Bear in a Bakery Read online

  She was beautiful, sexy, sassy, and a mind reader. Her breasts pressed into his thigh as her lips wrapped around his dick. Her mouth closed around him, sucking in a long, deep draw. His hips thrust forward, one hand leaving the steering wheel to cup the back of her head.

  “God, suck me, Allie.”

  She pulled the waist of his underwear down as far as they would go, her mouth following down, down, down, taking him as much as she could. Her mouth stretched beneath his size as he hit the back of her throat. She made a small sound, her hand working his base as she mouthed him.

  She pulled back and pumped him with her hand for a second. She stared at his cock with unmasked appreciation and his heart soared.

  “Just think, that’s going to be fucking your pussy real soon.”

  She smiled before diving back in, taking him into her mouth and riding him with a mix of aggression and softness. His balls tightened. He’d been dreaming of this so much that his body was primed for the release only she could bring.

  His vision blurred, and he had to give himself a mental shake to keep steady on the road. Putting both hands back on the wheel, Dax was fighting the pleasure when something darted out into the road. He pressed the break, slowing fast but evenly. He grabbed onto Allie to keep her in place, but her head had already snapped up.

  “Raccoon!” Dax said, coming to a near stop as the animal waddled across the road.

  “Of course,” Allie chuckled, ready to resume the position but he stopped her with a gentle tug on her hair.

  “Better let me focus.”

  “No problem. We’re here.” She pointed to a cute little brick house at the end of the street. The Rocky Mountains cast an impressive shadowy backdrop. Grabbing her purse, she nearly bolted out of the truck. Dax followed, zipping up enough to be decent but not cause his raging erection any harm. They darted up her porch, hand in hand. Allie punched a number into the keypad to unlock the house. A single light shone from the living room as they walked in, casting a soft golden glow around the room.

  He took Allie by the shoulders and pulled her into him, taking her mouth with his in a desperate, hard kiss. Her fingers threaded into his hair as he walked her over the hardwood floor to the couch. Her legs hit the cushion and Dax gave her a gentle shove.

  Allie tossed back onto the couch with a giggle, her breasts bouncing and her hair spreading all over the cushion. Dax put one of her legs high on the back of the couch and spread the other wide, kneeling between her legs as he hiked her skirt to her waist. Her sounds deepened from amusement to passion as he pulled her panties to the side. The heady perfume of her scent drew him like a bee to honey. Gently, he used two fingers to part her pussy lips and dipped his head between her thighs. Her clit was already swollen, her slit glistening with arousal and it took all his will not to drive his cock into her right then.

  Dax flicked the tip of his tongue over her clit. Allie arched in surprise, her legs falling open wider at the simple touch. Restraint wasn’t working well with him right now, so he gave up. There was a time to go slow, to savor. This wasn’t it. He gripped her hips and pulled her down to his mouth. Without mercy, he stroked her clit with his tongue until she moaned and cried out and gripped his head like a lifeline. Her nub swelled beneath his mouth, her moans becoming more desperate.

  “Dax, please!” Allie threw her head back and clamped her thighs around his face. Placing the heel of his hand on her pubic bone, he slid two fingers inside. Her ass came up off the bed as he found the spot just inside her pussy that set her off the last time. Bless the G-spot! She pushed against his hand with a desperate cry as he rocked his fingers with a back and forth motion.

  Her inner muscles tightened, and she cried out his name. His cock ached with pleasure-pain and a need so strong, he had to give in. She was about to come, and he needed to feel her do it around his cock. Still working her pussy, he used his free hand to open his already loosened zipper, then wriggled his jeans down as far as he could.

  “Yes, yes!” Allie watched him, her hands making a “come here” motion when she saw him kicking off his pants. He sucked her clit between his lips in one final tease, then slowly moved up her body. Her bra tangled beneath her breasts, freeing them. Dax took one rigid, pink nipple in his mouth as he urged her legs even farther apart with his knee.

  Her hot heat welcomed the tip of his cock as he pressed and held against her softness.

  “Now, please, now!” Allie cried out. She grabbed his hip with one hand and tilted her pelvis upward. Dax thrust, tempering himself to let her adjust to his size. But Allie wouldn’t have it. She jerked her hips up, urging him inside with a frenzied passion. He didn’t want to hurt her, but he wasn’t going to deny her either.

  He thrust deep. Their voices mixed as they cried out together. Her body stretched and tensed beneath him, her nipples grazing against his tee shirt. Allie grasped at the shirt, tugging and pulling until he whipped it off with one hand and pressed his bare chest against her breasts. The skin-on-skin contact caused goosebumps to race over his flesh. Dax slowly withdrew and ran a palm lightly over her breast. With a hard thrust, he rubbed her nipple between his fingers and took her mouth in a deep kiss.

  Allie panted as she met him thrust for thrust. Her slick pussy clamped down around his cock and the sensations were so intense, a slow tremor took over his body. He gathered Allie to him, lifting her hips as he drove into her. His length rubbed against the spot deep inside her; he felt it swell as her moans became more desperate. Dax felt barely in control of himself, as if this intimacy was out of his hands and he was completely at the will of his body.

  “Dax!” Allie cried, gripping his shoulders and grinding her pelvis against his. Suddenly, her inner muscles clamped down hard around his cock as she came.

  “Oh, yeah,” he groaned, riding her harder as his own climax began to unfurl.

  She soaked him, her pussy tighter and slicker than ever. He felt outside of himself, with such thin control that he was about to lose it. His cock swelled, and his balls went tight as pleasure spiraled and begged to be set free. Dax tipped his head to the crook of Allie’s neck, biting her gently there as his orgasm reached its peak.

  Suddenly remembering this wasn’t the Pairing, he withdrew and took his cock in his hand. Allie’s brow furrowed as a desperate sound of protest escaped her lips. Her eyes were heavy-lidded as she watched him pump his cock. He thrust his hips toward his tip sat just above her soft belly.

  “Give it to me, Dax.”

  The soft but firm demand sent him over. Dax clenched his jaw as he came all over the soft rise of her belly. He gasped for breath as pleasure soaked him, a spiral of blackness taking over all rational thought until he was simultaneously aware that the epic sensations had waned, and he was half lying on top of Allie with his knees on the floor.

  Her fingers were loose in his hair, a soft smile on her lips as she dozed. He could only look at her, taking in the angelic beauty of her sleeping face and struggle with how hard his heart filled.

  How full he felt inside.

  How right.

  Gently picking her up, Dax cradled her against his chest as he found his way to her room and set her on the bed. She moaned softly in a barely-awake way as he stripped her bare, and then himself, before crawling beneath the covers next to her. Taking her into his arms, the full, satiated sensation inside him bloomed even more as she snuggled against him and thread her fingers into his.

  If this is what his parents had had together—even an ounce—he was glad he’d waited for it.

  What was life without this?

  It was nothing he could ever to go back to.

  DAX DIDN’T WANT TO wake her, but he recalled she’d mentioned meeting Becks at four-thirty this morning to start working and it was already well past that.

  Her unruly curls splayed across the pillow. He threaded his fingers through them, gently separating the strands as he studied her soft expression. The big, full feeling came back in his chest. It was warm and heady,
and he didn’t want it to go away.

  Talk about cutting it close. The moon would be full in three days’ time. He had until then to convince her to become his mate or lose his chance forever. The warmth inside him began to shrivel at the idea she’d deny him. To lose her now, when he was completely sure she was meant for him—that they were meant for each other—was more than he could bear.

  He couldn’t give this up now. Not ever.

  “Allie,” he whispered while giving her a gentle shake.

  She stirred, her brow furrowing in confusion but a sleepy smile replaced it. She reached for him and their fingers entwined before she flipped onto her back and rubbed her face.

  “I don’t want to get up.”

  The sheet fell midway, revealing her luscious, full breasts and the feminine flare of her ribs. He couldn’t stop himself from touching her. With one finger, he trailed along the rise of her breast, stopping at the beautiful pink peak to tease and swirl, before continuing down...

  “Keep that up and no one will be getting treats but me today.” She swatted at his hand, but it was a half-ass attempt.

  “No one but us,” Dax replied. He covered her with his body, gently grinding the length of his erection into the soft V at her thighs. She didn’t hesitate, just opened those perfect legs to allow him to settle between them. Damn sheet was between them, but it didn’t deter the heat radiating off her. He closed his eyes as he ripped the sheet away and sank deeply into her.

  His name dripped like the sweetest honey off her lips. Something in her tone made his heart soar with, what, hope? Her lips parted as if she had more to say, and he hoped she would—waited—

  Her cell phone rang.

  They both jumped at the unexpected sound.

  “Jesus,” Allie groaned. She scrambled to reach her cell from the bedside table. Dax figured he could move, but he was enjoying the feel of her curvy body beneath his too much to let her go.

  “Hello?” She answered before the phone was even to her ear. Dax didn’t need to adjust his heightened senses to hear the woman on the other end. It was Becks.

  “Hey, babe. You, uh, coming in soon?”

  Allie gently pushed Dax off her and he relented with a ton of regret. She sat.

  “On my way in ten. What’s up?”

  There was a pause. Allie’s face scrunched, her shoulders going tense. “Becks?”

  “There’s someone here to see you.”

  The clock flashed 5:45 a.m. Becks’ voice was tight and tense, and though he didn’t know her well, it wasn’t her normal. Allie seemed to think so too as she swung her feet over the side of the bed.

  “Are you okay? Should I call the police?” She slid off the bed, leaving the sheet behind. Dax followed suit as Allie got dressed.

  “I’m fine. Just... hurry.”

  Chapter Nine

  The satisfying after-glow of having sex with Dax didn’t wear off as she racked her brain to figure out who the hell would be at the bakery this time of morning.

  Dax held her hand on the short drive to Sticky Sweet. It was a sweet gesture but seemed so natural and easy, as if they’d held hands a million times before. She couldn’t stop sneaking peeks at him in the budding daylight. Everything between them seemed easy. From the first moment he’d walked into the bakery, she’d felt a comfort and familiarity she’d never experienced with a guy before. It was as if they’d simply fallen into place beside each other.

  She squeezed her legs together, welcoming the soreness that would serve as an all-day reminder of the biggest pleasure she’d ever known. It was going to be damn difficult to think of anything else today.

  Dax pulled into the front of the bakery. The street out front was empty of vehicles. Becks must have walked this morning, since her bicycle wasn’t parked in the rack. And the mystery visitor must have parked in the back. She didn’t like it. The only good reason to park in the back lot this time of day was to avoid being seen from the main road. A quick look at Dax made it clear he was thinking the same thing.

  An uneasy feeling went through her. Dax flexed his fingers and quivered a little as if he was suddenly uncomfortable in his own skin. Maybe the bear inside him was uneasy, too. Could it pick up on her feelings and emotions?

  He went to Allie’s door and opened it. Putting a hand on her wrist, he stopped her when she would have walked ahead.

  “I’m going with you.”

  She felt a moment of protest but grabbed his hand in acceptance instead. “Okay.”

  Dax gave her a comforting sense of protection. The situation was odd, and she wasn’t going to turn away a six-foot four shifter’s offer to tag along in case something went south. She took out the key to the front door but found it already open.

  Dax walked in first. “Becks?”

  Allie pulled back with a start. A shadowy figure unfurled from the corner by the coffee bar. It took her brain a second to realize it was a man. Dax was already in motion, cutting in front of Allie with his big body taking up as much space as possible. In that nanosecond, recognition hit her and she ducked around Dax to get a second look.

  She did a double take. “Blake?”

  A big smile cut across his narrow face as if this was a perfectly expected reunion at five something in the morning. An uncontrollable quiver took over her body. She hadn’t seen him in months since he’d left the law firm in town for his home pack in Bentleyville. Though his text messages had bothered her, she’d felt safe in that he was long gone from Estes Park.

  Not anymore.

  “Hello, Allie.”

  Blake gave Dax a cursory glance, then ignored him to focus his attention on her. Dax stood partially in front of her, a protective move that she welcomed. His body was a shield and she couldn’t shake the sensation that she needed the protection.

  Becks called out from behind the bakery case. “He told me I couldn’t tell you he was here or he’d...”

  Blake gave a half turn to glare at Becks. “Thank you, Becks. I’m sure you have things to do in the back.”

  “Don’t speak to her like that. It’s fine, Becks.”

  Having Dax so close gave Allie a sense of confidence. He was taller than Blake, and though they were both bear shifters, there was no denying Dax was bigger, stronger. She’d never seen either man shift into their bear, but she suspected there’d be no real competition between them there, either. Allie was still frustrated that she hadn’t seen through her ex sooner. He was a terrible person.

  He was the reason she’d started the Loser Allie List.

  He was the reason she had to get cozy with a vibrator again.

  He was the reason she’d been afraid of men for the first time in her life.

  A low rumble came from behind her. Dax... did he just growl? He stood with his arms crossed and his feet spread wide. The two men mirrored each other, and with each second, Blake seemed to get more irritated.

  “What are you doing here, Blake?”

  In the arrogant way he had, Blake broke away from his stare down with Dax and started to wander around the store. He made a half circle around the room, looking everywhere but her as if he’d dismissed her question. Dax shifted his weight and gave Allie a questioning look. She shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to get into it.

  “I wanted to talk, just the two of us.” He finally replied. “Can we do that, Allie? Just us?”

  The way he said, “us” made a bitter taste rise in her mouth. They hadn’t been an “us” in far too long, and even when they were, they weren’t. Blake had simply wanted a girlfriend to look after him, fuss over him and be sexually available. He’d never been into her as wife material. It had been far too easy to use her, lead her along, rough her up a little and then make her think it was her fault.

  “It’s been six months. There’s nothing left to say.”

  Blake tugged his bottom lip between his teeth. His business suit was impeccably pressed, his brown hair stylish and combed to perfection. The lines of his tall, lithe form she’d once fo
und sexy now held no appeal. How had she ever thought he’d be her husband?

  Dax had made her feel more in the past twenty-four hours than Blake had in a year and half.

  “I want a few minutes alone with you, please.”

  There it was, the demand wrapped up in politeness. He’d loved to use that tone on her when she wasn’t doing what he asked or thought she should be doing. Like when he’d told her to sell the bakery, and she’d told him to fuck off.

  “No.” Dax’s voice was concrete.

  Blake simply smiled as he gave Dax a lazy once over.

  “And you are?”

  “An Alpha you don’t want to piss off.”

  Blake laughed, but the was no humor in it. The sound made goosebumps raise over her arms. Inside, he was stewing and getting angrier by the second. She could tell by the way the vein on the side of his neck popped and the tension lines on his forehead. Allie could barely stand still. She was anxious and antsy to get Blake out of here so she could resume life as normal. The longer she was in his company, the more irritable she became. All he did was remind her of the pain, humiliation, and blatant self-hatred he’d inspired in her.

  “I have nothing to say.”

  “Yes, you do!”

  There was a shift in the air after Blake’s outburst. Tension rolled off Dax with a kind of palpable vibration that Allie swore she could feel in the free space between them. His nostrils flared and his fingers flexed as if he were holding himself back from something. All she needed were these men to transform into bears and hash it out inside her store. She still hadn’t recovered from the raccoon damage.

  She’d placate Blake and get him the hell out of here before all hell broke loose.

  “What do you want, Blake?”

  She could barely breathe with both men getting tenser by the minute. She brushed past them both and went to the coffee bar. With trembling fingers, she began to fill the sugar packets. The back of her neck tingled as Blake shifted in her direction. Dax mimicked his movements, eyes riveted on his rival. Another low rumble shook the air, the intonation full of threat from Blake. From the corner of her eye, Allie saw Becks grab her cellphone off the counter and wrap it in her palm.