Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love (Adaira) BBW Bear Shifter Romance (Hope Valley BBW online dating app romances Book 6) (9 page)

“That was so brave, Adaira,” he said, his voice full of admiration for the incredible woman she was. She shrugged.

“What else could I do? But then I twisted my ankle. At that point I realized that I was totally at his mercy,” she said, her voice full of disgust. “I managed to drag myself under the cabin, not that it was much of a hiding place. I knew it might be risky to blow my whistle, but I had to try everything I could. And you heard me, right?”

“I heard the whistle, loud and clear, yes. But before that, I heard you scream,” he said, his voice very soft.

“You heard me – all that way? How is that possible?”

“Sometimes shifters are able to hear sounds beyond the spectrum of their hearing, in very special circumstances,” he said, not adding that those circumstances were when they were hearing their mate calling out to them. “So, of course, when I heard you, I started running.”

“I thought the whistle would either bring the wolves running, or hurt their ears, and luckily it seemed to be the latter. I was so petrified that they were going to come and drag me out from the cabin, but the first furry body I saw was yours,” she said with a grin. “Of course, I was worried that you were a bear – I mean a 100% bear – but when you shifted, I couldn’t believe my eyes.”

“Was it weird to see?” he said doubtfully.

“No it was actually pretty cool, and it happened fast. But then, when the wolf attacked you. My god. I thought my heart was going to stop beating.”

“Mine too,” he said. “It wouldn’t have dared attack me in my bear form, but as a human, it was a different matter, and could have been very dangerous.” She shuddered.

“I can see that. I was so scared for you.”

“It’s all fine now,” he said, and, surprising himself, he reached out and patted her hand. He was rewarded with a radiant smile, which reached all the way to her sparkling hazel eyes.

“I was just wondering – is there any chance you could make me a cup of tea?” She looked at him beguilingly. He shot to his feet.

“God, I’m so sorry. I’m such a rude bear. I should’ve offered you something to eat and drink.” She waved her hand.

“No, don’t be silly. I’m not shy about asking for what I need, trust me.”

“Ok. You must be hungry though?”

“No. Actually the wolf fed me well,” she said. Leigh’s face dropped a little.

“He did?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You know I’m going to prise it out of you?” she said.

“Oh, it’s just that I prepared dinner for the two of us. I tried to make it real nice.” He looked so wounded that she wanted to hug him.

“We could eat a little now?” she suggested. “I’m sure I’ve still got some room.”

“I ate it already, when I thought you weren’t coming,” he said.

“Maybe we could make the same thing tomorrow, but this time, I could help you. How about that?” He brightened immediately.

“I’d like that,” he said shyly. “Now I’ll see if I’ve got some tea.” He went into his cabin, knowing that he didn’t have any, but wondering if there was anything he could use instead. There was nothing much in the cupboards.

“I’ve got coffee?” he called to her, poking his head out of the door.

“I guess it’ll do,” she said with a wink.

He made up two cups and brought them outside.

“I’m sorry. I’ve never really tried tea before,” he said, handing her a cup and sitting down on the rock beside her. “But I’ve been a coffee addict ever since the bears in the clan got me into it.”

“Ah, I’m Scottish. That means I automatically love tea. But coffee’s not a bad substitute.”

“You’re really from another country?”

“Yep, all the way across the ocean.”

“I haven’t met many people from a different country before. Only Tamika.”

“She’s my cousin!” she said with a grin.

“No way! But you talk so different.”

“She was brought up in England and I was brought up in Scotland. They’re not far apart, but the accents are different.”

“Is there a Scottish language?”

“Yes, it’s called Gaelic, but not many people speak it nowadays. My parents do, but us kids were lazy, and we only know a few phrases.”

“Like what?”

“Well, my first name means ‘ford by the oak tree’, and my last name, McKenzie, means ‘fair one’.”

“That’s pretty cool,” he said thoughtfully, stealing a glance at her as she gazed up at the stars. She was so beautiful. With her flaming red hair and pale, translucent skin, she looked like a pixie, or a spirit from another realm.

“Does everyone in your country look like you?” he blurted out. She laughed.

“You mean my hair, right?” She caught it by the ends and coiled it around her hand. It was bright, almost glowing. “It’s a pretty common color in Scotland, that’s true. But lots of people have dark or blond hair as well.” He looked at it transfixed, and had to restrain himself from reaching out and touching it too.

“Have you always lived up in the mountains?” she asked.

“Yep, all my life. I’ve only spent a handful of nights away from it.”

“I can imagine not wanting to leave,” she said. “The view here is unbelievable.”

“Leigh, I think I forgot to say before, as I was a little caught up with everything that was happening, but thank you so, so much for coming to my rescue.”

“It’s my duty,” he said simply.

“Well, that’s not true, since we’re strangers, so it went far beyond the call of duty.” He gave her an intense look, but didn’t say anything more.

“Did you know he was the alpha of the pack?” she continued. “He looked so damn arrogant on his Shiftr profile.”

“You were talking to him on Shiftr?”

“No. He wanted to, but I told him straight up I wasn’t interested. I’ve got no time for arrogant guys,” she said. Leigh frowned.

“But how did he know you were on the mountain that day if you didn’t tell him?” She shrugged.

“I think the app has a proximity locator, so maybe he tracked me that way.”

“That’s it!” he said, leaping to his feet. “He was tracking you. He didn’t just come across you by chance. It makes perfect sense. And he probably couldn’t believe his luck when he realized that you thought he was someone else. That A-hole!” His bear gave a roar of fury, making Adaira jump.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be aggressive. It just seems so much worse that he planned the whole thing.”

“You’re telling me! There I was, wandering innocently along the trail, looking forward to meeting you, and he was following my progress the whole time.” Leigh broke into a smile.

“You were looking forward to meeting me?”

“Of course I was! We had a great conversation on the phone the other day, and who wouldn’t want to meet the guy who’s supposed to be their perfect match – ” she broke off. “Sorry. Was that too direct? I’m always getting told off for my lack of subtlety.” He laughed.

“No. I like direct. I’m a bear. And not a very socially skilled one as far as bears go. Subtlety goes right over my head.”

“That makes two of us,” she said. He glanced at her and found she was looking at him. He expected her to look away again, but she didn’t. She held his gaze with her glittering golden brown eyes. It felt like when he looked at the sun through his lashes – almost too bright, but irresistible. They were inches from one another. She leaned towards him, placed her small hand on his thigh, and kissed him, right at the corner of his mouth. His skin tingled where she’d kissed it. She drew back a few inches and looked at him searchingly, as if she was trying to figure out what he was feeling. Her hand was still on his thigh, making him dizzy, and he inhaled the sweet, coffee scent of her breath coming from between her parted lips. His heart beating fast, he leaned towards her and pressed his lips against hers. The sensation was incredible. Her lips were like the softest pillows, and slightly moist. She made a tiny sound, and kissed him back, tilting her head a little so her mouth met his at an angle. This felt nice. She moved her lips back and forth, and instinctively, he did the same, every little motion sending waves of bliss though his body. As the tip of her tongue ran between his lips, he jolted, before discovering that it felt really good. He did the same with his own tongue, and as she touched her tongue against his, sparks crackled around his brain. As her tongue danced around his, and then retreated, he followed it, tasting the velvety sweetness of the inside of her mouth. He lifted a hand, and touched her hair, as he’d been dying to do ever since he first laid eyes on her, and was rewarded with the sensation of the soft curls tangling around his fingers. When he thought he couldn’t experience any more pleasure, she shuffled closer on the rock, so her body pressed against his. He felt her large, round breasts brushing against his torso, and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her still closer.
This is what kissing feels like
, he thought. He’d always wondered why it was so big a deal. Now he knew. The feeling of her small, soft mouth on his and her fingers gently touching his shoulder was driving him crazy.

Suddenly, his bear, that he’d been trying hard to control so far, let out a growl of frustration. It was urging him to mate with her. He jumped away from her as if he’d received an electric shock. She looked shocked too, her beautiful eyes wide open.

“I’m sorry, that was my bear. It’s not always easy to control it,” he said.

“That’s ok,” she said immediately, but he could tell that it had unsettled her. She edged away a little, a hint of defensiveness in her eyes, and then she yawned and stretched. “I think I really need to get some sleep now. I lost my tent back there, so is there anywhere I can sleep here?”

“You can sleep in my bed. I’ll sleep on the floor,” he said.

“Don’t be daft,” she said. “I’ll gladly accept the offer of staying in your place, but there’s no way I’m letting you sleep on the floor.” She stood up, balancing on one leg, and looked towards the door of the cabin uncertainly. “Can I lean on you?” she said.

“You can, but I think it’d be easier if I carried you.” She looked like she was going to refuse, but then she nodded. She wasn’t someone who accepted help easily, he noted. And it filled him with admiration for her, as much as he wanted to protect her, and take care of her every need. He bent down and lifted her up, one hand behind her knees, and the other beneath her shoulders. She felt like nothing; a feather on the breeze.

He brought her into the cabin and deposited her on a chair beside the bed.

“Nice place,” she said, looking around.

“It’s probably a bit rougher than you’re accustomed to,” he said in an apologetic tone.

“No, it’s cozy. I like it.”

“And I’m sorry, but it’s a very hard mattress. Even some of the other bears complain about it when they’ve crashed here before,” he said. She glanced at it.

“Don’t you worry about it. I think I could sleep anywhere at all after the day I’ve had,” she replied.

“Actually, wait – ” Leigh put an animal skin rug on top of the pine needle mattress, and then a blanket. “Try this,” he said, helping her to hobble over and lie down.

“Wow, this is actually really comfy.” She sighed as her body stretched out, muscles relaxing as the bed supported them. He put a second blanket on top of her, pulling it up to her chin and gently tucking it around her body. And then he crossed the room, blew out the two oil lamps that illuminated the room and lay down on a floor rug.

“Hey, come and sleep on the bed too. I hate to see you on the floor there,” she said, her voice silvery in the darkness.

“No, I’m fine, really,” he replied. In truth, he was too worked up and full of desire to be able to sleep next to her. She made a sound of disagreement.

“Goodnight, Adaira,” he said.

“Goodnight, Leigh,” she replied. He lay and listened to her turning over in the bed, the little sleepy sighs she made. He inhaled her scent – so light and sweet and feminine – badly wishing he was next to her, feeling the warmth of her body against his. After a while, her breathing deepened, and she began to release cute little snores. His bear relaxed. She didn’t seem so alien and perfect now. She was an animal, just like him. At last, he allowed himself to fall asleep, stretched out flat on his back on the rug, with a blanket pulled over him.

The first thing Adaira was aware of was that she’d had an amazing, deep sleep. Her body felt relaxed in the way that only happened when she’d slept for a long time undisturbed. The second was that her left ankle hurt like hell. The third was that there was a gorgeous man walking past her bed wearing only a pair of ripped and faded jeans. A gorgeous man who’d given her the best kiss of her entire life a few hours earlier. She cleared her throat, and he turned his head towards her with a smile that was like the sun coming out from behind the clouds.

“Morning,” he said.

“Good morning,” she replied, allowing her gaze to linger on his torso. Leigh’s body was her absolute ideal. It was so strong and sturdy. She imagined what it would feel like to be wrapped in his arms, her head laid on his pecs; how it would feel for this scene to be her everyday life, sharing a bedroom with this man. She found she liked the idea a lot. A tingle ran all through her body, beginning between her thighs, and reaching all the way up to her heart. It was desire, but more than that.

“How did you sleep?”

“Better than I have in months,” she said, stretching. “This bed is actually really comfy.”

“It’s that healthy mountain air too.” He perched right on the edge of the bed. “And how’s your ankle?”

“To be honest, it hurts worse than last night.” she poked it out of the blanket so he could see it. It was very swollen and reddish purple.

“It might be the swelling that’s causing the pain, but I’m not an expert.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure. It’s not the first time I’ve sprained an ankle. If it was broken I would’ve heard it snap.” She gazed around the cabin. “And from my past experience, it might be another five days to a week before I can safely walk on it long distance.”

“You need to get back home before that, right?” he said. She nodded.

“Yes, I’ve just started a new research project, so I can’t really go taking extended vacations. I was only planning on being away for two nights.”

“I can carry you down the mountain,” he said immediately. She frowned.

“Am I not really heavy on your back?” He laughed.

“You feel as light as the birds that occasionally perch on my back when I’m asleep outdoors. I could carry you for days without getting tired. We can leave now, if you like?” She swallowed down disappointment. She didn’t want to leave just yet. She’d only just arrived, and so far, she was enjoying his company a lot. 

“Oh, I don’t have to leave
right now
. I guess tomorrow morning at the latest. I mean, whatever fits in with your schedule.”

“I don’t have a schedule,” he said, and broke into a brilliant grin, making him look more handsome than ever.

“In that case, I’d love to stay a little longer, and maybe we could head out early tomorrow?”

“Sure,” he said. Adaira peered at him through her lashes. He wasn’t the most forthcoming of guys, but she believed he was happy that she was staying. If he wasn’t he’d probably just tell her, she thought, with a secret smile.

“I’ll make us some breakfast.” He walked over to the corner of the cabin and lifted a large, rectangular piece of wood off the floor. There was some kind of space beneath it, like a cellar – or a larder – she realized, as he stepped down three steps, until he was hidden up to his chest, and began to pull out various types of food, all carefully wrapped.

“I knew I still had some bacon!” he exclaimed. A tray of eggs followed. “And eggs. I’ll get tomatoes from the garden too. You’re lucky I was in Hope Valley recently, or the choice would have been more limited.”

“What do you normally eat?”

“Just meat. And veggies. I often don’t do breakfast, lunch and dinner. I just eat when I go hunting.”

“So you eat mostly in your bear form?” she said, failing to hide her surprise. He nodded. “That must make things interesting.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean if you’re dating someone who’s not a bear.”

“I never thought about it like that.”

“I guess I’m a little biased, because I’m a big fan of eating out in restaurants. I probably eat out two or three times a week.”

“You do?” he said, looking a little worried.

“Yeah, I’m a big socializer. I love catching up with the girls, and having fun nights out. Of course, I don’t know anyone in Hope Valley yet, but Tamika says she’ll put me in touch with her friends. How about you? Do you catch up with the guys often?”

“I go to Hope Valley for weddings and sometimes to help the clan out, building things and stuff. But I usually go back the same day. It feels strange to be away from here overnight. My bear doesn’t like it; it makes him unsettled and grizzly.” Adaira hid her shock. She knew he was a little reclusive of course, but this was something else.

“You’re moving down to the valley soon though, right?” He shook his head.

“No. This is my home.”

“But, your profile – ”

“The guys told me to write that. They said that no-one would want to date me if they thought I was some crazy bear of the mountains.” Adaira burst out laughing.

“You’ve gotta appreciate friends who give it to you straight.” She gazed around the cabin. “You’ve got a great place here. I really like what you’ve done with it. But don’t you want to be a little more integrated with your clan? Be able to go out to bars when you want?” he shrugged.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on that stuff, but I just feel safe here.” She smirked, running her eyes over his muscular torso.

“Judging by what I saw you do last night, I think you’d be safe pretty much anywhere,” she said, expecting him to smile, but instead, pain flashed across his features. She opened her mouth again to ask him what she’d said to offend him, but then she stopped herself. She didn’t know him well enough to probe like that.  And from the look in his eyes, she needed to change the subject fast.

“Do you think I could have a shower first?” she said. “It feels like a long time since I washed in the river yesterday.”

“Oh you did? Whereabouts?”

“There was this spot with a little pool, about two thirds of the way up the mountain. Why?”

“Oh, I was wondering if it was where I had the accident that led to me being late and you walking out on me the other day.” She laughed.

“Hey, I waited for you for a good long time. And if you’d told me in advance how far away you lived, I would’ve waited a lot longer!” She pulled her arm out from under the blanket and swatted him. As his eyes widened, she remembered that she’d slipped her tank top off during the night because she was hot, and she was now in just her black lace bra, which she was currently displaying to him.

“Sorry about that,” she said, covering herself up again, although she was more flattered than embarrassed by the naked hunger in his eyes. He shook himself, as if he was trying to break out of a trance.

“Ok, shower. The water comes direct from the stream, so I’ll boil a pan of water and pour it into the cistern.”

“I get the impression you don’t normally do that for yourself?”

“Nope. I’ve been having cold showers all my life. You get used to it.” She shuddered. She considered herself to be pretty hardy, and she didn’t mind an occasional cold shower, as long as she knew there was a hot one coming up at a none-too-distant-point in the future.

Leigh went over to the stove and put a cauldron of water on to boil.

“It’ll take a little while to get hot, I’m afraid,” he apologized, but I’ll make some coffee in the meantime.” He put a small metal pan on the other gas ring and soon the coffee was ready, and he handed her a steaming cup. She pulled herself up in the bed and sipped it, watching him as he went into the bathroom and clunked around with the shower. She didn’t love drinking coffee without milk, but it was still good coffee.

“Ok, it’s ready,” he said, carrying the cauldron of boiling water over and pouring it into the cistern.

“Do you have a spare towel?” she said. He frowned.

“No, I’m sorry. I usually dry myself outside. The breeze means it doesn’t usually take long.” She smiled to herself. He was the essence of rugged masculinity. She was actually impressed that he had a bathroom at all. If she hadn’t known, she would’ve guessed that he just jumped into the river to wash. He handed her a t-shirt of his. “Could you dry yourself on this?”

“Absolutely,” she said.

She wrapped the blanket around herself and shuffled out of bed.

“Let me help you,” he said, and he swept her into his arms again and took her to the bathroom.

She got under the shower quickly, knowing the hot water wouldn’t last long. It was kind of lukewarm, but it felt unbelievably good to get clean again. There was a natural soap in the shower, made of some kind of oil and herbs, which felt unexpectedly nice on her skin.

She turned the shower off and grabbed his t-shirt. It smelled freshly laundered, and she liked the fact that she was drying herself with something that he’d been wearing on his body. She washed her clothes too, thinking about the clean set that she’d left back in her backpack underneath the wolf’s cabin. Oh well. There was no chance she was going to see those again. When she was done, she held the t-shirt in front of her body and opened the bathroom door a crack. Leigh was standing by the stove, cooking, and an amazing smell of bacon wafted over. Her stomach growled. He turned his head.

“Do you have anything I could wear? Like another t-shirt?” she called.

“Sure.” He rummaged in some drawers and brought a t-shirt over. As he came close, she was intensely aware of how naked she was. He was so much taller than her. She wondered if he could see more of her body from his vantage point than she realized. The thought made her feel vulnerable, but a little aroused. If he’d jumped her right then, snatched the wet t-shirt away from her body and pulled her into his arms, she wouldn’t have resisted. But he didn’t. He was a gentleman; a rustic gentleman of the mountains, and she loved that about him. He passed her the t-shirt and closed the door. She pulled it over her head. To her relief it came down to her knees, plenty long enough to preserve her modesty, since she wasn’t wearing anything else.

She opened the door as quietly as she could and hopped across the room. There was no way she could have him picking her up now, dressed as she was. He was putting the food onto plates, and he turned around with a plate in each hand.

“Shall we eat outside?” he said. “I’ve made a table for us.”

“That would be lovely.” He carried the food out and came back for her.

“You washed your clothes?” he said, indicating the wet pile in her hand. “I’ll go hang them out.” Before she had time to protest, he took her tank top, shorts, bra and panties outside. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of him handling her underwear, but there was nothing she could do about it.

He returned and, as he went to pick her up, she told him not to. Instead, he offered his arm, and she leaned on it heavily, using it as a crutch, as she negotiated the steps out of the cabin. His arm felt so strong, bulging with corded muscles. His freckled, deeply-tanned skin was softer than she’d expected, and she loved its light covering of dark hair.

He brought her over to the rock they’d been on the night before. In front of it, he’d rigged up two wooden supports made from chopped up tree trunks, with a wooden board laid on top.

She maneuvered herself onto her spot on the rock and he brought out more coffee.

There was a tree overhead, which partially filtered out the sunlight, making it a lovely, cool place to eat.

“This is absolutely amazing,” she said with a happy sigh, as she gazed at the view and munched on her bacon and eggs. “Sometimes the simplest things are the best, aren’t they?”

“They sure are,” he agreed.

“If you cooked for me like this every day, I’d consider coming and living up here.” Enthusiasm lit his eyes.

“It’s a deal!” he said. She threw him an ironic glance, unsure if he was being serious. There was something earnest about him that made her aware she needed to be cautious when making flippant jokes.

“If only I didn’t have so many commitments down in the valley. And a constant need for electricity,” she said carefully. He sighed.

“Yeah, the guys are always on at me to get solar power set up here, but I don’t need that extra complication. I’ve got everything I need right here.”

“It must be cool being completely self-sufficient. People talk about living off-grid, and you’ve actually done it.”

“It wasn’t deliberate. It’s how I’ve always lived.” She looked back at the cabin.

“How do you keep it heated in winter?”

“I hibernate.” Her mouth fell open.

“Really? All winter?”

“Yup. I eat a lot in fall, and then I find a nice, warm place where I won’t be disturbed, and I go into a long, deep sleep until spring,” he said.

“Is it weird when you wake up?”

“It’s a little cold, and I’m about ready to eat an entire herd of deer, but it just feels like I’m waking up from a really nice, deep sleep.”

“Do the other guys in your clan hibernate too?”

“No. They’ve adapted. They’ve always lived among humans, so it’s different for them.” He chuckled. “Besides, I don’t think their mates would stand for it.” He stood up. “Would you like some more coffee?”