My Bear to Heal (Cypress Valley Shifters #3)

12. Adelaide

M y breath puffs out in labored pants as my feet pound against the dirt underfoot. Shadows dance across the path in front of me, like a kaleidoscope through the thick forest canopy. My thighs rub, desperately trying to burn a hole in the thin spandex of my leggings, as I jog along the trail at a light pace. The tight confines of my high-support sports bra are doing little to contain my breasts as they bounce and jiggle with each step.

I’ve always been plump and curvy, but I love my body for getting me through so much in life.

However, I’m human; every once in a while, I catch myself wondering what it would be like to not have my bingo wings flap when I move my arms or not have to worry about the rolls of my stomach distracting from a tight outfit.

But then I remember the heat in Tyler’s eyes as his green gaze flicked to my lips.

His eyes on me make me forget all of my insecurities and want him to worship me. My mind is still plagued by thoughts of last night and how I wish Tyler had crossed that line in the sand and kissed me .

My gut tells me we’d burn together like a forest fire… bright and hot. Until we smoldered into something permanent for the rest of our lives.

I try to pull my thoughts from Tyler and focus on my breathing. In and out. In and out. Sydney showed me this trail a few days ago. It runs behind her and Reese’s place, so it’s nice and secluded, with amazing scenery.

Perfect for a morning jog, since my body is still buzzing with need from Tyler’s teasing last night.

I break through the trees, their monstrous cabin coming into view at the top of the hill. A flash of brown to my right has me stopping in my tracks. With five grizzly shifters around, you never know what you’ll come across in these woods. It could be a spooked deer, or…

The bear heads straight for me, but I’m not afraid. It’s most likely one of the boys or… Tyler.

Whoever it is, he doesn’t stop until he’s on top of me. Stumbling, I fall backward and thump to the ground as the bear tackles me. Two massive front paws land on either side of my head, holding me captive in the dirt.

My mouth falls open, ready to berate this asshole. But green eyes full of mirth stare down at me as his big pink tongue lolls from his mouth.

Tyler.

The morning sun glistens off his teeth. One wrong move and those razor sharp canines could end someone’s life. Same can be said for the massive black claws currently digging into the dirt on either side of my face .

But I know better. This is Ty. My Ty . Gentle and goofy; he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“Morning, hotshot,” I practically purr, the weight of his huge, warm body making me squirm with need. It’s no secret that all the men in Cypress Valley are gorgeous, but I’m partial to the green eyed, tattoo-covered one.

His big fuzzy head leans down, damp nose snuffling against my neck with a large inhale. He takes several breaths, filling his lungs with my scent like he can’t get enough. Like he’s desperate.

When he pulls back, his pupils are blown wide.

He slicks his tongue up the side of my face, coating the flesh in a layer of warm saliva. “Ty-ler!” I squeal, trying desperately to dislodge his big body. Pressing my hands against his soft underbelly, I push with all my might, but it’s no use, he doesn’t budge. Instead, he licks a path up the other side of my face.

“Gross!” I shriek, squeezing my eyes shut. He finally relents, plopping back onto his butt between my splayed thighs.

I sit up and wipe both hands down my face, trying, and failing, to get rid of the bear spit. “I hope you know that counts as your kiss, you asshole.”

With a big snort, he shakes his head back and forth vigorously.

“What are you doing out here, anyway?” I reach out and scratch the scruff on the side of his face until he groans and leans into my touch. A giggle slips out of me because he’s like a giant teddy bear.

Using his snout, Tyler turns my head to the side, so he’s no longer in my field of vision. “What are you— ”

The distinct sound of crunching bone and popping joints fills my ears, a muffled grunt following close behind. “I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing out here, sweet rose? Don’t you know there are hungry bears in these woods? They’d be quick to eat up a pretty little thing like you.” His menacing chuckle ripples across the cool summer breeze, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Asshole,” I mutter, swinging my gaze back to him. My eyes nearly pop out of their sockets when they land on a very naked Tyler kneeling between my spread legs.

Dirt smudges cover his tan, tattooed skin, only adding to his allure. Rugged and masculine.

“See somethin’ you like?” A cocky grin spreads across his face and I try really freaking hard to keep my eyes above his waist.

But with the way he’s crouched, it’s a losing battle. It’s kind of hard to miss the weapon hanging between his muscular thighs. Thick and long, with a ring of wider flesh at the base. His knot.

Biting my cheek, I stifle a whimper as my mind wanders to what it must be like to have that inside me. The stretch and burn must be exquisite.

He throws his head back on a raucous laugh, the strong lines of his throat exposed and making me suddenly drown in saliva as it all pools in my mouth all at once. Great.

“Come on, sweet rose. You can help me sneak into Reese’s place.” A sly grin forms on his handsome face.

Oh, he’s up to something .

“Why? Please don’t tell me you have some kind of B a few stray freckles mark the skin as it bulges slightly over the waistband. Clamping my teeth down on my bottom lip, I stifle a groan and resist the urge to strip her clothes off and fuck her right here in Reese’s bathroom.

Instead, I focus on the task at hand and place the bottle back on the shower shelf, spinning it so the label faces exactly how it was before.

He’ll never know.

“What about the toothpaste?”

I chuckle at what’s to come. “That’s my favorite prank. I’ve been saving it for months, biding my time.”

She follows me down the stairs and back to the kitchen.

Opening the cupboard above the fridge, I spot the opened packet of cookies immediately—exactly where Sydney said they’d be. Grabbing it, I spin on my heels and bring the package to the island, where Addie waits.

Holding my hand out flat, I say, “Hand me the toothpaste, ma—Addie.” I cough, trying to cover my near slip up.

I’ve called her my mate in my head for years, but this is the first time it came out in front of her. My heart picks up speed, sweat coating my brow. Fuck.

Her expression is neutral when she hands me the tube. Maybe she didn’t hear my screw up. “Thanks,” I mutter. Grabbing two butter knives from the drawer in front of me, I hand one to Addie and we get to work swapping out the sugary creme for overpoweringly minty toothpaste .

Gently, I set the last Oreo in the package and seal the flap shut again. “How do you know Reese even eats Oreos?”

I tap the side of my nose and wink. “His sneaky little mate informed me our dear Reese has a secret cookie addiction—specifically Oreos.”

Her shrill whistle cuts through the otherwise quiet kitchen. “Messing with a man’s comfort food. That’s pretty low, Ty. Hope you’re ready to meet your maker.”

“Not anytime soon, sweet rose. Come on. Let’s get out of here before the lovebirds get home.” Lacing my fingers through hers, I drag her behind me out the back door and into the woods. The organ in my chest comes to life, beating out of control, as her rich scent surrounds us and she doesn’t pull her hand from mine.