Page 38 of Bear Creek Valentine
Dash huffed and growled, incredulous over the cruelty of his lover’s family. Aiden recognized the sweet shifter’s indignation and gave his beefy bicep a few gentle strokes before continuing the story.
“I kept a low profile at school and at home but got a job at a local restaurant. They offered me a full-time baker’s position after graduation, and I moved out of the house soon after. I couldn’t afford college, so I worked my way up to Pastry Chef and started dreaming of owning a business. About four years ago, I bought the shop in Bear Creek and haven’t looked back.”
Dash detected deeper feelings that Aiden tried to hide, and he raged at the way his relatives had treated him. The contrast between families couldn’t have been more obvious, and Dash understood why Aiden might have felt overwhelmed.
“I admire what you’ve accomplished, especially on your own. If I ever meet Ashton or your mother, they’re going to get an earful.”
Aiden appreciated Dash’s protective streak, and it felt good to have a huge support group waiting in the wings. There’d been little contact with his family since he’d left home almost a decade ago, so the chances of Dash meeting them were slim to none. Probably for the best, because an aggrieved bear shifter wasn’t something to be trifled with. Dash interrupted Aiden’s introspection with a pronouncement.
“You’re staying with me tonight. I don’t want you to be alone.”
Aiden leaned over to kiss his cheek and whisper in his ear.
“I love you, and I’m going to show you just how much as soon as we get back.”
####
Aiden lied.
He didn’t wait until they arrived. In fact, he got started miles from town with a warm hand on Dash’s thigh, inching higher until he was palming the shifter’s crotch. Growling and distracted, Dash nearly put them in the ditch when Aiden went a step further and unzipped his pants. Then came the order.
“Keep driving. I can’t wait anymore.”
With some difficulty, Aiden fished out Dash’s hard cock and began to stroke. Growling and sweaty, Dash keened with need and frustration. Between the forced passivity and Aiden’s tight fist, he needed every ounce of strength just to keep the car moving and on the road.Home. He must make it home before he could touch his man the way he wanted; before allowing the building orgasm to erupt and white out his vision.
Dash sped past well-known landmarks until they’d reached the turn into his long, curved driveway. Aiden’s hand suddenly left off stroking and slipped under Dash’s shirt to pinch and roll an erect nipple. Dash’s moans turned into curses as he fought to get the car into the garage without bashing into either wall. The moment he shut off the engine, Aiden released both seatbelts and leaned over to swallow the big spongy crown of his lover’s cock.
He knew Dash was already teetering on the edge, so it was no surprise when the desperate shifter grabbed Aiden’s head and pumped upward in furious, shallow thrusts. Seconds later, Dash released down the man’s throat. Swallowing the last spurt of cream, Aiden sat up straight, wiped his mouth, and issued another command.
“In the house! I want your ass next.”
They scrambled out of the car to the door, where Dash dropped his keys twice, trying to unlock it. Aiden urged him to hurry, caressing whatever body parts he could reach. Finally inside, the pair sprinted to the spare bedroom, stripped like their clothes were on fire, and landed on the mattress in a twisted heap. Aiden lubed up as Dash got on all fours, ass up for the taking. They were too keyed up for foreplay or finesse, and Aiden plunged inside without hesitation.
Hard, fast thrusts gave them both what they needed. Panting, Dash greedily demanded everything Aiden could give him until his channel contracted. Squeezed like a boa constrictor, Aiden unloaded with a shout as Dash grunted through another climax. The only sound now was harsh breathing and a low purring rumble in Dash’s chest. Aiden lowered his lover to the mattress and snuggled in behind for a brief rest before the next round.
####
Wednesday morning, May 30th, Delicious
Aiden noticed Leo’s furrowed brow—his normal expression when concentrating on a particular task. In this case, however, the results were dubious at best. White chocolate Swirls were difficult to produce correctly if they were to have their signature look, and Leo simply wasn’t getting it. His frustration prompted a question Aiden had been expecting for several minutes.
“Is there a trick to this? These look like bird droppings.”
Aiden chuckled at the truthful declaration and tried once again to explain the proper method to his apprentice.
“I’ll admit these aren’t easy. It took me quite a while to figure out the correct steps so they come out right every time. The first trick is to let the dollop of white chocolate firm up a little before you add the fruit. Then comes a quick twist of the spoon for the swirl pattern without mashing everything together. You can do a dozen in a row if it’s timed right. Watch me on this next set.”
Leo observed carefully to see how fast Aiden was moving, the way he held the spoon, and how much time elapsed between the last dollop and the first application of fruit. Now it made more sense, and within another ten minutes, he was turning out beautiful Swirls like a pro. The frown disappeared, and they fell into their usual pattern of quiet concentration, interrupted by occasional conversation.
The familiar noise of a key in the back door alerted them of Serena’s arrival. Blanche entered with her, and they soon trooped through the kitchen on their way to the front. Since Blanche usually processed the online orders, she started the day by booting up the computer and printing off anything that had arrived since the previous day’s cut-off. Meanwhile, Serena dealt with the register and unlocked the front entrance when they opened at nine o’clock.
Aiden glanced up when Blanche soon returned to the kitchen with a frown.
“Excuse me, Aiden, but the computer is acting up. Would you take a look?”
Aiden washed and dried his hands and went out to see what was wrong. Hmm... they weren’t connected to the internet for some reason, so it was no surprise the website wouldn’t boot up for her. He checked the cable connections and then ran a diagnostic—both to no avail. This was certainly a fly in the ointment. By then, Serena had joined them.
“Sorry, ladies, but I’ll have to contact our internet provider for a service call. Meanwhile, Serena, I want you to download theDeliciousapp on your phone. I’ll give you the administrator password so you can post a notice on the main page. Then I need you to process any priority orders from local customers—even if you have to do it all by hand. I’ll put a ‘CASH ONLY ‘sign on the door for now.”
