Page 8 of Bear Creek Valentine
Dash passed Calvin a business card with contact information, along with a subtle request.
“I’m also looking for someone to supply firewood for the resort if you’re interested or know someone who is.”
Calvin thanked him and tucked the card into the pocket of his flannel shirt. Securing a contract like that could be lucrative, enabling him to expand his operations. He was comfortable with Dash, and his scent made it known. Eden looked just as pleased and used the momentary gap in the conversation to ask Dash about the resort.
“You nabbed one of the best craftsmen around here when your company hired Knox. Can you tell us how the work is coming and when the resort will open?”
Dash glanced at Knox before answering.
“Things are right on schedule for a September sixteenth opening. In late August, I plan on inviting Bear Creek’s community leaders and business owners to tour the facility. I’ll speak to Mayor Tillman and make sure all of you are on the list. Knox, why don’t you tell them what you’re working on?”
Knox hadn’t expected to talk shop tonight, but he didn’t mind sharing with this group. Levi reached over to squeeze his hand, obviously proud of his talented mate.
“Dash wanted the lobby to look more like nature and less like a fancy hotel. I’m working on some live-edge pieces, including the front desk area and some smaller tables and chairs. Live-edge means working with wood slabs in their natural shape, leaving all the imperfections and bark where they are. No two are alike, and you’d be surprised by the look and feel it gives a room.”
Dash gave Knox the credit he was due.
“I agree with you, Eden—Knox is a talented craftsman. He’s already improved my original ideas, and the lobby will be stunning when he’s finished. I see it as the crown jewel of the building, and it will make a great first impression.”
The arrival of their food shifted attention away from Dash, enabling him to enjoy his meal. The Bronto Burger had been cut into four manageable pieces, and the crispy sweet potato fries formed a veritable mountain on a second platter. Dash caught Aiden eyeing them and leaned over to whisper in his ear.
“I don’t mind sharing if you want some.”
Aiden immediately snatched one off the top, dipped it in ketchup, and popped it in his mouth. After eating several, he showed appreciation with a kiss on Dash’s bearded cheek.
“Thank you. I love those things, but I bet you taste even sweeter.”
Dash nearly melted in his chair as everyone at the table heard the lovely sentiment. He didn’t know if Aiden was always this attentive, but he liked ita lot, and so did his bear. The randy ursine wanted Dash to get horizontal with the intriguing human at the first opportunity. So far, he wasn’t pushing for a mating mark, though Dash could sense his bear heading in that direction.
It was too soon to even consider such a thing, let alone act on it. Dash had spent the last eleven years missing Harv like a severed limb, though his bear was more pragmatic about filling the void with another mate—shifter or human. Besides, he and Aiden barely knew one another, and once he learned of Dash’s unorthodox inclinations, the handsome man would probably run for the hills. At some point, he’d have to tell Aiden the truth, even if it meant never seeing him again.
When the meal was over, Rowan returned to clear the table and brought out a decorated cake lit with birthday candles. Aiden shook his finger at Eden and endured the off-key singing like a trooper. Everyone clapped when he extinguished the flames and then plied him with cards and small gifts. Dash enjoyed watching the man’s animated face and listening to his sharp barks of laughter. He’d never made friends easily and envied the group’s comfortable banter as they shared inside jokes and friendly insults about Aiden getting older.
At twenty-seven, the man was thirteen years his junior—one more potential stumbling block in the way of any relationship they might wish to pursue. Maybe it wouldn’t make any difference to Aiden, but he wasn’t about to ask him directly at this point. For now, Dash just wanted to enjoy his company and see how things evolved.
By the time the celebration ended, it was nearly ten o’clock, and Dash selfishly wished they could keep going. He’d soaked up Aiden’s attention and counted himself fortunate to make some new friends who didn’t appear to be overly impressed or intimidated by him, despite the rumors floating about town. To them, he was just Dash—a nice man who was interested in someone they cared about. Both Levi and Eden surprised him with hugs goodbye as they broke up to head home, and Dash truly hoped to see more of these people in the future.
Outside the pub, Aiden held Dash’s hand on their way back to his car, still parked outsideDelicious. Heart thumping, Dash snuck a quick glance at the intriguing human as old feelings returned in a rush of precious memories. Aiden wore a soft smile, his scent awash with contentment and arousal. It had been years since Dash’s one and only romance, and he’d vowed to protect his broken heart by never risking it again. But, judging by his bear’s persistent prodding, that plan had been kicked to the curb when he first laid eyes on Aiden.
When they reached the shop, Aiden pulled Dash closer, warm breath sending plumes of mist into the frosty night air. The usually busy street was quiet and deserted, providing a bubble of privacy for the two lonely souls. Soft brown eyes looked down into stormy blue as Aiden tilted Dash’s head up for a kiss. Their lips met in a soft but persistent press, and Dash began a rumbling purr that Aiden could feel wherever they touched.
Just as his bear began pushing for more, Aiden let go and pulled back, allowing a sliver of moonlight to separate them. Dash huffed at the loss of contact, searching the man’s face for clues as to what came next. Unable to form words, he was relieved when Aiden broke the anxious silence for him.
“I had a wonderful time tonight, and you were the best birthday giftever. As I recall, we have some unfinished businessto discuss, which means I get to see you again. How about one o’clock on Sunday afternoon at my place?”
Dash could hardly think, surrounded by Aiden’s enticing scent and body heat. Business sounded safer than an actual date, but maybe not if they were alone together. His imagination provided any number of randy ideas about how they might pass the time, and his bear urged him to agree without asking questions. It didn’t help that his traitorous cock was now uncomfortably hard, and his face flushed with arousal. What was he supposed to say when part of him wanted to get naked right there on the street while the other part wanted to run away and hide?
“I, umm... Sunday might work. We could meet at the coffeehouse instead if it’s more convenient.”
Aiden noticed the shifter’s nerves and arousal, but his dual agenda for theirbusiness meetingrequired privacy. Dash simply needed a nudge in the right direction, and he leaned in to nuzzle his ear.
“My place works better. Take out your phone so I can give you my number and address.”
Aiden’s warm breath and take-charge attitude punched Dash’s buttons, nearly short-circuiting his already overtaxed mind. He almost dropped the phone while trying to remove it from his pocket, and Aiden gently took it from him. Pulling up the contact screen, he added his name, address, and number before sending himself a text message. Aiden showed him what it said.
>I’ll be there. Can’t wait!
Aiden considered Dash’s shaky laughter and smile as agreement. They put their phones away and came together for one last kiss before parting ways. This one was laced with so much heat that Dash’s toes curled, and he wondered what the enticing man’s mouth might do elsewhere.
