“Are you comfortable?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Because if you’re not, you could come sit in my lap.”

  “You’re always trying to get me into your lap,” she joked.

  “For good reason.”

  “Oh really?” She turned to face him. “And what reason might it be?”

  “Come here and I’ll show you.”

  She slid across the cushions and climbed into his lap. Sitting sideways, she wrapped her arms around his neck. He smiled and leaned close enough to brush his lips across her earlobe.

  “I can’t get enough of you,” he murmured.

  As his lips brushed against the shell of her ear, she shivered. His whispered sweet seductions until she couldn’t help but turn to kiss him.

  Entangled in his arms, she pressed her lips against his, claiming him with a kiss born of unbridled passion. As his hand slid up her bare thigh, she parted her lips. His tongue followed, melting against hers. A soft moan escaped her lips. She turned and straddled him, wrapping her legs around his waist and pushing against his rapidly hardening cock.

  “We’re missing the movie,” he teased.

  “Screw the movie.”

  She swept her hands underneath his shirt and pulled it off. The muscles in his chest flexed as she trailed her fingers across it. Hunger burned in his gaze. She caressed and massaged lower, eliciting a growl as she brushed against his belly.

  When she reached his belt, she slowly pulled it open. She locked eyes with him as she unbuttoned his pants. His chest rose and fell with short, shallow breaths. She loved the affect she was having on him.

  She stood and pulled his pants off, leaving him naked and exposed. The long, thick length of his cock jutted up to touch his abs. As she reached for him, he grabbed her waist and pulled her back into his lap.

  “Not yet,” he whispered.

  His hand slipped between her thighs. As his fingers brushed against her damp sex, she moaned. How could one man be this good?

  She parted her thighs and let him suck one plump nipple into his hot mouth. Burned by his kisses, she arched into him, eager to be completely engulfed by him. She’d never been so wanton, so greedy for more.

  When he slid his fingers across her clit, she shuddered. He began a slow, sensual swirl across the tiny bundle of nerves. Wet heat pooled in her core. Tingles of energy sparked up from that singular point to electrify her entire body.

  More than ready for him, she tried to move out of his arms. He held her tight against him and continued the silky caress.

  “Stay here. Let me watch you.”

  She groaned and turned to crush her lips against his. Unable to control the burgeoning heat, she drove her tongue into his mouth. She writhed in his lap, alternating between pressing harder against his hand, and retreating.

  As the sweet torment reached a crescendo, she buried her face in his neck. Rolling pulses of orgasmic bliss shook every inch of her. It didn’t stop, even as he rolled her back onto the couch.

  He surged into her, sending a fresh wave of absolute pleasure crashing through her. She cried out his name. He growled and sucked at the tender flesh on her neck. His teeth grazed her earlobe and his hands roamed across her breasts, her hips, and her butt. He was everywhere, seemingly at once, bringing her alive in way she’d never experienced before.

  “Mine,” he growled.

  His? Her heart pounded. What did he mean by that? She wanted to ask, but couldn’t catch her breath long enough.

  He drove into her, hitting just the right spot. She screamed and dragged her nails down his back. He shivered and thrust harder, faster, deeper. She rode an endless orgasm as he plunged into her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and held on for dear life. And then she was falling, down into a puddle of absolute bliss.

  As he rocked into her, she urged him on with her hips. Sweat glistened on his chest. His eyes met hers, his pupils dilating with a shared awareness of their bond. He held her gaze for several seconds before breaking it.

  He dropped down, pushing hard as he climaxed. Wet heat flooded her, along with a sense of complete contentment. He collapsed against her, cradling her in his arms, and murmuring indistinguishable words into her ear.

  * * *

  They lay entwined for several minutes before he rolled onto his side. He traced the curve of her hip and drew lazy circles around her breasts. He’d just had her, and yet he already wanted her again. It was madness.

  “You know what I like the most about you?” he murmured.

  “What?”

  “You’re sexy as hell. Why didn’t we ever get together before?”

  “Well…”

  “Don’t answer that,” he said with a laugh. “I think I can guess why.”

  She probably thought he was a womanizing piece of crap. And maybe he was, but he was changing. The idea of being with a new woman every week held little appeal these days. Maybe an old bear could learn new tricks. Not that he was old. Not yet at least. He had a lot of life ahead of him and maybe it was time to grow up.

  “Why do you sleep with so many women?” she asked.

  “Wow.” Momentarily stunned by her question, he couldn’t think of a good response.

  “Sorry. That was—”

  “Direct.”

  “I tend to do that sometimes.”

  “It’s okay. It’s the truth. At least it was, but I don’t know… I’ve been rethinking a lot of things recently.”

  “Really? Like what?”

  “My brother and his wife just had a baby. My nephew is the cutest little bear cub you’ve ever seen.”

  “He shifted already?”

  “No, not yet. But he’s going to be a big guy. His hands are already big and he has the cutest little roar.”

  “And now you want a baby?”

  “Not just a baby,” he said. “Something more. A mate. A family. I think it’s time to move on from my wild ways.”

  She snuggled against him and kissed him long and slow.

  “What was that for?” he asked softly.

  “A stamp of approval.”

  “Have you ever thought about finding a mate?”

  “I have. Eventually I want to have a family. I have so many wonderful Christmas memories from growing up. I want to be able to give that to my kids.”

  “Tell me one,” he said.

  “Christmas morning we’d wake up and open one present. Then we’d eat breakfast and run outside to make snow angels. After that, we’d come back inside and drink hot coco by a roaring fire while we opened the rest of our presents. It sounds simple, but it’s our tradition. I think every family should have a fun holiday tradition. Do you have any?”

  “Not really. My brothers and I used to sneak downstairs in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve. We’d get a sharp pair of scissors and slice the tape on the wrapping paper open.”

  “You didn’t,” she gasped.

  “Guilty as charged. We couldn’t wait. I guess impatience runs in my family.”

  “At least with your brothers. You have four, right?”

  “Yep. One’s mated, but the rest of us are single.”

  “That’s too bad,” she said.

  “You know, I’ve never told anyone our wrapping paper secret before.”

  “Really? The next time I run into your mom, I may have to bust you.”

  “You wouldn’t…right?” He arched a brow.

  “Maybe.”

  He lunged forward and tickled her mercilessly. She squealed and thrashed as she tried to get away. He kept tickling her until she panted for breath. Her flushed cheeks took his breath away. She was so beautiful.

  “I won’t say a word,” she finally gasped.

  “You’d better not, or I’ll find you and tickle torture you.”

  “You’ll make a good dad someday.”

  “What makes you say that?” he asked.

  “You’re playful and fun to be around. Kids love you. I saw the way you play with your cousin’s kids at the bear clan’s Thanksgiving dinner. One day you’ll have a family. I can definitely see it.”

  “You will too.”

  “If it happens, it happens…” She shrugged. “…but I’m not running around desperate to get mated.”

  “I’ve been with women like that. A couple of nights of good sex and suddenly they think they’re your mate.”

  She stiffened beside him. Oh, hell. Was she like that too? Or was there something more to the sudden chill in the air. He still wanted to ask her about her bear’s reaction to him, but wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the answer. However, in the spirit of growing up, he decided to man up and ask.

  “So, uh, my bear really liked meeting you,” he stammered. Okay, that didn’t come the way he’d planned. “I mean, he thought you were great.”

  She hesitated before responding. “Mine thought yours was nice too.”

  Nice? Ugh. He hated that word. It didn’t mean anything, or maybe it meant everything. He couldn’t figure out what she meant by it. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to ask. Why ruin the night? Besides, if her bear thought they were mates, wouldn’t she say something?

  As he gently pulled her back into his arms, she sighed and wrapped her arms around him. He didn’t understand her. One minute she was screaming his name, and the next she seemed as distant as a shooting star. He never understood women, especially not someone as complicated as Crystal.

  Disappointment tugged at his heart. His bear chuffed softly before curling into a ball in his chest. He hated hurting his bear, but what could he do? If her bear wasn’t interested, there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to change her mind.

  8

  Two days later, on Christmas Eve night, Tristan lit every vanilla scented candle in the cabin. A warm, sensual glow blanketed the living room. Crystal sat on a heap of blankets in front of the fire. She sipped peppermint tea and munched on a gingerbread cookie. Although he hadn’t planned on doing much for the holiday, he couldn’t pass up gingerbread cookies, or chocolate covered, candy cane sprinkled pretzels.

  “These are so good,” she said. “Did you bake them yourself?”

  “I wish I could say I did. I bought these.”

  “I love baking cookies. Normally I’d be over at my sister’s house tonight baking up a storm.”

  “I’m sorry you’re stuck here,” he said. “I know you would rather be with your family.”

  She set the half-eaten cookie down on the edge of her saucer.

  “Hey,” she whispered. “I’m happy I’m here.”

  “Really?” His heart filled with hope.

  “You rescued me, and you’ve been more than gracious by insisting on sleeping on the couch.”

  He smiled. He hadn’t wanted to cross any lines she didn’t seem ready to cross, so he’d pretended to be asleep the last few nights she’d slipped off the of couch, or the floor, to go to sleep.

  She yawned.

  “Sleepy?”

  “Yeah. I think running around in the snow today wore me out,” she said.

  “It’s getting late anyway. You don’t want to be up when Santa gets here.”

  “Santa’s coming?”

  “Well… Santa already came…twice…” He flashed a wicked grin. “But yes, he’s coming, so you have to go to sleep.”

  “I was thinking…” As she leaned back on her hands, his shirt rode up her thighs. He’d had them wrapped around his waist an hour earlier, but he already wanted her again.

  “What?” he asked when she didn’t continue.

  “I was thinking, maybe you should come to bed with me tonight.”

  “Really?”

  “I mean, only if you want to.” She turned her gaze toward the fire, as if it were the most interesting thing in the room.

  “Hey…” He gently grasped her chin and turned her face back toward him. “I want to.”

  “Okay.”

  He stood and helped her to her feet. As he wrapped his arms around her, she smiled.

  “Let me get you tucked in. Then I have some cleaning to do,” he said.

  “I’ll help.”

  “No,” he murmured. “Santa can’t come if you’re out here.”

  “Okay.” She laughed and walked into the bedroom. When she reached the doorframe, she turned and leaned a hip against it. She unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

  Heat flooded his cock. A low growl rumbled in his chest. Seeing her in that shirt drove him crazy. Although her cocktail dress had dried several days earlier, she’d taken to walking around the cabin in his clothes. Dressed in only a flannel shirt, she ignited a burning need inside him. But as tempted as he was to immediately join her, he couldn’t. Not if he wanted to finish her present.

  “Close the door. No peeking,” he said.

  “Okay, Santa.”

  Santa? He grinned. She’d already been in his lap more times than he could count. So yeah, Santa worked.

  He double checked to make sure she’d closed the door before heading outside to the small shed behind the cabin. A fresh blanket of snow covered the land. The storm had finally let up earlier in the day, but the road remained closed. He’d been so relieved to hear that news. He wasn’t ready to let her go yet.

  Inside the shed, he headed to his work bench. Several strands of silver and gold wire lay on top of a polishing cloth. So far, he’d managed to wire-wrap the polished amethyst cabochon he’d cut the previous summer. In his spare time, he loved working on cutting and polishing gemstones. He’d never given away one of his creations before, but the amethyst seemed like the perfect gift. It couldn’t match her beauty, but it was the most beautiful thing he owned, and he wanted her to have it.

  After creating an intricate silver bow, he gently touched a soldering iron to the underside of the bow. He pressed the molten metal against the existing wire near the top of the cabochon and held it still while it cooled.

  He slowly released his hold on the pendant and sat back. It was finished. Now he just needed to find a way to wrap it.

  As he searched through the drawers in his workbench, he frowned. He never kept any kind of wrapping paper around, so he wasn’t sure what he could use. She’d already taken all the clear tape, leaving him with a thick roll of masking tape, and some super glue. Not ideal, but he’d figure something out.

  After rummaging around, he managed to find a brown grocery bag and some markers. He gnawed on his lip until an idea popped into his head. With a smile, he set the items on the bench and got to work.

  An hour later, he slipped a silver chain through the pendant, and wrapped the necklace. It wasn’t fancy, but he hoped it was enough to make her Christmas morning fun.

  * * *

  The next morning, a ray of brilliant sunshine woke him. He slid out from underneath her arm and padded across the bedroom. He slowly opened the closet and pulled on a flannel shirt and jeans. Before leaving the room, he stopped to look at her.

  The soft rise and fall of her breath sent aching tendrils around his heart. He’d never even come close to feeling like this with anyone else. According to the news, the road would be open tomorrow. Today would be their last day together, and he wanted to make it special.

  He carefully closed the door behind him so as not to wake her. After adding several logs to the fire, he walked into the kitchen. Sunlight danced through the window over the sink. Outside, a winter wonderland created the perfect Christmas morning. He couldn’t have asked for better weather for what he had planned.

  As he whipped up a batch of chocolate chip pancakes, he hummed Jingle Bells. By the time he finished making eggs, bacon, sausage, and coffee, he’d sung a dozen songs.

  A whisper of sound from the living room caught his attention. He turned to find her watching him. A smile spread across her face as she moved toward him. She was snuggled up in one of his red sweaters, and more beautiful than ever.

  “Merry Christmas,” he said.

  “Merry Christmas.” He cradled her cheeks in his hand and brushed a soft kiss across her lips. “I’m almost done with everything. I just need to get the creamer.”

  As he moved toward the fridge, she wrapped her arms around him and turned him toward the window.

  “Have you looked outside yet?” she asked.

  “It’s a white Christmas for sure.”

  “It’s beautiful. I always wondered what it would be like to have a cabin in the mountains. I love it.”

  “When I saw it, I knew I had to buy it,” he said. “I’m glad I did.”

  “What can I do to help with breakfast?”

  “Just sit there and look gorgeous.”

  “Well…” Her gaze darted toward the tree. “We usually eat breakfast in front of the tree.”

  “We can do that.”

  “I’ll grab some pillows.”

  While she headed into the bedroom, he carried plates into the living room and set them on the coffee table. He returned with butter, syrup, and a large carafe of coffee.

  She lay several blankets on the ground between the fireplace and the tree. She created a makeshift bed and sat waiting for him. He brought two plates into the room and sat beside her.

  “Dig in,” he said.

  Her eyes glistened as she turned to look at him.

  “What?” he asked softly.

  “This is…” She shook her head. “You’re really making today magical.”

  “Oh, honey. This is just the start of what I have planned.”

  “Really?”

  “Eat up. I have a surprise for you.”

  As he sat beside her, his heart soared. This is what he imagined life would be like if he ever decided to get married.

  He stole glances at her while they ate. She told him more stories about Christmas, and he shared his favorite moments with her. The more he got to know her, the more she pulled at his heart.

  His bear rolled its eyes and huffed. Of course the beast had known this would happen, but he’d refused to listen. But did she see it? Did she feel the same way?

  After cleaning up their plates, he grabbed her hand and led her toward the door.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “You’ll see.”

 

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