Monsters Under Mistletoe

3. Marissa

Chapter 3

Marissa

T his was crazy. Bjorn was a gorgeous human. My Viking polar bear shifter. But tonight, something about his animal form was driving me wild.

We couldn’t be together like this, could we? He was huge as a human in all ways, but that was nothing compared to the size of him as a bear.

It couldn’t possibly work.

Not to mention, it was scandalous as hell, which made my heartbeat go into overdrive.

“Tonight’s game is one of my favorites,” Bibi announced. “And I’ve decided to combine it with the secret Santa exchange. Drag Pictionary! The person drawing will be giving the gift, and person who guesses correctly will be the next to participate. Any questions?”

How can I sneak a giant polar bear back to my office without everyone noticing while the rest of you play the game? Not that I’d ever actually ask that…Still, I raised my hand, and Bibi’s eyebrows disappeared into her wig. The tension between Bjorn and I had to be as obvious as if we had laser beams shooting between us.

“Can I go first?” I asked.

“I love that enthusiasm.” The concern turned to a megawatt grin. “Let me get the first card ready. Feel free to shout out your guesses as Marissa draws. I’ll let you know if you’re cold, warm, or red hot.”

There was a low chorus of oohs as I met Bibi in the middle of the circle, but there was no way I could sit through this sexy game with my gorgeous bear beside me. I had to take matters into my own hands.

And if that meant Santa thought I was a bad girl, even better.

“You should be able to nail this one,” Bibi said in a faint voice as she showed me the card. “And I can’t wait to cash in on the bet.”

That was much of a blessing as I needed from my boss to pull off my plan.

I held up two fingers, then I opened the marker and considered the giant pad of paper that had been clipped to the easel. The first part of my clue was easy. I drew a giant eye. But the next part would take a little more finesse.

I drew a circle with a line in the middle.

“Blindfold?” Hannah guessed.

“It’s a little chilly in here,” Bibi said.

Okay, time to get more detailed. Art wasn’t my forte, but I could draw stick figures. I positioned them doggy style because it seemed like the easiest visual. Everyone giggled when I added a big stick to the figure behind the one on all fours.

“Someone likes being watched,” Gabe suggested.

“Lukewarm,” Bibi declared.

I put a big plus sign between them and tapped on each element. Still nothing. Really? I added an arrow between the two drawings.

“Eye fucking,” Bjorn said.

“Yes, eye fucking. No surprise the bear is red hot.” Bibi clasped her hands together. “Marissa, who did you have as your Secret Santa?”

“Believe it or not, I had Bjorn.” I handed him the envelope.

“Is he gonna be able to open it with his paws?” Hugo asked.

“I can help,” Bibi offered.

“No, you can’t. And don’t open that yet!” I snatched the envelope away from Bjorn. The envelope contained an IOU for his favorite bedroom moves, and I wasn’t ready to broadcast those to everyone in Sunset Springs.

“Can you give us a hint of what it is?” Bibi asked.

“It’s me. I’m his present.” Before I lost my nerve, I added. “And I’m also treating all of you to burlesque night at the Orchid Lounge, because I’d like to give my bear his gift now.”

“Oh, by all means,” Bibi said as everyone in the circle oohed. “Have a wonderful night, and I’ll see you bright and early on Monday morning.”

I reached for Bjorn’s paw, and he took it, bringing it to his snout and kissing it before rising from his chair. The sensation sent goosebumps shimmering down my spine. The bear only had eyes for me, and we were frozen in the middle of that circle, all our friends and party favors faded to a fuzzy memory as he lifted me from my feet and carried me out of the studio.

Wrapping my arms around his big, fuzzy neck, I kicked the door open so he could lead us down the hallway. I wasn’t sure where he was bringing me, and I didn’t care. Even though this was my present to Bjorn, it was clear he planned to give as well as receive. Everything felt wild and a little terrifying and so fucking hot that it took everything I had not to beg him to take me against the wall.

He brought us out the door and down the red carpet. The reporters were long gone, thank the moon for that, because my adoptive mom was one of the regulars who liked to be first to share The Mating Game’s hot gossip. The fans were still there, as always, and they called out to us to as Bjorn charged past them, on the way to the parking lot.

This was a bear on a mission.

“Can you drive?” he asked, the words pure growl. “I thought about taking into your office, but I the everyone would hear us.”

“I think so.” It was a short trip, and the effects of the spritz had worn off. Now the only thing intoxicating me was my mate. “Will you fit in the back? I’m not ready for you to shift yet.”

His gaze was on fire. “ I’ll make it work.”

Another shiver went down my spine. I pushed down the seats and popped open the trunk of his SUV. He climbed in, leaving very little space to spare.

I had no idea how I got us home. All I remember was the heat of Bjorn’s body fogging the windows and the rough edge to every breath he took. It cast a spell over me. I was relieved to find myself in the driveway in front of our cabin.

After I let him out of the trunk, he stalked behind me, following me into the house, pushing aside our unpacked boxes. I barely had time to catch a martini glass before it shattered. The room hadn’t been made to accommodate a giant polar bear.

The tip of his nose butted against my back. “ Turn around, little wolf. I finally get this beautiful body all to myself.”

I honored his request, barely able to breathe.

“Are you nervous?” he asked.

“No.” The word shook, exposing my lie.

“Why don’t you tell me what you want for Christmas while I take a moment to admire you.”

Christmas…right. I could hardly think straight with Bjorn’s nose under the garland that crossed my breasts. My knees were numb, and my lady parts were thrumming with the possibilities. This was so freaking hot.

“All I want right now is you.” I squeezed my eyes closed as he ran his tongue across my taut nipple. “And…a baby.”

My eyes flew open as he drew back.

“You do?” he said.

“Hannah and I were talking about it, and a strange feeling came over me. Like this warmth I’d never felt before. And Wendy and Gabe came over, and I guess I’m spoiling their big announcement, but if we’d stayed at the party, they were about to tell everyone they’re pregnant.”

“I’d rather find out like this.” My bear grinned at me.

“And I felt strange, even when I saw you—don’t get me wrong, I’m so freaking turned on I’m not even sure I’m making sense right now. You deserve to be a dad, and I want to have your baby.”

A rumble went through his body . “I like that idea. And we can spend our entire holiday break making it happen. Maybe next Christmas will be our baby’s first. But that means, I’ve only got one Christmas with you all to myself, and I plan to make the most of it.”

“Yes.” I closed my eyes, and the warmth of his breath made me shudder as he tracing the lines of the mistletoe, stopping when he reached the space between my thighs.

He nudged me, forcing me to take a step back. And another, and another until the backs of my thighs were against the couch. Another nudge had me on the cushion. His snout was between my legs, forcing them open.

He groaned. “You’re so ready for me. I knew it the moment you sat on my lap.”

“You have no idea, bear.”

His rough tongue swiped the thin strip of fabric between my thighs. I cried out with surprise, hooking my leg over his shoulder, letting him get closer, offering him all of me. He tugged at the nylon with his claw, groaning with satisfaction as he tore it open. Pushing my thong aside, he ran his tongue the length of my slit.

Sweet moon, this was hot. And so different than being with him as a human. Nothing about him was human right now except for he knew all the spots that made my body sing.

I writhed in time with his movements, burying my hand in the fur on the top of his head, pulling, twisting, guiding him. He flirted with coming inside me, and my inner walls pulsed uncontrollably at the possibility.

He pushed his tongue just a little further inside, and my body bucked, losing control as he drove me over the edge, I cried out, but Bjorn was relentless. He swiped back to my clit, circling, nipping, bringing me to a place I didn’t even know was possible.

The heat in my body rose to an almost unbearable level. Bjorn’s body jerked back, and he let out a roar that shook the foundation of our little cabin.

I knew what happened next as his bones snapped, rearranged themselves, and fur melted away, exposing sculpted muscles, and the beautiful human face of my mate.

“Don’t worry, little wolf,” he said as he placed his hands on my thighs and pushed them even further apart. His body was still hot from the shift, his skin dewy. His eyes burned with a fire that was all for me. “That’s not the only thing I plan to give you tonight.”