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    Rick's Bear
    Rick's Bear
    Rick's Bear
    Ebook158 pages2 hours

    Rick's Bear

    By M Tasia

    4/5

    ()

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    • Family

    • Love

    • Trust

    • Fear

    • Love & Relationships

    • Hurt/comfort

    • Friends to Lovers

    • Opposites Attract

    • Found Family

    • Small Town Romance

    • Slow Burn Romance

    • Family Drama

    • Secret Relationship

    • Protective Parent

    • Protective Partner

    • Romance

    • Protection

    • Anxiety

    • Personal Growth

    • Friendship

    About this ebook

    Welcome back to Brighton, Texas. Where any man can find home.

    A DEN OF THEIR OWN

    Clem “Bear” Mitchell owns the only diner in Brighton and prefers to be left alone. After growing up in—and barely escaping—one of the toughest motorcycle gangs out of Chicago, he just wants peace. Librarian Rick Johansson is the same. Due to his anxiety, he has always lived on the outskirts of society, finding it far safer to stay in the stacks. But no man is an island, and when the two are thrust together by dangerous events playing out around them, they see that life is better together. The tattooed, bear of a biker and the quiet, unassuming librarian will soon show the residents of Brighton that the local bookworm can teach an old bear new tricks.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBoroughs Publishing Group
    Release dateMar 3, 2017
    ISBN9781944262631
    Rick's Bear
    Author

    M Tasia

    Michelle M. Tasia is a paralegal and romance author who lives in Ontario, Canada. She is a proud member of the Romance Writers of America and its chapters; the Rainbow Romance Writers and the Toronto Romance Writers. Michelle is a dedicated people watcher who often uses what she sees around her in the creation of her characters. She likes to read romance as much as write it and is a firm believer that love is meant to be celebrated and shared. She is the author of the Boys of Brighton series and the new series Gates of Heaven. Connect with Michelle: website: mtasiabooks.com facebook: mtasiabooks twitter: mtasiaauthor instagram: m.tasia.author

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      Book preview

      Rick's Bear - M Tasia

      EVERYONE LOVES

      THE BOYS OF BRIGHTON SERIES!

      Sweet and unforgettable…a marvelous read. There’s suspense, action, and a love story that’s hard to beat.

      —Readers’ Favorite on Sam’s Soldiers

      I loved this book and I love this town. I hope there’s going to be more.

      —Melissa Lemons, Author of Decisions

      An amazing read that was filled with lust, love, crazy hot sex, danger, action and so much more. This is the first book I have read in this series, but I will definitely be reading more in the future.

      —Gay Book Reviews on Sam’s Soldiers

      I was crazy impressed that the author made me teary over the ending of a relationship that I shouldn’t have even been invested in. I didn’t yet know these characters yet the author made me hurt for them. That takes some mad writing skills!

      —Love Bytes Reviews

      "[Gabe] was a fantastically sweet love story. The characters drew me in right away, especially the swoon-worthy, alpha-male Gabe. I have to admit, I'm not an avid reader of M/M, but this highly exceeded my expectations. I couldn't help falling in love with the characters and cheering on their personal growth and blossoming romance."

      —Virginia Cantrell, Author of Devine Merit

      I loved this story from page one.

      —eBytes on Sam’s Soldiers

      READER REACTIONS

      FROM AMAZON, GOODREADS, AND ALL ROMANCE eBOOKS

      …Sweet and touching…hot and sizzling…

      The love, drama, and intimate scenes are all well written. I would definitely recommend this book to romance lovers.

      Loved this book! Great read.

      I loved it! I couldn’t put it down.

      Welcome back to Brighton, Texas. Where any man can find home.

      A DEN OF THEIR OWN

      Clem Bear Mitchell owns the only diner in Brighton and prefers to be left alone. After growing up in—and barely escaping—one of the toughest motorcycle gangs out of Chicago, he just wants peace. Librarian Rick Johansson is the same. Due to his anxiety, he has always lived on the outskirts of society, finding it far safer to stay in the stacks. But no man is an island, and when the two are thrust together by dangerous events playing out around them, they see that life is better together. The tattooed, bear of a biker and the quiet, unassuming librarian will soon show the residents of Brighton that the local bookworm can teach an old bear new tricks.

      RICK’S BEAR

      A Boys of Brighton Novella

      M. Tasia

      www.BOROUGHSPUBLISHINGGROUP.com

      PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Boroughs Publishing Group does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites, blogs or critiques or their content.

      RICK’S BEAR

      Copyright © 2017 M. Tasia

      Smashwords Edition

      All rights reserved. Unless specifically noted, no part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Boroughs Publishing Group. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or by any other means without the permission of Boroughs Publishing Group is illegal and punishable by law. Participation in the piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights.

      ISBN 978-1-944262-63-1

      E-book formatting by Maureen Cutajar

      www.gopublished.com

      This has only been possible with the love and support of my family.

      Love you Craig, Samantha, Katie and Jason.

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      Wanted to shout out to the talented Virginia and my amazing beta readers.

      CONTENTS

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Epilogue

      About the Author

      Also by M. Tasia

      RICK’S BEAR

      Chapter One

      Rick Johansson sat safely behind his old wooden desk inside Brighton Central Library, cataloguing new arrivals on the library’s database. The library was quiet today, lowering his anxiety greatly. The thundering of a Harley coming down Main Street immediately caught his attention. It was well past 8:00 p.m., and Rick was just about to lock the doors and finish his work alone. His eyes were drawn to the window. He finally gave in, stood up, and walked the five feet to the place he found himself standing regularly throughout the day, and he wasn’t disappointed.

      There on the street, parking his big black-and-chrome bike was Clem Bear Mitchell—a man whom Rick had to stay far, far away from if he wished to keep his dignity. Begging was never an endearing quality. But instead of Bear walking into the diner he owned across the street, he was headed Rick’s way, and Rick found himself frozen to the spot.

      Clem was a scruffy mountain of a man, a bear in every sense. Rick thought perhaps he was in his early forties. If his height sticker on the front door was correct, he stood six feet seven inches tall, and Rick had to wonder how much all those muscles weighed, but then again, it wasn’t as if Rick could have Bear hop on a scale when he came to visit. In all honesty, Rick found himself staring far too often in the man’s direction that he’d almost memorized every details of the biker’s body, so his best guess was over two hundred sixty pounds.

      Well, considering the average height of a US male is five-nine, he is certainly above normal.

      Rick groaned the moment he realized he was coming up with useless facts yet again. It was a habit he had whenever he was nervous or stressed, which was most of the time.

      Bear was carrying a package in his right hand. Rick knew it must be another gift for him, and he was barely able to contain his excitement. Finally coming to his senses, Rick rushed over to his desk and tried to appear busy, without much luck. He heard the front door open and heavy boots thudding their way across the wood floors as they always did when this hulking man came to visit. The steps seemed to thunder through Rick’s body. If he had just one wish, it would be for the ability to speak more than a few words to the man. Rick’s social anxiety and shyness pretty much prevented that from happening.

      God, what I’d give to be able to ask him out.

      The footsteps stopped, and Rick knew Bear was standing right in front of his desk. Slowly, he raised his eyes and looked at the gorgeous man from under his lashes, the same man who occupied his dreams every night. Bear stood there in his worn jeans, black boots, tight T-shirt, and leather jacket, looking every bit the biker he was known to be. His dark blue eyes sparkled from underneath his shaggy chestnut brown hair, and his short beard was trimmed perfectly.

      God, he’s so handsome.

      Hello, Rick, how are you today? Bear asked in a soft voice. It seemed to Rick that he was trying to make himself smaller, less threatening.

      H-hi, Bear, Rick stuttered. I’m okay. How are you?

      My day’s getting better by the second. Rick knew Bear was teasing, but deep down, his inner romantic nerd wished that Bear were actually flirting with him.

      Can I help you with anything, Bear? Rick asked.

      Well…ah… Bear seemed nervous and unsure, not his usual demeanor.

      Is everything okay? Rick asked as he stood and came around the desk. Are you okay? Rick might be too shy to do anything about his attraction to Bear, but he considered the man a friend, and if something were wrong, Rick would help.

      No, nothing’s wrong. I just saw this and thought you’d like it. Bear held out his hand to give the small package to Rick.

      Rick carefully took the gift, accidently brushing their fingers together and sending up a spark of the one thing Rick hadn’t felt in a very long time—desire. Bear, you know I told you the last time that you didn’t need to buy me anything.

      Bear’s smile lit up his entire face. Wait until you see it to decide.

      With his interest piqued, Rick carefully unwrapped the brown shipping paper from the package and revealed a book, but not just any book, an original first edition, hardcover copy of The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy. Oh, Bear, it’s amazing, but I can’t accept this. It has to be worth hundreds of dollars.

      I know how much you love Tom Clancy. It’s yours.

      Bear… I—

      Rick, is it too late to sign out a book? asked Rachel, a young woman who’d just moved to Brighton from California a few months back. Rick hadn’t realized they weren’t alone and immediately took several steps away from Bear, who smiled knowingly.

      Yes, Rachel, go ahead. I’ll lock up after you’re done, Rick assured the young woman who’d become his friend.

      Rick walked back around his desk, cradling his new book to his chest. He’d never received such a thoughtful gift before. Well, if you didn’t count the two other books Bear had already given him. It seemed to make the big man happy, and Rick was having a hard time saying no to him.

      Thank you, Bear. It’s perfect, Rick gushed just a little. He knew he wasn’t macho in any way, shape, or form, but he did have some restraint.

      Bear looked down and blushed, which shocked Rick. He’d never seen the big man blush, ever. They’d known each other for over a year now, ever since Bear took over the diner when the previous owner retired. He’d been visiting Rick for months. Every few days he’d come to the library to visit or, like today, drop off something he knew Rick would like.

      Rick, can you help me, please? Rachel asked from one of the five computer reference systems located in the library. I wanted to find something on Greek mythology.

      Yes, of course, Rachel, Rick replied. He would have liked to spend a little more time with Bear, and it must have shown in his face, based on what Bear said next.

      Why don’t you come on over to the diner when you’re all done and have a late dinner? Today’s special is roast beef, mashed potatoes, and green beans. We even have apple pie for dessert. Bear gave him a sly smile, knowing full well Rick loved apple pie, which seemed to always be available when he ordered some.

      Rick thought about it for a moment, calculating how many people would be in the diner at that time of night. It wasn’t that he didn’t like people; it was just that once those people became a group or crowd, Rick immediately went into an anxiety attack.

      Typically, he would order pick-up and take it home, but he did want to spend more time around Bear. He might not be able to act on his attraction, but he could still be in his world.

      Much like the moon orbits Earth at an average distance of 238,855 miles. Ugh. Useless damn information.

      Is it very busy after 8:00 p.m.? Rick asked. He would have to mentally prepare himself if he decided to go.

      No, just a few regulars, sometimes people passing through, Bear assured him with a hopeful expression on his handsome face.

      Who could say no to that? Not me, that’s for sure.

      Okay, I’ll come over after I lock up, Rick answered after a few more moments of uncertainty, and Bear’s smile was so big that you would have thought he’d won some sort of prize.

      You’ve got a date, Rick. I’ll see you soon.

      With that said, the giant of a man turned and walked back out of the library, leaving behind a confused Rick. He just couldn’t figure out why Bear kept coming around;

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