“I’m going to go check on the fire,” he said, clearing his suddenly dry throat.

  Caitlin sighed as she sank into the tub. She closed her eyes and dropped down until the water reached her chin.

  Arctos stood mesmerized unable to look away. She cracked one eye open.

  “I thought you were going to check on the fire?” she asked.

  He straightened. “Yes, the fire. I’l be back in a little while. Enjoy our bath.”

  “Oh, I wil ,” she said, closing her eyes once more.

  Chapter Five

  Caitlin had been soaking for several minutes when the panic over what she’d done set in. How could she have slept with a stranger in this day and age? She’d obviously lost her mind, along with her panties. The fact that Arctos acted like a perfect gentleman only made matters worse.

  She was used to jerks or at least guys who were only interested in a good time.

  Despite his amazing looks that didn’t seem to be Arctos’ style. He’d said he wanted her. He’d fought a bear to protect her. And no matter how much Caitlin hated to admit it, she was monogamous by nature. That didn’t mean she believed in forever or happily-ever-after. Far from it. But it did mean she wasn’t used to fal ing into bed with men that she’d just met. It was one of the reasons she’d never considered sleeping with Michael.

  She dipped down deeper into the water until it covered her mouth. The warmth soaked into her bones, relieving some of the soreness that came from a fabulous bout of love-making. Caitlin paused as the thought popped into her mind. She wanted to discount it outright, turn it into lust-fil ed sex, but that would be a lie.

  Sure, there’d been lust involved. That was how they’d ended up naked in the first place, but sometime during the act something had changed. Warmth pulsed through her, spreading to her limbs.

  Caitlin quickly squashed it like a bug. That way led to unhappiness. She wasn’t about to ruin the moment with regrets. She took a deep breath and sank below the surface, letting the water swal ow her whole. She was down there staring at the surface, when a familiar face came into view.

  Arctos reached into the water and pul ed her up. A frown furrowed his pale brow. “What are you doing? You cannot breathe in that environment.”

  She swished a hand over her face to get the water out of her eyes. “I was thinking,” she said.

  “Under the liquid?” he asked, confusion clearly visible upon his face.

  “Yes, I do my best thinking while I’m underwater. It al ows me to tune out the rest of the world.”

  “The fire has been fed.” He proceeded to strip off his clothes.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, her eyes growing rounder by the second.

  He halted mid-motion. “Joining you,” he said as if that should be blatantly obvious.

  “I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Caitlin said.

  Arctos slipped in behind her and pul ed her against his chest. His large hands stroked her stomach, making lazy circles. It didn’t take long for the flames inside her to flare once more. Caitlin dropped her head back, resting it upon his shoulder. Arctos’ fingers glided over her wet skin until they rested beneath her smal breasts. He cupped the mounds a second later and began to knead, careful y avoiding her nipples.

  Caitlin moaned. “Okay, you can stay.”

  “Thank you,” he said, muffling what could’ve been laughter with a kiss to her shoulder. His mouth skated across her skin, coming to rest at the base of her neck.

  Arctos nibbled until she arched her back, shoving her breasts more firmly into his hands.

  He squeezed, tugging at her nipples until they grew tender and rigid.

  “Yes,” she hissed.

  He lapped at the base of her neck, while continuing to torture her breasts. He let go of one side and slipped his arm around her waist. Amazingly, he lifted her one-handed, until her opening rested above his hard shaft, then slowly released her, al owing her weight to carry her down.

  Caitlin sank down onto his rigid cock, feeling it fil her inch-by-inch. She bit her lip as her body opened to accept him. Arctos waited until she was ful y seated, then grasped her by the waist and lifted her again. She slipped over his turgid flesh, her tender channel stretching to accommodate his wide girth.

  “You are perfect in every way,” he said, kissing her and laving her neck like someone had dumped melted chocolate onto her skin.

  His rough tongue made gooseflesh rise on her arms, but it was quickly dispersed as he al owed her to sink into the warm water. Arctos’ chest rumbled as he guided her up and down, each time making her body take him deeper and deeper.

  “Arctos,” she gasped.

  “What do you want, my Cat?” he asked, nipping her ear.

  She ground her hips against him as water splashed over the sides of the tub. “You,” she said, repeating the movement.

  “That you can have whenever you desire,” he said.

  Arctos’ hands clamped onto her sides and he picked up the rhythm, shafting her until Caitlin couldn’t remember why this was such a bad idea.

  One hand found her clit. She fought for breath as her body tightened, reaching the breaking point. Arctos continued his sensual assault, until she couldn’t take another second.

  “I’m…I’m.” Caitlin shattered, her strangled cry fil ing the smal space.

  Arctos continued to pet the crisp curls that covered her mound as she road out her climax. When the shudders quieted, he leaned her over the rim of the tub and rose up behind her.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she murmured.

  “Good.” He grasped her hands. His fingers twined with hers a second before he entered her.

  Primal grunts fil ed her ears as he drove his cock into her body. Each joining seemed more demanding, more feral than the last. Everywhere he touched, everywhere he tasted, a sting of pleasure-pain lingered. Like a man possessed, he took her, branding her flesh with his insatiable passion.

  At this rate, Caitlin would never get enough of him.

  Water splashed onto the wooden floor with each hard thrust. The delicious fragrance of his skin surrounded her, enveloped her, until she was drowning in his male essence.

  Caitlin couldn’t smel anything but him. Her channel clamped down hard as another orgasm took her by surprise. He groaned once, twice, then stiffened behind her as he found his own release.

  Arctos placed kisses along her spine. When he reached her waist, he pul ed out of her. Once again Caitlin was left feeling empty. This time the ache from his sudden absence was far worse. He made no attempt to leave the tub. Instead, he dropped down onto his hands and knees, parted her cheeks, and lapped at her swol en folds.

  His chest rumbled in what sounded like a gruff purr.

  “Your taste, your sweet musky scent is maddening. I can’t seem to get enough. Every time I look at you, you make me hard.”

  Caitlin gripped the side of the tub, her body torn between pleasure and exhaustion. Tired won out. “Let’s wait a while. I need to get my second wind.”

  “Of course.” Arctos licked her one more time, swirling his tongue around her entrance, then climbed out of the now cooling water. A rough towel appeared in his hands and he held it out for her to step into. Caitlin did and nearly col apsed as he began to dry her.

  “You need rest,” he said. “Forgive me for being so demanding. Where you are concerned, I cannot help myself.”

  She laughed and stepped out of the circle of his arms.

  “You’re not alone.” Caitlin found her long underwear and put it on. It may not be sexy, but it was warm. The second Arctos slipped into bed beside her, she realized that she shouldn’t have bothered with the clothes. His body radiated enough heat to shame an electric blanket.

  “Get some sleep,” he said, kissing her tenderly. “We’l talk in the morning.”

  * * * * *

  Caitlin woke to fal ing snow. She was snuggled under the blankets, but Arctos was nowhere to be found. She frowned and looked around the room. Everything was as she remembered. Was it al a dream?

  She shifted, feeling the aches that could only come from mind-blowing, body-melting sex. No, not sex. Love.

  Every tender kiss, every fevered touch came rushing back.

  Caitlin sighed, resting her forearm over her eyes. What had she done?

  The cold light of day highlighted some harsh realities.

  She needed to set Arctos straight before he got any crazy ideas that this was anything serious. Pain radiated from her chest. This couldn’t be happening.

  “You of al people should know better,” she chastised, then swung her feet over the edge of the bed and got dressed.

  Caitlin searched the cabin, but Arctos was nowhere to be found. For a second, fear overwhelmed her. Had he left her here al alone? Even as the thought fil ed her mind, she knew in her heart that he’d never do anything like that. He’s probably out gathering more wood. Yes, that made more sense.

  She picked up the rabbits he’d caught the night before and did her best to prepare and cook them. Not exactly her ideal breakfast, but it beat the heck out of starving. The rabbits were stewing away over the fire, when Caitlin heard the first rumble outside. “Arctos?”

  There was no answer.

  It would’ve been so easy to ignore the noise, except the sound came again. This time it was answered by another and another. Caitlin tiptoed across the room and glanced out the window. She counted five polar bears before fear took over and she moved away. Their little haven was surrounded. Her gaze shot to the rabbits cooking over the fire. They’d smel ed the food. Even as the thought entered her mind, she was already searching for a weapon.

  They hadn’t tried to break in yet, but Caitlin knew it was only a matter of time. She shoved one of the chairs in front of the door, then snatched the poker out of the fire and stood back. Where was Arctos?

  She glanced at the bubbling pot. Should she toss the rabbits outside? Would that make the polar bears go away? Unfortunately, that would require opening the door.

  Caitlin didn’t think that was such a good idea given the circumstances. She glanced around the sparse cabin.

  Other than the smal window in the bathroom, which a greased squirrel couldn’t fit through, and the one facing the front, there was no other way of escape.

  It made perfect sense given the cabin’s purpose, but was of little help now. If she could just hold them off until Arctos returned… The crazy thought entered her mind, then was quickly dismissed. What could he do? It was one thing to scare away a single polar bear. Quite another to chase away five. She scanned the rafters. The ceiling was a crude pitched design that didn’t hold any beams. So there was no way she could climb up and hide.

  There was a loud snuffle at the door. Caitlin took a step back. Acting on autopilot, she grabbed her backpack and fumbled for her phone. She punched in a number that she knew by heart. It rang and rang, then eventual y Al ie picked up.

  “Al ie,” she whispered, even though there was no doubt that the bears could hear every word.

  “Caitlin? Why are you whispering?” She sounded sleepy and somewhat out of it.

  “I’m whispering because I am surrounded by polar bears and I think I’m going to die.” In that moment, al Caitlin wanted to do was see Arctos one more time.

  “What?” Al ie shouted.

  “They smel ed the food. I didn’t think…Oh God, there’s nowhere to hide.” Caitlin whimpered as sharp claws raked the outside of the door.

  “I’m coming,” Al ie said. “Just stay on the line, so they can trace your phone.”

  “It’s too late for that,” Caitlin said as the clawing grew in volume.

  “Don’t say that.” Al ie sniffled. “Where’s Arctos?” Tears wel ed in Caitlin’s eyes. “I don’t know. When I woke up, he was gone.”

  “I love you, Cat” Al ie said, no longer trying to hide her crying.

  “I love you, too,” she replied.

  “Just hang in there. Help is on the way.” Caitlin hung up. The last thing she wanted was for her friend to hear her die. Where was Arctos? Something hit the door—hard. She screamed. There was another loud thud and the wood cracked. Caitlin grabbed a kitchen knife to go along with the poker and backed into a corner. She wasn’t going down without a fight.

  * * * * *

  Arctos heard Caitlin scream. He’d been out hunting so they’d have enough food to ride out the snowstorm. His blood chil ed in his veins, when he scented the air and caught the musk of several bears. Before he had time to think, Arctos took off running. His mate was in danger. He’d left her unprotected. If anything happened to her…

  He reached the cabin in time to see the first polar bear break down the door. Arctos’ bel ow of anger fil ed the air a second before his bones and muscles twisted, giving way to his beast. He charged the cabin, knocking the other polar bears aside as he hit the male who’d gained entry.

  Arctos tackled the bear, clamping onto his sides, pul ing him back until he tumbled out the door. They fought, clashing as only beasts can battle over territory. He bit, scratched, and clawed at the male al while sensing Caitlin’s unbridled fear. If he could sense that, then it meant she was stil alive. His relief was short-lived.

  The other bears fought to get past him, each lured by the promise of food. Arctos fought valiantly, disappearing and attacking, as only a Phantom Warrior could. He eventual y chased the bears off, but at great personal cost.

  Exhausted and bleeding heavily, Arctos col apsed onto the snow, his limbs twitching from the battle. His body shifted back into human form in an attempt to seal the wounds. It didn’t work. Warmth trickled down his side and wetness covered his chest. His lungs burned as he gasped for air. At least he would die with honor, having successful y defended his mate.

  What felt like an eternity later, Caitlin appeared. The color leached from her face and moisture fil ed her stormy eyes as she stared at him. “You’re hurt. Bad,” she said, glancing at his mangled body. “They even tore off your clothes.”

  Hot fat, salty drops hit his face as she bent over him.

  “I’l live,” Arctos said, unsure if he spoke the truth.

  Her gaze darted around the clearing. “We need to get you inside in case they come back. Help is on the way, so hang on.”

  Arctos heard her, but her words made no sense. The Phantom ship wouldn’t be here for another day. So how could assistance be coming?

  Caitlin put her hands beneath his shoulders. “You have to help me. I can’t lift you.”

  He did what he could, but the intense pain hampered his movements. “Just leave me,” he said.

  “If I leave you, they’l come back and eat you. Even if they don’t, it’s below zero. You’l freeze to death,” she said, sniffing loudly. “I’m not going to let that happen.” Arctos wouldn’t freeze to death, but he couldn’t tel Caitlin that, she was already distraught. It was more likely that he’d bleed to death. He didn’t think she’d take that news any better, so he tried to rise, only to stumble back into the snow.

  “Come on,” she goaded. “You’re not going to let a little scratch keep you down, are you?”

  He glanced at his shredded chest. Scratch? Had the woman lost her mind? Arctos gritted his teeth and tried again, wobbling from side to side. His legs didn’t want to work. He forced one foot in front of the other. Caitlin shouldered much of his substantial weight and guided him toward the broken door, up the stairs, and into the cabin.

  She shut the door the best she could, then dropped him into the nearest chair.

  “Don’t move. I’l be right back,” she said.

  * * * * *

  Arctos awoke on the bed with covers tossed over his waist. He blinked and looked around, trying to recal how he’d gotten there. It was then that he noticed Caitlin quietly sitting in the corner. She had pul ed one of the kitchen chairs into the room. Her legs were tucked against her chin and she held the same weapon he’d seen her fire at the bears. She hit a button and several clicks fil ed the air.

  Arctos glanced down, expecting pain, but saw only fresh bandages.

  “What are you doing?” he asked in confusion. His memory was coming back quickly. He recal ed the fear that had clutched him the second he’d heard her scream. The frantic race back to the cabin only to find it surrounded by bears. Then the brutal fight to protect his mate.

  Caitlin didn’t immediately answer, her gaze drawn instead to something on the weapon. Arctos winced when he tried to sit up.

  The sound caught her attention. “You should lie stil .

  Don’t want to reopen those wounds.” She raised the weapon again and fired. A flurry of clicks later, she stared once more at the back of the weapon.

  Arctos ran a hand through his hair and inhaled. Her scent, though sweet, held a tinge of sourness. She was scared and angry. The fear he could understand, but not the anger. He scanned her from head to feet. She didn’t appear to have any injuries.

  “What are you looking for?” he asked, watching her closely.

  “Did you know that I found you lying in the snow naked and bleeding?” she asked instead.

  Arctos’ mind raced for an explanation, but came up blank, so he said nothing.

  She pointed the weapon at his face and shot. “You know,” she said. “When we first met, I asked you how you were able to get away from the polar bear. You said something like ‘I chal enged it’. Even though I knew the odds of that happening was unlikely, I gave you the benefit of the doubt.”

  “I spoke the truth,” he said, as tension caused his muscles to go rigid.

  “Yes, you did…you just didn’t tel the whole truth,” she said softly, her face going pale. “Did you?” Arctos swal owed hard. “What are you looking for?” he asked again.

  “The bear,” she said without inflection. “It has to be here somewhere.”

 

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