Steph popped into her mind, and she pulled her cell-phone out of her back pocket. When she saw she had service, she typed a quick message to her friend, explaining she was safe and with Wade, and then she turned her phone off and set it on the nightstand next to his.
She took off her coat, kicked off her shoes, and crawled in bed next to his good side. Wade stirred and opened his arm in invitation, and she snuggled against his chest as he closed his arm around her. He offered her protection even though he was the one who was injured.
Silent tears spilled down her face without warning, soaking his shirt.
“Hey,” he asked. “What’s wrong?”
“Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“That’s okay, baby,” he said. “I will heal, you’ll see. Everything I have is yours, so make yourself at home. Eat, watch TV, make plans to redecorate… Everything will be fine in the morning. You have nothing to be afraid of.”
“Okay,” she nodded, but inside she was scared half to death.
She closed her eyes and tried not to worry.
Eventually, Wade’s deep, even breathing lured her to sleep.
Chapter Seven
“Wake up, wake up, wake up.”
Dani felt Wade’s soft lips touch her shoulder and then he whispered the mini chant for the second time. His arm moved gently up and down her bicep, and he peppered her shoulder with more kisses.
“Wake up, baby. It’s Christmas.”
She rolled onto her back to look up at him, but her eyes went to his bandaged shoulder.
“Are you okay?” she whispered.
“Good as new,” he said. “Help me take off the bandage so you can see for yourself.”
She nodded, and they both sat up. Wade sat on the edge of the bed, and started ripping the tape. Dani sat behind him and helped peel the adhesive from his back. When the bandage was completely removed, she gently ran her fingers over his shoulder.
“There’s not even a scar,” she said. “That’s amazing.”
“Yeah, it comes in handy,” he winked.
For some reason, she felt her lower lip quiver, and she looked away.
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s see what Santa brought.”
“Santa brings you presents?” she asked.
“Only one or two little things,” he said, “but they’re fun to open.”
She followed him into the living room, and unlike the night before, a small tree sat in the corner on top of a round end table. It was decorated with white lights and shiny, red and silver ornaments.
“Oh, it’s beautiful.”
“Sorry I didn’t have a tree up when you got here,” he said. “This week has been crazy.”
“So you usually put up a tree?”
“Of course,” he said, kissing the top of her head, and then heading toward the presents. “I love Christmas.”
“I wish I hadn’t left your gift at home,” she said, following slowly behind him.
“To Wade, from Dani,” he read. “I think Santa helped you out. Here, these are for you.”
He put her two gifts in one pile and his three gifts in another, and then they took turns opening presents. She received a matching headband, scarf and a set of gloves made out of the same lightweight, red material as her coat, and Wade received a new scarf and glove set in navy blue.
“Hmm…I guess this means I’m never getting my old scarf back,” he laughed.
“Nope, never,” she agreed.
Their next presents included matching Christmas sweaters, and they both laughed when they realized hers had a female reindeer on the front, and his had a male.
Wade opened her gift last, and she held her breath as she waited for his response.
“I love it,” he said, leaning over their small mess of paper and bows for a kiss. “Thank you, baby.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Why don’t you find a spot for it on the tree.”
She took the ornament from his hand and smiled. The ceramic polar bear playing the drums wasn’t as big as Wade, but it would always remind her of her Little Drummer Bear.
She placed the ornament on the tree and noticed a small present sitting on one of the branches. The tiny, ring box was wrapped in shiny red paper, and tied with a white ribbon.
“I think you missed one,” she said, handing him the box.
“No, that one is for you.”
Dani sat back down on the floor and carefully pulled the ribbon off the box. Even though she’d ripped open her other gifts, she took her time removing the shiny paper from the tiny surprise. Wade had scooted closer, but he didn’t try to rush her.
Finally, she lifted the lid off the gift box to reveal another, smaller box. This one was white and designed to hold a ring. Tears filled her eyes as she stared at the closed box, and Wade took the gift, opened the lid, and set it back in her palm.
A square cut diamond sat in between two midnight blue sapphire hearts, and the stones were beautifully set in a platinum gold band. She’d never seen anything so wonderful, and she knew she didn’t deserve Wade.
A single tear escaped as she looked at the gift, and Wade wiped it away with his thumb.
“If you don’t like it, we can get you something else,” he said. “You can use these stones or pick something completely different. You don’t have to decide today, but you’re my mate, Dani. I want to mark you for the magical world to see, and marry you for proof to everyone else.”
“Let me show you around today,” he continued, “and then it might be easier to understand. You can still keep in contact with Steph and Scott—we have excellent cell service, and your medallion will take you anywhere you’d like to visit—you just can’t ever bring them here, or tell them about this place.”
As he spoke, more and more tears spilled down her cheeks. Wade was wonderful, and he was willing to give her everything she wanted, but she hadn’t trusted him in return and her actions tore her up inside.
“I didn’t trust you,” she blurted.
“What?”
“I didn’t trust you,” she said again. She couldn’t face him, so she concentrated on the tail of the white ribbon on the floor in front of her. It’s smooth satin texture gave her the confidence she needed to tell him her faults.
“Last night, after you texted you would be late, the band arrived. While they set up the instruments, I saw Kira go into their dressing room. I followed her, and walked in on another man kissing her stomach. I didn’t know the drummer was healed, and it looked similar to our night together, so I…”
“You thought it was me,” he said.
“Yes, and then I ran out into night without a coat and got lost on the trails. Santa found me, showed me the scene from a different view, and gave me the coat and the medallion. The only reason I ended up here was because I didn’t trust you.”
More tears spilled down her cheeks and Wade closed his arms around her.
“The only reason you’re here is because you belong by my side. Based on what happened with your ex, it sounds like an honest mistake. I’m more concerned that you ran out in the cold without a coat, and that you went back to the trails again alone, especially at night.”
“I was stupid,” she whispered.
“You’re right, you were, and you’ll be punished for it later, naughty girl.”
She looked up at him and smiled, which she could tell by his expression was exactly what he’d wanted. They both knew how much she enjoyed his punishments.
“Later,” he said, placing a chaste kiss on her lips. “We have stuff to do.”
***
Hours later, Dani stood in the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. Wade’s t-shirt hung down to her knees, and it had plenty of room in the center for all of her curves. She hadn’t stopped smiling since they’d returned home, but the shirt had nothing to do with it.
They’d spent the day touring Santa’s Village, and it was amazing. Wade showed her everything, including where h
is band rehearsed and played on Wednesday nights, and she learned he’d secured a waitressing job for her if she wanted it.
He also took her back to the lodge and properly introduced her to his coworkers and friends, and they’d visited the toy shop, several bakeries, and had Christmas dinner in center square with most of the residents, including Santa and Mrs. Claus. After dinner, they’d gone sledding down the big hill until her muscles ached.
They’d walked home holding hands, and Wade had given her a t-shirt and socks to wear to bed. There was only one thing missing.
She glanced down at the bare finger on her left hand and smiled. Wade had made the first step, but if she wanted what he offered, she had to meet him halfway.
After a quick trip to the living room, she crawled in bed next to him and handed him the box. He was propped up against the headboard, waiting for her, and wearing a pair of red and green plaid pajama bottoms. He stared at the box for nearly a minute before he looked at her.
“Dani, please don’t—”
She put her hand up to stop him mid-sentence.
“Today was amazing, but I want more,” she said. “I want you, Wade. Please put it on me, and mark me as yours. I love you, and I want to be with you for always. I don’t need anymore time to decide.”
He took the ring out of the box and slid it down her finger.
“You’re mine now,” he said, placing his hand on the nape of her neck. “And I’m yours. Come here, baby.”
She leaned forward and he met her in the middle. His lips came down on hers hard, and she kissed him back with the same fervor. He nudged her hip, and she swung her leg across his lap. His hard, thick cock tented the PJ bottoms he wore and she moved closer and rubbed her clit against his covered shaft.
Wade’s hands slid under the shirt to rub her ass, and she knew the moment he realized she hadn’t worn any panties. He stilled and squeezed the soft globes before letting them go. He wrapped one arm around her upper body and pulled her toward him, while the palm of the other hand landed flat on her ass.
Smack!
The pleasurable pain raced straight to her pussy and she arched her back, begging for more.
Smack!
His hand came down on her ass again, and then he reached between her legs and slid two fingers into her wet pussy.
“So wet for me,” he said, kissing her neck and shoulder.
“Always.”
She rode his hand, slowly at first, and then she moved faster, desperate to fly off the edge. When her pussy started to convulse around his fingers, he removed his hand and lifted her off of him.
“Keep that ass in the air, baby.”
She eagerly obeyed, and he removed his pants, moved in behind her, and entered her in swift thrust. She cried out and pushed back against him, but he wouldn’t move.
“Dani, are you sure, baby? There’s no going back.”
“I’m sure,” she said. “Mark me, Wade.”
His hands roamed her ass and back as he moved in and out of her in long, lazy strokes. It didn’t matter how much she begged, he wouldn’t be rushed. Liquid heat coated his cock and gushed out of her pussy with every withdrawal.
Suddenly, his hands gripped her hips with bruising force, and he thrust into her hard and fast. His cock throbbed, and her pussy clenched around him every time he entered.
He leaned over her body, and she felt his canines graze her shoulder. He grabbed her hair to expose her neck, and then he drove into her one final time. His teeth sank into her skin, and he growled as warm jets of his essence filled her hungry core.
When she’d milked him dry, Wade licked the bite marks closed, slowly pulled out of her warm, sensitive flesh, and laid down beside her. She collapsed in his arms and he enveloped her in his warm, protective embrace. She didn’t feel any different, but she instinctively knew Wade’s heart would always be true.
“Thank you, baby,” he said. “This is the best Christmas.”
“For me, too,” she said. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, my mate. Always.”
Her Little Drummer Bear was the greatest gift of all.
The End
About the Author
I write sizzling, sexy, shifter romance.
Until I find my own tall, muscle bound, alpha shifter…I’ll keep writing about them.
Visit my website to learn more about my books (and me!)
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Also by Ruby Shae
Bear Mountain
(Stand-Alone Romance Novellas)
Lone Bear (Book 1)
Brother Bear (Book 2)
Double Bear (Book 3)
Idle Bear (Book 4)
Lost Bear (Book 5)
Bear Canyon Brides
(Stand-Alone Romance Novellas)
Bear Seeking Bride: Travis (Book 1)
Bear Seeking Bride: Tyler (Book 2)
Bear Seeking Bride: Trent (Book 3)
Bear Seeking Bride: Luke (Book 4)
Bear Seeking Bride: Drew (Book 5)
Bear Seeking Bride: Thorn (Book 6)
North Pole
(Stand-Alone Holiday Romance Novellas)
Jingle Bear (Book 1)
Silent Bear (Book 2)
Little Drummer Bear (Book 3)
Santa Bear (Book 4)
Shadow Bears
(Stand-Alone Holiday Romance Novellas)
Bear in Love (Book 1)
Bear in Trouble (Book 2)
Wild Bear
(Stand-Alone Romance Novellas)
Lucky Bear (Book 1)
Bunny Bear (Book 2)
Savage Bear (Book 3)
The Enforcers
(Stand-Alone Romance Novellas)
Bear Security (Book 1)
Bear Sentry—An Enforcers/Southern Shifters Crossover Novella (Book 2)
Bear Assassin (Book 3)
Bear Protection (Book 4)
Bear Guardian (Book 5)
Motivation…By Elle Thorne
Polar bear shifter Jonah Romanoff’s got one goal. Be the best agent he can be in the Paranormal Unit of InterForce.
He didn’t expect his ex to show up, prying into his secrets, opening up a can of worms, and throwing his bear and his heart into pandemonium.
Curvy falcon shifter Fiona hasn’t told him the truth about why she broke it off. Now she has to figure out why he’s lying to her.
Except the secrets don’t seem to matter as much when the motivation becomes saving the life of the one you love.
Motivation
(Shifters Forever After)
Elle Thorne
Chapter One
This was a bad fucking idea.
The epic fail of bad ideas. Accepting Miriam Romanoff’s invitation to join the Romanoffs for Christmas dinner would go down in Fiona Forester’s history as the most epically stupid thing she’d done.
Who accepts to have dinner at the home of her ex’s family?
Falcon shifter Fiona fiddled with the silverware Miriam had set out.
Me. Total idiot. Me. Totally.
It wasn’t a big damned surprise that Jonah wasn’t here. One of his brothers must have told him I’d be here.
Fiona looked at Ky—Malachi Romanoff. Ky had his hand on his mate’s stomach and was beaming a smile about her pregnancy. They’d just announced Laken would be having his baby.
Was it Ky who told? Or Isaac? She turned her glance to the other Romanoff brother. Isaac was all google-eyed about his new mate, Cadence Araya, Laken’s sister.
Neither Ky nor Isaac looked particularly guilty. Why would they? They wouldn’t feel bad about warning Jonah. Of course, they’d take their brother’s side on this matter. She couldn’t blame them for that.
Fiona gla
nced at Mikhail Romanoff, the boys’ uncle. Maybe he spilled the beans. Mikhail had raised all three boys after they lost their parents. He probably wouldn’t talk to her at all.
Ugh. Why did I accept Miriam’s invitation?
Fiona glanced at Miriam, an arctic fox shifter, curvy, like all the rest of them, only with a few more curves, an easy smile, and a twinkle in her eyes. She caught Fiona watching her. The smile broadened and she gave a little nod, almost as if she were saying that Fiona shouldn’t worry, that Jonah’s absence had nothing to do with her.
Yeah, right.
A knock at the door made everyone quiet down. Heads turned. In Fiona’s stomach a knot took root. She shook it off. There was no reason to fret. That wasn’t Jonah. She didn’t sense his polar bear. Her falcon would surely have picked up his bear’s presence.
Were they expecting someone else? They hadn’t said, but then again, it’s not like Fiona was part of the planning committee.
Miriam excused herself and made for the door, with Mikhail close behind her, always ever mindful of his mate. Fiona had known the Romanoffs for years. She’d always admired the way Mikhail cared for his mate. She hoped she could have the same one day.
You had that with Jonah, her falcon reminded her.
And you know why that didn’t work, she reminded her falcon back.
She studied her fork to keep from having to look at his brothers and their questioning glances. She knew she didn’t belong here.
They’d had this discussion too many times in the years since she and Jonah had parted ways. Her falcon knew damned well there was nothing that could be done about the matter. It was for Jonah’s own good.
She dropped the fork on the plate, it clattered loudly, but not loudly enough to drown out that voice.
Jonah.
His voice. God. He still did it for her. Just hearing one sentence had made her body react. A flood, a tightening, a pulse that throbbed at her core.
Shifter Wonderland: Twelve BBW Paranormal Holiday Shape Shifter Romances Page 59
