Page 22 of Bear Creek Christmas
Friday afternoon, CityHall
As the Mayor’s secretary, Carmen Perez knew nearly everyone in Bear Creek. However, the gorgeous man standing before her desk was familiar only by name until ten seconds ago.
“Mr. Green! Thank you for being prompt. I believe Mayor Tillman is ready to see you if you’ll follow me.”
Levi wasn’t used to rubbing elbows with politicians or officials of any kind, and it made him nervous. What would the committee ask him to do? Did he have the time? Could he say no? Carmen paused before a heavy wooden door, knocked once, and led him inside.
Behind an enormous desk sat a pleasant-looking, slightly gray, middle-aged woman. She stood as he approached, and Levi realized at once she was a bear shifter. It shouldn’t have surprised him, given the name of the town, but he’d been expecting a dour-faced politico. Unfortunately, his scent must have given him away, as the friendly mayor chuckled while shaking his hand.
“Not what you expected? I’m Dee Dee Tillman, the proud Mayor of Bear Creek. I’m pleased to meet the much-talked-about Levi Green at last! We’re on a first-name basis in this office unless you object. Have a seat, Levi, and let’s get started.”
A bit dazed by the verbal barrage, Levi followed Tillman to a comfortable nook in the corner of her large office. She began the conversation before he even sat down.
“Since you’re new in town, let me give you some background on our holiday festivities. It started about forty years ago when several members of our shifter community decided to play a practical joke and roamed downtown in bear form wearing Santa hats. The local paper picked it up, and people began showing up to see them. Business was so good, the town council decided to make it an annual thing. Everyone got involved, and now our unique holiday experience is second to none.
“Everythinghere is bear-themed, from restaurant menus to street decorations. Part of the fun is a performance or concert for the public every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is where you come in. This year, the committee wants to see our bear population front and center. Not all of them, of course. We generally don’t enjoy calling attention to ourselves, but what I have in mind only involves a small group of performers.”
Levi listened as Dee Dee outlined the general idea and began to smile. The crowds would not only love it, but he’d have creative control of the performance. Obviously, he’d never directed a group of bears before, but the challenge was one he couldn’t ignore. The Mayor finished her spiel and waited for Levi’s response.
“I have to admit I was nervous about what the committee wanted me to do, but this sounds great! Let me do some thinking, and I’ll provide a tentative program before we start practicing. My only concern is where to get willing participants. I don’t know too many people, and...”
Dee Dee stopped him with a gesture and held out a slip of paper with a list of names and numbers.
“No problem, Levi. Every person, except the last name on the list, has already agreed to
participate. All of them have helped out at Christmas time before, though never as a group. We need you to whip them into shape, hold the practices, and lead the weekend performances. I think the public is going to be pleasantly surprised.”
Levi scanned down the list until he reached the last name: Knox McCoy. Oh, boy, this could get interesting. Dee Dee’s mischievous smile told him sheknew something.
“If Knox gives you any trouble, I’ll take another crack at him. Word has it thatyoumight actually have better luck changing his mind.”
What?! Levi’s scent and red face gave him away, though Dee Dee laughed at his discomfiture.
“Of course I know! There isn’t much you can hide from the Mayor in a town this size, and I don’t believe he’ll refuse you. Bears like to keep their mates happy.”
####
Saturday morning
Levi ended the call and checked off the next-to-last name on his list. As Dee Dee promised, all the men readily agreed to participate in the show and attend the first practice a week from Wednesday at the school gymnasium. Now all he had to do was persuade Knox to join them. Fortunately, they were having lunch at his place in an hour, and Levi planned to broach the subject.
In truth, he needed Knox’s help with the other shifters in the group. He’d be attempting something new and wasn’t sure they’d follow the leadership of a human stranger. Perhaps his fears were unfounded, making Knox’s presence unnecessary, but Levi still wanted him there. Not only would it be fun, but they could also spend more time together during the busy weeks leading up to Christmas.
####
Levi arrived at thecabin a little early, but Knox didn’t come out to greet him. He decided to try the workshop, found it empty, and headed back towards the house. Knocking didn’t bring the big man to the door, though Levi could smell something delicious coming from inside. He figured Knox must have lost track of time and sat down on the front steps to wait. Soon enough, the sounds of something crashing its way through the nearby trees reached his ears. Levi stood up to get a better look.
Moving faster than he thought possible, a black bear emerged from the forest and sprinted straight towards the house. While he assumed it was Knox, bears all looked the same to him, and he began to wonder if he should have stayed in the jeep. Too late to escape the porch, Levi backed up towards the door, followed by the beast on two feet. Growling and sniffing madly, the bear scented Levi thoroughly before the licking started in earnest.
“Cut it out, Knox! You’re getting me all sticky! What have you been eating?”
Hovering over his prey, the eager bear shifted to reveal a very naked and aroused Knox—face covered in honey.
“Sorry. I found a hive on the way back to the cabin, and my bear couldn’t pass it up. I’m so glad you’re here. Come on in.”
Knox reached around Levi and twisted the doorknob. The startled man nearly fell over with the door no longer propping him up and backed into the cabin. Still naked, Knox stalked him all the way to the kitchen sink. There, he moistened a clean dishcloth and began to wipe the golden smears and saliva from Levi’s face and neck. His human mate seemed dazed and uncertain how to process the fact that Knox’s twitching hard-on was pressed against his stomach.
The stimulated shifter pulled Levi closer after a quick wash up and claimed his mouth with deep, honey-flavored kisses. The overwhelmed human melted into the rough embrace, reaching up to card his fingers through the heavy pelt of dark hair on Knox’s chest. The randy bear began to rumble, his hands roaming over Levi’s body even as he kissed the man breathless. Knox had just slipped a beefy hand inside Levi’s jeans when a shrill timer went off, startling them both.
