Santa Paws: BBW Holiday Bear Shifter Romance (Christmas Bear Brothers Book 1) (7 page)

The miles disappeared in an endless blur of snow, and she began to think about Dermot and how he must be feeling. He would stiffen up from all his bruises, the cold wouldn’t help either, and then she had an idea. Altering her course, she made her way to the south, hoping her senses would lead her to the right place. She had been here several times with the other reindeer; it was their way of winding down on Christmas morning after a hard night pulling the sleigh.

“Where are you going?” Dermot asked, his voice muffled.

“It’s a surprise,” she said, and throttled forward faster. A sense of anticipation filled her. They could spare a little time for some relaxation; it would help Dermot feel better. And maybe bring her in touch with the reindeer she needed to be.

She stopped the snowmobile and tapped Dermot on the knee. “Come on, off you get.”

“I’m not sure I can move,” he said, slowly flexing his arms and then his kegs.

“It will be worth it if you can,” she said, and managed to slide off the snowmobile. Going to his side, she helped him off, taking his weight as he forced himself to stand.

“Damn it. I am no use to you,” he said as he hobbled forward. “Sitting still for so long has made me too stiff.”

“This will help. Come on.” She pulled him forward. He groaned as he walked, but gradually, step by step, it got easier and then she said, “OK. Now you have to strip.”

He looked at her in the deep twilight as if she was mad. “I know I have bear blood in my veins, but that might not be enough to stop me freezing to death.”

“Well, once we strip, we get to jump in there,” she said, pointing to the steaming pool of water about ten feet away.

“Oh. Now, that I can do,” he said, moving towards the pool, taking off his clothes as he went.

Vicky did the same, glad no one was here at this time. It would be so much nicer to have the hot spring to themselves. “Last one in is a polar bear.”

He couldn’t move quickly, and she could see the bruises along his ribs, but she knew the warm water would help heal him; that and his bear blood should leave him feeling much better. This brief stop was going to be worth it. It wasn’t as if she were trying to put off the inevitable. No. That wasn’t it at all.

“That feels so good,” he said as he slid into the water. She had already got in, and couldn’t help but agree. The water was warm after the cold air had bitten into her in the few steps she had taken naked to reach the pool. Now the warmth seeped into her flesh, penetrating her bones.

“You deserve it,” she said, swimming over to him, and kissing his cheek.

“I think I deserve more than a kiss on my cheek,” he said, sounding more like his usual self.

“Oh really. Do tell?”

“Well, my lip really hurts.” He pointed to where his lip had split, and she lightly placed her lips there, thankful when he didn’t flinch.

“You are tougher than I thought,” she said. Kissing his temple next to his black eye.

“I have two brothers. We often used to fight.”

“Not like this, though.”

“No. But it was worth it for the snowmobile. Although I wonder if we would be better to leave it here and then go on, on foot, or paws.”

“Depends how you feel,” she said. “There isn’t too much farther to go.”

She looked up at the stunning colours above their heads. Through the veil of the aurora she could see the stars twinkling in the sky; it would be a good night to fly with the others, and the old magic woke in her, rearing its sleepy head, filling her with longing.

“I feel like I could go two more rounds with Hans,” he said.

“Or maybe you could put that energy into something else,” she said, wrapping her arms around him and lifting her legs to straddle him. She felt him harden, and added, “Unless you are too sore.”

“Never,” he said, and his hands lifted her hips. She took hold of his hard shaft and ran her hand along it. This was going to be interesting, and very enjoyable.

Between them, they positioned their bodies so she could lower herself down onto him. The sensation of the warm water against her body, while his hard length breeched her outer lips and then slid smoothly inside, was incredibly stimulating.

She gasped as he filled her in one hard thrust, his fingers digging into her hips as he held her in place so she didn’t float away from him. Vicky tightened her grip around his waist, her clit pressing against his body, her lips planting kisses along his neck.

In and out, he pulled back and then thrust into her; his earlier fatigue vanishing as he took her hard and fast. Was he reclaiming her, after losing to Hans? He needed to prove himself, but not to her. The fact that Dermot had been beaten didn’t worry her; she knew he had been doing what he had to, to help them on their journey.

“I know you lost for me,” she said into his ear.

“I did what I had to do,” he ground out, and then he lowered his head, sucking in her nipple, rolling his tongue over it. The sensations coursed through her body, the messages between her sex and her breasts connecting until her orgasm crashed into her.

She cried out into the Arctic air, telling the world she was here, with her mate, a man who had brought her across the snow so she could be who she was meant to be on Christmas Eve. And as he came, filling her with his essence, filling her with the potential of a child, here under the magical aurora, she at last caught sight of her Christmas spirit.

Maybe this was how things were supposed to be; this journey was one the two of them had to travel on. As he finished, grinding out his climax, she was ready to find out what fate had in store for them at the end of their destination.

“Ready?” he asked as she finished putting all her layers of clothing back on. It was a pity, he had enjoyed seeing her naked in the snow. At least as much as he could see her in this light. “Does it ever get light here?” he asked.

“Not this time of year. The aurora is the only light we’ll see.” She finished doing up the buttons of her coat, and then said, “I’m ready.”

He stood still, allowing his bear to come to him, and then he slipped from this world to return in the form of his bear. Vicky did the same, and he stood transfixed in wonder when the beautiful reindeer, his mate, stood before him in the snow. Her feet were made for this terrain, and he only hoped his lumbering bear would be able to match her pace as she leaped off into the Arctic snow.

Magical. That was the only way to describe what he experienced as they trekked across the snow. On and on, an endless sea of white. He was only thankful that it didn’t snow; he would hate to lose her in a blizzard after they had come all this way.

As they trekked in silence, he occasionally pressed his bear against her, reassuring her he was there. Or maybe the reassurance was for him. She was his guide, with an innate knowledge of which direction they were supposed to take; she was leading him towards their destination.

His mind began to wonder, his thoughts filled with family. By this time next year, he hoped to have a child, for Vicky to give him a small cub so they could hang up a Christmas stocking and wait for Vicky to come with Santa to fill it with gifts, just as their child would fill their lives with love and happiness.

Perhaps his brothers would have children too. He was sure both of them had found their mates and would be spending this Christmas as happily as he was. OK, maybe they wouldn’t be out here on the Arctic tundra.

Ahead of him, Vicky increased her pace. They were near their destination; he could sense her excitement and anticipation, and he let go of thoughts of home. As he turned his attention back to his reindeer mate, he wished his brothers well and hoped they were as happy at this moment as he was.

It might be freezing cold and dark as night, but he was with the most important person in his world.

And he was about to meet Santa.

It appeared from amongst the snow and ice: a sleigh, with seven reindeer all harnessed up, stamping the ground in anticipation. She ran faster and then slowed, once more unsure she could do this, unsure she had it in her to lift herself up into the dark night, to fly across the moon with Santa and the gifts for the people in their beds.

Her breath came in short snorts, a cloud of vapour as she stood, her feet rooted to the spot. Behind her, Dermot gave her a nudge with his big bear snout and she took a step forward. And then another.

Santa came to her, Rudolph by his side. “I am so pleased you could join us, Vicky.”

She changed, her human form coming back to this world so she could apologise to the strange man in the red coat. He smelt of cinnamon and spice, of pine trees and sugar canes. He smelt of Christmas, and she knew the thing she had been searching for had never been missing; it had simply been covered up by the stresses and strains of everyday life.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” she said.

“We have plenty of time,” Santa said, and embraced her, pulling her to him.

“Thank you, Dermot,” Rudolph said, holding out his hand to the bear.

Dermot couldn’t resist. Although feeling shy in the presence of the two iconic people, he came back to the world as a man. And shook hands with Rudolph, who promptly pulled him into a hug.

“I’m sorry the whole world isn’t going to know how you saved Christmas,” Rudolph said.

“I’m used to being the man in the background. I don’t mind at all. And anyway,” he said, pulling Vicky into his arms. “I have the best Christmas gift ever.”

“Right. We must away,” Santa said. “Rudolph, Vicky, it’s time.”

Dermot watched over her as she changed back into her reindeer and stood patiently while Santa harnessed her to the sleigh. Then Rudolph was harnessed to the front.

“Wow, he really does have a red nose,” Dermot said as the last reindeer was put in place. Vicky stamped her foot and nodded, sending her bells jingling. A thrill of excitement took hold of her; she was ready to fly, ready to join her friends on this most magical of nights.

“I’ll wait here for you,” he said to Vicky, but Santa came over, and patted Dermot on the back.

“We’ll give you a lift. Least we can do. Then when Vicky has finished she can fly back to Bear Bluff.”

“How do you know …?” Dermot said, and Vicky shook her head, jingling her bells with laughter.

“Santa knows everything.” He winked at Dermot, who she was sure blushed. “I know exactly who has been naughty or nice too. And you, my friend, have been such a good boy, you got an early Christmas gift. And so did your brothers.”

Dermot was left speechless, but under Santa’s guiding hand he got in the sleigh and with a whoop, the reindeer all began to run across the snow, until slowly, magically, they rose into the air. Vicky felt her heart swell. They were flying; she had done it. Dermot had done it. He had fulfilled his promise to her, and helped her find her Christmas spirit. Now to spread the same magic across the world.

Santa dropped him off on the edge of Bear Bluff. He stood staring almost in disbelief as the sleigh rose back into the air. It was only when he heard “Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas,” that he came back to life and began to make his way home. He wanted to get washed and put on some fresh clothes ready for when Vicky came back.

Every so often, he had to stop and reminded himself this was all real and it wasn’t some kind of joke. He wasn’t hallucinating, and he really did have a mate … who was a reindeer.

Yeah. That was going to take some getting used to, and he doubted anyone would believe him. Not until they had seen her, at least. That was when he had his idea.

Picking up his pace, he headed home. He needed a couple of hours sleep, and then he would go and visit a few people. Dermot was sure they wouldn’t mind getting up early and giving him a hand; it was Christmas after all.

Five hours later, he was heading to the sheriff’s office, all his other preparations in place, and too excited to go back to bed. In his hand, he had two hot baguettes, and he was taking a chance Declan was already back on duty, with a story of his own to tell. Like a young boy on Christmas morning, he knocked on the door. Waiting for Declan to answer.

He heard the keys jingling in Declan’s hand as his brother approached the door; it reminded him of the bells on Vicky’s harness. He felt so enormously happy, and couldn’t resist putting on a deep voice and saying, “Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas.”

“Dermot.” Declan opened the door, looking surprised to see his brother. “What the hell are you doing here at this time?”

“I couldn’t sleep. Didn’t know if you would be here either. Thought you had found your mate.” Dermot went into his brother’s office. Declan seemed more interested in the food he was carrying than what Dermot had to say. But when Dermot took a closer look at him, he realised how rough he looked, and handed him one of the baguettes.

“Thought I would bring you breakfast.”

“Thank you,” Declan said, accepting the baguette and tucking in. “That is wonderful.”

“You look terrible, by the way.” Dermot said, between mouthfuls.

“It has been a rough couple of days.”

“Tell me about it,” Dermot said nodding in agreement.

“You have a black eye,” Declan said accusingly. “Don’t tell me you got into a brawl on Christmas Eve.”

“I did. With a polar bear,” Dermot said matter-of-factly.

Declan nearly choked on his food. “A polar bear. In Bear Bluff?”

“Oh, no.
I
have been to the North Pole. And I take it all back. Santa is real.” Declan nearly choked on his food.

“So now I know you’ve been drinking.” Declan thought for a moment. “Hey. Did you really get dropped off by Santa in a sleigh?”

“I most certainly did.” Dermot grinned. “He has a very sexy reindeer called Vicky.”

This time Declan did spray his food. “You have the hots for a reindeer?”

“She’s my mate,” he said simply.

“Then we’ve both fulfilled that pact we made,” Declan said with wonder.

Dermot nodded. “I think Damon has too, although I’ve not heard from him since he nearly got ripped to shreds by a cougar.”