My Bear to Heal (Cypress Valley Shifters #3)

11. Tyler

T he sun sinks low in the sky, leaving the world ablaze. Reds and purples dance across the sky, mingling with the fluffy clouds as they drift by. A breeze ruffles my hair, which rests messily against the tops of my shoulders as I sit on my porch steps. Licking my thumb, I turn the page in my book, a new football romance I picked up at the tiny bookstore in Oak Ridge on my goat supply run today.

It’s a friends to lovers story about the star quarterback and the girl next door. They’re both hiding their true feelings for one another and the tension is building.

Kind of ironic, since I find myself in a similar situation.

I caught Addie staring at my ass the other day. The sidelong glances and longing in her eyes reassure me that maybe, just maybe, I’m not the only one hopelessly in love here. Now that she’s staying in Minnesota, her feelings for me seem to be growing .

“Come on, slow poke.” Addie’s gentle voice has me looking up from my book. She walks down the road to my cabin, Gertie nipping at her heels with every step. I can’t help but laugh at the pair; they’re adorable. “The chicks are fed and locked in their resort for the night,” she says, having come from the chicken coop.

She takes a seat next to me on the porch steps, the skirt of her dress swishing around her thick thighs and making my mouth water. My cock chooses that moment to stiffen, pressing uncomfortably against the zipper of my pants.

Down, boy.

“I swear they have it nicer than we do.” She laughs, the sound soaking into my skin. I wish I could bottle it and listen to it whenever I want.

“Just wait until they start laying more eggs than we know what to do with,” I joke, folding the corner in my book and giving Addie my undivided attention. “Have you heard anything from Dr. Thomas about your residency?”

Full lips tip down into a frown as her fingers toy with Gertie’s ear. “Not yet. I’m cautiously optimistic. I really want to stay here to be close to my dad and…”

And what? Me? I can only hope.

She glances down at the paperback in my hands. “Reading those bodice rippers again?” Her soft voice floats to my ears, a smile instantly forming on my face.

“I’m a romantic at heart, darlin’.” I wink. It’s true. I’ve always loved the happily-ever-after at the end of a romance novel.

The soul-shattering connection between the main characters is something I want for myself .

Something I’ll hopefully have some day with Addie.

“Learn anything from those books?” Roguish gray eyes twinkle at me.

“Why don’t you come inside and find out?” A brilliant flush pops up on her cheeks at my blatant flirting. I’m walking a tightrope, I know that, but I’m getting tired of being friends.

I want more.

I just don’t know if she does, too. So I’ll push her boundaries until one of us snaps.

“Uh-huh. Come on, hotshot. You ready for me to kick your ass in Mario Kart or what?” She hops to a stand before picking up the six-pack of cheap beer I didn’t realize she was carrying. My eyes were too busy eating up every peak and valley of her luscious curves.

This is our thing, old school Nintendo games and shitty beer.

It’s been too long since we hung out, just the two of us. She’s been too busy with her dad and volunteering at the Oak Ridge vet clinic. But now she’s here. And hopefully, tonight I can ease whatever tension has been building between us and gauge if she’s ready for me to admit my true feelings.

“Come on, Gert,” I say as I stand. Tiny hooves clip-clop into my cabin.

Following Addie inside, I lean against the door after it closes, eyes glued to her hand as she runs her delicate fingers over the spines of the books on my overflowing shelves. A soft smile plays on her lips, appreciation gleaming in her eyes. I’m a collector at heart. Anything from the classics to sci-fi, but mostly romance. “Why do you like romance books so much, Ty?” Her eyes flare bright as she turns toward me.

Not dropping her gaze, I speak from the heart. “There’s something truly special about a story of true love, don’t ya think? Two people finding their way to each other, no matter what obstacles they have to overcome. No matter what it takes, they get their happy ending.” My steps eat up the distance between us until I’m standing in front of her, peering into her hypnotic eyes. Thudding in my chest, my heart rams against my ribcage as I continue, “Don’t you want to spend your life with someone who would do anything for you, sweet rose? Don’t you want a love story great enough for someone to write it in the pages of a book?” I let the love and lust and hunger shine through my eyes.

The first test.

Unblinking, her throat tenses with a swallow before she finally breaks my stare, eyes dipping back to the bookshelf.

“And I’m a sucker for a good spice scene.” I smirk, snagging the beer pack from her grip and walking to the couch. I plop down, taking up as much space as possible so she’s forced to sit close to me.

In the corner of the living room, Gertie flops down in the dog bed I bought for her. She really is good company and surprisingly easy to take care of. Most days, she follows me or Addie around while we tend to the chickens and greenhouse, but she prefers to sleep in my bed at night.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for the cuddles.

Blowing into the end of the game cartridge before slotting it in place, Addie boots up the old Nintendo 64 game console and grabs two controllers while I uncap two beers. She sits on the couch, her bare thigh rubbing against the denim covering mine .

At the heat of her body against mine, my bear whines in my head. Touch her , he urges, my skin tightening with every ounce of restraint I possess, somehow managing not to drag her into my lap.

Once again, her outfit stops my fucking heart. A red lacy sundress hugs her breasts and waist, the skirt flaring around her wide hips and riding up on her thighs as she gets comfortable. Settling deeper into the couch, she slips off her worn black combat boots.

She’s an absolutely combustible combination of leather and lace. And I’m ready to get burned.

A controller lands in my lap with a thud . “You’ve got some drool there, big guy.” She runs her thumb under my bottom lip, her laughter floating around us.

Huffing a breath, I swat her hand away. I’ve missed this side of her. The playful, carefree Addie. “It’s good to see you smiling again, Addie Rose.”

There’s life behind those storm cloud eyes again.

The worry and stress of dealing with her dad’s health and being his caretaker zapped some of her joy. I tried to help as much as I could over the past few years, but Addie’s stubborn, thinking she can handle the weight of the world on her own.

With a smile, she starts the game, picking Bowser as her racer, and I know I’m about to get my ass handed to me.

“ I n your face!” she crows, fist pumping in the air. “How many more times do you wanna lose before we call it a night?”

We’ve been at this for the past two hours.

And I’ve lost every single race. I’ve tried every racer, but none of them beat Addie when she gets in the zone as Bowser.

“One more,” I say, holding up a single finger. The beer is long gone, but neither of us are drunk. We’re buzzing off each other’s energy, not the alcohol. “But… I get to be Bowser.”

She scoffs. “You really think that’ll make a difference?”

I know it won’t.

Her lips purse into a pout. “Fine.” With a few flicks of her thumbs, she selects Princess Peach and queues up the track. The dreaded Rainbow Road.

“What do I get if I win?” I ask as the screen loads.

She laughs, eyes lingering on the TV screen. “Really, Ty? Do you need motivation besides bragging rights? What do you want?”

I could ask for something simple. Something stupid. Another beer. Help in the greenhouse. But I immediately know what I want, and I know it’ll push the boundaries of our friendship.

“A kiss.”

Gray eyes dart to mine, nearly glowing in the light cast off the TV in the dark living room. She sucks in a sharp breath, chest stalling for a beat.

Blood whirs in my ears as I prepare for her to say no , then I’ll laugh it off like a lame joke. At least I’ll know she has no interest in me besides a friend.

Her lips roll over her teeth as she sits quietly for a few seconds .

On an exhale, she says, “Okay.”

A smirk lights up my face. Oh, it’s on!

The roar of the engines and the overly bubbly music get my blood pumping. It’s do or die time now. I mash my fingers on the joysticks, skirting around the track like my life depends on it.

He fucking won .

I don’t know how it happened.

Maybe I was so distracted by the thought of his lips against mine again.

Last time, they were soft and plush, like two perfect pillows. Will he try to push his tongue inside my mouth, taking things further, or will it be a simple peck?

“Alright, hotshot, you won. Time to collect your debt.” I turn toward Tyler, anticipation rushing through my blood as I pucker my lips and close my eyes.

“Oh, sweet rose. Are you impatient?” His warm hands wrap around my waist, pulling me closer .

My eyelids flutter open, suddenly realizing how close we are. His lips hover over mine, each breath warming my skin as our chests rise and fall in unison. The emerald of his eyes is deeper. Pure, unhindered lust shining in the threads of gold sewn through the dark green of his irises.

A soft whimper falls from my lips.

“No. I pay my debts on time. Now take what you’re owed.” I don’t recognize the desperate rasp in my own voice.

He clicks his tongue before dropping his lips to my throat. “Here’s what’s gonna happen, darlin’. I’ll collect my prize when I’m good and ready. When you least suspect it.” I shiver at the heady promise in his words and the brush of his lips against the sensitive flesh of my neck.

“But—”

Nostrils flaring against my skin, he sucks in a lungful of air. Is he scenting me?

“You’re not gonna rush me, sweet rose. I’ll kiss you when I’m good and ready.” He pulls back to look at me, pupils dilated.

A frustrated growl leaves my mouth as he stands from the couch, taking our empty beer bottles with him.

“Come on, Addie. I’ll walk you home.”

Hands clenched at my sides, I’m still fuming as we walk up to my front door. He goaded me into this situation and now he won’t even deliver.

Do I want him to kiss me?

Hell yes!

But, apparently, I have to wait...

Or, maybe not —

Using his massive body, he backs me up against the hard wood of the door. A very unattractive squeak slips out of me when he rests his elbows on either side of my head, creating a cage around me.

Every cell in my body charges with anticipation as I’m encapsulated by his smoky leather scent. My inhibitions fall away. Maybe he won’t torture me with his waiting game.

“I had fun tonight. I’ve missed spending time with you.” His voice is like honey, seducing me further with each drop that falls from his tempting lips.

“Me, too.” The words are breathy and uneven.

Tipping my head back, I stare into his mesmerizing eyes, like an enchanted forest. Just fucking kiss me , I want to scream.

Pent-up need pools in my abdomen, causing my thighs to quiver.

Dipping his head, those tempting lips lower until they’re mere inches from mine.

My head swims, heart thrashing against my ribcage.

Clenching my sweaty hands in the skirt of my dress, it takes every ounce of willpower not to rise up on my toes and seal our mouths together. But I let him take the lead.

“Goodnight, my sweet rose.” Each word is a puff across my parted lips, testing my restraint. The rough and gritty texture of his voice has me heating right down to my damn core.

His head dips ever so slightly. This is it . He’s going to kiss me, take us out of the friend zone into a whole new world.

But at the last second, Ty twists to the side, planting a chaste kiss on my cheek. The flesh instantly warms under his gentle touch .

My eyes flutter closed as the heat of his body recedes. A low chuckle hits my ears, along with the crunch of gravel under his boots. “So impatient, Addie,” he chides, fading into the darkness while I’m left frustrated beyond belief, his laughter ringing in my ears.