Page 3 of Merry Cris Moose

The mid-afternoon sun hung low in the Alaskan sky, casting a golden light over the snow-covered landscape. It was the time of day Keely loved most—when the world seemed to glow with an ethereal warmth, despite the biting cold that always lingered in the air. Her sleek, white fox form moved effortlessly through the snow, her paws light, barely disturbing the surface as she ran. This was her sanctuary, where she could think, where she could let go.

But today, her thoughts weren’t as free as they usually were. Her mind kept wandering back to the man she’d met earlier that day—Cris Sutton. There was something about him—something beyond how gorgeous, dominant, and sexy he was. Something about the way he seemed so comfortable in the conference room while at the same time giving the air of someone who would be comfortable in any environment. Something that felt… familiar.

She continued to run and then slid to a stop. Could Cris be like her? Like everyone in Otter Cove? A shifter? Was everyone at North Star a shifter, too?

She tried to shake the idea from her mind, knowing that she was just projecting her own desires onto the man. But as she thought back to their meeting, she realized there had been subtleclues—his keen sense of awareness, the way he had seemed to anticipate her movements when they’d spoken. And then there was the moment when their hands brushed, and she’d felt the faintest hint of energy pass between them, something only another shifter could sense.

Keely picked up her pace and headed back to her cabin, her fox form dissolving in a swirling mist as she entered and shifted back into her human body. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, and she stood barefoot in her kitchen, lost in thought. She shivered slightly as the chilled air kissed her skin.

Cris Sutton. The more she thought about it, the surer she became he was a shifter. Could he be like her? Maybe not a fox, but something else. A wolf? A bear? Or perhaps something else altogether. If Cris was a shifter, it would explain the connection she’d felt. And yet, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to confront him, to ask. Revealing her own nature was risky, even to someone who might share it.

The warmth of the indoors began to seep into her body, chasing away the chill, but her thoughts of Cris—of what he might be—lingered, unresolved. Before heading into the shower, she grabbed her robe and checked her computer. An email from Warren. Taking a deep breath and exhaling it slowly, she opened it.

Subject: Important Company Update

Keely,

I wanted to inform you ahead of the official announcement that Schultz’s Toys has been sold to Vanguard Holdings. We will be undergoing significant changes in the coming months, including restructuring of our design team. I know this may come as a shock, but we’ll provide more details soon.

Best regards,

Warren Schultz

Vanguard? That soulless shell of a company? Keely guessed she didn’t need to worry about whether or not she would try and show Cris Sutton some of her own designs. Most of the things she’d shown him today were part of her work at Schultz Toys, but Warren had hated the dragon and had refused to put money into her idea about an interactive program. The IT guys, however, had loved the idea and had been working on it on their own time. Her plan had been, once it was ready, to show it to Warren again and hope he would get behind it. If Cris liked it, maybe she could sell it to North Star instead.

Later, as she stood in front of the antique floor mirror, Keely couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this jittery, smoothing the wrinkles from her little black dress. It had been a splurge the last time she’d been in Seattle. It had called her name from a Nordstrom’s window display, and she had heeded its siren’s call. Her reflection stared back at her, wide-eyed, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling inside her chest.

She told herself she was a vision of feminine allure. Her dark auburn hair framed her face, highlighting her sparkling eyes and full, pink lips. Her curves were accentuated by the figure-hugging dress that showcased her hourglass shape, with ample cleavage on display. She had a playful, adventurous spirit that seemed to have taken over from the moment she laid eyes on Cris.

Her nerves were brushed away when she answered the door. His eyes lit up, and he said, “Wow. Just wow.”

The evening started innocently enough, and dinner was delicious and tantalizing, filled with a subtle undercurrent of heat that left her mind in a fog. Otter Cove might be a small town, but the Otter Cove Inn had an excellent restaurant. As they ate, she couldn’t help occasionally glancing at Cris’s lap and had to stop herself from licking her lips. She wondered if he had any idea that she relished the thought of submitting to a man like him as the women did in the romance novels she loved, especially the ones with dominant men.

As he walked her to the door, Keely decided to do something out of character for her, hoping that if she made the first move, he would pick up the ball and run with it.

“Would you like to come in for a glass of wine?” she asked as she unlocked the door.

"I'm not much of a wine drinker," Cris said, his deep voice filling the space around them. "I prefer something with a bit more kick."

Keely's eyes lit up with mischief. "Oh, I think I might have just the thing. I've got some local microbrews in the fridge. They're quite strong, but they go down smoothly."

Cris raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Sounds perfect. Lead the way, beautiful."

She led him inside. The cozy atmosphere of Keely's cabin was the perfect setting for a drink and maybe more. The cabin, with its charm and warm wooden tones, seemed to envelop them in a sensual embrace as soon as they stepped inside.

Feeling a surge of arousal, she led Cris into the kitchen. The cabin's open floor plan meant the kitchen was just a few steps away, and the rustic, wooden countertops and shelves added to the intimate ambiance. She reached into the fridge and pulled out two bottles, their labels promising a potent brew.

It started with a kiss—she’d stood up from grabbing the microbrews to find him standing right behind her. His lips hadbrushed hers, soft at first, testing, then firmer as he deepened it, pulling her close with a possessiveness that left her weak at the knees. Keely’s heart raced as his hands slid down her sides, his touch setting her skin on fire through her thin, black dress.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew this was moving fast, too fast, but her overwhelming arousal and need to be with him drowned out her logic. Cris’s mouth on her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair, his breath warm against her ear—it was all too much. She had wanted him from the moment she’d laid eyes on him, and now, here they were, the desire between them tangible and undeniable.

When he lifted his head, she handed him a bottle, their fingers touched, and a spark of electricity shot through them both. Cris's eyes narrowed, and a sultry grin lifted the corners of his mouth as he took it, his fingers brushing against hers deliberately. He twisted off the cap and took a long swallow.

"Mmm, that hits the spot," he murmured, his voice low and husky. "Careful, it's strong."

Keely took a tentative sip, her eyes widening at the powerful flavor. "I know. I’m the one who gave it to you. Kind of hits you like a freight train, doesn't it?"

Cris stepped closer, his body invading her personal space. "Hard, fast, and leaves you a little breathless," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.

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