FSE

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The smell of hickory smoke and peppermint was always in the air at my house. A beautiful home that was filled with warmth from not just a crackling fireplace but the warmth of people's hearts all around us. Presents galore stacked carefully under the tree, paper snowflakes and mistletoe hung from the ceiling in every room. The sound of music filled the home full of life as many passersby would stop for a moment to admire our happy home basking in its warmth that just shined above all the other homes on the block but of course the neighbors didn't mind as they joined in on the merry holiday times. Things looked bright and so happy for all of us, the love we shared being just one big happy family.

Of course that was several years ago.

It was eight more days to Christmas but no fire was crackling, no snowflakes or holly hung from the ceiling and doorways. Just a quiet dark house that seemed to have lost its luster, that joy it once had that once kept it alive all to now be the start of a rotting shell of what it once was.

Gazing at the fireplace I put my yarn down standing to my feet seeing a letter on the mantle, it was the court papers that finalized my divorce to my now ex-husband. Four years ago he had been sleeping around with a female he had hired for his law firm and just two years ago I finally caught that bastard in the act. At first I had to admit I was in denial of it all and wanted to try and fix things, however he had other plans in mind and having been fed up with fighting a losing battle I filed for divorce. It was the most painful thing I've ever had to do in my life but it had to be done. The reason for his unfaithful behaviors was simple, I was a mistake, it turns out I wasn't what he as looking for. In basic translation I wasn't young enough anymore and I wasn't ready to start a family yet.

I had turned 26 June of this year but I wasn't going to waste time on him, not anymore. I needed to live life again but right now my spot under this rock suited me just fine. In the settlement I got more than enough to keep up my comfortable lifestyle for a long time so working was more of something to pass the time. We both had very successful businesses going, being my ex was a lawyer with his own firm as I was but a humble pastry chef who owned a nice tea house in the center of town.

Oh right here I am rambling about how sucky my life is and I have yet to say my name. My name is Suna and I am a black cat, just your every day black cat with a small pink nose. I am a male but it's hard to tell considering my small physique and high pitched voiced but that's the way it's always been. I never met my father and my mother was very girly who owned a very successful interior decorating business so it was only a matter of time before something rubbed off on me, for that I'm grateful.

Seeing it was getting late I rose for my lazy-boy chair and headed for the front door putting on my coat and scarf, placing my house keys into my pocket I set out the door ignoring the Benz in my driveway. It was the last gift I had gotten from my ex...I'll probably torch or sell it, either way it'll be a joy to get rid of it. Sighing my breath turned to a puff of smoke in the cold air as it brought a tiny smile to my face. I always loved doing that, its so much fun.

Walking down to the sidewalk I set off to the store listening the sloshing and crunching of snow under my boots. It was a peaceful evening as most people are at home by now getting warmed up just being with their families. Sighing I walked faster seeing the small family owned grocery store just so few more blocks away. It wasn't as extravagant as the super market a twenty minute car ride away but I like it a lot better anyway, I felt more at ease around the average people instead of the more wealthier ones as I didn't feel like there was ever any need to impress someone or wave my wallet around. It suited me nicely.

Hearing the entrance bell I heard Alice, a young doe, call out her greetings from the register she was stationed at today. "Hey Suna! We have sale on sirloin steaks today I'm sure Travis has a few with your name on it!"

Smiling I nodded to her, "Thanks Alice I was just on my way to see him right now, I'll see you in a little while." Waving to her I grabbed a hand basket and made my way to the back of the store where the deli and butcher stations were. I've known Travis and Alice for years ever since I moved to this neighborhood before I got married. Those two are like family to me, they had already been married for three years before Tyler and I had tied the knot. They were there when I felt the only way out was to just end my life with my own hands but after getting punched in the jaw several times by the doe I finally snapped out of it.I could never repay them for putting up with me but I'm happy to have them around when I needed someone most.

Seeing a large figure moving around behind the counter I chuckled and rang the bell twice to get its attention. Seeing the buck fully stand up he smiled down at me only for it to turn into a very devious one.

Uh oh.

"Well well look at what the cat dragged in, if it isn't Suna!." The large male laughed setting a brown package down on the counter with my name on it.

"Ha ha it's even funnier the second millionth time." Taking the item I placed it in my basket but the way Travis was staring at me had peaked my curiosity so I might as well should get this over with. "So what's got you all happy today? Alice made your favorite stew?"

Leaning over to rest his arms on the counter he smirked even more, now he was playing with me. "Well yes but it's not that, there's a new guy in town."

"Um okay what of it?" My ears tilted wondering where he was going with this, for some reason I didn't like it. Travis was always teasing me but this time it felt so different.

"Wellll...for starters he's right over there." Casually pointing in a direction behind me I slowly turned around and almost dropped my basket seeing a very fine and tasty looking hunk of a bear.

I have to say I love bears...and not in just the gay terminology.

I mean I really REALLY love bears.

They were just so intimidating and packed with muscles and a nice gut but at the same time they were just so cute and cuddly I don't know what I liked best. It was simply just a perfect blend of rverything I liked in a guy.

Not realizing it my tail had been wagging like crazy as I stared at the male like some horny schoolboy crushing on one of his teachers.

"You should really close your mouth hun you're starting to get drool on the floor." Travis whispered chuckling at my sudden closing mouth and wiping a bit of drool off with my scarf. How embarrassing. "He said he's looking for a job ya know so I told him you was looking for someone."

"You WHAT!? Are you crazy!? Does he even know what kind of business I run? He'd be better off with some more extravagant job...do you not see the suit he is wearing?" Eyeing the surely out of my league hunk he was in fact wearing a very fancy suit. It had to have been personally tailored for it hugged his strong body so perfectly. When he turned to look at something on the shelf my eyes instantly locked onto his muscular ass. Even though his slacks were either black or navy blue I could tell it was firm and well taken care of.

"Oh stop being such a baby, you're not married therefore available...I'm totally gonna call him over now." Evilly smirking the buck slowly stood up straight I paled with wide eyes looking at him.

"Travis don't you fucking da-!"

"HEY JASON OVER HERE! COME AND MEET SUNA THE GUY I TOLD YOU ABOUT!"

I was going to kill this asshole! I was seriously going to kill him as the other was trying hard not to laugh. Looking down at the ground I felt a looming presence beside me signaling 'Jason' had indeed came over. Slowly I looked up and nearly fainted seeing him at least a foot or so taller than me, I love big guys.

Travis was still trying not to laugh out loud having to clear his throat waving in my direction, "Jason this is my good friend Suna the one who owns the cafe downtown."

Staring at the ground again my cheeks were so red and all I wanted to do was slug a certain buck but my train of murderous thoughts derailed when a large hand was offered to me. Looking up I saw the bear smiling making my heart pound faster, slowly I took his hand seeing it being swallowed completely by all the fur and just the sheer size of the hand itself.

"As Travis said my name is Jason, he's been telling me a lot about you and you as he puts it "amazing out of this world incredibly beautiful" tea house and also that you're looking for new waiters." His voice had strongly spoke out while firmly shaking my whole arm, talk about brute strength.

"I...well I don't know about the whole "amazingly out of this world incredibly beautiful" part but I do own a little tea house more into town. Since a few of my workers are off living their dreams it has indeed left me very shorthanded. So how about we do a quick little interview right now hmmm?" Smirking I was hoping to catch him off guard but Jason had a devious smirk of his own with a single brow raised. Oh?

"Very well, I was going to come in Monday but now is as good of a time as any so ask away hass." The bear chuckled seeming more amused by the situation than anything.

"Enthusiastic, already earned some brownie points. Now down to business. Can you lift at least 100 lbs. at a time?"

"Yes and plenty more if needed."

"Mm good good, are you skilled in cooking and general housekeeping? In other words can you boil water and sweep a floor?"

"Yes, I've actually spent the past four years at Institute of Culinary Education and another two previous years at Le Cordon Bleu. Also my mother owns a prestegious housekeeping business I've helped with time and time again for field work."

Impressive.

Standing there looking him right into his eyes I knew he wasn't bullshitting me and with that I simply nodded. "You're hired, you start Monday morning at 8 o'clock sharp. Here is my card, it has my office phone number and my personal number where you can reach me at any time. I'm looking forward to seeing you put those skills to work."

Trying to hold back my blush it quickly broke when Jason's hand brushed against it sending electric tingles all the way up my spine. It felt so good and warm even if it was just a gentlenegentle brushing of our fingers. It felt like high school all over again with the finest touch sending my whole body into a frenzy.

"Thank to I'm looking forward to it, sadly I must be off I after all need to rest up. I'll see you Monday...Suna." The grizzly purred near my ear making a little pur escape my throat.

I don't know how long I stood there but the whole time my eyes wandered over every part of that lovely body enjoying the view, that is till I was rudely interrupted.

"Stare any harder and you'll burn some holes in his suit." Travis laughed only to laugh even harder seeing my less than intimidating glare with rosy red cheeks.

"Shut up, I'm still mad at you."

"Liar."

"Fuck off."

"Love you puss."

"...love you too. I better get going, I've got dinner to cook so thanks for the steaks Travis. See ya tomorrow!"

"See ya, pay attention walking home I know how excited you are about your new bear friend!" The buck laughed waving me off as I flipped him off.

"SHUT UP!"

By the time I had left the little store it had begun to snow, for the first time in a while I actually enjoyed it. It stayed light allowing me to enjoy a slow walk home, the cold air keeping the food preserved allowing me to just relax taking it all in. I know this was wishful thinking but I couldn't help but notice the sun seemed to be just a little brighter today.

Just a little.