by R. E. Butler
She turned to face the wall. “I know. I want fast.”
He pushed down his pants, freeing his erection that had roared to life the moment he scented her arousal. He stepped close to his mate, feeling the heat of her skin as he ran his fingers over her hips and belly before curling them around her inner thighs and pulling her back toward him. She braced her hands on the wall and spread her legs as far as she could with her pants around her ankles. He slid his hands up her thighs slowly, until his fingers brushed against her pussy and found her wet and hot. With one hand, he spread her lips open, baring her as he ran his fingers over her clit. He wanted to play with her for hours, to see how many times he could make her come, but she wanted fast, and he wanted to give her everything she desired.
He grasped his cock, positioning himself at her entrance, and then ramming into her. She gasped sharply and then moaned, her body gripping him tightly. He grabbed her hips, pressing his body to hers as tightly as he could, and then he pulled out. Waiting only a moment before surging back in, he set up a hard rhythm to drive them both to the edge. Her nails dug into the wall board, her sweet mewls of pleasure making him crazy as he fucked her hard and fast.
A flood of heat washed over his cock, and he couldn’t stop himself from coming, his rhythm faltering as he roared out his pleasure and dropped his head to her shoulder. She was breathing hard, but he knew she hadn’t come, which was unacceptable. He pulled from her and spun her to the wall, grabbing her wrists with one hand and raising them above her head to the wall. He surged his fingers into her pussy, rubbing her clit with his thumb as swiftly as he’d been fucking her. Her hips moved with his fingers, meeting him as he worked her hard, curling his fingers inside her pussy with each thrust until her back bowed and her body went taut as she cried out. She came hard, her pussy gripping his fingers like a fist as her clit swelled under his thumb. She moaned his name as he slowed his fingers and drew her down from the heavens.
With his fingers buried in her wet heat, he looked down at his sweetheart as she sagged against the wall, the scent of their pleasure saturating the air around them and the shine of happiness glinting in her eyes. He’d known her a day and a half, but in his heart, he felt like he’d known her his whole life.
“I love you, Dreama.”
She let out a happy sigh. “I love you, too.”
He wiggled his fingers in her pussy, and she moaned and then lightly laughed.
“Mine,” he said, pulling his fingers free and sucking her sweet arousal into his mouth.
She tugged her hands free from his grip and wrapped her arms around his neck. Kissing him, she said, “I have the sexiest mate on the planet. You have no idea how much you rocked my world.”
“I do because you rocked mine, too. And you’re wrong at any rate, because I have the sexiest mate in the world.”
“Let’s call it a tie.”
He hugged her close, aware of the chill in the room now that the heat of passion was over.
Someone knocked on the front door.
Dreama stiffened. “Um, are you expecting someone?”
“No. It’s probably one of the guys on patrol. Let’s get dressed.”
They hurriedly righted their clothing and grabbed the lanterns. When he opened the front door, he was temporarily blinded by a flashlight.
“Oops, sorry,” Vaughn said.
“Hey,” Roi said, “did we set off an alarm or something?”
“Not exactly. I was on patrol when Jack called from the security room and said that there were suspicious lights in one of the cabins. Since it wasn’t one that you were supposed to be looking at, he asked me to check it out. I already radioed that it’s just you two enjoying what I suspect is your new home.”
Dreama chuckled. “Thanks for waiting outside and not coming in.”
Vaughn put up his hand with a snort. “I’m not an idiot. Walking into the midst of a mated couple enjoying themselves is not remotely what I want to do. Plus, Roi might kill anyone who sees you naked, and I happen to like living.”
“I’d probably just maim you,” Roi said.
“Oh, that’s comforting.” Vaughn said. “Congratulations on the new place.”
“We still have to clear it with SC,” Roi said as he and Dreama turned off the lanterns and set them on the table. He helped Dreama hop down to the ground, and then he closed and locked the front door.
“He’d let you guys have any cabin. My dad’s been working on this one, but it’s been put on hold to finish the others that are closer to being done.”
“What does your father do?” Dreama asked.
“He’s a builder, but he specializes in masonry, so he does all the fireplace work. Now he’s laying flooring in the other cabins, though. If he were asked to come back and work on this fireplace, I’m sure he’d be thrilled.”
“We’ll check with SC and then talk to your dad,” Roi said.
“Are you guys going to look at any others?” Vaughn asked.
“We’re going to my folks for breakfast. Dreama’s dad is going to be leaving NPC in a couple hours, so we want to spend time with him.”
“Cool. I’ll see you guys later.”
“Thanks, Vaughn,” Dreama said.
They parted ways, heading to his parents’ home. While Dreama spent most of the time talking to her father, Roi talked to his parents about the cabin and finishing it themselves.
Dreama rested her hand on Roi’s knee and said, “It’s almost time for my father to leave.”
Roi stood and shook Sandy’s hand. His father-in-law looked at him for a quiet moment and then said, “Take good care of my little girl.”
“With my life.”
Sandman smiled and gave Dreama a tight hug. “Honey, I’m so happy for you. I’ll see you on Christmas Eve. Bright and early.”
“I’ll video call you as soon as the security team uploads the software onto my laptop.”
“It should only be a day or two,” Roi said. The team had to first clear any tracking information from her laptop, and then they would install the specially created video call program that was untraceable.
“Good luck with the house.” Sandy said.
“I’ll miss you, Dad. Love you.”
“I love you, too.”
With a flourish of golden sand, he disappeared, and Dreama stared at the empty space, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Roi hugged her. He didn’t really know what to say because he knew she was grieving the loss of the closeness with her father. She couldn’t go see him whenever she wanted.
“Did I ever say thank you?” he murmured after his parents left the family room, giving them privacy.
“For what?”
“For choosing me.”
She sniffled and looked up at him. “How could I not choose you? We’re mates.”
“I know. But even before we knew it was possible for you to stay in NPC, you still tried to figure out a way to be here. You chose me and my world, when it would have been easier for you to just accept me joining your world.”
“I don’t think it would have been easier, though. I feel very connected to this place. It might have been the simpler choice, but it certainly wouldn’t have been easy. Either way, one of us was giving up one home for another. A loss is a loss.”
“Are you okay?”
“Of course.” She blinked rapidly and sniffled again. “Well, I’m kind of sad, but I’m mostly excited to go talk to SC about our new cabin. And I want to talk to Vaughn’s father. I saw this fireplace online once. It was super romantic.”
“How is a fireplace romantic?”
“It helped that whoever took the picture had covered the floor in front of it with rose petals and beautiful wrought iron candelabras on either side.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“It will be.”
He called to his parents, who returned to the family room. “We’re going to SC’s.”
“Come by for dinner on Sunday,” his mom said. “It’s a family tradition.”
&n
bsp; Roi helped Dreama on with her coat and said to his mom, “I heard that the unmated males and females eat in the commissary.”
“A lot of mated couples do, too,” she said.
“I don’t really know how to cook. I’m a big fan of takeout, but there’s not exactly a fast food place around the corner. Would you mind teaching me how to make some recipes?”
“I’d love to,” Genevieve said. “If you come a little early on Sunday, I’ll show you how to stuff pork chops. It’s one of Roi’s favorites.”
“That’s wonderful. Thank you.”
His mate and mom hugged goodbye, and Roi kissed his mom on the cheek and said goodbye to his dad. They left the warmth of his childhood home, and he took Dreama’s hand as they hurried to SC’s house so they could talk to the boss about the cabin. It didn’t surprise him that SC and Mrs. C were more than happy to let them have the cabin that was Dreama’s choice. While they shared hot chocolate and warm-from-the-oven sugar cookies, SC called the head of the builders’ guild and asked them to put a rush on the cabin.
“Don’t forget about the romantic fireplace,” Dreama said.
Mrs. C smiled knowingly. “I’ll bet you’ll need some candles.”
“And rose petals,” Dreama said.
“Vaughn’s dad may be able to do something creative with the fireplace bricks,” Roi said. “Like a special design or type of brick, maybe a wide hearth?”
“That would be awesome,” Dreama said.
SC nodded. “I’m sure that Graham would be thrilled to do a custom design for you two. When we had ours redone a few years ago, he went out into the forest and cut down the tree for the mantel himself.”
“What do we do about furniture? It’s not like we can order online and have it shipped up here,” Dreama said.
“The builders’ guild has a warehouse of furniture to choose from,” Mrs. C said. “Some of the builders prefer making furniture over building the houses, and if you have a specific style or color in mind, you just give them enough notice to take care of it for you. If they don’t have what you want, you’d have to put an order in with the guild master who runs the warehouse, and they can pick up what’s needed on Christmas Eve.”
“There’s a lot to do between now and then,” Roi said. “Before we know it, we’ll be getting ready for the run.”
“I can’t wait,” Dreama said.
“I can’t either,” Roi promised.
Not only would he get to make the children of the world happy by being part of the sleigh team but his mate was the first female aside from Mrs. C who would be allowed in the sleigh with SC for the run.
“Hopefully the cabin will be finished soon,” SC said. “I’m sure it’s not ideal to live in the barracks.”
“It’s no problem,” Dreama said. “We’ll get our dream home soon enough. A little wait will make it even better.”
Roi just hoped it wouldn’t be too long. He wanted to have fun in the other rooms of the cabin, too. Especially in front of the romantic fireplace, complete with rose petals and burning candles, just like his mate envisioned.
The rest of the day was spent meeting with the builders, particularly Graham, who offered to sketch fireplace designs for Dreama to choose from, and then they’d eaten dinner at Mire and his mate, Noelle’s home. By the time Roi and Dreama made their way to their room, it was late and they were both exhausted. They stripped and collapsed into bed, cuddling under the covers while stifling yawns.
“I’m excited for the stuff that’s coming in the next couple of months,” she said. “But I already got my Christmas wish, which is you.”
“You’re too sweet.”
“Honest.”
“I got mine, too. A sexy dream walker who loves romantic fireplaces.”
She laughed. “Not as much as I love you.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
“Goodnight, Roi. Sweet dreams.”
“As long as I’ve got you in my arms, my dreams will always be sweet.”
Chapter 9
Dreama smiled at her father as he opened the Christmas gift she’d brought for him from NPC. Roi sat next to her, with his arm on the back of the couch behind her and a cup of coffee in his hand. She tucked her feet under her and leaned against him, smiling as her father opened the old-fashioned pajama set that included a matching robe and nightcap.
“Oh!” he said with a laugh. “I haven’t had a nightcap in a hundred years! I love it, honey. It’s perfect.”
“I’m glad you like it. I made the cap. I’m still learning how to sew.”
“Well, well,” he said, putting on the cap and playfully flicking the pointed end. “You’re learning to sew? That’s wonderful.”
“And I can cook,” she said. “Well, at least some dishes. I’m still learning.”
He smiled. “I’m so happy you’re enjoying living up North. I miss you.” He paused for a moment and added, “Do you remember the little boy on your route who had scary clown dreams?”
She nodded. “I’ve wondered about him since I’ve been gone.”
“I’ve been checking in on him, and the dreams are all good now.”
“That’s a relief.”
A timer beeped, and Sandman said, “The rolls are done. I’ll be right back.”
When he left them alone in the living room, she lifted her head and smiled at Roi. “Merry Christmas Eve,” she said.
“Same to you, my sweet Dreama.” He kissed her, lingering only a brief moment, before nipping her bottom lip with a soft growl and letting her see his beasts as his eyes changed color.
“I love that.”
“They love you.”
“I love you and them.”
Her father came into the room with a plate of fresh cinnamon rolls, and the sweet and spicy scent filled the air.
“Oh yum,” she said, sitting up and lifting one from the plate. Taking a bite, she murmured another yum.
“These are great, Sandy,” Roi said.
“Thanks. I found a little shop on my route yesterday, and I brought them home to reheat for our breakfast.”
“They’re excellent,” Dreama said.
When they’d eaten their fill of the sticky treats, her father handed her and Roi a large box.
“Wait,” Dreama said. “Before we open this, we have some news.”
His brows rose.
She glanced at Roi, who smiled in encouragement.
“I’m pregnant.”
“Wonderful! I’m going to be a grandpa!”
Dreama handed the box to Roi and stood to hug her father.
“Feel free to name him Sandy.”
“Um, we’ll see.”
Sandman laughed, and they sat down. “Now before you open that, I want you to know that I’m not psychic.”
She raised her brows in question as Roi placed the box back on her lap. Dreama pulled off the blue velvet ribbon and lifted the lid. She pushed aside layers of white tissue paper and found baby gifts. Footy pajamas, adorable outfits, stuffed toys, and a pair of hiking boots, size zero.
She lifted the boots from the box, her eyes stinging with happy tears. “Dad? How did you know?”
He smiled broadly. “I just had a feeling. Like the one I had when I knew you should go to NPC in my place. I may be on to something here. Maybe I should play the lottery.”
She moved to where he sat in his favorite recliner and hugged him. “Thank you, Dad. You’re the best father, and you’re going to be the best grandpa.”
“Next Christmas you can bring your little one, right?”
Roi nodded as she sat back down. “Of course.”
“And I can stay the night here with the baby. Roi can come back after the run to pick us up.”
“Wonderful! I’ll get to give my grandkid sweet Christmas dreams.”
The rest of the day passed quickly, and before long, she was saying goodbye and trying not to be too emotional.
“I’m only two months pregnant,” she said, wiping at the tears. “I
didn’t think the emotional stuff would show up so fast.”
Her father hugged her a little tighter and chuckled. “I’ll talk to you soon. I want to know how the ride goes tonight.”
“I’m so excited. I’ll call you tomorrow before you leave for work.”
After another round of goodbyes, she moved into Roi’s embrace, blew her father a kiss, and transported home with her mate.
“We’ve got two hours,” Roi said, glancing at the bed.
“Don’t you have some gear to check?” she asked playfully, dropping her coat to the floor.
“In a bit. It’s our first Christmas Eve. We have to make love. I’m pretty sure it’s a law.”
“If it isn’t, it should be.”
* * *
Roi kissed his mate one more time as he stood in the stall, ready to change into his form. Lan, one of the elves in charge of the sleigh team, stood to the side, holding the harness and tapping his foot impatiently.
“I swear,” he muttered, “you newly mated quads are always dawdling.”
Dreama smiled at Lan. “Sorry.”
He sniffed. “It’s not you who won’t shift.”
“All right, all right,” Roi said. “One more kiss.”
“You said that ten minutes ago,” Dreama said. She giggled and kissed him, then stepped back to watch him change form.
Although his favorite shift was the polar bear, Dreama’s was the reindeer. One of the first times she’d seen him shift was into his reindeer form, and he’d taken her for a trip around NPC.
He changed forms swiftly and shook himself out, banging his antlers on the sides of the stalls as he stamped his hooves.
“I love your antlers,” she said, grabbing hold of them lightly. “I hope our sons are all quads. It would be so cool for you and our son to be on the team together.”
“That’s never been done,” Lan said as he put Roi’s harness on. “But it’s a really sweet idea. Maybe it will happen with this new generation.”
“Hey,” Rhys said as he stopped in front of the stall, “have either of you seen Declan?”
Roi shook his head.
Dreama said, “No. But you should check with Mrs. C because when we checked in with security this morning before going to my father’s, I saw them talking on one of the monitors.”
