Lost & Found

by Lynn Hagen

  

  Maple Grove 4

  Lost & Found

  Steven Dunkin has no clue who the stranger in the coffee shop is when the guy asks him what flavor ice cream he recommends. All Steven knows is he feels a strong attraction to the guy. So when Derek invites him home, Steven has no problem going. The world he steps into thrills Steven. He has his very own tiger shifter, but Steven fears this is too good to be true, so he runs home after having amazing sex, fearing he’ll never see Derek again.

  Derek Mitchell is fascinated with the human from the moment he lays eyes on his mate. Steven is charming, shy, but puts his trust in Derek’s hands when they meet. There is just one problem. Derek’s ex-boyfriend is stalking him. Tristan cheated on Derek, and that was a line Derek couldn’t come back from. When Tristan shows up at Derek’s family reunion, he knows his ex has slipped over the edge and Derek must protect Steven at all costs. But will Tristan take things too far?

  Genres: Alternative (M/M, Gay), Contemporary, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Shape-shifter

  Length: 31,535

  LOST & FOUND

  Maple Grove 4

  Lynn Hagen

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  Lost & Found

  Copyright © 2019 by Lynn Hagen

  ISBN: 9781642439168

  First Publication: July 2019

  Cover design by Emma Nicole

  All art and logo copyright © 2019 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at legal@sirenbookstrand.com

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Lynn Hagen loves writing about the somewhat flawed, but lovable. She also loves a hero who can see past all the rough edges to find the shining diamond of a beautiful heart.

  You can find her on any given day curled up with her laptop and a cup of hot java, letting the next set of characters tell their story.

  For all titles by Lynn Hagen, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/lynn-hagen

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  LOST & FOUND

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  LOST & FOUND

  Maple Grove 4

  LYNN HAGEN

  Copyright © 2019

  Chapter One

  “I can’t stand this anymore.” Steven paced his apartment, bored out of his skull. The diner was closed for the day after what had happened two days ago. Some crazy guy had come in and held a gun to Steven’s head, but he hadn’t made any demands.

  Bad guys always made demands. It was true because Steven had seen it on television a hundred times. But Brad had simply held Steven hostage as he spouted off some really mean things to Steven’s brother, Kenny.

  He knew going outside was dangerous. Kenny had told him so. But Steven couldn’t take being cooped up in his apartment any longer. It was a beautiful day outside, and he wanted to enjoy it.

  Steven debated all of five seconds before he grabbed his keys and headed for the door, but he paused to look out the peephole. Emilio lived across the hall.

  Emilio was a charmer who only wanted to use him. The guy thought because he’d slept with Kenny that he could invite himself over to Steven’s place and borrow whatever he wanted.

  Sadly, it was true. Only because Steven was too afraid to stand up to Emilio, and he was thankful for Russell in his life. Russell was dating Kenny, and anytime Emilio knocked on Steven’s door, Steven called him and Russell came right over to set his neighbor straight.

  When Steven saw that the hall was empty, he hurried out of his apartment, locked the door, and raced down the steps. He noticed that the hallway needed to be cleaned, which used to be his job, but now that Steven worked for Cyril at the local diner, he made enough money to pay his full rent without side jobs needed to cover the rest. Cyril had been a godsend since Steven no longer had to work himself to the bone with multiple jobs.

  The sun hit his face when he exited his building. The warmth felt good as he closed his eyes and soaked it up before walking to town. The coffee shop was packed, but Steven didn’t mind waiting in line for his ice cream. It was all he’d thought about on his way here, so he wouldn’t let the long line stop him from getting his delicious treat.

  “What do you recommend?”

  The deep and hypnotic voice made him turn around. The guy behind Steven was a wet dream on two long legs. He had sexy light brown eyes, and Steven wanted to lick the stranger’s gorgeously built body like one of the delicious treats he was about to buy.

  “Are you talking to me?” Steven pressed a hand against his chest and felt himself blush like a schoolboy. The man was smoking hot, and Steven absolutely loved the stranger’s warm smile.

  “Yes. What ice cream do you recommend, or are you here for coffee?”

  “I recommend you letting me lick you.” Steven’s eyes widened as he slapped a hand over his mouth. “I said that out loud, didn’t I?” he mumbled behind his fingers.

  The man’s laugh was the most beautiful sound Steven had ever heard in his life. It was rich and deep and made Steven’s cock twitch. He was infatuated with the stranger in a matter of seconds. When the man smiled, his light brown eyes twinkled like the stars did at night.

  “I wasn’t aware Bistro offered that kind of service.” He nodded toward the overhead board. “What kind of ice cream?”

  Steven was relieved the stranger had a sense of humor. Most people lost patience with him right after meeting him and treated him like a simpleton. “How do you know I’m here for ice cream?”

  “You look hot,” the man said. He stuck his hand out. “I’m Derek Mitchell.”

  Steven scraped his teeth over his bottom lip as he laid his hand in Derek’s. He didn’t shake the guy’s hand. He simply held it. “I’m Steven Dunkin, and I’m a huge fan of the cookie dough ice cream, but I also like vanilla bean.”

  Steven started to name other flavors that he liked but forced himself to shut up so he wouldn’t sound like an idiot. Derek had asked what flavor Steven recommended, not a list of the ones he liked.

  “Hmm.” Derek looked toward the counter, where the rows of ice cream were displayed in the cold case. Steven could smell the man’s dark and spicy cologne, and damn, it smelled good. “The vanilla bean sounds nice.”

  “And so does your voice,” Steven admitted as he felt a blush steal over his cheeks. “I could listen to it all day.”

  One of Derek’s brows arched. It was the sexiest look Steven had ever seen. “Are you always this forward?”

  Steven furrowed his brows. He hated when things had to be explained to him, but he asked anyway, because he wanted to fully understand what the guy was saying. “What does that mean?”

  Derek’s
eyes softened. “Do you always speak your mind, Steven?”

  “Not always.” Steven twisted his hands in front of him, feeling embarrassed that he’d told Derek how sexy his voice was.

  Kenny had told Steven that not everyone appreciated hearing the truth, and Steven tried his hardest not to blurt out everything that came to mind. But Darren really did have a voice that slid over Steven’s body and gripped his cock. He kept his hands in front of him to hide the proof.

  Honestly, Steven shouldn’t be talking to Derek. Kenny had warned him about being so friendly and trusting, but how could someone with such kind eyes be a threat to him? How could anyone so gorgeous be a threat to him? Steven wasn’t sure why, but he felt as though he could trust Derek.

  “Thank you for the compliment.” Derek’s voice had gone a little deeper and his smile seemed genuine. Steven wanted to resist the instant attraction he felt toward Derek, but he couldn’t seem to ignore the guy.

  Maybe once he’d gotten some sugar into his system he would come to his senses.

  Or maybe he wouldn’t. He was really hoping he wouldn’t.

  “You’re welcome.” Steven beamed as he scooted up in line. There was only one person in front of him now, and Steven still had to decide which flavor he wanted.

  Vanilla bean did sound nice, so when Steven reached the counter, that was what he ordered.

  “Make that two,” Derek said from behind him.

  Steven felt panic set in. Although he made a lot more money working at the diner, he was balling on a budget and hadn’t brought enough money to pay for two ice creams.

  He turned to tell Derek he couldn’t afford to pay for his, but his thoughts scattered when he realized just how close Derek stood by him. He could practically feel the heat coming off the man.

  And those muscles! Derek’s biceps had a nice bulge to them, and Steven had to stop himself from reaching out and touching Derek’s body. It was like standing in front of a sculpted god.

  Derek smiled. “Since I have to pass on letting you lick me in public, I feel obligated to pay for your ice cream.”

  Steven nearly sagged in relief, even if he was still embarrassed he’d said that. “You don’t have to do that, but thank you.”

  Derek’s gaze raked over him. “You’re quite welcome.”

  After Steven got his ice cream, he spotted Kenny and Jeremy walking in. He hurried over and told his brother about how nice Derek had been and how the guy had bought his ice cream.

  “Dude, do you know who that guy is?” Kenny asked as he looked past Steven’s shoulder.

  “Um, Derek Mitchell?” Hadn’t he already told his brother Derek’s full name? How had Kenny forgotten that fast?

  “Yes, Derek Mitchell.” Kenny gave a quick nod as he pulled his attention back to Steven. “As in the Derek Mitchell.”

  Steven still wasn’t following. “I don’t get it.”

  “Me either,” Jeremy said as he stood next to Kenny and gazed at Derek who had taken a seat at one of the tables.

  Kenny waved a hand in Derek’s direction. “The guy who owns most of the town. He even owns this coffee shop, as well as a lot of the homes and even the bank.”

  “And?” Steven still wasn’t sure what Kenny was getting at. “He was really nice, Kenny. Don’t tell me I can’t talk to him.”

  Before Kenny could protest, Steven spun and headed over to Derek. He had an open laptop in front of him, but Derek wasn’t typing. He was licking his cone, and Steven’s cock grew harder. The way his tongue and lips moved had Steven whimpering as he thought of Derek’s mouth moving that way on certain parts of his body.

  Derek looked up and gave Steven a heart-stopping smile. “Why don’t you join me?”

  Steven looked back at Kenny then took a seat next to Derek. He wasn’t going to let his brother spoil his fun. Steven loved meeting new people and, like he’d just told Kenny, Derek seemed really nice. “What’re you working on?”

  Derek’s heated gaze followed Steven’s tongue. The man’s eyes seemed to darken before he said, “Boring shit. You wouldn’t be interested.”

  Steven scooted closer and stared at Derek’s laptop as he licked his ice cream. “Bore me.”

  * * * *

  That was a request Derek had never heard before, and judging how well Steven’s tongue was working his treat, boring would never be used in the bedroom.

  Stop being a pervert. Derek cleared his throat and got up to throw the rest of his cone away. He needed to give himself time to fully absorb the shock that his mate was right there at his table. His mate. Never in a million years had Derek thought to find him. He reeled from the discovery, and how gorgeous Steven was.

  Maybe not by human standards. But to Derek, Steven was breathtaking on the simple fact that the skinny little guy was his.

  Mine. His Bengal tiger yowled in triumph. Derek mentally did, too.

  When he sat back down, he told Steven about the properties he was looking to buy, his investment strategy, and the return he could possibly make buying the two apartment buildings in a bundle deal.

  “I would take a loss at first by bringing them up to code and redesigning a few of them, but I think it’ll be worth it in the end.” Derek smiled at Steven. “Bored yet?”

  “You have to invest in your investments before you can see any real money.”

  Derek was a bit surprised Steven understood him. His mate had put things in laymen’s terms, but he’d gotten the gist. “You’re very correct, Steven.”

  Steven gave a goofy grin as his face opened up with a genuine smile. Fuck the guy was hot. “I was right?”

  God, Derek couldn’t stop watching Steven’s tongue glide over his ice cream. He closed his laptop and turned toward him, his cock so hard it ached. “How about you and I go get something to eat?”

  Steven looked toward two men who had taken a seat at one of the tables and were watching him like mama bears. Or a lover. At least one of them. Both?

  Derek’s teeth ground together as his Bengal tiger snarled. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  “I have to ask Kenny if I can go. He doesn’t like me disappearing with strangers.” Steven smiled at him innocently. Was his mate innocent? Derek had thought so by their brief conversation. Was Steven playing him for a fool?

  That thought set Derek on edge. He didn’t like being played for a fool, especially by his mate. But to be fair, they’d just met, and Steven was human, so he had no clue they were mates.

  Still… “Who is Kenny?”

  “That guy over there.” Steven pointed at the table with the two men. “I’ll be right back.”

  Derek let go of a small growl as Steven got up and crossed the room. His gaze fell to Steven’s small round ass, and part of his anger turned to lust.

  He would take Steven to lunch, get his mate anything he wanted, and then take Steven home to claim him. His tiger was going apeshit as Derek watched Steven drape an arm over the dark-haired guy on the left.

  Steven spoke too low for Derek to catch the words, but he watched Steven’s body language, along with Kenny’s. His nostrils flared when Kenny ran a hand down Steven’s back and smiled at him. The look in Kenny’s eyes said he cared deeply for Steven.

  When Steven returned, his smile lit up Derek’s heart. “We can go, but Kenny told me to tell you that if you do anything shady to me, he knows a guy who knows a guy.” Steven took a seat next to Derek and when he spoke, his voice was low. “And I don’t have any money for lunch. Can you pay for it and I’ll find a way to pay you back?”

  “You don’t have to pay me back if you tell me your relationship to Kenny.” Derek whispered his words, as well.

  Steven laughed and smacked his knee. “I don’t have a relationship with Kenny. That would be gross since he’s my brother.”

  “And the other guy?”

  Steven looked confused as he glanced over at the table. “Jeremy? He’s my friend. He’s a really nice guy. Do you want to meet him?”

  Derek’s hackles settl
ed as he grabbed his laptop and stood. He held his hand out, and Steven placed his delicate hand in his. “Maybe another time. Let’s go have lunch.”

  Steven didn’t make a single comment about Derek’s Tesla. Most fawned over it, asking for a ride, and always ended up trying to sleep with Derek, too. He was well known in Maple Grove, and that made it hard to tell who his friends were since he was a multi-millionaire.

  His family members were the only ones he trusted not to use him—most of them, anyway—and he had a close friend from childhood who worked for him, but others he kept at arm’s length. Derek couldn’t recall the last time he’d slept with someone who hadn’t been out to use him.

  Men who pretended to be interested in him but were only interested in his bank accounts.

  Like Tristan. Derek had dated the guy for eight months but had broken things off when he’d caught Tristan cheating on him. That had been six months ago, and Tristan still stalked Derek, begging Derek to take him back.

  Fat chance that would ever happen. Especially now that he’d found his mate. Even so, Tristan showed up at his house at all hours of the day and night, had called him two hundred times in a week, and had sent flowers to Derek with cards that had raunchy jokes or promises of loyalty if only Derek would give him another chance.

  Steven stared out the window as Derek drove to his upscale restaurant. The Canteen’s prices weren’t too outrageous because Maple Grove wasn’t teeming with wealthy residents. The menu ran the gamut from laid-back to upscale. But Derek had wanted a place where couples could go for special occasions or meetings could be held as people enjoyed a good meal.