Page 23 of Bear Creek Valentine
Dash let loose with an aggressive growl that made Aiden’s hair stand on end, and he thought he’d pushed too far until Dash gave him a raspy reply.
“Yes. More.Please!”
Aiden slicked up two fingers and pressed inside the soft, hot passage, searching for his prostate. He found it, and Dash began to sway and jerk with the waves of sensation, emitting a series of gusty snorts. Pleased by his lover’s response, Aiden added another finger, sawing in and out with one hand while he reached around to stroke Dash’s turgid cock. It only took a few tugs before the thoroughly aroused shifter shook with a powerful orgasm, emptying his swollen balls onto the hand towel below.
As soon as the pulses ended, Aiden revealed his end game.
“I want more, and so do you. You’re going to ride me this time and not hold back.”
Dash ached to feel Aiden’s cock instead of fingers and went for it. Since he wouldn’t be using the traditional position for claiming, Dash’s bear went along with it—trusting his human half to do whatever felt good. Scooting back, he took the damp hand towel with him while Aiden lay down on his back—dick rosy, hard, and waiting.
“Slick me up and then get on board. You set the pace, but let’s see if we can cum together.”
Eager and growly, Dash liberally lubed up Aiden’s cock and held it in place as he sank down to the hilt with one swift plunge. Head thrown back, Aiden moaned loudly while clawing at the sheets. Dash reveled in the fullness and heat while his lover watched him through hooded eyes. Using his powerful thigh muscles, Dash slid up and down, squeezing tight so that Aiden felt every stroke. Overpowering sensations racked both men as they rode the waves of ecstasy.
When Dash began purring, Aiden nearly vaulted off the bed. The vibration heightened an already-intense pleasure, and he’d experienced nothing like it before. Straining to leave Dash in control, he thrashed beneath the powerful shifter, enduring the sweet torture to its inevitable conclusion. Heralded by gutturalgrunts, Dash reached climax first. His channel automatically tightened, which was just enough to send Aiden into orbit.
Dash sprayed his second load all over the flushed human’s stomach and chest, filling the room with its heady fragrance. His contented bear continued to hum through the aftershocks, keeping Aiden’s softening cock inside until it slipped free with a gush of jizz. Dash reached for more towels and wiped them both off before laying down to snuggle. He loved the quiet intimacy as much as Aiden did; limbs wrapped around one another while they stroked, sighed, and kissed.
Aiden eventually spoke, wanting Dash to know his thoughts.
“You’re incredible. I hope your bear was okay with what we did tonight because I want more.”
Dash inwardly preened at the compliment, though he couldn’t guess what Aiden knew, or thought he knew, about shifter mating rituals. Suppressing a sigh, he decided to clear the decks and be honest with Aiden. The man deserved no less if they were to continue their relationship—something he very much wanted.
“We both liked it, and my bear let me do what I wanted without pushing. Uh... what do you know about mating with a shifter?”
Aiden hadn’t expected Dash to broach the subject here and now, but it made sense to lay his own cards on the table. First, however, he pulled Dash closer to stroke his soft beard and pepper his face with kisses.
“I’m not an expert or anything, but I understand how it happens and what it means to you. I want whatever you’ll give me, Dash, including becoming your mate someday. I know that scares you, so I’m prepared to wait. You’ve been badly hurt in a way I don’t fully understand, but when you feel safe sharing your story, I’m ready to listen.”
Dash licked and snuffled Aiden’s neck while he gathered his thoughts. Aside from Ryder and Dash’s immediate family, he’d never shared the complete story. If anyone needed to know, it was Aiden, and Dash pulled the covers up to keep them comfortable while he recounted the details of that heart-breaking day.
####
Eleven years ago, near Allentown, Pennsylvania
Harv backed out of his clothes closet, using superior ursine senses to determine his mate’s location. Hmm... laundry room. Good. Dash knew very well that Valentine’s was only a few days off, but his bear didn’t want to wait to find out what Harv got him this year. He’d been stashing little gifts in a plain cardboard box in the back of his closet, tucked under a pile of clothing headed for the donation bin. If he didn’t move fast, Dash would wonder what he was up to and come sniffing around.
Harv had unintentionally started a gift-giving tradition on their first Valentine’s Day together in college. In subsequent years, it became more difficult to surprise his sweet mate—thus the creative hiding place and secrecy. Like most shifters, Harv generally ignored holidays. Dash, however, simply adored receiving gifts, and it didn’t much matter what they were. He said they made him feel loved and special, so how could he resist?
Harv peeked out the window, revealing a wondrous world of white, and his bear urged him to get out there and play. To distract Dash, he grabbed the dirty clothes hamper and took it to the laundry room. Together, they sorted clothes into various piles and got the first load started.
“I’m going for a walk out back. Want to come along?”
Dash shook his head.
“Can’t. I have a list of things to get done today. I know you love the snow, so go on without me this time.”
Harv began undressing on his way to the back door. The state-owned land adjacent to their home provided easy access to protected forestland, and last night’s February snowfall left piles of white everywhere. Now naked, Harv lifted a fully clothed Dash into his arms and claimed his mouth. Dash gave in, of course, allowing his rugged mate to have his way. The kisses continued as they purred and growled through the long goodbye, both hard and panting by the time Harv lowered him to the floor.
“I won’t be gone too long, sweetheart. You can have me for the rest of the day, and we’ll do whatever you like—right after I pound you into the mattress.”
Dash, and his bear, intended to hold him to that promise. He gave his mate another kiss, stepped back while Harv shifted, and opened the back door for him. Cold, damp air swirled over him as he watched his mate blend into the snow-covered woods and disappear.
####
While Harv was out, Dash tended the laundry and did a few other chores around the house until he ended up in the kitchen. They were having meatloaf for supper tonight—one of his mate’s favorite winter meals. He began mixing the ground beef, spices, bread crumbs, and egg in a ginormous pottery bowl Harv had given him for their first Christmas together. Using it always brought back wonderful memories of how they met and mated a decade ago, and Dash let his mind wander down memory lane.
