Page 23 of Claimed By Her Bear

And she was naked.

“Hey.” Shekita gave a small wave. She was trying to hold Pola’s gaze and was failing miserably. Pola’s body was beautiful. She should never cover it up. Shekita swallowed hard and allowed her gaze to greedily roam Pola’s body.

“Hey, yourself.” Pola pushed off the ground and stood to her full height. She studied Shekita, folding her trembling hands together in front of her. She bit her lip and just stared at Shekita. “I hope you don’t mind me just showing up unannounced. My bear was determined to come and meet you.”

Shekita held back a sigh. It was cute how nervous Pola appeared. Shekita couldn’t remember the last time a potential suitor cared enough about seeing her. She softened on the inside even more. The walls she had constructed were slowing crumbling.

“That’s okay. She is beautiful.” Shekita had never been that close to a bear. Not a shifter and not a wild bear. Her fingers twitched remembering the soft bristles of fur on Pola’s head.

“I could scent your fear,” Pola murmured. There was an air of concern appearing on her face.

Shekita felt the need to lighten the mood up. The situation could have been worse had the bear not been Pola.

“Well, of course. I wasn’t expecting a bear to come from out of my woods. I was taken aback,” Shekita sputtered. She barked a laugh.

Pola relaxed slightly. “Again, she really wanted to meet you,” she said. She shook her head, her eyes narrowing on Shekita. “Why didn’t you run? Not that I would recommend it, but most people’s first instinct is to run from danger.”

Shekita shrugged and moved closer to Pola. She took her hand and entwined their fingers. Something pushed her toward the shifter. She smiled at her, experiencing a flutter of butterflies in her stomach. Pola’s hand tightened on hers.

“I just knew you wouldn’t hurt me. I had a feeling it was you, and what’s funny is, I was just thinking of you,” Shekita admitted. Again, she was having a hard time keeping her eyes off Pola’s tantalizing body. She swallowed hard and motioned to her home. “Want to come in?”

Now that Pola was here, she might as well stay. Pola searched her eyes, tilting her head in a slight nod.

“Of course. I’d love to.”

* * *

Pola sighed. Shekita busied herself around the kitchen. Once they had entered her home, her little human had offered her a thin cotton robe to wear. It was cute how her mate’s eyes kept drifting down her naked frame. The scent of her arousal had become overwhelming. Maybe it was best she was dressed. She didn’t know how she would be able to resist her mate’s delicious honey scent.

“Well, since you don’t cook much, you are in good hands tonight.” Shekita grabbed her oven mitts and slid them on to her hands.

Pola was enjoying herself watching her mate prepare a meal from them. The aroma of the food cooking had Pola’s mouth watering. Her bear paced inside her chest, grouchy because they hadn’t eaten in a while.

“There was never any doubt in my mind.”

Shekita glanced over her shoulder for a moment then turned back to the oven. Something had passed in her eyes that Pola couldn’t make out. It was a few minutes later, and Shekita was setting a plate down in front of her. Pola inhaled and bit back a groan. Her stomach rumbled from hunger.

“This looks amazing,” Pola said.

Shekita grinned, carrying her own plate and took the seat next to her.

“I’m glad you think so. I wasn’t expecting company tonight, but this will do,” Shekita teased. She gently pushed Pola with her elbow. She stabbed her fork in the food and sent a wink Pola’s way. “Maybe someday this week, I can cook a real meal for you.”

“This is much better than anything I would have been able to fix myself,” Pola scoffed. She liked seeing Shekita so relaxed and in a playful mood. Pola dug into her food with much gusto. The flavors burst forth on her tongue. She groaned and continued shoveling the food in her mouth. The bear in her allowed her to eat large quantities. Now, her bear was famished. Pola eyed the stove and hoped there was more. She would be going back for seconds.

“Someone likes it.” Shekita chuckled.

Pola paused and glanced over at her. Shekita was staring at her with a twinkle in her eye.

“I’m sorry.” Pola reached for her napkin and wiped her mouth.

“No, don’t apologize. If you’re hungry, you’re hungry. There’s more for seconds.” Shekita jerked her chin toward the stove.

They returned to their meal, eating in a comfortable silence. Pola’s ears picked up the sound of a vehicle approaching. Her bear sat up with a low growl. Pola paused and wondered why her animal would be standing to attention. She set her fork down and reached for her drink. Taking a sip, she eyed Shekita who hadn’t heard the vehicle. Pola had briefly forgotten that humans didn’t have the sensitive hearing that shifters did.

The doorbell rang, breaking the silence.

“Who can that be?” Shekita set her fork down and hopped down from her chair. She took a quick sip of her drink and waved to Pola. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

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