Beauty and the Bear (Redwater Shifters Book 2) Read online

  Beauty and the Bear

  By B. N. Kasner

  Table of Contents

  Copyrights and Disclaimer

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thriteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  Redwater Shifter Series

  Coming Soon

  Sneak Peek

  Acknowledgments and Contact

  Copyrights and Disclaimer

  Copyright © 2017 by B. N. Kasner

  Cover Copyright © 2017 by B. N. Kasner

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2017 B. N. Kasner

  All rights reserved.

  Chapter One

  Fucking hell. Gene ran a hand over the two-day stubble on his face. Spending every night prowling outside of his mate's house wasn't doing his appearance any favors. The damn she-wolf was only gifting him with fleeting glances and small smiles here and there. It's not fucking enough. Didn't she feel the pull? He could have sworn that she had when they first met. As soon as he had laid eyes on her, he knew Lani Maybell was his mate. He just didn't know she would turn into a thorn in his paw.

  Gene sighed heavily, watching his best friend carrying his mate off. Mason and Ella were perfect for each other, and Gene was man enough to acknowledge he was jealous. He wanted to carry Lani off like that. Get all those soft, sweet smiles and damn googly eyes. Gene truly was a gentle giant. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught his little sister Grace making her way over to him.

  "I can feel the jealousy drippin' off you brother." She said trying to elbow him in the side. Of course, he didn't feel anything but played along, rubbing his side where her pointy elbow had been. Grace was only twenty and still a cub in his eyes. Both Gene and Grace looked like their dad Jackson, but Grace had the personality of their mom. After all the training Gene had put her through she could outfight half the males. The other half was too busy drooling over her.

  "Where ya going with this Grace?" He asked exasperated. He had enough on his plate without trying to fend off his little sister's questions. Just because Gene scared off most of her boyfriends didn't mean she was allowed to get involved with his love life. Big brothers were allowed to do that sort of thing.

  "Just go get her already." Grace sighed. "You look like shit, and I know you've been stalkin' the poor woman." She held up her hand when he went to deny it. "Don't deny it. I'm your little sister. I know these things." Grace paused, debating something in her head. She wasn't the only one who knew people's tells. She always tipped her head from side to side when she was thinking something over. "Not to mention I seen you coming home at five this morning."

  "What the hell were you doing out at five?" He growled. Gene was the definition of an overprotective brother, but he wasn't about to change or apologize. He would make sure Grace didn't get hurt by any means necessary. Even if that meant protecting her from herself and stupid boys who wanted to use her.

  "Not what you think I was doing. Goddess, give me a damn break." She huffed, running her hands through her straight hair. "I like to run in the morning with the fog. Makes me feel like a part of nature. Anyway, I was almost back to the house when I see this huge ass grizzly with golden eyes lumbering towards your house. Wanna tell me you're not stalkin' her now?" She asked cockily with a smug smile. Gene just growled at her, ignoring her arrogant attitude. Smug brat.

  Grace was right, but he couldn't and wouldn't admit it to her. Little brat would never let him live it down. Gene knew if he had the chance he could win Lani's heart. All he wanted to do was make her happy. He couldn't do that if he didn't try at least one more time. If things didn't work out, he'd give her space and bide his time. At least until my patience runs out.

  “Uh, big bro. I think someone's comin' on to your girl.” Grace's deep green eyes widened as her mouth formed an O.

  Gene's eyes snapped to Lani. He had barely been able to take his eyes off of her all night. Between the curly blonde hair with blue tips that was usually thrown up into a messy bun, skin tight red dress, and fuck me heels, she stood out like a damn temptress. She had her head thrown back while laughing. His bear was pacing, and Gene didn't even try to stop the snarl in his throat. Now I know why Nathan and Mason are so possessive. He didn't want her laughing with anyone other than him. Gene felt himself losing control. Between not sleeping and feeling jealous, his bear was ready to explode and make his claim on Lani known.

  He saw Grace's lips moving but was too far gone. Stomping across the open clearing, he was glad Mason and Ella were already gone. He didn't want his problems affecting them on their happy day. Up close Gene knew who the guy dumb enough to flirt with his mate was, Isaiah. Dumbfuck has a death wish. Isaiah had moved to Redwater after the incident with Ella and Isaiah's father four months ago. If you could call the guy that. Gene's dad wasn't a stand-up guy or role model, but damn. The Wilson's father had turned out to be fucking crazy. That was a whole other story, though. The point was that from the moment Isaiah moved there, he'd flirted with every female except Ella.

  Gene liked the cocky wolf. He had refreshing ideas on how to beef up patrols, different tactics more suited for their animals, and was constantly on the look out for trouble. Isaiah just had to go and make a move on Gene's woman. It didn't matter that he hadn't claimed her outright for everyone to hear, anyone with eyes knew they were mates.

  “Isaiah. Step back. Now.” He snarled. Gene was glad when the damn dog didn't fight with him. Just took a wide step back, leaving plenty of room between himself and Lani. Much better. His whole body was still shaking, but he felt better than before. He smelled his mate's fruity, strawberry scent, which was helping a whole hell of a lot more than Isaiah stepping away. Out of the corner of his eye, Gene saw Lani taking a step closer to him.

  “Uhh, everything alright now?” Isaiah asked, reminding Gene he was still there.

  "Yes." Lani beat him to the punch. His answer would have been along the lines of, "Fuck no. Stay away from my mate.", but Lani's response was far more civilized.

  "We weren't even doing anything wrong, dude." Isaiah muttered, looking confused. Weren't doing anything wrong, dude? He hardly held the question in, but let the growl loose. Gene felt himself puffing up, getting ready for a fight.

  "You made her laugh." He whispered a little too calmly for how worked up he was. When Isaiah still hadn't caught on within a minute or two, that patience Gene had flew right out the window. "She. Is. Mine." He roared, then growled. "Every laugh, every smile, every damn thi
ng about her belongs to me." After the little rant, Gene realized how quiet everything around him seemed to be. His eyes dashed over the now quiet clearing. No one looked shocked, just slightly surprised. What the fuck? He would have been shocked at an outburst like that, but apparently, everybody had been waiting for him to explode. Grace even had the nerve to give him a thumbs up with a big smile.

  Isaiah had taken about ten more steps back and was showing his throat to Gene. He realized he was still growling and tried to stop the sound. Gene was still too worked up, his eyes swung to the stunning wolf beside him. He was ready to take her verbal lashing, and his feisty she-wolf certainly would give him an earful. Instead of finding her ready to lay into him, he found something else altogether. Her pupils were dilated against the vibrant violet of her wolf's eyes, a lovely pink flush had crept over her cheeks, and her fruity scent had turned sweet with her arousal. He'd finally gotten a reaction out of his mate, and Gene planned to take full advantage of it.

  ****

  Hot damn, he's fucking sexy. Lani couldn't help her body's reaction to Gene going caveman on Isaiah. The whole possessive alpha male thing he had going on, was making her very wet. Which was unusual for Lani. Other males had tried that with her, and it had never done a thing for her. It had turned her off. She didn't need some jerk-off trying to man handle her.

  Not that she knew, she wasn't a virgin but hell there had been that one time back when she was seventeen. Lani shook her head. She wasn't going to think about that disaster. She had a hulking bear looking at her like he wanted to devour her. And boy, did she want to be devoured by him. Lani had been suppressing her wants and needs. Since she'd laid eyes on the red-headed giant beside her, all she wanted to do was curl up in his massive arms and snuggle.

  Of course, no one knew that but her. Everything good in her life came at a price. However, that didn't stop her from wanting her mate. More than anything. Those golden eyes promised her everything if only she'd give in. It was like he was staring into her soul. Goddess, the pain in her chest was only getting worse. She curled her hand into a fist to keep herself from rubbing the throbbing spot. Gene must have sensed her discomfort because he shifted closer towards her, blocking everyone but him from her sight.

  "Woman, if you gave in the pain would stop." He lifted his hand to his chest, and Lani scented the sadness coming from him. Shit, I'm an awful mate. She opened her mouth to apologize, explain herself, something but Gene stopped her when he wrapped his large hand around her neck. His rough hand massaged the nape of her neck as he pulled her closer. “Let me take away the pain.”

  "Okay." She whispered without thought. Lani wanted a night with Gene. They could figure everything else out another time. For the evening she'd give all of herself to him, he deserved it and more. He should get her all the time, but Lani wasn't ready for that. One night she could give, but not forever. At least not yet.

  Gene's eyes turned to that molten gold color again. Goddess, the man was handsome. He melted her with just a glance. If she spent more time with him, she knew she would've given in months ago. He curled his fingers into her hair, pulling her head back just a tiny bit. Only enough for her to feel, and notice.

  “I'm gonna start by winning over your body.” He growled, his body flush with hers. Gene leaned down until his lips brushed her ear. “Then, woman, I'm gonna win your heart.” She ran her hands up his chest, enjoying the shiver he had at her touch.

  Fisting his black dress shirt in her hands, she stood on her tiptoes to reach his ear. Thankfully, Gene leaned down even more for her. She was five-seven, and five-ten with heels but with Gene being at least seven foot tall she was short to him.

  "I told you not to call me woman, big guy." She purred seductively in his ear. Then moved her lips to caress his strong, stubbled jaw. He tasted like man. Pure. Heavenly. Man. Lani couldn't put her finger on the taste exactly, but it was spicy and woodsy. Whatever the hell it was, she liked it. A lot. Gene was growling, and his other hand cupped her hip in a possessive hold.

  "I call you woman because you're mine. My woman. My mate. My girl. Take your pick, woman." Bless the moon. He has a way with words. That man could probably talk the panties off her granny. He was changing her mind about the whole, "woman," thing. He stepped back suddenly, leaving her cold where his body had been. "Grace." He called across the clearing. The red headed beauty just rolled her eyes before leaving some poor sap drooling.

  Grace was beautiful, and it wasn't just because she shared traits with Lani's mate. How the girl was still unmated boggled her mind, but who was she to judge? There she was with a sweet, handsome mate and she denied him. Maybe Grace was doing the same thing?

  “What is it, master?” She asked, examining her nails.

  “I'm leaving with Lani. Go home, and don't talk to that asshole anymore.” He huffed, before pulling Grace into a hug.

  "Yea, yea. Get outta here. I'm leavin' now anyway." Her eyes drifted around the clearing before giving them a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Before either one of them could question her, she took off towards an older white truck.

  "Huh. Wonder what's going on with her?" Lani asked out loud as Gene began to lead her towards his truck. Grace was even more sarcastic then Lani, but lately, the girl had been down.

  "No idea, but I'll find out." He growled tightening his grip on her hand. She hadn't even realized he was holding it. It felt natural, and she didn't want to ever let his hand go. He didn't even let go to open the truck door for her. The dang thing was lifted, and with her heels, he had to help her into the cab. After closing her door, he jogged around the front before quickly sliding in and getting them on the road.

  There was no reason for her to ask where they were going. Gene had made his intentions clear. He was taking her home. To his bed. The drive only took them minutes. A beautiful two story home came into view. It was nestled in the woods, with a tire swing hanging from a giant tree near the house. It was the type of home she dreamed of having. Cream siding, with accents of brown and tan bricks. A wrap around porch with two rocking chairs. It was a home for a family, and Gene lived there all alone. She knew his sister lived with their dad, closer to the clearing where she and her family lived.

  “It's... amazing.” She paused taking in all its glory again. “I love it!” She exclaimed, her voice echoing in the silent cab. “Sorry, I'm excited.” She gave Gene a sheepish smile, but his expression didn't change. He rubbed his hand over his thigh.

  “When I built it-”

  "You built this?" She was shocked. She knew that he, Carter and Mason owned a construction company but damn. Lani didn't think that they made the stuff themselves.

  "Yes." He chuckled before getting serious again. "Anyway, I built it with a family in mind. Hopefully one day I'll be able to fill it up." He gave her a hopeful smile that split her right in two. This big guy was as gentle and sweet as could be. She didn't even try to stop herself when she lunged across the cup-holders to kiss him.

  He stiffened under her lips but relaxed almost immediately. Probably didn't think he was about to get mauled. Her wolf was yipping with excitement. The horny little animal had been riding her for weeks, and her hand hadn't been doing her justice. She felt like she could get off by just kissing Gene. He was a sensual kisser, with soft lips and rough hands. Hands that she felt sliding her dress further up her thighs. She could hardly wait for his hands to explore the rest of her.

  Chapter Two

  Without missing a beat, one hand left her thigh to tunnel into Lani's hair. Her hands were exploring his strong, muscled arms. Is this man made of steel? Lani nipped his bottom lip, making him snarl. The sound filled the cab, making her even wetter than before. While she was distracted his tongue pushed into her mouth. Gene's groan covered up her hungry moan. If she thought he smelled good, he tasted even better. He was fucking her mouth with his tongue. Long, unhurried strokes against her own until she was panting. When he pulled away, she tried to follow him.

  “If we don't get out
, I'm going to drag you over here and have you bouncing on my cock any second now.” She loved his dirty talk. The idea of bouncing on his cock, in his truck, where anyone could see them? Bring it on. His pupils were dilated, and his eyes almost glowed in the dark cab. "Or maybe you'd like it better on a bed. Where I can lay you down, and take you any way I want you."

  “Oh, Goddess.” She panted. “Anywhere. As long as it's with you. Only you.” She growled. Either idea sounded great.

  "Good. There may have been others?" Lani gave him a small nod. His jaw clenched, but he kept his cool better than she thought he would. "But that was before. From now on it's only you and me." He popped his door open, letting the cool fall night air fill the truck. "I'm taking you inside where it's warm. Let me get the door. Don't even think of opening it."

  He helped her down and led her up the porch. She shivered as leaves danced over her open toed heels. She wasn't in Kansas anymore. Gene ushered her inside, closing the door as she stared in awe. The inside was as beautiful as the outside. The door opened up into a hallway with a staircase along the right wall. The floor of the hall and stairs were wood, but brown carpet peaked out from the open archway into another room. Gene set his keys on a small table beside the door.

  “This is beautiful. Did you decorate it too?” She asked as he leaned against the wall to take his shoes off.

  "No. Grace does the interiors. She has a real eye for design and colors." He continued to lean against the wall, just watching her. "I'm glad you like it. Now come here." Lani didn't hesitate to go to him. Seeing him so relaxed was different. Nice but different. Every time she'd seen him, he was doing some enforcer thing. Never relaxed, with a seductive smile on his face. When she was within his grasp, she quickly found herself backed up against the wall. Gene dove for her mouth, capturing her lips in a searing kiss.

  Those rough hands of his gripped her behind the knees, lifting her effortlessly. Tightening her legs around him Lani felt the outline of his cock. Holy. Fucking. Shit. Just like the rest of him, his cock felt big. Bigger than big. Her dress was on her hips, exposing her black lace panties. She greedily rubbed her throbbing clit against him, enjoying the rough friction from his jeans.