Gingerbear Christmas (Howls Romance Howliday Special)

by Reina Torres

  “Too long?”

  “No.” She raised and lowered her arms like a Frankenstein monster. “If you’re not careful, I’m going to start a fashion trend.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t care about fashion at all, but I want to make sure you’re warm.”

  Her smile softened. “I appreciate it. I really do. I don’t think I have clothes warm enough to live in Allaway.”

  Haley’s words struck a chord in him. “I’ll get you a better jacket in your size. I’ll get you all kinds of jackets. You don’t have to worry.”

  “I think you’ll be worried enough for the both of us.” She lifted a hand and brushed her fingertips along his temple. “I think I’m going to like that.”

  He opened the door and held it for her. “You will?”

  She took a step down and looked back up at him. “I’m not used to people worrying about me, but I like it. I like it when you do it.”

  His bear practically preened at the warmth of her words and his own heart pounded heavily in his chest. What she could do with a quick comment or a gentle look wasn’t something he was used to, but he wanted it.

  He wanted her.

  They descended into the woodshop and he flicked the light switch so she could see what was in the room.

  Clancy wasn’t afraid that she’d fall. He wouldn’t let anything like that happen to her.

  He followed her as she walked toward the center of the room. “This is my woodshop.”

  It didn’t take long to see her reaction to his hobby. She moved slowly around the room, looking at each piece up and down, leaning in to look at details of carvings on some of his more intricate pieces. Her eyes were wide, her lips parted, and as she leaned closer to one piece, she raised her hand to touch it.

  Haley stopped short and looked up at him with a hopeful smile. “May I?”

  “Sure.” It was all he could do not to roar in pride. She liked his work. “Go ahead. You won’t break anything.”

  He watched as she ran her fingertips over the back of a wooden bench that he’d made a few weeks before. The whole thing had a tree motif. The legs were the roots, and the back and arms were the branches of the tree.

  “Wow,” he heard the breathy quality in her voice. “I can see individual leaves on the branches.”

  He saw the way her fingers traced along the edges and into the crevices that he’d carved into the piece. Her touch was gentle… almost reverent.

  “I’ve never seen something so beautiful.”

  Clancy shook his head. He completely agreed with her, but he was thinking about the woman in front of him. If his work brought her such joy, he would make her anything she wanted. If he didn’t already know how, he’d figure it out.

  Anything… he’d do anything to see that look on her face over and over.

  “So, is this what you’re making for Manny?”

  “No,” he moved to the other side of the room and lifted a canvas cover up from his workbench, “this is.”

  Why his heart was suddenly in his throat, he couldn’t explain, but her reaction was everything. He just had to wait and see what she thought.

  “Oh, it’s precious!” There was a breathless note in her voice. An indrawn gasp as she crossed over to his side, her gaze focused on the carved pieces he had laid out on the hard-wooden surface. “It looks so real.” Haley’s fingers found the forehead of the bear cub that he’d carved into one end piece and she traced the lines of fur that he’d carved into the surface. “Is this for a cradle?”

  He didn’t answer at first. He was too busy watching the play of emotions on her face.

  When she turned and looked up at him, he realized how close she was.

  And how utterly beautiful he found her to be.

  There was something achingly pure in the light shining from her eyes and when she drew in another breath his eyes looked down at the soft swell of her breasts.

  His bear struggled inside of him, wanting action on his part.

  Clancy wasn’t going to risk scaring her. He also had to admit that just being close to her was a joy.

  And yet, he could look his fill.

  That was a partial solution, even though it made him uncomfortable in different ways. He wanted her with a passion, but he also wanted to know this side of love as well.

  “You’re making this for Manny and Angelina’s baby. That’s why you needed more wood.”

  He nodded slowly. “I cut down the tree and then cut it into lengths. I used my truck to take it into town, but it was Mr. Behr who milled the wood and made the perfect boards I picked up today.” Clancy couldn’t stop his hand from reaching for her or the way it felt when he touched her hair. He slid his fingers through the curly mass and felt an ache deep inside him as her hair caressed his palm. “Tell me, Haley. Do you like it?”

  “Like it?” Her eyes widened ever so slightly. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Knowing that you made it? It’s amazing!”

  Haley didn’t try to free her hair from his grasp, she let him tug on it enough that her eyes met his easily, even with him as close as he was. She reached for his other hand and lifted it between them.

  “I love that you created this. That you made it for your friends makes it a gift in all the best ways. To say that I’m impressed,” she shook her head, “is an understatement. I think you’re amazing, Clancy. I think you-”

  He covered her mouth with his. Just enough pressure to stop her from talking, but not enough to hold her in his thrall. If she wanted to move away, she could. Even his hold on her hair was light enough that if she turned her head her hair would fall free of his grasp.

  Instead, she leaned into his kiss.

  She was taller, up on the balls of her feet, leaning into him and he took it for the gift that it was. Kissing her wasn’t just an act, it was an exploration. A give and take.

  His bear wanted more and so did he, but he knew that Haley had to be tired, exhausted. Even though she’d had a nap earlier, he could feel her leaning into his embrace, her body shuddering with both interest and exhaustion.

  Clancy wanted to take care of her and wanted to make love to her, but his need to provide for her well-being won out.

  Easing away from her, he made sure to keep his arms around her to keep her on her feet.

  Her eyelids lifted slowly, and she worked to stifle a yawn. “Why did you stop?”

  Clancy smiled at the way she tried to rouse herself. Her hands were moving over his chest and his stomach, but he could feel the dreamy quality of her movements. “It’s time for bed, Haley.”

  The playful smile that touched her lips melted into a gentle sigh. “Okay.”

  He pressed a kiss on her forehead and enjoyed the way her lips seemed to search for his. “Do you want me to carry you inside?”

  Her eyes blinked a few times, struggling to open fully before she answered. She almost made it, but she was stubborn enough not to give in completely. “Take my hand, Clancy. I’ll walk with you.”

  He’d never been happier in his life than in that moment when Haley Woodward put her gentle hand in his and followed him into the house.

  Clancy took her to the doorway of the guest room, lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed a reverent kiss on the back of her hand. “If you need anything, Haley. All you have to do is ask.”

  He turned to walk away and loosened his hold on her hand.

  Before he could take a step, she reached out and held his hand in both of hers.

  Clancy stopped and looked into her eyes. She was still tired, but he could see clarity in her eyes.

  “Clancy?”

  He felt his bear stretch lazily inside him. “Yes, Haley?”

  “Will you stay with me?”

  Clancy didn’t make her wait for an answer. “There’s nothing else I’d rather do.”

  6

  Haley woke up to the most beautiful morning of her life. Unlike the apartment she left behind where the morning sun barreled through the venetian blinds
that were broken and stuck in the wide-open position, in this bedroom there were warm, brick red curtains and the light of day slipped between them and crawled across the hardwood floor.

  She didn’t want to lift her head to see how far the sunlight reached across the room, she was only too comfortable where she was, half-sprawled over Clancy’s massive body.

  Sometime during the night, they’d changed positions. At first, when she’d asked Clancy to stay with her, she thought the bed would be more than adequate. She hadn’t counted on how big of a man Clancy was, but it had been more than obvious when he spooned up behind her. There was a moment when Haley thought she might fall off the other side of the bed, but Clancy had wrapped his muscular arm around her, anchoring her against his chest.

  It hadn’t been any kind of sacrifice to fall asleep with the heat emanating from his body against her back. For the first time in her life, her mind didn’t keep her awake with thoughts and worries.

  The sound of Clancy’s breaths, the feel of it fanning over her hair, helped ease her right to sleep.

  And in the morning, there she was, half-covering him like a weighted blanket. Worried that she might be too much weight on top of him, Haley started to move more toward his side, but his arm squeezed gently against her, keeping her in place.

  When he opened his eyes, she saw the dark of his bear in them first and then his steely gray looking at her.

  “Good morning.”

  “The best morning I’ve ever had.” His words stunned her, but his tone was earnest and she reminded herself that Clancy was a better man than any she’d ever known. “Are you trying to get away from me?”

  She shook her head and stifled the need to stretch. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I know I’m pretty heavy.”

  “You,” his eyes narrowed at her, “are pretty perfect. Come here. Let me show you.” Before she could even begin to think what he meant, Clancy reached his other arm across his body and lifted her from the bed and settled her on top of him. “There. That’s where I want you.”

  Oh goodness.

  The feeling of his broad, muscled chest under her own was a new and delicious sensation. She wasn’t very buxom, in fact she barely did much to fill a B cup, but it felt so good to feel what she had against the wall of his chest. When his hands moved down from her waist and over the rounder curve of her backside, she couldn’t hide the soft moan that curled through her body as his fingers dug in ever so slightly.

  “You feel so good.” Clancy shifted his hands and cupped his palms around her, almost lifting her up with just that simple movement. “I don’t care about anything else in the world when I have my hands on you.”

  In one surge of movement, he moved back against the headboard of the bed. For just a moment, she wondered if he’d carved the intricate woodland scene on the wood. Then her thoughts were drawn to other things, as he drew her up higher on his body so he could cover her lips with his.

  She leaned into the kiss, humming against his lips. When she rocked back to look down into his eyes, she saw both Clancy and his bear looking back at her, each in turn. It was still a haunting sight to her, but any worry she felt at the idea was fading away.

  The night before, if he had wanted to take advantage of her, he could easily have done it, but all she had felt was his warmth and his gentle nature. It still amazed her that his body could be so big and yet he was achingly gentle with her.

  Haley shifted again, trying to ease the unfamiliar ache in her body, and bumped into the hard tip of his erection. It wasn’t the first time that she’d felt something like it, she wasn’t a virgin, but the feel of his, pressed tightly between her legs made her ache even more. She wanted it.

  She wanted him.

  But the rush of heat through her body frightened her. It had never felt quite like this. She’d never felt such a hunger rise up inside herself. She’d never felt as if she might lose control. Her breaths quickened, and her body rocked against him, but she also felt like she might hyperventilate, the edges of her vision darkening.

  “Breathe.” Clancy sat up on the bed and settled her gently on his lap. “There’s no rush, Haley. There’s no set time when anything needs to happen. Just breathe.”

  She was able to draw in a slow, easy breath, and offered him a lop-sided smile. “I want to.”

  Clancy cupped her face in his hands and leaned in, pressing their noses together. “So do I, but not if you’re at all unsure. When I make love to you, it’s going to be with your head and your heart in the same place. When I mark you,” she felt his hand settle softly on her shoulder, and his thumb glanced over the sensitive skin where he would mark her as his, “I need to know that you believe it’s forever too.”

  She wanted… no, she needed this man in her life, but he was right, there was something inside of her that was still unsettled.

  “Manny reminded me that I should get a tree for the house since you’re here.”

  She was a little startled at his words. “You don’t usually get a tree for Christmas?”

  “It’s been just me here since I built the house. On Christmas Day the whole town gathers in front of Town Hall at the Christmas Tree to exchange gifts.” He settled back against the headboard and rubbed strands of her hair between his fingers. “But this year, I have someone to enjoy a tree with here at home.”

  The hopeful look in his eyes made her smile. “I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”

  “There’s a tree up the mountain that will be perfect for us. Do you want to come with me?”

  She shivered at the thought.

  “The cold.” Clancy nodded. “We’re going to have to get you some cold weather clothes soon.”

  Haley felt a soft blush on her cheeks. “Angelina said she has a coat she wants to give me. Her new coats arrived the other day and there was an extra one in the box.” She set her hands on her hips. “It’s a maternity coat for her, but I think it will be wide enough for me.”

  Clancy’s eyes darkened as his gazed fixed on her hands and hips. “I’ll help you measure.” He set his hands over hers and leaned forward. Stopping short he shook his head as if he needed to clear his head. “And that’s probably why I should go and get the tree on my own. I think we both need a little... alone time.”

  She wanted to argue but she knew he was right. “Okay. That sounds like a good idea. I need to grab a shower and there’s a few things I’d like to do.”

  His smile warmed her from the inside out. “You’ll be fine here. There’s no one around who would hurt you and wild animals... Well, they know to stay away.”

  She laughed softly. “They know to stay out of your territory?”

  Clancy shifted his hands and held her as he stood up. She squealed at the sudden change in position, but she wasn’t afraid. She knew Clancy was strong and he’d never do anything that might hurt her. He held her tight against him for a long moment before he kissed her and set her down on the ground. “They do. They don’t want to chance angering me by coming too close to you.”

  Her heart was pounding in her chest as he walked into the main room of the house. She followed behind him and wondered why he walked right past the other bedroom door. The French Doors leading out to the porch opened easily under his hand and he pointed out the locks to her as he stepped outside.

  She gestured to his bedroom. “Do you need to get anything from your room?”

  He shook his head and opened a cabinet that was built into the wall. He withdrew an axe, and she couldn’t help but admire the way his forearm muscles flexed. “This is all I need.”

  Haley swallowed and felt her own chest rise and fall as she watched him. “You’re not going to use your claws?” Saying the words out loud didn’t make them any less surreal.

  Clancy lifted his axe and shook his head. He looked back at her with an almost feral grin on his face. “If I used my claws, I’d shatter the trunk. That’s not going to help if we want it to sit on a stand so we can cuddle in front of it.”

 
Haley touched her cheeks and enjoyed the warmth that he’d brought up under her skin. “You know just what to say, don’t you.”

  Clancy’s smile was a wistful one. “Not before I met you, Haley. You’ve made the difference in my life.”

  She couldn’t find any words after that. Haley watched as Clancy crossed to the porch railing. Setting down his axe on the flat railing, his hands disappeared in front of him.

  Haley’s brain went on the fritz at that moment.

  She had a feeling she knew what he was going to do, and while she should turn away and give him some privacy, Clancy didn’t seem to care about it.

  He hooked his thumbs into the waistband at the sides of his jeans and pushed them down. The first thing she saw was the pale perfection of his backside. His skin was pale, like most redheads, but she doubted that there were many redheads in the world whose butts looked like Clancy’s.

  He reached down to nudge the fabric past his knees and she tried to force herself to turn away.

  She wasn’t able to. Really, if she was honest with herself, she didn’t want to turn away. When she was sixteen, she’d found a book on sculptures and hunkered down in a corner of the library as she studied the marble sculptures of the masters. Michelangelo would have wept if he’d seen Clancy after he’d wasted years sculpting an inferior body out of marble.

  Thank goodness that Clancy didn’t turn back around after he’d stepped out of his pants. She likely would have fainted at the sight.

  Taking his axe in hand, Clancy walked down the porch steps and into the snow. The moment the sunlight touched his skin, Haley let out a low, breathy moan.

  His pale skin was almost gilded with sunlight and she couldn’t help but openly stare as he walked about twenty feet away from the back stairs. Hefting his axe in his hand, Clancy looked down at it for a long moment before tossing it up into the air.

  Haley gasped in shock, but her concern didn’t last long.

  As the large wood-handled axe turned end over end in the air, she lost sight of it because her focus was... elsewhere.