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

did when he first encountered her wrestling with the log.
    There was so much more to life than feeling either grumpy or grumpier, and for the first time in ten years he wanted to experience something else. He wanted to live again.
    He had a feeling Chloe would help him. If he could convince her to give him a chance.
    But how? You insulted her and stormed out like an arrogant asshole!
    The only thing he could come up with involved showing up with gifts, apologizing and confessing some of the truth. If she relented, he’d do his best to prove she’d made the right choice.
    The moon reflected off the snow as the night fell and he carefully hauled his purchases up the mountain. He hoped that she’d be sympathetic when she saw everything he’d purchased, and not kick him out in the cold. He could survive a night out in the elements, even in his human form, but he’d rather spend the evening inside with his sassy mate.
     
    ***
     
    Chloe shivered and pulled the quilt tighter around her body, but the cover did nothing to block the cold. She opened her eyes and looked around the dark room. Outside, night had fallen and the light from the moon trickled through the open curtain in the kitchen.
    She got up and ran to the light switch, certain she’d left it on, and realized the power had gone out while she’d slept. The temperature of the room had dropped significantly, and though she wore socks, her toes were ice cold. She needed to pile on some layers and get a fire going or she’d freeze as the night wore on.
    She layered on another sweater, her winter coat, hat and gloves, and went outside to gather some wood. With her arms full, she turned and saw a silhouette walking up the hill toward her cabin. He was pulling something and for a moment, she thought the hotel had come to rescue her. By the time she figured out Quinn walked toward her, it was too late to run inside and pretend she didn’t see him.
    “Hey, let me get that for you,” he said and ran up and took the wood from her.
    “Thanks,” she said cautiously. “What’s all that?”
    “That,” he smiled, “is your list. Plus a few extras. Let me put this inside and then I’ll haul the sled up.” He ran up the steps and entered her cabin as if he belonged there.
    Chloe stared at the sled, and though she was still mad, she couldn’t help but smile. He’d brought her a peace offering and her heart warmed at the gesture. She didn’t want to make excuses for him, but he’d made an effort and she didn’t want to send him away.
    “It’s almost as cold in there as it is out here. How long has the power been out?” he asked when he emerged from inside.
    “I’m not sure. I fell asleep after you left and just woke up a few minutes ago.”
    “About that…,” he started. “I’m sorry about the way I acted earlier. It’s a long story, but I’ve been in a bad mood for a really long time. My boss forced this vacation on me, and I know we’ve just met, but you’re the first person I’ve met in a long time who made me want to feel something else. It’s a little overwhelming,” he took a deep breath. “I don’t have a place to stay, so if it’s okay with you, I’d like to stay here and get to know you better.”
    She shook her head and he held out his palms as if to ease her fears.
    “Just talking, I promise.”
    How boring!
    Just talking. Of course.
    Even though he’d said she made him want to feel something else , it certainly wasn’t something in the bedroom. He’d bought the supplies because he needed someone to talk to and a place to stay, and deep down she knew it was mostly the latter. She hated how much she wished it were because he wanted to be with her, but she knew the truth. Men built like him didn’t date women like her. Getting through the night while staring at his perfect physique would be difficult, but not something she couldn’t handle. She’d been just friends with several good looking men over the years.
    “Okay,” she