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

relented. “You can stay.”
    “Thank you, Chloe, you won’t regret it,” his eyes sparkled like ice crystals when he smiled and she was again reminded of a snow god. He hauled the sled up the steps and quickly untied the bundles and carried them into the house. When everything was inside, he immediately started arranging the wood in the fire place while she unpacked the bags.
    He’d purchased everything on her list, some clothes for himself, including a pair of flannel pajama bottoms with candy canes on them, and three boxes of cookies piled high with icing.
    In the last bag she found two matching hat, scarf and mitten sets. They were crocheted in red with green and white striped trim.
    He stood when the fire roared to life and placed the protective screen around the blaze.
    “You found the hat and mitten sets,” he said when he joined her next to the table. “I picked them up in case you didn’t bring a set of your own. You’ll be much warmer in the snow if your hands are protected.”
    He’d bought her an accessory set in Christmas colors to keep her warm, but equally surprising was the set he’d purchased for himself. If they went anywhere, they’d be a matching pair, and though she knew it wasn’t his intent, everyone would think they were a couple.
    The fabric she held in her hands became blurry, but if he noticed, he didn’t let on. His gesture reminded her of everything she’d ever hoped for and everything she’d never have. He was exactly the type of man she’d always wished for.
    “I’m going to heat up some water so we can warm up with some hot chocolate and cookies,” he said.
    When he turned his back to pull a pot out of the cabinet, she wiped her eyes and cleared her throat. They were friends, nothing more, and she needed to stop fantasizing and remember her place.
    “That sounds great, but why did you buy so many?”
    “Cookies? Because I love them, especially the ones with a thick layer of icing on top.”
    “Really?” she asked as he kneeled down in front of the fireplace and heated the water.
    “Oh yeah,” he said. “I’m a sucker for most desserts, but cookies are my favorite.”
    Every man she’d ever met hated dessert and looked down on her whenever she opted to make or buy something sweet.
    “You have to see if you still feel the same after you try my Candy Cane Cheesecake.”
    “Candy Cane Cheesecake? Really? You’re on.”
    His enthusiasm made her laugh and he joined in. The boisterous sound filled the cabin and reminded her of Christmas and everything she loved about the holiday.
    “Want to help me decorate the tree?” she asked.
    “Yeah, that sounds great. Is it leaning on purpose, or would you like some help?”
    “Very funny,” she said, and slapped him on the arm. “Help, please.”
    They decorated and talked for hours. She told him about her dream to open a bakery and a little about her ex, and he shared certain aspects of his job and told her about his scar. She knew he’d left some pieces out, but so had she. Some things were hard to share and they’d only known each other a day.
    Had it really only been that long? Their connection was strong and when he spoke, it didn’t feel like just friends . A great void would be left behind when he left. She wanted to know how long he planned to stay, but she didn’t dare ask. If he planned on leaving in the morning, she’d rather not know until then.
    She pulled the quilt up tighter around her neck and watched him eat another cookie. For his size and strength, she expected crumbs everywhere, but he ate as if tasting each cookie for the first time.
    “Are you still cold?” he asked.
    The power never came back on and though he kept the fire roaring, the room still held a chill.
    “Yeah, and tired,” she said and yawned.
    “Come here,” he said and held out his arm. He still had on the thin sweater from earlier, but he’d changed into his pajama pants after they’d decorated the tree.
    “I don’t think