Page 19 of Bear Creek Thanksgiving (Holiday Mates #3)

Friday evening

Gruff had already gone home to rustle up supper while Dustin finished the last of the cleanup.

He still needed to run some things through the washer and dryer, but the laundry could wait until morning.

Lights off and doors locked, he headed for the car to grab his overnight bag, locked the gate, and started toward the house.

Baxter showed up out of nowhere chittering to be picked up, and Dustin complied, setting him on his shoulder.

“You are one spoiled beastie! Mind your claws, boy.”

With one paw resting on the top of Dustin’s head, the pair arrived at the front porch and knocked on the door. Seconds later, Gruff opened it with a rumbly laugh.

“Come on in. Supper’s almost ready.”

Once they were inside, Gruff leaned in to scent his man and Baxter jumped down to head for his own meal in the kitchen.

Dustin put his bag down in the living room and then went to wash his hands.

Without being asked, he set the table and soon the couple were side by side enjoying a savory chicken and rice dish.

Dustin did most of the talking while Gruff refueled, sharing amusing anecdotes from the orientation session.

“We have a good group of temps, and I have my eye on several who might fill our permanent part-time positions.”

Gruff grunted and kept on eating, eager to get to the fun part of their evening.

For dessert, they nibbled from a plate of leftover cookies, cupcakes and muffins—sharing smiles and filling the air with the scent of anxious suspense.

Gruff finished the last of the sweets and pulled Dustin onto his lap for soft kisses.

Though Gruff didn’t want to stop, he had something to share, and pulled back to card fingers through Dustin’s wavy locks.

“I have a surprise. Wanna see?”

Silly question—of course he wanted to see!

Gruff stood up, holding Dustin to his chest; the man’s legs wrapped around his waist. As they passed through the living room, he grabbed Dustin’s overnight bag and started up the stairs.

At the top, they faced a hallway with four doors—two bedrooms on the right, with a bathroom and another bedroom on the left.

Gruff stopped at the second bedroom door on the right and set Dustin on his feet.

This was the room he’d liked so much, especially the great view of the back yard and a section of the orchard. Gruff reached past to open the door and switch on the light before waving him inside. Dustin gasped. The once empty space had been utterly transformed into a fully furnished bedroom.

A queen-sized bed dominated the room, covered by a lightweight blanket with bold blue stripes.

The maple headboard matched both the nightstand and the dresser, and a plush round rug (also blue) tied it all together.

In one corner rested a sturdy Amish-style oak chair, and both windows now sported white mini-blinds.

The overall effect was masculine, simple, and comfortable.

When Dustin didn’t say anything, Gruff simply had to ask.

“Do you like it, Dusty?”

Dustin hugged the man and kissed him several times.

“No, I don’t like it, I love it. Are you sure you’re not just trying to get me to stay over more often?”

Gruff had the decency to blush, and there was no point in trying to deny it.

“Yep. I like waking up with you in my arms. We’ll get more time together if you don’t have to go home and come back in the morning.”

Gruff caught a scent of playful teasing before Dustin responded.

“So just sleeping huh? I can think of other things to do in here—if you’re interested, that is.”

Amid lusty growls, Gruff began to disrobe.

“So can I. You get undressed and I’ll run the bath.”

Despite the lack of music or an audience, Dustin stripped down in record time.

A quick peek in the nightstand drawer revealed hand towels and a big bottle of lube—proof positive his sweet shifter had intended to do more than sleep with him up here.

Until they were prepared to commit to one another, Gruff’s bedroom wasn’t an option for lovemaking, and the living room sofa limited their choices and comfort.

Dustin padded down the hall to the bathroom, leaning against the open door frame as he took in the view.

Gruff had leaned over to test the water, providing an unobstructed view of his muscled ass.

Full, lightly haired cheeks were parted far enough to reveal the object of Dustin’s desire.

Sliding his cock inside the man’s tight heat had been a recurring fantasy since Aiden Romero mentioned it as a way to take the next step without triggering Gruff’s bear to claim him too soon.

He just needed to find out if the big guy was willing to try it.

Gruff knew he was being ogled without turning around, and his already half-hard cock rose to full staff.

No one had ever looked at him the way Dustin did—with longing, desire, and absolute trust. In the past, he’d been what humans called a top , though only because his partners preferred being on the receiving end.

His new boyfriend could have anything he wanted as long as they both enjoyed it, and Dustin probably didn’t realize how sexy and desirable he was in his own right.

Gruff heard and felt Dustin’s movement as he left his place in the doorway to embrace him from behind.

One warm hand came around to stroke his turgid cock while the other tugged at a nipple.

Being shorter than Gruff, the tip of Dustin’s cock poked at his entrance like a heat-seeking missile.

Gruff’s energetic growls bounced off the bathroom walls, clearly heard over the rush of running water.

“I want your ass, babe. Can I have it tonight?”

Gruff’s bear didn’t have any qualms at all, urging his human half to get on with the feel-good part. Gruff snarled and huffed as Dustin worked him over, heading for a quick release at this pace.

“All yours, Dusty. Whatever you want.”

It amazed Dustin that the stunning, powerful shifter had offered himself without reservation, and the goosebumps returned.

He kissed Gruff between his shoulder blades, feeling muscles move under his lips as the bigger man squirmed with pleasure.

A hurried glance revealed that the tub was full, and he released Gruff to shut off the water.

When he turned to look at his man, the poor guy appeared wrecked already; balls pulled up tight and ready to shoot.

He knew exactly what to do, and Dustin dropped to his knees.

Gruff clutched Dustin’s head as he sucked the crown with abandon while fingering his hole.

It didn’t take long to reach climax, releasing an enormous load into the human’s hungry mouth.

Dustin suckled and swallowed like a champ, not missing a single drop as Gruff grunted through spurt after satisfied spurt.

When the flow finally stopped, Gruff pulled Dustin up and into his arms for thankful kisses before they stepped into the oversized tub, sinking into the warm water.

As they settled, Baxter arrived to investigate the action and leaped up on the tub’s edge to get a better view.

Unfortunately, the nosy feline hadn’t accounted for the wet, slippery surface, and slid right off the edge into the water below.

Yowling in shock, the drenched cat scrambled over the edge and ran off like a shot and down the stairs.

Though Dustin started it, Gruff soon joined his laughter at Baxter’s misfortune.

“He’ll leave us alone now. Remind me to close the bedroom door later.”

A question popped into Dustin’s mind.

“Doesn’t he normally sleep in your room?”

Gruff released an amused growl.

“Nope. He camps out in the laundry room—on top of the clean clothes if I forget to put them away.”

Once Dustin stopped laughing, he shared his own take on the incident.

“I’m kind of relieved that Baxter won’t be joining us. I want you all to myself and no critics around to comment on my performance.”

Gruff wasn’t having it.

“I’ll like whatever we do, Dusty, and I don’t criticize.”

More grateful than he could say, Dustin kissed his man and got busy with the soap.

############

Later…

Four of Dustin’s fingers had disappeared inside Gruff’s soft channel before the huffing, growly mess of a man signaled he was ready. Just to be safe, Dustin asked for verbal confirmation as he slathered his dick with lube.

“You okay, babe? Is your bear under control?”

On all fours and with his backside in the air, Gruff nodded in the affirmative.

“Yep. Get your cock in there!”

Dustin smiled at the impatient shifter’s demand, placed his crown at the relaxed opening, and began to push.

“Here we go, love. Oohhh—you’re tight! Feels so good.”

Gruff wasn’t satisfied.

“More! Hard and fast. Come on!”

Dustin gave him what he wanted, filling the man’s channel with one quick thrust. Then again, and again, working up a steady rhythm.

The feeling was indescribable—firm pressure, body heat, silky-smooth rutting with no barrier between them.

Dustin’s orgasm was only beginning to build when Gruff fired off a round without even touching himself, splattering the bath towel beneath him.

“Don’t stop. Keep going!”

Dustin did as he was told, pumping fast and hard while Gruff huffed and snarled his way towards another orgasm. This time he stroked himself in tandem with Dustin’s thrusts, until the sweaty, overworked human burst the silence with an exclamation.

“Almost there. Cum with me—now!”

Moans and shouts bounced off the bedroom walls as the men erupted simultaneously, each lost in their own rictus of pleasure.

Dustin had a death grip on Gruff’s hips, trying to prolong the pleasure a little bit longer.

Meanwhile, Gruff wiped off his hand and gathered up the soaked towel to toss it on the floor.

Dustin withdrew with a gusty sigh, and Gruff gave him a clean towel so he could wipe them both down.

Dustin sprawled on top of his man, face planted in the crook of his neck while they caught their breath.

“Wow… I’ve never felt anything like that before. Was it good for you, too?”

Gruff was purring away, sated and incredibly happy with his fantastic boyfriend. Mate. Whatever.

“Mmm… mine. Now I know what it feels like. You can top me anytime you want.”

Dustin licked and kissed Gruff’s neck and ear.

“Deal. I want to feel you, too, but would it upset your bear?”

Gruff considered the idea, parsing out his bear’s reaction to what they’d already done.

“I don’t think so. Maybe not face to face, but everything else should be all right.”

Dustin reached down to pull up the covers and tried to stifle a yawn.

“Sorry. So tired. We’ll try that next time, okay?”

Gruff wanted nothing more than to reciprocate, but Dustin was clearly worn out.

“It’s all good, Dusty. Get some sleep. Love you.”

He reached out to set the alarm clock and turn off the bedside lamp before spooning together. Dustin lifted the hand Gruff had placed across his stomach and kissed it.

“Love you too.”

############

Though they’d enjoyed a restful night, Gruff’s morning wood desperately needed attention by the time the alarm sounded.

While the wound up shifter fisted himself, Dustin used his hands and mouth elsewhere to help Gruff blow a load.

At the last second, the big bear straddled the surprised human, splattering him with fragrant cum while he rumbled and moaned through the orgasm.

That wasn’t the end of it, though, as Gruff wrapped his long tongue around Dustin’s dick for a quickie blowjob—savoring the unique flavor of his man when he erupted with a shout.

With no time for more, they headed for separate bathrooms to clean up and dress for the day.

When Dustin was ready, he found Baxter waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs—apparently recovered from last night’s unexpected soaking.

The proud feline meowed in greeting and then turned tail to lead the visiting human to the kitchen.

Dustin helped Gruff get breakfast on the table and mentioned a few things while they ate.

“I’ll be baking with Asha until Jillian arrives at eight. Is the breakroom usable today at all?”

Gruff added another helping of eggs and bacon to his plate.

“No. The guys will be working on it all weekend, but I’ll set up a folding table and chairs in the supply room for today. You should have plenty of cider on hand, but let me know if you’re running low. Oh, I made you a sack lunch—it’s in the fridge.”

Dustin leaned over to kiss Gruff on the cheek.

“Thank you, love. Somehow, lunch never got on my list. When will Ruben and Nina get here?”

Gruff refilled Dustin’s coffee cup while he answered.

“About eight-thirty. Nina will greet people at the old barn, hand out bags, and direct traffic while Ruben and I drive customers back and forth to the orchard. Call if you need me for anything, and I’ll come as soon as I can.”

The addition of the Red Barn this year meant changes for Gruff and his helpers.

They were used to a tried and true routine of only dealing with U-Pick customers.

Moving the apple weigh station to the new building would simplify the process, but Gruff worried about the unanticipated things that were sure to come up.

Dustin stopped eating and cupped the man’s face with both hands, thumbs stroking his soft beard.

“I can tell you’re worried, but that’s why we’re having a practice run. No one expects perfection, so when something goes haywire we learn from it and move on. I’ve got your back, love, so try to relax and enjoy the day.”

Some of the tension drained from Gruff’s face and he drew strength from Dustin’s attitude and confidence. They were a team now—a totally new concept for Gruff to wrap his head around.

“Okay, Dusty. I’m really glad you’re here—not just anybody. You .”

Dustin kissed the man with feeling as something intangible passed between them. He wasn’t quite sure what, but it had a definite relationship vibe that went beyond boyfriends.