Shifters in the Snow: Bundle of Joy: Seventeen Paranormal Romances of Winter Wolves, Merry Bears, and Holiday Spirits

by J. K Harper

  Robin whimpered for more, rolling her hips, grinding faster, bundling the bed sheets into her fists as I flicked my tongue against her sensitive bud. She panted out a plea, head whipping from side to side as she got closer. Spreading her wide, I slowly slid two fingers into her tightness without releasing her flesh from between my teeth and tongue. I pushed in deep, then pulled out again, finding a rhythm with the movement of her hips. Her voice came out with raspy breaths, calling my name when my fingers curved and found her sweet spot. That move sent her over the edge, causing her legs to tremble. Her core seized tight against my digits, and her entire body shook.

  Need, adoration, lust and anticipation rolled into one single-minded, thought.

  Robin was already mine.

  Of course, it was unrealistic. She was human and I was a wolf shifter, navigating a world where most people had no idea we existed, or of our abilities. Which was why our pack rarely allowed mating outside of our species. I shoved the ridiculous notion all the way to the back of my mind, ready to focus again on just tonight.

  Not letting her free of my tongue’s torture, I stared up at her. She was still panting heavily through her orgasm, still begging me to enter her. How could I resist those little raspy whimpers? After a moment, I got off the bed and searched my pants pocket, retrieving a condom. Robin was still recovering from her first peak but had the presence of mind to take the condom out of my hand. She sat up and ripped open the wrapper with her teeth, taking my steely, throbbing length in her hand. Smiling seductively, she wrapped her other hand around the base and moved from base to tip in slow, deliberate strokes several times. My eyes rolled to the back of my head from her touch, and she moaned, sounding pleased as she finished getting the condom in place.

  I could hardly wait a second more. Neither could Robin, it appeared. She lowered back to bed and wrapped her legs around my hips again to get us in position. Digging my nails into her hips, I rubbed against her slick wetness, trying not to rush it, but desperate to finally have her. I closed my eyes and eased into her inch by throbbing inch as she hissed and moaned beneath me. Closing my eyes to stretch out the mind-blowing pleasure, I planted myself deep within her heat for a moment. The sensation of filling her completely was out of this world. My self-control was slipping away, hanging by a thread, threatening to disappear. I pulled back, then inched inside of her again. I slid back once more, then deeper inside, finding a rhythm that brought me back in the moment, and had her locking her ankles behind my waist, thighs bracketed around me tightly, inviting me to take her harder.

  I ran my hands up her sides to her breasts and cupped her warm flesh, circling my fingers over her nipples in time with my rhythm. Robin arched her back and lifted her chest for more contact, letting out tiny gasps as I pounded into her. Her hands ran up to my neck, and when she lifted her ass completely off the bed, the new angle sent her to another climax, this one more intense than the last. Her inner walls tightened and pulsed around my length, and this time, I let go of all restraint. Allowing the intense sensation rushing through me to flow freely, I growled low and released deep inside of her.

  We were breathing heavily, and sweat dripped off our skin as I lowered my forehead to hers. I was not quite ready to move, so I didn’t. I could stay planted inside of her all night. Robin stretched out her legs and relaxed. Her chest rose and fell sharply for a while, then settled down to where it seemed as though she was sleeping. Staying the night was not part of my plan, but I was tempted. I meant to close my eyes for only a short time to catch my breath before leaving. That did not happen. Her eyes opened, and she asked me to make love to her again.

  Of course I obliged.

  Pulling apart from her, I cleaned up in the bathroom, then returned to her side in the bed. Robin was eager, more rushed this time, which was evident from the way she produced her own strip of condoms from the dresser drawer and hastily climbed on top of me, announcing this was her favorite position. I didn’t mind. I could take my time to explore every curve and contour of her body the next time we saw each other.

  Her eyes roamed hungrily down my body. She honed in on my growing erection pressing against her stomach before trailing her eyes back up and locking with my stare. She had a momentary look of such longing, but the expression on her face vanished as quickly as it appeared. Leaning forward, she caught my earlobe between her teeth and bit down harder than I was expecting. I growled low, taking the opportunity to kiss her exposed neck hovering above my face. Her hips began to roll and grind against my hardness, and then she scooted back just enough to unwrap and roll on the condom.

  I couldn’t help but feel somewhat pleased.

  Robin was on a mission.

  And my dick was the target.

  She lowered herself down my length. Her tight, slick heat enveloped me inch by inch, eyes rolling to the back of her head, all the while, exhaling soft moans at the back of her throat until I was deep within her. Watching her passionate reaction was all the more arousing. She splayed her palms on my upper abs and lifted her body weight up, rising off of me before sinking down again.

  Pretty soon, I couldn’t lie back and watch anymore. Grasping her waist with one hand, I moved the other to the back of her neck, bringing her head down to claim her lips. She darted her tongue into my mouth this time, tasting and teasing me at the pace that her hips moved. I was ready for that tongue all over me, but I could wait. For now, I relished the way the soft flesh of her breasts pressed on my chest, and how her cool nipples brushed against my blazing hot skin.

  Robin pulled from the kiss and leaned back slowly, picking up the pace. She arched her back and gripped her hair as she rode me like a wildcat. Seeing her like this did unspeakable things to my brain. I responded by cupping her bouncing breasts, as the sight before me was almost too much for my thick, throbbing staff. I wasn’t going to last long in my heightened state of arousal, but the feel of her inner walls tightening around my shaft told me she was close. Her hips began to bounce and I ran my thumb over her sensitive spot, flicking the tip every time I made a full circle.

  My wild woman.

  She was thrashing her hips against my finger, and all that bucking and moaning caused pressure to build in my groin, carrying me away. Just as I lifted my head to ensnare her nipples, she cried out my name and begged me to come with her. The image of Robin shaking through her release drove me insane, and soon I followed her over the edge.

  Robin lowered to my chest, panting for air. Her core still throbbed. Her breathing slowly returned to normal, and she pulled up and stretched out beside me. I would have stayed with her, but with my early day with Leo’s kids, it was best to leave now.

  “I should go,” I whispered.

  She nodded peacefully.

  “How about I take you for that drink tomorrow night?” I asked, kissing her cheek.

  “I’d like that.”

  “Good.” Getting up, I grabbed my clothes and used her bathroom to clean up. My fingers must have caught on the latex when I rolled it off, because there was a rip on one side. After dressing, I returned to her bedroom. “You didn’t notice anything strange with the condom just now, did you?”

  “Strange?”

  “Did it break, I mean.”

  “Uh-uh,” she answered, still smiling. “No, I’m sure it didn’t.”

  “All right. Sleep well, sexy,” I told her from the bedroom door.

  I left for the night, and it was only after I had already driven halfway to my place that I remembered I didn’t have Robin’s number. I made a mental note to get it from her during our drink date the next evening. This hookup may have started off as a casual thing, but no way was I finished with her.

  Chapter 5

  Robin

  I slept in today.

  Sex with Landon was so damned good I could still feel him whenever I thought about last night. I was liable to bite down on my bottom lip and moan every single time an image of our connected bodies came to the forefront. It blew my mind to the point
where I was sure I’d do just about anything to see him again and get me some more. The man raised the bar, and now, a new standard was set. Sure, I could hardly walk straight. He was huge. But that was all part of reliving it.

  Dammit, I was hornier now than before he screwed my brains out.

  It irked me to admit it, but I was hooked.

  Thank God I only had to get through the day before I’d see him again.

  As it was the day before Christmas Eve, my father only needed me for one more day of coverage around the resort. It was so busy around here that I barely saw him, which defeated the point of my coming home for a visit. Our family home was down in Reno, but after my mother had passed away six years ago, Dad threw himself into being more hands-on at the resort, especially during the winter breaks. We were lucky to see the inside of our home for weeks on end. Dad kept a room in the main resort tower beside the lodge for times like these, and we started a new tradition—holiday dinner with the resort guests.

  Christmas Eve to New Year’s at the resort was always packed. Numerous families, couples and large groups of adults would stay and celebrate Christmas, and the bar also remained open for other residents who lived on mountain year round. Thankfully, our kitchen and bartending staff were all in their mid-twenties to late-thirties, and very reliable. The holiday meals were also streamlined, catered by the resort chef and kitchen team, so I was off the hook for any effort related to turkey dinners, serving alcohol or baking holiday cookies.

  Today was also the last day that the Santa’s Workshop display would be open for the season.

  Last day wearing these teeny tiny costumes.

  Last day descending the slopes with a frozen ass.

  I was pumped!

  I didn’t even have to do any last minute gift shopping. I’d taken care of Dad’s gift back in New York City, and Tiffany’s too, so keeping my distance from the shopping malls was a breeze.

  It was after ten in the morning when I finally showered, dressed and strutted out of my cabin for the one o’clock shift at Santa’s Workshop. Whistling Christmas carols all the way there, I might add. I was early, hoping to bump into my father to see what had kept him so busy the last couple of days. I should have avoided Santa’s Workshop like the plague, except it was on the way to Dad’s office. The last minute straggler parents who had not yet taken their kids to see Santa seemed to converge on the resort today. Scores of families decked the hallways in the lodge with chaos, and even spilled out into the blanketed snow in the parking lot outside.

  Saul Hutchinson, the older man who played Santa, arrived early with the other helper staff, so we decided to open before the scheduled time. I was neatening up the area when my father emerged from his office. I smiled. He was wearing black slacks and his favorite holiday sweater vest—a red and green eyesore with a happy waving Sasquatch standing on a snow-covered mountain landscape, and the words ‘Have a Very Yeti Christmas’ at the top. Dad ran a hand through his jet black hair and strode over to me.

  “Good morning, honey,” he said, kissing the top of my head.

  “Hi Dad.” I gave him a warm hug and pulled back to study his face. He looked pretty happy about something.

  He glanced over at the lineup waiting for Santa’s Workshop to open. “I see we’ve got a bit of an influx of guests wanting to see old Saint Nick.”

  “Looks like it. So what’s new?” I asked, curious.

  His eyes widened. “Well, I have a surprise for you.”

  “I guess surprises do tend to happen a lot around this time. Want to give me a hint?”

  “No no, love. It’s not a Christmas gift, although I did plan on telling you when we sat down for our holiday dinner.”

  “Tell me what?”

  “I have a lead on a social work job close to home, for after you graduate.”

  “Sorry, what?” I asked, taking an extra few seconds to pick my jaw up off the floor. I was not expecting that kind of news, but it did pique my curiosity, given I had one semester left before I’d finish my master’s degree.

  “You remember Henry and Ellen Bradshaw, don’t you? They’ve been coming up here for years.”

  “Sure. The couple with the teenage triplets.”

  “Yes. They have another set too, girls this time. They just turned four, if I remember correctly.”

  “Two sets of triplets? Wow. I wonder what’s the likelihood of that feat.”

  “Probably zero, but Henry always was one for defying the odds… Anyway, they’re up for the holidays. I had dinner with him a couple nights ago. They own a chain of private physiotherapy clinics across Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. His organization needs about a dozen more social workers on staff, which he plans to hire over the next six months or so.”

  “Really?” I asked, sure that my eyes had lit right up. My MSW specialization was health care social work, specifically for individual and group counseling to patients with physiological and health illnesses. I had done all my placements at either VA hospitals or rehab clinics, as well as several stints at addiction and mental health clinics. This job sounded perfect for me. “So, they want to hire me? Just like that?”

  He grinned. “You plan on graduating with your MSW, correct?”

  “Of course, Dad. I’m in the home stretch. And you’re sure it’s not all clinical positions their looking to fill? I ask because if it is, I’ll need to be licensed to practice in Nevada, and that’ll require two years of supervised post-degree experience.”

  “That’s why I want you to take a couple of hours today and track down Henry for the details.”

  “I can do that,” I said, hugging him around the neck. “This is great news, Dad! I’d love to work in Reno or Sparks.”

  “I’d give my right arm to have you around here too. I don’t see you near enough.”

  “Me too…I’m a bit surprised he would hire me.”

  “Why? You’re an excellent candidate. You graduated top of your class for your bachelor’s degree, so you’ve got what it takes.”

  “Without even an interview?”

  “Honey, I’ve always told you, this resort business is all about relationships. We cater to families, athletes, winter sports enthusiasts, but also to some of the most successful businessmen and executives in the region. Once in a while, they return the favor. Plus Henry’s my UNR alma mater. He was more than happy to give you a shot.”

  “Awesome. I’ll hunt him down now, and get back here to help out as soon as I’m done.”

  “Perfect,” he said. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll crack the whip with Santa and the elves until you get back.”

  * * *

  I floated back to Santa’s Workshop about an hour later.

  Hell yes, I was walking on a cloud.

  I got a real job! One that paid a competitive wage, was local, and had benefits that did not include wearing holiday costumes. The offer was conditional on graduating and completing my field education requirements, but I was on track at school. One of those positions was as good as mine.

  I pranced back to Santa’s workshop and got dressed. Sure, I was stuck with a bright green elf onesie-styled pants suit this time, but it didn’t bother me one bit today.

  The lineup was in full swing. Mothers with their babies, toddlers or pre-teen kids in tow came from out of nowhere, making it seem like the crowd would never ease up. There was no way we would get through everyone already here, let alone the groups that were yet to arrive. My best bet was that if we were lucky, we’d all get out of there by nine tonight.

  Around five in the afternoon, a familiar face came into view and my memory of last night returned to the forefront.

  Landon was here.

  At first, I thought he was so sweet to have paid me a visit. Seeing him slowly approach me from across the room sent heat pooling between my legs. But then I realized he was moving really slowly. He was in the line to see Santa. Three young boys with white blond hair who looked exactly like him romped around his legs as they waited, and some skinny
-hipped redhead was hanging off his arm, being all nurturing to said kids.

  Was he with that woman? Were those his children?

  I was ready to give him the benefit of the doubt until he got close to the front of the line. I stepped up to the prop candy-cane gate to let in the child in front of them, and the smallest of the three kids with him called him ‘Daddy’.

  Hold the effing phone.

  Landon has three kids?

  And a woman, probably his wife?

  Did he just play me last night?

  Like every other girl he banged in high school?

  Well, fuck me.

  Oh. Right. Landon already had.

  The Christmas songs in my head screeched to a stop like a record scratch. Stunned, I took purposeful steps backward until I was at the edge of the photo-taking station. I slipped into the backstage area. Time to get the hell out of here before I got angry and caused a scene with the no-good cheating bastard.

  Less than an hour later, I was in my cabin.

  Seething.

  Then mad at myself for seething.

  It wasn’t so much that he’d slept with me and probably caused me to be an unwitting party in his potential disloyalty. That would have been bad enough, but coming from him, I wouldn’t have been that surprised. The thing that had my stomach in knots was that at one point last night, something switched on within me. Being with him felt like more than just sex to me, and I actually believed he felt the same way. Landon had been so attentive, so kind and giving, and his eyes were brimming over with adulation.

  For me.

  I had such a hard time believing he could fake that level of emotion, I wasn’t sure I could trust my instincts.

  Added to that was the glaring fact that he was a father.