One second Gage had been berating himself for being a despicable person. For subjecting Edith to … to … his unwanted advances. Not that he was actually making moves on her. His erection was happening against his will, dammit. He didn’t seem to have much control around her. Especially when he was this close to this particular female. Her lace-clad breasts pushed tightly against him. He could scent her, could feel her. He wanted her more than he’d wanted anyone before.

“I’m so damned sorry!” He was such a prick, such a—

Edith kissed him. Kissed. Him. Pressed those soft, pillowy lips against the sensitive skin on his neck. It was the very last thing he expected. His dick hardened all the way up. Stiff against her belly. Gage had to use every last resolve not to tear off her panties and sink himself into her. Although he doubted that it would be possible in this narrow crevice. Too narrow to fuck her properly, at any rate, which was a good thing. It forced them to take the time to think this through first.

When he did nothing, she kissed him again, smiling this time as she came up. It was such a sweet, shy smile.

“Do you want sex?” he blurted, sounding like a damned cub.

Edith swallowed. “Yes. I definitely want sex. Don’t you?” Her cheeks had turned a lighter shade of pink.

Gage chuckled softly. “I think you can tell how much I would love to be inside you.”

“I’m sensing that there’s a but in there somewhere.”

“I’m not on that list.” He shook his head. “I’m not eligible to have a relationship and I’m not sure I’m ready …”

She reached up and put a finger over his lips. “I know and I’m okay with it.” Something flared in her eyes that told him she wasn’t as okay with it as she thought. They shouldn’t do this.

“The whole reason I can’t picture you in a seedy pick-up bar is because I see you as someone who wants more. You belong in a relationship with a male who cares for you, who cherishes you.”

“Like I said, I’m a red-blooded woman, I have needs. Right now, I need this. We’re both consenting adults and we want one another. It doesn’t have to become complicated.” They were still whispering.

“You’re sure?” He frowned.

Edith nodded. “Very sure.” She sounded sure. In this moment, she even looked sure. Maybe he was making too big a deal over sex. They were attracted to one another. Big fucking time. Maybe it would be better if they just fucked and got it over with.

Gage leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Just as soft as they looked. Just as tasty too. He slanted his mouth over hers and deepened the kiss. Fucking hell! He could get lost in her. Drown in her. He cupped her chin, demanding that she give him more and Edith rose to the occasion. She mewled into his mouth. Her nipples pebbled against him. He could scent her need.

They couldn’t leave this tiny space yet but that didn’t mean he couldn’t make her come. Gage shuffled past her, leaving one of his thighs between her legs. “Shhhh,” he whispered against her lips.

He slid a hand between them, cupping her pussy. Fucking hell! Her lace slip was soaking wet. He couldn’t help himself when his chest vibrated and a low rumble escaped. His dick gave a lurch, desperate to be inside her. Using two fingers, Gage shoved the fabric aside and slipped his fingers between her folds, zoning in on her clit.

Edith cried out, but he swallowed the sound as his fingers softly circled her bundle of nerves. She arched her back as much as the tight confines would allow, breathing heavily through her nose.

Using the same two fingers, he pushed into her. “So damned wet,” he mumbled against her lips. He crooked his fingers a little, zoning in on her g-spot.

By the way her eyes widened and the sound of her sharp intake of breath, he reckoned he’d found it. Using firm, easy strokes, he finger-fucked her, listening as her heart-rate sped up. How her breathing became ragged. So damned sexy.

Just as her pussy began to tighten, he slowed right down, easing off her sweet spot. He moved back to her clit and using one finger, he made lazy circles around the swollen nub. Round and round and round. Her back arched, her eyes closed, her head had rolled back against the stone wall. Edith bit down on her lower lip, holding it between her teeth. She moaned loudly as he slipped back across her clit.

Gage took back her mouth. They needed to be quiet for a little longer, just to be sure. He was still listening for any activity outside. He figured his hearing was better than the griffins’, that they were long gone, but he couldn’t be too careful. Couldn’t lose focus yet.

She kissed him this time, sucking on his tongue and nipping at his lips. His balls pulled tight as he pushed three fingers into her tight as fuck pussy.

“Oh god,” she moaned.

Gage stopped moving inside her and pulled away. Her eyes were wide and glassy. Her mouth was glistening and swollen from his kisses. Her cheeks were flushed. Her hair a wild tangle of curls. God, how he wanted her. Even more, he wanted to hear her come loudly. It would have to wait for some other time though. “You need to be quiet, Curls, or I’ll have to stop.”

“No, please no.” She gripped his forearm. “I’ll be quiet. I swear.”

“You’re about to come really hard,” he warned.

“Promise.” She groaned softly as he began to slowly pump in and out of her again. “Just … so … good,” she murmured as he picked up the pace.

Using the pad of his thumb, he rubbed her tight nub. One, two, three times and her face became taut. Her eyes rolled back. Her pussy tightened around his fingers. She clamped her mouth tightly shut. Her hips rocked in tight circular motions as much as the cramped confines would allow. He kept her there for a time before slowing and softening his movements. Edith slumped against him. She was breathing hard. Strands of her hair clung to her forehead.

Gage gave her a few moments to catch her breath. It gave him an opportunity to make sure that they really were alone. That those motherfucker griffins had moved off. The sounds of the forest were back. Otherwise, all was quiet.

Her breathing slowed and she finally lifted her head. Her eyes were still a little hazy. She was smiling. It was about a mile wide and had ‘satisfied’ written all over it. “I’m good, how about you?” she whispered.

“I’m glad.” He brushed a couple of wayward curls from her face. “I’m far from good though. I really need to fuck you now, Edith.”

He watched as her pupils narrowed. Lust would do that to a female. Good!

“I want inside your tight pussy. I’m going to bury myself so deep inside you that you’ll come hard and fast.”

She licked her lips. “I’d forgotten how dirty shifters talk.”

He felt his jaw tighten. Fuck, everything tightened. He’d forgotten about Jacob and Edith. It didn’t matter though. This was just a little fun. He was going to make it his mission to make her body forget Jacob. To make her forget the encounter had ever happened. To make her come harder, faster and more often.

Gage pulled her against him and began to shuffle back out. Then he picked her up and raced for the forest. Once they were a good distance under the thick of the canopy, he put her down on her feet, taking a step away from her so that he could look at her. Actually look at her. Not sneak a sideways glance but really fucking look. Take her all in.

She was curvy in all the right places. Plenty curvy. Tits, ass, hips, belly. She had it all. The white lace was no longer all that white, it was dirtied up. Even that was fucking sexy.

“What?” She suddenly looked self-conscious and even wrapped an arm across her belly and another one across her breasts.

Gage shook his head. “Don’t cover yourself. I’m admiring you. I’m looking at everything I’m about to have.” He lifted his eyes up to meet hers. “I’m thanking my lucky stars because you are exquisite.”

“Oh please.” She made a snorting sound. “I’m hardly exquisite. I have good qualities, sure, plenty of those, but I could lose a few pounds and I have some cellulite on my thighs and …”

“Stop. You are all female and you are perfect. I’m not sure what to do with you.” He let his gaze track her lush curves.

“I could give you a lesson on the birds and the bees and how things work, but …”

He choked out a laugh, sure to keep his voice down. Just to be sure. “I know how to fuck just fine.”

“I’m sure you do.” He could scent her arousal. So decadent.

“I want you so badly and in so many ways. On your knees, up against that tree, bent over that boulder. I want you riding me, but I also want you on your back with your legs draped over my shoulders. More than we have time for right now.” Just putting it out there because it was good to establish these things up front.

Her irises were like pinpricks. Her breathing labored. "We might have to fuck a few times then over the next couple of days."

Gage nodded. “Good plan. I like the way you think.” Although this was a short-term deal, it was more than just a one-time deal. He was infinitely glad. “The bear in me needs you naked and on your knees. Once I’ve satisfied some base needs, we can play.”

“Sounds good to me.” She reached behind her back and unsnapped her bra. He felt his eyes bug right out of his head. His jaw dropped open. Her breasts were heavy and yet firm. So damned soft looking. Her aureoles were wide and her nipples tight.

He watched in utter rapture as she removed her panties, stepping out of them, one leg at a time. She had a narrow strip of fur covering her slit. Gage muttered a curse and closed the distance between them. He picked her up against him and kissed her. First on her lips, then her throat. At long fucking last, he took one of those plump nipples into his mouth and sucked softly. Her nipple hardened up even more in his mouth.

Edith moaned. He put her down, but only so that he could palm her other breast. So soft, so full, so lush. “What about protection?” Edith muttered.

It took long seconds for him to register what she had said. He stopped suckling on her chest. “Shit! I knew I was forgetting something.” He shook his head. “There have been a couple of accidental pregnancies over the last year or two.” He was appalled at the thought of not being able to have her. Of not being able to make her come on the end of his dick. “Considering how much unprotected sex the shifters have had previously, it hasn’t happened very often. We are good at predicting if a female is fertile or not. The pregnancies put a stop to unprotected sex. We can’t give one another an STD, so that’s not a problem.”

“I’m on the pill but, yeah …” She raised her eyebrows. “I haven’t been able to take that over the last couple of days.”

“I don’t have any condoms.”

“Nope, I don’t suppose you do.” She gave him one of her beautiful smiles. “That’s okay, we can make the most of it.” She went down onto her knees in front of him, her gaze on his cock. She cupped his balls with one hand making him groan. He could feel her breath on his tip.

Although the thought of her lips wrapped around his length appealed to him in so many ways, this wasn’t how he wanted this to go down. “Wait.” He gripped her cheek. “You have no idea how much I would love to watch you suck me off, but I really want to fuck you. What if I pulled out before … before I come?”

“It’s not a sure-fire method.” She rose to her feet.

“I don’t scent your heat … that you are ovulating.” He’d heard the human females talking on many occasions. He remembered the terminology. “I will pull out as a precautionary measure. If I scent your heat. Even if I suspect that you are headed that way, I promise I will tell you. We will then have to refrain from having sex. I will get you off with my mouth, although I suspect I might have to taste you regardless. You keep talking about bears eating you. My mind went to the gutter every damn time. This bear would love to eat you.” He grit his teeth for a moment. “I would love to make you come while buried inside you, would you be okay with me pulling out?”

Her eyes brightened with excitement. “Okay.” She nodded. “As long as you’re sure you can pull out.”

“I will, I swear. I’m not ready to become a father and I’m sure you feel the same?”

“What, to become a father?” She laughed. “Nope, I’m not ready to become a dad. A mom on the other hand …” She turned serious. “When the right guy comes along. One who’s serious about me. Then,” she shrugged, “I would be ready. I definitely want children. One day that is,” she quickly added the last.

Gage felt both afraid and jealous. Afraid that things might become complicated between them. He was definitely not ready for a relationship. What if he fucked things up again? No, he was sure he would fuck things up. He wasn’t ready for anything serious. Yet he was jealous of a male he had never met. The male who would win Edith’s heart. He envied him. Wished to god he could be him. He wasn’t going to hurt her though. No fucking way.

“What is it?” Edith frowned. “You’re all serious all of a sudden.”

“Fucking you is serious business. It’s a job I don’t take lightly.” He picked her up and walked over to where soft velvety moss grew under a particularly large tree. He put her down. “Would you mind if I took you from behind?”

“Bear-style?” she teased.

“Something like that, yes.” He smiled at her, feeling everything in him tighten with need.

“Sign me up for some of that.” She bobbed her brows and went onto all fours in front of him.

Gage had to keep from snarling at the sight of all of her curves. And between those lush thighs, she was pink, glistening and ready. “You are so incredibly beautiful.” His voice was thick with need. Gage kneeled behind her.

His touch was urgent as he gripped her hips. It couldn’t be helped though. “So damned soft,” he whispered. With extreme reluctance, he looked up at the canopy above them, focusing his senses for a few moments.

“What is it?” Edith looked back over her shoulder. Her eyes were wide.

“Just double-checking before I’m inside you. I have a feeling I won’t be able to concentrate on anything else. I’m sure they’re long gone, just wanting to make sure.”

“Maybe we should wait or put some distance between ourselves and this place.” Concern was etched into her features.

“Yeah we should.” He was elated to see a look of disappointment cross her face. “But that’s not going to happen.” He crouched over her, slipping his hand between her legs. “I’m afraid this first time will need to be quick.” He found her clit and began to rub softly. Her mouth opened a little and her eyes glazed over. “I would normally make you come multiple times. Make you come long and hard. I so wish we had the time.”

She moaned. “That’s okay.” She was already panting.

His cock felt thick and ready between his legs. His balls felt tight yet heavy. Gage needed to bring her to the edge because he wasn’t going to last. No fucking way. Not with Edith.

He positioned himself between her wet folds and pushed in, just his tip. Gage grit his teeth. So good. So damned good. He pushed in a little more, moving his hips in circular motions. Working at keeping his baser needs in check. Needs like wanting to ram into her. Take her hard and right now. Sweat beaded on his brow. Deeper and deeper, Gage eased in slowly. Edith made mewling noises. He eased off of her clit for a moment, wanting this to last a little longer than two seconds. He’d also promised her he wouldn’t come inside her. Right now, he was sorry he’d done that. He wanted his seed inside her. He wanted her swollen with his child. He just wanted her, period, but that was his dick talking. His dick had fallen deeply and madly in love. She felt that good.

What was not to love though? Edith arched her back as he bottomed out inside her. She cried out as his hips hit her ass. Then the animal in him took over. His bear was done waiting. He gripped her hips, loving how her flesh dented by his fingers. This was a real female. One with some meat on her bones. He thrust into her and she yelled. The sound laced with pleasure. He thrust again and again. Watching how her ass jiggled with each hard plunge. She cried out each time his hips hit her ass.

Her mouth was open. Her eyes were wide. Her pussy hugged him, and it hugged him hard. Being inside her was everything he thought it would be. Tight and hot. “Oh hell!” he growled as his groin began to tighten. As everything began to prepare for release. This was going to be tough. He reached around her, finding her swollen nub. Gage didn’t waste any time on getting to work. He rubbed on her sweet spot for all he was worth. Not too hard. Easy. Not too fast.

Her channel tightened around him like a vice and she groaned. The sound deep and primal, like it had resonated from between clenched teeth. Her pussy spasmed around him. Sweet Jesus! Gage fought for control. It took everything in him not to give in to all of these sensations and just to come inside her.

At long fucking last she began to come down and he slowed, when all he wanted to do was to pound into her. To make her come again while he took what he needed. No! Fuck!

It physically hurt him to pull out of her sweet, tight heat.

Edith moaned in protest. She did something unexpected and turned around. Her legs splayed, resting her weight on her elbows. Her gaze was glassy. Her cheeks flushed. She watched in what looked like, fascination as he fisted his cock and began to tug, using hard strokes. All he wanted was to bury himself back into her slick folds. Even her fur was wet. She licked her lips, still panting hard. Her chest heaved. So sexy, so damned perfect. Gage locked eyes with hers. Those beautiful green orbs pulling him in.

The first spurt erupted, landing on her belly, the second was with more force, it splattered all over her glorious chest. What the fuck was he doing? Gage closed his other hand over the tip of his cock and finished the job. “I’m sorry,” he groaned. “Shit, I’m one sick fuck, Curls,” he growled. “But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like the look of you covered in my seed.”

“Should I be flattered?” She smiled.

That his bear had enjoyed marking her? That it wanted him to bite her next time as well? That was a resounding yes, he’d never had this happen before, but he couldn’t tell her all of that, so he leaned in and kissed her instead. Soft and sweet. Just like her. “Thank you, Curls. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

She nodded once. “I should thank you right back.”

“For messing all over you?’ He shook his head.

“Does it make me sick too if I said I didn’t mind you coming all over me?”

"Yes, but I happen to think it's a fantastic trait in a female." He kissed her again. A quick press of his lips to hers. Needed to stop doing that. It was a little too lovey-dovey.

Gage worried about heading back into the open during daylight. They should never have had sex. Too damned noisy. What was done was done. He didn’t regret it. Not for a moment. “We can’t go to the river.”

She looked down at herself and then back at him, raising her brows.

“Wait right there.” Gage fetched a couple of big, velvety leaves from a nearby plant. “These will have to do.” He handed them to her.

“What now?” Edith wiped herself across the chest as she spoke.

He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m worried our shelter may have been compromised.” He didn’t want to put Edith at risk. “I’m inclined to say that we cut our losses, hole up here for the rest of the day and then head out.”

She shrugged. “If that’s what you think is best.”

“You need your clothes though.”

“If it’s not safe, then I’ll survive.”

“It’s cold at night. The bugs will eat you alive while we travel.” He shook his head. “I’ll go and fetch your things.” There was no other way.

Edith put a hand to her chest. “And if you’re captured. What then?”

“Keep going.”

“Going where?” She shook her head. “That’s not going to work. We go together. We stay together.” She narrowed her eyes for a moment and then locked eyes with him. “I know. I’ll go.”

“No way! No!” His voice held a growl.

She put up a hand. “Hear me out. At least, if I’m caught, you can still get back to the village and get help. I, on the other hand, might end up dying out here on my own.”

"If you follow the river you'll eventually make it back to the village. You need to move upstream."

“On my own out here?” She shook her head. “I can’t fend for myself or find food. No. I’ll go back to camp. I’ll fetch my own things. You have to promise you’ll head for the village if I’m captured. It has to be this way.”

He cupped her cheeks in his hands. He hadn’t even realized he had moved. “You’re so brave. You know that?”

“I’m just being logical and—”

He kissed her. Gage didn’t give a shit about what it meant or what would happen when they finally got back to the village. He kissed the hell out of her. All he cared about was right now. Edith was his friend first and foremost. He was proud of her. He admired her. Most of all, he was afraid for her. “You come back to me, Curls,” he murmured as they broke.

“I’ll do my level best.”

Gage helped her to her feet. It took a minute for her to dress back into her underwear. “I’ll take you as close as I can.”

Edith nodded, a look of determination on her face. She hopped onto his back and he headed out, taking it slow and easy this time. It took about fifteen minutes and he bent down so that she could slip off. Gage pointed in the direction of their make-shift camp. “It shouldn’t take you longer than a couple of minutes,” he whispered.

Edith nodded. “Promise me you’ll leave if—”

“If nothing. You’re coming back. Move quickly and quietly. In and out.”

“If I’m not back in five minutes. If you hear anything.”

Gage nodded. “Okay. I’ll come for you though. Know that I won’t stop or give up or …”

Edith smiled. She reached up on her tippy toes, just managing to brush her lips to his. Gage put his arms around her for a second or two before turning her in the direction of the camp.

Five minutes.

Five times sixty-seconds.

May as well have been an hour or two. He forced himself to stay still. To stay quiet. To use all of his senses. Just because he couldn’t hear, see or smell anything didn’t mean it was safe. Not by a long shot. If anything happened to her … anything …

He could still hear Edith moving away. Her footfalls becoming softer and softer. Then, silence. She was gone. Too far away for him to hear her anymore. He felt a moment of panic. Maybe they should have just stuck together. No! She was right. Someone needed to rescue them. All of them. He would bring every shifter, every non-human and take those fuckers down. If they hurt Edith or any of the others, he’d finish them. He stood there for a time, teeth clenched, senses on high alert. Mind wandering to places it had no business going.

His heart beat faster. Was it? Could it be? Yes! Footfalls. They were becoming louder. Closer and closer and there she was. Her clothing, as well as the pelt, cradled in her arms. They both moved at the same time. Closed the distance in a couple of frantic strides. He took her into his arms and hugged her close. “Good to see you, Curls.” He kissed the top of her head.

“You too.” He could hear that she was smiling.

“Let’s find a safe place to sleep.” He held onto her for a moment longer before letting go.