The Snow Leopard's Christmas Surprise

by Emilia Hartley

  Nick shrugged. “Sure.” He bristled a bit at the thought of Jo working so hard to play nice, but calmed himself down. She was willing to make the effort because that’s the type of person she was. He just hoped Tom wouldn’t be rude to her this time. If he was really going through with this mate thing, he needed his brother to accept it as much as he did.

  He watched Jo chew on her lip. “That fight, Nick… was it about me?” she asked cautiously. “I kind of get the vibe that he doesn’t really like me being around.”

  Nick mouth twisted for a moment. He thought of how to work things and keep them vague. His bear huffed. “It’s not that, Jo. To be honest, he’s just concerned about you. It can get pretty dangerous here.” All of that was true, technically, just not for the reasons Jo might think.

  “You mean like with the bears?”

  “Definitely like with the bears.”

  “Why was he so angry with you, then?” she asked.

  Nick rubbed her ankle in small circles, averting his gaze, slightly. “I told him that I didn’t think the bears would come near the cabin. I’d insisted you’d be safe.”

  “I didn’t get hurt,” she pointed out.

  “Yeah, but you should have never been in danger in the first place,” he replied quickly. “That’s on me.”

  “Hey, you were only trying to help me out of the kindness of your heart, Nick. I won’t fault you for that,” she assured.

  “I am really sorry for that, Jo,” he murmured solemnly.

  “Didn’t you just hear me? There will be no more of that. There’s nothing to apologize for.” She smiled. “There was no way for you to know that wild bears were going to rampage your cabin, you know?” She shrugged, her smile growing to a grin. “First my car, and now the cabin. Maybe I’m just a secret bear magnet!”

  Nick wanted to laugh with her, but unease flip-flopped in his stomach. All of it had been totally been his fault—both the cabin and her car.

  She gave him a shy glance, sipping again on her mug. “You’re still… staying the night, right?” she asked quietly. “Or is Tom…”

  “Oh, Tom’s fine with it,” Nick lied quickly. “Really. We got out all our anger, and by tomorrow morning, we’ll be back to our old chummy selves as we work on your car, guaranteed. You have nothing to worry about. I promise.”

  “Cool,” she said, an air of relief about her. She stood. “Now let’s go get some Chinese. I’m starving.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jo leaned on the counter, gazing up at the menu. “What does Tom normally get?”

  Venison, raw and freshly killed, Nick thought to himself, hiding his grin. “Chow Mein.”

  “Good choice,” she quipped, grinning.

  “Sweet and sour for me,” Nick said, never taking his eyes off Jo. She seemed in high spirits tonight, more relaxed with less tension.

  “Will you stop watching me,” she said out of the corner of her mouth. “I’m trying to order here.”

  Nick grinned, allowing his eyes to travel down the length of her lean body. “I can’t help it,” he murmured, making her blush.

  “I thought you said this was a bad idea,” she whispered.

  He shrugged, truly feeling at peace with his decision. “All good things are worth playing the odds.” He saw her excitement shiver up her spine, instantly detecting her arousal. She licked her lips and began to focus too intently on the menu.

  A growl of pleasure rattled in Nick’s chest, anticipating the night to come. Let’s just get back to the cabin, he told his bear. He could wait that long, at least.

  Jo finally decided on orange chicken, paying quickly as they bagged the food. Nick received that bag, waving at the familiar faces as they exited the restaurant.

  They’d stopped by the mechanic shop, as planned, but Tom was nowhere to be found, his car missing from the lot. Nick wasn’t really worried about him; he often drove deeper into the woods when he wanted to hunt. They placed his food in the back room in a little fridge, Jo leaving him a little note on the table so he knew they’d brought him something.

  As they headed out, they passed by Jo’s car. Tom had said he’d have the lights fixed by tonight, but one was still very clearly busted. With an inward groan, Nick told himself he’d have to have another talk with Tom about letting personal spats get in the way of a deadline.

  “Okay, note’s finished. We should probably get going huh?” Jo asked, voice only slightly suggestive of things to come.”

  Nick grinned in response, snaking his arm around her waist and nearly lifting her off her feet. “Of course. I’m practically starving.”

  “Careful!” she laughed. “I know you’re… hungry, but let’s at least wait until we’re back at the cabin!”

  ***

  Nick was impressed by his restrain as they made it back to the cabin. He and Jo had managed to eat dinner, drink a couple of glasses of wine, and even allowed themselves some quiet time to digest their meal with little to no sexual escapades. Hell, he even had time to get the front door firmly reattached to the frame.

  If he had to admit, part of him was terrified about taking the next step. Doubt worried his every movement, and he wanted it to be perfect. Slow and steady was his mantra as the night unfolded before them, and de decided he’d wait for her to make the first move.

  Currently, Jo was reading the book she’d read to him earlier, tucked comfortable into the reading nook. It seemed to be her favorite place. He’d noticed that she’d been passing sidelong glances at him more and more as the night grew longer, and he figured any moment now, the world would change for them forever.

  Just as he’d convinced himself to relax back into his chair a far off roar pierced his ears. Not just any roar.

  Tom.

  Jo looked up from her book, mild alarm on her face. “Bear?” Nick nodded. “Is everything okay?” she asked, walking to him when he didn’t answer.

  Nick sprang from his seat almost immediately, his lips peeling back into a feral snarl. He absently heard Jo gasp in shock, no doubt surprised by his bear showing, but it was something too far beyond his control at this point. His brother was issuing a challenge and he was obligated to accept.

  “Nick!” she called tentatively. “Are you okay?”

  He already headed for the door. There was no quelling the bear this time; it would not sleep. He could only hope that he’d get far enough away so that Jo wouldn’t be able to see him shift. “I need to go,” he said through clenched teeth. “Gonna make sure that bear isn’t coming this way.”

  “Nick, it’s—”

  He didn’t wait for her to finish her sentence, as he stomped to the door, throwing it open behind him so hard that it rattled on its newly attached hinges.

  He caught his brother’s scent as he undressed, his anger boiling over so that the bear practically exploded from his skin. Snarling, he ran into the woods, gunning straight for Tom.

  He wasn’t far off, waiting for Nick to meet him deep in the forest.

  “What the hell are you doing, Tom?” Nick snapped.

  “Showing you just how stupid you’re being,” Tom growled back. “How close were you to changing in front of her? Of losing control and outing all our secrets?”

  Nick recalled the bear trying to claw its way out of his skin right there in the sitting room, the look of shock on Jo’s face as he snarled. “You tried to force me to change in front of Jo? Are you insane?” Nick roared.

  “It’s the only way to get you to see reason, Nick!” The two bears started to slowly circle each other. “This is the only way I know left to get through to you!”

  With no warning, Nick lunged for Tom, his teeth snapping viciously as his roar tore through the trees.

  ***

  Nick wasn’t sure how long the fight lasted, but as they both lay exhausted in the damp undergrowth, he knew he’d feel the aftereffects of this brawl in the morning. He wanted to keep going, to fight fang over fang for his right to mate Jo, but his body would fight no more. H
e could barely manage to wobble to his feet, stalking slowly back in the direction of the cabin.

  “You’re going back?” he heard behind him.

  “Just leave me alone.” He didn’t look back.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jo paced up and down the cabin, hoping that Nick was okay. The memory of his face, contorted in some sort of rage before he stormed out the cabin… the very thought of it made her shudder.

  Finally, the door swung open, Nick kicking off his shoes as he stepped inside looking completely exhausted.

  “Oh my goodness,” Jo exclaimed, running over to him. “Are you okay?”

  “Can you lock the door?” he asked, chest heaving as he staggered to the sofa. Jo obliged, locking and bolting the door tightly behind him.

  “Is everything else locked?” Jo nodded yes, though she didn’t see much of a point to locking things up when the peep windows on with side of the front door were little more than plastic wrap and duct tape.

  She sat down next to him, eyeing him worriedly. “Are you okay?” she repeated.

  “I’m fine,” he replied, looking exactly the opposite of fine. He leaned his head back against the top of the sofa, slumping into the cushions. “Just tired.”

  “Did you get rid of them?”

  “Who?” Nick asked, looking at her through slit eyes.

  She paused. “The bears you went after?”

  “Oh. Right,” Nick remembered. “Yeah, I did.”

  “Did you like… chase ‘em off or something?” Despite her obvious worry for his fatigue, she couldn’t help but notice the way the thin fabric of his shirt clung to his sweaty muscled chest as he panted for air.

  “Yeah,” he breathed. “Something like that.” He allowed himself a few gasps of air before he stood. It was slow and looked kind of painful. “I’m going to go take a shower before I sweat all over everything.” Without so much as a backward glance, he ascended the stairs. Jo heard the bathroom door close, closely followed by the spurt of the shower faucet.

  Jo let out a slow, long breath, her slowly building heat for him cooled by his complete lack of interest. Had something changed between their trip to get Chinese and now? Had chasing bears really sucked that much life out of him?

  She’d realized about half way through dinner that he was waiting for her to make the first move, and had planned it for when she was finished with her second glass of wine. He’d left half way through glass number two, and now he was like this. Confusion cooled her senses as she pondered her next move.

  Part of her definitely wanted to follow him to the stairs, to waltz right into the bathroom and join him in the shower. But if he had wanted her to do that, wouldn’t he have at least beckoned her or given her at least the slightest glance? What if she went to join him and he got angry? What if he pushed her away? What if—

  “Holy crap,” she muttered to herself, an epiphany dawning. “I’m treating Nick like Brian.” All the pieces clicked into place. She was finally doing something she found joy in, and slowly she was trying to backpedal and be complacent for fear of being rejected and opposed.

  She shook her head. The world was full of people like Brian, the status quo and no room for change types. They’d rather leave the risk-taking in dreamland and are completely okay with doing just enough to get by. If there’s one thing she’d learned from Nick… he definitely wasn’t a Brian. Nick had been the one to tell her that she needed to make changes in her life. He told her she should take risks. And he was definitely a risk worth taking.

  Excitement and heat burned anew, coiling deep in her belly as she crept up the stairs. Her breath quickened with each step, her fingers trembling with anticipation. Finally, she stood before the bathroom door. She knew if she didn’t move quickly, she’d likely let her cowardice get the better of her. After three deeps breaths, she tore off her jeans and swung open the door.

  She saw Nick start as she entered.

  “Jo?” Nick barked, his eyes wide as he tried to cover himself. “What are you doing?”

  She tilted her head to the side as if the answer was obvious. “Joining you.”

  She saw him swallow hard as she stepped forward. “I… I don’t know, Jo,” he whispered, a look of mild confusion flitting over his face.

  Confusion was better than rejection, and she decided to roll with it. “I’ll leave if you want me to,” she murmured, looking up at his naked soaking wet frame. “But you have to say it.” She stepped into the shower with him. “Do you want me to leave, Nick?” Pressing herself fully against him, she waited until his hands slid hungrily around her waist. She pressed the full length of her body against his and he was already hard for her.

  She quirked and eyebrow, “Looks like you’d rather I stay.”

  Nick groaned, the sound vibrating against Jo’s lips as he kissed her, hard. His chest was heaving similar to earlier in the sitting room, but she could tell the difference immediately. His gasps and pants had little to do with fatigue anymore, his strong arms easily crushing her small body against his dripping wet torso. Pushing her head to the side, his mouth trailed fiery hot kisses down her neck, along her collarbone and back up the other side.

  Each feverish kiss, pulled a small noise from Jo’s throat, she could hardly control it. Her fingers explored every water-touched curve of him, playing over the muscles of his sides and lower back. He bunched his hands into the thin white cami top she still wore glaring down at her with a hunger that made her shiver. “Aren’t you going to help me take these off?” she whispered.

  He gave a small shake of his head. “I have a better idea,” he growled, pushing her back into the direct stream of water. The hot water was scalding in full-force; it matched well with the inferno burning inside of her. She watched Nick’s eyes grow dangerously dark as the water soaked through her tiny top, the fabric clinging to every curve. He stood there for a few moments, just watching her, his tongue flicking slowly over his lips.

  One corner of his mouth lifted into a wicked grin. It sent shivers down Jo’s spine. “Turn around,” he ordered, his voice grave. She obliged immediately. He pressed his body against hers and ran his lips down the side while his fingers tore at her underwear. The sound and sensation of the ripping material made her gasp in surprise.

  Jo tried to turn to him, but Nick grabbed her hips and held her fast, his muscles tightening. “Just wait,” he whispered in her ear, letting his hands move higher until he cupped her breasts through the soft cami. A long moan fell from her lips as she shuddered against his touch. She leaned her head back onto his shoulder, pressing her lips to his neck before giving a light nibble.

  She loved the feeling of him behind her, his dick pressed firmly against her back as she ground into him. She reached around, grabbing the length of him in her hand, relishing in his shuddering sigh as he tilted his head back to the ceiling, finally giving in.

  Turning to face him again, Jo deliberately pressed the hard nipples of her breasts up against him, standing on tiptoe to kiss him. He tensed as she slid her tongue inside of his mouth, grabbing her arms with a growl and pinning them high above her head. He pushed her back against the shower wall, his kiss hard and fierce. She cried her pleasure into his mouth, her body beginning to tremble as he ran his free hand over the curves of her body. He rolled his hips against her so that she had no doubt of just how much he wanted her.

  “Please Nick,” Jo moaned, grabbing his face between her hands. “If you leave again, I won’t be able to take it. Please, don’t go.”

  He didn’t answer, flashing a wicked smile before he whipped her around, pressing her stomach firmly against the wall. She had time to let out a small surprised yelp before he pushed his full length into her.

  Jo let out a long, languid moan and a growl spilled from Nick’s lips as he filled her. He let out his breath in a shuddering sigh, barely moving for a moment. Jo could see his hand convulsing in ecstasy as he got himself acquainted with her insides.

  “Please, Nick. More.” She gr
oaned, rocking back against him.

  He nibbled hard on her shoulder, drawing an excited squeak from her. “I just wanted to make sure you were ready.”

  She leaned back, lifting her arms to wrap them around his neck so he’d have easy access to her breasts. “As you can see, I’m quite ready,” she whispered running her tongue up his neck.

  His chest rumbled with some sort of growl, and Jo felt it everywhere. Molten lava pooled in her stomach and spread down between her legs. She shuddered roughly against him, her legs nearly giving out on her. Nick caught her with one strong arm, and used the other to caress her breast. Little bites and kisses were pressed along her neck, and she moaned and gasped and whimpered as he tweaked, nibbled, and caressed every part of her that he could touch. He pushed himself farther into her, delighting in the little excited noises that squeaked in her throat.

  “Kiss me, Nick,” Jo gasped, as he thrust inside her once more.

  Nick tilted his head downward, pressing a light kiss to her lips before pulling away, licking her top lip lightly. He bit his bottom lip seductively, enjoying the tease as she moaned and squirmed, begging him for more. After a few more teasing kisses, he suddenly dug one strong hand into her hair and yanked her head back firmly as he dipped his tongue into her mouth with a kiss that took her breath away.

  Jo could feel her release drawing closer, winding up inside her and threatening to burst at any moment. Her breath came in frantic gasps as they rocked together. She pressed herself back as far as she could, crying out as he met her half way. Nick shuddered against her, a grunt spilling from his lips as he pushed her shoulders closer to the wall and pulled her hips further back. He pulled out of her almost completely, and she almost protested before he slammed into her.

  Jo screamed her ecstasy to the ceiling, nails clawing against the porcelain tile of the shower. Nick thrust himself deeply into her over and over, holding her in place when it seemed like the sex was too much for her trembling legs to handle. She whimpered desperately for him, wanting more, but at the same not sure if she’d be able to handle it. As if he read her mind, one hand snaked its way around her hips, sliding over her throbbing clit.