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  I bent my knees and placed them apart.

  “More.”

  I parted them some more. But Reuben made me extend them as wide as they would go. It was embarrassing, I was so open to his view, and he could see everything.

  I didn’t meet his eyes. A rough hand cupped my chin and lifted it, so I met Reuben’s tender gaze.

  “Don’t be embarrassed. All that you are belongs to me and all that I am is yours. That’s what being a shifter mate is. Besides, didn’t I share my insecurities, my wounds with you? Sharing that takes courage too. Be brave with me, my mate. Besides, you’re beautiful, you have nothing to be ashamed of.” He pressed a hard kiss on my lips. “Now try not to move.”

  He ran his flat tongue right from my anus to the clit. I jerked in surprise. It was strange having someone touch me there. It felt…odd.

  “Shh, it’s okay, it’s just me. You’re safe with me,” he crooned.

  “Yeah, I know…,” I exhaled, “Just…maybe…be a bit patient with me?”

  He smiled. “Okay, baby.” He placed his teeth edges on my clit and pushed his finger into my pussy opening. I was dripping wet, so he slid in with ease. Nudged my hymen, he stilled.

  What was he doing?

  Then he brought his teeth together and bit me.

  Holy shit.

  There was an explosion. A wave of pleasure and pain hit me simultaneously. I came sobbing Reuben’s name, my hips arching, Reuben’s hold just managing to keep me on the bed.

  My breaths were now wheezes, and my hands fisted the sheets. My body quivered as I groped for the earth under my feet, but Reuben growled, “Give me more.”

  He licked up the juices from my orgasm, his chin now wet, and he stabbed his tongue into me. In and out he thrust, his hands under my butt holding me, as he drank me in.

  It drove me mad. In spite of his injunction to stay still, my hips moved, and I thrust back at him, my fingers twining in his hair. Sliding a long finger into me, he hooked it, touching a spot in me that I was unaware existed.

  It was like a pleasure button or something, because the moment he pressed against it, I erupted again. This orgasm was something cataclysmic, different from the ones I’d experienced before. I was annihilated. Couldn’t speak. I could have been in the bowels of hell but wouldn’t care.

  I was floating in bliss.

  Reuben moved me up the bed and arranged my limbs. His hands stroked my hair, and adoring kisses sprinkled my face. I blinked heavy eyes to find Reuben braced over me. He was poised to enter me, erect member at my pussy opening and waited with patient eyes for me give him my attention.

  “Guh.” That was all I was capable of uttering.

  “Jasmine, my love, do you take me to be your mate?” His words were formal and held a hint of suppressed urgency.

  My mind cleared. Reuben was about to take my virginity, maybe even give me the claiming bite. Werebear shifters claimed their mate with a bite — I had no objections to Reuben claiming me this way and I hurried to make that clear. “Of course, I do.”

  “Thank God!” His cock pushed into my opening. The earlier orgasms had prepared me - I was wet and relaxed - so the head of his cock slid in with ease. He stopped at my hymen and his cockhead pressed against it.

  “Brace for it, Jasmine baby.” Then he slammed into me, tearing through the shield.

  “Ungh.” A pain-filled gasp escaped me. Honestly though, it didn’t hurt that much. Reuben stilled and searched my face with concerned eyes. His face was carved in carnal lines and perspiration coated his skin.

  Jaw clenched, he gritted out, “All right, baby?”

  “I’m fine.” Lifting my legs, I wrapped them around his hips and rocked against him to show that I was ready for more.

  His worry cleared, and he dropped a kiss on my lips. “Good.”

  He caught my legs and threw them over his shoulders. I groaned — he went so deep inside me in this position. His cock was definitely proportionate to his size — Reuben was not a small man.

  “Oh God!” My head moved from side to side and my hands fisted the sheets.

  Slow strokes so deep inside me. Driving me nuts. It shoved me onto some sort of peak, every thick inch of him rubbing against my sensitive inner walls. His cock kept nudging that special spot. With his every thrust, his pelvic bone ground on my clit. Reuben was grunting. Glittering, dilated eyes met mine as I met his thrusts with my own. Arching my back, I slid my hand down to circle the base of his cock. His rhythm stuttered. Reaching lower, I cupped his testicles and squeezed with gentle fingers.

  With a shout, he started pounding into me in earnest. “It’s gonna be soon. Come with me, baby,” he panted. “Touch your breasts for me. Roll your nipples. Yes, just like that. Now tug on them, pinch them a bit.”

  Mindless, I followed his commands, tugging and pulling on my nipples until they were bright red, and I was driven even closer to a precipice. “Reuben, I can’t, I need to…” I was gasping and incoherent.

  “I know what you need, baby.” Reuben slammed into me one last time, pressing a thumb hard against my clit and I came with a wail. He followed me, roaring out his climax.

  Fisting my hair, he pulled my head to the side and sank his into the flesh between my neck and shoulder. Pain slammed into me. I felt a door in my mind open as pleasurable sensation upon sensation overcame me.

  It was too much. I fainted. The last thing I remembered was his tongue lapping at the bite.

  Chapter 10

  Jasmine

  I woke, hot and bothered, to Reuben sliding into me. Looked like I missed some foreplay. Not that this surprised me. Reuben had reached for me again and again over the course of the night. I welcomed him each time. After these months apart, I needed to connect with him, too.

  I smiled and murmured, “I could get addicted to waking up like this.” It was the first time I’d ever woken up in a man’s arms. And this wasn’t just any man, this was my mate. The claiming bite mark on my neck didn’t ache any more, but I could still feel it — a permanent connection between me and Reuben that made me feel all gooey and content.

  He chuckled and flexed his hips against me. “Consider that my mission in life.” He scattered tender kisses over my face, muttering endearments, loving me slow and deep, until I fell over the abyss, taking him with me.

  He rolled over, holding me in his arms. A few minutes later, he asked, “Breakfast, love?”

  The mention of food triggered my so far peaceful tummy into revolting. “Uh-oh.”

  Naked and dripping seed, I dashed to the toilet. This time Reuben stood behind me and held my hair away from my face, stroking my back as I retched. Embarrassment was beyond me; I hung in there limp, and miserable. When I finished, Reuben helped me up.

  I pushed him away with weak hands. “Reuben...Umm…I need some privacy.”

  He left with a nod, saying, “I’ll be back with some toast.” My toiletries lined the shelves, I noticed. When had he found the time to move them in?

  After a long and invigorating shower, I was about to step out when Reuben entered. He rubbed me dry, wrapped a towel around me, and carried me out with his arm under my knees. He placed me on a chair where a plate with some toast, strawberry jam, and crackers rested on a table before me.

  “Thanks.” Not feeling hungry, I bit on a cracker. “Where’s your breakfast?”

  Reuben smiled, his gaze caressing my face. “I’ll have something later. Let me just enjoy being with you. It’s so good to see you here in my home. Our home.”

  The doorbell rang. “I’m expecting some deliveries. Dress when you’re finished and come down. I thought I’d show you around the place.”

  I beamed. “I’d love that.” With another kiss to my forehead and a stern admonishment to eat it all, he left. I daydreamed about Reuben’s broad shoulders, his tender touch that could turn passionate in a flash, and the intimacies we shared last night, while I forced myself to eat.

  When I went downstairs, dressed in a yellow sundress, Reu
ben was arranging groceries in the shelves. I washed the dishes I used and put them away.

  “We now have ginger tea in the house. Would you like a cup?” Reuben’s voice came from the pantry.

  I scrunched my nose. “Maybe later.”

  “Great. All the things you said you craved are stocked. Cherry ice cream. Celery. Blue cheese. The works. Anytime you need a midnight snack, you can raid the pantry or fridge. Or better yet, wake me, and I’ll make you whatever you like,” Reuben said proudly.

  My heart melted. “Thanks.” On tiptoe, I pressed a kiss to his nose.

  He pulled me into his arms. “You look pretty in this dress. How are you feeling?” he asked, concerned.

  “Perfect.” And I did feel settled and at home, here in his arms.

  “Ready for the sightseeing tour?”

  “Absolutely!”

  Reuben insisted I wear my coat and boots as we would be going outside. He buttoned me up.

  “I can do that,” I protested.

  He winked at me. “Let me. I enjoy taking care of you.”

  First, we went to his brick workshop which used to be the barn. He keyed in the security code to let us enter. At my questioning look, he explained, “Some of the metalwork I do is really valuable. Clients pay good money for it.”

  As we stepped in, powerful floodlights on the beams of the high roof flickered on, illuminating the workshop. My mouth dropped. This place was sleek. Not what I’d imagined at all. Neat and well-maintained, at the center was a steel forge with chimney attached, with a working table at the front and all kinds of instruments hanging to the side-hammers, tongs, and many other tools I didn’t recognize.

  Reuben went over to the wall near a cylindrical black tank with lots of tubes, pipes and valves and fiddled with something.

  “Wow, what’s that?”

  “Propane tanks to fuel the fire for the forge. I was checking the fuel level… This is an example of the kind of work I do.” He showed me a sword which was half my height and too heavy for me to lift for more than a minute.

  “Whoa. It’s hard to believe grown men once fought for hours with something like this. Magnificent work, though.” I handed the sword back, admiring the clean lines, the intricate design of the hilt. It made me hot to think of Reuben working here with metal and fire, like the ancient Greek God Hephaestus. “Do you need to work? I can find something to occupy myself with in case you do.”

  Reuben shook his head before I finished speaking. “There are always deadlines, yeah. But I’m ahead at the moment. Didn’t have much else to focus on besides work all these months. I can afford to take a day off. Come on, I’ll show you around the peach orchard.” He glanced at me as if he couldn’t believe his luck that I was standing right next to him. Ushering me out, he took me around the side of the house, showing me what used to be his mom’s vegetable garden, now dry and unkempt.

  “It’s been years since anyone’s planted anything here. I know you like to garden. Wanna make a go of it?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

  I bounced on my feet, excited by the possibilities. “Mmhm. I think if you dig it up, I could get started. Maybe some tomatoes, okra, corn, lima beans, squash…Oh, and also pumpkins!”

  He laughed at my enthusiasm. “Sure, I can do that. Are you sure gardening is healthy in your condition?” he asked, rubbing his hand over his nape.

  “Yep.” I smiled. “Exercise is good for the baby, and so is being outdoors.”

  He exhaled. “Okay then, consider it done.” Then he led me to the peach orchard at the back of the house, behind which was the forest line. Lush fruit hung from the trees. Reuben offered me one. The crisp sweetness was delicious on my tongue.

  When we reached the forest line, he stopped. “This is where I run as a bear when I need to,” he said, glancing around. He kept an arm around my waist.

  “Oh, do you hunt for food in your bear form?”

  “Sometimes.”

  I bit my lip. “Can I see?”

  He glanced at me sideways. “You want to see my bear? Are you sure you won’t be frightened?”

  Never. Deep within me, my instincts said I was never safer than with Reuben.

  I inhaled. “No. He’s part of you, and I know he’d never hurt me.”

  Reuben clenched his hands, eyes flashing were-gold and brown in excitement. “All right.” His voice was thick. “He wants to meet you, too.” Reuben pulled off his boots, pale blue Henley, and black jeans. My mouth went dry when I saw his bulging biceps, hard abs, and semi-erect cock. I licked my lips.

  He growled. “Wait until afterwards. I’m going to fuck you while you look at me like that!”

  “Look like what?” I managed through trembling lips.

  He winked. “Like you’re starving and I’m food.”

  My eyes widened and in that instant, he shifted to bear. The next moment there was a towering bear taller than Reuben, standing before me. Thick, luxurious brown fur covered him all over, but the same scars that Reuben bore — on the face, back and leg — crisscrossed the bear’s pelt.

  His bear was the one who fought so fiercely to protect his family and Reuben.

  My heart twisted.

  The bear was still and watched me with cautious golden eyes. But I could see hints of Reuben in his patient expression, the way he held himself — strong and sure and solid, like he ruled his world by virtue of his strength — and I wasn’t scared.

  With wary steps, I neared the bear. He became a statue.

  “Hi there,” I said softly.

  He dropped on his fours and snuffled at me. His snout nuzzled against my ear. It tickled, and I laughed. With tentative fingers, I touched his snout and he nudged against me. I pushed my hand through his fur — it felt amazing.

  “You’re gorgeous,” I told him.

  He chuffed.

  “Adorable. Soft. Cuddly.”

  He growled as if to show he was scary and stood on his two feet again and showed me his claws.

  I laughed. “Okay, I was wrong. You’re macho. A warrior. A stud.”

  He dropped to his fours and nudged me again, indicating by the motion of his head and hands that he wanted me to do something.

  “What is it? You want me to…you want me to get on your back?”

  He nodded.

  “Oh…okay.”

  A few minutes later, I was racing through the forest, atop Reuben’s back. I clutched at his fur, giggling like a little girl. He showed me a honey bee hive, a small lake, and a few other spots special to him.

  At last he halted at a beautiful meadow, where the grass lay thick, greener than I ever saw it anywhere else. The place almost seemed magical. Tiny star-like flowers in yellow, lavender, and white bloomed on the ground, and in the clearing the sky seemed so blue. Colors were bolder, the air itself seemed crisp and clearer. The smell of fresh grass overlaid other floral fragrances I couldn’t identify.

  He indicated I get down, so I did and stumbled around in awe at the exquisite beauty. Other than a few birds, we seemed to be alone in the meadow.

  “This is stunning, Reuben. Thanks for bringing me here,” I whispered.

  “I brought you here for a reason. For privacy. No one else knows about this place.” I turned. He was in his human form again, walking towards me with his cock erect, wearing that expression on his face. The one that said he wanted to fuck me into next week.

  “Take off your clothes. I need to fuck you. I’m dying for you.” He muttered other urgent words of passion as he almost ripped off my clothes.

  Bracing me against the tree trunk, he spread my thighs and knelt before me. “Never have enough of you,” he groaned, and throwing one leg of mine over his shoulder he swiped his tongue from my opening to my clit. Then he devoured me like he was starving, and I was ambrosia.

  Lost in what he was doing to me, I clutched at his hair for balance and shouted out my orgasm.

  Then he stood. Rough, urgent hands guided me to wrap my legs around his hips. Bracing his hand behind my
lower back — protecting me from the rough texture of the tree — he pushed all the way inside me. I was so wet, it was easy for him. He stayed there, ground himself into me, rotated his hips. His pelvic bone flattened my clit, and with his every small movement, my body was driven a step higher.

  Rueben bit my neck. “Play with your breasts. You know I like seeing you do that.”

  He did like that, so I obeyed him, pinching and rolling my nipples. He watched my face with quickening breaths, and occasionally grunted, “Squeeze tighter” or “Press harder.”

  His instructions drove me closer to climax. I moaned, assailed by sensation everywhere, as he ground into me, hands kneading my ass. On a particularly loud moan, Reuben caught my mouth in a kiss, muttering, “God! You look so sexy right now.”

  Then he pounded into me. When I came, he forced his way into my resistant, spasming channel, hitting that secret spot inside me until I convulsed again. My legs slid from Reuben’s hips, muscles lax. He held me up and kissed me deeply, drinking down my whimpers of pleasure until he expended his cum as deep inside me as he could.

  I was a panting mess. After a minute, Reuben carried me to the nearby stream, cleaned me up, and then helped me dress. I was still dazed from coming three times, and Reuben wore a smug look that he’d been able to make me cum so hard and so many times. Then he transformed into a bear again. Directing me to climb upon his back, he loped home on powerful limbs.

  Back in the house, he ushered me into the kitchen and went to the cabinets, taking out bread, spreads. Opening the fridge, he asked me, “It’s lunchtime. What do you want me to make? You must eat for the both of you.” Reuben sounded stern.

  I pushed a hand through tousled hair, or at least tried to; I seriously needed a comb. Tired and not very hungry, I evaluated the reaction of my stomach as I thought about food. The idea of ingesting meat or veggies made me want to hurl. “Can I have some cornflakes and milk? Milk is supposed to be good for mothers, right?”

  Reuben’s eyes softened. “Are you sure you don’t want anything else? Some protein maybe?”

  When I assured him that this was all I could manage, Reuben got me a bowl of cereal, then made himself a sandwich at my insistence; he needed to eat, too. I’d have to make sure Reuben didn’t become so focused on my health that he neglected his own. When we were done, he wouldn’t let me clear the table. He did everything and placed the dishes in the dishwasher. Then he carried me upstairs.