Bear of Interest (10 page)

Oh, he was still as witty as ever. Cole unzipped the portfolio and began to pull out the paintings.

“Not my own work but that of Sam Hardy, who you met the other evening at the Starlight Café. I said I’d bring them in to show you, as we’re old friends.”

“Yes, that joke wasn’t lost on me,” said Brady. “So you didn’t trust her to come in here on her own with them? You do know I’m a happily married man now and that also unlike some people I know, this bear doesn’t encroach on another’s property.”

“I was more worried that you wouldn’t give her what these were worth, rather than you trying to fuck her.”

Brady picked the first one up. Flathead Lake.

“She does have talent,” said Brady.

“She’s also beautiful,” said Cole.

“Not as beautiful as Jenna,” he said, swinging the photo of her around for Cole to see.

You always have to go the one-upmanship route don’t you Brady Walsh?

“To each his own,” said Cole.

“So are you and she an item?” asked Brady.

“I guess you’d call it that.”

“Even copying me by getting yourself a human girlfriend. Nothing original about you is there, MacDonald?”

Cole wasn’t going to get into argument with him because today his goal was to sell him Sammy’s work.

“So I’m thinking local artist painting scenes of local landmarks would be ideal for the condos.”

Brady pulled out another one. This time it was a wolf.

“Does she have any paintings of bears?” asked Brady.

“Not that I know of.”

“I’d like some bear portraits to hang on the walls.”

“I can ask her to try some of those next.”

“Yes, I think these would be perfect for what I have in mind. Lucy said we should go with local artwork so these fit the bill. “$100 for each of them. I mean I still need to pay to get them framed so that’s more than fair.”

“Just because you hate my guts doesn’t mean you have to insult Sammy by low balling her.”

“Remember the golden rule of business. When you’re buying, start low, when you’re selling, start high.”

“Thank you for that piece of business advice so as I’m selling these are all $500 each.”

Brady laughed and pushed them away. Cole was going to call his bluff. He took the paintings and slipped them back into the portfolio and then stood.

He was about to turn his back and leave when Brady stopped him. “$400 each.”

Cole turned around. “$500 and that’s my final offer.”

“Okay, but not because of any negotiations on your part. I like her work a lot. Tell her if she can paint bears I’d pay even more for those.”

Cole smiled and hoped that Brady didn’t see him this time around.

Brady pulled out his checkbook as Cole placed the paintings on his desk and zipped up the portfolio. Brady tore off the check and handed it to him. He couldn’t wait to tell Sammy the good news.

****

“So are you going to let me in on the big surprise or not?” asked Sam. She tugged on his arm as they made their way around the gallery in Missoula.

She loved these places, loved looking at other artists’ work, wondering what they’d been thinking when they’d sketched it—if, like her, they’d found a happy release in letting the brush glide over the paper. However, today she couldn’t concentrate because as soon as Cole had picked her up, he’d told her he had a wonderful surprise waiting for her in the trunk of his car.

“If I did then it wouldn’t be a surprise,” said Cole.

He had a valid point. It was just being the loner that she was, not having family to spoil her, surprises weren’t something she was used to. She’d even learned to dread Christmas morning. How sad was that?

Cole looked at her. “I’ll give you a hint, will that satisfy you?” Sam nodded. “It’s connected to your artwork.”

Now she was more intrigued.

“So what do you think of this one?” asked Cole. “Do you like these abstract paintings?”

It was all she used to do when she first started out. Not that she didn’t have the talent for anything that was quickly recognizable, but sometimes the tangle of colors helped her get her emotions in check.

“It might be abstract to you, but to the artist, it has meaning and order,” she said.

Cole stepped back to look at it. “Yeah, I can see that maybe it does. Glad I’m with an artist who can explain all this to me.”

“Nothing to explain,” said Sam, as they moved onto the next painting. “Art’s all about how it makes you feel and what it makes you feel. That’s why sometimes you see a painting and you just know you have to buy it and hang it on your wall.”

“That makes sense. Sort of like when you see a woman and you think wow, I have to ask her out and get to know her better.”

He leaned over and kissed her. Once again, not being one that was used to a public show of emotions, she wasn’t sure how to react. Yes, she wanted to put her arms around him, but with others watching them?
 
She’d have to sit down and tell Cole about how things were when she grew up or he’d feel hurt if she acted a certain way.

“So are you ready to go get something to eat?”

“How about the surprise first?”

Yeah, she sounded like a child on Christmas Day. She’d never known what that really felt like so this might be the closest she’d ever get.

“I guess I’ve kept you waiting long enough.”

Sam almost rubbed her hands together. She put her arm through Cole’s as they walked toward his car. He popped open the trunk and she noticed a large black bag. He lifted it out and handed it to her. It had the initials SH stamped upon it.

“My own art portfolio case. It’s great,” she said.

“You have to look the part but that’s not all. Open it up and see what’s inside.”

More art supplies, maybe.

She rested it on the edge of the trunk and unzipped it to see a check pinned inside. She saw it was made out to her from Walsh Enterprises and was for $3,500.

“Sold all your paintings and for $500 apiece. I think we can get more for the next ones.”

“Cole, it’s unbelievable. In my wildest dreams I never expected to make a penny from my art.”

“Have you ever painted bears before?”

“Bears, no, why?”

“Brady will pay big bucks for those so get painting.”

“Really?”

Cole nodded.

“Maybe I should hire you as my agent.”

Chapter Eight

Clearly little things meant a lot to Sammy. It was one of the great things about getting to know someone, learning more about them each time you went out on a date. She’d been truly excited and appreciative of both the portfolio and money. He also discovered that strawberry was her favorite flavor for ice cream.

“Can I paint you tonight?” she asked out of the blue as they got close to home.

“What, you mean physically cover with me paint?” asked Cole. He knew what she meant but she was fun to tease.

“No, a proper portrait,” she said.

“I’m sure Brady will pay big bucks for that one.”

Sammy slapped his arm as he pulled into the parking spot by her townhouse.

They got out and walked to the door. “I mean it,” she continued. “I never tried painting people and I think you’d be a good person to start with.”

And you’d also technically have your bear painting.

“I can’t sit still for long,” said Cole.

“How about I tie you to a chair?”

“Now that sounds promising.”

“Are you coming in for a nightcap?” she asked.

“As in I do this?”

He pulled her in tight. He was hard and ready to make love to her again. They kissed as Sammy scraped her fingers through his hair, exciting every nerve in his body. They pulled away.

“You’re a good kisser,” she said. “And you’re in need of sex.”

She looked down between their bodies. Yes, he had the mother of all erections.

“I am definitely in need of that,” he said, flicking a stray strand of hair from her eyes.

“How about I make us some coffee and you can start some foreplay.”

“With myself?”

Sammy laughed so hard she threw her chin up in the air and giggled.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like you,” she said. They rubbed noses.

“You make that coffee and watch out because I’m going to do naughty things to you,” said Cole.

She winked at him and turned to head to the kitchen. He couldn’t help but watch her cute ass as both cheeks bounced as she walked. Cole almost wanted to give one of his bear roars.

“I’m making coffee,” she called to him.

“Great, white, no sugar,” he called back. He wanted her to think he was staying put in the living room, but instead he crept up behind her, put his arms around her and kissed her neck. Next he massaged her breasts through her blouse. He smiled when he saw her bra sitting on the floor.

“That’s for me to take off, but thanks for saving me some time,” he whispered in her ear.
 
He unbuttoned her top and slid his hands inside. Her nipples were already erect and hard and as he pulled on them she groaned. He kissed her earlobe while lifting up her skirt and pulling down her panties. They fell onto her ankles.

“How’s that coffee coming along?” he asked.

“Not so good because a cute man is…”

He knew she’d never get to the end of that sentence because he was now walking his fingers up her legs and was mere inches from her pussy. She spread her legs for him, allowing him to touch each little fold, tease the opening of her entrance, and then his middle finger slipped inside.

“You’re always so wet and slippery, Sammy,” he said into her hair. It smelled like fresh flowers and that combined with the scent escaping her pussy almost made him shift.

“Can I take you from behind?” he asked her.

She turned around and he thought the answer was going to be no, but instead she led him out of the kitchen to the dining room where she dropped her skirt and leaned over.

The scent of her arousal got sharper as he parted her cheeks and saw the opening to the pink prize awaiting him. He took out the condom, unzipped his pants, dropped them along with his boxers, and soon his dick was covered.

Maybe when their relationship got more serious, he’d encourage her to start using birth control pills so he didn’t have to wear these hideous things.

Cole held her hips tight so she was perfectly still and then slowly he pushed his dick into her pussy. He gave slow easy thrusts at first, holding her breasts and pulling on her nipples as his hips moved faster.
 
Cole smiled as he looked down and saw her toes beginning to curl upward.

He knew it would drive her over the edge. He stood still and let his cock do all the work inside her. She grew restless and he had to hold her still for her own good.

“It’s okay Sammy, just enjoy it.”

She shook in his arms, her toes curling downward this time.

He moved his dick into top gear, hearing her pant and scream, almost falling to the ground and losing their connection.

“Okay, baby, the finale,” he said, moving his hips once again.

She arched back, squeezed his dick and that’s all it took for him to also find his release.

They stood still, still locked, him taking in her scent. He needed to shift and run but he knew it would seem odd if he announced that’s what he was going to do yet again after they’d had sex.

“Can I get a raincheck on that coffee because there’s a patient I have to check on?”

He pulled out and she turned around. So much for getting involved with a doctor. Guess they were always on call or had someone to check out.

“Sure, and how about you come over and I’ll start your portrait.”

“You really want to do that?”

“Sure I do. I’d say I’d cook you a meal, but I’m a hopeless chef.”

“Then I’ll bring pizza.”

“And I haven’t forgotten about the bear painting. If you can find one for me to sketch, let me know.”

****

Sam hadn’t really expected to get a call from one of the ladies at Cougar Crafts inviting her to go chat with them about the possibility of teaching a painting class. Things had certainly looked up since she’d met Cole.

“Can we get you some tea? We’ve just brewed some,” asked the smaller lady who’d introduced herself as Mona.

“No, that’s fine. I’ve had too much caffeine today already.”

The other one, named Julie, brought over two iced teas and set them on the table before sitting down.

“We’re thinking of offering a different craft class each night. Hannah’s very kindly agreed to give any participant a discount at her cafe, so I think we’d be off to a good start. We like to keep things within our group,” said Julie. Sam couldn’t help but see Mona kick her business partner’s foot.

“I mean we’ve all known one another for years and we like to help out friends.” She took a quick sip of her tea and glanced sideways at Julie.

“You being a friend of Cole’s, we thought we’d offer you first refusal at teaching the art class,” added Julie.

“I’m flattered. I mean I’m self-taught.”

“Sometimes that makes for a great teacher. I mean you know what problems you had and therefore others might run into the same issues,” said Mona.

“That’s true. So when would you like me to start?”

“We were thinking next month. Every Thursday for about two hours,” said Julie. “You can set the price and we’d split it fifty-fifty with you.”

“Sounds good to me.”

The bell sounded out in the store signaling customers.

“I’ll just go see who that is,” said Mona.

“So are you and Cole getting serious?” asked Julie.

“I think we’re in the getting to know one another phase.”

And having great sex
, Sam almost added.

“So many shifters are…”

“Julie,” shouted Mona, standing in the doorway.

There was that word again.

“Am I missing something because you mentioned shifter discount before when I was here?” asked Sam.

“Inside joke,” said Mona, rejoining them. “We call everyone in the group shifters because some people move around a lot.”

Was Sam looking for something that wasn’t there? Had her life been so full of let downs and disappointments, that when someone and something good came along, she went looking for any little excuse to see faults and problems?

She hoped that was the case because she so wanted her relationship with Cole to be perfect.

****

“Stop moving so much,” said Sam. She’d spent an hour setting up her paints and canvas after she’d gotten home from work; and now Cole wouldn’t sit still for more than a few minutes at a time.

“I told you I wouldn’t be able to do it,” said Cole, reaching for another slice of pizza. He dropped some sauce down onto his t-shirt. “Damn,” he said.
 
He took it off and began dabbing at the stain with the napkin.

His biceps stood out like beacons to her. Now she’d never be able to concentrate on the task at hand.

“Maybe you could paint me in the nude,” he said.

“You think anyone would buy that sketch? I’m not saying you’re not sexy but…”

Before she knew it he’d stood and taken off his jeans and boxers.

“First time I’ve seen you without a hard-on and you’re still pretty impressive,” said Sam.

“Say something sexy to me,” said Cole.

“What?”

“Something dirty.”

“I’d like you to take my clothes off and fuck me all night.” That wasn’t the sexiest of things but it was all she could think of on the spur of the moment.

She watched as he grew hard before her eyes.

“Is that all it takes?” she asked.

“It’s the way you said it,” said Cole.

“Are you going to sit still now or what?”

“I’ll try, but make sure you get my penis in the right proportion.”

“You guys, it’s all you think about.”

“And you don’t worry about your pussies and how they look to us?”

“I can’t say that’s been a concern of mine, no.”

“That’s because yours is very pretty.”

“Thank you.”

“In fact, it’s so beautiful, I’d like to paint it.”

“What?”

He stood and grabbed one of her paintbrushes. “Take off your panties, spread your legs and I’m going to paint your pussy.”

The thought of it did send her into a frenzy, so she did what he asked. Cole approached her with brush in hand. Cole tickled her ankles with it, and then worked it up her calves. Her thighs were next for his attention, and then he dragged the soft bristles through her curls. He worked the brush over her folds and around her opening, letting a few stray hairs enter her.

“Oh wow, having your pussy painted is better than I thought.”