Bearing the Midnight Sun (Ice Bear Shifters Book 3) by Sloane Meyers Page A

herself she would not work out with Tyler again.
    But she did.
    Over the next several weeks, they went running almost every morning. Under Tyler’s insistent coaching, Kat found herself running longer and faster than she had ever thought she could. She was in better shape than she had been in a very long time, but the fact that her clothes fit better wasn’t the motivating factor anymore. She also forgot about trying to impress her ex-fiancé with her “new and improved” body. All she cared about was the feeling of euphoria that overtook her every morning as she met her daily goal and Tyler called out “Time!”
    If Tyler had a few spare minutes before starting work for the day, they would go grab a coffee at a little café across the street from Glacier Point Gym. Occasionally, if Kat got really lucky, Tyler had time to grab dinner with her. Sometimes he came over and they cooked food at Kat’s apartment. They would grab their plates and eat in front of the television. Sometimes they actually watched whatever was on the screen, and sometimes they just let it run in the background while they talked and laughed. Every time he came over, Kat wished that he would kiss her on the top of her head again when he hugged her goodbye. But he never did.
    One evening, Tyler looked inside of the carton of Neapolitan ice-cream left in her freezer and laughed. She had eaten all of the strawberry, and left the vanilla and chocolate untouched.
    “I guess I know which flavor to buy next time,” he had said, playfully punching her in the arm.
    There were a lot of playful punches. A lot of teasing pokes or familiar brushes of his hand across her lower back. Every time his skin made contact with hers, she felt a shock of electricity go through her. Her ex had become a distant memory. All she could think about anymore was Tyler’s lips on hers. All she could dream about was what his soulful, violet eyes would look like if he were laying on top of her naked, skin to skin.
    But she knew she could never have him like that. Summer was drawing to a close. August was around the corner, and in just five short weeks Kat would be getting on a plane back to Nebraska. She and Tyler would promise to keep in touch. And for a while, they would. Maybe they would email now and then—frequently at first, then less and less as time went on. He would find a girl, and get busy with work again. Life would happen, as it always does, and their communication would drop off. Kat would probably never see Tyler again. Every time that thought crossed her mind, it caused her heart to tighten up with pain.
    She had already been through so much heartache in the last year. She didn’t want to think about having to bear any more.
     
    * * *
     
    Tyler wrestled constantly with the desire to sweep Kat into his arms and put his mouth over hers in a passionate kiss. He knew he needed to take a step back. But, like a moth drawn to a flame, he found himself continually drawn to her fire. She was the most amazing person he had ever met. The more he got to know her, the more he admired her determination. The transformation in her over the last few weeks had been incredible. She had gone from a sad, worn-down girl who had lost her family and was pining over her lost ex, to a strong, vivacious woman who was full of purpose and ready to face the future. Her heart was healing, he could tell. The time in the beautiful Alaskan wilderness had been good for her soul. And her body was growing strong through her daily runs. She was doing what she came here to do. She was finding herself. Transforming herself.
    Tyler had told himself to just enjoy the time with her that he had left. He intended to treat her as a good friend, and then send her back off to Nebraska with a renewed spirit. But as the weeks ticked by, Tyler began to panic at the thought of goodbye. Every evening, as his bear clawed at his insides, begging for Tyler to acknowledge his growing bond with Kat and mate with her,