Free The Steel Bear: A BBW Bear Shifter Romance (Highland Brothers) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers

what she was made to do. She was supposed to be his mate. She chewed on her bottom lip. He was fucking amazing. The things he could do to her body were things people didn’t talk about. She didn’t know it was possible to feel bliss surge through her body like magic. But that’s exactly what he did to her. He had loved her until she thought she would scream if he didn’t stop, yet the minute his touch vanished she was clawing for him again. She felt tender spots between her thighs, but smiled, knowing he would kiss them and extinguish the pain.
    She saw his phone on the sofa where he left it yesterday. She looked around for a note or something. The cabin was sparse. She tried to picture it as the brothers’ man cave he described.
    There were more of them. More Highland brothers. He wasn’t the only bear. She was joining a family of shifters.
    She had a million questions. But with his lips on her skin, and his body rocking hers, questions seemed irrelevant. They spoke to each other through kisses and thrusts so deep she knew her soul was glowing.
    Last night she didn’t hesitate. She loved everything about Crawford, and maybe it should have startled her when he admitted his identity, but it made her love him more. She saw his strength, his power, and his heart.
    She cracked the front door to look outside, clutching the sheet in her fist. The porch was littered with firewood. She stepped over a log. They were scattered everywhere.
    “Crawford?” she called his name, feeling her voice shake. “Crawford?” She rushed to the side of the house. In the dirt she saw two trails as if someone had been dragged through the leaves.
    She bent to touch the scuffle marks. Her chest tightened. Where was he?
    She heard the cabin door slam behind her. She jumped as dirty hands clamped over her mouth, drowning her screams.

14

Crawford
    H e felt water splash his face. He growled, shaking his head.
    “Oh good. He’s awake.” A woman’s voice filled his ears.
    He opened his eyes, adjusting to the dimness of his surroundings.
    “Who are you?” He tried to move, but realized his wrists were cuffed to the wall. He pulled on the restraints.
    “Don’t even try.” She pointed to the metal braces. “They’re strong enough. Even for a bear.” Her eyes gleamed.
    Crawford studied her. She had long black hair and red pouty lips. If she didn’t have him chained to the wall, he might go as far to say she was beautiful.
    “Why did you bring me here?” he questioned. He couldn’t help but test the restraints again.
    She stood over him, her heels planted on either side of his legs. She bent over him.
    “I need a mate.”
    “What the fuck?” He looked in her eyes. She was a bear. A damn she-bear.
    “That’s what I’m hoping for.” She ran her fingers over his chest, the backs of her nails grazing his skin. “And I bet you’d be a good one.”
    “Haven’t you heard of drinks and a movie? Or how about dinner first?” He glared at her.
    Her lips pinched together. “This seemed like a way to cut to the chase. Although, I kind of like being chased. And I know you like to do the chasing.” She settled in his lap, her hips grinding against him. “I’m Jackie.”
    “Get off me,” he growled. “Jackie.”
    “You sure? You feel like you need more warming up.” She patted between his legs before she reached over his head, flicking the release on his wrists. Before she unlocked the second one, she swept her lips over his, breathing into his mouth. Crawford shook his head.
    “I’m taken. I’ve already found my mate.”
    He gripped his wrist, wringing out the sting before depositing his captor on the floor.
    “Hmph!” She glared up at him. “If you’re talking about that human girl, she’s no match for you. You need a real she-bear. Someone who can give you lots of cubs. Someone who can teach them about their shifter heritage. Someone who can help them control their magic.” She rose from the floor. “You need someone