BEARedtoYouBBWShifterEroticRomanceARe (2 page)

She was going with that. Beggars couldn’t be choosers.

“Sure, you can come in. For a minute,” she said, playing along with their game. “You look like you’re freezing.”

“Th-thanks. I am.” He stepped inside and wiped his feet on the doormat. Bless his mother. Outside of teaching her son it wasn’t exactly kosher to go a-visitin’ wearing nothing but a smile and a coat of goose bumps, she’d taught him some manners.

“Um, since you’re sort of denying having been hired by my best friend to assuage my anger, I’m curious. What’s your story? Did someone steal your clothes? Or were you in some kind of car accident?” It was a shame to cover the rippling muscles, bumps…and bulges…that comprised the anatomy of her visitor, but she had to feel sorry for the guy. Although his skin was the warm mocha of a suntanned beach bum’s, his face was pale and he was shivering. Nothing looked funnier than a naked guy quaking with a hard-on. His dick was doing this funny little bobbing thing, which made it all the more tempting to stare. She pulled the quilt off her shoulders and handed it to him. “Here.” He could do his routine after he’d warmed up a bit. A pathetic, shivering naked guy wasn’t quite as appealing as a studly, hot naked guy.

“I’m not sure what my story is, to tell you the truth…thanks again.” He accepted the blanket with a smile that inspired a few thanks on her part and wrapped it around his glorious body. Despite the fire she’d somehow managed to build without the aid of a push-button ignition switch, he stood by the door looking scrumptious if a bit pathetic. The look in his eyes reminded her of Zoë, the mutt that had parked her pathetic furry behind on Abby’s front porch one frigid January night and given her a dose of the saddest puppy eyes ever. That had been almost five years ago. Zoë was now officially the world’s most spoiled dog. Abby was not the kind of girl who could resist sad puppy eyes.

Speaking of puppy eyes…clearly this guy had nearly frozen off his more delicate bits by running around Alaska’s vast countryside nude.
Must be his first time stripping. Poor baby, he needs someone to show him the ropes.
Either he was masochistic, undressing out in the cold instead of waiting until he was inside, or he had a brain the size of a gnat’s.

Such a shame. The good-looking ones were always so stupid. Clearly this little truth didn’t just apply to Michigan’s less-than-brilliant crop of available bachelors.

“Why don’t you go by the fire? You’ll warm up faster,” she suggested, motioning toward what had to be pure temptation to a guy who’d wandered who knew how far in near-freezing temperatures.

“Yes. That would be nice. I was just…didn’t want to scare you. I can imagine what you’re thinking.” He brushed past her as he walked.

Crazy thoughts of getting cozy with him under that blanket—all in the name of sharing body heat, of course—passed through her mind. “Oh, you never know what I’m thinking,” she said brightly. He looked harmless, in a devastatingly sexy sort of way. Despite the low IQ, Katie’d picked a winner. Abby decided right then and there that Katie deserved something extra special for her next birthday. Maybe twins. Going along with the ruse, she asked, “What happened?”

He shrugged. “I was sleeping. Then something woke me up—a dream. At least I think it was a dream. And I felt weird…”

“Hmmm. That’s almost believable.” Almost but not really. She was still going with the stripper story. It made the most sense. “Sounds like you were sleepwalking.” Abby knew all about sleepwalking. She’d done it since she was a kid. It was a little disorienting at times, especially if she woke up in the middle of a dream. “Been there. Though I can’t say I’ve walked out of the house naked before. Thank God. I can just imagine the field day Mrs. Knotsmidt would have with that. She already thinks I’m an oddball.” She nodded her head. “Better sleep in some sweatpants or something from now on. Just in case. It’s a wonder you didn’t freeze to death.”

He glanced down at his quilt-covered form and then grinned guiltily. “Good suggestion.”

Oh, what that grin did to her! Knocked her brain clear out of her head. It landed somewhere around her toe region. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you,” she added before her gray matter had found its way back to its former position. She wasn’t normally so forward, even with a naked stripper.

“Thanks,” he said, sounding downright cheery.

“At least you didn’t run into the bear or sasquatch or whatever that was trying to rip down my door a bit ago. A naked guy I can handle, no problem. A wild animal with claws and teeth…no.”

He studied her for a moment, his lopsided smile still firmly in place. She really liked it. Really, really liked it. The cop stripper had possessed a come-and-get-me smile like that too. Made a girl all soft and warm.

He combed long, tapered fingers through his hair. Her mouth went dry. Biceps. Oh, mama.

He did it again. He was clearly torturing her. “You’re not from around here.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Gee, whatever gave you that idea? Is it the accent? Or the fact that my friend called from an out-of-state area code and told you that?” she teased.

“No, actually it’s the luggage.” He pointed at the stack of suitcases still piled high on the cot. “Don’t exactly look like the type who’d come out to a place like this by yourself though.” His gaze dropped to her feet.

“That’s because I’m not, as my kitten-healed boots do testify. My girlfriend, Katie—the one who hired you—was supposed to come along. But some dumb strike delayed her flight. So, here I am, all alone. In the woods. With inappropriate footwear…” She sounded pathetic, which was exactly what she’d been shooting for. Maybe he’d be inspired to do an extra dance or two to ease her suffering.

Visibly perplexed, he looked at her for a long beat. Then his expression turned wicked. A good wicked. “Can’t have that. I’ll stay with you until your friend arrives. I think I owe you for saving me from freezing my,” he cleared his throat, “vitals…off.”

Whoo hoo! He wasn’t just a stripper but a bodyguard and boy-toy all wrapped in one scrumptious package. Okay, so she’d never worked so hard to get a stripper to perform his act before, but they were now on the right track. She was about to spend the night huddled up snug in a cabin with a guy who made her toasty with just a smile.

She hoped she had enough singles to tuck into his…hmmmm…no garter? Where did one place a tip if the tip-ee was naked? She’d figure it out. She had all night.

Then again, she felt it was necessary for propriety’s sake to put up a small show of resistance to him staying the night. Not too strong. She’d hate to have him change his mind. “Oh, I don’t know…that’s so nice of you but I’d hate to impose. What about your other…er, clients?” This trip was starting to actually show some promise. Considering what she’d spent getting there, she owed it to herself to have some fun. In any form that presented itself, but especially any form that involved taking a closer look at the abominable snowman there.

Sex—at least the kind that didn’t involve solitary satisfaction with the aid of a battery-operated appliance—was a distant memory. Her last relationship had ended almost ten months ago and lately she hadn’t been in the mood to find herself a candidate for a fling.

Yes siree, a vacation affair was not out of the question. If the candidate in question passed muster. It appeared that Mr. Abominable here had just announced his candidacy.

“I won’t take no for an answer,” he said with delightful decidedness. How she loved a man who could take control…when she wanted him to. So far, so good. “Not that I don’t think you can take care of yourself, but it’s not good for you to be alone. I have tomorrow off work. I can take you down to Portage Glacier if you want.”

Her previously happy, pitter-pattery heart turned cold. Had she misread his intentions? “Glacier? As in hunk of ice?” Pooh. She’d had such high hopes for some…warmer activities.

His smile broadened. “Did you have something else in mind?” An evil glimmer sparked in his eyes.

Oh no, she hadn’t misunderstood. They were definitely on the same page. Bless Katie, she was getting triplets for her birthday. “Uh…” Her heart set about pitter-pattering again and within seconds her face felt like it had been sitting inches from the roaring blaze in the fireplace. It had been such a long time since she’d come on to a guy. And never had a man who looked as great as this one given her the time of day, let alone a fuck-me look.

Alaska was cool!

She’d heard rumors of a shortage of women here. Maybe Katie hadn’t been such an idiot for suggesting Alaska for their vacation after all. “Maybe,” she said, “though it would be nice knowing your name…um, before we do anything…”

He stood up, conveniently leaving the quilt on the floor in front of the fireplace’s hearth, and sauntered toward her. He moved with the strength and fluidity of an animal stalking prey. His body was absolutely perfect. Like romance-cover-model perfect. Smooth-skinned and suntanned. Muscular.

Big…hands.

By the time he was standing in front of her, she’d worked up a sweat just watching him. The air in the room had become thin and she was lightheaded.

He set one hand on each arm of her chair and leaned down until his nose almost touched hers. “Tarik Evert. Nice to meet you. And you are?”

She promptly forgot her name.

She forgot a lot of other things too.

They were all unimportant at the moment anyway.

“Tarik,” she repeated somehow, even though she was sure her lungs had stopped functioning some time ago.

“Yes, that’s my name but—”

“Nice to meet you too.” Something huge wedged itself in her throat. She swallowed. Hard. Several times. She let her gaze slide south. It followed a bumpy route over some chiseled pecs and a washboard stomach.

My, my, my, did they come nicely packaged in Alaska.

“A couple questions first,” she heard herself say. She was surprised she’d actually been able to speak.

“Sure.” He backed away, reached down, snatched up the quilt and wrapped it around his shoulders.

That was such a bad thing. She couldn’t see a bit of skin, except for above his neck and below his shins. Granted, the lack of exposed suntanned heaven did allow her to gather her thoughts a bit. “Are you married?” she asked, glancing at his left hand. That was always her first question when she met a man. Unlike a few of her friends, she did not do married guys.

“No. Not married. Never have been married. And probably never will be.”

Big check.
Never will be? She’d heard that before. “Infected with any diseases?”

“Nope. And I have proof if you need it…uh, at home.”

“No, that won’t be necessary.”
Check.
“Committed any felonies? Or ever been profiled on
America’s Most Wanted
?”

“Heck, no. I’m a law-abiding professional.”

Check.
“Professional?” Was he saying he was a male prostitute?

“Professional as in genetic researcher,” he clarified. “I’ve worked for Omega Corporation since graduating from U.A.F. with a Doctorate in Microbiology. I’d give you one of my cards but I left them at home.”

Of all the implausible stories. A scientist? Mr. Run-Around-the-Neighborhood-Naked? She giggled. “Imagine that. You left your cards
at home
. So you have a degree in microbiology? And you do research in genetics? How fascinating.” If only he were telling the truth. She adored men with brains. Although this guy would be overqualified for the position of vacation flame if he had truly been a genetic researcher. But who was she to complain if he wasn’t a genius? Absolutely scrumptious and safe. Willing…and clearly able. What more could a girl want for a short time fling?

You pass!

“So, did I pass?” he asked.

“With flying colors.”

He grinned and resumed his position over top of her. The blanket slid down his body, eventually landing in a heap at his feet. She wasn’t sad to see it there. “I’ve always done well on tests,” he practically purred.

She gave a little whimper as he slowly lowered his head to kiss her. “I’m not surprised,” she whispered against his mouth.

The kiss started out soft and slow and deliberate. He brushed his lips against hers, teasing, tormenting. She arched her back and lifted her arms to wrap them around his neck. Anxious to feel his body pressed against hers, she pulled, sighing into their joined mouths when her wish came true and he lowered himself until he’d pinned her into the chair. She parted her legs, welcoming his hips between them. His cock prodded at the front seam of her jeans.

Their bodies smooshed together like that, it was no surprise the kiss deepened in a hurry. His tongue forced its way inside her mouth and wrestled hers into submission. It stroked and tasted and took until she couldn’t breathe. Then it took some more.

Too many clothes. She had on too many clothes. Her blood was sizzling, carrying liquid heat through her body, up to her scalp and down to her toes. She released his neck and ran her hands over his shoulders. She dug her fingernails into his smooth skin and tipped her hips to grind her burning pussy against his cock.

He growled. Literally. The sound made her even hotter. She reclaimed her tongue from his mouth and made a feeble attempt at using it for speech. All she managed to do was whimper again.

As if he’d read her mind, he sat back and ran his hands down the center of her body. He stopped at the hem of her knit top.

Tense and trembling, she watched his face as he slowly lifted the cotton knit to reveal her stomach, bra. She put up a silent cheer of glee at the raw hunger pulling his features into tense lines. The muscles in his jaw visibly clenched, making him look both dangerous and sexy.

That was the world’s perfect combination.

As he unfastened the front clip of her bra, she reached up to his brown-black hair. It was silky smooth, slightly curly. It suited him perfectly. She combed her fingers down the length then fisted her hands and pulled gently.

He had her bra straps pushed off her shoulders, and the cups had fallen to the sides, exposing her breasts. He traced a circle around one of her nipples and out of reflex, she arched her back. Aching need coursed through her body, hot and urgent, like a wildfire burning out of control. He tipped his head to look up at her face as he covered her nipple with his mouth.