Page 32 of Bear Creek Valentine
Dash made all sorts of sounds during sex, though Aiden didn’t know if all bear shifters were so vocal. All he knew was that it turned him on, especially knowinghewas the one provoking those sounds. They also told him when Dash was about to cum, and right on cue, he began panting as he got closer to release. Aiden tightened his grip on Dash’s cock, fighting the urge to quicken the pace. The slow tease resulted in a different kind of orgasm—gentle but intense, placid yet satisfying.
Dash spilled ropes of cream, even as Aiden filled his ass with jets of his own. The soft purring returned, and Dash sighed deeply as they relaxed together before starting their day.
Chapter 11
Mid-May, Pocono Ridge Resort
Armed with a schematic and measuring tape, Dash visited each of Main Street’s shops, checking the builder’s progress against the plans. The square footage and design elements must be exact, since the business owners planned everything around them, including signage, fixtures, and furniture. The retail bays came in three standard sizes, though the storefronts and interior design were decided by the lessee—except one.
The first and most visible space was actually a corner unit. Virtually everyone in the building would pass by, which is why Dash chose this spot for the Hungry Bear. The combined coffee and snack shop would serve hot and cold drinks, snack foods, and sweet treats—specifically those made byDelicious. Dash had altered the original plans to showcase Aiden’s wonderful chocolates in a way that would maximize visibility and sales. His lover knew nothing about it yet, but soon Dash would invite him to the resort for a private viewing.
Finished with the Main Street task, Dash headed back to his private office suite, located behind the check-in desk. It was part of an administrative area for managers, security, human resources, and finance personnel. To ensure privacy and comfort, any visitor would have to get past his Administrative Assistant and Ryder Sinclair before reaching the door to his suite. He not only had a working office, but a conference room, a casual meeting space, and a full bathroom—all built to accommodate his bear if he chose to shift.
Some might have thought the set-up was ostentatious, but he couldn’t always work from home, and even city bears needed a quiet retreat from time to time. As news of the resort spread, his public relations team encountered a great deal of interestand enthusiasm. Advance bookings began in the middle of July, eight weeks before opening day, and he knew the resort would be a very busy place.
While it was great for business, he worried that his new, exciting venture would pull him away from Aiden. While they weren’t living together, they spent most nights and weekends at one place or the other, making the best of their crazy-busy schedules. They both understood things were going to remain that way through the holidays, and there was nothing they could do about it.
He ached to be with Aiden when they were separated—exactly how he felt years ago after meeting Harv. Even while they were together, Dash and his bear yearned to keep the human man close, as if they were already mates. Were these feelings a betrayal of Harv? He didn’tfeelguilty, but should he? Thoughts like these went round and round with no resolution unless Dash forcibly banished them from his mind. His bear, on the other hand, seemed to think that claiming Aiden would solve all the inner turmoil. Was he right? Feeling sorry for himself, Dash pulled out his phone and sent Aiden a quick text before continuing his duties for the day.
>Want you, miss you! XOXOXO
####
Monday, May 22nd
Leo Park, the newest employee ofDelicious, gave his first creation some serious side-eye. The mixture didn’t smell bad, but it looked like a cross between baby barf and rancid oatmeal—only not so runny. Couldn’t he have started with something other than Bear Brownies for his first project? Unfortunately, Aiden saw the look on his face and called him out.
“Do you have any idea what natural bears eat?”
Leo wasn’t entirely certain where Aiden was going with the question but answered it anyway.
“Well, I know they’re omnivores, like us, but not much else.”
Aiden nodded, a small grin on his face. He’d made this same speech to every employee so far, and now it was Leo’s turn.
“Correct, my friend, but Black Bears will eat almostanything, including roadkill, worms, bugs, and human garbage. Now, compared to those things, our Bear Brownies are fit for a king! Seriously, our shifter customers, including my boyfriend,lovethe things, and they don’t care what they look like.
“Sure, to us they’re ugly, and you definitely don’t want to eat them, but they’re loaded with acorn meal, nuts, and fruit—all Bear favorites and packed with nutrition. Nobody else makes them, and they’re one of the shop’s top sellers. Let me put it this way—do you like everythingDeliciousoffers?”
Leo could see where the lesson was going, but played along.
“Honestly, no. I don’t care for the Purple Passion, and I hate anything with coconut.”
Still smiling, Aiden brought home his point.
“So, you won’t make those items or sell them to our customers?”
Leo rolled his eyes.
“Of course not. Everybody’s tastes are different, and I won’t force someone else to choose the things I like.”
Aiden beamed.
“Exactly! Every customer is treated with the same respect, whether human or shifter. Personal preferences should never affect our interaction with the public. And, yes, every employee gets the same speech. Now let me check that pan of brownies before you put it in the cooler. If it looks good, I’ll even let you make five more just like it!”
Leo laughed at his friend’s lame joke and went back to work. The atmosphere here was so different from a stress-filledrestaurant kitchen, and the opportunity to work hand in hand with old friends was something special. He and Serena had talked about her early impressions ofDeliciousafter he moved into his new apartment. It, too, was much nicer than anything he’d ever rented before, making his arrival in Bear Creek even more pleasant.
For the next few weeks, he’d be working with Aiden at the shop, learning how to make every single recipe from start to finish. It was important to have someone else who knew the products inside out, especially since Leo would manage the D2 facility. This way, they could cover for each other during vacations or sick days. Up to now, Aiden had been working alone for almost four years, carrying the burden by himself. It meant an awful lot to Leo that his old friend trusted him with his business.
