Page 39 of A Merry Misfit Christmas

“What is it?” she asks.

“Well, I have two rooms at the clubhouse and we’re going to get basic stuff all year long to stock up. We’ll also get gift cards for the older kids for the local fast-food places so they can be like a lot of the other teenagers,” I reply. “What do you think?”

“Like I said, the best thing that ever happened to this program was the day you walked in to volunteer. I think that with us working together, the foster kids in Mercy Falls are going to have the best possible lives given their circumstances,” she says.

It touches my heart to hear those words and I blink back tears. Across the room, laughing like a jolly old elf, Kodiak is still listening to the kids, and I can see his smile is genuine.

Spike joins us and hands a glass of bubbly to Cheryl. “The club has really enjoyed being involved with helping the kids. Count us in as a yearly donation.”

Cheryl sniffles as she fights the tears that pool in her eyes. “This wouldn’t have been possible without all your help. I’m so thankful for your generosity.”

“It’s for the kids.” Spike shrugs. “We’re happy to do it.”

Cheryl leaves us to greet a friend and I stand with Spike, taking in all the smiling faces.

“You know, I’ve never seen Kodiak happy like this. We’re all thrilled for him.”

“To be honest, I’ve never been happy like this before either. I haven’t told him yet, and it’s so quick that I don’t want to overwhelm him, but I love that big, grumpy, overprotective bear.”

Spike grins. “I know. We all see it. Wanna know something else?”

“Sure.”

“He’s one hundred percent, all in, crazy for you, in love. You know that, right?”

I did. “Yes. We just haven’t said it yet.”

Spike stroked his short beard. “Well, he might be waiting on you. His bear won’t want to push you into anything you’re not ready for. The first instinct for Kodiak is to protect you. He’ll do that every way that he can.”

“I see that.” I finish my drink and set the glass aside. “I think it’s time I got my Santa under the mistletoe.”

Spike laughs. “Go for it.”

Kodiak’s booming ho-ho-ho echoes across the room before I reach him and his gaze moves from the kids to me, locking in as I strut toward him. His eyes are quick to grow molten and I can almost feel the lust burning off him as I tug on his sleeve.

“There’s mistletoe out in the hall.”

His grin widens. “I think I should follow you out there to verify.”

“That’s my plan,” I reveal, reaching for his hand. He’s wearing black gloves and I pull them off as we walk out of the room and into the empty hall. I lead him around the corner where we can find some privacy and point to the mistletoe above our heads.

“How did that get here?” he wonders.

“I snuck out a few minutes ago.”

“Need me for something?” His tone is playful, oblivious to what I’m going to say.

Suddenly nervous, I bite my lip and release it. “There’s something I want to tell you.”

“Oh. What’s that, my gorgeous mate?”

“I love you, Kodiak,” I reveal, almost breathless.

His humor fades and it’s the overwhelming confirmation I see in return, blazing in his dark eyes that proves to me how he feels before he says the words. “I love you, Callie. So fucking much.”

When our lips meet, our kiss under the mistletoe is sweet, but also undeniably hungry. He claims my lips with unrelenting fervor until all I want is to feel him between my thighs and escape this party.

“Soon,” he promises as we part, already knowing what I need. “I’ll take care of you, my Callie. Always. That’s a promise.”

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