Special Delivery: Winter: An Mpreg Romance Collection

by Aria Grace

  “Your clothes were drenched. I had to get them off you. You helped, sort of.”

  Had the guy seen me naked. Peeked under my underwear? Not the usual way I introduced myself. Embarrassing!

  “Are you hungry?”

  It hadn’t occurred to me to want food though that aroma was divine, but when he spoke, it hit me I was ravenous. “Yes.” He handed me my jeans which were warm and toasty, and I sat at the small table while Ian made coffee. Nothing was ever as good as that first cup in the morning and his brew was strong, sending adrenaline pulsing through my veins.

  Now I was properly awake, questions churned in my head. “How did I get here, Ian? Did you find me?” There was no way I could forget the wind biting at my cheeks as it searched for gaps in my clothes and tried to trip me over.

  “You made it to my door.”

  The sliver of light shining on my face. I remembered that. “Thank you. My parents must have been freaking out.”

  “They were anxious as they’d been trying to call you and when they discovered the airport had closed, thought you might have been stuck there. They were extremely relieved to discover you were safe.”

  While I listened to his engaging voice, my gaze was fixed on his hands mixing, pouring and measuring, and an image of those hands on me popped unannounced into my head. “How did I miss the farm? It’s not as though this road is crowded with houses and traffic.”

  “You made a wrong turn at the T-junction. Easy to do but especially so when you’re blinded by snow.”

  As Ian flipped pancakes, I flicked my eyes about the cabin. Small, tidy and clean. And judging by the delicious smell wafting from the stove, a competent cook. There was a small decorated Christmas tree in the corner with beautifully wrapped presents underneath.

  And then it hit me. “Oh, it’s Christmas Day.”

  “Merry Christmas.”

  “And to you. Have I ruined your morning?” I jerked my head toward the presents. “Are you expecting family or going somewhere? I’m sorry.”

  “No. They can’t make it,” he responded with a resigned air. “You’re not the only one whose plans were tipped on their head by the blizzard.”

  Poor guy. He’d gone to so much trouble. The room was draped with tinsel and lights lined the windows. Mistletoe hung above a doorway and when he opened the fridge to get milk, I got a peek at shelves groaning with food.

  “You’ll have to come to our place and celebrate. We can’t have you spend the day by yourself.” It occurred to me that my parents and Ian might not be close. Just because they had a working relationship, didn’t mean they were besties in their free time. But Mom and Dad always picked up waifs and strays to join them during the holidays—people who had nowhere else to go.

  “That’s kind of you but I don’t want to intrude. Your mom and dad have been so looking forward to having all their children with them over the holidays.”

  He pushed a pile of pancakes toward me and a jug of maple syrup. “Eat up and I’ll call Viv and Rob.” He sat opposite me and stuck a fork in his pancake and then cocked his head. “You hear that?”

  I leaned toward the door as a gray morning light crept underneath. “What am I listening for? It’s quiet outside.”

  “Exactly. Storm’s done.”

  I’d have to leave. While I was looking forward to being with my family, I also wanted to be in Ian’s presence, though I couldn’t pinpoint why exactly. “Once I finish eating, I’ll get out of your hair. My rental car’s probably buried under the snow.”

  “No need to hurry. No one’s coming along our road this morning, though you should call the rental company as once the snow’s been cleared, they’ll want to collect—or maybe tow—the car.”

  I was anxious to assure my folks I was okay, and when I called, Mom sent kisses through the phone and Dad piped up in the background that he was glad I was with Ian. I took note of that as it appeared they got along well and respected the alpha.

  “My turn.” Mac must have grabbed the phone as his voice boomed out of the device. “You always have to make an entrance. Hope you brought my present, bro.”

  “And mine,” Sarah yelled.

  “Oops, might have left them in the plane’s overhead locker,” I teased.

  “Liar,” he crowed

  “Why’d you ask?” I went back and forth with Mac, and Sarah insisted she speak with me. From the corner of my eye, I noted Ian clearing the dishes, his shoulders sagging.

  “Ian’s nice,” she blurted out.

  Not so loud, sis! “I was so lucky to find his place.”

  “It must be crowded with his dads there.”

  “Nope.” I lowered my voice. “They didn’t make it before the airport closed.”

  “He’s alone—apart from you?”

  “Mmmm.”

  “Mom! Dad!” She yelled and I held the phone away from my ear. Ouch! “Ian’s by himself on Christmas.”

  “David?”

  “Yeah, Mom.” We were playing telephone round Robin.

  “Ian must come to us today. I did invite him but he was so excited his family was coming. Poor guy.”

  “Okay.” A thrill of anticipation ran through me at the thought of spending the day with everyone, including Ian.

  “We’re still on for Monopoly, bro,” Mac shouted into the phone. “Gran and Uncle Saul are hoping to make it when the snow plow has made the road passable, but after dinner it’ll be us three and Ian.”

  Game on!

  4. Ian

  “You’re invited,” David said as he got off the phone. There had been so much laughter and joking when he’d spoken to his folks and siblings, I’d been envious. I was an only child. My omega father died when I was ten and it’d been me and Dad until he’d remarried. Gary was a good guy, he and my father adored one another, and he treated me as a son.

  But hearing the teasing and rivalry between David and his brother and sister, had me wondering what it would be like to have a larger family with siblings. Something I’ll never experience.

  “That’s sweet.” I wasn’t going to disagree and put up a pretend argument. I didn’t want to be alone. Christmas Day just got a whole lot better.

  My phone buzzed. It was Viv! We’re coming with the sled in case David isn’t up to tramping through the snow.

  Great. I’ll bring my food. No way can I eat all this.

  David got hold of the car rental company and they said they’d come once the road was open, while I emptied the fridge. I think the poor thing heaved a sigh of relief.

  When everyone arrived, David was kissed and hugged and made sure he was in one piece, and Viv flung her arms around me thanking me for looking after her baby. Rob slapped me on the back.

  “Oh look,” Sarah pointed out as we stood near the door. “Ian and David are under the mistletoe.” Damn! I’d forgotten about that. I’d put it up because Dad and Gary had a thing that wherever they were at Christmas, they had to kiss under the mistletoe.

  “You have to kiss,” Viv said.

  “No, that’s silly,” I said as I reached up to grab the holly.

  “Stop!” Rob scolded me and grabbed my elbow. “It’s bad luck!” I’d never heard that superstition.

  “It’s okay. We don’t have to,” David murmured as an adorable spot of pink appeared on each cheek.

  “No, it’s tradition,” Sarah agreed and shrugged. “Nothing to do but smooch!”

  Being a head taller than David had me leaning over, but there were four pairs of eyes latched on to us. Weird. Were they all holding their breath waiting for our lips to meet?

  David tilted his head and I did the same to avoid the awkward nose smushing. His breath with the hint of coffee and syrup curled around me making my heart thud at twice the normal speed. It had me reliving our breakfast where we’d engaged in cheerful conversation.

  Soft lips met mine. A light touch from one almost-stranger to another. With an audience who’d forced us into this, there was no gasping for breath, or tracing my t
ongue over his lips. And definitely no grinding of hips with our hands grabbing at one another’s clothes.

  We pulled apart, and for a second the onlookers faded, along with their expectations. I stared into his deep blue eyes, wondering what lay hidden in their depths. But my thoughts were interrupted by clapping and cheering from David’s family.

  “Now we can go,” Viv said.

  “I can walk,” David insisted as we placed my food on the sled. “Besides I want to explore the farm.”

  “Well, you’re on it,” Rob pointed into the distance. “The house is straight across the field, you might be able to see smoke from the chimney. Apart from that you won’t see much except…

  “Snow?”

  Everyone laughed. We set off, Rob and Mac taking turns to pull the sled. I offered, but they said after rescuing David, I was a hero and therefore got a pass. That was a little over the top especially when I recalled yanking David’s clothes off. Viv and Sarah pointed out the barn to David as we got closer to the house.

  “Oh, we left my wet clothes at your place,” David tugged at the jacket of mine he was wearing. The family exchanged glances and Sarah pulled back the coat I’d lent him to reveal the dark blue sweatshirt underneath. “Never seen you wear sweats before, and a coat that’s a size too big.”

  I was much taller than David and it was obvious the clothes he had on were not his.

  “They’re Ian’s.”

  More furtive looks and smirks.

  “Mine were wet, and Ian had to get them off.”

  Oh David, you’re digging yourself in deeper. Me too. I was Vic and Rob’s employee, not part of their family. Would they object if they thought I’d slept with their son? Probably not, but if they had an inkling I’d taken advantage of him, then yes, they’d be upset and they’d have good reason to be. And I might lose my job. “David was so cold when he arrived. I had to get him into dry clothes.”

  Viv patted my arm. “We understand, Ian. It was the smart thing to do.”

  “I’ve read to warm up a person, you need to get into bed naked. Together,” Sarah piped up.

  I dared not look at David or anyone else. Heat prickled over the back of my neck as I inspected my boots. I hoped David understood it hadn’t happened. “That’s true, but we didn’t get naked.” Just saying the word somehow made it worse.

  “Moving on,” Rob interjected.

  We trudged over a slight slope and the house came into view. With its roof covered in snow it reminded me of a chocolate box. It was just missing the ribbon. David was sending me furtive glances, and I hoped I hadn’t embarrassed him.

  The Anderson house smelled amazing when we walked in as Viv had food in the oven, and after putting my bits and bobs in the fridge, she told me she and Rob were the Christmas chefs and would be cooking up a storm.

  “Mom, not the best choice of words,” Mac told her. Her brow furrowed and Mac continued. “Storm!”

  “Ian’s an amazing cook,” David chimed in. He made me dinner last night and pancakes today and he was planning on cooking the Christmas dinner for his family.”

  “Nice,” Sarah commented. “An alpha who knows his way around the kitchen.”

  I made a face. “Not quite. My step-dad is the chef.”

  “Don’t worry, Ian,” Viv said, “If it’s okay with you, we’ll cook your rib roast and whatever doesn’t get eaten, we’ll freeze in portions.”

  “Sounds good. Thanks.”

  “Where are these goats you’ve been telling me about?” David asked.

  “In the barn,” I answered.

  “Show him, Ian,” Rob suggested, “And then perhaps you should collect the rest of your things from the rental car, David.”

  “Yeah, like our presents,” Sarah added.

  “And clothes.” Mac’s pointed look at what David was wearing had me squirming.

  “I’d forgotten about that,” David replied.” He glanced in my direction, those deep blue eyes matching the color of his sweatshirt peeking through the gap in his coat. My sweatshirt. My coat. “You don’t have to, you know. Introduce me to the goats.”

  “I’d love to.” And that was the God’s honest truth. “They all have distinct personalities.”

  “Lead the way,” he said.

  “Go,” Rob urged. “We might make a goat farmer of you yet, David.”

  The sun was peeking out of the clouds as I opened the barn door, and we snuck inside. We were hit with the competing smells of straw, which was sweet and reminded me of the maple syrup we’d eaten, the muskiness from the bucks, plus a woody aroma along with a strong scent of feed and dust.

  David reeled back and put a hand over his nose. “Whoa! That’s…”

  “Overpowering? Yeah, it takes some getting used to, especially when they’ve been cooped up inside.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m fine. But it’s really strong.”

  “It’s the males.” I took a step toward the pens, but David held me back, his hand on my arm, not letting go. My gaze drifted upward, thinking his family may have placed mistletoe over our heads.

  “Ian, I haven’t thanked you properly for saving me last night.”

  “It was nothing.” I shrugged. “I did what anyone would do.”

  “And to apologize.”

  5. David

  “For what? You did nothing wrong, David.” His presence at my elbow had heat spreading from my brow over my cheeks and throat. If we’d been in the house, I would have opened a window despite the cold weather.

  “My family,” I explained.

  “I don’t understand. They’re amazing.”

  They are. “No, what happened earlier. The whole thing with the mistletoe and them trying to suggest there was something between us. I hope they didn’t embarrass you.”

  Something had me wanting to stay close to Ian. Not because he was a tall, strong alpha who towered over me and who I could see wrapping me in his arms and making life better. No, it was a comforting sensation as though we filled the spaces in each other’s lives. Fitting together, similar to a jigsaw, because I had missing pieces and I sensed he did too.

  “I didn’t notice.”

  Is he lying? Yeah, I’m sure he is. Probably trying to set my mind at ease and perhaps hoping to stop the direction the conversation was headed. Whereas I wanted it to continue. “As long as you’re okay.”

  “Yes, fine, now let’s say hello to the goats.” He introduced each of the animals and talked about their quirks. I was wary at first, never having met a goat in the flesh, especially when they sniffed me. Oh God, please don’t bite. I yelped, though it came out as more of a squeak. Perfect! I wanted to impress the man not have him run in the other direction.

  “What’s it doing?” I made a grab for Ian’s waist, needing reassurance I wasn’t going to be the goat’s next meal.

  “She’s hoping you’ve got a treat.”

  “Does she kinda think I’m it? The treat?” She was nudging my ass and we were both traipsing around and around Ian.

  He got in between the animal and myself saying, “Come on, Gertie. Be a good girl or I’ll put you back in the pen. I pressed against him. He’d saved me from a cold and lonely death and now he was the only thing between me and the jaws of a rabid animal. A slight exaggeration but having my front pressed on his back felt right.

  He put his arms behind him and took hold of me, the heat seeping through the thick layers of clothing, or that’s what I told myself. “Is she hungry?” I asked.

  “She thinks she is but your parents would have fed all the animals earlier. Goats are curious. You’re new. They want to smell you and hope you have a little something hidden in your back pocket.”

  Not little. My dick was swelling and I pulled away slightly so it wasn’t pressed on his ass. His hands were still on me and it wasn’t until the largish female goat who was so curious, nibbled my butt that I shrieked. “Gertie, no.” Had she munched on and ripped my jeans? Those teeth were chomping on something. Or were they? Shit!

>   I gingerly slid a hand over my ass. Didn’t appear to be anything missing or was there? If neither of us acknowledged it, I could pretend it’d never happened. No need to discuss my butt.

  “Perhaps I’d better take Dad’s advice and go back to the car. Mac knows all the workings under the hood, so he might be able to get it started.”

  We strolled toward the house, both of us with our hands in our pockets. I was thankful we’d left the goats and that horrible stink behind. God, I hoped the cheese didn’t smell like that. But now Ian’s scent drifted over me. Clean and cool, reminding me of freshly picked herbs covered in dew. The aroma filled my lungs and got rid of that awful goat smell.

  My brother met us at the door. “Do you have any idea where your car is?” he asked.

  “Ummm near Ian’s place.”

  “Well as I drove over the road for the first time last night and I’ve been to Ian’s once, I’m not sure it’ll be easy to find.”

  Ian sidled past us and headed for the kitchen and Mac and I wandered after him, and we both washed our hands. My brother was talking at me but my eyes were locked on Ian. He worked with the goats and obviously cared about them and I’d been a big baby imagining they were going to gobble me up. He probably thinks I’m an idiot!

  “What can I do?” Ian asked. “I’m ready to get my hands dirty.” I shivered as he delivered those words. Thinking of Ian’s hands on me in the barn had me hot and bothered. If it weren’t for the silly goats and their pungent odor, the clean straw and warm corner of the barn would have been the perfect place to get more handsy with Ian. No! What was I thinking? He’d given no indication he fancied me.

  “There’s a simple solution,” Sarah suggested.

  “What?” I’d lost my train of thought as I was concentrating on the alpha, bending over as he peered into the fridge. Had she noticed my eyes as I checked out Ian’s body?

  “Ian should go with you.”

  “Huh? Go where?” I was lost, standing in my parents’ kitchen, mesmerized by a guy I’d met last night.