Jingle Bear: BBW Paranormal Holiday Shape Shifter Romance (North Pole Book 1) Read Online Free

another. She wasn’t that crazy…was she? The thoughts made her sick to her stomach, and she curled up on the couch and covered herself with the quilt.
    She had no idea why Quinn stirred up so many feelings, but she was glad he left. She didn’t need someone like him in her life.
    Although she repeated the phrase over and over inside her head, she couldn’t help feeling like something was missing, as if her destiny had just walked out the door.
    Several minutes later, she decided a nap would help clear her head, and she closed her eyes and let the sleep carry her to a place where men didn’t yell and snow gods lusted after tall, curvy women.

Chapter Four
     
    Well, that went well. Not!
    Quinn trudged down the mountain of snow and into the town. His long legs made it easy for him to navigate the covered landscape, and his leather boots kept his feet dry. When he reached the town, his pants were damp and covered in frost from the knees down, but he barely felt the cold.
    Polar bear shifters were used to the conditions of the tundra and their body heat protected them with or without their fur. The thin sweater and jeans he wore were more than enough to keep him protected from the elements, even when temperatures dropped to near freezing. It was part of the magic that allowed him to shift, and prolonged his life. He wouldn’t live forever, but everyone in Santa’s Village had lived well past a normal human lifespan. If Chloe agreed to become his mate, she wouldn’t gain his internal heater, but her aging process would slow to match his.
    As he walked through the town, he couldn’t help but smile at Santa’s twisted sense of humor. Christmas trees, candy canes, a dressed up Santa and a barn full of reindeer lined the busy street, along with bakeries, restaurants and ornament shops. His vacation from the North Pole, Santa’s Village, was in Christmas Town, a popular holiday attraction.
    He looked around and noted at least one thing hadn’t changed since the last time he’d visited the real world.
    He still gained attention wherever he went.
    His height, combined with his broad chest and shoulders, had always garnered stares from both women and men. He’d learned to ignore it over the years, but his people skills were rusty. He’d never liked being the center of attention, and his reactions needed some gentle reminders. Scowling until people looked away in fear seemed wrong.
    The local strip mall was located on the edge of town, far away from the holiday festivities. It contained a grocery store, a large discount pharmacy chain store, two fast food restaurants and a gas station.
    He opted for the large discount store. Hopefully he’d be able to find a change of clothes along with everything on Chloe’s list.
    If she realized he’d taken the sheet of paper when he left, she didn’t call him on it. He half expected her to chase after him, demanding he give it back, but she’d stayed in the cabin. It took everything he had not to look back at her, but he forced himself to stay on his mission and pick up the supplies.
    An hour and a half later, he’d purchased everything on the list, plus a few extras including a few articles of clothing for him and a sled to haul it all back up the mountain. If she forgave him, the sled would be useful for some fun in the snow.
    The thought froze him as he tied his bundles to the wood. He couldn’t remember a time in recent years when he’d opted for a sled ride, or a roll down a snow hill. When was the last time he enjoyed a sugar cookie or sang Christmas carols? Santa had been right. He wasn’t fun anymore, and if he were being completely honest, he hadn’t allowed himself any fun since his mistake.
    Meeting Chloe made him want to be a better man. The type of man he was before when he knew how to have a good time, and people didn’t feel like they had to walk on eggshells around him. He wanted to enjoy his work, but also his life. He wanted to feel all the emotions like he