, curling forward. “Make your twin stop torturing me!”

I chuckle as her arousal pulses in the bond.

Rush comes to a stop in front of her, hitting his knees. I spread mine, which incidentally spreads hers, and he scoots closer.

“Does it turn you on, knowing you’re trapped between brothers?” My hair falls around my face as I dip my head lower to get close to her ear.

Lennox’s core contracts around my fingers at my words.

“Twins, to be exact.” Rush shoves his sweats down. “See, we all know Bear has a massive cock, even compared to how large most alphas are. There’s no chance of you fitting both of us inside you?—”

“I’m more than willing to try,” Lennox gasps.

“Such an optimistic little omega. Neither of us will gain any joy from ripping you in half,” I tell her, kissing her temple. “Let Rush stretch you out for me.” I pull my fingers free of her cunt and bring them to my mouth.

A low growl rattles out of my chest as Lennox whines.

Rush shoves her legs back down as they bounce, and I pin her feet behind my calves.

“Make sure you keep her trapped in place.” He wraps his hand around his cock and smirks. “You do want to be our perfect little fuck toy. Don’t you, pretty girl?”

“Fuck me now, please,” Lennox sobs, making a grab for his shoulders.

My instincts scream not to let her get away. It doesn’t even make sense, but I wrap my arms under hers, planting my hands on her shoulders and tugging her back.

Rush growls, stretching up and frowning. “Move to the recliner. It swivels. It’ll make this much easier.”

I snort as he moves out of the way, but I do indeed carry Lennox over to my favorite recliner.