Hard (The Bear Chronicles of Willow Creek #2) (6 page)

This is all just too much. The feelings overwhelming me are more than my mind can handle at this very moment, and I realize with a startling clarity that I need to take a breather and think this through some more. Right now, this deep-seated need within me isn’t normal, and the panic it causes inside of me has me desperate for an escape.

Digging through my bag, I grab the first thing I find and begin dressing as quickly as I can. Throwing my hair up into a messy knot, I bend to reach for my bag just as a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Eli asks. His voice is rough with sleep, and the tenor of it has a ripple of desire to slithering up my spine.

Attempting to brush his hands away, I turn my head toward him and say, “I’m just going to go find Amelia. I’ve barely spoken to her since you guys picked me up. I just need some time alone with my sister right now.”

Rubbing his rough beard against my chin, he nuzzles me for a moment before whispering, “I know what you’re doing, Angel. If you think you can escape me, you’re wrong. You’re mine now, and you need me just as much as I need you.”

His words cause my heart to begin beating double time as I begin to frantically attempt to get away from him. Spinning me in his arms, he has me up against the wall, pinned by his naked body. His erection stands hard and thick between us as he bends at the knees and slowly begins to grind up against my entrance.

Releasing a whimper, I turn my head toward the door, feeling as if my escape route is so close yet so far all at the same time.

“I just need time, Eli. You’re consuming me, and I need to think. It scares me to feel so overwhelmed.”

Running his nose along my neck, I tense as he begins to sniff me. Is he seriously smelling me right now? I know we got pretty sweaty last night, but I can’t possibly stink that bad.

As if he knows exactly what I’m thinking, he pulls back and looks down at me. “You smell like me and sex. I love smelling that combination on you. Knowing that every male who comes close to you will know you are mine makes my dick so damn hard, Angel.”

Placing a tender kiss against my lips, he pulls back with a look of frustration on his face. Releasing a sigh, he says, “I get that this is all a lot to take in. Go talk with Amelia for a bit and clear your head. I’m starving, so I’m going to go look for some breakfast.”

Nodding my head, I attempt to turn for the door before deciding to look back at him one more time. The look on his face is enough to cause me to suck in a breath. He looks absolutely lost and heartbroken at the same time. The need to comfort him takes over as I turn back and throw my arms over his shoulders. Standing up on my tip toes, I begin to place small kisses along his mouth until I reach the corner of his lips.

“I won’t be gone long, Eli. I promise I’ll be back.”

Resting his forehead against mine, he inhales deeply before saying, “I know, Angel.”

Pulling away, he turns me toward the door and gives me a gentle push. Giving my ass a slight slap, he chuckles and says, “You better go now before I change my mind and tie you naked to the bed.”

Grabbing the handle, I turn and throw a wink over my shoulder. “You’d have to catch me first, big boy.”

Growling, he goes to lunge for me, and I rush to get out of the door. I slam the door behind me just as he goes to reach for me, and I can’t help but giggle at seeing him in this playful manner. Happy Eli is much nicer to be around than dark and brooding Eli.

Turning to head off in search of my sister, I stop dead when I slam directly into Ethan.

Grabbing a hold of my shoulders, he steadies me as a squeak releases from my mouth. “Shit, Ethan! You just about gave me a stroke.”

A bark of laughter comes from him as he lets me go. “Sorry, Liza. I was just coming to check up on you and Eli and make sure everything is all right.”

His brow raises in question, but I can’t help feeling like he knows exactly what we’ve been up to. I feel the heat rush to my face as I dart my eyes away from him and stammer, “Oh, uh, yeah, everything’s fine. We both crashed hard, and I just got up. I’m going to find Amelia now.”

Chuckling, he just shakes his head as he goes to step around me. “Oh, I’m sure all you did was sleep in there. I could feel the walls vibrating all the way down the damn hall.”

Choosing to ignore him, I walk away as quickly as possible as he continues to stand there laughing at my discomfort. “Amelia’s down in the front at the picnic tables. She’s antsy to get back on the road, so go find her and we’ll be off soon.”

Not bothering to turn back, I just raise my hand in a silent thank you and take off in search of my sister, walking as quickly as I can without breaking into a run. I have to get this all off of my chest, and I’m afraid that if I don’t do it soon, I’ll burst with all the pent up need and frustration inside of me.

God, I hope she can give me some advice about all of this. It’s all so fucked up, I’m afraid not even she will know what to say.

Turning the corner of the building, I find Amelia sitting exactly where Ethan said she would be. Rushing up to the table, I throw my bag off of my shoulder and plunk my ass down on the bench. I reach for the extra cup of coffee sitting in front of her, grab it, and drink it back as fast as I can without burning myself.

Feeling the comfort of the hot liquid instantly soothes me, and I begin to relax. Looking up from my cup, I see my sister sitting there staring at me with the corner of her mouth quirked up in a smirk.

“Everything all right, Liza?” she asks.

Blowing out a breath, I shake my head and rest my chin in my hands. “Hell no, it isn’t. I feel so confused right now. You know me, Amelia. I don’t rush into anything. I’m a thinker and a planner. Jumping into bed with a stranger is not something I do.”

“So, you did sleep with him then? I thought I could hear screaming last night,” she says with a smirk.

“Oh, shut up already. Yes, we slept together. Now, tell me why the hell I feel like this. It’s as if I can’t live without him after one night. Just the thought of walking away from him causes me to have an anxiety attack. This shit isn’t normal after spending one night with someone. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he is gorgeous and the sex was amazing, but this is just weird.”

Putting her hand up to silence my rambling, she cringes and shakes her head. “All right, I know we’re close and all, but the last thing I want to hear about is my baby sister having sex.”

Rolling my eyes at her, I slap her hand down and say, “Oh, get off of it. You know I’m not a virgin, so don’t act so surprised. Now, tell me what the hell to do here.”

Releasing a sigh, Amelia reaches forward and grabs my hand. “It’s hard to explain, Liza, but just know that when these guys see something they want, no, something they need, they don’t stop until it’s theirs. They are very possessive and overwhelming, but you honestly have nothing to be afraid of. Being with Eli should come to you as naturally as breathing.”

Shaking my head, I look at her in confusion. “Okay, that makes no sense at all. What the hell am I supposed to do with that information?”

“Look, I know this is a lot to take in. The only thing I can suggest is talking to Eli and explaining your concerns to him. Just know that the second I saw you two together, I knew you were meant for each other. Ethan and Eli were raised to believe in the whole soul mate thing, I guess you could call it. They’ve been raised to believe that everyone has one special person designed just for them, a person who will make them whole. The moment Eli laid eyes on you, I knew he saw you as his missing piece.”

Shaking my head, I stammer out, “What? That’s insane, Amelia. Surely you don’t believe this stuff? How can he just look at me one time and know that we’re meant to be together? Hell, he knows absolutely nothing about me, other than what I look like naked.”

“I don’t know how else to explain it to you to have it all make sense, Liza. You really need to talk to Eli. Just know that he may not be ready to explain everything to you yet. These guys are very private people. It may take him a while to open up to you and explain what’s going on, but I’m not in the least bit worried about you being with him. I know he will protect you with his life. I can feel his need to protect and love you pouring off of him.”

“So, I’m just supposed to sit here and take this all with a grain of salt and believe that I’ve just found my soul mate?” I ask. “I’m seriously supposed to believe that after one night of smoking hot sex, I’ve found the man who was made specifically for me? This whole thing is insane.”

Laughing, she just pats me on the arm and smiles. “It may be insane, but trust me, Liza. You’re about to embark on a journey unlike any other, and I guarantee you that, when you look back on this day, you won’t want to change a thing.”

Chapter Nine

Eli

OPENING THE
door to Ethan and Amelia’s house, I usher the girls forward before saying, “I just need to talk to Ethan for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

Liza turns and nods her head before walking over and kissing me. “All right, I’m just going to check out the house and start getting settled.”

Instantly, I’m overcome with rage at the thought of her staying here with Ethan and Amelia. She’s my mate. She needs to be with me, end of story.

Wrapping my arms around her, I give her a quick hug, then turn from her before I can put my foot in my mouth. Closing the door, I head back to where Ethan is unpacking the car.

“We need to talk,” I tell him.

Looking up at me, Ethan releases a sign before saying, “Go on. I knew this was coming. Get it off your chest already.”

“Liza isn’t staying here. She belongs with me and you know it. I’m taking her home with me today.”

Shaking his head, he puts the bags he’s holding down on the ground and walks over to me. “I can’t let you do that, Eli. She doesn’t have any damn idea what’s going on. You can’t just sweep her off to your house without any explanation of what she’s getting herself into.”

Clenching my fists, I fight back the anger coursing through me. I understand what he’s saying, but that doesn’t stop my bear from rearing his head in anticipation of a fight. He needs Liza with us just as much as I do. The thought of not having her with me, in my arms and in my bed, is enough for me to want to fall to my knees.

Gritting my teeth, I spit out, “She’s my mate, Ethan. She belongs with me and you know it.”

“I’m not saying she’s not your mate, Eli. I’m saying that you need to give her time. Hell, I can barely handle you half the time, and I’ve known you since I was born. How do you expect her to deal with not only you but the fact that her entire life has changed?”

Hearing his words causes my body to begin to shake with the need to shift. The overwhelming need I feel within me to grab my mate and run is so powerful it sucks the air right out of my lungs.

“I’m not leaving without her, Ethan. I can’t. I need her right now. I just fucking found her. You can’t take her away from me now.”

Looking at me with sympathy in his eyes, he nods his head in understanding. “I know how strong those initial mating urges are, Eli. I understand that the animal within you has this deep-seated need to connect with your mate as much as possible. But you also have to understand that this is my mate’s sister. Taking Liza away from Amelia will only upset them both, and I can’t let you do that. I’m sorry, Eli, but I can’t have that happen. I have the need to protect my mate just as much as you do.”

Regardless of whether or not his opinion makes sense, I can’t even begin to wrap my head around leaving her behind.

Turning, I begin to pace back and forth as I fist my hair in my hands. At the end of the day, Ethan is my friend, but he is also my leader. In a way, he’s my alpha. However, no matter how many times I remind myself of that, the need to throw my mate over my shoulder and claim her repeatedly consumes my thoughts.

Stopping abruptly, I turn and face Ethan head on. “So what the fuck do you want me to do, Ethan? I’m just supposed to leave her here and go on my merry fucking way? I don’t bloody think so.”

“I’m not saying that, Eli. Just take your time with her. She’s young and fragile. She’s been through a ton of shit over the past few days. Just give her some time.”

Releasing a bark of laughter, I scowl at him and say, “Like you gave Amelia time? If I remember correctly, you had that girl pinned beneath you before you even told her your damn name. For God’s sake, Ethan, you married her and moved her into your house the very same day you met her.”

Looking at my friend, I can see the frustration of the situation is taking a toll on him. His need to protect his mate will always win out, yet when he looks at me and hears my words, he knows he is asking me to do the unspeakable.

“I know that, but our situation was different, Eli. She came here knowing she was going to be my wife. Liza doesn’t have a damn clue what’s going on here. She came here to live with her sister, not to be thrown into the middle of a mating with a bear shifter. You need to stop and think about how the hell this is going to affect her.”

As his words hit me, I stop and think about what he’s just said. I would never in a million years want to hurt my Angel. With that being said, though, the option of walking away from her is not something I’m willing or able to go through with.