My Bear to Heal (Cypress Valley Shifters #3)

8. Adelaide

A ll the air leaves my lungs as I finally exhale. The cabin door clicks shut, Tyler’s massive frame now out of sight.

“That was painful,” I mutter. My voice carries through the quiet cabin as I lock the front door.

We’re never awkward around each other. Something is up with Tyler ever since I touched the rose tattoo on his neck earlier. Did he read into that moment too much? Was it too intimate for friends?

I groan in frustration, heading to my bedroom, where the floor is littered with boxes I still have to unpack. At least the guys were kind enough to set up my bed and furniture.

Unpacking can wait until tomorrow. Exhaustion seeps into my bones. My bed is calling my name.

Grabbing my duffel bag full of clothes and essentials, I quickly change into my pajamas before flopping back on the mattress. My body sinks into the plush material, cradling me like the fluffiest cloud in the world. Tension floods out of me, but I’m sure my muscles will be sore tomorrow from all the heavy lifting involved with moving .

A sigh slips from my lips as my lids flutter shut. But instead of the blackness of sleep, visions of molten emerald eyes fill my head. Tyler.

What is this invisible string pulling me to him? Sometimes it’s like I can’t get him out of my head, no matter how hard I try… like I’m obsessed.

The muscles in my core tighten as my thoughts drift. Fathomless green pools stare up at me from between my spread legs. Tattooed fingers grip my thighs roughly, holding me hostage to the pleasure he’s about to provide.

The fantasy is all too familiar. And I’m too tired to fight it tonight, so I let my imagination run wild as I welcome his callused hands on my milky-white thighs. The deep growl emanating from his chest is like music to my ears, ramping up the lust in my bloodstream.

Moisture trickles from my pussy, dampening my sleep shorts.

Reaching toward the nightstand, I flip on the lamp before hopping out of bed in search of my little pink vibrating friend.

A box in the open closet marked Bedroom Miscellaneous snags my attention. Kneeling down, I frantically rummage through the random items until my fingers clutch around the silicone U-shaped vibrator.

Settling back in bed, I strip off my shorts and press the button on the toy, clicking it a few times until the vibrations purr at maximum speed.

Closing my eyes once more, I pull up my favorite fantasy.

Are you wet for me, sweet rose? His voice echoes in my head. Deep and rich, coasting over my body until goosebumps trail the flesh. My nipples pucker under the thin material of my tank top, waiting for his touch.

“Yes, Ty,” I moan, running the thicker end of the vibrator through my folds, coating it in my arousal. I push the tip inside until it hits a spot that has a shiver rushing down my spine. The smaller end rests against my needy clit, sending little tremors through the sensitive bud.

Unbridled need swirls behind my closed eyelids as fantasy Tyler hooks two tattooed fingers into my dripping channel. His wicked tongue weaves a path around my aching clit until I’m nearly begging.

“Please, Ty. Don’t stop.” I press the small end of the vibrator harder against my clit until pleasure ripples through me.

In my mind, Tyler’s lips wrap around my clit and suck. Hard.

My back arches off the bed as my release builds in my core. I need to come.

But the vibrator alone isn’t enough. I need more.

Fantasy Tyler’s lips curve into a wicked grin as his hand grips one ass cheek, fingers exploring in the crevice between.

Mimicking his movements, my free hand snakes between my legs, fingers trailing further back until they press against the dark pucker there. The added sensation has electric energy spiking in my veins.

Pressing the vibrator tighter to my clit, one finger slowly eases into my back entrance. It’s the perfect storm and I fucking explode. “Tyler!”

Tingles spread to the tips of my fingers and toes, my body slowly floating back to reality. The familiar guilt settles in my stomach now that the lust is gone. Not for the first time, I pleasured myself to thoughts of my best friend.

“Fuck,” I mutter, dragging my bone-tired body from bed to clean up.

I hastily rinse the vibrator in the bathroom sink and lay it out to dry before relieving myself one last time before I go to sleep. As I wash my hands, I’m met by sad gray eyes rimmed with dark shadows. My pale skin is almost translucent against my vibrant red curls.

All the worry and stress over my dad’s health is starting to show in my appearance.

As I settle into bed once more, I can’t help but think Tyler and my dad are right. I need to start living for myself, instead of everyone else. And that means taking what I want… or who I want.

With that declaration, the guilt dissipates from my stomach as I close my eyes and welcome the dreams of a certain tattoo-covered shifter.

T hump. Thump.

“Five more minutes,” I grumble and pull the blanket over my head, burrowing deeper into the soft sheets.

Thump. Thump. Thump .

Uncurling from my blanket cocoon, I sit up and stretch my arms overhead. A yawn rips from my mouth as my eyes flutter open. “What is that?”

It takes my brain a second to adjust, realizing I’m in my cabin at Cypress Valley and not the bedroom I grew up in. Dew-covered fern leaves sparkle in the morning sun outside the wall of glass across from my bed.

Thump. Thump.

What is that noise?

“Addie.” Tyler’s muffled voice has my head swinging toward the bedroom door. “You awake?” His voice barely filters in from the other room. He must be at the front door.

Stumbling out of bed, I cover another yawn with my hand as I make it to the front door. Flicking open the lock, I swing the door wide to find Tyler looking drool-worthy in a tight navy t-shirt, black jeans, and his worn brown work boots. The patchwork of ink on his arms is on full display in the early morning light.

Roses and vines. A menacing grizzly bear. A motorcycle and skull. And more ink my sleepy brain can’t quite decipher. Each trailing along his muscular arms to weave a story.

I’ve never asked him what his tattoos mean, but they seem personal. My eyes slowly skim back up to his face, which is the picture of surprise; brows raised and mouth hanging agape.

It’s then I realize I’m still in my pajamas… a nearly see-through tank top and tiny sleep shorts.

His mouth snaps shut, the muscle in his jaw ticking as he clenches his teeth and swallows. “I didn’t know you had a tattoo.” There’s extra gravel in his voice this morning that hits me right between my thighs.

“Oh, um, yeah. I got it last summer,” I say, glancing down at the grizzly bear surrounded by roses inked in black and gray on my outer thigh. I got it for you . My tongue aches to speak the words aloud, but I bite the muscle, holding my confession inside a little while longer.

The tattoo is higher up on my leg, where my hip and thigh meet, so it’s usually hidden under clothing.

“I like it.” Hooded eyes slowly peruse from the tips of my red painted toenails to the curls piled high on my head. When they reach my face, his gaze stalls on where my bottom lip is trapped between my teeth. My cheeks heat under his blatant eye-fucking. Maybe I’ve been reading him wrong since our awkward kiss and my rejection? Maybe he is still attracted to me.

A tiny bleat has my attention drawn to his boots, the laces still untied like he slipped them on in a hurry this morning. Miss Gertrude stands at his feet, tiny hooves stamping impatiently.

“Good morning, Gertie.” I kneel and rub my fingers over the soft fur on her back.

As I straighten, Tyler chuckles. “Are you ready to go, or do you need a few minutes?”

“Shit, sorry. I overslept, I guess. Give me twenty minutes to shower and get ready. Do you want to come in? I’m pretty sure there’s a coffee maker in one of these cupboards, and I thought I saw some grounds somewhere. Was your cabin stocked when you moved in, too?” And I’m rambling. Smooth, Addie. I move back from the door so Tyler can walk past. When he does, smoke and leather permeate my senses. He always smells so freaking good.

Gertie’s little hooves click on the wood floor, happily trailing behind him as he walks to the kitchen. Unable to help it, my eyes laser in on the way the black denim hugs the tight muscles of his ass. Heat crawls up my neck at the memory of what I did last night while thinking about him.

Friends… We’re friends. You rejected him.

“Reese stocks each cabin before someone moves in. So you should have all the essentials and some basic food items. He fixed the plumbing in this place a few days ago, so everything should be in working order. Do you want me to cook some breakfast?” He turns to face me again, smirking as my eyes flick to his face. Hopefully, there isn’t any drool on my chin from ogling him.

“Breakfast. Yes, that would be great. I’ll just—” I point over my shoulder awkwardly before heading to the bathroom for a much needed ice-cold shower.