Santa Paws: BBW Holiday Bear Shifter Romance (Christmas Bear Brothers Book 1) Read online

  “No family. Not without getting on a plane, and that is not something I want to do over the festive period. And thanks, but I would feel a little odd imposing on someone else’s Christmas.”

  “Well, if you don’t come up with something, you can always take over my shift,” Dermot joked.

  “If you’re offering,” Tim said eagerly. “I don’t mind. I hear they put on a Christmas lunch for the parents of the patients who have to spend Christmas in the hospital. I was thinking of gate-crashing anyway. Unless that was your plan. You said your brothers are working, so I guess you will be lonely too.”

  Not this year. He thought of his mate. Damn it. He hadn’t even asked her name. Surely, she would want to spend Christmas with him. Or maybe she had plans. He didn’t know her. What if she already had a boyfriend in Bear Bluff and she was spending the holidays with him? Or other family. He should have asked. He should have checked her finger for a wedding ring.

  “Dermot.”

  “Yes?” His train of thought stalled and he turned his focus on Tim.

  “This way.” Tim laughed and then added, “I think you ought to have some time off, because you look as if you were away with the fairies.”

  “You know, Tim, I think I might take you up on the offer. There is someone I want to spend Christmas with.”

  “Go for it. Let’s grab some coffee and go and get the shifts changed.” Tim led the way and Dermot followed, feeling mighty peculiar.

  He had found his mate. Reaching for his phone, he dialled Damon’s number, needing to tell someone. It rang and rang, and he was just about to give up when his brother answered.

  “Hi, Damon. Quick call to say I won’t be on duty after all over Christmas.”

  “Is everything OK, Dermot?” Damon asked, sounding breathless.

  “Yes. I’ve found her.” Dermot spoke quietly, hoping Tim couldn’t hear.

  “You have?” He sounded surprised. “Well, that is a coincidence, because I have found my mate too.”

  “Are you joking, Damon?” Dermot asked, hearing some strange sounds in the background.

  “Are you on a call?”

  “Yep. I’m trying to rescue my mate.”

  “What? Is she OK? Do you need the ambulance? I can come now if you need me.”

  “No. It’s all good. At least, it will be. She’s a cat. And she’s stuck up a tree.”

  Dermot burst out laughing. “You’re telling me you actually get called out to get cats down from trees?”

  “This is not the first time,” Damon said. “Listen, I have to go. Wish me luck, because she looks like she’s full of hellfire and sharp claws. I only hope she calms down when we rescue her.”

  “Surely she will, when she knows her mate is waiting with open arms.”

  “I hope so. Listen, Dermot, good luck and have a great time. I have to go. Tell Declan not to worry if he can’t get hold of me. Let’s hope he’s not feeling too sore when he finds out he’s the last bachelor Walker brother.” With that, the line went dead and Dermot headed into the hospital to switch his shifts. He was looking forward to having a quiet Christmas with his mate. Surely, next to Damon’s, his would have to run more smoothly.

  Chapter Four – Vicky

  The cabin was beautifully cosy, everything she could wish for. She went through to the small kitchen and put the kettle on, making herself a cup of tea before she ventured into the bedroom to unpack. For reasons she didn’t want to dwell on she was putting it off; mostly they revolved around Dermot.

  Her head had been filled with the image of him, of him naked. Yes, her mind had spent many minutes, while she had been trying to look around the cabin, thinking of what would happen when he came back. Vicky knew that until she unpacked, she still had the option to leave, but to go into the bedroom and hang her clothes in the closet and put her toothbrush on the sink meant she had accepted her fate. And her mate.

  Was she ready for this? No. In a word, she was terrified. How much dared she tell him about herself? Would he be repelled when he knew what she was? Or more to the point, what she no longer was.

  It might come back. No, she doubted it; she had been trying for the last two months to recapture what she had lost and it seemed impossible. A part of her was missing. If finding her mate hadn’t brought it back to her, then she didn’t know what would.

  Maybe she was being naive to think that when she had set eyes on Dermot for the first time, everything would have magically fallen back into place. When magic had gone from her life. Every last drop of it.

  Taking her cup of hot tea, she went back to the small living room where she had dropped her suitcases, and picked them up. Then she made herself go to the bedroom and begin to hang up her clothes. She was fed up of running. No one knew her here, she could be with Dermot and pretend the other side of her never existed; she was just a normal reindeer.

  A reindeer. How pathetic was that next to a big, strapping hunk of bear? Well, hopefully he would learn to love her for who she was.

  A knock on the door told her she might find out sooner than she thought.

  “Coming,” she called, surprised not to have the prickling feeling along her neck. Maybe that only happened on first meetings.

  “Hi.”

  “Oh, hi. You’re Sorcha’s mom, from next door,” Vicky said, taking in the tired-looking woman in front of her. “Do you want some tea, you look exhausted.”

  “Oh, no thanks.” Sorcha’s mom dragged her hand through her hair. “Sorry, I should have smartened myself up before I came to see you.”

  “No,” Vicky said, touching her shoulder comfortingly. “I didn’t mean it like that.” She took a deep breath, held out her hand, and said, “Can I start again? I’m Vicky.”

  “Marla, and I’m sorry, I’m a bit cranky. Lack of sleep and nerves does that to me.” Marla smiled weakly.

  “I can only imagine, Listen, I have just made some tea if you want some,” Vicky said, gesturing inside. “It’s freezing out there, why don’t you step inside and then you can tell me what I can do for you.”

  “Oh, nothing. It was more me asking you if you wanted to spend Christmas with us. Lunch, anyway.”

  Vicky nearly dropped her mug of tea. “I … I don’t know what to say.”

  “Yes would be a good start, unless you’re already busy.”

  “No. I have no plans, as far as I know,” Vicky answered. It was the truth; she had only just met Dermot and although they were mates, he probably already had plans with his family over the holidays. Then she reminded herself she had come here to be alone, and to wallow in her self-pity. In the space of an hour, those plans seemed to have become distant memories.

  “Then say yes. Mrs. McKinley said she thought you were going to be lonely this Christmas. So why not join us, we’re a bit of a strange bunch. I think Mrs. McKinley chooses her guests in these cabins based on how weird they are. If you’re not strange, you’re not welcome.” Then her face fell. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply you were weird! It’s just, well, this is the kind of place you come to escape the world, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is,” Vicky said in a moment of frankness. She couldn’t help wonder what had happened to Marla and her daughter for them to end up here. “What can I bring?”

  “Oh, nothing. Mrs. McKinley is doing most of the cooking. We’ve become her surrogate family.” Marla wiped away a tear before it had a chance to run down her cheek. But Vicky saw it; she had shed enough tears over the last few weeks to understand the need to hide your emotions from people. “I’m very grateful to her.”

  Vicky wanted to ask what had happened to Marla and her daughter, but she knew it wasn’t any of her business. “Maybe I could get a gift for Sorcha instead?”

  “Oh, wow, that would be wonderful. You know, I haven’t had time to do much shopping for her this year. So I’m a bit short on gifts for her. The town has almost everything we need, but not a big toy store. She wanted one of those dolls every girl is after this year. They were all sold out by t
he time I got to the big toy store in the city.” Marla shook her head. “There are times when I feel I fail Sorcha every day. She is so brave.”

  Vicky felt her heart breaking for Marla. She couldn’t help drawing her into her arms and hugging her tightly. “I think you are mistaken; I am sure your daughter knows exactly how amazing her mom is.”

  A sob erupted from Marla, but she quickly got herself back under control. “I should go. Mrs. McKinley is looking after Sorcha, but she has so much else to do. Anyway, we look forward to seeing you Christmas Day. And I apologise in advance if we wake you too early. You know what kids are like after Santa’s been.”

  If Santa comes, Vicky thought. Then her old, familiar guilt caught hold of her, and she wanted to take back her acceptance of sharing Christmas with others. How would she be able to stand the disappointment on Sorcha’s face when there were no presents under the tree? When it was all her fault?

  “Thank you so much for asking me, Marla,” Vicky said politely.

  “If you’re free before then, come and say hello,” Marla said, pulling her coat around her as she went out of the door. “This snow looks set to continue, and we might get snowed in.”

  Vicky looked up at the heavy skies. “You might be right.” Would that serve as an excuse for Santa not showing up? No. Everyone believed in his magic. Everyone believed in Christmas. Everyone but you.

  “Hey, wait,” a voice called.

  She was just shutting the door when he came skidding across the courtyard. The snow had begun to settle again, making it icy and treacherous.

  “Oh. I didn’t … feel you coming,” she said, her hand going to the back of her neck and rubbing it. “Now I do.”

  “Weird, isn’t it?” he said, grinning. “Can I come in?”

  She still held the door half open, feeling nervous as he approached. He was everything a woman could ask for, and more. Tall, dark haired, cut short at the neck and sides. His shoulders were broad, just right for leaning on while curled up on the sofa in front of a roaring fire. She swallowed her desire.

  If she didn’t watch herself she would be dragging him off to bed right now. Not that he would mind: the look in his eye told her he felt exactly the same. Deep inside, her body stirred into life. He held a promise of a future filled with love and happiness; all she had to do was reach out and grab it.

  “Of course.” She pulled the door back open and stood to the side, allowing him to brush past her, setting her skin on fire. “Shall I take your coat?” And the rest of your clothes.

  “Thanks.” He shrugged out of his coat, and she took it from him and hung it on the hook by the door. Melted snow glistened on it like the stars on a dark, frosty night. She touched one of the droplets, feeling it cold on her fingertip. Would it be cold and frosty on Christmas Eve?

  “Can I get you anything?” she asked him.

  You, said the answer in his eyes.

  “Damn it. I should have brought some wine with me. But I didn’t have time to stop. Well, I didn’t want to spare the time,” he said hurriedly. “I was afraid you might have run away, or that I had imagined you.”

  “No. I’m here and very real.”

  He smiled, and her insides turned to liquid fire. Was it right for her to sleep with him although they had only just met? Who was she kidding, they had known each other their whole lives—or that was how it felt as she fell into his arms.

  Chapter Five – Dermot

  All of his Christmases had come at once, and his birthdays too. She was warm, curvy, with a voluptuous figure just right for him to hold in his arms. She sighed against his lips as they kissed, and any fears he had that she might not feel the same way about him were gone. Then again, they were bonded mates: they were born to be together, whether they liked it or not.

  But he liked her, and he planned to make her want him, love him, if that was possible. Then he wouldn’t have to settle for being an uncle; he would be a father. He imagined his little cubs running around excitedly at Christmas waiting for Santa to arrive.

  His cock hardened at the thought of putting a child in her belly.

  “Do you want to take it slow?” he asked.

  “No,” she said breathlessly. “I think we both want the same thing.”

  Yet he felt her apprehension. “I can wait. If you want to talk for a while, get to know each other.”

  “Don’t you want me?” she asked, her hand slipping down to curl around his cock.

  His breath hissed through his lips. “I want you more than you could ever know,” he said, his arms going around her and pulling her close. “But I don’t want you to regret this in the morning. We have the rest of our lives together; I can wait a little while if you want.”

  “Take me to bed, Dermot,” she said.

  He pulled back. “Wait, I don’t even know your name.”

  “Vicky. Vicky Vixen.” He smiled, as everyone did. “I know, stupid name, but I’m stuck with it.”

  “Until you marry me,” he said. “It’s very good to meet you, Vicky, and is that what you are? A vixen?”

  “No. I’m not.” She pulled his head down to hers and kissed him fiercely. He guessed she didn’t want to talk anymore, and although he wanted to know all he could about her, he wasn’t complaining when she allowed him to slide his tongue into her mouth.

  She tasted sweet on his tongue and smelled delicious, setting all his senses alight. His arousal grew, and he wanted her more than he had ever wanted anything in his whole life.

  “Bedroom?” he asked.

  “Through there,” she pointed, her voice breathy with desire.

  “Do you want us to go there now?” he asked, leaving the meaning hanging in the air.

  “Yes.” She took his hand and led him out of the living room and into her bedroom, making it clear that this was what she wanted. “Oh, I haven’t finished unpacking.” Her suitcase sat on her bed, open and half empty.

  “It doesn’t matter,” he answered, lifting the suitcase off and putting it on the chair, which stood in the corner of the room. “You won’t be needing your clothes. Any of them.”

  Dermot reinforced his words, lifting her sweater over her head. Vicky raised her arms, helping him. His fingers then set to work opening the buttons of her shirt, one at a time. She shuddered with desire when he pushed her shirt from her shoulders, leaving her standing before him with only her bra covering her breasts. When he lifted his hands to stroke his fingers along the swell of her breasts, they trembled slightly, his desire overcoming him.

  Lowering his head, he kissed her soft flesh, his hands going to the clasp of her bra. Dermot captured her breasts in his hands, her skin warm to his touch. “You are beautiful,” he said, massaging her breasts in his hands, his thumbs going to rub her nipples until they became hardened peaks.

  Then he couldn’t resist flicking his tongue over the taut buds, feeling her shiver with desire. Vicky threaded her hands around his neck, stroking his skin, holding his head in place. The thought that she was enjoying the feel of him as he licked and sucked her breasts made his cock harden and long for release. First, he wanted to make sure she was relaxed, wet and ready for him to enter her and make love to her until she cried out in ecstasy.

  Chapter Six – Vicky

  She knew it was moving too fast, but she couldn’t stop it, and didn’t want to stop it. If any of her normal, human friends had told her they had slept with a man they had only just met, she would have told them they were stupid. Yet here she was, half-naked, with Dermot sucking her breasts, making heat pool between her thighs and her clit ache for his mouth to lick her there too.

  Her cheeks flushed at the thought. That would be too much, too intimate. But damn it, if she didn’t want him to stroke and lick every part of her body.

  He broke away from her breasts, and she wanted to object, but when he stood before her and began to remove his clothes, she decided that seeing him naked was worth the loss, but only for a moment.

  First, he undid his shirt, and
her fingers itched to run across his smooth chest and touch his nipples; then she would follow the trail down lower, to touch his cock, which was bulging in his pants. No. Wait, he was undoing his belt and dropping his pants. She no longer had to imagine what he looked like.

  She didn’t have to worry about whether he wanted her, it was much too obvious. His huge cock was proud and erect in front of him. Vicky came towards him and reached out to touch him, fascinated by him. Silken skin covered a hard rod of desire; she stroked her hand up and down his length, listening to his sharp intakes of breath.

  “Why don’t you get naked too,” he whispered when he finally had some control over his emotions. His hands were fumbling as he tried to focus, while her hands stroked his cock. Then he hardened his resolve to undress her, and his hands went to her jeans and undid the button. Pushing them down off her hips, he let them fall to the floor. “Step out,” he commanded.

  She did as he asked, trying not to think about how naked she was, in front of this man who was a complete stranger. But he was her mate too. She had to keep telling herself that. They might have just met, but they were everything to each other. From the moment they met, they were each other’s world, and he might just be the thing to fill the emptiness in her heart.

  Dermot moved closer, his hands cupping her breasts, massaging them in his large hands. It felt divine, and the heat between her legs grew in intensity, her sex throbbing to be touched and teased in the same way. Although part of her wanted to draw back and hide from him.

  Inside her head, her reindeer stood alert, wanting to join with her mate, wanting to complete their relationship in the most primal way. Vicky wanted the same thing, and Dermot knew how to give her what she needed.

  He led her to the bed, easing her down and then lying next to her, stroking her skin, caressing her body with his fingers. She lay still, barely breathing as he brought her to the height of her arousal. She wanted him inside her.