Read Jared: Mating Fever (Rocked by the Bear Book 5) for Free Online Page B

naked?”

8
    H aving sex while Jax and Olivia sit in the living room pretending not to listen is not something I want to do. Since Olivia informed me that the mind-blowing orgasm one gets with a werebear bite during climax can still happen after you’ve changed, I’m not going to. So now I’m lying on Jared’s bed with only a sheet covering my body as he and Olivia attach restraints to my wrists and ankles.
    The fuzzy insides of the leather cuffs make them comfortable, as if they can fool me into thinking what I’m about to do won’t be the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced. My limbs tremble as warm hands hold me, and the metal buckles rattle as I’m locked to the bed frame. I take a shaky breath before I speak. “I don’t think I can do this.”
    The mattress sinks next to me as Olivia sits down, and she says, “You can, Courtney. I know this is really scary. But when it’s over, you’ll be really glad you did it.”
    “We’ll both be with you the entire time,” says Jared. I gaze into his face as hot tears burn in my eyes. He sighs as he sits next to me too, and his thumb is warm on my cheek as he wipes away a tear. He says, “I wish I could do this for you. I hate that you have to suffer.”
    Jax says, “It does really suck. But look at it this way. It’s a hell of a lot better than dying.”
    I glance at him standing at the end of the bed and offer my best attempt at a smile. “Thanks. I’ll try to remember that when I’m writhing in agony.”
    Olivia smoothes my hair out of my face as if I’m a child and says, “When Jared bites into your shoulder, you’ll feel sharp pain, and it will be quickly followed by a burning sensation that will travel throughout your body.” I nod as my breathing gets shallow. She says, “It won’t take long before your nerves will screech at the sensation of your claws and hair coming out of your skin and retracting back in.”
    “Jesus,” says Jared.
    Olivia glares at him before she continues. “After that goes on for a while you’re going to hear the cracking of bones. The good news is about that point, you’ll probably pass out.”
    “Are my bones really going to break?” I ask.
    Olivia says, “Yes.”
    “Why did you tell her that?” asks Jared.
    She snaps back, “Because she needs to know. Can you imagine if you felt that and didn’t know it was something that was going to happen?”
    Jax says, “She’s got a point. Damn, Courtney, you half-humans have got balls.”
    I can’t help my nervous chuckle and say, “God, I hope not. Those things would just get in the way.” I turn to Olivia. “Is there anything else I need to know?”
    “No. I think that’s it. She glances over at Jax and then back to me. “If you can try to think about your love for Jared, it helps.”
    I take a deep breath and turn to Jared. I know I sound like a little girl when I say, “I’m scared.”
    Jared’s face clouds with concern as he leans over me and says, “I know. I would be too.” The look on his face makes me think he’s afraid, too, but doing his best to be brave for me. He says, “But your bear is in there, and she’s going to get you through this.”
    I think about how strong my bear has already been. She gave me the courage to jump in front of a bullet and attack a man twice my size. “She is pretty badass.”
    Jared smiles at me and says, “And so are you.” He leans down and kisses my lips lightly before he whispers, “I love you, Courtney.”
    “I know.” I take a deep breath as I push my fear out of my mind and say, “I’m ready.”
    Olivia takes my hand and squeezes my fingers, and the springs in the mattress squeak when Jared climbs onto the bed. I glance at Jax, who’s leaning against the door, and I ask, “Jax, would you please come hold my other hand?”
    His feet beat steadily on the floor as he comes to me, and when Jax’s strong grip envelops my fingers I say, “Thank you. I think I’m going to need all the help I can