My Bear to Heal (Cypress Valley Shifters #3)

9. Tyler

“ A lright, Gertie. What should we make for breakfast?” She stares blankly at me with wide caramel eyes. “Okay, you’re no help.”

Spotting a bowl of fruit on the counter, I grab a banana and remove the peel. When I got home last night, I did a little internet research on pygmy goats. Turns out, they make great pets. So, I guess Gertie is Cypress Valley’s unofficial mascot.

After breaking the banana into a few chunks, I set it on the floor, along with a bowl of water. “There you go, girl.” Her tail wiggles as she digs in, leaving me to cook in peace.

Swinging open the door of the fridge, I survey the contents. Bacon and eggs sit on the top shelf— perfect . The water kicks on in the bathroom down the hall, giving me a minute to catch my breath before I have to face Addie again.

I did not expect that sexy as fuck tattoo on her thigh. The woman is full of surprises. It just makes me want to peel off the rest of her clothes so my greedy eyes can find out what else she’s hiding.

Does she have any other tattoos I could trace with my fingers and tongue?

A grizzly bear and roses. Is that a coincidence… or fate? Does it have anything to do with me ?

She said she got it a while ago, presumably after we met. Her sweet rose scent still surrounds me, lingering in the small cabin long after she’s left the room and sending my heartbeat into a wild rhythm.

A soft moan breaks free as my grizzly pouts in my mind. “I know, man. She’ll be ours soon.”

He grumbles, but lays down quietly.

Before I can get too lost in my thoughts, I find a pan in one of the lower cabinets and get to work on breakfast.

I finish plating the last of the food as Addie emerges from the bathroom. Her wild mane of curls is piled in a bun on her head, a few tendrils escaping to frame her face. She’s fucking breathtaking, with the slight flush to her freckled cheeks and the bright smile that lights up her stormy eyes.

Since her focus seems to be on Gertie, I let my eyes slowly peruse her body. Addie is tall for a woman, only a few inches shorter than my six-foot-two height.

And she has curves for days…

Ample breasts that I’ve been salivating over since we met. What I wouldn’t give to get my hands on them. I bet she’d moan so beautifully for me if I plucked and twisted her nipples, playing her like my own personal violin.

Her waist tucks in before flaring to a set of wide hips and an ass I can’t help but ogle every time she turns around. Today, she’s wearing another pair of those damn athletic leggings, black like always. They hug every curve and dip like a second skin.

I force my eyes back to her face as she approaches. “Voilà. Breakfast is served.” Balancing both plates in my large hands, I usher her to the small dining table near the front window.

“Bacon and eggs. My favorite. Thanks, Ty.” I place a plate in front of her before taking my seat.

She clears her throat, and I look up from my plate, chewing on a bite of bacon. “I’ve been meaning to ask you since the other night at the bar, but what’s up with you and Kandice? You said it didn’t work out, but were you together?”

I nearly choke on my food. Fuck, I was hoping she’d forgotten about their run in at the Dirty Paw. Reaching for my glass, I gulp down some water until my throat is no longer on fire. “I thought I told you yesterday in the truck. Nothing happened. We’re just friends.”

“Come on, Ty,” she admonishes. “ We’re friends.” She gestures a hand between us. “Whatever you’re doing with her… just be careful. She has a not-so-great reputation, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

A pang of guilt settles in my stomach. She really thinks I slept with Kandice. And worse yet, she’s so selfless that she’s worried about me getting my heart broken.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair and tugging at the ends. When I look up again, Addie’s eyes bore into me. “The truth is nothing happened the other night. Nothing’s happened in a long time for me. ”

Gray eyes widen. “But I’ve seen you leave the bar with different women on several occasions. You’re telling me you haven’t slept with any of them?”

I nod.

“Why?”

Fuck.

Because of you. I want to scream the words, but I can’t. “I’m holding out for the right person. Plus, you remember how my ex, Amber, shredded my heart?”

Addie nods, slowly chewing a bite of bacon.

“I was so broken when Reese found me in the woods after leaving Minneapolis. I never thought I’d be whole again.”

Suddenly, a warm hand clutches my hand. Running my fingers gently over the ridge of her knuckles, I soak in her attention. “I’m so sorry, Ty. If that bitch ever shows her face here—” She slaps a hand over her mouth, cheeks scrunching underneath as they turn pink. “Sorry, that was—”

“Don’t apologize, Addie.” I like this possessive side of her. It confirms the fact she cares about me more than I thought.

Maybe she wouldn’t reject me if I tried again.

My chest puffs out at the idea of finally claiming her. A low growl of approval echoes in my head as my grizzly shows his agreement. “You don’t have to worry about Amber. She’s a city girl through and through. I don’t think all the money in the world could convince her to come out to the wilderness after me. That chapter of my life is closed.”

“Good riddance,” she whispers as she pulls her hand back and continues eating .

“Anyway, I guess I’ve been trying to stitch the pieces of my heart back together with all these women. But any time I go home with one of them, it doesn’t feel right, so I chicken out and leave. I’ve probably pissed a lot of them off.”

I also can’t stop thinking about you, my sweet rose. My bear perks up again, rumbling softly in my ear.

“Here I thought you were a major ladies’ man,” she says with a giggle, and my gut sinks. She thought I was really sleeping with all these women.

“I’m more of a one woman kind of guy.” I wink and flash her a smirk. A pretty blush creeps onto the apples of her cheeks. Oh, she’s definitely affected by me.

A chorus of peeps from the corner of the room interrupts our moment. “Looks like the chicks are awake. How were they last night?”

“I didn’t hear a peep.” She laughs at her own dumb joke, and I can’t help but chuckle, too. Gertie lifts her head from her spot on the couch, ears twitching. “Couldn’t help myself.”

Me, neither, I think as I reach across the table and tuck a stray curl behind her ear. Briefly, she leans into the touch before going back to her food. Every time she embraces my touch, it fills my heart with hope that she’ll be ready for me this time. Because, now that she’s here, I’m itching to make another move and keep her forever.