Falling For Her Guardian (Yuletide Shifters #1)

Excerpt

FROM RESCUED BY HER GUARDIAN (YULETIDE SHIFTERS BOOK TWO)

Santa eased back in the chair and said, “Ivy, you’re the best assistant I’ve ever had, and I love your dedication to the work we do. But you can’t neglect your health for the job, and you shouldn’t let fear keep you from taking care of your magic.”

“I know.”

He chuckled. “Go on, then, and have a nice night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Are you sure I can’t get you a refill on your cocoa?”

He grunted. “Stop stalling and go.”

“Fine.” She turned and walked out of the office, then called over her shoulder, “Thank you.”

He grunted in response, using his magic to shut the door.

She grabbed her coat and said goodnight to the elves who were going to be working late and headed to the door leading out into the hall.

She stepped out into the hall and put on her heavy coat. The bright red wool was soft and thick and lined with black satin. As she fastened the big black buttons, she looked down at her shoes and realized she was wearing flats and not boots. Hopefully it hadn’t snowed, otherwise she was going to have some frosty toes by the time her magic replenished.

Something within her stirred.

It was the strangest feeling, like settling into an almost-too-hot bath or drinking a cup of tea and snuggling under a blanket.

Warm and safe, and blissfully content.

She lifted her head and saw three males walking toward her.

She recognized two of them: Chase and Maverick, snow leopard Guardians.

But she didn’t recognize the third male.

And jingle bells, what a male he was.

Tall and thick with muscles, the navy blue uniform shirt gripped his muscles like it was one good flex away from shredding seam to seam. She could see a tattoo on his forearm since he’d rolled the long sleeves up to his elbows.

Holy tinsel, was there anything hotter than a guy who rolled the sleeves of a shirt up like that?

She didn’t think so.

His hair was the color of dark chocolate, and she was pretty dang sure his eyes were a similar color, all warm brown and rimmed with thick lashes.

She was aware she was staring.

But she couldn’t stop herself.

He had the most kissable lips she’d ever seen in her life.

Something clattered to the floor, and the male locked his gaze with hers, and everything within her snapped to attention.

The warmth intensified, her body heating and tingling, her heart pounding.

He was her truemate.

But who the sleighbells was he?