Mated to the Wilde Bear

Chapter 23: Laurel

“I figured when you knew, it would change things,” he said.

“It does,” she admitted and rushed on when she saw the uncertainty flash in his eyes. “It makes me even more determined to be myself. To stop hiding who I am. From you and everyone else, because maybe then you’ll do the same. We’re both living in hiding. Hiding from people in my life who are anti- shifter is one thing. The world will always be full of people who don’t like me for some reason or another. I’m learning to accept that. But you. You’re hiding from yourself, Xavier. From your future. I don’t know how to fix that.”

She thought he’d push her away. Storm off or tell her to leave it alone, something an alpha would do. Instead, Xavier reached for her and pulled her into his lap, smoothing her hair and pressing kisses to her temple. She was too shocked to do more than let him.

“You’re right about me but not about the differences in us,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“The reasons we each have for hiding. The ones we are hiding from. They’re the same thing, love. We can fix each other.”

He kissed her then and any doubt she’d had about his words melted away. She had no idea if she could be fixed. That meant coming clean about her animal to the rest of the world. That thought still terrified her. Humans weren’t nice after that. Hell, neither were shifters. She didn’t know if she could be fixed, or if she wanted to. But here was her chance to find out.

She wound her arms around Xavier’s neck and held on tight as he deepened the kiss. Desire flooded her like a warm spray of water. When he parted her lips with his tongue, she rolled her hips reflexively against him. He growled into her mouth, and she prayed for the liquid heat to turn to fire, burning their

clothes away. She vaguely hoped Xavier’s truck windows were tinted enough to shield her if anyone passed by, but then she was swept away in his kiss.

As if reading her mind, Xavier’s hands wandered, picking wildly at the hem of her blouse before sliding underneath the smooth fabric.

“I need to touch you,” he whispered.

She gasped as his fingers dipped inside her bra and brushed over her taut nipple. One and then the other and back again. With his other hand, he found his way to the seam of her pants and pressed his thumb against her clit. Laurel couldn’t think, could barely breathe.

“Please,” she begged, writhing against him now, half desperate for him.

She arched her back, tossing her head to the side and offering her neck without a thought.

Xavier licked and nipped at her before trailing kisses down her collarbone. She tried not to acknowledge the disappointment as he ignored her offering. She’d let him claim her right now if he wanted. But he didn’t. Neither of them would be fixed overnight.

Xavier unclasped her pants and slipped his fingers inside, sliding them against her clit until she squirmed.

“I’m going to make you come for me,” Xavier said, his hot breath against her neck.

“Please,” she begged, for what exactly she didn’t even know. For him, for her orgasm, for everything.

Xavier slid his finger lower, pushing inside her, and Laurel rolled her hips to meet him. He set an excruciatingly slow pace, and Laurel forced herself to slow with him. He dipped his tongue into her

mouth, thrusting gently against her. Closer and closer to the edge, but only by inches. Laurel wanted power.

When he slid a second finger inside her, she lost it. “Faster,” she said against his mouth. “Please.”

She grabbed Xavier’s wrist and squeezed, guiding him into a faster pace. He growled and gave it to her. Hard and fast and frantic, he thrust into her. His kisses became harder too, catching her lips in his teeth as he nipped and licked at her. With a final thrust of his hand, he sent her up and then crashing over.

Laurel held on tight, her hips rocking as the aftershocks continued. Xavier stroked her softly, encouraging her to take her time riding them out. When she finally stilled, he was there, his kisses soft now. Inviting. Comforting. Easy.

Laurel’s limbs felt liquid. She hugged him, smiling as she stroked his scruffy cheek. Xavier was right, and they would fix each other. They had to; there was no going back for her.

Claiming or no, she was his.