Jade wrapped her arms and legs around him and raised her lips to his. Their mating was a sensual, loving, beautiful experience.
Their bodies were truly made for each other, and she knew they would need and want each other always.
“I love you, Dylan,” she whispered.
Forever.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Dylan watched Jade laugh and joke with the Black Bears as she bustled around Curry Corner. The Black Bears were always trooping down to Curry Corner for long lunches, dinners and celebrations. The cozy little restaurant was owned by Prisha, Caleb's mate. It seemed the Black Bears just couldn't get enough of Prisha's famous Devil's Curry.
Jade came down to Curry Corner at least thrice a week to help Prisha in her restaurant. Prisha wanted to offer her a permanent position, but Jade declined. Curry Corner was a small restaurant, and while business was good, overheads were still high. “You have to keep your expenses low,” Jade told Prisha. “Paying me a salary will just eat into your profits. I'm happy to just help out as and when I can.”
Dylan was glad to see that Jade had grown really close to his clan members. She would frequently drop by the office with freshly baked cakes and pastries. Jade could bake really well and she seemed to enjoy experimenting in their kitchen and creating all kinds of delicious, beautiful cakes.
Tonight, Curry Corner was closed. At least that was what the sign at the door said. Closed for a private function, the sign declared.
Inside the restaurant, a party was in full swing.
This was a farewell party for two of their members. Aidan and Mason were leaving the Black Bears Group to return to their hometown. Their grandmother had summoned them home, and it seemed that Gramma's word was law for the Gray bears. Aidan and Mason Gray had traveled to the city from their little town and happily gotten jobs at the Black Bears Group some years back.
Well, time really flies when you're having fun.
According to Mason, their Gramma had agreed to let them have their fun and freedom for a few years. But it seemed Gramma Gray had decided that their time was up. They were to go home and fulfill their family obligations. When Ethan asked them what those family obligations were, the two brothers had shrugged and scratched their heads. “We'll have to ask Tristan when we get home,” Aidan had sputtered at last, referring to their eldest brother.
Well, family was family. And when family called, you answered. If Aidan and Mason Gray had to go home, then the Black Bears would send them off in style.
Prisha and Jade came out of the kitchen, bearing a big cake with the logo of the Black Bears Group in the middle. The logo featured a ferocious black bear rearing up on its hind legs with the city skyline in the background. The two blazing candles on the cake had been shaped into names: Aidan and Mason.
They placed the huge cake carefully on the table and stepped back. As the clan complimented Prisha and Jade on the cake, Prisha shook her head and laughed. “Oh, I had no hand in this. Jade baked this all by herself. I'm hopeless with cakes! I'm only good with curries.”
“Wow, Jade, this is amazing! Yum!” Aidan and Mason gushed, grinning at her and salivating all over the cake.
“This seriously looks too good to eat. I don't think I can bear to eat it!” Thor said.
“Speak for yourself,” Baxter scoffed. “I'm definitely eating the cake. It looks super yummy!”
The whole clan gathered around the table. Aidan and Mason stood in front of the cake, and looked round at all the smiling faces. They had been with the Black Bears Group for a few short years, but they had made some deep, solid friendships. Aidan and Mason were Gray Bears, but Ethan had made it clear when they joined the Group that they were part of the Black Bears clan. Not officially, but in every way that mattered. The Black Bears would always have their backs. “If you ever need us, just give us a shout,” Ethan and Caleb told them. “The Black Bears will always come for you.”
The Black Bears pressed in closer and pounded the two brothers on their backs. “Once a Black Bear, always a Black Bear!” someone yelled. The clan took up the cheer and amidst the thunderous shouts and whoops, Aidan and Mason blew out the candles and cut the cake together.
Mason looked up and rubbed the corner of his eye with a knuckle. “I...I just got something in my eye.”
The Black Bears smiled, but nobody teased Mason. Aidan started cutting up the cake and handing the slices out.
Dylan went to Jade holding two slices of cake. He handed her one and took a bite. “God, this cake is amazing!” He took another mouthful and stared at her. “You have some serious talent, Jade.”
She blushed as she nibbled at her slice. “I just bake for fun,” she answered. “But, you know, I've been thinking...”
Before she could finish, Luke came up to them and smirked. “My sister bakes the best cakes in the world! Oh, you're wearing that spider hair clip, Jade!”
Jade touched the clip in her hair and smiled. “Yeah. You gave it to me, remember?”
“Yeah. But...it was so long ago! I didn't think you still had it,” Luke said, looking both touched and embarrassed.
“I've been keeping it, and I thought I should take it out and wear it. It suits me,” she said simply.
“Have you ever thought of opening your own bakery, Jade?” Caleb asked. Caleb was sitting at a nearby table, feeding his daughter small mouthfuls of cake. The little girl giggled happily and smeared more buttercream over her face.
Prisha wiped the girl's mouth with a napkin and tut-tutted at her daughter, “Kala! You eat like a bear!”
“She is a bear,” Caleb answered with obvious delight and pride.
“Well...as a matter of fact, I did make some enquiries,” Jade began shyly, answering Caleb's question. “And it so happens that the shop space next to Curry Corner will be vacated soon. The owners of the flower shop are going to retire.”
“Oh yes, Mr and Mrs Toma mentioned it to me. They even suggested that I take over the space and expand Curry Corner, but I told them I wouldn't be able to cope. This is the right size for my restaurant,” Prisha chimed in.
“So I was thinking,” Jade went on slowly. “...that maybe I can open a small bakery just here, right next to Prisha's restaurant. We can...”
Prisha clapped excitedly. “Oh! That's a brilliant idea! Yes, yes you should, Jade! Absolutely!”
Dylan smiled at Jade. “I'll put down the deposit for the rent tomorrow.”
“Oh, I can afford...” Jade began.
He put a finger to her lips to silence her. “Let me do it. I'm so excited about your bakery too, but I can't bake, so let me do something for you, okay?”
She took his hand and nodded, her eyes shining.
“Have you thought of a name?”
“Jade's Totally Awesome Cakes!” someone suggested.
“How about...Cake Corner?” Lindy said, bouncing her daughter on her hip.
“Curry Corner, and Cake Corner! You gals are going to be the dynamic duo!” Cora and Aubrey cheered.
Jade broke into a grin. “I love that name. Cake Corner.” She squeezed Dylan's hand and whispered, “Oh gosh! I'm really going to open my very own bakery. This is a dream come true!”
Everyone began chattering non-stop, coming up with all sorts of ideas for the bakery.
Jade felt strong arms circling her waist as Dylan embraced her and kissed her hair. “Wow! Everyone's really excited about Cake Corner. It looks like the clan isn't content with just the security business. The Black Bears are interested in the bakery business as well,” he said with a wink.
Jade laughed. The clan was super supportive, and even Aidan and Mason who were leaving for their hometown early the next morning, had pledged their unwavering support for her new business.
“We'll be calling to order our cakes,” they told her. “We want to be your very first customers!”
Jade nodded and went to hug the brothers. “I'll miss you,” she told them.
&nbs
p; Dylan went to shake hands with them, but they pulled their team leader into a big bear hug. “Once a Black Bear, always a Black Bear,” they chorused.
Jade watched Aidan and Mason join the rest of the clan in a rowdy sing-a-long session. “For he's a jolly good Black Bear...” was belted out with gusto as frothing beer mugs were raised.
Jade held Dylan's hand and linked her other arm through Luke's. Her brother grinned at her and said, “What a party, eh?”
Jade nodded. It was supposed to be a farewell party, but it had turned into a celebratory party for her new business.
With endings came new beginnings.
The future lay ahead, and it was a future brimming with hope and promise.
She had a loving family, a strong clan and an exciting new business.
Jade made a mental note to send Aidan and Mason the first cake she baked once Cake Corner opened.
The Gray brothers were going home to a new life. They were leaving the city, but they would always be in the hearts of the Black Bears.
It wasn't just a mantra. It was the truth.
Once a Black Bear, Always a Black Bear.
~ End ~
About the Author
Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest news and updates.
Facebook:
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Bear's Heart: BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance (Bear Heat Book 5) Page 8
