Christmas After Dark: A Holiday Paranormal Romance Anthology

by Abigail Owen

  That’s when his eyes opened and pierced me with aching hunger. All wolf. All Alpha. He licked his lips again before he lowered his mouth almost to mine. But not quite.

  “I’m going to eat you up tonight.”

  I whimpered at the gravelly voice of Alpha overtaking Mateo’s. Then he pumped one finger inside me and bit my bottom lip before sweeping his tongue over the sting.

  “Would you like that?”

  Pumping my hips up to meet his too-slow stroking finger, I said, “Yes.”

  “Tell me.”

  I couldn’t think straight with the languorous finger-fucking he was giving me. He slid a second finger inside, then demanded again, “Tell me.”

  Gripping his shoulders, I lifted my head, pressing a hard kiss to his perfect mouth. He let me stroke my tongue hard and deep, but he didn’t quicken his pace at all. No. Not that son of a bitch. He enjoyed torturing me.

  When I dropped my head in frustration, his fingers still moving too slow to get me there, he commanded again. “Tell me what you want, baby, and I’ll give it to you. I need to hear it tonight.”

  Oh! Right. My brain caught up.

  “I want you to eat me,” I breathed against his lips. “Then I need you to fuck me hard.”

  His fingers were gone, my skirt was hiked up around my waist, and his hot mouth was between my legs, working my clit so fast an orgasm rocketed through my bones. I arched up, frozen in shock from the sudden, bone-melting climax.

  I dug the heel of one foot into his back, since he’d tossed my leg over his shoulder, as I rode out my orgasm. He eased up with his tongue, rumbling a satisfying growl against my clit. At the moment my toes uncurled and my body went lax, he lifted off of my body, then swept me back into his arms. Heading into the bedroom, he brushed a kiss against my temple.

  “I like this skirt.” Mateo was back.

  I found it fascinating how the two of them switched off during sex. During those months he was under that curse, he’d fought for control with Alpha constantly. But now, they were symbiotic, living quite harmoniously in his headspace so he said. Mateo had also told me he didn’t mind when Alpha wanted “out.” When his wolf needed it, Mateo let him take control. Especially since they were really one and the same. And let me tell you, I didn’t mind when Alpha came out to play. Not one bit.

  I leaned up and bit his neck, then sucked hard.

  “Mmm. Someone needs more.”

  “A lot more.”

  He tossed me on the bed and slid my miniskirt down my legs, his ravenous gaze raking over me. I didn’t want to play anymore. I wanted him, now. I stripped my sweater over my head and unclasped my bra. While he worked on his jeans, I flung my bra aside and scooted up to the headboard. Once he’d pushed his jeans and boxers off and took hold of his hard cock, giving it a casual stroke before crawling up the bed, I bit my lip to keep from whimpering.

  His mouth ticked up on one side. “You think you can keep quiet?”

  I blinked, refusing to admit I couldn’t. He knew I couldn’t.

  Rather than spread my legs and slide in between, he maneuvered me quickly on my side with a large hand spread on my left hip, then he pressed up behind me. The hand on my hip eased down my outer thigh. He bent my leg and hooked it around his, which was slightly bent, opening me wide.

  “Look at me, Evie.”

  Oh, fuck.

  Turning my head, I gripped the forearm of the hand lifting to my mouth, then stared into his amber-gold eyes, flickering with supernatural fire.

  “Open your mouth, baby.”

  When I did, he slid two fingers inside, stroking along my tongue once before using those fingers to circle the swollen nub between my legs. I clawed at his forearm and moaned. His eyes closed to slits, his heart hammering hard against my back where he pressed his chest to my spine.

  “Make all the noise you want.” He moved his hand away from my sex, taking his dick in hand to spread me further, slicking his head good before he sank inside.

  I gasped, but he swallowed it with a fierce kiss, crushing his lips to mine and stroking his tongue deep. I didn’t even try to hide my moans then, especially when he cupped one of my breasts, pinching my nipple lightly as he pumped his cock inside me.

  “Yes,” I hissed when he released my mouth but kept his lips hovering over mine. I arched and rocked against him, trying to match his rhythm.

  He pressed his forehead to mine, “Feels so fucking good.”

  My body hummed with pleasure. The sound of my wolf’s voice, his hard body stroking me hard and deep, his rough hand caressing and squeezing, all of him pushing me toward ecstasy.

  “Kiss me,” I demanded.

  He obeyed on a heavy groan, nipping and licking. When my moans escalated with the climb of another orgasm, he angled his mouth to swallow every sound, holding his dick inside me as my second peak rippled through me and around him.

  Before I’d even come down, he growled out, “I can’t take it.”

  Then I was on my stomach, my ass up, his hands spanning my hips and gripping hard as he pumped in with fierce thrusts. I clawed my nails into the covers, needing to hold onto something when Alpha let loose. The slapping of flesh against flesh, his masculine grunt every time he pushed to the hilt, and the sensation of my man thick and steel-hard for me was enough to send me into blissful oblivion.

  “Tell me what you want,” I taunted, even as he kept up his relentless thrusting.

  “You,” he practically roared in a voice more beast than man. “Always you.”

  I clenched my muscles and squeezed, which sent him over the edge. He launched his body forward, almost crushing me beneath him. He held up enough so I could breathe as he speared me one last time, biting my shoulder and groaning through his release.

  Both of us panting, we didn’t say a word for a few moments. I slid one hand off the comforter toward his. Before I reached him, he covered mine, lacing our fingers together. He nuzzled into my neck, soft and sweet, his lips brushing gently.

  “I love you, Evie.”

  The depth of Mateo’s emotion vibrated in his voice. And though I’d heard the words many times before, it always filled me with the same euphoric pleasure. I’d never get over hearing those words from his lips. Just as I’d always feel the urgent need to remind him of the same.

  “I love you, too.”

  In my young life as a witch, I’d seen the power of magic do miraculous things. A supernatural force that could bend metal, pound brick into dust, and crush the will of men into nothing. It was a power that could also do unimaginable good and create astounding beauty. Even so, it didn’t come close to the overwhelming and mighty power of love.

  It was like Christmas spirit. An intangible force you couldn’t touch or hold in your hand. But it was a bone-deep feeling you knew and felt in the air every December. In the smiles of family, in the gathering of friends, in the kindness of strangers. It was real and powerful and true.

  Just as the love that beat between our two hearts, winding us in a magical force all its own. Mateo pulled me into his arms and kissed the crown of my head.

  “I have a little something for you.”

  I snickered, like the child I was. “You just gave me a big something.”

  Ignoring my dirty joke, he leaned over his side of the bed as I snuggled under the covers. He set a square box wrapped in Santa Claus wrapping paper on my stomach.

  “Open it.”

  “Mateo,” I whined. Sitting up with the sheet tucked between my arms and body to cover my boobs, I started ripping off the paper. “We’re supposed to wait till Christmas.”

  “It’s not your real present.” Propped on his elbow, his beautiful, naked body spread unashamedly on top of the covers. “This is something for both of us.”

  Totally confused, I made quick work of the paper and box, flinging the top off so fast I tore it. Mateo chuckled as I swished the red tissue paper out of the way to find two black T-shirts. I lifted the top one, a woman’s fitted, long-sleeved te
e in my size with Princess Leia saying, I love you. I laughed, because I already knew what the other extra large T-shirt was. Yep. It was Han Solo replying, I know.

  I squeezed them both to my bare breasts with a squeal. “I can’t believe it.”

  His eyes smiled more than his mouth when he said, “I thought we could wear them together.” He shrugged. “Christmas Eve.”

  Launching myself on top of him, he caught me and fell onto his back as I pecked kisses all over his face before gripping his finely sculpted jaw in both hands. “You are such a nerd.”

  “But you love me.”

  “More than ever.”

  He gripped my nape and pulled me down for a soft kiss. “Merry first Christmas.”

  “You’re still too early.”

  “I want to tell you now.”

  “Merry first Christmas,” I whispered back against his lips. “And to many more.”

  “Indeed.”

  Then we stopped talking with our mouths and wished each other merry one more time with our bodies. Later, as I drifted off to sleep, warm in his arms, I remember thinking it didn’t matter what his real present was. This was already the best Christmas ever.

  The End

  We hope you enjoyed this holiday short about Mateo and Evie set in the supernatural world of this brand new series by Juliette Cross. Book one, WOLF GONE WILD in the STAY A SPELL series, releases on January 14, 2020. If you care to sign up for the new release alert or learn more about this fun and sexy new series, check out Juliette’s website at https://juliettecross.com

  About the Author

  Juliette Cross

  JULIETTE is a multi-published author of paranormal and fantasy romance & the co-host of the podcast, Smart Women Read Romance. She is a native of Louisiana, living in the heart of Cajun country with her husband, four kids, black lab named Kona, and kitty, Betty. She is represented by Rachel Brooks at BookEnds Literary Agency. When she isn’t working on her next project, she enjoys binge-watching her favorite shows with her husband with a glass (or two) of red wine.

  https://www.juliettecross.com/

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  Series by Juliette Cross

  The Vessel Trilogy

  Dominion

  The Nightwing Series

  Vale of Stars

  Vampire Blood Series

  Stay a Spell

  RECENT RELEASE

  Wolf Gone Wild (Stay a Spell #1) - 1.14.2020

  The Wolf I Want for Christmas

  Abigail Owen

  THE WOLF I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

  Cade Campbell has spent ten years in hiding, preparing to return to his small town, the pack his uncle stole from him…and the mate who doesn't know she's been waiting for him. When he shows up on Shyla's doorstep a few days before Christmas he discovers the sweet, quiet girl he grew up with is all woman. The problem is she's become a loner, is obsessively neat, and allergic to dogs. Bad news for this wolf. Still, Cade's not giving up on her or on taking his rightful place as alpha. Maybe this year Santa could finally get things right.

  Dear Santa—

  Before I explain…

  how much do you already know?

  1

  SHYLA

  The sharp knock on Shyla’s door was not expected…which meant not wanted.

  She frowned as she cautiously approached, her socked feet silent on the hardwood floors of her cozy cabin. She knew for a fact that no deliveries were happening today, and no plans had been made for visitors. Her friends and family knew to call ahead.

  So, what the hell?

  “Shyla?” a deep, instantly recognizable voice sounded—a voice she hadn’t heard in ten years. “It’s Cade Campbell. Sean sent me over.”

  She stopped stalking toward the door like a cat and straightened, spine stiff, eyes wide.

  Cade Campbell.

  Her body froze like the icicles that hung off her roof in the winter as memories flashed through her mind. Laughing blue eyes. Dark hair flopped over his forehead. Constantly throwing him out of her room. Helping a bloodied boy of sixteen through dark woods. A soft kiss.

  Before he’d disappeared from town without a word.

  Cade Campbell.

  Drool worthy, tease her until she screamed, make her want to orgasm with a single look Cade Campbell was standing on the other side of her door.

  And her dumbass brother had sent him.

  What was Sean thinking? That he’d send her an early Christmas present? How would he know? She’d certainly never shared the fact that every sexy dream she’d had featured Cade since the day he’d disappeared from town.

  She made a mental note to kill her brother next time she saw him.

  “I can hear you, Shyla,” Cade called through the door.

  Right. Wolf shifter. How could she ever forget that bit?

  This time his voice sounded amused, like he was holding in a laugh. At her expense. Some things never changed. With a shake of her head, teeth gritted, she managed to shake off her paralysis and move to the door.

  “One, two, three,” she whispered as she flicked the bolt three times. Only if she did that would the pressure in her chest ease enough to let her do the next thing. She repeated the action with the bolt that shot into the floor but left the chain on when she opened the door. A chain no wolf shifter could break.

  She’d made sure of that.

  Through the gap, she looked up, and up, and up—over work boots, jeans, and a black t-shirt under a well-worn leather jacket—until she reached familiar light blue eyes. Eyes under thick black brows that were raised. Eyes that twinkled with suppressed laughter.

  “Merry Christmas, Shyla. Remember me?”

  Oh, hell.

  Dumbest question ever. But, while some things might not change, some clearly did. Cade Campbell was not sixteen anymore, that was for damn sure. Neither was she for that matter.

  The last time she’d seen Cade, he’d been a scrawny boy, all limbs and gangly. Still bigger than any of the human boys at school, but rail thin with it. Now his jet-black hair was short instead of floppy. His shoulders had filled out. So had his face, despite the uncompromising square jaw.

  A wave of attraction caught her on the raw. She’d had a thing for Cade since she’d been ten and realized boys gave her butterflies. That had grown into an almighty crush that she’d hidden as best she could as she’d hit high school. Every girl had wanted Cade. She knew because they had asked her about him all the time since he was always at her house.

  He’d never seen her as anything but Sean’s little sister. Someone he alternately drove nuts with pranks and helped in the way that big brothers did in books. The first mean girl incident in high school had ended up with her crying on Cade’s shoulder. She suspected he’d also got his own back at the girl, because a few months later she’d apologized to Shyla and muttered something about how maybe they could all put this behind them. Maybe that’s why his leaving, cutting every tie so hard, had hurt so damn much.

  That and the fact that he hadn’t been there for her through the worst thing.

  Now she did her best to shove those memories aside. “Hi, Cade. It’s been a while. Can I help you with something?”

  He tipped his head. “That’s all the greeting I get? It’s been ten years, Shy.”

  He was the only one who’d ever called her that and gotten away with it.

  “Has it?” She pretended to think. Ten years, four months, and a few days. But who was counting? “Yeah. I guess it has.”

  He searched her expression for a second. “You seem mad at me.”

  She tried a calm smile. “Of course not, but ten years is a long time. I guess I’m surprised to see you. Unfortunately, I’m in the middle of work. Maybe we could catch up later…”

  He glanced down and actually scuffed his boot on her wide door mat. “It’s been too long.” If she didn’t know better, she’d swear that was regret in his voice. Except when he raised his head, his gaze was clear. “Mind if I come in? Sean sent me over
to help you.”

  “Oh. Um. I don’t need help.” She did, but no way was she letting it come from Cade. Ten years of secretly pining for a man while she holed up in here wasn’t something she wanted to make worse with a fly by visit. Better if she sent him on his way. She had her life in her control now, exactly how she wanted it. He had a habit—or at least he used to—of tipping her orderly life upside down and dumping the box on the ground.

  “Something about a busted pipe? No water?” He wasn’t giving up.

  Shyla pursed her lips. “I don’t know why Sean sent you, but I’ve got this handled.”

  His eyes narrowed and that intense look came over him—like he could see into her soul and pull the truth out. Damn. She’d forgotten how he could make her confess things with that look. She did her best not to squirm, as her hormones zoomed into hyperdrive. Heat, both familiar and embarrassing, flooded her veins, pooling at her core.

  “I can smell the standing water, Shy.” He spoke the words quietly.

  Could he smell her arousal, too? Good thing she wasn’t a blusher, or she would be bright as Santa’s coat right now.

  “Here’s the thing... It’s damn cold out here. How about you let me in? I’ll take a look while I warm up. Okay?”

  She barely held in a sigh even as eager anticipation tried to sneak inside her and get her blood pumping.

  “Just a sec.” She shut the door in his face and slid the chain back, counting to three again with each slide, before she released it.

  Couldn’t be too careful. She lived alone on her tiny mountain after all. Granted, in her version of a fortress. Not that anyone but familiar faces, and Chuck, who she paid to deliver her mail and packages, ever came out this way. The humans weren’t who she was worried about anyway. Holly Hill, Montana, boasted a large shifter population of several different kinds, and they loved to roam the woods.