Blaze (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (The Grizzly Brothers Book 2) Read online

  It wasn’t that she hadn’t already been let down when he’d told her she wasn’t his mate. It wasn’t even that she was jealous of the fact that he’d truly moved on and found the person he was meant to be with. It was just that, this, on top of seeing Sadie and Diesel so happy, just drove home the fact that she was alone.

  What if she never found the man for her? Someone who put her first. It didn’t have to be a bear shifter, although being someone’s mate, the person that they loved no matter what for the rest of their lives, sure did sound a lot more romantic than simply being a human man’s wife. Reagan would be happy to find someone to love, no matter who, or what, he was…

  She’d begun to realize that she was getting older, and that although she had a career she loved, she was ready to settle down and start a family.

  With a promise to pick her up in a few hours to take her to the night shoot, Tuck dropped Reagan off at the hotel and drove off to meet up with his mate. Apparently, she was the new hair and makeup artist for Outdoor Bound, so Reagan would get the chance to meet her tonight.

  Reagan checked into her room, grabbed a sandwich from the food to-go kiosk, then took the elevator upstairs. Once inside, she threw her duffel on the chair and the sandwich on the table, and face-planted on the bed.

  She thought of Sadie and Diesel and Tuck and his mate, and allowed herself a few minutes to have a pity party. Then Reagan sat up, grabbed her sandwich, and did a mental replay of her night with Hunter.

  She wondered if he’d thought about what happened in the woods as much as she had.

  Was he as curious as she was to see if they would have the same chemistry without so much alcohol in their system? Or would he just be another shifter to tell her that although they’d had fun, he was waiting for his mate?

  With a sigh, Reagan leaned back and took a bite of cold turkey.

  Maybe it was time for her to stop sleeping with shifters and give regular human men a try. At least they were less inclined to love at first sight, and would actually give a relationship time to form and grow.

  Decision made, Reagan nodded, took another bite, and decided that dating or sleeping with shifters was a thing of her past.

  From now on, if the man wasn’t a straight up human with absolutely no paranormal tendencies, she was running in the other direction as fast as she could.

  Four

  Blaze

  “You have got to be shitting me,” Hunter exclaimed, his face filled with disbelief and a hint of laughter. “She thought you were me?”

  “Not funny, man,” Blaze groaned as he leaned back against the back of the couch and tipped back his beer.

  “It’s fucking hilarious, Blaze, you know it is,” Hunter countered with a loud, sharp laugh. “Classic.”

  “You’re pissing me off right now,” he warned his brother, but Hunter was completely unfazed.

  Hunter leaned forward so that his elbows were on his knees, his beer dangling from his hand.

  “How the hell did it happen? Reagan’s never had a problem telling us apart before… are you sure she thought it was me?”

  “The words, God, Hunter, that was even better than I’d imagined, came out of her mouth, so I’m pretty damn sure,” I replied dryly.

  Hunter hooted with laughter.

  “That is so awesome.”

  Blaze tried to give him the stank eye, but Hunter was starting to make him see the humor in the situation. They’d switched places a couple of times with each other growing up, although never with Diesel, and it had been fun to see how easy it was to trick people. But they’d never inadvertently tricked someone.

  Sure, their faces looked pretty much identical, but their eyes were different, and they usually wore our hair differently and God knows they dressed different.

  Hunter was usually in a henley or sweater, and Blaze relished his t-shirt and flannel collection.

  “Looks like it’s time for a haircut,” Blaze said, running his hand over his longer than usual jet-black hair.

  “Crazy,” Hunter muttered with a shake of his head.

  “It was dark, we were all wearing tuxes, and we probably looked more like identical triplets that night than any other, I guess I can see how she got confused,” Blaze admitted, then gave his brother a frown. “The question is, was she out looking for you, or was she just looking to get some?”

  “Nah, man, Reagan’s never shown any interest in me,” Hunter assured him. Hunter was the only person who knew how Blaze felt about Reagan, and what it would do to him if she actually favored Hunter over him. “I’m sure she was just buzzed and horny.”

  “Mmmm,” Blaze muttered, then tossed back the rest of his beer and stood up. “Another?”

  “Sure.”

  Blaze crossed through the open living area into the kitchen, grabbed a couple beers out of the fridge, and popped the tops.

  When he was walking back, Hunter caught his eye and asked, “So… how was it? Is she…?”

  Blaze handed him his beer and gave a sharp nod.

  “Without a doubt,” he replied. “She’s my mate. It was the most incredible experience of my life.”

  Hunter nodded, then his lip turned up in a smirk and he countered, “Until she said my name.”

  “Ass,” Blaze replied, but they both laughed.

  “So, what are you gonna do?” Hunter asked soberly.

  Blaze shook his head and frowned. “I don’t know. I mean, who the hell does this shit happen to? Either way, I’m screwed… Either I tell her she mistook me for you and she’s embarrassed and never wants to see me again, or, I don’t tell her and let her think she slept with you, and she’ll never want anything to do with me. She’d never put us in a position like that.”

  Hunter reached over and slapped Blaze on my hand, probably because it was the only body part he could reach without getting up.

  “There’s no choice, brother, you have to tell her the truth. Sure, it’ll be an awkward and sucky conversation, but it needs to happen. You can’t let her go on thinking she was with me, and I’m sure as hell not going to play along with that farce. Reagan will be embarrassed, but she can handle it. Hell, she may even think it’s funny… Regardless, you have to be upfront. Not just about what happened, but about how you feel about her. What she is to you.”

  Blaze put his beer bottle on the side table and hung his head, grasping the sides with his hands.

  “Why’s it have to be so complicated?” he asked, his tone perilously close to a whine. “Let’s just go back to picking up chicks at the bar and keep it simple.”

  “Sorry, brother,” Hunter replied, and Blaze could hear the regret in his voice. “I’m afraid those days are over for you.”

  “I know,” he said, his gaze wandering up to his brother’s face.

  They shared a silent moment, where they let each other know how sad they were that things had to change. Even though they’d always known it would happen, it didn’t mean that Blaze wouldn’t miss this stage of their relationship. Sure, they’d both eventually settle down and have cubs, but it was sad to think that the days of being two bachelors out to have a good time were now through.

  “Things will work out with you and Reagan,” Hunter assured him.

  “You think?”

  “Yeah, she’s a good woman. A strong woman. She’ll be a great mate,” Hunter said, then grinned. “Besides, how could she resist you? You’re one of the best looking guys in town.”

  Blaze returned Hunter’s grin, raised his beer in salute, and hoped he was right.

  Five

  Reagan

  Reagan was exhausted.

  It had been a long night of shooting, trying to get the perfect shots, and trying to ignore the saccharine sweetness of Tuck and his mate. They’d been unable to keep their hands off of each other all night. It had been both annoying, and jealousy inducing.

  She sighed as the chopper touched down at her home airport.

  “Thanks, have a good one,” Reagan called to the pilot as she grabb
ed her duffel and hopped down.

  It was already dark. During winter in Alaska, it seemed like it was always dark.

  As she made her way across the tarmac and out to the parking lot, Reagan caught movement to her right and turned to see a large shape coming out of the hangar.

  She knew it was a Grizzly brother, not just from the sheer size of him, but from the way he moved. The men had a grace about them, even though they were so large. Plus, Hunter and Blaze worked at the airport. They both had their pilot’s licenses, and often flew tourists around their great state.

  The question was, which brother was it, and was Reagan ready to come face to face with Hunter, after what they’d done at the wedding.

  Never one to run and hide, choosing instead to face things head on, Reagan changed course and headed his way.

  If it’s Hunter, I’ll just say thanks for the fun, and let him off the hook. It’s not like either of us expects anything more, she assured herself as she crossed the parking lot. He’s not looking for anything serious, and I’ve sworn off bears. It’ll be fine… We’ll go back to being friends who are almost related.

  The wind shifted and she saw the shape stop, then his head lifted and twisted in her direction.

  “Hey, Reagan,” the man called, but she still couldn’t tell if it was Hunter or Blaze. It was too dark to get a good look at him.

  “Hey,” Reagan called, about to ask who she was talking to, but was cut off when he crossed to her and pulled her into his arms.

  Well, that was weird…

  Reagan could hear the steady beat of his heart as she settled into his warm, hard chest. Having never been embraced by one of the brothers before that night in the woods, Reagan knew it was Hunter who was holding her close, so she relaxed and sunk into the hug.

  It was just for a moment, right? She could tell him about her revelation to just be friends with him and date only humans in a minute.

  She felt a rumble in his chest, like he was purring with contentment, which soothed her further. Then Reagan felt something else, which caused a less than soothing reaction.

  As he hardened against her, his thick length digging into her stomach, Reagan’s own body flooded with heat in reaction.

  Suddenly, all thoughts of friendship and human men flew out the window, and her nipples pebbled beneath her blouse. She’d never had such an immediate, visceral reaction to a man before, not even Hunter himself on the night of the wedding.

  What was going on?

  Before Reagan could voice her question, he pulled back and lowered his mouth to hers.

  She opened her mouth with a gasp, giving Hunter the access he sought. With a moan, she swept her tongue inside and gripped his waist with her hands. It felt amazing, wonderful, and exhilarating. Reagan was surprised by the strength of her desire.

  His hands moved inside of her coat and under her blouse, causing her to shiver when he made contact with her skin.

  They were both in a frenzy, eager to feel, touch, devour.

  Not caring that they were once again in a public place, somewhere they could be interrupted at any moment, Reagan brought her fingertips to Hunter’s jeans and opened the button, then shoved her hand inside.

  Hunter’s growl was low and dangerous, and only caused Reagan’s panties to get more wet. It was like she could feel his growl deep inside her own body, and it only fueled her along.

  Drunk on desire, Reagan unzipped his pants and released his large cock from inside, then sunk to her knees and began to work him over in the parking lot.

  “Fuck, Reagan… so good,” he managed, his tone laced with need.

  She cupped the base of his shaft while she sucked in her cheeks and moved her mouth over his cock. Reagan loved every sound he made, every clench of his body, and the way his hips moved involuntarily toward her, like he couldn’t get enough.

  Moving her hand lower, she fondled one of his balls, then the other, as she licked her way back up him, then suctioned her lips and sucked him in deeper.

  Hunter made a strangled sound in the back of his throat that had Reagan’s free hand delving into the front of her yoga pants to try and ease the ache that had resulted from the sounds of his pleasure.

  “I’m gonna come,” he warned.

  Reagan worked her clit faster and hummed as her head bobbed and she twirled her tongue on the underside of his dick, as she sucked Hunter off.

  They came in tandem, Reagan swallowing as she moaned out her own release.

  Reagan stood as they both fixed their clothes, then, as quickly as desire had overcome her, guilt creeped in.

  What the hell had just happened?

  How had she gone from meaning to give Hunter the brushoff to blowing him in the parking lot?

  What the hell was wrong with her?

  Without warning, Reagan picked up the duffel she’d dropped at some point, whirled on feet, and took off toward her car. Ignoring his calls for her to stop, she opened her door, threw her bag inside and took off without looking back.

  Six

  Blaze

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Blaze grumbled as he watched Reagan’s taillights head away. “There’s no way that shit just happened again.”

  But it had… Reagan had once again mistaken him for his brother, and rocked his world.

  The connection between them was palpable, and after what had just happened, Blaze knew that Reagan felt it too. The problem was, she not only didn’t understand what she was feeling, but she thought she was feeling it for the wrong guy.

  It was hard to be pissed when you’d just received the blow job of your life, but he sure as hell was frustrated.

  This new development was going to make telling Reagan the truth even harder. She may have forgiven him one case of mistaken identity, but two? He was totally screwed.

  He decided that first thing tomorrow, he’d ride over to Reagan’s house and tell her everything. That gave him the rest of the night to figure out what the hell to say.

  Four hours later, Blaze was woken up by the glare of his bedroom light and Hunter’s shouts.

  “Sadie’s in labor,” he heard Hunter say, then his brother rushed back out of the room.

  “Hargh,” he muttered as he sat up and tried to get his wits about him.

  “C’mon, Blaze, Diesel is freaking out,” Hunter called, causing Blaze’s brain, and body, to swing into motion.

  Blaze threw on his jeans from the night before and grabbed a t-shirt out of his drawer, then rushed to his bathroom and took a swig of mouthwash, before hurrying out to where his brother was pulling on his boots.

  “I didn’t even know they were back,” he managed as he tugged one of his own boots.

  “I guess they got back last night,” Hunter replied. “She’s been having contractions for a while, but didn’t tell Diesel until about a half hour ago. Now he’s freaking the fuck out, ‘cause they’re close, and the midwife isn’t there yet.”

  “Let’s go,” Blaze said, beating Hunter out the door.

  He knew women had babies all the time, but that didn’t mean it didn’t freak him out to think about little Sadie about to give birth to their brother’s cubs. Sometimes, human women had a hard time with shifter births. No, it didn’t happen all the time, but it happened enough to have Diesel worried, and Blaze could now totally understand why.

  If he lost his mate, after only recently finding her, his brother would live out the rest of his days in misery.

  Blaze didn’t want that for Diesel, or any of them… Sadie, or the babies. They all needed this birth to go smoothly.

  “Hurry up,” he ended up yelling back at Hunter, who still hadn’t come out of the house.

  “Calm your ass down,” Hunter said as the door slammed behind him, but Blaze could see the worry he was feeling reflected on his face.

  They both knew if anything happened to Sadie, their reclusive brother would be lost to them forever. He’d shift into bear form and never come back, and now that he’d become a steadier part o
f their lives, they weren’t ready to lose him.

  “They’re all going to be fine,” Blaze said, needing to say the words out loud.

  “Yup,” Hunter agreed, and they didn’t say another word until they pulled up to Diesel’s cabin.

  As he was stepping out of the truck, Blaze heard the crunch of tires on gravel, and turned to see Reagan barreling toward them. Hunter went inside, but Blaze waited on the porch.

  Instinct had him waiting for his mate, needing to make sure she was okay, and honestly, he just needed to see her face.

  Reagan rushed up the steps, gave him a once over, then paused to pat him on the bicep.

  “Hey, Blaze, you been inside yet? How’s Sadie?” she asked, her worried gaze on the open door.

  “No, ah, not yet,” he managed, heart in his throat.

  “I gotta get in there,” she said, giving Blaze a small smile before going inside.

  Blaze stood there, Reagan’s nonchalance branding him like an iron, before following her inside and shutting the door. He watched as Reagan’s gaze flitted over Hunter, causing her to momentarily freeze, before she shook her head and headed toward the back bedroom.

  Blaze crossed to where Hunter was talking quietly to their brother.

  “Hey, how’s it going?” he asked, his stomach clenching at the worry on Diesel’s face.

  “The midwife just got here,” Diesel answered, his dark eyes wide. “She kicked me out of the room.”

  “I’m sure she knows what she’s doing,” Hunter answered, but Diesel looked like he was hanging on by a thread. His muscles were quivering, and they knew he was fighting the urge to shift.

  “Why don’t you go for a run, we’ll let you know when you’re needed,” Blaze suggested, his heart going out to his brother.

  Diesel shook his head.

  “I promised her I’d be here. For all of it.” Diesel brought his tortured eyes to Blaze’s face and asked, “Can you go back there and check on her?”