Bear in a Bakery

by Liz Paffel

  Blake flopped to the ground and twisted, his front claws swiping at Dax’s face. A burning line sliced over his cheek as the claws made contact, but Dax refused to let go. Grunting, he jerked his adversary backward by increments until he was safely away from Allie.

  Dax let go and pounced over the smaller bear. With a grunt, Blake scrambled to his feet, knocking Dax back, and burst out of the trees. Look at the little fucker, run. Primed for the chase, Dax enjoyed the pursuit. They sprinted across the grounds, through the spiral garden. People screamed and jumped back as the black bear crashed through the dessert tent. Allie’s cupcakes and sweets scattered everywhere. Frosting flung in all directions, splattering clothes and shoes as guests scrambled to get out of the way.

  Dax didn’t care. Allie—his Allie—had been through enough because of this dickhead. When he’d witnessed Blake grab her throat, his rage knew no bounds. Murderous anger pumped through him now and it wouldn’t be satiated until Blake’s fur and flesh ripped beneath Dax’s claws.

  He got the chance as Blake plowed through another table and skidded head first into a large water fountain. Dax rolled the other bear and pinned his shoulders. The smaller bear’s head fell under the torrential spray. He gurgled and fought, but Dax only dug his claws in, satisfied as streaks of crimson began to run down with the water. The basin turned dark pink as Dax drew more blood. He bared his teeth and opened his jaws wide.

  “Stop!”

  Marybeth hefted a shotgun off her hip and cocked the trigger. Dax froze for a second, then slowly pulled back his claws. People clamored around them to get away, some watching from a distance. Their collective heartbeats were loud in his ears. He pulled away from his opponent and dropped onto all fours.

  Marybeth had no idea he could be on top of her in a flash, knocking that fucking gun from her hands before she could even blink. But for the safety of the guests, he played it tame.

  “You... you beast!” She lifted the weight of the gun higher, with shaking hands. Her gaze slid to Blake. “Go turn human or something!”

  Her attention turned back to Dax. “And you! You are going to be caged up like the goddamned heathen you are.”

  “For fuck’s sake, Marybeth, that’s enough.”

  Dax turned toward Ben Rowe as he parted the crowd and came after the gun with an outstretched hand.

  “Go back where I put you, Benny.”

  “I said, enough.” He grabbed the barrel of the gun and pulled it from her hands.

  Marybeth gasped, her face going red. “You’re embarrassing me, sweetheart.” Her voice had gone small and sweet as if she were talking to a child. This woman was loonier than a methed-up clown. She reached for Ben and tipped her head up, as if waiting for a kiss.

  Dax looked toward the trees where Allie was, moving to go to her now that the threat of buckshot in his ass was gone. She was there, coming toward him them. Dax’s heart soared.

  She faltered a bit as she got within a few feet, her eyes searching his form with a mixture of fear and awe. Dax turned to her and slowly nuzzled her palm. She let out a breath and dug her fingers into his fur.

  Ben sighed right before his voice dropped. “Marybeth, I didn’t want you two years ago when you were sending me nudies while your husband, the mayor, was dying from cancer in your bed. I didn’t want you when you showed up at my house in nothing but a trench coat and a smile the same day you buried him. And I don’t want you now.”

  Her mouth dropped, her eyes bugging out.

  Dax had never been so thankful for super-sharp hearing in his life.

  Ben produced his cell phone. “I’ve saved all the images and dates you sent them, in case you’d like to see them again.”

  She put a hand to her chest, apparently speechless. Another damn miracle.

  “Well, then, I suppose the local press would love a raunchy story about the town gossip. Unless, you’d like to explain why you’re fucking with my daughter.” Ben’s voice was louder now, clearly including Allie into the conversation. MB looked between Ben and his daughter, then straightened her spine. She rolled her eyes and patted her hair, clearly unhappy at being cornered like this. When she didn’t respond right away, Dax took a step forward and growled.

  She squeaked and stepped back.

  “Fine. I’ve made a large investment in Bella Blu and there’s simply no room for two bakeries in Estes Park. Sticky Sweet is a lesser business, so it has to go.”

  Allie stepped forward. “The raccoons, the mice... all this to try and shut me down?”

  “Allie, your cupcakes are delish, but face it, you were never competition.”

  “And Blake?” Ben asked.

  “He’s a lawyer, of course. He... drew up the paperwork and took an investment percentage for himself. Now, let’s talk about how you’re going to — “

  Allie stepped into Marybeth’s personal space, nearly close enough for them to chest-bump. Dax’s chest filled with pride at the steely confidence on Allie’s face.

  “Now we’re going to talk about how you’re going to pay for the damages to my business, plus the baked goods you still haven’t paid for, and compensation for premeditated slander and libel.”

  Ben turned to Allie. “If she refuses, I’ll let the editor of Estes Elite have the pictures on my phone. I’m sure the society page would love it.”

  Dax watched the scene play out, his heart pumping with pride and affection. She was standing up for herself, way up for herself, and the look of pure determination was a joy to see. All her inner strength, it was there, shinning for everyone to see.

  As quietly as he could in his massive body, Dax retreated to behind the broken tent as his body began to pull in on itself. His skin burned and itched as human flesh replaced hide, and muscle and bone shrunk. Moments later, he stood, panting, and realized he was naked. And there was a group of people behind him.

  With a little wave to them, he pulled a table cloth off a table and wrapped it around his waist.

  The moon was climbing high, casting a brilliant silver glow through the sky. He walked around the tent grabbed Allie. Dax scooped her up into his arms and held her tight. Ignoring the crowd, ignoring everything, he picked her up and cradled her into his arms and carried her off into the night. She tucked her head into the crook of his shoulder and neck as he brought her into the woods and found a small clearing in the trees. Moonlight shone down on the space, creating a fairytale when he set her down.

  “You’re bleeding.” She touched his cheek where Blake had swiped with his claws. Dax hadn’t even noticed. He didn’t care.

  “Allie, I’m sorry that I screwed this up. I should have been honest with you as soon as I knew I had feelings for you.”

  Her breasts pushed against the fabric of her dress, the neckline dropping low and giving him an exquisite view of her excellent cleavage.

  “I have feelings for you, too.” Her soft hand caressed his cheek and Dax leaned into her touch. “It was killing me to think you were with other women right now.”

  “Damn it, Allie! There isn’t anyone but you. There could never be.”

  He looked in her eyes and cupped the back of her head with his hand. “I’ve never been in love. Not until you.”

  Her chest hitched.

  “I know you wanted to take it slow, Allie. I know you didn’t want to be rushed. All I can do is promise you that we’ll take it all slow, everything. If you’ll say... if you’ll agree to be mine. Be my mate and I promise, we’ll do everything your way. I know it’s a lot of pressure, but...”

  “Yes!” She threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, yes, I will. I’ll be your mate.”

  His heart soared. “You’re sure?”

  With a grin, she traced his lips with her finger before she laid back and reached for him. He pushed her thighs open and knelt between them, suddenly aware that he’d lost the tablecloth at some point. Allie pulled apart the wrap top of her dress, baring her beautiful breasts. Dax’s mouth went dry as moonlight washed over her full, gorgeous
form.

  She was going to be his. Every day, every night.

  In one movement, he pulled down her panties and tossed them aside. He lowered himself over her and took one perk nipple in his mouth. Allie’s fingers threaded through his hair as she brought her knees up and tipped her hips.

  “Please, make me yours.”

  Dax guided himself into her slick channel, sinking deep with one thrust. His body lay over hers, his cock buried deep so they were skin-on-skin, connected in every way. She cried out and arched into him as he began to move and whispered in her ear.

  “You’re my mate. Our mating starts tonight with the blessing of the full moon and ends only with death. Say it to me.”

  She moaned, breathing hard as he thrust over and over. Dax’s body tensed, already primed to pump her full, claiming her under the eye of the moon. This mating would be quick, powerful, and it was threatening to overwhelm him.

  “Say it,” he begged.

  Her pussy tightened around him. She was feeling it too, the climax that would come on hard and fast, connecting them forever.

  “You’re my mate,” she panted. “Our mating begins tonight with the blessing of the full moon and ends only with death.”

  “God, yes.”

  Dax petted her hair and wrapped his other arm around her body to lift her closer to his heart. She cried out again and again, her face a mask of pure pleasure. He lost control, suddenly and with a powerhouse of sensation. It rippled through him, an orgasm that originated from every single inch of his body and pooled out through his cock.

  Allie cried out into the night. Her thighs squeezed him, her pelvis grinding into him as he came inside her for the first time, filling her completely.

  Leaving no argument that she was his.

  Gasping for breath, Dax rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him. She smiled against his chest, then propped herself up on one elbow to look down at him. Moonlight swathed her like a halo and he swore she was the most fucking beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She’d never looked so content.

  Allie grinned with her kiss-swollen lips and his cock flared to life again.

  She toyed with his hair. “You know, staring costs extra.”

  Dax gathered her in his arms and rolled her onto her back.

  “Name your price, woman. Whatever it is, you’re worth it.”

  A few months later...

  Rowan Mitchell didn’t look very happy.

  Dax was okay with that, because his dad was out of bed and as strong as ever, thanks to Allie. Even though she’d seriously displeased her new father-in-law by being out of sticky buns.

  Sticky Sweet was packed, and the buns had been the first thing to sell out. Probably because she was serving them with a side of Jett’s bourbon-infused honey and a new dark roast coffee that Becks declared was better than Bella Blu’s.

  The newly redecorated bakery looked amazing, thanks to Marybeth’s blackmail money. With the cash, Allie had been able to refinance her loan and finish her dedicated kitchen for gluten-free goodies. Ahhh, the taste of revenge had never been sweeter, Dax thought, as he shoved another cookie in his mouth. He watched his mate working behind the counter, smiling and laughing, and fuck was she glowing.

  “How many cubs is she carrying?”

  Rowan downed his fourth cup of coffee and slid it to Dax to refill from the carafe.

  “Two.”

  Dax ignored his dad’s bid for more coffee because he couldn’t take his eyes off his wife, or the belly that protruded proudly from beneath her blue checkered apron. He was a husband, and he was about to be a father. It couldn’t be better.

  Allie caught his eye and grinned. Pulling away from the counter, she grabbed something and came over to his table. Rowan’s eyes lit up as she placed a plate with two sticky buns in front of him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She pulled something from the pocket of her apron and handed it to Dax.

  It was a little square napkin.

  “Your idea turned out great,” she said. “I’m still touched that you thought of it.”

  “I have a good idea now and then.”

  He laid the napkin out and read the words:

  You have pretty eyes.

  You’re smart.

  You’re stronger than you think.

  You’re kind.

  You make someone happy.

  Oh, and you’re hot. Don’t forget that part.

  Each line was imprinted in red ink, with a pretty, black border around the outside of the napkin. No more Loser Allie List, he’d told her. No more Loser Anyone List. He’d wanted to lift her up, and in the process, they decided to lift up every guest who came into the store.

  The bell jingled above the door next to them, and a redhead walked in, eyeing the room as if she was searching for something. Dax noticed the small belly jutting from beneath her tee shirt. She looked a little lost, so he turned and handed her the napkin.

  “Here you go.”

  She eyed him suspiciously. “Uh, thanks. Do you know where the bathroom is?”

  He motioned the direction with his thumb and she scurried away like he was infected with the plague. Allie sat on Dax’s knee and laughed.

  “You still have your touch with the ladies, I see.”

  He pulled her in for a kiss. “Doesn’t matter. You’re the only lady I care about.”

  “I love you, Dax,” she whispered. And he held her close, his hand protectively covering her belly.

  “I love you more.”

  -The End-

  KEEP READING FOR THE first chapter of Liz Paffel’s science fiction romance, AXXEON KING’S CAPTIVE!

  From the author

  Sometimes, you just need a fun little story to break up the day, right? Thank you for reading BEAR IN A BAKERY. I hope you enjoyed a sweet little peek into Allie and Dax’s world. Coming up soon, you’ll get to see Jett navigate his way through heartache to find new love in SWEETER THAN HONEY, coming in 2020.

  Biography

  Elizabeth Otto/ Liz Paffel grew up in a Wisconsin town the size of a postage stamp, where riding your horse to the grocery store, and skinny dipping after school were perfectly acceptable. Running around in miles of untamed forest provided the perfect backdrop for a wild imagination. No surprise that she writes about small communities and country boys, and paranormal creatures. She's the author of paranormal and hot, emotional, contemporary romance, and has no guilt over frequently making her readers cry. When not writing, she works full-time as an Emergency Medical Technician for a rural ambulance service.

  Connect

  Facebook

  Amazon Author Page

  Bookbub

  Newsletter

  There’s lots of good stuff in my newsletter. It comes out twice per month, and sometimes a short extra newsletter if something really exciting has happened. I’d love to have you!

  Books by Elizabeth Otto

  Available on Amazon

  CONTEMPORAY ROMANCE

  The Paint River Ranch Series:

  Temping the Cowboy (available now!)

  One Night with a Cowboy (available now!)

  Can't Resist a Cowboy (available now!)

  From Harlequin Superromance:

  The Firefighter's Appeal (available now!)

  The Mistress Series

  The Mistress Experiment

  BOOKS BY LIZ PAFFEL

  Available on Amazon

  Mates for Axxeon 9:

  Axxeon King’s Captive

  Axxeon Commander’s Pet

  Axxeon Prince’s Prize

  Taken by the Axxeon (Coming June, 2020)

  Rescued by the Axxeon (Coming August, 2020)

  Bonus Content: Axxeon King’s Captive

  Science Fiction Romance

  Chapter One

  “The last time I felt like this, three spaceships landed in my grandfather’s corn field.”

  Alora Church pulled back from her microscope and released an excited breath inside
her protective mask. Finger depressing the intercom button, she glanced through the containment room plexiglass to where her friend and co-worker sat at a metal desk on the other side.

  “You should see this, Priya. It looks like biological tissue. How could something like this have survived the fire?”

  Priya waved a dismissive hand, not bothering to look up as she continued scrolling on her laptop. “It’s probably not organic.”

  “Come look. Please.” Her heart thumped with excitement. Her firefighter brother Brandon had found the strange tissue in the remnants of a fire that had burned an entire low-income housing development to ash last night. It looked like a fist-sized chunk of skin, slightly seared around the edges, the top covered in short hairs. She’d sliced off a section to study and was quickly stumped. The tissue appeared reptilian in nature and was unlike anything she could find for cross reference. She needed another set of eyes.

  Priya couldn’t be bothered, apparently, and everyone else was out to lunch. “Hey,” Alora called. “Coming in here?”

  “You’re the multi-published biochemist with a fellowship. I’ll leave it to you.”

  Alora brushed off the sting of rejection. No time to be distracted by emotions. Sure, Priya had gotten the devastating Summons a few days ago—she wasn’t one of the ridiculous women who thought getting forced to breed with the Axxeon aliens was a good thing—but that didn’t mean Earth stopped turning.

  They had work to do. Their team recently developed a new generation of antibiotics that could save millions of lives. For the past decade, humans had been dying from things once easily treated like bladder infections and strep throat. Antibiotic resistance had caused a hard wave of rampant illness. But, the hard work of her team was about to change that. The FDA had the new antibiotics in their hands, and any day now, would release their approval to make the treatment available to the population. This was important stuff—more important than the aliens.

  Alora glanced again at her friend with a blip of guilt for being selfish. It was easy for her to feel like life should go on. She wasn’t one of the Summoned.