9781631054747HerstoBearHoffa (12 page)

Alice
scooted across the couch and took both Jenna’s hands in hers. “Oh, God, don’t
cry, sweetie. I’ve made a mess of this. I was right, wasn’t I? You and Bern are
happy, you’re happier than I’ve ever seen you, but I’m not a love kinda girl.”
She gave a self-deprecating smile. “I’m not sure I even know how to fall in
love, and I’m positive that stuffy old wolf doesn’t know what love is. I don’t
want a, sniff, you’re mine. Wham, bam, let’s get hitched hook up. It’s just not
my scene. I’m sorry, Jen, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I wouldn’t do that for the
world, but that man is not for me. I’m carefree, and kinda flighty—”

Jenna
interrupted. “Ain’t that the truth?”

“Plus,
I have my career in
Chicago,
I’m not going to just
drop all I’ve worked for because of a man. That may sound selfish, but…
well,
I guess I’m a bit selfish too.”

Jenna
laughed. “You’re really laying out your faults tonight aren’t you?”

“I
guess I am.” Alice laughed. “But, I don’t necessarily consider them faults. I
am who I am, girl. You know that. I’ve never pretended otherwise.”

“I
know, but I don’t think Sebastian is going to just give up you know. He’s going
to pursue you.”

“Well,
now that might be fun. I’d like to see if I could loosen up the stick in his
ass. I don’t know how the man manages to walk around with it so far up there.”
Alice laughed.

“You
are terrible!” Jenna sighed.

“Bad to
the bone, baby. That’s why you love me!”

They
fell into each other’s arms rolling with laughter.

* * *
*

Sunday
morning found the biggest bouquet of roses Jenna had ever seen on her
doorstep,
unfortunately they were not for her. The gorgeous,
long stem, red roses were addressed to Miss Alice Miller from none other than
Sebastian Von Drake.

Jenna
carried the huge bouquet into the kitchen where a half-awake Alice sat sipping
coffee. “For you, girl,” she said. “I think I’m jealous.”

“Damn,
that’s a lot of freaking flowers.”

“No
shit. I don’t know if I have a vase big enough to put them in. It may take two,
or even three!”

Jenna
began digging in the cabinets and pulled out several vases, it did indeed take
three vases to contain what turned out to be over five dozen roses. “Oh, Alice
they are so beautiful!”

Alice
put her face to one of the vases and sniffed. “Yes, they are and they smell
wonderful.” She smiled. “I guess I’ll have to call the old bastard and thank
him.” She laughed.

The
doorbell rang and Jenna went to answer, she returned with a huge box of Godiva
chocolates, once again for Alice.

“He’s
pulling out all the stops,” Jenna said. “This is enough chocolate to cure my
PMS for a year.” She laughed.

“Ha,
you are so easy, that wouldn’t even last me the month,” Alice said. “But it’s a
good start. Crack that baby open, let’s have a taste.”

“It’s
nine o’clock in the morning!”

“It’s
never too early for chocolate.”

“Oh,
well that’s true.” Jenna opened the box and they both stood drooling over the
contents for several moments before they could stir themselves to make a
choice. “Oh my God, how do I pick just one? It’s almost a shame to eat them,
they’re so beautiful.”

“Beautiful,
smootiful, taste is all that counts, lemme at em.” Alice took a piece and
popped it in her mouth, her eyes closed and she rolled her head back. “Oh my
God, it’s almost better than sex.”

“I
wouldn’t go that far,” Jenna said.

“I
said, almost.” Alice laughed. “Now, I really have to call the old goat, I mean
wolf. I suppose Bern has his number, right?”

“Yes, I’m
sure he does. I was just about to call him anyway.”

“Oh,
I’m sure.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s been almost eight hours since you
talked to him, you must be in withdrawals by now.”

Jenna
threw a chocolate at her. “You are such a snarky bitch.”

Alice
caught the chocolate and popped it in her mouth. “That’s why you love me.” She
stood up and kissed Jenna on the head. “I’ll give you some privacy.” She turned
to leave the room. “Don’t forget to get the old bastard’s number for me…and
give Bern a kiss for me.” She blew Jenna an air kiss as she ducked out of the
room.

Jenna
grabbed her cell and dialed
Bern,
he picked up on the
first ring. “Hello, beautiful.”

“Hi,
Bern.
I miss
you.”

“I miss
you too. I especially missed you in my bed last night.”

Jenna felt
her cheeks warm. “How are things this morning? Did Martin get the clan meeting
set up?”

“Yes,
everything is all set. I wanted to talk to you about that. I’d like you to
come.”

“To
the clan meeting?”

“Yes.”

“But,
I’m not part of the clan.”

“Yes,
you
are,
little one. You are the mate of the clan
leader. I’d like to introduce you to the clan.”

Jenna
twisted a strand of hair around the finger of her free hand, she was always
nervous about meeting new people, she was never comfortable in crowds,
had
always been the wallflower. She was the fat girl in the
corner, was she going to embarrass Bern?

“What
are you thinking, little one? I can feel your anxiety.”

“I
don’t know if I like your being able to sense my feelings. I don’t want to
embarrass you. I’m…”

“You are
beautiful, smart, precious, and mine. Trust me, little
one,
they will love you as much as I do.”

Tears
pricked Jenna’s eyes. “Oh, Bern, I love you so much.”

“I wish
I was there to hold you in my arms. Will you come over? I can send a car for
you.”

“Sure,
in about an hour? I need to shower and get dressed. Do you have Sebastian’s
phone number?”

“Yes,
why would you need Sebastian’s number?”

“He
sent Alice flowers and chocolates this morning, she wants to call and thank
him. He showed you up by the way.”

“Oh
really?
How so?”

“He
sent Alice over five dozen red roses, I’m jealous.”

“I’m
sorry, little one. I have been remiss in my courtly duties. I shall have to
remedy that in the future.”

Jenna
laughed. “It doesn’t count you know, if I have to ask.”

“Oh, I
will surprise you when you least expect it.”

“We’ll
see,” she said. “I better run, if I’m going to be ready when your car gets
here.”

“Okay,
I will see you soon, little one.”

Chapter Eleven

Jenna
dressed carefully, she didn’t want to be overdressed, but she wanted to look
nice to meet Bern’s clan. She chose her favorite multicolored patchwork skirt
and paired it with a three-quarter length sleeved cream colored blouse and
hand-crocheted burgundy vest.

She
left her hair down and curled around her shoulders, as that was the way Bern
appeared to like it best. She was applying the last touches to her make-up when
the doorbell rang. Tossing the mascara back into her purse, she jogged to the
door.

“I’m
heading out,” she called to Alice.

“Kiss
the bear for me,” she replied. “I’ve got plenty of work to keep me busy.”

“Okay,
there are frozen meals in the ‘fridge.”

“Gotcha.
Have fun!”

“Love
ya. Bye.”

Hans
waited on the doorstep.
“Hi, Hans.
How are you?”

“I am
well, Miss Raynes.”

“How
many times do I have to tell you to call me Jenna?”

Hans
blushed. “Jenna.” She grabbed his arm and walked toward the car. “Let’s go.”
Jenna refused to sit in the back and sat herself in the front seat next to
Hans. “I don’t know if Bern would approve Miss…”

“Shut
it, Hans. Bern won’t mind my sitting in the front seat. I would feel stupid
sitting in the back seat all by myself. This way we can talk.”

Hans
walked around to the driver’s side, slid inside the car and turned over the
engine. He cleared his throat. “Alice is not joining us?”

“No.”
Jenna laughed. “She’s working. So, what time is the clan meeting?”

“Four
o’clock, ma’am.”

“Ma’am?
Really?
Hans, that’s not
any
better than Miss Raynes, is Jenna
so hard to say? Try it now.
Jenna, J e n n a.
You can
do it.”

Jenna
was trying very hard not to laugh, but Hans’ face was turning a peculiar shade
of purple.

“Jenna,”
he mumbled.

“See! I
knew you could do it! From now on if you don’t call me Jenna I’m going to flick
you on the nose. Don’t think I won’t,” she said waving her finger in the
direction of his face.

She
couldn’t hold the laughter in any longer and burst out a loud guffaw. Hans gave
her a stern look and then joined in the laughter. “Okay, I give, Jenna. I think
you will be good for Bern and our clan.”

Jenna
reached across the car and took his hand. “Hans, I love Bern. I don’t know you
that well, or most of your clan, but I want only the best for you all.”

Hans
was stopped at a stoplight and he looked deeply into her eyes. “I can see that,
Jenna.” He squeezed her hand and turned his attention back to the road.

“Do you
have a mate, Hans?”

“I
think I have met my mate, but it’s complicated.”

“I’m
sorry. Doesn’t she return your affections?”

Hans
laughed. “Um, it isn’t a lady. Ladies aren’t, um, my preference,” he mumbled.

It was
Jenna’s turn to blush. “I’m sorry, Hans, I shouldn’t have made an assumption.”

Hans
smiled self-deprecatingly. “It’s all right, most people assume, because of my
size and position that I’m straight. I don’t take offense.”

Jenna
patted his hand. “Well, I shouldn’t have assumed, and I’m sorry. Is there a
stigma in
the were
community about being gay, like
there is in the human world?”

“Surprisingly,
not as much.
I guess we have so much other prejudice, we don’t look for more reasons to
hate.”

Jenna
ran a hand down Hans’ cheek. “So, what is the problem with your mate?”

“He is
of a higher rank then me, and not of our clan. He didn’t even acknowledge me
when we met. I don’t know what to do.” Hans looked crestfallen.

“Maybe
you should approach him,” Jenna said.

“That
wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“More
of this political crap, right?”

Hans
looked uncomfortable. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”

“I’m
sick of politics. You want me to talk to him?”

“
That is very sweet of you, m…Jenna, but no, thank
you.”

“I will,
you know. I’ll kick his bear ass. Well, that didn’t come out quite right.”

Hans
laughed. “He’s not a bear,” he mumbled. “You are very sweet, Jenna, and thank
you again, but it wouldn’t be…”

“Appropriate,”
she finished. “Yeah, I get it. If you ever need to talk I’m here, Hans. I mean
it.”

He
reached across and squeezed her hand. “Thank you, Jenna. I see the look of
peace on Bern’s face when he holds your hand… something I haven’t seen since
his parents died. I long for a mate to soothe my soul.” A dreamy, wistful look
crossed Hans’ face and the realization struck Jenna that mating was more than
just the coming together of two people to the were community. It was something
sacred.

They
pulled into the driveway of Bern’s house and he was in the open doorway before
the car had come to a complete stop. Han’s jumped out and came around to her
side to let her out. She and Bern met halfway up the walkway, just like a scene
in one of those romantic commercials, he rushed toward her as she rushed toward
him,
all
that was missing was the field of flowers.

He
picked her up, spinning her in a circle as he devoured her lips in a burning
kiss. “God I missed you, little one,” he mumbled against her lips.

“It was
only one night.” She laughed.

“One
night too long.
I can’t stand to be away from you.” He set her on her feet, keeping his arm
securely around her and led her into the house. “Is Alice settled?”

“Yes,
thanks. After much yelling on the phone, which I assume was with Bastian. She
informed me, she’d had enough of shifters for the day. She’s working, as usual,
from her laptop at my house. Hans said the clan isn’t coming until four?”

“That’s
right, but Sebastian is coming at two.”

“Really?
You’re going to bond today
then?”

“Yes.
It’s been decided, and we need to go over all the details with our inner
circles.” He looked at his watch. “Which gives me three hours to enjoy with my
mate before business takes precedence.”

He
scooped her up in his arms. “So, where shall I take my sweet morsel?” He
nuzzled her neck.
“My office?
I haven’t ravished you
there yet.”

“No!”
Jenna shrieked. “Someone could come in.”

“Not
unless they have a death wish,” Bern growled.
“The bedroom
then?”
Jenna nodded against his shoulder. “Mmm, sounds good to me, more
room to play,” he growled. Bern threw her over his shoulder in a fireman’s
carry and took the stairs two at a time until he reached the bedroom. He
slammed the door shut with his foot and placed Jenna on her feet in front of a
low dresser with a mirror attached. He turned her to face the mirror.

“Look
at this, a present for me to unwrap,” he said as he placed his hands on her
shoulders and slowly slid the vest from her arms. He tossed the vest toward the
chair in the corner of the room. He pulled the blouse from the waist band of
her skirt and skimmed it up and over her
head,
Jenna
lifted her arms to assist him.

She
watched her image in the mirror, flushed with arousal, she was naked from the
waist up, save for her beige lace push-up bra. Bern tucked his thumbs into the
elastic waistband of her skirt and eased it to the floor, following it down
until he was on his knees. “Lift,” he said, tapping one foot and then the
other. “Oh, I like these boots,” he said, indicating her knee high brown suede
three-inch heels. “I think I’ll leave them on.”

He
licked the skin above the top of her boots, the back of her knees and up the
back of her thighs. Bern slid his hands up the front of her legs, letting them
rest at the top of her thighs, teasing the crease where her thigh met her mons.
He lightly bit one juicy butt cheek, eliciting a squeal from Jenna,
then
licked away the sting.

Bern
kissed the dimples at the base of her spine and twirled his tongue in the small
depressions. “Put your hands on the dresser and spread your legs,” he
instructed. Jenna shivered as she complied. Bern traced the seam between her
rear cheeks down to her
sex,
he licked from her clit all
the way back, spreading her cheeks and tickling her rosette with his tongue.
“I’ll take you here one day, little one.”

Jenna
gasped.

“Nothing
to say to that, little one?
Does that thought frighten you? Excite you?”

“Both?”
Jenna squeaked.

Bern
slapped her cheek. “Good answer.” He licked her sex again. She could feel her
cream flooding her channel. Bern dipped a finger inside and tickled her clit
with his
tongue,
Jenna could feel her orgasm climbing
closer.

Bern
shifted positions, moving his hands to the front of her body, he kept one hand
teasing her clit and moved the other to fondle her breast,
he
kissed and licked his way up her spine, until he reached the mating mark on her
neck.

“My
bear is riding me hard, little one. He wants to mark you again, wants his scent
and mark clear for all to note.”

“Yes,
do it. I need you.”

Bern
pulled her hips toward him and entered her in one swift thrust. Jenna cried out
in pleasure, grinding back against him. Bern’s arms surrounded her, holding her
hips as he pounded into her. Jenna grasped the edge of the dresser and held on
for dear life. Her breasts bounced madly, and watching the scene was the
hottest thing she had ever seen.

She
could tell Bern was nearing his peak, his thrusts were becoming erratic. “Bern,
I need…”

He
growled and his fangs elongated, he struck in exactly the same place as before,
re-piercing her mating mark, and Jenna came with a scream she was sure the
entire household heard. Two more thrusts and Bern followed her, only his arms
around her kept her from collapsing in a heap to the floor. She didn’t faint
this time, but she was damn close. Bern withdrew from her and lifted her in his
arms, carrying her to the bed, placing her in the center and crawling in to
spoon up beside her.

He held
her tightly, her back to his front, while she floated back to earth. He stroked
her hair and kissed her temple and cheek, the only places he could reach in
that position. When her breathing finally returned to normal she turned her
head and caught his lips in a sweet kiss. “I love you,” she whispered.

“I love
you too, little one.”

“I
think I need a nap.”

Bern
chuckled.
“Sleep, my sweet.
I will hold you while you
dream.”

Jenna
closed her eyes and was asleep before her next breath.

She
awakened to someone gently kissing her neck. “Mmm, that’s nice.”

“It’s
time to wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

Jenna
rolled to her back and stretched. “What time is it?”

“One-thirty.”

“One-thirty!
Crap, I need to take a shower
and fix my make-up!”

“No
shower. My bear wants his scent on you.”

“Seriously?
You want me to go out there and
meet all those people smelling like sex?”

“I most
certainly do.”

Jenna
sat up in bed and gave him the evil eye. Bern would not back down. “I’m
guessing this is a bear thing?”

“A were
thing, you could say.”

“All
right.
I
don’t like it, but for you I’ll do it, but I’m at least washing up.”

Bern
laughed. “Yes, my little one. You know where the bathroom is.”

“Where
is my purse?”

“I
think you dropped it somewhere downstairs.”

As
Jenna scurried for the bathroom, she shouted over her shoulder. “Well, will you
please go down and get it? I need my makeup.”

“I
don’t think you need makeup, you are beautiful without it.”

“Bern,
I’m not going to argue with you. Go get my purse or I’m going to do to you what
I told Hans I was going to do to him and flick you on the nose.”

Bern
laughed. “Oh my God, I would have loved to have seen Hans’ face when you told
him that. What did he say?”

“He
agreed. He did turn a pretty shade of purple though.”

“Agreed
to what?”

“To
stop calling me Miss
Raynes,
or ma’am and call me
Jenna.”

“Oh, that
will be hard for the clan members, little one. There is a lot of formality in
clan business.”