Toby Cartwright hopes his work as a blogger about gay masculine bears will help him find the bear of his dreams. When English teacher Blue Danning asks to borrow a few of Toby’s articles to teach writing methods to his students, initially Toby refuses, until his best friend and gym owner David King persuades him otherwise. Toby and Blue hit it off and start dating. Then Toby meets musician Grant Stevens. Not only does Grant find Toby attractive, but he also buys the blogger a drink. Following one of Grant’s shows, Toby decides to take the singer home. What happens between the singer and blogger is a surprise, leaving Toby to question every man out there. Unable to give up on his bear hunt, Toby is asked to house-sit for Denver Ralston, a sexy muscular bear who works as a nutritionist at David’s gym. But Toby accidentally exposes Denver’s secret, changing their relationship forever. Each day courier Carey Cunningham delivers a mysterious envelope to Toby which contains suggestive pictures of Toby. Who's sending them, and why? When Toby finds out, he’s shocked at the results. Finally, leading porn star and Toby’s former childhood friend Jim Bone comes to town and invites Toby out to catch up on old times. When they meet, they reflect on their past and how their lives have changed. One of these adorable men has to be the right one for Toby. But who is it?

Bear Hunting

Toby expels three things about himself to Grant, which is only fair during their conversation and city walk. He says, “I’m allergic to cats, although I love them. I’ve been in love twice, I think, but I’m not sure. And the last guy I was involved with, begged for my blogs to use in his college classroom, which I eventually broke down and lent to him.”


“You’re an interesting guy,” Grant replies. “I’m glad I sent you that drink.”


Toby doesn’t know why he laughs at this, but he does. It’s maybe the way Grant says it in an upbeat tone, without any inhibitions. He finds Grant adorable, intelligent, and not at all dull. Plus, he’s attracted to the singer, drawn to him. Perhaps he’s not surprised with himself when he says, “How would you feel about walking to my house and having a drink with me?”


Grant smiles, squeezes Toby’s hand within his own, adding pressure to it, and answers, “I think I’d enjoy that. Show me where you live.” 17: Lay with Me Awhile


Chapter 12