“Good.” My voice was more high-pitched than usual which was my reindeer’s doing, damn him. “Because I don't mind either.”
Reed was so close, I could have stroked his cheek. His breathing had quickened and he tugged an earlobe. Was that a secret human signal? But for what? Back off or get closer? Despite his promise to sleep, my reindeer wassqueeing.
“The permits,” Reed said.
“Right. The permits.”
The atmosphere in the farmhouse was similar to the office and it was full of memories, chipped porcelain, and frayed carpets. But it was a home that had been filled with love with photos of Reed and his aunt on every surface.
I spread out the documents on the table, pleased I had something to keep my hands busy.But when I glanced up, Reed wasn't making coffee. Instead he was studying me and rubbing the back of his neck.
My body temperature was rising and I hoped I didn’t start to sweat.
“See something interesting?” I might have sealed my fate with that question but I had to know the message that accompanied his glances and wistful smiles.
But before he could respond, he swiveled toward the window. Snow was falling. My beast and I should have picked up on that but we were befuddled by our mate. The flakes multiplied and the world outside the windows became gray. Soon I couldn’t see the horizon.
What were my options? I could leave now and hope the roads weren’t already treacherous. The barn was almost complete but the roof wasn’t finished so I couldn’t stay here. I couldn’t presume that Reed would offer me a bed, though I would have loved toshare his.
I’m not shifting so you can leave. No!
“I should go before the roads get bad.” But I made no move toward the door.
“You could.” Reed tugged at his collar. “Or you could stay. It’s up to you.”
Gods, I needed a guide to human behavior. It was too late to check my phone and I had to figure out if he was being polite or if he didn't want me to have an accident. How did I know which it was other than asking him straight out?
“Are you sure about me staying?” I’d taken the cowardly way out by making him come out and say it.
Reed pushed a chair under the table and it scraped over the old wooden floor. “I’m sure.” His hands trembled as he gripped the chipped wood.
I gathered my courage and got up, putting a hand on his hip, hoping he didn’t pull away and tell me to get out. He didn’t though, he stepped closer and his warm breath washed over my jaw.
“This might not be a sensible idea.”
“Probably.” His hand was on my waist. “Do you care?”
My answer was to brush a thumb across his cheek and he responded with a sharp intake of breath.
“I don’t.”
And then I kissed him. I was careful not to shove my tongue down his throat becausethis was our first kiss and I had to be gentle and give him the opportunity to pull away if that was what he wanted. But he raked his hands over my scalp and ground his hips against me while moaning as I licked around his mouth. I nibbled his lower lip and he whimpered, whispering he’d been longing for me.
He parted his lips, almost begging me to enter, and my tongue slid in and tangled with his. Our tongues danced and dueled, and when we broke apart, both of us were breathing hard, I rested my brow on his.
“Any regrets?”
“Ask me in the morning.” He leaned in to kiss me again.
SEVEN
REED
I woke to the smell of coffee and bacon, and for a moment, I couldn't remember where I was. Who was cooking and was that for me? But when I sat up, I was in my bedroom alone.
Unless someone had broken into my old house and was cooking up a storm, it had to be Roscoe who just happened to not only have a reindeer inside him, but also he could transform into said reindeer. And his animal was just as magnificent as his human.
We’d kissed and gotten handsy, and that shifter making breakfast should have shared my bed, but he told me we should wait. Wait? I was done waiting. But herepeated we had to go slow, even though his face was scrunched up like he was in pain.
