The Witness and the Bear: (Werebear Shifter Romance) by T. S. Joyce Read Free Book Online

gently down his back.
    “You’re the first man to make me…you know.”
    He pulled back, a look of pure male triumph written all over his features. “You said you’d been with someone before.”
    “He didn’t really cater to my needs.” The blush in her cheeks was probably epic right now. Thank goodness for the dark veil of night.
    He propped up on one elbow, his leg still draped over hers, his erection firm against her hip. His touch was light as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. “His failure. You’re magnificent.”
    She trailed a light fingertip down the length of his shaft and searched his eyes in silent question.
    His teeth grazed her shoulder and he shook his head. “You don’t have to. Tonight was about you. I didn’t know how to fix your sadness.”
    “So you thought cure by orgasm? ”
    He snorted and buried his head against her neck. It sounded like he was inhaling her scent, and when he pulled back, the remnants of a smile still tugged his lips. “Did it work?”
    “ I don’t want you to do that to Merit.” The certainty hit her like a sack of stones. “I want that for myself.”
    “Hannah,” he warned.
    “I know it’s not fair of me, and I’m under no illusions you’ll pick me, but let this be mine.”
    “Dammit, Hannah. I don’t have the choice of picking you. Can’t you see that? You won’t stay, you don’t agree with our laws. Once the danger is over for you, you’ll be gone and I’ll be left to pick up the pieces. We mate for life , woman. It’s ingrained in us. You and I can’t work.”
    Jesus, what was wrong with dating for a moment? Everything seemed so serious and damning around here. “Us, we. What’s so different between you and me? These laws aren’t as important as you think. There are bigger things out there in the real world besides this commune.”
    “Commune?” He jerked back. “Is that what you think this is? I’m not like you, Hannah. Neither are the people here. We have to live on the outskirts because it’s safest for everyone that way.”
    “So, you’re like, criminals?”
    “No! We aren’t criminals. We’re good people who’ve had to adapt to the world and eke out our existence here. Look, forget it.” His eyes went dead, and she could all but see him close off from her. He stood and pulled a pair of sweats on. “Stay here and I’ll be back in the morning.”
    “Riker, wait!” She ran after him but he was already gone, and the front door banging open splintered the night. She’d pushed too hard, too fast. She’d pressed him right into Merit’s arms and a sick feeling slammed into her gut. She pulled the hem of her oversized shirt down lower and ran outside after him but nothing stirred save the cicadas and bullfrogs. What had she done? Her chest hurt, but not from her injuries. Her heart was shattering at the thought of him in Merit’s arms. He’d choose the other woman, of course he would, but she’d done a bang up job of convincing him Merit could understand him better than she ever could. Her time with him had been shortened to nothing.
    A miserable sob bubbled from her throat and she looked around helplessly. “I’m sorry!” she yelled. She was sorrier than she could ever express over a loss she couldn’t understand. She was out of her element here, swimming in rules she didn’t know and that didn’t make sense with the society she’d grown up in. Why had Jeremy brought her here? He’d made everything worse. Sworn she would be safe here, but he put her heart right in the path of Riker’s destruction.
    ****
    Riker watched her from the trees, his head and heart at war with each other. When she cried out how sorry she was, he leaned heavily against the nearest tree, panting. She’d ruined him. He could’ve bedded Merit and lived a long life leading his people with a loyal mate by his side. But Hannah had come crashing out of the woods like a boulder, trapping him beneath the weight of want. Under the temptation of