Bearly Hers: A Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance by Maria Amor Page A

wanted to be.
    Where she was supposed to be.
    *
    Gia stepped from the bathroom, a towel around her and one loosely wrapped on her head, to find Trey laying on her bed with his hands crossed behind his head. He’d showered in his room and come over, barefoot, in his loose jeans with his dark blonde hair all wet and tousled. He sat up when he saw her, gave her a long, slow appraisal that made her flesh heat.
    The cops came, took her statement and hauled Mack away. He’d confessed to operating a small theft ring, and extorting a handful of women into participating, and starting the barn on fire. The fire department had come, and was still here, dousing what remained of the barn to be sure it would not re-ignite.
    The fire inside her didn’t need any help in that department. She was sure it was still adrenaline mixed with her primal attraction to Trey, but hell, whatever it was pumped through her like a delicious kind of electricity.
    “Here,” Trey moved to the edge of the bed and patted space between his legs. “Sit.”
    She did, scooting her butt back into the firm juncture of his thighs. Removing the towel from her head, he used it to dry her long hair. Long, firm strokes and quick little pats against the ends. Tired, yet wide-awake, Gia sank into the ministrations.
    Suddenly, his lips were on her neck, working their way to her ear. “I’m sorry, Gia.” He nibbled her earlobe while smoothing the towel from her forehead, down. “I’m a million times sorry for being the biggest asshole ever.”
    The turmoil inside seemed to exhale out of her, like a balloon finally free of poisonous air. Trey turned her face and captured her lips in a soft, loving kiss. “In my gut and soul, I knew you weren’t responsible for the thefts against my clansmen. But I let my hang-ups from the past get in the way.”
    Gia slid off the bed and turned between his knees, one hand holding the towel in place, the other finding his strong thigh. “I would never think less of you because of your scars.” Kneading muscle through his jeans, she wished her touch could reassure him of the sincerity in her heart. Trey looked down as if grappling with something inside, then looked up with a renewed lightness in his eyes.
    “I know that now.” Lazily, he trailed a finger along the top of her towel, tracing the skin over her chest until goosebumps lit her flesh. He brushed her hand to the side, encouraging her to let go of the towel. She did, closing her eyes as the towel fluttered around her feet. An appreciative rumble rose from Trey’s throat as he cupped her breasts worshipfully. He ran his thumbs over her pert nipples before gathering her closer and leaning down to take one into his mouth.
    Gia wound her fingers into his hair, gripping and pulling. His mouth was everywhere, a flurry of soft sucks and press of his lips, nibbling over tender flesh with enough pinch to make her jump, but with soothing kisses that made her tremble. Desperate to feel his skin, Gia grabbed his shirt and worked it up and off, tossing it onto the floor.
    She caressed his chest to his neck and over his strong shoulders, sliding behind them to touch the demarcated line of rippled flesh. He tensed but didn’t pull away. With bold strokes, she smoothed her hands as far as she could reach, pressing her palms against his scars, massaging and loving his skin until he relaxed.
    “Move back on the bed,” she ordered right before taking his mouth in a deep kiss. Trey growled around a smile as she raked her nails over the hard lines of his chest. “That’s right, big bear. Do as I say.”
    He scooted back, giving her room to crawl onto the bed and straddle his hips. Trey pulled her down, devouring her mouth as his touch feathered over her hips, her thighs… between them. His fingers gently parted her, found the sensitive bud begging to be touched. He obliged, generously, until Gia’s hips found a rhythm that pressed her pelvis into his touch, heightening the pleasure,