Page 72 of Bear Creek Valentine
“I don’t care what it costs, so don’t worry about it. Obviously,Deliciouswill have to operate out of D2 until both buildings are finished. I’ll get Ryder to find a good construction team for us who can get the work done quickly. The shop shouldn’t be difficult, since it’s a simple design, but you might want to think about adding features that weren’t here before. Now’s the time if you want to change things.”
Aiden let go of the breath he’d been holding and kissed his mate thoroughly.
“Thank you, love. This would be so much worse if you weren’t here with me. Let’s head back to D2 and give everyone the news. I’m sure they’re all wondering what’s going on.”
When they got back, Aiden called the group together for a short meeting and explained what had happened and how they were going to proceed.
“It could be several months before we can move into our new spaces, but I’ll keep you updated on the progress. Thank you for such good work today. I know it wasn’t what we were expecting, but you’re a great team. Now, I need two volunteers to hand out brochures before Serena and Howard turn into popsicles.”
Aiden sent another pair of workers to rotate through every hour, so no one stood cold for too long. The day started early and ended late, leaving the entire crew exhausted but upbeat. Knox and his men made terrific progress with the remodel, Aiden secured the needed display cases on short notice, and Leo’s crew kept the production lines rolling along at a fast pace.
Though the online orders were extremely heavy, they still shipped out over eighty-three percent by the time the post office closed. The four new part-timers were more than pulling their weight, and all of them volunteered to work full days until the new shop opened its doors. By all indications, it could be as soon as the middle of next week, if the equipment and supplies arrived as promised.
Aiden sent everyone home by six p.m., even though the shop would have normally stayed open until nine each night during the month of December. Given the emotionally and physically challenging day they’d experienced, there was no good reason to make everyone miserable. Aiden even suspended the brochure handouts until the next day. Instead, he attached a covered box stuffed with brochures to the front door of the shop, and added a sign saying, ‘Take One Please!’
Dash called in a takeout order at their favorite pizza place while Aiden helped Leo close down for the day. The front entrance glass was covered with white paper, preventing the curious or thieves from seeing the power tools and construction mess. Exiting out the back, Aiden set the alarm and locked up. A strange chill swept up his spine, and he wondered where Heather was right now. Was she planning another attack? Would he lose this place too?
In the driver’s seat, Dash scented his fear but said nothing until they were on the way to pick up their supper.
“Did you ever hear from Wahl?”
This was one of those times when Aiden wondered if his mate was capable of mind-reading.
“Sort of. I got a message, but it didn’t tell me anything. It just said,No worries. Will know more in the next few days.”
Dash growled at the cryptic message, wondering what the private investigator meant. Perhaps the man possessed information which couldn’t yet be revealed or only be conveyed in person. Worse, he might not know any more than the Sheriff about Heather Novak’s whereabouts.
“That’s not very helpful, but I suppose we’ll find out soon enough. After we eat, I’m going to make you forget about the day and sleep like a log.”
Despite his exhaustion, Aiden’s dick perked right up, and the scent of his arousal got Dash all growly. Supper wouldn’t last long if he had anything to say about it.
####
An empty pizza box and paper plates remained on the dining room table. Items of clothing littered the hallway leading to the primary bedroom. Damp towels dotted the bathroom floor where they’d been hastily dropped. On the king-sized bed, Aidenlay spread eagle, hands curled under the headboard while Dash licked and stroked his mate from neck to toes. Moans, growls, and heavy breathing were the only clearly discernable sounds in the house until Aiden finally spoke.
“Dash... love... do something. I need more.Please.”
It was all about his mate tonight, and if the man wanted more, Dash would give it to him. Reaching for the lube, he opened it with a distinctivesnickand drizzled some on Aiden’s hard, rosy cock and then the first two fingers of his left hand. He slid those inside his mate’s eager channel while his right hand began stroking Aiden’s erection. A burst of human pheromones filled the air as his arousal soared, and Dash growled.
“Oh, yeah... so good. Get me ready for your cock, babe. Fill me up.”
Even when taking the passive role, his bossy mate couldn’t resist calling the shots. Dash didn’t mind. All he wanted to do was please him. Wear him out. Make him sleep. Dash slathered lube on his dick, lifted Aiden’s long legs to his shoulders, and slid home. Aiden gasped at the tight fit and heat of his mate’s cock. Dash pulled back to the crown, skewering his lover over and over as the headboard slammed against the wall.
Aiden shouted and cursed as Dash’s cock worked its magic on his prostate. His neck and chest wore a rosy flush which matched his dick, and Dash wrapped a meaty fist around it once more to work it hard and fast. Aiden began to pant, thrashing under the assault until his entire body was locked in a rictus of pleasure. The orgasm tightened his back passage, and Dash spilled ropes of seed inside Aiden’s channel.
When the spurts finally slowed, Dash leaned down to lick the warm cum from Aiden’s stomach and chest, savoring his unique taste. Dash got them both cleaned up, set the alarm clock, and slid in next to his sleepy mate. Aiden practically rolled over ontop of him, awash in his mate’s scent and endorphins. Dash cuddled him, kissing his neck and shoulder.
“My beautiful mate. Mine. All mine. Love you.”
Aiden’s scent answered for him without saying a thing.
####
Wednesday morning, nine a.m.
This was it.
The newDeliciousstorefront was about to open to the public, and Aiden checked with everyone to make sure they were ready and understood their duties. Uniforms looked good, all the display cases were full, and the new shop sparkled like a diamond. Knox and his crew had worked themselves to the bone to get it done, and Aiden paid them well for it. The amount of money it took just to get them this far was staggering, but beginning today, they could make up for some of the losses.
