Page 60 of Bear Creek Christmas
Knox purposely left out the completion of his secret project—the one that had been soaking up every spare minute of his free time for weeks. The look on Levi’s face would be worth all the sacrifices to make it happen, and he couldn’t wait. The long line shifted again, and they moved forward a few more feet. Levi was about to ask another question when his phone rang with a familiar ringtone.
“Hi, mom!”
“Hi, Sweetie! It’s good to hear your voice. The crazy storm everybody’s been talking about showed up today. Jett’s classes were canceled, and your father closed up early and sent the staff home.”
Knox’s superior hearing caught everything Peggy said, and Levi noticed his frown.
“Wow. Is everybody all right? Do you have what you need? Knox and I are standing in line at the grocery store, along with half the county!”
“Oh, dear! Well, it sounds like the smart thing to do. Everyone here is fine, and we have supplies. It’s quite awful, really. Lots of accidents and cars off the road. Some people in Cleveland have lost power, but we’re OK so far. What have you heard out there?”
“The reports have been confusing, so we aren’t sure what to expect. Classes are done tomorrow, and then I’ll be staying with Knox through the holidays. Be sure to let me know when it’s over. Tell everyone hi for me, and Knox sends his love.”
“Love you too, but don’t take any risks, honey. We’ll talk again soon.”
Knox wore a pinched expression as Levi ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
“The storm sounds bad. I sure hope the thing fizzles out before it gets this far.”
Twenty minutes later, they exited the building into a packed parking lot and loaded the purchases into the back of Levi’s jeep. Present conditions were calm but cold, the roads basically clear except for a few slick spots near intersections. The odd thing was seeing the drainage ditches on both sides of the pavement completely filled up with snow, blending right into the narrow shoulders. In daylight, he didn’t have any trouble, but Levi could imagine the difficulty of navigating this stretch in the dark or during a storm.
Levi turned, following Knox’s long driveway to the cabin. Inside, they worked quickly to put everything away and then Levi found himself pinned against the counter. Knox grabbed his ass in both hands and pulled him close. There was no denying their arousal as billy club met slim jim, and Knox drove the man wild with licks and nibbles.
“Need you, mate. Take your cock out for me.”
Levi hastened to undo his pants so Knox could have what he wanted. As soon as the pale pole flopped free, Knox kneeled down and sucked it down his throat. It didn’t take long for Levi to bust a nut, and Knox milked every drop out of him before standing up for punishing kisses. The big bear exposed his own dick, lifted Levi’s shirt, and rubbed one out against his mate’s soft, hairless stomach. Lips still locked, Knox’s deep grunts were muffled as his load fountained up between their bodies.
Knox cleaned them both with paper towels, leaving plenty of his scent on Levi’s skin. His bear preferred a permanent mating mark, but that had to wait until the claiming, and Knox knew exactly where it would go. With sunset looming, Levi kissed his big bear goodnight and headed home. Only one more day before they could start their vacation and Levi’s favorite holiday.
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Thursday morning, December23rd
As he usually did, Knox awoke first and found that Levi had turned to face him sometime during the night. He watched the beautiful man sleep, listening to his heartbeat and watching his pale chest rise and fall. It amazed Knox that this human belonged to him or would soon if his instincts were right. It almost happened last night as they were pleasuring one another on the couch. Levi had looked deeply into his eyes with such love and longing, mouth open with words on the tip of his tongue.
The moment passed, and while Levi said he loved him, Knox believed he intended to say much more. He didn’t know what held him back, but hopefully, Levi wasn’t afraid to be claimed or uncertain if they belonged together. Intellectually, Knox understood that humans sometimes balked at taking the final step. He’d done everything he could to reassure, tempt, suggest—all without pushing for a commitment the man wasn’t ready to give him.
Knox let the disappointment go and focused on Levi’s handsome face in repose. There were no plans for the day except to relax and enjoy doing nothing. His mate began to stir awake until, finally, those beautiful sky-blue eyes fluttered open to look back at him. Levi smiled, and Knox reached up to skim the side of his thumb along Levi’s lightly bristled jaw. There was nothing else to do except kiss him, and he did, over and over. Gentle, soft, possessive kisses that spoke without words.
At length, they got up and made breakfast together with the slim pickings from Levi’s fridge and cupboards. The rest of their meals would be eaten at the cabin for the next two weeks, and it was pointless to stock up here and then let it go to waste. Eager for the latest weather report, Levi checked the news feed on his phone, groaned, and then read it aloud to Knox.
“Severe storm warning for Wilkes-Barre and all of eastern Pennsylvania, beginning on Christmas Eve. Heavy snow, below-freezing temperatures, high winds, and white-out conditions are expected. Power outages are possible, and travel is not recommended.”
Knox growled and reached for Levi’s hand.
“I’m glad we’re bringing your things over today. I sure hope we won’t need to go anywhere.”
While Knox washed up the dishes, Levi showered and dressed. Then they switched places while Levi began packing his bags for their holiday. His lover emerged from the bathroom gloriously naked, giving Levi an eyeful. As luck would have it, a ringing phone derailed the romance train before it left the station. Knox wrestled with a crumpled pair of jeans on the floor, trying to free the phone before the caller gave up. It was Aiden Romero.
“Aiden. What can I do for you?”
“Knox. Listen, I’m desperate here! Is there any way you and Levi could help me out today? I’m all alone at the shop and have a line out the door already.”
“Hold on, let me ask.”
Knox turned to his curious mate and explained.
“Tell him we’ll be right there. Oh, and ask him if he’s eaten breakfast.”
