“What time is it?” I ask with a sleep graveled grumble.
His soft chuckle tells me I slept in. “Almost noon.”
“What?!” I fling myself into a seated position. The whole world around me slowly tilts and starts to spin. I clamp my eyes shut and rest my head against the headboard, waiting to get off this awful ride.
“Whoa, there.” Kodi rests his hands on my shoulders and his forehead against mine. Steadying me. Grounding me. “Do you remember any of last night?” He asks with humor in his voice, but I can feel the undercurrent of concern he’s trying to conceal.
He watches me closely as I take internal inventory of my body. The only thing bothering me a bit is the woozy ache in my head; not yet an actual headache, but could become one easily enough.
When I open my mouth to tell him I’m fine, flashes of the evening flit across my memory making me smile, swoon, gasp, and heat with embarrassment.
“Hey, don’t do that. You have nothing to be ashamed about. That was hot as fuck.”
If I couldn’t feel his earnestness and desire through our bond, I wouldn’t believe him, and I definitely would have let the mortified feelings fester. “If you say so,” I whisper.
Having none of my humiliation, he takes my chin in his fingers and wastes no time plunging his tongue into my mouth, devouring me, his minty breath washing over my insecurities.
Wait. Minty breath. I break away from the kiss and scramble for the bathroom squealing, “I still have morning breath!”
He darts across the room and catches me around the waist, pulling me back up to his face where he wants me, smashing his lips to mine once again, teasing them with his tongue, begging me to open for him.I don’t care that you haven’t brushed your teeth, Anirniq. I just need you.
My body melts at his words and my resolve weakens. When he takes my mouth, I can’t help but to groan into him. When he finally releases me, and my brain can once again function appropriately, I finish my hasty escape to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
With clean teeth and the sudden realization that my face is clean of yesterday’s makeup, which means Kodi cleaned it off for me after I passed out from shifter wine. I smile at my reflection in the mirror, still in disbelief that this is my life now.
As if on cue, Kodi peeks around the corner with a shit-eating grin on his face and mischievous glint in his eyes that makes my tummy flutter.
Narrowing my eyes playfully, I beckon him into the brightly lit bathroom with a crook of my finger. “What’s got you looking all proud of yourself, and a bit . . . roguish?”
“Roguish, huh?” He saunters through the doorway with one hand behind his back, swaying his hips dramatically and making me snicker at his antics.
He pulls away just before reaching me. “Seriously though, how are you feeling?” He asks in earnest, his playful demeanor replaced for the moment.
Resting both hands on my chest I promise, “I’m fine. Really. I feel like I should feel worse.” My voice breaks off in a chuckle at my own expense.
“Fine enough to . . . I dunno . . . take a trip?” He stretches his words out and snaps two tickets into view.
I don’t even read what they say. I want him to tell me. “Where are we going?!”
His eyes take on a bit of a faraway look before he answers me. “It’s time to go home. Will you go home with me for Christmas, Anirniq?”
7 Days Until Christmas
29
Kodi
I’m an anxious mess as I climb into the large SUV we rented to make the quick drive to North Pole, Alaska from the airport in Fairbanks. I kept Anya busy with some of my least favorite, but still classic, Christmas movies the whole flight and used her sweet reactions as the best distraction. Now it’s time to face the music.
I’m almost home.
With my mate.
Sensing the thoughts bubbling to a boil within me, she places her hand on my thigh, squeezing reassuringly. “I’ve got you, Bear. You’re not doing this alone.” She looks at me with an adoring strength and devotion I can feel settling in my bones.
Instead of responding, I push as much gratitude and love through as our bond as I can as I drive away from the airport.
I’m completely zoned out, driving on autopilot while Christmas music jingles through the speakers and my little mate hums and bobs her head to the beat, when I’m pulled back to reality from her gasp and the awe flowing through our bond. It’s then I notice we’re here. The giant candy cane Welcome to North Pole, Alaska sign to the right; impossible to miss.
