Page 58 of Bearly Hanging On

When we were all called to the starting line, he whirled around, roaring at the other bears. The far smaller, though still impressive, black bears shrank back instinctively, but the polar bear muscled forward. It looked like he was a whole head bigger than Kieran, but my bear didn’t seem to care. He met the polar bear’s ice-blue stare with growing hostility.

“Well, looks like everyone’s ready to go…”

The guy with the mic hadn’t meant to start the race, but it appeared the bears were simple creatures. They heard the word go and took him at his word. My hands grabbed hard at Kieran’s ruff, no doubt hurting him, but it was either that or slip off his back and onto my arse. He declared his challenge to the entire oval as he strode across the grass, moving like the wind. Another deep bellow made clear we had other contenders hot on our tail, but for now, we were in the lead. Then I turned around to see the polar bear loping along, getting closer and closer.

“Ahh, Kieran…” That same instinctual fear was back. The polar bear was not my mate and therefore had no compunction in mistaking me for a particularly tasty looking seal. He’d gobble me up, then stride on to victory. “Kieran, ice bear on your six!”

Apparently, that was exactly the wrong thing to say. I was forced to cling like a monkey as he whirled around, ready to meet the enemy.

“Shit…! Shit!”

Kieran reared up, bringing me with him as my arms dug tightly into his neck, but while he was towering tall, the polar bear was taller. The crowd roared along with the massive white bear, cheering them on. No, stop doing that! I wanted to bark. Or at least wait until I got down. I would never, ever take the ground for granted again. Then the polar bear had to take a swipe at Kieran. This is the way I’m going to die, I thought furiously, watching that shield sized paw come crashing down…

Only for Kieran to spin on a dime, presenting his rear end and then sending great gouts of mud and grass in the polar bear’s face with a scratch of his paws.

“OK, go!”

My grin was wild, just like it was every other time I did something utterly ridiculous, and this was one of the top three, because as I looked over my shoulder, I watched the polar bear scratch at his face, trying to dislodge the mess. Black bears came streaming from behind the polar bear, starting to catch up, but that’s when I patted Kieran’s shoulder.

“Bring it home, Bear Boy! Get us over the finish line first and I’ll… see if I can get that baculum to come out and play.”

Apparently, that was the incentive he needed. Long, galloping strides took us closer, closer, something the black bears sensed. They put on speed in earnest now, closing the gap, but they didn’t know. Me and Kieran, we were a pretty good team, and right now, that made us the winners.

“Yesss…!” I shouted, throwing my arms up in the air as we strode over the finishing line. “Holy crap, Bear Boy.” I slid from his back, glad to have my feet on the ground now. “That was…”

Somehow it was easier to share the victory with the bear, not the man, because as he shook his head, Kieran reappeared. Naked, skin flushed, chest heaving and grinning wildly. Oh and naked, very, very naked. There were children here, so I shouldn’t have rushed forward, but I did. Throwing my hands around his neck now? A whole lot easier than before. His hands drew me closer, ready to press me against his body, when a familiar voice interjected.

“Congratulations!” Kim appeared at our side with a grin and then thrust some clothes at him. “Now pull some clothes on. There are children here.”

“So you won the race, did ya, son?” A man with the same dark hair and amber eyes as Kieran said. “A chip off the old block, you are.”

“A chip off this not-so-old block,” another man said, then held out his hand for me to shake. “I’m Jim, one of Kieran’s dads.”

Introductions were made, but I couldn’t have remembered anyone’s names if you asked me at gunpoint. My heart was beating too fast, racing to catch up with my head. That I was safe. No, better than that. That I was perfectly secure in the shelter of Kieran’s arms.

“Now, how about some victory drinks over by the bar?” one of the dads asked.

“I could just about murder a beer right now,” I said with a sigh.

“Atta girl!”

But before we could walk over to the tent, a man with long, dark hair jogged over with a gold painted plastic trophy.

“Congratulations.” He handed it over. “Seems like someone wanted to impress his mate.” He winked at me. “I’m Thorn.”

“And Harper is mine.” Kieran had pulled on a pair of sweatpants and now stood between me and the other man. “Your mate is over there, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Something I’m exquisitely aware of,” Thorn replied, his smile fading as he looked back at the bleachers to where a beautiful woman with red hair sat nursing a child. “As is Cole right now. I think he really wanted to win for Ellie.”

A tall, dark-haired man was cursing to himself as the pretty woman I’d seen riding the polar bear tried to get him to smile. A kiss seemed to break him out of whatever bad mood he was in. The whole world was forgotten as he tugged her closer, chasing more kisses. Kieran’s arm snaked around my waist, pulling me into his side.

“Shouldn’t have gone against a grizzly then.” Kieran’s cocky tone had me staring up at him. “His polar bear could’ve knocked my block off, but grizzlies beat polar bears for speed.” He glanced down at me, that smile warming me down to my toes. “There was never any doubt that I’d win for you, Harper.”

“Well, seems like a victory drink is in order,” I said, wandering off in the direction of the tent.

“Harper…” Kieran hustled over to my side. “I believe the prize for winning was discussed before this.”

“Beers first.” I poked him in his side. “Then blow jobs.”

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