Loving the Bear (8 page)

Chapter Twelve

Lilly hadn’t been around a lot of people like this since she’d been single. Matt hadn’t liked her hanging out with her friends and it wasn’t until she went for counseling after the incident that she’d learned that isolating women from their social group is a typical trait of an abuser.

“L
illy, I’d like you to meet, Sam,” said Christopher handing her a can of soda. “He’s the guy who fixed your van.”

Lilly put out her hand to a tall and nice looking man probably in his mid to upper thirties.
“Nice to meet you, and thanks for helping me out.”

“Anytime. Fixing cars is sort of a hobby of mine.”

“Sam and his pa…family live about ten miles outside of Kalispell. He’s an accountant who also runs a ranch.”

“Wo
w, that has to be lots of work,” said Lilly.

“It is but it’s fun too. Maybe Christopher can bring you by sometime. We have plenty of horses to ride if you like that sort of thing.”

“Never done it before, but I guess there’s always a first time,” said Lilly. More people were arriving and she hadn’t realized this was going to be such a big gathering.

“So this is where you’ve been hiding.” A man that looked a lot like Christopher and a pretty
, dark-haired woman headed their way.

“Lilly, this is my
brother Aiden, and my sister-in-law Charlotte. You guys, this is Lilly. Who will be cleaning your house for the first time next week,” said Christopher.

Aiden held out his hand to her and shook. He had a firm grip. “I’ve heard lots about you from Christopher so it’s great to finally see you in person.”

“Me too.”

“Hi Lilly,” said Charlotte.

“Hi, nice to meet you. Christopher said you’re a doctor.”

“Yep, that’s me. I work at the free clinic.”

“I hope he’s been behaving himself,” said Aiden.

“As if I’d be anything but on my best behavior,” said Christopher.

“Did you see Trent yet? He’s bringing his fiancée,” said Aiden.

“
Fiancée, wow, another wedding to go to. And now I’ll have someone I can take as a guest,” said Christopher throwing his arm around Lilly and squeezing her.

“Don’t think we’re being
unsociable, but both of us came straight from work and we’re starving, so we’re going to go into the house and dive into the buffet,” said Aiden. “See you guys later.”

Lilly watched Charlotte slip her hand into
Aiden’s and they made their way back to the house.

“They seem a nice couple
, and Charlotte’s very pretty.”

“Yes, she is, not quite a
s cute as you though,” said Christopher kissing her on the nose.

He had a way of making her feel like the most important and beautiful woman in the world.

“Okay, there are lots of other people I want you to meet while you’re here so you can feel comfortable around everyone. I spend a lot of time with this group so that means you will too, and I’d like for you to enjoy their company as much as I do.”

“I already do,” said Lilly.

****

Lilly watched out of the window. Her mother had called to say that the plane had landed at Missoula on time and they were just about to go pick up the rental car and head up to Kalispell. That had been a few hours ago so she knew they should be at the apartment at any time.

She hoped her mom had known how to program the GPS so she could find the apartment without any trouble.
Bob, her stepdad, was usually the one that was great with that sort of thing, but he had to work and couldn’t come along on this trip. Christopher had told her he’d give her mom and Katlin chance to settle in and then he’d drop by and say hello.

Lilly couldn’t wait for both of them to meet him. She hoped
they’d think he was just as wonderful as she did. She was sure they would.

Hearing a car pulling into the parking lot, Lilly pushed back the drapes and saw her mom getting out, followed by Katlin. Lilly put her hands to her mouth and cried. Her little g
irl had gotten taller since she’d seen her. Even her hair looked longer. She couldn’t wait for them to reach the apartment so she opened the door and ran outside.

“Mommy,” shouted Katlin when she saw her. She pointed her way.

“Oh, my baby girl, you’ve grown and you look so beautiful.” She lifted her daughter up in the air and kissed her. She reached over and kissed her mom’s cheek.

“Hi honey, so good to see you. You’re looking a lot better
than when you left Oregon.”

Lilly knew that being with Christopher had lots to do with that. She felt happy and more at peace than
she had in years. Having great sex was probably a factor too, but she’d keep that to herself.

“Let me help you with those bags,” said Lilly.

The three of them headed toward the apartment. Her mom looked around and Katlin ran up and down with her bear in her hand.

“
This is really nice,” said her mom.

“I’m hungry,” said Katlin.

“Okay, we’ll get something to eat and then later, my friend Christopher is stopping by to meet you both.”

“I’m excited to see him
. Maybe he’s the one who’s put the rosy glow back into your cheeks.”

****

Christopher pulled up outside Lilly’s apartment building. She’d told him that they’d arrived safely and to stop by whenever he wanted. He turned off the ignition and grabbed the gift he had for Katlin.

He
walked toward the front door. He hoped that Katlin would like him and feel at ease around him. He knocked on the door, hearing a little girl’s voice on the other side of it. Lilly opened it back holding the hand of a little girl who stole his heart just like her mother had done that day outside Mrs. Nelson’s condo.

She was a miniature replica of Lilly, the color of the hair, her eyes, even the freckles across her nose. He already wanted to sweep her up in his arms and cuddle her, make up for the bad things that had happened in her short life. However, he didn’t want to scare her.

“Come in,” Lilly told him. “Katlin can you say hello to Christopher?”

She moved behind Lilly’s legs and looked around them at him. She was blushing and even that was downright cute.

“Hi Katlin, I’m happy to meet you,” he said getting down on his knees so they were almost eye to eye. She put her thumb into her mouth and began sucking it. “Your mom showed me your photo and I thought you were pretty, but now I can see that you’re beautiful.”

She looked up at Lilly and then back at him.

“I’ve bought you a gift. Your mom told me you love bears, so it’s a coloring book and every page has a bear on it, and I also got you some crayons too just in case you didn’t bring any with you,” he said pulling out the box from his pocket.

He held both the book and crayons out to her.

“What do you say?” asked Lilly.

Katlin stepped out from behind Lilly. “Thank you.
” She took them from him.

“Why don’t you go and get your be
ar so you can show Christopher,” said Lilly.

She nodded and then ran into the other room just as a woman who also looked like Lilly stepped out from the bathroom.

“You must be Christopher. I’m Maureen, Lilly’s mom.”

Christopher stepped forward and shook her head. “Nice to meet you.”

Katlin reappeared in the room with a teddy bear and blanket under her arm. She stepped toward Christopher, a little gingerly at first but then she held up the bear to show him.

“
He’s great, and what’s his name?”

“Eddie.”

“As in Teddie, Eddie bear,” mouthed Lilly.

“Eddie,
that’s a nice name,” said Christopher.

She handed the bear to him
. He took him and checked him over. He smiled. He had a few features that were lifelike and he could see by the bare patches on his head and back that he was well-loved.

“It’s almost his bedtime,” said Katlin.

“Then I’d better let you take him,” said Christopher, handing him back to Katlin.

“
It’s almost time for your bedtime too. How about you take a bath and get into your PJs and then maybe if you ask nicely, Christopher will read a story to you,” said Lilly.

He wasn’t sure who was more excited about the chance to read her a bedtime story, him or Katlin.

****

Lilly peered through the gap in the bedroom door where it was ajar. Katlin was holding Eddie while Christopher sat on a chair by the bed, a storybook balancing on his knee as he read to her daughter.

“And the farmer walked into the barnyard and said where have all the chickens gone?” His voice got louder as he continued. “Who wants to know?”

She smiled as Katlin’s eye grew wider and she snuggled down under the covers. The two of them had hit it off immediate
ly. He was so good with her. She didn’t want to think that far ahead, but she knew he’d make the perfect stepdad for her little girl.

“I think yo
u’ve struck gold this time around.” Lilly heard her mother whispering in her ear and felt her hand on her shoulder.

“I hope so,” said Lilly.

“Oh, I know you have. I think the universe is making up for the bad apple you got the first time around.”

“I guess that was partially by fault for not sensing that he wasn’t that great of a person.”

“You were young, now you have experience and wisdom, and you’ve picked a winner in Christopher.”

Lilly took a deep breath. She hoped so. She hoped that nothing would get in her way of happiness and that Christopher
wasn’t hiding anything that would be a nasty surprise to her.

Chapter Thirteen

Christopher was more at ease today, but still paced up and down, knowing that Lilly and Katlin would be arriving at his condo at any time now. Maureen had gone shopping, but Katlin had asked to come and see Barney.

Christopher had
fallen big time for both mother and daughter, and once Katlin went back to Oregon with Maureen, he was going to sit Lilly down and tell her all about himself. Where he’d come from, what he was, and most of all, how he loved her.

The doorbell rang and Barney barked and ran into the
hallway, circling Christopher’s legs as he made his way to the door.

“Okay, now you be on your best behavior.”

He opened back the door to see Lilly standing there with Katlin holding Eddie. She smiled as soon as Barney ran up to greet her.

“Hi Barney,” she said, patting his head.

They stepped inside and Barney was now jumping up as high as Katlin’s shoulders, making her giggle. Lilly removed her jacket and then took off Katlin’s as the little girl ran around with Barney chasing her.

“Looks like Barney has a new best buddy. And I might be looking for a place to live that allows dogs because she’s going to want one now.”

He had an easy solution to that dilemma, but he’d keep it his little secret for the time being.

“I’m going to make us some lunch,” she said lifting up a grocery bag. “I
went shopping on the way over. Katlin insisted on mac and cheese, but I threw in some salad and a roasted chicken from the deli for us.”

“I can’t wait.”

“You mind if I go make her the mac and cheese in the kitchen?”

“Nope, go right ahead and I’m goin
g to do some sketching because they want to see more of them and they’ve even set up a meeting in Missoula for me to talk to the executive producers.”

“That’s great.”

Lilly headed for the kitchen and Christopher sat on the chair by his desk, watching Katlin hide behind the couch thinking that Barney wouldn’t see her. Then the Pomeranian sneaked up behind her, making her giggle. He laughed too. This was the sort of day he’d love to experience every day for the rest of his life. Lilly, Katlin, Barney, and him all spending time together.

“Hey Katlin
, you want to come and sketch with me?” he asked her.

She nodded and bounded over to him. He picked her up and put her on his knee and handed her a pencil.

“It’s a man,” said Katlin pointing to the sketch he’d already done for the game.

“Yep, and guess what this is?”

Christopher quickly drew a bear that looked just like her teddy.

“It’s Eddie, it’s him.”
She giggled.

“That’
s right. And what can you draw?”

Katlin made some circles on the paper and then what looked like a flower.

“Wow, I think you’re going to be an artist when you grow up.”

“What’s that?”

“Someone who draws as well as you.”

“Draw me more Eddie
s.”

Christopher smiled as
her chubby fingers held the pencil and her mouth opened as she watched him carefully draw a family of bears.

“I love bears.”

“I do too,” said Christopher.

****

Lilly leaned against the doorjamb and smiled. He was so gentle and kind to Katlin. Katlin’s shyness had completely disappeared. She balanced on Christopher’s knee as the two of them sketched and chatted like old friends. She hated to disturb them, but the food was ready.

“Lunch is served if you guys can pull yourself away from your work,” said Lilly.

Barney came running first and then Christopher put Katlin on his shoulders, which made her scream with laughter, as he pounded along to the kitchen.

“Mommy, we’re bears,” she shouted.

“Yeah, big scary ones,” said Lilly.

Christopher sat her down on the chair and push
ed it inwards so she could reach the table.

He sat down and Lilly put some mac and cheese on Lilly’s plate
, and then brought over the chicken and salad.

Christopher broke off a piece and gave it to Barney.

“He’s going to be spoiled,” said Lilly.

“I know
, but he’s fun to have around just like Katlin.”

Lilly smiled. “So
, Katlin, are you going to like living in Kalispell?”

She nodded as she put a spoonful of macaroni in her mouth.

“Maybe you should get her enrolled in a daycare while she’s here and if that doesn’t work out; I can always take care of her. I mean I work from home so it’s no big deal.”

“Really?” asked Lilly.

“Sure.”

“You hear that Katlin
? Barney and Christopher will be your babysitters.”

Barney barked. “I want Barney at our house.”

“Maybe one day we’ll get a dog of our own okay?”

****

She was sure Christopher could read her mind and knew that she was down and missed Katlin since she’d gone back to Oregon with her mom. He’d bought her chocolates which she was now eating on his couch.

“You’re going to have to take these away from me or I’ll eat the whole box,” she said handing them to Christopher.

“That’s the whole point.”

“But I’ll be gaining weight and …”

“There will be more of you to love, and not to mention, to touch.”

He moved behind her and put his hands on her shoulders and began m
assaging them.

“Sometim
es I think this is all a dream,” she said.

“What?”

“Finding you. Having you be so nice to my little girl.”

He slid around and sat on the floor in front of her. “It’s because I love you
and I think she’s adorable.”

“And you know I love you too.”

He leaned in and kissed her. “And I think you deserve a double treat.”

“Double treat?” asked Lilly.

He pulled on the zipper on her jeans. “Lift your butt for me.”

She raised
her hips off the couch so Christopher could tug her jeans down her legs. He placed them on the floor and then reached up for the edge of her panties.

Double treat was all she could think of as he pulled them downward over her thighs
and off her legs. Her pussy throbbed wondering what he had in store for her.

“Pick up the box of chocolates and eat them,” said Christopher.

She wouldn’t say no to that. He’d picked dark chocolate and truffles, her favorite combo.

Lilly placed the first one on her tongue and let it melt. Christopher kissed the top of her right knee and then her left one. He looked up at her and winked.

He was up to something.

She took another chocolate, this time nibbling on the edge of it as Christopher parted her legs.

“Relax and enjoy your chocolates.”

She did just that as he ran his fingers over her folds and then spread her labia. A chill ran over her pussy but then warmth took over. Lilly glanced down between her legs and saw Christopher’s head
between them, and his mouth on her pussy.

Matt had never wanted to do this to her. She’d heard it was heaven. She pushed the rest of the chocolate into her mouth as he licked at her opening
. His tongue was long and wet and the tip of it speared her pussy. She took another chocolate and licked at it, duplicating Christopher’s actions as he lapped at her.

Double treat had been an understatement
. There weren’t any words in the English language to describe the sensations he was causing her body. Not just her pussy, but everywhere on her body. Her nipples pulled and hardened as he drove his tongue deep inside her.

She licked the chocolate
s off her fingers and then sucked them as he took her closer and closer to her climax. She threw her chin into the air and pushed her toes down into the pile of the carpet as her orgasm ripped through her pussy and butt. Lilly took a deep breath. She’d have to return the favor. It was only fair. She stroked Christopher’s head as she looked up at her.

“I want to do something for you. Go into your bedroom and get naked.”

****

Christopher always had to be
the boss in the bedroom, but Lilly demanding that he get naked had been a turn on like nothing else. He laid on the bed, anticipating what she was going to do to him.

She walked in now, completely naked herself
, carrying a jar of something. As she got closer she could see it was his jar of honey. How did she know that was this bear’s biggest food weakness?

“Just lie there and relax. Let me know if I’ve made this too hot for you.”

Geez, did she know that she was going to push him over the edge?

She dug her fingers into the jar and pulled out some honey, spread it over his lips and then kissed him. It was just the right temperature. She was just the right temperature. She moved her hand down his belly, over his navel and then oh holy, holy bear shifter, Lilly was honeying his cock.

Wow, it felt good; warm and soft, and the smell put his nose on full alert.

She got on
to the bed.

And oh no,
stimulus overload, she began sucking his dick, taking his length into her mouth and tapping the underside of it with her tongue.

Christopher grabbed the quilt and pulled it into his palm using his fingers as she went to work on him. He was going to lose it any second and he wanted to be inside her so bad
, it hurt.

“Lilly, we need a condom and quick.”

She stopped licking. “I have a surprise; you won’t need one because I’m now taking the Pill.”

Music to his ears. He hated
those suffocating things and it meant he could experience Lilly without anything coming between them. He couldn’t wait a minute longer. Christopher got up, pushed her down on the bed, and kissed her.

“Someone’s in a hurry,” she said.

“Sorry, but I have to do this right now.”

He spread her legs and entered her, sure he’d made one of his bear sounds
, but maybe she hadn’t heard it. It was just how he expected it to be, warm, wet, welcoming and as he made his first thrust, close to being in paradise.

****

Lilly guessed Christopher had a thing about honey. She’d never seen him quite this wild. And she was sure he was twitching his cock without moving his body, but once again she didn’t care. He’d just given her a fifth orgasm.

He slid out of her and flipped her onto her belly and was inside her before she knew it. His groan
s were like nothing she’d ever heard before and then he licked her neck and bit her, just a little too hard for her liking this time. She turned around, sending him sliding out of her, and then she saw his eyes. They weren’t like Christopher’s baby blues, but dark brown like something she’d never seen before.

“What, Li
lly, what? I’m sorry, but sometimes I get carried away.”

“Your eyes, what the hell?”

“I know. I have something to tell you.”

He looked serious, she never seen him look like this before.

He took her hand. “I know this is going to be hard for you to understand.”

Her heart sank
. When men said that it was never a good sign.

“I’m…”

“You’re what?”

“I’m a bear shifter.”

“A what-what?”

“My brother, everyone at the party that night. We’re animal shifters.”

“Animal shifters. You’re kidding, right? If this is your way of telling me you don’t want to see me again, then you don’t have to go to such extremes, okay?”

She knew it w
as too good to be true. He was either nuts or he’d found the most unique way to break up with a woman.

“We’re not from here but somewhere out in the galaxy.”

Lilly got up to leave, but Christopher held her arm.

“Hey, let go of me.”

“Sorry, I’m sorry, but you have to believe me. Our planet crashed here one night.”

“I guess I’ve been stupid once again
by letting a man get the better of me.”

She stormed out of the bedroom with him close on her heels.

She quickly got dressed.

“Lilly, this is for real
, and I love you.”

“
At least be man enough to break up with someone without coming up with some ridiculous story. I don’t know how your eyes turned like that, but I don’t care. Don’t come near me and don’t ever try to contact me again.”

She ran out the door, not bothering with the elevator, but made her way out the door and into her van. She cried and started the ignition.

When would she learn that when it came to men she had lousy taste?