Bears of Burden: STERLING

by Candace Ayers

  “I can’t, I can’t believe… that I’m seeing this.” Heather felt shell-shocked. The complete unreality of the situation sent her head spinning, and she felt like she would faint. Instead, she tentatively reached out her hand. Part of her insisted she was going insane, and the other part wanted to reach out and stroke the luxurious fur surrounding his face. When her fingertips landed on his coarse fur, a shiver went through her body. He was so beautiful and wild. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him, marveling at the enormous, ferocious looking bear in front of her.

  “You’re so beautiful, Tanner.” She ran a finger down his snout, and then slowly moved alongside him, repeatedly stroking the fur down his back, and then following down to his hind legs. In this light his fur was a dark, chocolate brown. Heather suspected that in daylight his coat would look exactly like his human hair would, flecked with light brown and gold.

  As she became more comfortable with him, her caresses deepened, and she luxuriated in the feeling of him beneath her hands, fur gently tickling her lower forearm. Tanner started to emit a low-toned hum that shook his entire body, similar to that of a cat purring. Heather smiled to herself, and continued to caress the beautiful beast.

  “I don’t know if you can understand me or not, when you’re like this. But you are incredible Tanner, you’re so incredible.”

  Tanner could understand her, and felt a blissful stillness encompass him. He never in a million years believed that he’d get a reaction like this, especially not from someone as pure and true as Heather. He nudged his nose into her side, trying to indicate that he’d understood her, and how much he appreciated it.

  “Will you change back? I want to tell you that I’m not going to leave. I’ll stay, as long as I’m wanted or needed.”

  Tanner backed away from her to let his human form reemerge. It was difficult, with Heather being in the room. His primal instincts felt dominant, and they fought against his human will. He turned away, and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself and forget her presence. It took a while, but eventually he felt his muscles contract and the cool air of the barn caress his naked human skin.

  Looking up from his crouched position on the floor, he found Heather staring at him. She had watched his transformation this time. Her eyes were widened in astonishment, but as she gazed at his form her expression changed. He saw her face heat up, a ripe blush spreading across her cheeks.

  He hastily found his boxers and jeans, aware that his erection was plainly visible. Once dressed, he stepped closer to Heather, who hadn’t moved from her spot across the barn.

  “I can’t tell you what it means that you’re not…repulsed by me, this way.”

  Heather was momentarily taken aback by his words. Why would anyone be repulsed by such a magnificent creature? Before she could say anything, Tanner had stepped closer to her and bent his head downward, and the words stuck in her mouth. Her throat ran dry as she became consumed by the desire to be wrapped in his strong arms, to move her head up an inch to meet his waiting lips.

  Tanner ran his hand gently down her side, skating the edge of her breast and coming to rest on her hip. A shudder ran through her, and she closed the space between them. His hand tightened in response, his thumb digging into the curve of her hipbone, and sending a shooting pleasure straight to her core.

  As their lips met, Heather inhaled his warm breath and arched her body against his. His kiss deepened, Tanner exploring her mouth as if he couldn’t get enough of her taste. Heather reached her hands to trace the trail of his spine up his back. Tanner groaned against her, Heather’s lips reverberating with his sound.

  “Not here. Come into the house, I want you in my bed.” Tanner’s voice was thick and soft like honey, and Heather gazed up at him. Reading the unabashed lust in his eyes, she nodded in agreement.

  Chapter fifteen

  Tanner shut the bedroom door quietly behind him. Heather had turned on the bedside lamp, casting a warm glow over the bedroom. She stood waiting by the side of the bed, watching him as he approached.

  Her face glowed in the half-light, and it lit up her hair so the strands appeared hazy and soft, with tinges of red running through it. Tanner’s erection felt like it was pulsing, on and off all day. His blood had been continually rushing downward without offering it any kind of release. Being around Heather was a continual interplay of pleasure and pain, as he fought his instincts in order to behave like a gentleman. Finally, he didn’t have to hold back any longer, and he stalked toward her.

  Heather lifted her head slightly, expecting a kiss. Instead, Tanner reached out and gently tugged down part of her wrap-around top, exposing her bra cup and the plump creamy breast spilling out of it. He ran a finger slowly over her cleavage before pulling the bra cup away. He leaned down, placing his lips on her breast and gently sucked her nipple whilst flicking its tip with his tongue. Heather gasped, the slow sucking motion made her breasts feel achingly heavy and full. He repeated the action, moving over to the other breast, and shivers ran down Heather’s sides.

  She reached out and ran her fingers through Tanner’s hair, recalling the thick, luxurious hair of his bear. Tanner groaned softly, and moved his mouth upward to take hers in a deep kiss. She could feel his erection pushing against her thigh, and her panties grew damp in response.

  Tanner cupped her breasts in his hands, gently pushing them upward and teasing her nipples with his thumb.

  “These are beautiful. Damn, Heather, I can’t tell you how much I’ve wanted you.” His voice was raspy and low. Faint, short breaths escaped his mouth. He broke away and roughly removed her top, expertly unclasping her bra so that it fell to the floor. He moved back to kiss her, and her nipples hardened as they gently grazed his bare chest. His fingers reached up and ran through her hair, massaging the top of her neck as he did so, sending torrents of pleasure cascading down Heather’s back.

  Gently Tanner moved Heather backward onto his bed. He guided her down so she was lying on her back, and peppered kisses from her collarbone down to her stomach. Unfastening the button and zipper of her pants, he continued to kiss down her lower abdomen, stopping at the top of her panties. Tanner ran his tongue softly along the lace lining, and then pulled away to remove her clothing, leaving only her panties still in place.

  Tanner marveled at the beautiful woman reclining on his bed. Heather’s full breasts with their hardened nipples begged to be caressed, and he longed to push his throbbing erection against her soft, rosy flesh. Without clothes on, he could finally see her magnificent curves, in the warm light she looked like a Botticelli angel, voluptuous and welcoming.

  With a groan, Tanner leaned forward on the bed and gently spread her legs apart, exposing the dampness of her panties. Embarrassed, Heather tried to reach down and cover it with her hands, but Tanner firmly grasped her hands, holding them over her head. He saw the blush on her cheeks intensify.

  “Heather,” he said gently, “Look how much I want you, don’t hide from me.” Heather eyes were drawn to the obvious bulge pushing against his jeans, and his lightly trembling torso, her own desire rippling through her at witnessing his.

  He placed one of his hands between her legs, gently caressing the damp lips of her sex through the lace underwear. He felt the wetness grow and smiled to himself, ever so slightly intensifying the pressure of his movements. Heather’s eyelids were half closed in pleasure, and Tanner could see her chest rapidly rise and fall in response to his touch.

  He gently pulled the crotch of her panties to the side, exposing her to the cool air of the room. With one finger, he traced the outline of her delicate folds, watching them swell and moisten at his touch. When he heard her release a soft moan, he slipped his finger into her entrance, massaging the more sensitive skin within. Finding her hardening bud, he stroked it gently, feeling her wetness gush from within her, dampening the bed sheets beneath them.

  “You’re so wet Heather. Look at how much you want me.” Tanner rasped, trying to control the movements of his finge
r to keep his touch light. Heather almost whimpered in return, and he could see her thighs clench in response to her pleasure.

  The restriction of Tanner’s jeans was now agony. He leaned backward to unfasten his button, and felt Heather’s hands cover his.

  “Let me.” She looked up at him with her beautiful, angelic face, and he melted at the open and innocent gaze that met his. He nodded briefly, words dying on his lips as with trembling fingers she slowly released his zipper and gasped as his boxer-clad, heavy erection was exposed.

  She took it in her hands, gently rubbing the material of the cotton. Heather greedily eyed his size and thickness, feeling a desperate ache within her core as she anticipated him entering her. She moved her hands to the waistband of his jeans and pulled them down his muscular thighs. Tanner stood up, and let the jeans fall to the floor. Heather stayed seated on the bed, drinking in his toned, broad body.

  Tanner removed his boxers, and stood naked before her. The tip of his shaft glistened with a bead of moisture, ready for her. Heather leaned backward, expecting him to climb on top of her. Instead, Tanner approached the bed and gently turned her over. He pulled down her panties, gently stroking the plump cheeks of her backside as he did so. Once they were removed, Heather felt his erection rest against the opening between her legs. She trembled in response, opening her legs a little wider to allow him access.

  Tanner groaned, gently grabbing the flesh on the back of her thighs and guiding himself to the swollen lips of her sex. With incredible gentleness, he rubbed himself back and forth against her, enjoying the wetness sliding up and down his length. He’d never known a woman to be so ready and willing, as if her entire being was built for his pleasure. Heather cried out, she couldn’t contain the unrelenting shocks of pleasure running through her body.

  Tanner flipped her around, more aggressively this time, and pushed her further up on the bed. He buried his head between her legs, parting her lips gently with his fingers and lapped up the warm wetness within. The stokes of his tongue drove Heather to near oblivion, she spread her legs wider and pressed herself against him, driving his tongue further inside her.

  Tanner flicked his tongue against her bud, and Heather could feel the waves of an orgasm building within her.

  “Please…Tanner – I need you inside me. Please.” Heather gasped, trying to fight the tides of pleasure as she felt herself tipping over the edge.

  Tanner didn’t need any more encouragement. He guided his ready shaft into Heather’s channel, sucking in a short breath as he felt her amazing, swollen, soft, moist flesh surrounding him, sucking him in tighter, clenching at his erection.

  Heather called out his name as the pinnacle of her pleasure crashed and reverberated around her body. She clung to him, not wanting his motion to stop. She’d never felt so full and greedy as this, feeling complete yet yearning for more. Tanner leaned over her, balancing his frame on his elbows and forearms. His chest and shoulder muscles twitched with the effort of restraining himself.

  Heather looked up into his eyes, seeing dark pools of lust meeting hers. She moved her head up and kissed him, deeply, trying to convey the myriad of emotions that were raging within her.

  Tanner felt himself lose control as her lips met his. Deep within him he felt the familiar tug, centered within his lower abdomen, as his primal urges struggled to be released. Tanner tried to regulate his breathing, slowing down the motion of movement within Heather’s body, but it was too late. Heather arched against him, moaning in pleasure, clenching him tighter within her.

  “Heather,” he gasped.

  She reached up and stroked his jaw with her fingers, her eyes looking deep into his, “Come in me, Tanner.” The words were hoarsely and breathlessly whispered into his ear, but he felt them deep in his soul. He stopped struggling against the feeling and let his urges flow unchecked.

  His desire increased, not just physical desire, but one that was driven by heart and mind. It overtook all bodily sensation apart from Heather and the way her hips were gyrating against him.

  His hands clenched at the bedding, as his entire body spasmed. “Heather,” he half-growled her name, releasing himself in pulsating jets within her.

  Sated, Tanner’s head dropped onto Heather’s soft breasts. He was still inside her, and despite finding release, he was still hard. His body couldn’t get enough of her.

  Heather closed her arms around him, curling her body into his. They slept like that, entwined on the cotton sheets, till morning.

  Chapter sixteen

  “Watch this one, Heather!” Chloe was on the back of a pony, practicing jumps with the help of Josiah. She leapt cleanly over the wooden jump bar, and the horse landed on the other side, before cantering around the yard to complete the jump a second time. Heather applauded enthusiastically from beneath the shade of the ranch out building.

  Tanner was standing a few yards off, tirelessly removing rocks from the earth. His aim was to create a soft, fertile area in which Heather could have her own herb or vegetable garden. He’d kept his plan private, telling them all that he was extending the chicken coop, but the conspiratorial wink Josiah gave him told Tanner the old man knew differently.

  That morning Heather had set up a make shift easel and brought out some paints, intending to capture the beautiful Wyoming scenery. She had started to do just that, but the moment Tanner had begun work, she’d been unable to take her eyes of him, and so the page now captured his muscular form, shirtless in the heat.

  She watched as his back and biceps rippled as he moved, lugging rocks back and forth over the soft earth. As she watched, she noticed that when his body stood under direct sunlight, she could see faint markings all over his chest and back. It looked like long strips of his flesh had been carved out of him, and Heather wondered if, when in bear form, he fought with other beasts in the forest. The thought made Heather shudder. She hated the idea of Tanner fighting alone in the wilderness, unable to protect himself with human tools.

  Heather caught Tanner’s eye, and gestured toward the pitcher of lemonade on the table next to her. She rose to carry it over to him, but instead he made his way toward her, wiping away his sweat with a spare rag.

  “You are a good woman, Heather Ayer. My mouth feels like the desert.” Tanner came and sat down next to her, emitting a sigh of relief. Heather poured him a glass of lemonade.

  “What are you– oh, that’s me.” Tanner’s eyes rested on her half-finished drawing, and raised his eyebrows in respectful acknowledgement at how good it was, “You’ve got talent. That’s impressive.”

  Heather blushed, “It’s not finished yet. You got in the way of the mountains.” Tanner gave a short bark of laughter, “Yeah, sorry about that.” They smiled at each other, and then Heather’s eyes drew back to his chest. The scars weren’t as noticeable in the shade, but she could still see very subtle outlines of their grooves marking his skin.

  “Tanner, what are those marks on your body? They look pretty ferocious… I thought maybe a wild animal had hurt you?” Heather was tentative approaching the subject. She didn’t want him to think she was prying.

  Tanner smirked. It was not a happy look. In fact, his bright mood seemed to have immediately vanished. There was silence for a few moments before he spoke, “Not an animal exactly.” Tanner took a gulp of his lemonade and then rand his hands through his hair. “I guess there’s a couple of things I still need to tell you.”

  “Not if you don’t want to, Tanner. You can keep whatever you want private,” Heather replied, meaning it. She didn’t want to pry into his life, she knew without a doubt that Tanner was a good, honest man, and whatever he wanted to keep private he could do so. She trusted him.

  “No, there’s stuff you should know. It’s about Chloe, too. But I guess I’ll start with the scars. As I said yesterday, my father died when I was young, he was like me and my brother – a shifter. He and my mom were crazy in love. She never really recovered from his death.”

  Heather nodded in unde
rstanding, a loss of a loved one was always painful, but if his father had been anything like Tanner, it would have been unbearable.

  “I don’t remember much of him. Which is a shame, but just the way it is. Anyway, my mom married again, not so well this time. He was a nasty junkie, beat her up something rotten. When he found out what me and my brother were, well, he didn’t like it. He would lock us up in cages. Whip us with chains and whatever was lying around. Starve us.” Tanner shrugged, “Like I said, a mean bastard.”

  Heather looked away. Her vision had started to blur as tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, but she didn’t want Tanner to see her crying. What would be the benefit to him of her tears? There weren’t tears enough in her body for the sorrow of a child being treated that way.

  Tanner hadn’t noticed that she’d turned away. He wasn’t able to look at her. Still, after all these years, the subject of his stepfather bought up nothing but shame. He hadn’t been able to protect his brother, and he hadn’t been able to save his mom from her eventual fate and her bad choices. Ashamed that he let himself be treated that way, ashamed that he’d spent the whole of his life believing he’d deserved every whip, every slice of flesh ripped from his body, every hour that he spent in starvation, closing his eyes as he drank stagnant water left for them in a dog bowl.

  “Anyway, my mom couldn’t cope. She got hooked on heroin. Didn’t know whether she was coming or going. My brother and I ran away. I was sixteen, he was fourteen. I worked down in Arizona. Mining. It was good, better than we had it at home. After a year, we found out that she’d died. We went back briefly to pay our respects, but then we never went back again.”

  Heather couldn’t find the words to express herself. The tears were streaming down her face now, and she kept her eyes fixed on her hands, clasped together tightly on her lap. She couldn’t stand the thought of Tanner going through so much pain. How lonely he must have been, how neglected. She knew about men who worked as miners. It wasn’t an easy life. Not by a long shot.