Winter Wishes

by Vivian Arend, Vivi Andrews

  “Yeah?”

  “Did you hear he went ballistic when your mom and Aunt Janet arranged the party for the thirty-first?

  El grimaced. “Even my mom mentioned something, and she doesn’t usually comment about stuff like that. What’s up?”

  Kyle pointed at the screen. “Uncle Roy is involved in something big, and what’s more, he’s set up a meeting for New Year’s Eve. I have until tomorrow to decide if I should turn my uncle in or save his ass.”

  * * *

  They ate quietly while Kyle tried his best for a few minutes to forget his world had been torn in two. He wanted to enjoy El’s company. Just because he suspected his uncle had a lump of coal for a heart, she didn’t need to suffer through dinner with a man whose expression was enough to turn the meal to ash.

  “Do you have everything you need for tomorrow? Your dress fits? You’re happy with it?”

  El leaned back in her chair, cradling her wine glass in both hands. The red liquid swirled as she played with the goblet. “It’s amazing. I feel like a little girl dressing up in her mother’s fancy ball gown.”

  She turned her head to look out the window and Kyle stared in fascination at her profile. At the smooth curve of her cheek, the graceful line of her neck. He’d been looking forward to tonight so much before his awful discovery. The package he’d ordered on a whim had arrived, and he had hoped to make a little party of giving her a present.

  Right now he didn’t feel like partying.

  Still, he didn’t want to wait until tomorrow, and possibly have to fight her when their time was more limited. If they were going to have a brawl over his purchase, he’d like to do it now. “I have something for you.”

  Her wine glass returned carefully to the table, she raised a brow expectantly. “You do? Another set of skimpy lingerie?”

  “Am I so predictable?”

  The light in her eyes made him smile. “It’s not so much that you’re predictable as consistent.”

  Well, she had him there. The first night in the condo he’d had an online Victoria’s Secret shopping spree, and the boxes had been pretty much arriving steadily ever since. “No naughty underwear this time. Something to go with your dress, not under it. Give me a minute.”

  He returned from the bedroom with the box and her face fell. “Kyle, what’s that?”

  “I thought women were supposed to like blue boxes. Go on, open it.”

  He passed over the long slender container and was surprised to see her fingers shake slightly as she cracked it open. His gaze never left her face, so he caught the constantly changing emotions written there for him. Surprise, delight, shock…sadness? Damn it.

  He spoke quickly, before she could protest. “I didn’t think you’d feel comfortable wearing any of the family glitz, so I picked these out for you.”

  She lifted the strand of black pearls cautiously. “Is this real?”

  “Now don’t start rumbling about how much it cost and things like that. Not now. Please, just accept that I can afford it, and I’d love for you to wear them. For me.” Kyle squatted by her side, resting a hand on her thigh. “People will expect you to have jewelry, so in a way it’s part of the disguise. But…”

  He took the necklace from her and stood to fasten it for her. The dark pearls draped beautifully around her neck, the contrast with her warm skin making something inside him ache. He bent to press a kiss to her nape, hands resting lightly on her shoulders.

  Kyle took a deep, steadying breath. He’d never felt this way before. There was a kind of edgy fluttering in his belly, as if he was afraid, and yet all that filled his mind was how much he wanted to be with El.

  If she turned down his present, he wasn’t sure what he’d do.

  He needed this, an acceptance of who he was and what was important to him. In light of the ridiculous situation with the man who should be his role model now as far from it as possible, Kyle felt a deep need…to be needed. Accepted, even if it was for a bauble or trinket.

  El pressed a hand on top of his.

  “Thank you. They’re beautiful.” She whispered the words and he smiled at her, coming around to her side.

  “You show them off well.” He traced a finger along the strand, feeling the heat they’d already picked up from her body.

  El took a deep breath, her chest rising beneath his hand. She lifted her chin resolutely and stood. He stepped back to avoid crowding her and she held out her hand.

  “Come.”

  He frowned. “What’s up?”

  “I want to show you something.”

  Her hand in his was warm but firm as she led him back to the bedroom. When he was seated on the edge of the bed she lowered herself by his side and kissed his cheek softly.

  “Don’t say a word, okay?” she requested. “Just…feel.”

  Kyle bit back a groan as the back of her knuckles brushed his neck. She unbuttoned his shirt, stopping to drop a kiss against his chest. Slowly she revealed more of his skin until the fabric fell from his shoulders altogether. Her hands smoothed him, rubbing his tight neck muscles, petting him in all the right ways. He closed his eyes and tried to focus only on this moment. Her, here with him. The scent of good wine and cinnamon hanging on the air. The jazz he’d put on to play during dinner faint in the background. She undid his belt and zipper and helped him out of his pants and shorts, teasing brushes against his skin driving his desire for her higher.

  El stepped away and did a slow strip for him, her gaze clinging to his face as her top opened and fell to the floor. Another red bra…He hadn’t ordered nearly enough of them, not with the way the tiny cups pushed her breasts up, the edges of her nipples peeking at him over the far-too-low edge of the fabric.

  She shrugged off one shoulder strap, then the other before reaching behind her. The cups fell away, her tight nipples springing into sight, and suddenly he was hungry all over again. She wiggled down the short skirt she wore, shimmied the panties away and reached for the sky as she stretched. It was an innately catlike move, a sensual display of her body for his enjoyment—and her own, if her grin was anything to judge by. She pivoted on the spot, the rounds of her ass cheeks flexing, the warmth of her skin in the flickering Christmas lights making her the prettiest and most erotic decoration he’d ever seen.

  When she moved forward, the only things she wore were the strand of dark pearls and a lust-filled smile.

  They moved together on the bed, finding new ways to touch and be touched. Kyle licked along her collarbone; she cupped his ass in her hands then scratched her way up his entire back. He rolled her over him, then under, dropping to kiss her belly and inner thighs before paying attention to the smooth needy place between her legs. He couldn’t get enough of her cream, the liquid from her body better than the Shiraz they’d shared at dinner. She took back control and engulfed him with her mouth and he shouted loud enough the walls echoed. When she finally straddled him and eased herself onto his aching shaft they both groaned in relief. Slow, even movements followed as she rode him, her body taking him in, squeezing him tight. Her eyes, mesmerizing and wide, held his gaze like a magnet. He couldn’t turn away, not to admire the breasts he cupped, not to watch where she slipped around him so intimately. All the rest became purely physical sensations because all he saw was what she shared through her eyes.

  She cared. It was more than being a cat, more than being a friend, more than…this moment.

  Kyle cupped her face in his hands and pulled her against him, unable to maintain the intimacy of her gaze any longer. Instead, he used his mouth, connecting them. He used his hips, pressing again and again into her welcoming heat, and when she clutched around him with her orgasm, it made him so damn happy he could die.

  One more roll brought her back under him, her body still squeezing him tight, and he dropped his head to her shoulder and resumed control. Pressing into her deep, joining them together, and when he came, deep inside her, it wasn’t only their bodies that connected, it felt as if a bit of his soul wa
s with her as well.

  Chapter Nine

  Kyle nodded politely to yet another well-wisher, his fingers threatening to grow sticky where they clung to El’s. “Do you see him yet?” he whispered out the side of his mouth.

  “Not a sign. Are you sure…?”

  “Yes.” No. At this point Kyle wasn’t sure about anything.

  “We saw him at the start.”

  Yeah, Uncle Roy had been around when they’d arrived at the party, doing the head-of-the-clan thing. Luckily, Jake and Conner had shown up and distracted them all before Kyle said something he shouldn’t have.

  Speak of the devil.

  His oldest brother, Jake, his kilt flapping regally about his knees, wove his way to where he and El stood on display. Something between a shiver of disgust and one of pride hit Kyle as he saw another family member in the traditional Branegan ceremonial attire. It certainly wasn’t anything he’d want to wear on a daily basis, but the look El had given him when he dressed in the kilt and gear had been mighty distracting. That was a consideration for another time though. Right now he needed to not think about how soft her fingers were in his, or how much he’d like to have her run those soft fingers up under his kilt to discover what he’d hidden beneath it.

  Damn, what was he concentrating on again?

  Jake waved and Kyle snapped to attention. The time for the next part of the plan approached. In another ten minutes they’d be able to make a break for it and proceed. First a formal dance, then deal with Uncle Roy. El and he had talked through the plan all morning long, and it was as good as it was going to get since she refused to stay out of it. Actually, he looked forward to having her help. Maybe his days as a Lone Ranger Cougar were over. A trickle of an idea had floated through his mind the past couple days. He’d have to talk to his superiors and see what they thought of him taking a cohort in the SIC. El would make a dandy undercover partner, in more ways than one.

  “You kids look good together.” The rough timbre of Jake’s voice brought back so many memories. Kyle might not want to live in his brothers’ pockets, but he did enjoy their company, in small doses. “El, you make that dress look fabulous.”

  “You’re not bad yourself,” El said, and Kyle took an instinctive step closer.

  Jake laughed. “Cool it, bro, I’m not looking to steal your girl. You do the settling down thing, not me. That trap is not going to catch this cougar.”

  Under his grasp, El stiffened, and Kyle rubbed her back soothingly. “You never know. When it’s right, it’s right.” He bit back a cry of pain as El pinched his butt, hard. The kilt he wore offered little protection.

  Okay, stopping the teasing now.

  Kyle looked Jake over. “Not that I’m making any demands, mind you, but any plans for taking over from Uncle Dearest soon? I hear you’re well on the way.”

  Jake’s brow rose. “You’ve never expressed interest before. Why ask now? You planning on moving permanently into the area? Want a piece of the family territory?”

  Not in this lifetime. “No, just thinking of the clans, that kind of thing.”

  A solid blow landed on his back as Jake stood beside him and thumped him hard. “I am taking over—when the time is right. Though you and the old guy don’t get along too well, so far he’s not doing a bad job. I figure I’ll make my move during the next year. You know cats. If I do anything too fast, half of the clan will think I’m not established enough, and that I’m offering myself up for a coup. I’d prefer to avoid that.”

  Me too, buddy. Kyle let go of El’s hand and impulsively hugged his brother. “You’re going to do great.”

  A series of rapid tugs on his kilt brought his attention back to El, the brilliant red of her silky dress against her smooth skin making his mouth water in spite of the whole situation.

  “He’s back,” she whispered.

  Jake nodded politely as Kyle excused them and led El onto the dance floor. She settled into his arms and it was scary how natural it felt to have her there.

  “You ready to roll?” He lifted her chin, staring into her eyes. “You’ve got the tough job.”

  She waggled her brows at him. “My job? Piece of cake. Just reassure me once more that you’re certain you’ve got more authority than him. If he uses the bad-ass shifter power on us, I don’t want to be ordered down because you’re subservient.”

  Kyle shook his head. “He’s ruling now because he had to, but I’m direct bloodline. Even back at the house last week, couldn’t you tell? I’m stronger than him. I won’t call him out in public, I don’t want to rule. Jake’s stuck with that nightmare, but I’m definitely strong enough to back you up and control him if needed.”

  They swayed together on the floor another minute or two, nodding politely to the other couples crowded around. As fake engagement parties went, it wasn’t bad. It was interesting to see the people who had dropped everything to join in. Kyle held El close. He could kinda maybe even get used to this. Having El around.

  Uncle Roy checked his watch again, and Kyle swore. “We’re cutting it close. Let’s get into position.”

  Lips, soft and warm, pressed against his, and he reveled in the sensation. El drew back, a soft smile on her face. “For luck.”

  They strolled casually off the dance floor, fingers linked together, and headed down the long hall leading to the elevators. Anyone watching would assume they were headed to their room, maybe for a bit of fooling around before midnight struck. It only took a moment for Kyle to get into position, watching as El smoothed her dress over her hips. He shoved down the interest that rose in a rush. Now was not the time to think about his need to bend her over something and fuck her silly. Although that was another definite benefit of having to wear a kilt in the traditional tartan for the party…

  “Excuse me, sir.” El’s clear voice cut through the party noise carrying from the main ballroom. Kyle pressed back farther into the shadows as she met Uncle Roy in the middle of the hall. “Could I have a moment?”

  The man stopped, his shoulders slightly drooped. He didn’t look nearly as in control and mean as Kyle remembered.

  “Young lady. What can I do for you?”

  Kyle frowned. All the bluster and big-cat-around-town was missing. This wasn’t his uncle, this was some sad old dude shuffling to the corner coffee shop to play solitaire for hours. Jake had better be ready to take over the clan ASAP.

  El sidled up to him and hooked her arm through his. “I thought we should have a little talk. I feel as if we got off on the wrong foot at my parents’, but I wanted…” She hesitated, and Kyle wondered what was wrong. Stick to the plan, woman. Spit it out. She cleared her throat. “I wanted to tell you how much your nephew means to me. He’s a good man.”

  Crap, she was good at this. Kyle was impressed with the emotion and sincerity she managed to get into her voice.

  Uncle Roy took a deep breath. All the gruffness he’d displayed earlier was gone, and he patted El’s hand kindly. “I’m glad. He and I have had our differences over the years, but I do care about the boy. Hate to see him making mistakes that will jeopardize him, and you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  El laughed, the bright sound wrapped with a tinge of pain on the edges. “Funny, that’s what he said about you.” They were directly across from the target location, as planned, and El drew to stop. She turned to face him and shook her head sadly. “I have no idea where things went wrong between the two of you, but trust me when I say this is for your own good.” She patted his hand where it lay on top of hers.

  Uncle Roy jolted upright and swore. He wavered on his feet for a second. “Damn it, girl, what have you done?”

  El caught him as the man collapsed to the ground, limbs falling askew.

  Kyle raced down the hall just in time to yank open the door and haul his uncle into the closet. “You managed to drug him without me even spotting it. Where’d you get him?”

  “Inside of the arm. He probably thought I accidentally pinched him when I took his arm.�
�� She kept speaking even as they arranged his uncle’s boneless limbs carefully. “There was something weird about the situation though. He sure didn’t act like the kingpin of some criminal organization about to loose a nasty drug on the unsuspecting shifter world.”

  Yeah, Kyle had his doubts, but this was not the time to try to figure it out. “If he’s in deep, he’d have to be good at acting. Come on, he’s out for the next hour, right?”

  “Should be, I adjusted the tranq dosage for my best guess of his weight.” She wrinkled her nose as she stared down at the inert body. “Still think there’s something weird going on.”

  He tugged her from the confining quarters and used the deadbolt, pocketing the key. “I’ll head down to the parkade. You shift and meet me there in five, right?”

  She nodded and disappeared into the washroom.

  * * *

  It seemed to take hours to slip silently to the lowest level and the farthest section of the hotel parking lot. There were few cars in the isolated area, the partygoers abandoning this section for easier and more accessible stalls for after their New Year’s champagne imbibing. Kyle let his eyes adjust to the dim light, staying well back from where the meeting was scheduled to occur. Sometime in the past couple days Uncle Roy had switched the meeting to this location—probably to allow him to slip away from the party unnoticed.

  Across the expanse a tawny face appeared as El showed herself to him briefly before tucking her cougar body behind a support pillar.

  They sat. The timer ticking down in his mind lent a strange resonance to the thoughts flashing through his brain. The disappointments of his youth, the wild living he’d enjoyed over the past years as he worked for the CSI.

  El.

  The cases he’d been on over the years, some easy, some more difficult. Some risking life and limb, although never when he had a partner, or someone he cared about with him.

  Like El.

  The image of her smile as she stalked across the room toward him, her naked body his to enjoy, flashed to mind. She’d jumped right in and embraced her cat side and he’d been more than grateful to be the recipient of such amorous attention. Whatever El did, she did one hundred percent.