Bear Hugs Author:B. K. Wright Introduction: When Eric spends a day in the park in search of just the right setting for his painting with a romantic flair, he meets a man who is both passionate and charming, and who very quickly wins Eric?s heart. Eric soon realizes that he has never known a love like the love he feels for this man. When this man confesses a desire that he... more » has carried with him for almost half a century, Eric wonders if his own desire for true love may not be the same love that this new man in his life seems to desire. A trip to the homeland of this man of Eric?s desire reveals much more than Eric had expected. Eric now wonders if he may have gotten himself into something he may one day regret. Excerpt: Eric had painted for almost three hours, concentrating on the two white swans and the romantic ripple of water behind them, completely oblivious to all other activity in the park, when he suddenly realized that he was being watched. He wouldn?t have noticed, except that the sun had moved and the intruder?s shadow was now blocking his light. Eric turned around. ?You?re quite the artist,? the man said. ?Oh, thanks,? Eric said. ?I don?t mean to stare, but for the last hour you have had me completely mesmerized.? Eric was flattered, and could feel the heat in his cheeks begin to rise. ?You have captured the detail of the swans and their movements exquisitely.? Eric shrugged. ?Oh, it?s just a hobby. Well, I guess it?s really more of a passion of mine,? Eric added. He leaned down to pick up the brush that had fallen and when he looked up again, the man had taken a seat next to Eric on the bench. ?I hope you don?t mind if I watch for awhile.? Eric looked at the man. ?No, I don?t mind,? he said, a little uneasily. The man looked to be in his middle to late forties, or so Eric guessed, though he knew he could have been off by at least ten years. Eric had turned thirty-five this year, but had always had somewhat of a baby face. He had hated that about himself until the last five years or so when he realized that looking younger definitely had its benefits. The man sitting beside Eric was nice, very friendly and easy-going. He extended his hand and said, ?I?m Aiden, Aiden Nelson.? ******** Aiden touched his lips to Eric?s lips again, this time pressing them firmly to Eric?s. Eric slowly raised his arms and placed them around Aiden?s thick chest and broad shoulders, sliding them downward along his back. Aiden put his arms around Eric, pulling him forward, holding him in a big bear hug embrace. Eric opened his mouth to Aiden?s kiss. Aiden lightly ran his tongue along Eric?s lips and then kissed his lips again, lovingly, slowly, yet fully and passionately. Aiden felt the warmth of Eric?s embrace and held him longer than he had planned this first night together. Aiden didn?t want to stop, but he didn?t want Eric to think he was taking advantage, either. He liked Eric a lot, and he would have loved to make passionate love to him tonight, but he would wait until the time was right and the two of them could wake up in each other?s arms.« less