The Bear Naked Truth Page 4

  "As much as I want you to challenge me, I don't want to start off lying to you. I'd like to be able to stick around." Alpha Kersey sat up straighter, going a little stiff. "Unless you don't want me to. I know banishment is usual in challenges that don't end in death, but I was hoping…"

  "How does your clan feel about this?" Harvey asked. "If Rob challenges you, how much resistance is he going to face?"

  Dwayne wished he'd thought of that, but it hadn't even entered his mind. Maybe that was why Harvey was the beta of their little clan, and Dwayne was just a tracker.

  "I think most of the clan will understand the circumstances and welcome you. You're a might better choice than King."

  Harvey lifted an eyebrow. "Most?"

  "There are a couple of bears who think it's time for me to step down and let the younger crowd lead." The alpha snorted. "My uncle Ralph and his two sons are at the top of that list. They've been a thorn in my side for years. Most of the time they're harmless, but if they get a chance, they will try something."

  "Anyone else?"

  Alpha Kersey shook his head. "No, most of the clan is family in one form or another. They all understand how dangerous King is. The few who might give you problems want the power themselves. My uncle always felt as if he should have inherited the alpha position instead of my father. He resented my father and passed that resentment down to his children."

  "Why do you allow him to stay then?" Dwayne asked.

  "Because I have no grounds to banish him. While he edges the line, he never crosses it."

  Dwayne was confused. "But, you just said if he gets the chance, he'll start something."

  "He never crosses the line, but he comes damn close. Most of the stuff he does is irritating, but not lethal."

  "Like?" Rob questioned. "What kind of crap am I likely to face?"

  "Marking territory where they shouldn't. Starting rumors. Intimidating some of the bears we've given sanctuary to. Hogging all the honey. Stupid shit. Like I said, irritating, but not lethal."

  Dwayne smiled when Harvey grunted. He reached under the table and pressed his hand down on Harvey's thigh. There was only so much disrespect Harvey would be able to get away with and, even though Dwayne was mad at him, he didn't want anything to happen to the man.

  Dwayne jerked when Harvey's hand covered his. He tried to pull his hand back. He rolled his eyes when Harvey tightened his grip. He knew if he kept trying to pull away, Harvey would make a scene, and wouldn't that be just grand?

  "When do you need an answer?" Rob asked.

  "The sooner the better," Alpha Kersey replied. "I'd prefer to get this settled before anyone else finds out about it, especially my uncle or Alpha King. I suspect either of them would try and stop a change in leadership."

  "Can you give us a few days?"

  "I can give you twenty-four hours," Alpha Kersey replied. "Any longer than that and people will start to wonder why you are here. You might not be able to smell us, but we can smell you. Having non-clan shifters in Silver Lake will make the clan uneasy."

  "Can't you just tell them we're visiting from King City or something?" Dwayne asked. There had to be some explanation for their presence in the town.

  "Yes, and that's why I can give you twenty-four hours."

  Rob sighed. "Then I guess you'll have your answer in twenty-four hours."

  "Wonderful." Alpha Kersey grinned. "In the meantime, I'd like you to be my guests. There's a hotel down the street. I've reserved three rooms for you."

  Rob's eyebrows lifted. "You must have been pretty sure we'd agree to stay."

  "Hopeful." He shrugged. "Maybe a little desperate."

  Rob chuckled. "Yeah, I can understand that."

  Dwayne couldn't. He felt almost as if them staying had already been decided before they even arrived when it hadn't. Yes, the twenty-four-hour time limit had been decided, but not the long-term one, and that's the one that felt as if had been decided.

  "My beta will show you to the hotel. After you've had a chance to settle in, I'd love to show you around town then have you out to the house for dinner tonight. I know my mate is very interested in meeting you."

  "Your mate knows about us?" Rob asked.

  The alpha chuckled as he nodded his head toward Casey. "Do you keep things from your mate?"

  Rob winced. "Not if I can help it."

  "Yes, I have found that it is just better to share everything from the very beginning. I'm getting way too old to be sleeping on the couch."

  Dwayne was a little confused as to how the woman would even know who they were, considering they had been in town all of about two hours. It just didn't seem like enough time had passed.

  "How does your mate feel about all of this?" Casey asked.

  The amusement fell off the alpha's face. "She's resigned, but she understands we need to protect Jasper and our clan, and I suspect she doesn't want me to die either."

  Yeah, Dwayne was pretty sure that was high up on the list. He didn't know what he'd do if something happened to Harvey. He might be mad at the guy right now, and not sure how they were going to come to an agreement about their mating, but the guy was still his mate.

  Dwayne squeezed Harvey's thigh. Harvey's head snapped around, and he stared at him. Dwayne just stared back as he turned his hand over and clasped Harvey's hand. A slow smile slid across Harvey's face.

  Dwayne wasn't ready to declare their mating a done deal, but being mad at Harvey seemed out of place when their world was in such an upheaval. Harvey had always been the strongest man he knew, both in strength and mentality. Dwayne was kind of hoping some of that would leak over to him because he was scared shitless.

  "We would love to come to dinner, Alpha Kersey," Rob said. He smiled, and Dwayne was pretty sure it was a genuine smile. "Thank you for inviting us."

  There was a part of Dwayne that felt as if this was just a little too easy. Ready-made clan with an alpha pretty much willing to step down and hand it all over? And all Rob had to do was kick some guy's ass if he came calling?

  Dwayne wanted to say something, but he wouldn't, not while Alpha Kersey was sitting there. He would never disrespect his alpha in that manner.

  God, it was freaky to think his best friend was now his alpha. He never really saw that coming when they were playing in the sandbox together as kids. Of course, he never expected his best bud's older brother to be his mate either.

  He was still stunned over that one.

  Alpha Kersey stood. "Let's get you checked in at the hotel."

  Three rooms, six people?

  This should be fun.

  Chapter Five

  Checking into the hotel was simple enough, especially when the alpha was the one checking them in. From what Harvey could tell, the owners of the little hotel were part of Alpha Kersey's clan. They seemed almost overjoyed that the man was there.

  The hard part came when Dwayne tried to claim one of the rooms with Jeb as his roomie.

  Wasn't going to happen.

  Harvey growled and glared at Jeb until the man raised his hands and backed up. No one was going to room with Dwayne except him. Dwayne apparently didn't get the message. When they went upstairs to head to their rooms, he entered the room Billy Ray had walked into.

  Harvey stalked into the room behind them then stared at Billy Ray until the man made a hasty retreat, taking his overnight bag with him. Harvey slammed the door behind Billy Ray then tossed his bag onto the bed. He turned to glare at Dwayne.

  The man's chest was rising and falling rapidly. It matched the anger burning in Dwayne's eyes. "I'm getting really tired of you making decisions for me without consulting me first."

  "You are not sharing a room with Billy Ray or Jeb." Harvey wasn't going to budge on that. Dwayne was his mate. He should be wherever Harvey was.

  Dwayne just stared at Harvey, his mouth hanging half-open. "Are you insane?" he asked after a moment. "Billy Ray and Jeb are two of my best friends."

  "I am your mate!"

  "Since
when?"

  Harvey reared back at Dwayne's denial of their bond. His bear moved closer to the surface, enraged. "You have always been my mate."

  "You certainly weren't thinking about that when you denied me and took off to some foreign country to play hero."

  "Dwayne—"

  "No." Dwayne shook his head furiously. "You don't get to deny me one moment then decide I'm your mate the next. Either I am or I'm not. You can't have it both ways, Harvey."

  Harvey grabbed Dwayne and pushed him into the wall. He crowded close, pressing his body against Dwayne's. He was several inches taller than Dwayne and had at least fifty pounds on him. He was easily able to hold Dwayne right where he wanted him.

  "You are my mate," he snapped. "Mine! No one else's, and that means you room with me. Every. Damn. Time. Do you understand?"

  Dwayne's eyes narrowed.

  There was a part of Harvey that was proud that his mate had a backbone of steel. There was another part that was aroused by the fact that his mate was standing up to him. But there was yet a third part of him that was angered that he was being refused.

  That was the bear part.

  "If I'm your mate, then fucking do something about it."

  Harvey's eyes rounded for just a moment. Was Dwayne saying what he thought he was? Was his mate demanding that Harvey claim him?

  A little bit of his calm was restored to Harvey when he noticed the tremble of Dwayne's lip and the glint of fear in his deep blue eyes. Harvey realized it wasn't fear of him or the situation. It was fear of being rejected for a second time.

  He wrapped his hand around the man's neck and pulled him closer. His mouth covered Dwayne's hungrily. Much to Harvey's surprise—and delight—Dwayne moaned and pushed into the kiss, his tongue coming out to brush against Harvey's. Dwayne's lips were soft and warm, sending spirals of ecstasy through Harvey.

  Harvey tore his mouth away from Dwayne's and stared at the man. He fingered the fabric of Dwayne's shirt. "Off."

  Harvey's breath caught in his throat as Dwayne pushed back a pace. He watched with hungry anticipation as Dwayne began unbuttoning his shirt. The smooth, bare chest revealed by each button set free had Harvey practically drooling.

  His cock became so hard he thought it might rip right through his pants. Without taking his eyes off the visual feast being revealed before him, Harvey unbuttoned his own shirt and dropped it from his shoulders just about the same time that Dwayne's dropped to the floor.

  "You are one sexy fucker, Dwayne."

  "I'm glad you think so," Dwayne said as he reached for the zipper of his pants. Dwayne's eyebrow arched, and a slow sensual grin lifted the corners of his lips. "You're not so bad yourself."

  Dwayne's steady gaze bore into Harvey in silent expectation as they both unzipped their pants at the same time. Harvey laughed as he kicked off his shoes and wiggled out of his pants. He pulled a packet of lube out of his pants before dropping them on the floor.

  Dwayne was getting naked just as quickly. Harvey felt that they probably looked like big goofs as they tried to watch each other while stripping their clothes off.

  Neither of them wanted to look away.

  Finally, they were both naked, Dwayne standing a step away from him. Harvey backed up until he felt the mattress behind him and then sat down. He beckoned with his hand. "Come here, baby."

  Dwayne stumbled over, his hands landing on Harvey's shoulders. Harvey fisted his fingers in Dwayne’s hair. He used it to pull the man’s face forward, slanting his mouth over Dwayne’s lips. Dwayne whimpered then leaned into the kiss, opening his mouth to allow Harvey in.

  Harvey almost lost his hold on Dwayne when the man scrambled to get closer, pressing his body against Harvey’s then rubbing against him. He rolled Dwayne beneath him on the mattress.

  Dwayne groaned when Harvey ran his tongue quickly across his lips before diving into his mouth, kissing him for all he was worth. He was instantly overwhelmed by the sweet taste of honey and fresh berries.

  Dwayne’s hands clutched at Harvey’s shoulders. He explored the depths of Dwayne's mouth, running tongue along the seam of his lips. He felt his canines drop down, the need to claim Dwayne riding him hard.

  “Dwayne,” Harvey murmured when he finally lifted his head. He opened his eyes to look down at him, chuckling at the stunned look in his deep blue eyes. He stroked his hands further down Dwayne’s body, feeling the smooth lean muscled skin beneath him.

  Harvey bent his head to lick at the soft skin between Dwayne’s neck and shoulder. As he swiped his tongue over the sensitive flesh, he felt Dwayne shudder then groan as he arched his neck, giving Harvey better access to his throat.

  Harvey scraped his teeth gently across the small patch of skin. He reached down to grab Dwayne’s straining cock, rubbing his hand briefly over the hard flesh. As his thumb skimmed across the top, smearing pre-cum in its wake, he scraped his teeth over his neck again.

  “Can I claim you, Dwayne?” he whispered. He had to know Dwayne wanted this just as much as he did. No matter how much he needed this, he refused to force Dwayne into a claiming he didn't want.

  “Yesss,” Dwayne hissed. His hands came up to grab Harvey’s head, his fingers clenching in Harvey’s hair as he pulled his head down to his neck. “Now, Harvey, do it now!”

  Harvey tightened his fingers around the hard length in his hand, quickly stroking Dwayne’s cock as he sank his teeth into the man’s neck. His eyes drifted closed as he savored the sweet taste. Dwayne tasted just as he did when Harvey had kissed him, like honey and berries. It was a delicious flavor that he knew he could easily become obsessed with.

  Harvey opened his eyes as extracted his teeth, licked the bite wound closed, and lifted his head, looking down in astonishment as Dwayne cried out. His hips lifted frantically, pushing against Harvey as he came, covering Harvey’s hand with shot after shot of pearly white seed.

  “Fuck!” he whispered vehemently, feeling his own cock throb with the need to come. That was the sexiest thing he had ever seen. He lifted his hand to his lips, his tongue darting out to lick at some of the seed on his hand.

  Oh damn!

  Even this tasted like honey and fresh berries, just a bit tangier. It even had the cream to go with it. Harvey was doomed. It was as simple as that. Everything about Dwayne said that he was going to quickly become an obsession, if not a downright need—like breathing.

  Harvey grinned as he scooted down Dwayne’s body. A moment later, Dwayne was crying out again as Harvey took his still sensitive cock into his mouth, his tongue cleaning up any remaining seed as he licked his cock up one side and back down the other.

  His tongue swirled around the helmet, licking at the clear liquid that seemed to have multiplied as his other hand reached beneath Dwayne and gently massaged the man’s balls. He leaned a little closer, taking Dwayne’s cock further into his mouth as his tongue flattened and ran the length of Dwayne’s cock.

  Harvey kept his mouth wrapped around Dwayne's dick as he grabbed the man's ankles and lifted them up further on the mattress. Dwayne's legs naturally fell apart. Harvey bobbed up and down on Dwayne's cock several times before lifting his head, grinning when Dwayne whined in protest.

  "Do you like that, baby?"

  Dwayne's dazed eyes just blinked down at him.

  Harvey grinned then reached up and gripped Dwayne's thighs with his hand, spreading them and lifting them at the same time. He started licking at the puckered pink hole that twinkled up at him, pushing his tongue in then stroking it up over Dwayne's balls to his cock then all the way to the tip before moving back down and repeating the process.

  Dwayne's body went stiff for a moment, his thigh muscles going rock hard, then he trembled almost uncontrollably. "Har-Harvey, please!" Dwayne wailed, his hands grabbing at Harvey’s hair. “Need…”

  Harvey climbed his way back up the smooth body beneath him until he was straddling Dwayne’s body. He leaned down and stuck his tongue out, circling one taut nipple before sucking it in bet
ween his lips. He almost smiled when Dwayne’s heady cry filled the room.

  He pulled the nipple into his mouth, gently biting down. It was like turning on an electrical switch. Dwayne went wild. His hips began thrusting up against Harvey. The harder he bit down, the wilder Dwayne became.

  Hot damn! Dwayne liked to be nibbled on. Considering what everyone had been telling him, including Dwayne, that might be a good thing. It seemed there would be a lot of biting in Harvey’s future.

  Harvey ran his hands down Dwayne’s back to grab his ass, gently massaging him with his hands. Damn! Dwayne’s ass was nice and tight. Harvey couldn’t wait to fuck it.

  He grabbed the packet of lube he'd pulled from his pants and ripped it open before pouring some out on his fingers. He could feel the body above him tremble as he pushed a slick finger deep into Dwayne’s ass. No sooner had he pushed a finger in when Dwayne began humping his hips back for more.

  “You like that, baby?” he asked when he heard a long moan. He reached over with his hand and pushed two fingers into Dwayne’s ass, dragging another moan from the man.

  Oh yeah, he liked that.

  Harvey grinned.

  Just wait until he found his sweet spot.

  Harvey watched eagerly as his stretched Dwayne, taking special note of what seemed to make him squirm. Two fingers seemed to be better than one. On a hunch, Harvey inserted a third finger, moving them around together.

  Dwayne started moaning. “Harvey, you have to stop. I’m gonna—”

  “I’ve got you, baby,” Harvey growled as he grabbed Dwayne’s hips and rolled the man beneath him. He wrapped his arms around Dwayne’s thighs and lifted his ass into the air, spreading his thighs apart. Dwayne whimpered, tilting his hips up in invitation.

  Harvey's hand trembled as he poured the rest of the lube over his cock and spread it around before positioning the head of his dick at Dwayne’s hole. Watching the head of his cock press against Dwayne’s quivering entrance almost sent Harvey over the edge. Each inch of his cock sinking into Dwayne’s tight opening was a visual aphrodisiac.

  It was one of the hottest damn things Harvey had ever seen.