by Eve Langlais
Yet one man would ruin her daughter’s simple dream.
Grrrr.
Or maybe not.
Crystal hadn’t missed the way Kyle had initially eyed her. She knew that look. Recognized that smoldering interest.
If it took playing dirty to get her daughter what she wanted for Christmas…well then, dirty she’d play. Time to get out the good bra–the one that pushed her breasts together to form some serious cleavage–and her lowest cut, form–fitting sweater and put her boobs to work convincing a certain vain caribou he wanted to play the part.
Chapter Three
The next day, Kyle took the day off work. Being an electronics specialist for the clan meant he kept busy. There were always things needing fixing, from surveillance cameras to computer networks to helping Reid program his latest phone–because a certain alpha had a tendency of pitching his at the wall when he didn’t like the news. While not a computer programmer, he did have a knack for wiring–and loved to make things go boom. A skill he didn’t have much use for now that he’d retired from the military.
Except for holidays. He put together some kick ass light displays.
Today, however, Kyle intended to perform work of a different kind. He took himself bright and early to the parade headquarters. Not because he’d changed his mind. No way was he playing Rudolph. However, given he was a master of all things electrical, he thought he could perhaps redeem himself by volunteering to help with lights and sound effects.
Sounded altruistic. Problem was, Kyle knew the real reason he arrived at the community center bright and early–and, yes, eleven o’clock was early for his ass to get moving. But he managed it, with a few cups of coffee. After all, he wanted to impress a certain cougar.
Since he’d met Crystal the night before, she’d not left his mind–at all. Ever heard that expression, ‘Hey, baby, you must be tired because you’ve been running in my mind all night’? Yeah that totally applied to him. Kind of baffling really. Kyle usually didn’t give women who exited his line of sight much of a second thought. Usually. Yet not this time.
She’d completely dissed him. Shown him no respect, not an ounce of interest. And yet…
I have to see her again.
Something about the cougar–her scent, appearance, hell, even her attitude–drew him.
Given he didn’t know where she hung out in her free time, or lived, he figured the best way to bump into her again was at parade central, which for those unfamiliar with Kodiak Point meant the community center in the heart of town. Probably the largest building beside Beark Enterprises.
Given shifters needed lots of exercise, especially in the case of the young ones, a safe place to expend energy was needed. Hence the reason the space was truly grand. Boasting an Olympic–sized pool, a few gymnasiums, an indoor running track, as well as a massive community hall–because shifters did so love a good ol’ fashioned family reunion or wedding–the place had it all. Along with a massive garage area, which was where the various floats were parked as people worked on them.
Now some folks were probably thinking, small town, rinky–dink floats.
Stop right there. Given winter, especially the time around Christmas, saw the bulk of their day revolve in darkness, keeping busy was paramount. You didn’t want to let those pesky doubts wiggle their way in. (Mission #417: Don’t let the darkness turn you psychotic.)
To battle dark thoughts, what better way than some friendly rivalry? It was also a chance to show off some creative talent while the shadowy hours ticked away. And there was an element of pride, of course, in presenting the most awesome float around.
Given there were only a few hundred inhabitants, the fact they could boast seventeen floats plus a kick–ass Santa sleigh, was downright incredible.
But a pain in the furry ass to manage.
The problem was a bunch of animals cooped together, competing for title of most wicked float, could result in a zoo–like atmosphere. Or at least it had in previous years. It was a reason why Kyle tended to avoid the place this time of the year, lest he get embroiled in an overzealous feud. Like the year when the snowfoxes had their Winter Wonderland float insulted by the brown bears, whose contribution that year was a giant Christmas dinner display. Ever see a four–foot turkey leg take out a copse of fir trees? It was less traumatizing than watching the snowfox nimbly jump on the swinging Styrofoam thigh and launch itself at the bear’s head, who let out a god–awful girly scream–which Buster had yet to live down. It started a fake snow and even faker food fight.
As Kyle glanced around, he was amazed by the fact people seemed to work in harmony. Or at least weren’t nagging at each other. Was it Crystal’s doing, or had the town gotten infected with a dose of goodwill–in the form of Jackson lacing the Nanaimo bars with pot again? That resulted in a massive shortage of snacks all around town as chips and sugary goods got consumed in ridiculous amounts. It also led to a few bloody battles as people duked it out for the last Oh Henry chocolate bar and the only pint of ice cream left in the frozen aisle at the grocery store.
For those wondering, Kyle won in both cases.
But Kyle didn’t really care that, for once, things appeared to run smoothly. Kyle was on a mission; mission #735 to convince a certain cougar to give him a chance. #734? Oh, that one had to do with getting some carrot muffins–a dozen for breakfast and rare this time of the year, given their one jackrabbit family had a tendency of stockpiling–and a frozen banana and strawberry smoothie. Mission accomplished.
Craning his head left then right, Kyle perused the vast room until he spotted her. Just as hot as before. Holding on to a clipboard, intent expression on her face, wearing indecently tight jeans–his favorite kind–and a tight knit shirt molding the most perfect breasts, Crystal didn’t immediately notice him.
So he stared at her. Nothing like kicking an animal’s instinct into gear. He doubted her cat would let her ignore his determined gaze for long.
Wrong.
She didn’t whip around to stare back. He focused harder, studying her every feline move, the way the ponytail tickled the back of her neck. Mmm, that exposed neck was tempting.
While she engaged many people, she never once turned his way. Perhaps her predatory instincts were defective.
Or she doesn’t consider you a threat, snorted his beast.
He really needed to work on the mission to improve his reputation. This was unacceptable.
He didn’t give up. He stared and stared, ignoring the amused glances of others. He wouldn’t let her win. And finally, aha, her gaze strayed his way. He shot her his most engaging grin. It flopped as her eyes swept past him and she pretended not to see him.
He frowned. This was new. Usually when he smiled, people smiled back. Had he lost his touch? Was his smile broken?
Mission #736: Check status of panty–dropping grin.
He directed his best smile at a gaggle of mothers chatting in a group beside a gingerbread house float–made of real gingerbread and candy. Sugar rush heaven for kids and adults alike.
But back to his hundred–watt smile. Eyelashes fluttered, flirty smiles replied, and one even waved at him.
Mission accomplished.
Everything was working fine on his end, so why did Crystal seem immune?
She wandered away from him, and he lost sight of her behind a giant Frosty the Snowman rendition.
After adjusting himself, because a man didn’t chase after a woman without first making sure he still owned his balls, he followed.
His excuse: he needed her to assign him a task.
Real reason: Want to get closer. A simple need, but a strong one that didn’t just have elements of the man demanding it, but his caribou too. It seemed his beast was intrigued by the cougar–a predator of his kind.
I always did like to court danger.
The garage buzzed as various townsfolk worked on the floats. A radio somewhere played Christmas music–a crooning melody that talked about a white Christmas. Never a problem
this time of year.
Reaching the big snowman, he turned the corner, only to rein in a scowl of disappointment. Where had she gone to? With all the various scents crowding the place, he couldn’t track her, not that his sense of smell was the greatest. That was more of a canine trait.
Tenacious when on a mission, Kyle didn’t give up. He wandered around and found himself offering a hand to the folks setting up a manger scene, which for some reason required him to staple some tinsel to a two–by–four. On the Grinch float, he slapped on some duct tape to hold down some wires. He even crawled under a trailer to find a loose connection that, once spliced, caused the lights to erupt in blinding brilliance, which in turn resulted in a small cheer from the group working on it.
During his various tasks, Kyle didn’t run into Crystal, but he did catch the occasional glimpse. Problem was, by the time he was done with his latest helpful stint and had moved in her direction, she’d disappeared again.
Damned woman. Can’t she stay still for just five minutes?
Nope. And then she utterly disappeared. He scouted the whole room without finding a trace. That was when he should have called it quits. Left. Maybe gone and grabbed a beer and flirted with someone else.
Not this man on a mission.
By damn, he’d shown up at the crack of not even noon to see her, and he would find her. With some help. He stuffed his pride in his pocket, promised it a treat later, and sauntered over, casual like of course, to ask Ursa, Reid’s grandmother, if she’d seen the girl.
Her eyes twinkled. “Why, Kyle, don’t tell me there’s finally a lady who is immune to your considerable charms?”
Yeah, it baffled him too. “We got off on the wrong hoof.”
“So I hear. Have you changed your mind about playing the part of Rudolph?”
Kyle almost squirmed under Ursa’s intent gaze. He’d served under the toughest rhino around in the military. He could surely withstand the laser–like stare of one old lady. He did–barely. “No.”
“A shame.”
That was all she said, but Kyle felt rebuked nonetheless. “I’m sure the parade will be fine without Rudolph leading the way.”
Ursa made a noise. “If it makes you feel better to think that.”
Why did everyone insist on acting like it was such a big deal? So what if he didn’t want to play a red–nosed freak? It wasn’t as if he was single handedly destroying Christmas. “If we’re done with the guilt trip, can you tell me where Crystal is?”
“I thought I saw her heading toward the stable.”
The stable with its smelly domestic animals. Ugh. For some reason, Kyle disliked the place. Not because it was dirty or ill–kept. On the contrary, animals cared for by shifters tended to be the most spoiled creatures around.
Still though, the whole locked–in–a–box aspect wigged Kyle out. He’d spent his time in a tiny prison–too much time–and he hated any reminder of it. Thus, Kyle almost decided to wait until she returned. But then, it occurred to him that if she saw him among those simple–minded beasts, she’d perhaps better understand his position. In a comparison between the two, she’d see he just wasn’t cut out to be a reindeer.
Since the animal pens weren’t too far, he forewent donning a jacket and jogged to the stables. As soon as he entered, the warmth of the place quickly dispelled the chill, and his blood heated as he caught sight of Crystal stroking the nose of one of the creatures.
I’ve got something you can stroke. Down, boy. Damn, but she had the ability to bring out his randy side. Listening to her didn’t improve matters.
“Aren’t you a handsome fellow?” she crooned. “Look at you with those big brown eyes and that impressive set of antlers.”
Ha. His rack was much larger. Everything about him was large.
“I could just rub you all day.”
A spurt of jealousy at the attention the deer was getting made him feel a need to point out, “You know they don’t understand you.”
“And you don’t understand me. It doesn’t seem to stop you from wanting to have a conversation because I assume that’s why you followed me.” She continued to stroke the beast’s nose instead of facing him.
It irked him, especially since she’d guessed the reason for his appearance. He didn’t admit it though. “What makes you think I followed you?”
She stared at him pointedly with her piercing green eyes, and she arched a single blonde brow.
Okay, perhaps he was a tad obvious. He grinned as he spread his hands in capitulation. “Fine, you caught me. I did follow you out here to talk. I came to apologize for yesterday.”
“So you’ve changed your mind?”
“No. But–”
“There are no buts. Unless you’ve changed your mind and you’re planning to help me with our Rudolph problem, then I have nothing to say to you.”
“We don’t have to talk. We could just make out.” Even for Kyle, it was brazen, and, judging by the wide eyes on Crystal, totally unexpected.
“You did not just say that?” she sputtered after a few moments of stunned silence.
Even though he’d blundered, he forged ahead. “So is that a no?”
“Try never.”
“Why not?”
Again, she couldn’t help an incredulous expression. “Do you seriously have to ask?”
“Is this only because of the whole Rudolph thing? Because if it is, then it’s pretty silly. I mean, seriously, what’s the big deal if you don’t have a red–nosed guy pulling the sleigh? It’s not like it’s the end of the world.”
“Not to you perhaps,” she muttered mysteriously. Clipboard tucked under her arm, she stalked toward him, but when she went to go around his frame, he shot out an arm and blocked her.
“Come on. Give me a chance. I’m really not the jerk you’re making me out to be.”
“I doubt it.”
“Have dinner with me.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t like you.”
“Because you haven’t gotten to know me.” He gave her his best aw–shucks smile.
Her expression didn’t change. “And I don’t want to.”
“You see, your lips say you don’t want to, and yet, your body says otherwise.” His eyes perused her, noting the hard tip of her breasts poking her sweater visible through the unzipped vee of her jacket, her heightened heart rate, and the flushed appearance of her cheeks.
“I might not be able to control my hormones, which I’m suspecting more and more are in need of therapy, but my cognitive abilities are working fine. And they’re saying walk away.”
Which she did, ducking under his arm and exiting through the door, the cold blast of air doing little to relieve the feverish heat in his body.
Damn, but that woman stoked him on so many levels.
He almost chased after, would have except something caught his attention. Something out of place in the stable.
Given the problems their town had recently with attacks and jabs at the inhabitants, Kyle couldn’t ignore it.
“Who’s there?” Was it someone he needed to possibly silence for having borne witness to his ignoble defeat when it came to snaring a date with the stubborn Crystal?
No one replied, and yet the sense he wasn’t alone–and, no, he didn’t count the reindeer–wouldn’t leave. Someone was in the barn with him.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he sang, his hand straying to the holster with the gun he kept strapped under his leather vest.
A rustle in a bale of hay at the far end of the barn snared his attention, and he almost drew his gun, but stayed the motion at the last minute. Good thing, because the head that popped out belonged to a little girl and not the enemy.
Blonde hair in fat curls framing chubby cheeks made the giant green eyes staring at him all the more striking. And freaky. Because she stared. And stared. Yet she didn’t say a word.
First impulse? Run from the adorable little girl. Inste
ad, of fleeing from her deadly cuteness, he channeled his sarge and barked, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
Her eyes widened, and with a squeak of fear, she dove back into the hay.
Brilliant. Just brilliant. He’d scared a little girl. As if he didn’t suffer enough guilt, now he felt like a total seal. Which rhymed with heel. But seals were dumber than his foot.
And barking at a tiny little girl definitely ranked as dumb.
I should just walk away before I make things worse. But given her age and the fact there wasn’t another adult around…
Sigh. He gentled his tone. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I didn’t mean to sound so gruff. You took me by surprise, which, hey, is pretty impressive considering I used to be in the army.”
Not a creature stirred, not even a child.
How about a promise? “I won’t hurt you.”
Nothing.
“Does anyone know you’re here?” In other words, was there an adult nearby freeing him to escape this uncomfortable situation?
A slight rustle of hay answered him but didn’t clarify the situation.
Another heavy sigh left him. “Come on, sweetie, I can’t leave you here alone. Reid would have my a–um, butt. Talk to me.”
Slowly, the golden curls emerged with bits of straw stuck to them. Big eyes blinked at him.
“Are you lost? “
She shook her head.
“Does you mom or dad know you’re here?”
A negative shake.
“Can I help you?”
She tilted her head and perused him. What was it with certain members of the opposite sex? Where did they learn that ability to give you a look? You know the one. The look that made you want to squirm, knowing you were probably coming up short in their estimation.
Except, he didn’t fail this time. As if seeing something that satisfied her, the little blonde cherub nodded before lisping, “Yes.”
“What can I help you with, sweetie?”
“Not me. Santa.”
