Page 46 of Bear Creek Valentine
“You areinsatiable! I’m not complaining, exactly, but if we don’t get moving there won’t be time to eat.”
Somehow, Dash growled and purred simultaneously, nearly breaking Aiden’s resolve to remain clothed and upright.
“I’ll skip breakfast if I can have you again.”
Aiden kissed him tenderly.
“Sorry, love, but I promise to put out when we come home for lunch. Give me a hand with breakfast, won’t you?”
Dash fussed and grumbled while they prepared something to eat, and Aiden admitted it made him feel special, treasured and wanted. Dash’s biology might have the upper hand just now, but Aiden knew it wasn’t only that. In the deep recesses of the shifter’s heart, Aiden was his everything. He seriously doubted human couples possessedanythingclose to what they shared, and from what he’d been told, it only got better over time. Dash very well might wear him out over the next week or two, but any discomfort Aiden suffered was worth it for his mate.
Chapter 16
Amid frequent kisses and groping, Dash and Aiden finished eating breakfast and got underway. They arrived atDeliciousto find Leo already at work. He was surprised to see Dash and gave the pair a curious look. Aiden simply waved and showed his mate to the breakroom. While Dash booted up his computer, Aiden gave him the lay of the land.
“If you need to see or touch me, grab an apron and a cap from the shelf behind you and put them on before coming into the kitchen. You’ll probably get hungry with all the pleasant smells in here, so let me know if you want something to eat, all right? I love you, mate.”
Dash didn’t want Aiden in a different room but knew this was the best they could do. He gave his mate a deep scenting, kissed him on the mouth, and patted his butt when he turned to go.
“Love you, too.”
Aiden was still smiling when he walked into the kitchen, and Leo’s brows rose when he saw the besotted look on his friend’s face.
“Morning. Is there a reason you’re so dreamy-eyed today?”
Aiden winked and began pulling ingredients for a batch of fudge.
“There is. We mated over the weekend, and the bond is so new that Dash can’t be separated from me yet.”
Leo beamed at the news, happy for his friend.
“Congratulations! You two make a great couple. I’ve been reading up on shifters, but the book didn’t explain mating rituals very well. Maybe you could...”
Aiden shook his head, hooked a thumb over his shoulder, and mouthed “later.” Leo understood. He’d completely forgottenDash could hear what they were saying and might not appreciate this particular topic of conversation. Time to change the subject.
“Business was good on Saturday, and we didn’t have any problems. An older guy named Michael Becker stopped in to pick up a few things. He mentioned that he’d met you and Dash at the wedding. How was it, by the way?”
Aiden gave him a wink for redirecting the conversation before Dash got excited. The littlest thing could set him off, and there wasn’t a smidgen of privacy at the shop.
“We enjoyed it. They actually mated back in December, but Levi wanted to make it legal and take Knox’s name. The ceremony was short and simple, with lots of food afterward. The shifter guests went for a ramble in the woods and then ate Bear Brownies. Michael Becker is a Judge out of Scranton who performed the ceremony.”
The pair went on to discuss more business-related news and got busy mixing ingredients. Before long, the scent of sweets drew Dash into the kitchen—sniffing up a storm and wearing a crooked apron and a backward cap. Despite the tantalizing odors, he went directly to his mate, burying his nose in Aiden’s neck. When Dash finally came up for air, Aiden fed him the oops and corner pieces of fudge. One after another, they went down the hatch like popcorn, interspersed with more kisses and delighted growls.
Leo kept working but stole glances at the happy couple without interrupting them. They enjoyed a powerful dynamic he’d never seen with anyone he knew. He had a million questions for Aiden, but they would have to wait until Dash wasn’t nearby. He’d read that shifters were very possessive with their mates, and Leo knew enough not to, as they say, poke the bear.
The back door opened as Serena and Blanche arrived for the day. Spotting Dash in the kitchen startled both women, butLeo frowned and shook his head, preventing whatever snarky comment Serena was undoubtedly planning to utter. They took the hint and went to the breakroom to stash their things and put on clean aprons. He followed them out front for a quick, whispered explanation and then returned to the kitchen.
Dash, meanwhile, was clearly reluctant to part with his mate, growling as he returned to the breakroom. Aiden heaved a great sigh and dove back into the recipe—dark chocolate fudge mixed with honeyed pecans and a touch of cinnamon. He didn’t seem inclined to talk for a while, and Leo left him to his thoughts. Eventually, a question arose to break the silence.
“If you’re moving into Dash’s place, what happens to the condo?”
Aiden grinned.
“I’m partially moved in already, though just the essentials. It’s been an eventful weekend, and I haven’t spent much time thinking about it. The housing market is getting kind of tight in Bear Creek, so I shouldn’t have any trouble finding a buyer.”
This was the opening Leo had been hoping for.
“How about me? I know I just signed a lease at the apartment, but I’m confident I can find someone to take it over. Plus, I’ve been saving up for a down payment and the condo would be perfect.”
