“Rowan, Clan Marron’s biggest bad boy problem,” said Krampus. “He’s…different.”
“Different how?” asked Avery, glaring at Krampus. “Does he have a candy cane for a cock or something?”
“No, you’re thinking of last year’s bad boy,” said Krampus sarcastically. “I’ll tell you while they set up the tree.”
“You two can set up in —” started Avery.
“— In the corner with the big stain,” said Krampus, rolling his eyes. “Same place it is every year.”
“You remembered?” asked Avery.
“You won’t let me fuckin’ forget,” said Krampus. “I bring you a tree every year, but it’s that one stain I left that you talk about.”
“A tree? That’s what’s in there?” asked Holly.
“Every year, Krampus delivers me one on the first day of December,” said Avery. “He’ll be coming here, with his ward — the lumberjack — every day for most of the month. His special order is the one you were preparing before you oiled up those buns.”
“Ooh, you know how to oil up buns?” asked Rowan. “I’ll need to get a lesson from you — a private lesson.”
“Damn it, Rowan, set the fuckin’ tree up, and stop flirting with my baker,” barked Avery.
“Excuse me, but I think Krampus is my boss,” said Rowan. “I have to do whatever he asks.”
“The boy’s technically right — the best kind of right,” said Krampus with a smirk. “Rowan — anything Avery asks you to do, you do. Trust me, if you think I’m a total demon…you don’t want to mess with Avery.”
“Sounds like you don’t want to be on the receiving end of whatever Avery’s dishing,” sassed Rowan.
“Boy, if you aren’t in that bakery and setting up that tree in ten seconds, I will make sure you never meet Santana,” roared Avery.
“Alright, alright!” said Rowan. “Holly, honey, would you mind getting the door for me?”
Holly gulped. Had Rowan really just called her ‘honey?’ If there was one thing Holly knew about bears, it was that they loved licking honey.
Holly nodded and opened the door. She showed Rowan into the relatively quiet cafe. The Christmas tree stand was in a corner. Holly moved chairs away while Rowan figured out what to do with the tree.
“What was all that back there, about Santana?” asked Holly.
“He’s Krampus’ boss — I suppose he’s Avery’s boss too,” said Rowan. “He’s the big man in charge.”
“And you have business with him?” asked Holly.
“Not yet, but, I know if I get an audience with him, I can plead my case,” said Rowan.
“Your case?” asked Holly. “Are you out on bail or something?”
“You could say that,” admitted Rowan. “It’s more like parole — for a crime I don’t think I committed.”
“And what crime would that be?” asked Holly. “Do I need to worry about you hiding a body in our dumpster or something?”
“You like a bad boy, don’t you?” asked Rowan, putting the tree down, his eyes locked with Holly’s, before crooking a finger underneath Holly’s chin and using the other hand to brush against Holly’s cheek. “Well, you should be careful, Holly — I’m a real, real bad boy, and now, I’m getting punished for it. I’d rather get punished by you. In your bed. Hard.”
“Fuck,” moaned Holly. “Rowan…I hardly know you.”
“You can get to know me, baby,” said Rowan.
Before Holly could lean in and kiss Rowan, they were interrupted by Avery.
“Holly! Rowan! What do you two think you’re doing?” asked Avery, crossing her arms. “Krampus — this is all your fault! Your bad boy’s corrupting my nice girl!”
“Hey, if you can’t control your bakers, that’s on you, not me,” said Krampus, putting his hands up. “It’s not my job to keep your girls in line.”
“Sorry, Avery,” mumbled Holly. “It was nice to meet you, Rowan.”
Before Rowan could reply, Holly headed back to the back of the bakery. Avery was motioning to the baking area with her thumb, like a hitchhiker.
“Rowan, you may be charming,” said Avery, walking up to Rowan. “But listen to me and listen to me clearly — you will not interfere with bakery business. Every year, I have to deal with drama from the lumberjacks, and every dang year, I end up needing to listen to some poor girl talk about how some bear shifter stood her up on Christmas. You want to flirt with Holly? Fine. But you break her heart? I break your…I don’t know, but I’ll break something!”
“His cock?” asked Krampus.
“Sure, with my rolling pin,” Avery threatened lamely as Krampus left with Rowan. “It’s a marble rolling pin! So you know — watch out!”
Holly took a peek back at Rowan. She had been so distracted by Rowan’s charm and Avery’s bossiness that she hadn’t thought to look at his chest, at his mate mark.
There was on word written across Rowan’s chest.
That word was ‘Naughty,’ and it was written in Valentine’s Day red.
Chapter Two
December 3rd, 2012
“Oh, Rowan, I can’t believe you’re finally claiming me!” said Holly.
“Holly, my dear, I desire you so,” said Rowan.
“Then take me, Rowan, and claim me!” said Holly. Holly ripped off her apron, her large breasts bouncing beneath her green satin blouse.
“With pleasure,” growled Rowan, ripping open Holly’s emerald top with one hand. The golden buttons on the top scattered around the back of the bakery, bouncing off the hardwood floors.
Rowan took Holly’s thick ass in his hands and lifted Holly up on to the marble countertop. He pulled the shirt off of Holly’s body, revealing her red lace bra. Holly reached down and unbuttoned her pants. Rowan ripped them off. Holly was in a pair of red lace panties that matched the bra.
Rowan was about to enter Holly when he heard a voice calling. He looked up. Holly’s head was on the pillow, her mouth open to moan, but she wasn’t saying anything to him.
“Rowan?” called the voice. “Hello? Rowan?”
Rowan looked around for the voice, and then, he was pulled out of his dream.
* * *
“Rowan? Rowan? Hello?” said Krampus, waving his hand in front of Rowan’s face. “Did you hear a word of what I just said?
“Yeah, you were talking about…uh, trees,” lied Rowan. His marked burned.
Didn’t anyone tell you telling lies was Naughty? asked Cupid.
Duly noted, sassed Rowan. Any other hot tips?
Listen to Krampus, do what he says, and stop focusing on the girl when you haven’t even gotten off of The Naughty List yet, said Cupid. Those things are pretty basic, but apparently, you’re not a great student.
“I was talking about The Ride, you know — the event of the year, which you’re signed up to help with,” said Krampus. “I’m surprised you can row and breathe at the same time.”
“Sorry,” said Rowan. “What were you saying?”
“This year, The Ride is expected to be rough — real rough,” said Krampus. “There’s record snowstorms expected.”
“You can get the weather reports this far out from Christmas?” asked Rowan.
“No, numbnuts — I was explaining that Boreas ‘Old Man’ Winter had a talk with Santana Claus — you know, your boss — and warned Santana of the coming storms,” said Krampus. “You know what would be better? If Boreas didn’t insist that these blizzards were necessary. Every year, it’s more problems from that guy. Every frikkin’ year, there’s something. I swear, if his son wasn’t friends with Santana’s girl, I think those two would come to blows.”
“What does this Boreas guy have to do with the storms?” asked Rowan.
“Boreas is an ice elemental. Scratch that — he’s the ice elemental, and he’s got a league of ice, wind, and even water elementals that work for him, down South, controlling the weather,” said Krampus.
“Down south like ‘Bama?” asked Rowan.
<
br /> “Down South — like Antarctica,” said Krampus. “I swear, that grumpy old penguin’s probably such a bastard because the weather down there freezes his tiny penguin balls off.”
“Number one — do penguins even have balls? Number two — doesn’t Santana work up North, where it’s just as cold?” asked Rowan.
“Apparently, you can row and think at the same time. Just my luck,” said Krampus. “Now, shut that yapper, and do what your name says you ought to be good at — Rowan. Get it? Like ‘rowin?’“
“I got it — the first seven times you said it,” said Rowan.
Rowan rowed the boat across the lake. The first day of rowing had been the hardest, because he hadn’t known about Holly, about the woman he knew had to be his fated mate.
You know, you could probably get off of The Naughty List real fast if you just put your mind to it, said Cupid.
And what exactly do you suggest I do? Rowan asked Cupid. I don’t exactly see you coming up with ideas to get me off The Naughty List.
It’s not my problem. My only issue is the fact I’m stuck with you until after The Ride, said Cupid. I guess I am supposed to help you relearn your Clan’s values. Well, here’s a basic one — think with your heart, not your cock.
I am thinking with my heart! protested Rowan. I like Holly a lot!
You ‘like’ her, big whoop — but, do you love her? asked Cupid.
Well, yeah, I — started Rowan.
Do you love her? repeated Cupid. Can you look her in the eyes, tell her you love her and mean it? If you can’t, then you’re not thinking with your heart.
Rowan thought about Cupid’s word as he tied the boat to the dock. He got out of the boat and followed after Krampus.
“Hey, you got something here,” said Rowan.
“Where?” asked Krampus, looking down at his fresh outfit. “Ugh. Straw. Frikkin’ straw. Of course.” Krampus brushed the blonde sticks of straw off of his flannel shirt.
“What’s with the straw?” asked Rowan. “You sleep on a straw bed or something?”
“It’s nothing,” said Krampus.
“Whatever, dude,” said Rowan.
Rowan followed Krampus up to the back patio of the bakery. Outside, the weather was cold, but as soon as Rowan entered the bakery, he felt the snow on his naked chest melt from the heat of the ovens, which were along the back wall of the bakery, the wall that touched the patio. Outside, the weather smelled of fresh snow and cut pine, but inside, the bakery smelled of freshly baked fluffy croissants full of almond and orange zest. They were the perfect snack for busy residents of The Wreath who only had time to grab a pastry and go back to their Christmas shopping.
“I need to talk to Avery. Think you can keep yourself occupied for a few minutes?” asked Krampus. “Order yourself something. Have the cashier put it on my tab.”
“You got it, boss,” said Rowan. “Don’t see why I need to get food if we’re here to pick up food, but, you’re the boss.”
“Don’t make me change my mind,” said Krampus gruffly, walking to Avery’s office.
Rowan went up to the cashier. His favorite person in The Wreath was working the register. She looked adorable, in an apron that was tight around her waist, accentuating her full curves. A splattering of flour covered part of her apron, like the snow sprinkled over the tables on the back patio.
“Hey,” said Rowan with a grin.
“Hey yourself,” said Holly, smiling back at Rowan.
“Could I get…a sugar cookie?” asked Rowan.
“A sugar cookie? That’s all?” asked Holly.
“Yeah, and can you put it on Krampus’ tab?” asked Rowan.
“For an order that small, might as well just be on the house,” joked Holly, punching the order in and putting the receipt away in the candy-cane striped drawer marked ‘K’ for Krampus by Avery. Holly took a piece of tissue and opened the display case.
“Anything here catch your eye?” asked Holly. “We’ve got trees, candy canes, pretty much everything you could think of.”
Rowan looked over the items in the display case. There were Christmas tree-shaped cookies, decorated with glassy green sugar sprinkles and dotted with nonpareils. There were candy-cane shaped cookies, with bits of crumbled candy sprinkled over red icing stripes. To the side, there were yellow sugar cookies, shaped like bells, with sprigs of green leaves and red berries on the tops of the bells.
“One of those,” said Rowan, pointing to a bell.
“One Christmas bell, coming right up,” said Holly, pulling out the cookie and placing it in a bag. “Here you go.”
“Care to join me?” asked Rowan.
Holly looked. The cafe was pretty quiet. Nobody was in line, in need of service. All she’d been doing before Rowan came in was putting away the fresh croissants.
“Yeah, I guess I could spare a few minutes,” said Holly.
Holly followed Rowan to a table.
Rowan took the cookie out and looked at it.
“Is something wrong?” asked Holly. “You know…that’s our least popular cookie shape.”
“Really? It’s my favorite,” said Rowan.
“Why? Because it’s got curves?” joked Holly, motioning over her curves.
“No, silly — because it’s got holly on it,” said Rowan. “You see? Red berries, spiky green leaves. That’s holly.”
“I thought that was mistletoe,” said Holly.
“Your name is Holly, and you don’t even know the difference between holly and mistletoe?” asked Rowan with a chuckle.
“Hey! I never had to know the difference!” said Holly. “Why do you know the difference?”
“Because in the wild, a shifter needs to know what’s edible and what’s poisonous,” said Rowan. “Heck, I guess humans like you do too — not that y’all spend much time outdoors nowadays.”
“Which one can you eat?” asked Holly.
“Neither,” said Rowan. “Both are poisonous, dangerous. What about you, Holly? Are you as dangerous as your namesake plant? Are you a poisonous woman, leaving a trail of broken hearts in her wake?”
“I wish,” said Holly.
“You wish?” asked Rowan, raising an eyebrow.
“No, I just mean — ugh, it’s silly,” said Holly. “I just feel like…maybe my life would be more interesting if I was bad, you know?”
“Holly — you’re a Nice girl,” said Rowan. “Don’t ever let anyone change that about you. Nice doesn’t mean boring, and exciting doesn’t mean good.”
Rowan took the cookie and broke it so that the leaves and berries were separated from the bell.
“Here,” said Rowan, holding the cookie out toward Holly. “If you want to live dangerously, have some of this ‘holly.’“
“Ugh, you’re so corny,” said Holly, but she still took the cookie and ate some.
“Holly!” called a voice. Holly looked. Avery was looking outside her office, frowning.
“Oh, sorry,” said Holly, getting up from her seat. “I forgot to clock out.”
“I don’t care about that,” said Avery. “Is he distracting you?”
“No, he’s just…explaining what holly is,” said Holly.
“What you are?” asked Avery, confused.
“No, the plant,” said Holly, blushing. “He was just explaining that it’s the plant on the bell cookies.”
“Yeah. What did you think it was, mistletoe?” asked Avery. “Speaking of which, Rowan should make himself useful while Krampus and I finish up in here. There’s a box of ornaments in the back. Have Rowan help you put up them up.”
“I can do it without help,” said Holly.
“I want him to make himself useful, and besides — you aren’t tall enough to reach the ceiling hooks on your own,” said Avery.
That was true. Holly was a wide woman, not a tall woman.
“Alright, come on,” said Holly, leading Rowan to the back of the bakery. There was a box of ornaments stashed near the area where Holly hung up her coat
every morning. Rowan lifted the box without being asked to and carried it to a table in the bakery. He opened the box.
“Wow,” said Holly, looking in the box of ornaments. “I don’t know where we should start.”
Rowan looked at Holly. She was looking at the ornaments with eyes full of light and love. He smiled. She was definitely the one. She was sweet, sassy, and had a lot of love to give. He couldn’t wait to claim his fated mate and fill her with his cubs.
Isn’t it a little early to be thinking about that? Cupid asked Rowan.
Isn’t putting the mate stuff to the side what got me into this situation to begin with? asked Rowan.
That’s my point. The situation you are in is about — started Cupid.
Whatever, said Rowan. Trust me. I know all about love and Fate. This is the way it’s fated to be.
Whatever yourself, grumped Cupid. Sure, you’re the expert in love, yet I’m the one named Cupid, but, whatever. Whatever.
“Oh, I think we should put this up first,” said Holly, taking out a great garland made of artificial holly, ivy, and of course, pine. The garland was dotted with red velvet bows and golden jingle bells.
“Where do you want it, boss?” asked Rowan.
“Up the butt!” called Krampus, opening the door of Avery’s office to bug Rowan.
“Oh, stop it,” said Avery, pulling the door closed. “This is a family establishment!”
“Where do you want it, Holly?” asked Rowan.
It took all of Holly’s willpower not to say, ‘right here, right now, on the table.’ Instead, she answered, “Along the walls.”
Rowan found the hooks on the wall and hung the garland for Holly. Holly adjusted the garland so it hung evenly. They covered the bakery in garlands and finally got to put up glass ball ornaments.
Holly watched Rowan put up ornaments shirtless with a smile. There were a lot of worse ways to be spending the holiday season.
Even though she was being paid extra to be a holiday temp at Bear Claw Bakery, she had had a lot of fun at The Wreath. She’d expected to have to do a ton of holiday baking. She hadn’t expected that she’d get to see a shirtless, hunky lumberjack daily.
Cupid Claws: The Twelve Mates Of Christmas, Book 6 Page 3
