Mated At Christmas

by Aria Cole

  “Gwen, please don’t get upset, my dear.” The old man waved at her from his place on the couch, exactly the spot I’d settled him after carrying him into this tiny place. My workout room alone was bigger than all of the square footage of the entire house, all that empty space wasted when I thought of this woman and her aging father shivering in the cold over here alone.

  “You’ll come home with me tonight.” I stood my ground, arms crossed. The stretch of me, shoulder to shoulder, filled the entire doorway from the kitchen to the living room, I’d had to duck when I’d walked into this place, more fit for a den of wild animals than something so sweet and fragile.

  “Wh-What? No, we couldn’t possibly—”

  “It’s not a request.” My heart thundered when she approached, eyes swerving from her father up to me. I towered over her, the sheer size difference between us enough to make me want to throw her over my shoulder and haul her off to my bed before she could think twice.

  We were mated. She would eventually see that her place was beside me as my partner, lover, wife, the mother of my children. But I had to remember to be gentle, to hold my lion at bay, have a little patience. She wasn’t a shifter and wouldn’t understand the draw to each other for what it was. I knew she felt the connection too, the draw, the need to be near me, but her human mind would try to shake it off as attraction, perhaps gratitude for saving her father. But the truth was I was hers as much as she was mine. We were fated.

  “I’m sorry, but you’re a stranger. If I know anything—”

  “I’m not a stranger at all.” I advanced on her, swallowing the space between us and running my fingertip along the angle of her cheekbone. “It turns out, I’m your nearest neighbor…and it wouldn’t be neighborly of me at all to leave you here to freeze solid like an iceberg just because you’re too damn stubborn to know what’s good for you.”

  Her little mouth popped open, and I swear if he father wasn't a few feet away, I would have filled it with more than my sharp tongue. “I-I…”

  Fear raced through her irises, but something else burned deeper. She’d quivered with my touch, heartbeat skittering to life wildly under the soft skin at her throat, shallow pants reaching my ears.

  She smelled so good, I nearly lost every strand of control I’d been hanging onto. “Calm down, darlin’.” I traced the pad of my thumb along her hairline, and her round eyes fluttered closed. “If I wanted to hurt you or your father, I had a thousand chances before now.”

  She nodded, head tilting to one side, nuzzling imperceptibly into my touch. “I don’t even know your name.”

  Her words were so soft and trusting, they nearly broke me.

  “Call me Nolan. What’s yours, sweetheart?”

  Her eyes spun open finally, settling on mine and taking me in for the first time. Our chests hovering closely, only inches spreading between my lips and hers.

  “Nice to meet you, Nolan. I’m Gwen.”

  I nodded, settling my palm at her neck, my thumb grazing the hollow of her throat. “The pleasure’s all mine, my Gwen.”

  5

  Gwen

  His touch felt like fire against my skin. He seemed to ignite every fiber of my being. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I never wanted that touch to go away. It was all so crazy. I’d just met this man, yet I wanted to be near him.

  Always.

  There was something kindred about him. His forceful nature should have been a turn-off, his insistence should have been frightening, but I knew his sense of urgency was only to protect me and my father. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew that my safety and comfort were the most important thing to him. I could sense that fact.

  I stepped away from him, needing air to breathe. His entire stature seemed to suck the oxygen from the room. When I was near him and his hands were on my flesh, I felt things I’d never felt before, like I would rather die than be without him. It was all insane and completely unreasonable.

  “Why am I so drawn to you?” I asked, turning away from him.

  He approached me, his hands gently gliding on my face. His fingers created an unknown sensation, making me long for more. His face came closer, his mouth just hovering at my ear, his breath causing my body to shiver.

  “Can’t you feel it, Gwen?” His last word lingered in the air, as if held in place with some magical string, drawing me into him. Needing to be beside him more than I needed air to breathe.

  “Gwen,” my father said, his voice sounded weak. I rushed to him, abandoning the touch I craved so desperately.

  “I'm here, Daddy. You cold? You hungry? Do you want more tea?” I bombarded him with the list of questions, wanting for him to be comfortable and well-rested. His withered hand came out of the blanket and searched for my own. I clasped his hand between the two of mine. The cold in them still shocked me. I rubbed his hand in between mine in an effort to give him warmth.

  “Gwen, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I ruined Christmas.”

  “Hush, Daddy. You didn’t ruin anything. You’re home with me, just like you have been every Christmas since I was born. There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm just glad you're safe.” I bent over and gently kissed his forehead, some of the fear slowly leaving my body.

  “Offer our new friend something to eat. He must be starving,” my father said, peering at Nolan, who was bent in front of the fire, pushing logs along to ensure it kept burning bright, making sure the room stayed warm. “I'm sure he has never had anything as good as your lasagna.”

  I smiled at my father. Even in his own pain, he was completely thinking of those around him. That was my father—protector, selfless… He would do anything for those he cared about, and he was always completely kind to everyone around him. More than anything else, he was a caretaker. He showed me that a real man is capable, caring, and strong. That was why seeing him broken like this, unable to move and so frail, was heartbreaking for me.

  I smiled at him and walked over to the kitchen, wiping at a tear. I put the food back in the oven to warm it up a little more just to distract myself from the sadness.

  “Nolan, you must be hungry. I would hate to see this food go to waste. Would you like to join me for a meal?” I asked, turning to face him.

  He looked at me, the fire reflecting in his warm eyes.

  “I would prefer it if you ate. Please go ahead,” he said, walking toward me, his steps so fluid and graceful, he reminded me of a lion, prideful and elegant.

  Something that confounded me with his massive size; a man that large shouldn’t be able to glide the way he did. I didn’t know why, but I got the feeling he was a predator willing to do anything to capture his prey.

  A surge of power flooded in my veins at the realization that he wanted me. I shook my head, clearing the fog that was filling my mind with such grand and unlikely ideas.

  When he reached me, he leaned over, allowing a second to pass before he spoke again.

  “I do want you. I also want you to eat. You'll need all your strength.” The words were innocent, but there was something incredibly seductive about them, causing my panties to grow damp and my nipples to harden. “Sweet Gwen, the sooner you succumb, the sooner you'll understand. I will always protect you. You are mine.” His whisper caused my body to tingle with need.

  “What’s happening?” I asked, my eyes fluttering and my breath escalating.

  “Eat,” he said, pushing past me, his chest against my own. He took a fork, placed it in the pan, and then lifted it to my mouth. I automatically opened up, letting the sauce, cheese, and noodles mingle in my mouth, a burst of flavors enveloping me.

  “You are so beautiful,” he whispered, collecting a dollop of sauce at the corner of my mouth and lifting it to his own. “Delicious.”

  I grew nervous and looked over at my father, now sleeping soundly on the sofa.

  “Don’t worry, beautiful. Nothing will happen until we're all alone in my home. Tonight we sleep, and in the morning I'm taking you both back with me. From now on, you’ll be sa
fe.”

  6

  Nolan

  “Is this what it’s always like here?” Gwen’s shining eyes peered over her steaming mug of hot cocoa.

  “Here?” I crooked a grin. “By here do you mean our home?”

  Her already winter-kissed cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. “It’s just so beautiful. It’s so alive. Everyone seems so happy and…loved.”

  “It’s Christmas Day. Isn’t everyone joyful?”

  “But this…” Her eyes were trained back on the backyard ice rink the pride made every winter, right in the heart of our land. Surrounded by thick evergreens with the peak of Bare Mountain towering in the distance, my home was out of a dream, and it was made so much more perfect with her here. “This feels like a paradise.”

  “This is what life’s about for us. Christmas Day and every other day of the year. We lean on each other. We don’t believe in strangers.” I turned to her, catching her chin between my fingers and drawing her closer to me. ‘That’s what life will be like for you and your dad now.”

  “You’ve been so generous already. You didn’t have to let him stay in your guest cottage—it’s nicer than anywhere we’ve ever been.”

  “When I say meeting you and your father has been my pleasure, I mean it, Gwen. More than you know.”

  “But I don’t understand why you’ve been so nice… We don’t have anything to give you. We don’t own any—”

  “Darlin’, if you don't know by now that this isn’t about that, then I’ve already failed you.”

  “Failed me?” Her head tipped to one side in adorable confusion.

  “You’re my everything now. Your father gave me the greatest gift of all when he had you—when he raised you… brought you to me. Took me a long damn time to find you, and now that I have, Gwen, I can promise you won’t want for anything ever again.” I turned to her fully, bringing her body closer to mine, my hands resting on her shoulders as my forehead kissed hers. “Most of all love.”

  I did the one thing I’d been thinkin’ of doing since the moment she’d joined me out here by the ice rink.

  I pressed her lips to mine in a kiss that made clear what my words couldn’t—Gwen was mine. Then, now, forever.

  “I set your father up in my guest cottage because it’s his now—I take care of my family, and I take care of what’s mine. You’re both of those to me now. Do you understand?”

  She licked her lips once, a shiver coursing through her before a tiny smile turned up her pink lips. “I understand you’re a good man, Nolan, but why me?”

  “Because, my sweet Gwen, you are my mate. You must know what we are.”

  She nodded.

  “I had always heard stories, more like cautionary tales, but when I met you and knew that you were kind, noble, and ever so protective, I knew all those tales were just foolish stories that didn’t amount to much.”

  Heat caused by this woman’s nearness tore through my insides like wildfire, the sudden need to be alone with her overtaking all else.

  She sniffled once, the icy air settling on her eyelashes making her look so soft and sweet, delicate like an angel.

  My angel.

  She was way too damn good for me, there wasn't any doubt about that in my mind, but her calling me the most honorable man she’d ever met was about the most important thing anyone had ever said.

  “Let’s go warm up inside, my beautiful angel.” I rubbed her shoulders to generate warmth through her wool coat. “And you wouldn’t believe the dishonorable things running through my mind right now.”

  I dropped another slow kiss on her lips, taking time to taste all of her. Showing her with every passing moment that she was my everything.

  “You come first in my life, Gwen, from now until forever. When I wake up in the morning, you’ll always be my first thought.”

  Her eyes turned down, smile deepening before I locked our fingers and guided us back to my cottage. The one I’d been picturing her in since the moment I knew she was meant to be mine last night.

  “I promise to always be gentle and tender,” I breathed in her ear when we reached the doorway. I swung the door open, hand at her back as I walked in behind her. “Everything I have and everything I am is all yours.”

  Her eyes widened when I helped her coat from her arms. I hung it at the rack and then hung my own. I bent on instinct, taking the laces of her winter boots in my fingers and unlacing them quickly.

  “Lean on me,” I ordered, and she did without word.

  I took her boot in one hand, slipping it off and dropping it my side with a thud. I removed the other and then stood, leaving not an inch of room between us before I scooped her into my arms and carried her across the kitchen and through the massive living space.

  “Your home is amazing.” Her eyes were wide as she took in the log ceilings, nearly every square inch decorated in evergreen and holly garland. Frost painted the two-story windows overlooking the woods and mountains beyond. Festive swags handmade by some of the elders of the pack hung from each window and chair back and mantel.

  “It looks like the North Pole.”

  I crooked a grin. “Our home. Does that mean you like it? Next year you can be in charge of decorating, if you want. The budget is unlimited. Whatever makes you happy makes me happy.”

  Gwen’s eyes hung heavy on mine, a smile radiating across her cheeks. She cupped my face in her palms as she spoke. “You are what makes me happy. This place, everything is perfect.”

  “My mate,” I whispered, kissing her again as I took the last few steps down the hallway to enter into my bedroom. The smart lights lit the room as we walked in, my body caging her tenderly when I moved her to the bed, settling her in the pillows before using my hungry fingers and teeth to take off each piece of her clothing.

  When the last layer of fabric was removed, only her thin cotton panties separated me from my prize. I sat back, spreading her knees to reveal all of her most delicate places to my greedy eyes.

  “Look at you, so soft and wet. This pussy has been waiting for me, hasn’t it, darlin’?”

  Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment, her knees fighting my grip to close.

  “Hey…” I slipped myself between her thighs, running my hands up her curves until I was cupping both of her breasts in my palms. I kneaded softly, rasping my thumbs across the tips of her nipples and causing a quiet moan to serrate her lips.

  “That’s it, my beautiful Gwen. Don’t think about what I’m doing,” I kissed a path between her breasts, latching my lips to one nipple and sucking softly. She arched her hips, damp cotton of her crotch searing a path of heat through my pants and causing my cock to twitch and throb angrily.

  “Just feel me, pretty girl.”

  Her eyes fluttered closed as I moved my lips to her other breast, grinding my hips against hers to show her exactly what she did to my body.

  “I can’t control my body’s reaction to you,” she whispered, as if reading my mind.

  I caught her lips in a kiss, thrusting my tongue slowly and tasting the honeyed sweetness of her on my tongue. “I’m glad we’re on the same page, then.”

  I nearly cried out in shock when I felt her tiny fingers working at the loop of my pants.

  “Baby, I want tonight to be all about you.”

  “It will be,” she uttered, “and I'm ready. I want to see your lion.”

  I groaned into her lips, one of her hands threading into her hair as her other pushed the zip of my pants down. The way she begged to see my cock made me leak with need to fill her.

  A second later, the cool air hit my searing rock-hard flesh and nearly made me groan with the ragged relief of it.

  “Do you always make a point of not wearing underwear?” she asked innocently.

  I thrust my dick into her tiny palm, no longer able to control my hips when she was so close, when we were so close, every nerve in me dancing and ready to be lit on fire with just her touch.

  “Not before today.” I caught her lips in
a more forceful kiss, locking her hands above her head with mine to gain back a little control of the situation. “Truth of it is, sweet Gwen, I wanted you so badly last night, I split the seams on my favorite pair of boxer briefs, so I figured today I’d avoid them altogether.”

  “Oh…” The soft O of her mouth made my cock leak and pound with the need to fill her, anywhere, everywhere.

  “Baby,” I gritted against her neck, “don’t look at me like that, and for God’s sake, you can’t touch me before I’m ready. I want this to be good for you, and I don’t want to bruise you with my dick. I want to fuck you so desperately… I’ve never felt more out of control than when I have you in my arms.”

  She swallowed, eyes hanging on mine and filled with watery emotion. “Nolan…I haven’t done this before. Not ever.”

  I locked our lips in a punishing kiss, working the elastic of her panties down from her waist until her pussy was finally exposed. Slipping a thumb through her soaked wetness, I swirled her around on my fingers and felt her hips working against my palm until she was nearly shuddering and coming beneath me.

  “Not yet, sweetheart. We’re coming together our first time.” I replaced my hand with the tip of my cock, rubbing the head through her folds until she was gasping and soaking my hard shaft. “And for the record, darlin’, you’re the only woman I’ve let in my bed—or my life—ever. Shifters mate once, for life. We can only get aroused by our mates.” I kissed her as my thrusts grew more frenzied, her hips meeting mine until my tip was breaching her entrance. “You’ve always been the only one for me. I’m just sorry it took me so long to find you.”

  Her body stretched and tensed with my deeper intrusion. The way she welcomed my body, hugging me so tightly like a fist, sent my fucking mind into overdrive. “My beautiful mate, right in my backyard this whole time. I was a fool to not find you before now.”

  I sank myself in fully, her gasps of pain easing to warm pleasure as my tongue swirled at her nipples, teeth nibbling at the underside of her breasts, hands caressing every last inch of her gorgeous form.