Page 11 of Cuddles for the Bear
“I’m sorry. Are you cold? Should I get a blanket?”
“No. No. It’s lovely, really.” Wren patted Bear’s chest. “You’re very warm. It must be how a real bear would feel.”
“It is.” Wren was jostled around a bit, and then he heard the creak of wood as Bear sat down. Bear sighed, and Wren got the impression that it was a happy sound.
“If you feel like opening your eyes for a moment, the sky is very beautiful here tonight,” Bear said softly.
“It’s lovely and quiet here,” Wren said. He turned his head away from Bear’s chest for a moment, forcing his eyes open as he looked up. “Oh, wow, you have trees.” He looked around. “And really cute houses. This looks like a very private and secluded place. How did we get here? Will your neighbors mind me being here?”
“You’re in Assassin’s Alley,” Bear said with a chuckle. “The other guys who live here are all my friends. They won’t mind.”
“I have so many questions. Like, how did we get here so quickly and…” Wren shook his head. “You know what? Too tired. Tomorrow I’ll ask the questions, not that you have to answer. You came. That’s all that counts to me.”
“We have a lot to talk about, Wren.” Bear seemed to rumble, a noise that sent a delightful shiver down Wren’s spine. “Just know that you are safe here. In fact, I’d say you are safer here than anywhere else in the whole wide world right now.”
“I haven’t been safe for a very long time.” Wren settled back against Bear’s chest when he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. “Who’s that?” He stiffened as two huge men approached Bear’s porch.
“Calvin and Levi. They’re friends. Hey, boys. This is Wren.”
“Cyrus texted us,” one of the men said, holding up a covered plate which he held out to Bear. “Thought you might like some smoked pork sandwiches. We had leftovers tonight.”
“I made a flask of hot chocolate, too.” The other man slid a tall flask onto the porch. “It can be a bit chilly out here.”
“Thanks, guys. Wren and I have a few things to discuss in the morning, but we’ll be at the grill if you’re cooking tomorrow night.”
“Sounds good,” one of the men said.
“Welcome to the Alley, Wren,” the other one said, and then both men just wandered off as if it was perfectly normal to hand out food and leave.
“Here, sit up a bit. You need to try one of these sandwiches.” Bear’s arm eased Wren around, so he was sitting upright, his back against Bear’s front. “Those two are grill masters. They often cook for all of us in the evenings.”
“That does smell good, thank you.” Wren took one of the sandwiches Bear offered, taking a big bite. A flood of tastes coated his tongue – spices, honey, and tender pork encased in fresh white bread. Wren groaned. “I don’t think I’ve ever tasted anything so yummy.”
He went to take another bite when another much smaller man came running over. “I’m not staying, Bear,” the man said in a rush, placing a pile of clothes on the porch. “Hi, Wren, I’m Flint. Cyrus texted me and said you might need a few things to get you started. He thought you and I are roughly the same size, so I hope you don’t mind secondhand. They’re clean.”
“Clothes for me?” Wren looked up at Bear and then at Flint. “Thank you so much,” he managed to say without crying again. “That’s so kind.”
“Thanks, Flint.” Bear seemed pleased. “We’ll catch up tomorrow night, yeah?”
“Definitely.” Flint ran off across the road to another small house.
Wren looked at his sandwich and then down at the clothes Flint had left. “Your friends are being very nice. I’m not used to it.”
“They know you’re important to me,” Bear said simply. Wren wondered why they might think that. Technically, he and Bear had only just met, even though they’d talked to each other for months online. He was about to ask when Bear added, “Andhere comes Storm and Pax. Storm is the tall one, and Pax is the shorter one. They’re a couple. They live in the house next to Flint’s. Hi guys.”
“We won’t stay long,” Storm said, coming up to the porch and smiling. He was a very handsome man, but in Wren’s eyes, Bear was safe as well as handsome, and that was far more important. “Cyrus texted us, and Pax thought your new friend might like a few donuts, seeing as Gwen’s place won’t be open for hours.”
“Cyrus said you’d had a rough night.” Pax bounced right up onto the porch, a big box in his hands. “Donuts make absolutely everything better. Do you prefer jam, chocolate, or sprinkles?”
“Er…” Wren looked at his half-eaten sandwich, Bear, and then back at Pax. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a donut. What is it?”
“My gods.” Pax turned on his partner. “This is worse than we thought. Quick, quick. Put the sandwich down. The meat is lovely, yes, yes, but you have not lived until you’ve had a donut. Here, I’ll have one with you.”
“Pax, they’re for Wren and D… I mean, Bear,” Storm reminded his partner gently.
“This man hasnever eaten a donut. I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t show him how to get the maximum pleasure from these wonderful goodies.”
Bear seemed to be laughing under his breath. “Did you want to try a donut, Wren?”
