Bearly Familiar

by Lilly Wilder

  “No, sorry,” Rene shook her head decisively, “she is in a nursing home. Physically, she is well, surprisingly so for her age. And, now I know why. But, her mind is gone.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She has dementia,” Rene whispered. “She barely remembers what she did this morning. But, she remembers stuff from 20 years back. Maybe even 30, I don’t know. I never asked her any questions, I just listen to her talk.”

  Hyde’s nostrils flared up.

  “Twenty years ago?” he repeated. “Was she in touch with anyone from the old country?”

  “I think so, yes,” Rene nodded. “I taught her how to use Facebook, and I heard her speak Romanian over the phone more than once. That might mean she stayed in touch with someone.”

  “Yes, it does,” Hyde nodded pensively.

  “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Jesse asked Hyde.

  Hyde looked at him, then nodded barely perceptibly.

  “Could you guys let me in on it?” Rene wondered, a little insulted.

  “Do you think we could talk to your mother?” Hyde asked directly.

  “With my mother? Why?” she was surprised. “What could she help you with?”

  “You said she remembers stuff from 20, 30 years ago. Maybe she remembers her childhood as well. I could ask her some questions which could be helpful.”

  “Helpful how?”

  “Maybe she knows what happened to Culore’s clan, where he is, where he was off to.”

  “But, that was ages ago!”

  “Maybe she knows something, anything, maybe your father left her something…”

  “Wait, you mean like this?”

  She took out the silver chain around her neck and showed them the little silver key that was hanging from it. It looked old, relatively small, but probably big enough to actually serve its purpose.

  “A key?” Hyde eyed it.

  “My mother said that he gave it to her on her wedding day, with the words that one can run away from who they are, but they can never escape.”

  “Does it open anything?”

  Hyde was so close to her that she could feel the warmth his body was emanating. He was holding her key pendant in his hands, inspecting it.

  “I didn’t think so. I always thought it was just some old pendant, like heirloom or something. Do you think it opens anything?” she wondered.

  “I don’t know,” Hyde admitted, “but, if it really belonged to your father, I think it might be important. You just hold onto it for us, OK?”

  He playfully opened up the fabric of her blouse, and allowed the pendant to drop inside it, right between her ample breasts. This motion made her hot immediately and she bit down on her lower lip.

  “You better not do that, unless you want us to do it for you,” Jesse grinned, still standing behind her.

  “Wait, wait…” she moved away from both of them, teasing them. “I came here to hang out. Do you guys always think about sex and just sex?”

  When she said that, she couldn’t remain serious. They all burst out laughing, as she accepted the glass of wine they offered her and then, they continued playfully arguing which movie they were going to watch.

  Chapter 13

  About a week later, Rene was alone in her apartment. It was Friday evening, and she had finished work at Hyde’s place in the early afternoon, which allowed her plenty of time to rest and relax. The evening was reserved for a nice, hot bath, a glass of wine and the book that she got herself three months ago, but still hadn’t found time to read.

  Rene walked into the bathroom and started the water. She poured some bathing salts inside and foam quickly started forming. Her phone was on the sink, playing some soft jazzy music. The wine glass was filled almost to the brim and was standing on the edge of the bath tub.

  She wiggled out of her leggings, leaving them on the tiled floor. She did the same with her undies, t-shirt and bra. She gathered up her hair and slowly stepped into the bath tub. The warmth of the water immediately washed over her and a soothing sensation filled her being. The bath water smelled like pineapple. A few seconds later, she stopped the water, and submerged her body in it.

  She welcomed the heat that arose from the water, the vapor that filled the space around her. The music was perfectly adequate, caressing her ear drums. The only thing missing were Hyde and Jesse, but she knew that both of them were busy these days, so a get together was out of the question. She didn’t like it, but she understood it. It was simply how things were sometimes and she was considerate of the fact that Hyde had a child, and that this child would always be number one.

  Rene reached out for a little towel, dried her hands and then got her book. She opened it and started reading. It took her only three pages to realize that she didn’t remember a single thing she’d read. It was hard to focus, with Hyde and Jesse constantly on her mind.

  She put the book back where it was. She closed her eyes and allowed her mind to wander in between a blissful space between being awake and sleeping. The music was peaceful. She imagined herself somewhere high up in the mountains, somewhere in the woods. She wondered what Hyde would look like in his bear form. Would he be any different than he was now? And, Jesse? Would he still be the incorrigible bad boy he always is?

  She remembered their first time together. She felt so smitten, so lost, almost like she didn’t know what she was doing, like it was her very first time. In a way, it was. She never had a threesome before. She never did it with someone she found so attractive, so appealing, and so dear.

  Without warning, her phone suddenly rang. She frowned. She actually considered not getting up and just letting it ring, but whoever it was, he was certainly persistent.

  “Oh, come on now!” she growled at the phone, finally getting up from the tub and reaching for her phone.

  When she saw who it was, she immediately answered.

  “Hello?” her voice was sweet, dripping like honey into the receiver, as she squeezed it hard.

  “Hey, there,” Hyde’s voice came straight at her, knowing exactly which buttons to push to turn her into a giddy 15-year-old.

  “Hi,” she repeated, feeling a little stupid, surprised that he called and completely swept off her feet by him.

  “Bad time?” he asked.

  “No, no, absolutely not,” she shook her head.

  “I figured, since it took you so long to pick up the phone, you were either busy or thinking whether or not to pick up,” he seemed to read her mind.

  “Wow,” her eyes widened in disbelief. “That was awesome.”

  “So, which one was it?”

  “Actually, a little bit of both,” she admitted. “I’m taking a nice bath, and the phone was out of reach, so I had to get up and get it. Then, of course, when I saw it was you, I immediately picked up.”

  “So, you’re taking a bath now?” he whispered.

  “Yes,” she smiled into the receiver.

  “Naked?”

  “Um, yes, that’s how people take showers usually,” she giggled.

  “Are you trying to be smart with me, Missy?” he asked, a little more sternly.

  “Maybe I am,” she giggled.

  “Do you know what happens to girls who try to be smart with me?”

  “I’d like to find out,” she admitted, biting her lower lip, tempted to pleasure herself while hearing him talk.

  The very sound of his voice made her walk that fine line between simple arousal and pure, raw lust. Right now, she was hot and aroused. If he kept talking like this, she would cross right into the other side, the side she couldn’t control and she’d be at his mercy.

  “You’re lucky I’m not there to show you,” he growled lustfully.

  “Your loss,” she teased.

  “Tonight, maybe,” he continued mysteriously, “but tomorrow is another day.”

  “Optimistic,” she chortled in joy. “I like that.”

  “Speaki
ng of tomorrow,” he added, “if you have any plans, you’d better cancel them right now.”

  “Why?” she wondered.

  “Do you?” he asked, separating his question into two. “Have any plans?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact I do,” she lied.

  She had no plans. They told her that this weekend, all the residents of her mother’s nursing home had some special screenings and tests done, so there would be no visits on Saturday or Sunday. That meant that Rene was wide open for any suggestions. This, however, wasn’t what she wanted Hyde to think. She wanted to be a busy girl, with lots of friends and lots of plans for her free time. Not the girl who takes bubble baths and reads books, and can’t focus because she has a crazy, silly crush on her boss and his best friend.

  “Well, I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to go ahead and cancel them,” he sighed, as if he was really sorry.

  “I might do that if you tell me what I’m canceling my plans for,” she sounded intrigued.

  “Do you want to ruin your surprise?” he asked.

  “A surprise?” she squealed in delight.

  “You do like surprises, don’t you?”

  “Who doesn’t?” she exulted.

  “I don’t know, some weird people?” he wondered.

  “Well, I’m not weird,” she sang. “I do love surprises.”

  “Then, be a good girl, get some warm, comfy clothes ready, and wait for us at 8 am sharp. We’ll be waiting in front of your place.”

  “Are we going somewhere?” she tried.

  “No. I’m not ruining the surprise.”

  “Spoil sport,” she teased.

  “Now, I’ll go back to bed and think about you, taking a bath, naked,” he whispered to her.

  “What do you want me to do?” she asked.

  “If I start telling you, I’ll have to go there and do those things myself,” he told her.

  “Maybe that’s exactly what I want,” she purred, teasing him, wanting him to rush down there and take advantage of her, do with her whatever he pleased.

  “You know I’d like nothing better,” he cooed, “but, it’s late. You need to rest, because you won’t be sleeping for the next two days.”

  “Where are you taking me?” she wondered.

  “You’ll see,” he continued. “Just rest your sweet little head, and leave everything to us. Sweet dreams, angel.”

  “Sweet dreams, Hyde.”

  She hung up the phone first. Still with a lingering smile on her face, she grabbed the wine glass and took a long sip. The alcohol glided down effortlessly, leaving a bitter-sweet aftertaste. She wondered what Hyde had in mind when he told her about this weekend. She needed to pack some comfortable clothes, but knowing Hyde and Jesse would be there, she planned on packing some lingerie as well. It couldn’t hurt.

  Chapter 14

  “OK, you can open your eyes now.”

  Rene heard Hyde’s voice. They made her promise to keep her eyes closed for the last half an hour and she almost fell asleep. The car ride lasted almost four hours and the rhythmical bumping left and right had made her drowsy.

  She did as she was told. She opened her eyes. The first thing she saw were Hyde and Jesse in front of her. Hyde was driving. Jesse was riding shot gun. They were both turned backward to her, wanting to see her reaction.

  “So, what do you think?” Jesse asked her, when Hyde punched him playfully.

  “Stop being so pushy, she didn’t even see it yet, from your big head blocking the view.”

  Not even listening to the two of them, Rene looked all around at the view that lay prostrate before them. It was majestic. There was nothing but lush greenery for miles around. Tall trees provided clean air. Mountains opened up somewhere in the distance, decorated by a crown of fog and snow.

  Slowly, she got out of the car and the intense power of the crisp mountain air filled her nostrils so aggressively that she had a bout of coughing.

  Hyde and Jesse immediately rushed outside to her side.

  “Are you OK?” Jesse asked, while Hyde hugged her.

  “Yes,” she replied, once she was able to take another breath. “I just don’t remember the last time I was in the mountains. I’ve been breathing shitty air all my life, so it’s a shock to my lungs to breathe in something like this.”

  “There’s nothing better, is there?” Jesse asked, gazing at something in the distance.

  To their left, Rene was looking at a majestic villa, with huge windows, which allowed all the beauty of the scenery to be accessible 24/7. It had two stories, a gravel sidewalk, and a small pond right in front of the house.

  “Is this where we’re staying for the weekend?” Rene gasped.

  “Yes,” Hyde nodded.

  “Oh my gosh!” she started jumping and squealing with delight.

  Then, she jumped into Hyde’s arms, giving him a big hug. She did the same to Jesse.

  “Can we go inside?” she asked, like a little child about to be let into the candy store, to choose whatever candy she wanted.

  “You’ll need these,” Jesse dangled the keys in front of her.

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

  She grabbed the keys and rushed over to the big, dark oak door to open it. The key fit in the lock perfectly, one easy turn and the door was opened. She found herself in a big, elongated room, with an old Turkish carpet. There was a fire place in the corner, a crystal chandelier right in the middle of the room. A big plasma screen on the wall gave the old fashioned decor a modern touch. A sofa and a few arm chairs lay nestled in the corner of the room by one of the big windows. It was warm and cozy.

  “So, how do you like it?” Jesse asked, passing by her.

  Hyde appeared a second later, carrying everyone’s luggage.

  “Not only do I have to drive all the way, but you let me carry all the luggage,” he snorted.

  “Sorry,” Rene smiled, “I’m just too excited.”

  “Yeah, me, too,” Jesse grinned and they all laughed.

  Rene rushed up and down, checking every single room. The bedrooms, the three bathrooms. There was even a Jacuzzi outside in the backyard, with hot water.

  “I always wanted to try one of these!” she bubbled at the sight of the Jacuzzi.

  “I knew you’d like it,” Hyde smiled, appearing right next to her.

  “Can we try it now?”

  “Later,” Hyde had to calm down her excitement. “First, there is a place Jesse and I wanted to show you.”

  “Are we going hiking then?”

  “Yes, put on your best shoes and let’s go.”

  About an hour later, Rene was still breathing heavily when they reached a little clearing. She bent down and rested her hands on her knees. She didn’t expect to be this much out of shape. As she was trying to catch her breath, suddenly she felt a hard slap on her ass. She immediately straightened herself up and turned around to see who it was.

  It was obvious. Jesse had that mischievous look on his face, while Hyde looked innocent as always. He was probably enjoying the view, while Jesse thought of being naughty.

  “Sorry, I just couldn’t resist,” Jesse flashed a row of his pearly whites and only now did she realize how long his canine teeth were.

  “I think it’s only fair that I do it now, too,” Hyde added, grinning.

  “Don’t I get any say in this?” Rene laughed.

  Instead of a reply, Hyde walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulder. Jesse hugged her from behind. They just stood there for a few moments, one with nature, and one with each other. There was nothing to say. Nature awakened slumbering thoughts and ideas within them, and one look was enough to reveal all. She enjoyed having their arms on her, like a shield that would protect against anything. She felt safe. She felt loved.

  “This is my favorite place in the whole world,” Hyde revealed, his gaze was fixated on a spot in the distance. “The view calms me. It allows me to see
the world for what it really is. I tend to forget that very often. I think many of us do. But, being here, surrounded by pure nature, untouched by man, is always an eye-opening experience for me, showing me what really matters in life, what is worth fighting for.”

  Rene turned and kissed him on the cheek.

  “I couldn’t agree more,” she whispered.