He inched closer and whispered near her ear. "You need to breathe."
Unmoving and unnaturally round eyes focused on an invisible spot on the ceiling as he heard her suck in air.
"It's off? Are you sure it's off?"
"Yes. It's somewhere near the door. I bet that chicken of yours will enjoy the snack.
"Did it bite me?"
The warmth of each exhale hard to ignore against his cheek, as he started to pull away.
"Glad, you took my advice and started breathing again. Now, just give me one more second as I pull the web off. Try not to inhale too deep."
His damn bear was nuzzling up to where Marci's body touched Caleb's.
"Stupid bear."
"What?" her words shrill.
"Marci, stop. It's okay. No, it didn't bite you. It's pretty dead."
"But, did you call me stupid?"
She didn't try and get up.
"I said stupid bear because he's stupid."
He paused. God, he hoped she didn't ask anymore.
"I'm going to need my arm back." Their noses were nearly touching, and the manic fear on her face faded. Caleb gently pushed aside a strand of hair.
Her voice just above a whisper said, "You're sure it's off?"
He swallowed. "I got it," he whispered, his words catching on a sandpaper tongue.
"And the bear?"
His voice low and quiet. "I'm a bear shifter."
"Oh. Why is he being stupid?"
Caleb froze. He couldn't say because his bear wanted her and nothing would stand in his way. He couldn't say because he wanted her too. He didn't want to give in to a need that would end up hurting someone.
Every breath brought her scent to him, a sharp smell of exotic flowers. Shit.
Mustering every ounce of restraint, he pushed himself up. Extending his hands, Marci laid her palms in his, the touch of her soft skin making the need to pull her closer worse. A pulse foreign to him thrummed through his body.
He couldn't let her go, even if he'd wanted.
Her eyes locked onto his. The world faded. His bear reared up on his hind legs. Pushing him. Their hands fusing with magic he'd never known, Caleb pulled her towards him. He didn't know if she spoke or if he imagined the words. Kiss me.
He leaned into her; she didn't pull away. She was close enough that the heat of each breath tickled his skin.
"The house," he said, trying to remember what he was there for.
"What?" she said.
The energy flowed through him; he could feel her all around him. She might have been in front of him, but he needed more. Moving an inch closer, he waited once more for her to pull away. A roar within pushed him to close the last inch to claim her mouth.
The world spun around in a haze. Caleb couldn't tell where he started and she ended. His mouth swept over hers. Her lips moved against his. All the sorrow and regret within him seemed to have disappeared with the taste of her.
He wanted more. He wanted to taste Marci, needed to feel the freedom his soul felt with her. He pulled his hand out of hers and reached around grabbing at her ass. Pushing against him, she responded. Gripping her thigh he lifted her; her legs spreading as he pushed her up against the wall. Pulling away he kissed a trail up her jaw to her ear.
Her chest rose and fell, a mirror of his own need.
His dick throbbed behind his jeans. He couldn't get close enough. The haze around him electrified everything.
Holy shit, he needed her. He'd been so empty, so alone, as if his world were so large and vast no one would hear him scream.
She moaned.
He pulled his face away to see her. "Who are you?"
Her chest heaved as she tried to catch the air escaping both of them.
"I don't know anymore. Just kiss me."
He didn't need to be asked twice.
Someone cleared their throat, and they froze, both their heads turning to the noise.
The haze masking the moment cleared.
His bear growled at the interruption. Caleb let out a snarl until he saw who it was. Still, the old ladies in this town were a cockblock right now.
"Please. Do finish. I haven't seen a show like this since my Henry passed, and he and I would -" she stopped and let out a laugh.
Caleb gripped Marci closer. "Annie. What the hell. This town." He leaned into Marci, praying that either his dick would settle the fuck down or Annie would take the hint and leave. He couldn't hide the bulge in his damn pants, and he didn't want to.
"Uh. Sorry," Caleb whispered, as he gently let her down.
Deep breaths. Think of ice. Snow.
Of course, he then thought of Marci naked as he warmed her cold body with his own.
"Caleb. You turn and look at me."
Reaching down he adjusted himself through his jeans.
"Oh for crap sake, young man. You think I haven't seen worse. Now you turn and look at me."
Marci giggled, and he shot her a glance. The air infused with the scent of her arousal had his hands itching to touch her, his dick begging to claim her, and his bear clawing to mark here, but instead, he was here staring at Annie laughing at them.
He wanted to know what she'd sound like as he buried himself balls deep in her. That would have been a mistake though.
Turning around slowly, he saw Annie standing with a tense look on her face.
"Caleb. One. We've set you up with so many women why this one? We don't even know her. Young lady. We don't know you. You have to understand we don't let just anyone in this town."
Annie tilted her head. "That being said, we have been expecting you, or well, someone like you. I'd still love to know why you're the one." Annie studied Marci.
Marci cleared her throat. "I. I'm Marci. I agreed to run this inn... Do you mean why am I the one
