The Bear King's Captive: Curvy Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (26 page)

FIFTY-TWO

Hannes stayed with Leah while she slept through the night. Every minute he watched her, she filled his empty soul with the hope of finding happiness. Even though Leah didn’t know it, she gave him the strength to dig up what he buried long ago, and the courage to release himself from its own torture.

They had a future. Together they would fight and bring down those responsible for his imprisonment. He needed to convince Roclas, Ojo Azul, to recall his bounty and give up his search for Leah. Hell, he’d pay Roclas the $10 million to drop it.

And then there was his second-in-command, Lieutenant Korhonen. He didn’t know what to do about that. He’d deal with it later. He had more pressing issues. He faced a dilemma.

Could he convince her that he would take care of her, stay by her side, and love her for the rest of their lives? She hadn’t freaked out about his bear. In fact, it was as though she liked it.

Who wouldn’t love a half-ton teddy bear, like me?

That had better stay a secret. He wasn’t a “teddy bear.” Ever. Well…

What about Catalina? He felt like he was already letting her go. He grinned. His mate was here and he’d do anything to keep her safe with him. If he would’ve just accepted his feelings from the start on the dock, and stopped lying to himself, stopped using Catalina as a crutch to never be hurt again, never open his heart…

* * *

Leah wrapped the robe tighter around her waist. She should be nervous, but she was more excited than anything. Today, she’d had her first shower in too many days to count. Her wounds were healing and while she was still achy, she’d come to a decision. One that would change the course of her life.

Hannes had been by her side from the moment she woke after the beating. Not only had he saved her from K, he’d opened up and told her about his past. The desire she felt for him had transformed with the deeper connection they now shared.

A knock sounded at the door and she rushed over to the bed to sit on the piled up pillows.

“Come in.”

Hannes walked in as soon as she said the words. His tall, lithe body made the big room feel small with him in it. He rushed to the bed and sat by her side, taking her hand in his and lifting it to his lips. “How are you feeling, Princess?”

This was it. She’d been waiting for this all morning. “I told you to stop calling me princess.”

He grinned and kissed her palm. She raised her hand to his face, caressing the line of his jaw up to his lips.

“You didn’t answer my question.” His emerald eyes this close made it hard to focus on her plan. Him being a gentleman was getting old.

“I’m feeling a lot better. You know I am.” She leaned up and lowered her hands to run her fingers over his chest, stopping to caress his pecs over the thin sweater he had on. “You can’t keep me in this room forever, Hannes.” She bit her lip and lowered her gaze to her hands. “Not unless you plan to put out.”

He sat silently for a moment before saying, “Are you―”

She looked into his eyes. Raging lust was mirrored. The same she felt. She curled her hands over his sweater, grabbing clumps of the material and pulling him toward her. “I’m sure.”

He stared at her for what felt like forever before his hand cupped her face and his lips met hers. God. If she could tattoo that moment as one of the best memories of her life, she’d do it. The kiss started slow, tentative. She could tell he was still worried about her bruises, but she wasn’t going to be deterred.

She opened her mouth and offered her lips and tongue to him. He let out a loud groan. It traveled between their kiss, making her body vibrate with an intensity she hadn’t expected.

Their tongues curled over each other, twisting and rubbing and fueling an explosion at the center of her core. She wanted more. Needed more. Needed all of him. She tugged at his sweater, breaking their kiss to get it over his head. He gave her a second to gape at his gorgeous contracting muscles before taking her lips again. Harder this time. Hungrier. Almost as if now that they were finally together, he couldn’t stop himself from taking everything she gave.

His skin felt hot and soft as silk. She could glide her hands over his body forever and never grow tired. She wiggled on the bed, wanting him even closer. He pulled at the knot on her robe, peeling the material off her slowly, almost reverently.

His lips left hers. They both struggled to catch their breaths as he glanced down at her uncovered body. It wasn’t so bad any more. The bruises had turned a dull brownish yellow and had started to disappear.

“God, Leah,” he said. His voice sounded rough with emotion.

She cupped his face and smiled at his heated eyes. “I’m okay. I promise.”

His lips came down, kissing the top of her chest, right above her breast. He lifted his head. “I’m going to kiss every bruise on your body.”

Her breath caught in her throat. She watched his head lower again, his lips pressed near her nipple, fanning the flames raging in her blood. “Hannes…”

“Shhh, Princess,” he rumbled, circling his tongue over her other nipple. “This won’t hurt.”

She found herself on her back on the soft bed, his head moving down her torso as he ran his tongue over her ribs. It was difficult to let him have all the control. She raked her nails over his shoulders, tugging at his arms and pulling him closer. He continued his downward slide, kissing her hip, his tongue flat around her rounded belly. Heat pooled at her sex.

He pushed her legs apart, inhaling hard. She watched him stare at her folds, his facial features turning tight with need. She let her legs fall wide to allow his shoulders a better fit. Once he was that far down her body, she gripped the sheets at her sides, needing something to hold on to.

The sounds of her rushed breathing and heart beating rapidly filled her head. Then he kissed the inside of her thigh and she almost jumped out of her skin.

“Relax, sweetheart.”

Easy for him to say. He wasn’t the one feeling like a virgin all over again. She licked her bottom lip and swallowed at the dryness in her throat.

He rubbed his lips closer to the center of her need, his teeth nibbling the closer he got.

“Oh, god,” she mumbled. Her fingers felt stiff from her tight grip on the sheets.

Before she got a chance to prepare mentally for what might come next, his tongue spread her folds open, gliding up to her clit and down to her entrance. She let out a loud moan and melted into the bed.

He curled his arms around her thighs, keeping her shaking legs spread and burying his face into her sleek heat. His soft, wet tongue slid up and down her pussy, lapping at her sex like he couldn’t get enough of her taste.

She gasped, her body tightening so fast she couldn’t control herself. He swiped his tongue in quick flutters over her clit, sending her into spasms. Her legs shook uncontrollably and she whimpered at the curling tension in her belly. He didn’t stop. He licked and sucked and licked her repeatedly. Over and over. Until she felt a dam burst and couldn’t stop it.

Then he sucked on her clit and blinding flashes of light went off behind her lids. She screamed a hoarse cry. Her belly quivered and the tension inside her unraveled. A wave of pleasure washed over her, instantly calming the raging sea inside.

She gasped and tried to get her lungs to stop burning, but her body begged for more. She blinked away the spots in her vision and watched Hannes stand by the foot of the bed. His eyes glowed a bright gold ring around the emerald; she knew his bear was pushing for control. He didn’t move, just stood and took in her naked body. She sat up and got off the bed, going around the edge to meet him in front of the chaise at the foot of the bed.

“Here, let me,” she said softly, her body buzzing with renewed lust, unzipping his jeans and shoving them down his legs. He curled a hand around her neck, gliding his fingers into her hair and bringing her lips to his. Another smoldering kiss and she almost forgot what she was doing. She slid her hands down his body to his powerful legs.

She wrapped a hand around his length, a little alarmed at the thickness. Hannes wasn’t just big in build. He was big all over. He pulled back, a gruff groan on his lips.

“I don’t think I can hang on long enough if you start exploring now, Princess.”

She kissed his chest, twirling her tongue over his hard nipples. His hand clasped over hers, helping her jerk his cock. He was warm and firm. Velvety soft and steely hard. “You feel good.”

He let out a pained chuckle. “Being inside you will feel a hell of a lot better than just good.”

“Sit.” She ordered and grinned at his raised brow.

He sat on the chaise and she pushed his body to lean back. Then she straddled his hips, placing each of her knees to either side of him. He grabbed her by her hips and easily helped her settle over him. “I like where your thoughts are going, Princess.”

Her laugh sounded in the room. He was such a guy. She lowered her head and kissed him at the same time she glided down and found his cock. He stood erect and slipped between her aching, slick folds. Once the head of his erection filled her entrance, she thrust her tongue into his mouth and pressed down, taking him into her body in a single smooth glide.

Her sex fluttered around his thick shaft, stretching to take him. She gasped into the kiss, but he let her keep control. At least for now. He took her lips, sucking and biting and almost making her forget that he sat inside her, pulsing and hard, waiting for her to move.

Wiggling forward, she rocked her hips, pressing down and slowly lifting. Shudders racked her body at the stretched-to-the-max fullness she felt. She curled her tongue over his, taking his breath and giving it back. She dug her nails into his slick shoulders, clinging to him, using him for support on a second wave of her hips.

He gripped her hips, lifting and dropping her with ease. She dropped low, grinding her pelvis on his cock. Bursts of colors took over her vision.

“That’s it, baby. I can tell you’re close,” he said. He licked her neck, lowering his head to take one of her nipples into his mouth and suck hard at the sensitive tip.

She rocked harder, faster. Her body searched for that release she knew was coming. The harsh pounding of her heart and the rush of blood in her veins told her. He helped her move, guiding her hips, lifting and dropping her with increased speed. Her pussy clenched hard around his cock. Another lift and drop and her muscles stiffened. She gasped, her head falling forward to meet the top of his.

He nibbled on her breast, sending electric currents down to her clit. “Come on, Princess. Take what you want.”

He slid a had between their bodies, rubbing his thumb on her clit. Her world shattered. She let out a choked moan as her body unraveled. Pressure loosened, until it felt as if someone had opened a window and a burst of cool wind was caressing her from the inside. She pressed close into him, loving the way he drove deeper into her. Her channel flexed around him, the sensation one of pure bliss for her. She’d never felt this close to another being in her life.

His body stiffened under her with a sure sign his release was coming next. His fingers dug into her hips. She pressed down at the same moment his hips rose, taking him deeper than before. A roar sounded deep inside him as he came, filling her with his seed.

They stayed as they were, with her straddling him, her arms around his neck and her cheek to his. He trailed his fingers gently down her back, his touch so light it was as if he were afraid to hurt her.

“Stay.”

She lifted her head off his shoulder and met his gaze. It was there, plain as day for her to see. He didn’t just want her. He cared. And because she loved him, she wanted to stay.

“Won’t I be an inconvenience?”

He pushed strands of hair away from her face. “Never. You’ve given my life purpose. I want you by my side. I want you with me. Always.”

She knew he’d had a rough life. That he might not even want to admit his feelings for her, but this was major. She was willing to take a risk because deep down, she knew he was scared of losing her just like she was of losing him.

She cleared her throat. “I’ll stay for two reasons.”

He frowned. “What are they?”

“Because you want me here, and I want to be here with you.”

He brushed his lips over hers. “I do. I never want you away from me.”

“Don’t ever leave me alone,” she said, voicing her greatest fear.

He shook his head. “Never, Princess.”

“There is one stipulation to me staying here with you.”

He frowned again. He looked so cute when he squished his brows down. “What is it?”

“That you carry me to the bed and we do this all over again.”

His features lightened and a wide grin spread over his lips. “I think I can arrange that.”

“I like it when you’re this accommodating, Bear King.”

He laughed and picked her up in his arms. “You’ll like me even more in a minute.”

EPILOGUE

“All right, let’s go over this one more time.” When the airplane banked to the right, the scrawny-necked guy grabbed the pen rolling on the table.

Ivan sighed and rolled his eyes. What did this guy not get? “Look, Agent…um…”

“Call me Mike.” He smiled with his mouth but not his eyes.

“Yeah, Mike…” Ivan squirmed in the low leather chair butted up to the oblong table at the front of the plane. His mother bumped him with her elbow.

“Now, Vonny, answer the nice CIA man.”

“Mom, don’t call me that here.” His face flushed and he glanced at the agent tapping the pen on the table. “I’ve already said it a hundred times. I went outside to get Leah’s--I don’t remember her last name—autograph. Then some rich guy with a gun in a car chased us through the parking lot then shot me on the dock. I don’t know how we got on the boat. But we did, going to Spain, but stopped somewhere else after we killed all the pirates. Lt. K--no, I don’t know his name--took me to the embassy, and that’s where I called Mom. Why don’t you believe me?”

The agent wrote on a pad of paper. “We do. We have your great-aunt and uncle’s place wired, waiting for contact from the kidnapper.”

“You mean my grandparents’ home.” He looked at his mom. She stared down at the table.

“What was the name of the commander?” Agent Mike leaned back in his chair.

Ivan sighed. “I don’t remember, it’s foreign sounding.”

The agent rubbed his eyes. “How did it sound? His men had to call him something. What about a nickname?”

“Well, yeah. You never asked about that. It’s Otso--king of the jungle, no…trees? No…king of the woods, maybe.”

“King of the forest?”

Ivan snapped his head around to his mother. “Yeah, that’s it. How did you know?”

Her face drained of color and her eyes grew wide. Ivan saw his mom glance at the agent then look away when she spoke. “Uh, that’s um…a fairy tale my mom told me when I was little. I-It was about a little bear who joined a bear group and died many years later…”

“That’s a grim fairy tale.” The agent raised his brow.

“It is, but it gets better at the end. You see the bear’s little sister knew in her heart he hadn’t died, even when no one believed her. She felt very bad about the last words she said to him. She wanted his forgiveness and spent many years looking for him, but never found him until one day he called her.” His mother paused and cleared her throat. “He told her many things, which she didn’t want to believe. And then regretted that later. S-so she named him ‘King of the Forest.’”

Ivan scrunched his face. “That sounds dumb. Mummi never told me that one.”

“Well, stories in Finland are very different.” She ran her fingers through her blond hair.

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The adventure continues for Leah and Hannes!

Be sure to keep reading for Chapter One of the next book in

The Bear King Series

The Bear King’s Revenge

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The Bear King’s Revenge