Mating Season Page 5

  She couldn't know how many fantasies she'd already fulfilled for him. What's more, she inspired new ones all the time. He knew down to his soul his greatest dream was for her to stay with him, to marry him come spring, but he didn't think it was the right time to tell her yet. Other than that...

  Koll stilled as an idea struck him. There was one thing he really wanted, but his secret desire was so personal that he was embarrassed to voice it.

  "Tell me,” she said.

  "I, uh—” He cleared his throat. “I want you to make noise while I take you."

  Shila returned a frown. “I don't think I can scream any more than you've already made me."

  That was true. Koll loved the noises she made when he pounded her toward climax. He didn't know why he felt so shy all of a sudden.

  Unable to look her in the eye, he stared at her breasts as he spoke. “I want you to talk. I want you to tell me you like my body. That you like my... size."

  Ah hell. He had a horrible suspicion he was blushing now. And damn if she didn't drop her arms and slide off his lap. This was why he usually kept his mouth shut.

  "Never mind. I—” The feel of her hand undoing his fly snapped him to attention.

  His erection leapt out on its own, and she dragged his pants down and lifted his balls so they sat on top of the waistband.

  "I have already told you these things many times.” With her lips poised over his cock, Shila whispered the words against his skin, sending her warm breath across the head. “Every touch, every cry, every orgasm was my way of telling you. You must not have been paying attention. Your body, your big cock, makes me wet."

  Koll's eyes stung. He blinked rapidly and then jolted when her mouth came down over his erection. Her lips formed a tight ring as her tongue rasped the sensitive spot behind his glans. Although she couldn't swallow all of him, she took far more than he'd expected. She claimed more of him than any female had ever managed before. As she stroked up and down, bobbing her head over his lap, she also made savoring noises.

  He moaned in bliss and gripped the edge of the table until his knuckles turned white. Each pull of her talented mouth made him lift his hips, but he fought the urge to fully thrust. On every retreat, she lapped his slit as if his precum were her favorite treat. He suddenly had an image of her in bear form, down on all fours with her huge mouth wrapped around his entire length. The image should have been disgusting, but the forbidden thought of that long tongue and the threat of those fangs almost made him lose it.

  "Stop!” Koll didn't want to come. Not yet.

  Shila obeyed, although she added an extra swirl of her tongue before popping her mouth free. She stepped back and stripped so she stood there naked.

  He yanked his clothes off so quickly he nearly ripped them.

  "You want me?” she asked.

  "You know I do."

  She took several steps back. “Then come take me, if you're a big enough man."

  Koll growled—a natural enough sound for him and one he knew drove her crazy. He leaped out of the chair and caught her by the hips, though he didn't carry her to the bed. Instead, he backed her right against the wall. He wanted to show her just how big and strong he was, so he hoisted her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist. Still holding her weight, he lowered her until the tip of his cock unerringly found her wet channel. He impaled her with a firm downward pull.

  "Yes!” Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he moved her up and down on his dick. “You're so huge, so perfect, Koll. Your cock stretches me wide."

  "Shila.” He groaned her name as he shafted her harder. Thanks to her blowjob, he was already poised for orgasm, and her words shot him even higher.

  "See how you hold me up? You're no puny boy. My mate is a ferocious, mature man.” Her words continued to get into his head.

  He pumped faster, nearly lifting on to his toes with each upward thrust, as if he could spear her any more deeply. His balls were so tightly knotted they were practically frozen in place, and their combined juices coated his pubic hair and sac.

  Some last glimmer of rational thought tickled Koll's memory, reminding him of what he'd had planned. Still joined with her, he swung away from the wall and stumbled toward the bed. When he got to the edge, he practically flung her down so she was sprawled on her back while he stood over her. He forced her legs back to her chest and sank even deeper.

  She held the position. “That's it,” she cried out. “Overpower me."

  Koll managed three slow corkscrews that made her keen before the need for release made him too desperate. He laced his fingers behind his head and angled himself so the only place they touched was where his cock entered her pussy. Then he pounded her without mercy.

  "Please, Koll,” she screamed. “Drive that big meaty cock into me and make me come. You are the perfect mate. You're the one I want. Split me in two if you have to, but give me your seed."

  She dissolved into mindless shouts, which was fine since he was now grunting too loudly to listen. He saw all the muscles in his abdomen and thighs bunching and releasing as he worked his hips. Where they were united, his cock was so inflamed he couldn't believe her tight little sheath could accept it all. The sight of it foraging in and out of her pussy was nearly obscene.

  Then her whole body, already balled beneath him, tensed in orgasm. Her pussy crushed his cock in its desperate clasp before sucking at it with mind-numbing ripples. His body answered the demands of hers.

  With a hard surge, his balls drew up and spit molten fire out of his shaft. With no other touch to distract him, he felt every drop of the torrent of seed pouring out of him, filling her up to the top.

  "I love you!” He bellowed the words before he could stop them.

  His orgasm continued to rage until he was sure he was coming double. The confession—three words he'd never spoken before—tore him wide open and wrung out his balls. His legs were so shaky he barely managed to pitch forward onto the bed before they gave out on him. This was the most intense pleasure he'd ever experienced. And he'd never been so exposed.

  "Silly male.” Shila's voice was like rough fur rubbing against his skin. “Did you think I'd settle for an inadequate mate?"

  Unable to speak, he rolled onto his back and returned a grunt.

  She crawled over him and spread her body over his like a blanket. Her fingers were gentle on the side of his face as she brushed his hair back from his temple. Leaning down, she pressed her soft mouth to his. The kiss was so tender his heartbeat slowed and his groin warmed with renewed vigor.

  She spoke against his lips. “I love you too, my mate. You are everything I want."

  Joy suffused him. Holding the back of her head, he kissed her fiercely, hardly drawing air.

  As insatiable as ever, Shila snaked her hand down between them and set his swiftly hardening cock at her entrance. Koll released her and sighed when she sat up and slid onto his shaft. If their last coupling had been wild, this one was slow and sweet as she rode him.

  In this position, he had the perfect view of her face and breasts, but he wanted more than just to watch. Reaching up, he tweaked her nipples and massaged the milky mounds while she worked herself up and down his erection.

  "You're so deep,” she said on a moan.

  Yes, he was. Koll was so big and hard he felt as if he were reaching her throat. He fit her, and she fit him. It felt so good.

  He watched her expression as she worked her body over his. A frown line appeared between her brows as she climbed toward climax, a sure sign she was impatient for the pleasure. It was accompanied by a pretty blush that spread over her cheeks beneath her pale skin. Her kissable lips parted as her breathing grew more rapid.

  "You're everything I want too,” he whispered.

  His love for her scared him, though he wasn't a man easily frightened. More than anything, he feared losing her, but he couldn't deny the way she made him feel.

  The grin she returned was nothing short of glorious, followed as it was by a l
ow moan. She was close to coming. He should have been completely spent after his last orgasm, but he found he had more to give. She dragged him up the mountain with her.

  He growled in encouragement. “That's it. Take it. Take me. Work your—"

  A pounding at his door interrupted them.

  Shila froze. “Who could that be?"

  "Ignore it.” Koll grabbed her hips and got her moving again.

  The knocking continued.

  She didn't stop riding him this time, but she didn't ignore the sound. “There is someone at the door."

  And it was very late for visitors. Most people had better sense than to come calling at a wintering couple's house at this time of night. They were bound to interrupt something just like this. After all, there wasn't much to do in the winter.

  Still holding Shila by her hips, Koll thrust up in counterpoint. Their damp flesh made a slapping sound as they came together in pursuit of orgasm.

  "Koll, it's me,” Gilby called from outside.

  "Go away!” He was so close.

  "I can't,” Gilby said. “I've got something important to tell you. Let me in."

  Dammit. His friend wasn't going away, and Koll knew from experience that Gilby could be tenacious. There was no getting rid of him.

  "Just a minute!” Koll shouted.

  He turned his full attention back to his lover. This felt so good he hated to rush it, but he refused to stop and leave her wanting. He needed to bring her off quickly.

  Planting his feet for better leverage, he bucked hard beneath her, giving Shila a wilder ride. Then he reached between them to grab her clit. He lightly pinched the precious bud and worked the pads of his thumb and finger all around it. She cried out and sped up her strokes.

  "Come on,” he coaxed her. “Come for me."

  She was bouncing so fast it was hard to hold on to her clit. His fingers slipped and slid until he lost his grip. He finally just set his thumb to her nubbin and wiggled it as fast as he could.

  With an ecstatic shriek, she broke, arching her back as she bore down on him. Koll didn't hold back. All his stomach muscles curled as he lurched up and spewed his seed. Compared to his last climax, his ejaculations felt sluggish, but that only made his orgasm draw out longer. There was nothing better than coming inside his woman.

  When he finally collapsed, he felt boneless. He never wanted to get out of this bed. Unfortunately, his impatient friend was still waiting.

  "Hurry up, will you?” Gilby hollered. “It's freezing out here."

  Koll released a sigh of resignation. Sitting up, he gave Shila a quick kiss before disengaging from her and pulling on his pants. He waited until she'd dressed before moving to his door and opening up. A blast of frigid air preceded his friend into the room. Gilby got the floor all wet when he dropped his hood and shook off the snow.

  "Hello, Gilby,” Shila said pleasantly as if the man hadn't just shown up at the worst possible moment.

  Koll's greeting was far brusquer. “What do you want?"

  "I came to warn you.” For once, Gilby sounded perfectly serious. “I was over at the tavern sharing a drink with Nessa. As you know, she still hasn't agreed to winter with me, but I think I'm growing on her. When I mentioned next year, she said she'd think about it."

  "Gilby.” Koll invested his friend's name with a note of warning.

  Undaunted, Gilby continued rattling on. “Anyway, while I was there, two outsiders walked in. At this time of night there weren't many people in the tavern, but the pair asked everyone about Shila."

  Koll stilled. “They asked for her by name?"

  "No, but they described her in detail. There's no doubt she's the one they're looking for. They wanted to know if we'd seen her passing through and if we knew where she was."

  "What did these outsiders look like?” Shila asked.

  Her tone was as cool as the snowdrifts, but Koll recognized that she was worried. He snagged her hand and pulled her closer.

  "These were two men,” Gilby answered. “They looked a lot like you, Shila: really big with pale skin and brown eyes. Both of them had white hair, but one's was more yellow. Otherwise they could have been twins."

  "Tartok and Cikuq.” Shila practically spat the names. When she turned to him, Koll saw her concern. “They've found me."

  "Not yet.” It was Gilby who spoke.

  She looked at him. “What do you mean?"

  "While you're wintering here with me, you're a member of this village,” Koll explained. “That's why the people have accepted you. Otherwise, we stick to ourselves. None of us would help an outsider, not until we got to know him well enough to be sure he was trustworthy."

  "Koll is right,” Gilby added. “Nobody told them anything. When they questioned me, I swore I could name every resident in the village and that they were the only ones who didn't belong. They just stared at me before they turned and left. Don't mind saying those two gave me a bad feeling. I'm glad they're gone. Dag said he saw them head south after they left our village. I'm just warning you in case they come back. You might want to stay out of sight for a while, stick close to the house."

  "Thank you, Gilby.” Koll gave his friend's shoulder a quick squeeze. “We appreciate the warning."

  "Anytime.” A grin popped out on the smaller man's face. “I'll be going now. Hope you can sleep tonight, what with all the beasts growling and bellowing around your house. I heard the most frightening noises while I was waiting outside your door."

  Koll shot his hand out to swat him, but Gilby was too fast. He ducked in time and made a run for it. Koll had to settle for slamming the door shut behind the fleeing man.

  Any humor he felt melted when he saw how tense Shila was.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 4

  They'd found her. For weeks, Shila had sensed that the brothers were close, but she hadn't been able to pick up their scent. When there had been no sign of them, she'd dared to hope it was just her imagination. She couldn't believe they'd actually come into the village looking for her. If they'd tracked her this far, why weren't they at the door now?

  The smell of sex, still fresh in the room, tickled her nose. Perhaps Koll was keeping her safe from Tartok and Cikuq. They'd been together so much his scent was all over her, masking hers. If that weren't enough, Greyfell had put his mark all around the house. While that wouldn't throw off the brothers in bear form, their noses weren't as acute when they were men. It sounded as if they hadn't risked coming too close to the village as frost bears.

  They would be back, though. When they didn't pick up her trail to the south, they'd double back to her last known location. With spring approaching, those two would be even more determined to find her. And if they found her, they'd find Koll.

  Shila turned to her mate and locked gazes with him. She'd come to love Koll, to dream of a future with him. Although it wasn't usual for a Child of Nanook to mate with a clawless villager, there was nothing in their laws to prevent it. Koll was strong and virile and kind in his way, and he made her happy. He satisfied the woman in her while still allowing the bear freedom. The thought of him in danger turned her stomach.

  "I should not have brought this threat to your village,” she said.

  Koll shook his head. “You should never have had to face them alone. I will deal with Tartok and Cikuq."

  His assurance should have calmed her, but instead she flashed back to an image of her first mate, Imnek, torn apart and lying lifeless in the snow. One clawless man, no matter how brave and strong, could not hope to defeat two full-grown frost bears.

  Shila did what she'd never allowed herself to do—certainly not with her people, who would have taken advantage of her weakness. She let him see her fear. “I can't lose you."

  Koll had his arms around her in two long strides. He carried her over to the chair he'd occupied earlier and sat with her on his lap. There was nothing sexual about the position this time. Instead, she felt the comfort of his hands stroking her arms and bac
k.

  "You won't lose me,” he promised. “You think I underestimate these enemies, but I don't. I've seen how you change into a frost bear and know they can do the same."

  "They're twice my size in bear form,” she told him. The males were always much bigger.

  He accepted that with a nod. “In a straight challenge, I have no hope of defeating them, and you already told me they fight together."

  His words were not reassuring her in the least.

  As if he sensed that, he chucked her under the chin. “That's why I don't plan to fight fair."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I'll do whatever it takes to kill them. We both know they'll come back, and I refuse to look over my shoulder forever. You will never feel safe until they're dead. You need to feel safe.” Koll rested his palm against her lower belly. “I can't replace the twins you lost, Shila, but I want to give you new babes to love. Our babes. Come spring, I want to marry you and plant my seed in your womb."

  There were tears in her eyes now. For once, Shila didn't try to fight them.

  "I wasn't going to tell you that yet.” He cleared his throat, but he didn't lower his gaze.

  "I'm glad you did,” she said. “You really want children with me?"

  His answering grin turned her inside out. “You'll make a great mama bear."

  Although he didn't usually talk much, Koll always said just the right thing. Hugging him close, Shila let herself grieve for the past, for the loss of her unborn children and what she'd thought her life would be. Her mate held her and petted her in comfort.

  When her tears finally dried, she felt more complete than she had in a long time. She also felt her hate for the Suinnak brothers morph into cold, calculated rage. Koll was right. Her life would never be her own until those two were put down.

  "We will kill Tartok and Cikuq,” she announced.

  This wasn't about revenge; this was survival. Deep inside, where the bear hibernated within her woman's body, the predator in her growled in anticipation.

  Without another word, Koll kissed her and carried her to the bed. When he stripped her clothes from her and laid her down, she assumed he was ready to make love again. She always marveled at how quickly he recovered. It was flattering.