13
After darkness had fallen, Harlow and Sawyer got up from their bed, where they’d been napping and watching movies all afternoon, and made some mulled wine on the stove. Sawyer said he needed to do something in the bedroom, and she sat at the table in the living room, gazing out at the night. I’m so happy, she thought. It was Christmas day, and she had her family together, for the first time in her living memory. She couldn’t wait to get to know her mom. And it was all because of this amazing man. But her heart was also hurting. Her mom and dad had gotten each other back, but in a few days, Sawyer would be gone and she’d be alone again. She turned her wine glass around on the table. It was such a bittersweet day.
The bedroom door opened.
“No peeking,” Sawyer said, a playful tone to his rumbling voice. With an effort, she kept her back to him as he bounded across the living room and put two wrapped boxes on the table.
“Happy Christmas!” he said.
“More gifts?”
“Of course!” One was almost flat and almost two-foot long, and the other was two inches square. Her hands hovered over them, having never unwrapped a gift before.
“This one first.” He handed her the larger one. Delicate untying of the ribbon quickly gave way to an excited tearing of the paper, and she soon pulled the lid of the box off.
“It’s a –” Her eyebrows raised. “It’s a bit like a showgirl’s costume?” She held up the expensive-looking black and pink corset. There was also a pink petticoat and a garter belt with stockings.
“You could say it’s as much for me as for you. You know I’ve been wanting to see you like this,” he said, fire showing in his eyes. “But if you wanted to wear it in public – say, when you were doing fire poi – I would not complain.” Her lips twitched in confusion.
“Fire poi, when?”
“In the circus, of course. As part of the performance.”
“You’re talking about me being part of the circus?”
“Of course. I mean, only if you want to perform. There are other things you could do as well.”
“You want me to join the circus and travel around with you?” Now it was his turn to look confused.
“Of course, Harlow. You’re my mate.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.
“But –” She broke off.
“You’re saying you don’t want to be my mate?” His voice became a little growly, and she saw his bear shifting beneath the surface.
“I thought you didn’t want me to be your mate.”
“Harlow! We’ve spent every night together. We’re here together on Christmas day. Are you serious?”
“But – Melina,” she said helplessly. His lips tightened.
“What did she say?” he said, in a sharp tone.
“She said not to get too attached. That you always take a girl for the holidays.” He threw his head back and let off a bark of laughter.
“That jealous, bitchy feline. I had no idea she’d been talking to you, or I would’ve warned you about her ways. I’ve never spent the holidays with anyone before. This is the first time I’ve been away from the clan, in fact. We usually have a big Christmas dinner together.” Harlow took deep breaths, her heart pitter-pattering in her chest.
“But – but you haven’t tried to mate-mark me. And I took that as a sign that things weren’t going to be permanent.” He sighed.
“I wanted you to be reunited with your family first. I could see that Mistletoe Hollow was transforming back to the town it used to be, but then I found out about your mom, and I wanted her to come back and for you all to be together, so there was no longer any sadness.” Her eyes stung with unshed tears. “Of course I want you to be my mate. I’m so excited for our lives together. I can’t wait to wake up with you every day in our trailer – I mean, we should get a new trailer – a much bigger one.” She kept staring at him, not saying anything.
“Harlow – this is what you want, right?”
“Of course it is, Sawyer! More than anything.” He pulled her out of her seat and into his arms, crushing his mouth against hers.
“So that’s why you’ve been holding out on me, Harlow Brinkman,” he said, some minutes later.
“I have?”
“Uh huh. Every time I get close to you, I can feel you pulling back, as if you don’t want to give all of yourself to me.”
“Who could blame me?” she said, playfully.
“Me. When I knew you were my mate, from the very first time we kissed.”
“And I thought you just wanted to get me into bed.”
“I did. But it was more than that.” His head dipped to her neck and she felt the sharpness of his teeth as he kissed her. “I wanted all of you.” She shivered. His mouth moved to the curve between her neck and her shoulder, and his teeth nipped a little harder. A flame of desire tore through her body.
“Take me now,” she whispered. He got to his feet and guided her toward the bedroom.
Standing behind her, he pulled her sweater and her t-shirt up, over her head. As his hands cupped her breasts, she sensed something different in his touch – something rougher and more possessive.
“Don’t you want me to wear my new outfit?” she said, as he freed her breasts from her bra and stripped her jeans off.
“Later.” His voice was a low growl. His clothes were off in a flash, and she felt his cock already hard and ready for her, pressing against the small of her back. He reached in front of her, his hand slipping between her legs and lightly stroking her labia. He made a sound of appreciation as his fingertips dipped into her wetness, spreading it over her clit. He slipped one finger inside her, and another, and began to slide in and out as he nipped at the back of her neck.
She couldn’t wait any longer. Of her own accord, she tipped forward onto the bed, and suddenly she was on her hands and knees, her back arched. He made a sound of appreciation, and she gasped as his cock began to slide into her. It was a lot to take in this position, more than usual, and she cried out as he filled her all the way, his hips butting against her ass. He let off a low growl.
“Mine,” he murmured. He pulled almost the whole way out, then lunged into her, and she cried out again – a wild, animal sound that hardly seemed to come from her mouth. Little by little, her muscles yielded to him, and an intense throbbing gave way to waves of pleasure, diffusing all over her body. As he arched over her and thrust in and out, she laid her head on her arms, abandoned to the rough, relentless rhythm of his cock. Abruptly, he pulled her up, onto her knees, and one arm supported her waist, while the other caressed her breasts and her clit.
“My mate,” he growled in her ear. “My beautiful mate.” She leaned her back against his hard, muscular torso, her body completely relaxed as his big, thick cock ploughed into her and his finger kept up a fast, circular rhythm on her clit. Her climax was like a tidal wave, beginning from someplace far away, and building deliciously slowly, until it enveloped her, and the cry she gave as it hit was more like a roar than anything else.
“So sexy, Harlow,” he murmured, his hands caressing her body, until her orgasm subsided, leaving her weak and helpless. “My sexy she-bear. I’m going to claim you now. Make you mine and only mine, forever.” He tipped her forward again and she was lying facedown, spread-eagled, his weight on top of her. His rhythm was fast and jerky, pounding her into the bed, his breathing harsh and growly in her ear. And then his teeth bit down, right on the nape of her neck, and as he came, shooting his seed deep inside her, he tipped her into another orgasm, the throbbing in her pussy and the bite on the back of her neck twin points of fire.
He released her and turned her onto her side, holding her tenderly. She felt delirious, every part of her body tingling, but the bite was the epicenter of it. It burned, but didn’t hurt. She touched her fingers to the spot. It felt raised, but the skin didn’t seem broken. It was more like a brand than anything.
“You marked me,” she whispered, a hint of disbelief in her voice. Sawyer n
uzzled the skin just behind her ear, sniffing her hair.
“You didn’t want me to?”
“Of course I did.” She sought out his lips and he kissed her tenderly.
“You’re mine now, Harlow Brinkman. Like it or not.” She giggled.
“Good job I like it a lot.”
“But don’t you want your other gift?” She clasped her hands together.
“Yes!” He bounded into the living room and came back with the small box. She tore the ribbon off eagerly. It was a small, wooden box.
“The first gift was kind of flippant, but this is the one I really wanted to give you,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. She opened it to reveal a rustic silver ring. As she lifted it to the light, she saw that their names were engraved on the inside. He took it from her and slid it onto the ring finger of her right hand.
“Just in case anyone wonders whether we’re mates.” She laced her hands around the back of his neck and kissed him.
“It’s so beautiful. I love it, Sawyer!” she said, her eyes sparkling. There was something else in the box too. A folded up piece of paper. She pulled it out and opened it. It was a drawing of a she-bear, holding a banner with her name on.
“It needs a lot of work, but I figured you could help me with that.” He shrugged, a little embarrassed.
“It’s a tattoo!”
“I’m thinking it could go right here.” He pointed to his right pec.
“That works,” she said slowly. “And you’ve just helped me figure out what my first tattoo’s going to be. Oh, Sawyer, you are my home.” They hugged each other tight, Harlow resting her head against his huge chest, listening to the beating of his heart.
“Oops,” he said a moment later, catching sight of the bedside clock.
“Come on, we’re going to be late for dinner.” She frowned.
“Where is dinner?”
“Right here.” He picked up the cabin phone and dialed.
“We’re ready now,” he said. They dressed quickly, and a few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Two members of staff entered the room, carrying a hamper, and Harlow watched excitedly as they laid the table with a tablecloth, candlesticks, a Christmas centerpiece, beautiful silverware and bottles of wine. Then they disappeared and returned a moment later with another hamper full of roast turkey and all the trimmings.
“I think we’re about ready for your parents,” Sawyer said, and Harlow skipped off and banged on their door.
They came out looking flushed and happy. And like they’ve never been apart, she thought with a flutter of happiness. There was her grumpy, miserable dad, and the mom that she didn’t even know she had, perfectly united, like the parents she’d always dreamed of.
The dinner was lots of fun, full of toasts and jokes, and multiple courses of food.
When Harlow’s parents finally said goodnight and made their way home, she and Sawyer went and stood on the porch again, looking up at the icy midnight sky.
“That was so much fun,” she said. “I can’t believe you did all this today. It means more to me than I can say.”
“It was the least I could do, little bear,” he murmured.
“What a perfect Christmas Day. The first one of my life.” He wrapped his arms around her more tightly.
“The first of many to come. And let’s make a pact to spend it together every year – just you and me. Or, you me, and our little cubs.” She gave a laugh of pure joy.
“You know, last night, when we were standing here, I was so happy to be with you, but there was this pain in my heart as well, because I thought we wouldn’t be together for long.”
“I’m sorry you suffered like that, Harlow.” He laid his hand on her chest, right where her heart was. “I promise your heart will never hurt again. From now on, it’ll be my job to protect it. I love you so much, Harlow.”
“I love you so much, Sawyer.” She turned in his arms and they kissed, his mouth so full of love and promise.
Epilogue
The following day, they all drove back to Mistletoe Hollow.
“My goodness, the town is even prettier than I remember!” her mom exclaimed as they drove into the main street, which was decked with strings of lights and big glittery baubles, and wreathes of holly and ivy. Harlow laughed.
“It’s come a long way, that’s for sure.”
“Where is everyone?” her dad said.
“I can hear voices.” Sawyer cocked his head. “Coming from the square.” They headed over to it, and saw that the building at the back, which used to be the town hall, but had been abandoned for years, was full of people.
“What? I thought this place was all broken down inside,” Harlow exclaimed, rushing across the square and peering inside. It was an old building for sure, and the walls and pillars were badly damaged, but it wasn’t obvious, because someone had transformed the place into a beautiful festive hall. There were more lights and holly and glittery baubles everywhere, and the room was filled with long tables, full of people eating, drinking and having fun. There was a strong smell of barbecue coming from the back, and they followed it, coming to a rear garden that Harlow had never seen before. Flint was in the middle of several grill racks, with some tongs, cooking up a huge amount of meat. Rebecca was standing beside him, her arm casually slung around his waist.
“Merry Christmas!” They said, as they caught sight of the new arrivals.
“How was your trip?” Flint asked, looking from one to the other. Then a slow grin spread across his face. “Wait – you guys got mated, didn’t you?”
“Maybe,” Harlow said, her cheeks warming.
Harlow’s mom got introduced, then they all went and got some beers, before coming back and helping with the barbecue, chatting about their Christmas celebrations.
When the food was ready and Harlow’s mom entered the hall, a great chorus of whoops and gasps and cheers went up, and she was smothered in a swarm of hugs.
Harlow sat close to Sawyer and watched in delight as her mom got reacquainted with all of her old friends and relatives.
“So, guys, what’s the plan after Christmas?” Rebecca said, joining them at the table with Flint. The two of them looked blissfully happy together. Harlow and Sawyer looked at each other.
“I want to spend a little longer with mom, and Sawyer wants to spend more time with his mom and sister as well. But after that, I’ll be joining the circus, of course!” she said. “What about you?” Rebecca’s face lit up with a shy grin, and she looked sideways at Flint.
“Well, it looks like I’ll be joining the circus too!”
“No way!” The best friends hugged each other.
“But we’ll be back to visit all the time. After all, we live in one of the prettiest towns in the whole country!”
Everyone laughed, looking around the hall at the happy townsfolk.
“Sawyer, do you realize that you’ve rescued this town?” Harlow said, close to his ear.
“When I came here, I didn’t know if Mistletoe Hollow would bring me what I’ve been looking for all these years, but it’s given me more than I could’ve dreamed,” he replied, kissing her and stroking her hair.
THE END
Your free book is waiting!
A 4.5-star rated, comedy romance featuring one kickass roller derby chick, two scorching-hot Alphas, and the naughty nip that changed their lives forever.
The only thing missing from Aspen Richardson’s life is a man who will love her just the way she is. In the small town she calls home, bullies from the past remain, making her wonder if it's ever going to happen. But, things are about to change in a major way, as the secret Aspen’s parents have been keeping from her comes out…
“This book definitely needs to be added to your MUST read list – you will quickly fall in love with this steamy and fast paced story.”
Get your free book now!
(If your device doesn’t support links, go to www.arianahawkes.com/freebook)
About the Author<
br />
Ariana Hawkes is a USA Today Bestselling Author. She graduated in English and Latin Literature from Oxford University, and since then she’s been writing full time, for both work and pleasure.
She loves to write spicy romantic stories with complex, quirky characters, plenty of suspense, and, of course, a whole lot of laughs.
When she’s not writing, she loves reading literary fiction, fantasy, romance and erotica, and snuggling with her man and their two huskies.
Sign up to Ariana’s mailing list to be notified of new releases, promotions, competitions, giveaways and more!
@arianahawkes
arianahawkes
www.arianahawkes.com
[email protected]
Shiftr: Swipe Left For Love (Nash) BBW Wolf Shifter Romance (Hope Valley BBW Dating App Romance Book 10) Page 22
