Page 24 of Bear Creek Christmas
Daniel Pennyman greetedthe doorman with a curt nod and headed straight for the elevator. He exited the conveyance on the fifteenth floor and unlocked the door to his luxury condo. As instructed, the maid left his mail on a corner of the marble console table, and Daniel carried it to his home office. He recognized the letterhead on the third envelope in the stack and winced. Inside were two very expensive tickets to the investor's annual banquet—the one Levi was supposed to have attended with him.
He ran a hand over his face and heaved a dramatic sigh, reminded once again of his single status. He still didn’t understand Levi’s ridiculous behavior, breaking up with him and moving to another state. All over a simple phone call he wasn’t supposed to have heard. Did his former boyfriend really think he could do better? Not likely! Yes, Levi was pretty to look at, but the man had no money or connections in the world. Those were the things Daniel provided, making them a formidable couple.
There was absolutely no reason to waste a ticket and end up going alone. Daniel could, of course, hire a charming escort to accompany him, but everyone wouldknowand start talking. How humiliating! No, Levi’s stupid little tantrum had gone on long enough. Since Daniel now knew where to find him, he’d go to that forsaken little berg in Pennsylvania and convince the man to return home where he belonged.
Perhaps he should have proposed last year after the New Year’s party, but he hadn’t yet found a suitable occupation for his future husband. It shouldn’t take much to convince Levi that he was better off with Daniel thananyonehe might dredge up in Bear Creek, of all places! With some minor schedule changes, he’d drive out next weekend and reclaim what belonged to him.
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The following week, Levi split his time helping Knox with the nut harvest and teaching him how to move to music. It wasn’t dancing per se, more like timed, coordinated movements that matched the song. They started the process in human form with simple things like clapping to the beat and shuffling feet. At first, Knox was all kinds of clumsy and distracted by Levi’s enticing scent. But, as he began to catch on, it became easier and a lot more fun. Levi encouraged and praised him at every turn and started adding more complex moves.
The next phase involved using one of the Christmas numbers Levi chose for the group—an upbeat song everyone knew that he had rechristenedJingle Bear Rock.The crowd-pleasing tune was perfectly paced for ursine choreography and would be easy to learn. First, Levi taught him in human form until Knox could do it without thinking. By the end of the week, he asked Knox to try it as a bear. To save the living room furniture, Levi moved the action outside to the flat backyard and found a spot for the boom box. Before turning on the music, he asked Knox a question.
“Do bears like music? I mean, will he understand what he’s supposed to do?”
Knox’s frown wasn’t very encouraging.
“Ithinkso. He likes watching you move, and I’m pretty sure he can do what I’ve been doing. He doesn’t see any purpose in it, but bears are pretty smart. If he knows there will be a reward, I think he’ll cooperate.”
Suspicious, Levi probed further.
“Reward? What does he want?”
Knox’s lecherous grin set off Levi’s alarm bells.
“Besides sex, you mean? He really wants me to...”
“KNOX! I can’t offer sex as a reward to the other bears in the group!”
The unfortunate choice of words caused Knox to sweep Levi into his arms, growling and possessive.
“No one touches you! Mine! My mate!”
Levi stroked his hair and peppered his face with tender kisses until he calmed down.
“I didn’t mean...you know I’m not interested in anyone but you, right? You’re the only one who gets to touch me that way. Now, tell me what kind of reward will get the bears to cooperate.”
Knox scented Levi again while palming his ass. Satisfied that his mate was sincere, he offered up the only logical suggestion.
“Food. Aiden’s Bear Brownies would do it.”
Levi looked relieved.
“Oh! Great idea. Why don’t you shift, and I’ll go back in the house and get something for you.”
Levi returned a minute later with a half-bucket of wild apples and set it down next to the boom box. Already in bear form, Knox ambled over to scent him. Levi didn’t waste any time.
“All right, let’s get started. I’ll stand in front of you so you can watch what I’m doing and copy me, OK? Don’t worry about making mistakes. We can fix them later.”
By the third time through, Knox had most of the movements down pat. Levi needed to go home soon, but not until Knox received his reward. They sat side by side on the grass as the happy bear polished off the apples with alacrity. After licking his chops, he stuck his big nose under Levi’s shirt and licked his smooth belly until the laughing man couldn’t take any more. Levi waited as Knox shifted, redressed, and walked him to his jeep.
Farewells were always bittersweet, as Knox became clingy and wistful because his mate couldn’t stay here with him. Based on his scent, it comforted Knox to know that Levi had similar feelings, even if he never expressed them. Knox kissed him thoroughly and then asked a question.
“Aiden invited us to taste-test this year’s Christmas candies on Saturday around five o’clock. Would you like to go?”
Levi laughed and pecked him on the lips.
“Are you kidding? Sign me up! Is this like a regular thing?”
