Cookies & Claws, page 14
The room tilts, my breath catching. Fated mates. My hand finds his forearm almost instinctively, grounding me as the truth sinks in.
“When did you know?” I whisper, my teeth worrying my bottom lip.
“The moment you stepped out of your car that first night.” His voice is low, unyielding. “Looking for a tree, hair a mess from the wind, cheeks red from the cold. You were stubborn, fiery, determined—and I knew. My bear knew.”
Emotion swells thick in my chest. “Then why didn’t you tell me?”
His mouth quirks, though his eyes remain serious. “What was I supposed to say? ‘Oh hey, I know we’re complete strangers, but you’re mine for eternity. By the way, don’t bother leaving—I’ll just follow you home.’ You had one thing on your mind that night—getting that damn tree.”
A startled laugh bursts out of me. I double over, clutching my stomach as tears prick at the corners of my eyes. “You have a point.”
Benjamin just watches me.
Wiping my eyes, I manage, “But that tree brought me to you. If I hadn’t been half as stubborn as I am, I would’ve given up when every shop in town was sold out.” I step into him, my arms circling his neck, the warmth of him chasing away every lingering doubt. “Thank goodness for meddling old Harry. He’s as bad as your gran.”
“I’m glad you didn’t give up.” His hands slide to my waist, drawing me closer. He brushes a kiss against the tip of my nose, playful and sweet, and my heart melts.
“I’m glad you cut down that tree for me… and then rescued me,” I murmur, tightening my hold. “Was that… was that the bond?”
His forehead rests against mine, eyes closing as if the answer is too much to bear.
“I think so,” he admits, voice rough. His thumb strokes along my hip, like he can’t help touching me. “I should never have let you leave.”
“Be careful what you wish for,” I tease, narrowing my eyes as Benjamin pulls me closer, lifting me like I weigh nothing. “You’re going to have to leave that cabin in the woods more often than just Christmas now.”
“Are you inviting me to move in, Miss Hazel?” His brows lift with mock indignation, though the grin tugging at his lips gives him away. “Whatever will my mother say?”
“I’m sure she’ll survive.” I nudge his shoulder with mine as he sets me down on the counter. “Maybe we can even convince her and your dad to visit town more often. They might even like it.”
He shakes his head with a soft laugh, then leans in so close I can feel the warmth of his breath. “Perhaps. But first, let’s get you fed before your stomach tries to gnaw its way free.”
My cheeks heat as I remember the very audible growl it let out earlier. “Traitor,” I mutter, rubbing my midsection.
Benjamin doesn’t miss a beat. He spoons steaming chicken noodle soup into a bowl, blows gently across the surface, then lifts the spoon to my lips. “Open.”
I roll my eyes, but when his gaze locks on mine—those stormy-blue eyes that undo me every single time—I obey. The moment the broth touches my tongue, it floods me with a warmth that goes deeper than hunger. It feels like home. Like him.
He grins knowingly. “Good?”
“Dangerously good,” I admit, chasing the taste with another bite. We fall into an easy rhythm, passing the spoon back and forth, laughing when a drip lands on my chin and he leans in to kiss it away. By the time the spoon scrapes the bottom of the bowl, my stomach might be satisfied—but my body is starving for something else entirely.
I lean closer, lowering my voice. “Still hungry.”
His gaze darkens, understanding sparking instantly. “Good. Because I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough of you, Hazel.”
Before I can quip back, Benjamin sweeps me into his arms. My laugh echoes as he carries me into the living room, depositing me in the same nest of blankets where this all began. He turns and busies himself at the hearth until the fire crackles to life, bathing the room in a golden glow.
When he crawls over to me, his lips brush mine with a tenderness that steals the breath from my lungs. My magic hums, alive beneath my skin, thrumming in time with his heartbeat against my chest.
I cup his face, whispering the truth I can’t keep in anymore. “You should’ve told me that first night.”
His smile is faint, almost guilty. “I wanted to. But how do you tell a stranger you’ve just met that they’re your fated mate?”
“You could’ve said, ‘Oh hey, I know you just want that damn Christmas tree, but by the way—you’re mine.’”
He laughs, low and rough, the sound vibrating against my lips. “You would’ve run.”
“Maybe.” I grin, threading my fingers through his hair. “But maybe I would’ve stayed. After all, that tree brought me to you.”
He presses his forehead to mine, his voice a vow wrapped in velvet. “And I should never have let you leave.”
My breath catches. Because he’s right. Neither of us can walk away now. Not after this. Not ever.
EPILOGUE
THE NEW YEARS KISS
They’re all coming?” I ask, pulling my mittens snug before reaching for my coat. The air outside might be cold enough to frost my lungs, but the thought of Benjamin’s entire family descending on my little house makes my stomach flutter harder than the snowstorm did.
“Mom, Dad, Nathan…” Benjamin’s grin is mischievous as he tugs my wool beanie lower over my ears, his knuckles brushing my cheek. “And even Gran.”
I blink up at him, scandalized. “Gran? Benjamin, I don’t have room for that many guests! We just barely put our bed together this afternoon.”
His eyes darken, smile turning feral as his hand snakes around my waist. “I like the sound of that. Our bed. Which reminds me… we have yet to break it in.”
Before I can protest, his growl rumbles against my neck as he spins me, backing me toward the bedroom.
“Benjamin!” I shriek, my hands flattening against his chest, but he’s solid as a mountain and twice as immovable. “We do not have time. We’re supposed to meet your family at seven for fireworks and the festival.”
He glances at the clock on the wall, smirking. “It’s only six, sugarplum. Plenty of time.”
“That still doesn’t solve the issue of where everyone’s going to sleep,” I counter breathlessly, though my pulse is already betraying me, hammering as heat curls low in my stomach.
“Harry offered to host,” he says easily, fingers toying with the hem of my sweater. “Nathan said he’s got… options.” His brows waggle suggestively.
I gasp, swatting his chest. “Benjamin!”
But then the backs of my thighs hit the brand-new mattress we’d spent all morning wrestling into place, and my breath hitches. His laughter rumbles against my palms still pressed to his chest.
“I just got ready,” I murmur, though my voice has already lost its edge, softening under the weight of his gaze.
“And now I’m about to undo every stitch.” His grin sharpens as he drops to his knees in front of me, tugging at the button of my jeans. My heart leaps into my throat. “Can’t wait another second.”
“Benjamin—” The rest of my protest dissolves into a sharp gasp as he tugs my jeans down to my boots, strong hands sliding over my hips like he owns every inch. His mouth finds the heat between my thighs before I can form another word, his growl vibrating through me.
My fingers tangle in his hair, clutching like a lifeline as the first hot sweep of his tongue steals the air from my lungs. I stagger, nearly collapsing, but his arm bands around my hips, holding me upright—holding me his.
“Goddess, Benjamin,” I breathe, my head falling back as pleasure sparks like fireworks under my skin. My rational thoughts scatter, lost in the haze of his touch, the way he devours me like he’s starved.
He glances up, eyes smoldering as his lips curve against my swollen flesh. “Seems my sweet witch doesn’t really care about being late.”
A broken laugh escapes me, sharp with need. “Shut up and don’t stop.”
I can’t think. Can’t breathe. All I can do is feel—his mouth, his fingers slipping inside me, curling, stroking that desperate ache that’s been building for days.
“Oh, Benjamin—” My words splinter into broken moans.
“That’s it, sugarplum. I fucking love it when you say my name.” His voice rumbles against me, making me shudder so hard I nearly collapse.
Every flick of his tongue pulls me tighter and tighter until I unravel with a cry, trembling violently in his hold as the orgasm rips through me. He doesn’t stop, doesn’t let go—works me through every last wave of pleasure until I’m a boneless mess in his arms.
When he finally pulls back, his lips glisten and his eyes burn like wildfire. He rises slowly, towering over me, and the raw hunger in his gaze makes my breath catch.
“You taste like fucking magic,” he growls against my lips before kissing me, deep and devastating, letting me taste myself on his tongue.
I whimper, fingers clutching his flannel. “Please. I need you—”
“You have me.” His hands cup my face, fierce and tender. “Always.”
MAILING LIST
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THE COZY CHRISTMAS COLLECTIVE
I hope you enjoyed Cookies & Claws by Fleur DeVillainy. The holiday cheer doesn’t end there! Enjoy three more paranormal holiday romances:
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Cookies & Claws by Fleur DeVillainy
Antics & Antlers by Ava Thorne
Sugar & Snowflakes by Kristin Cast
Seashells & Mistletoe by Kay Leyda
ALSO BY FLEUR DEVILLAINY
The Vandeleur Trilogy
Sky of Thorns
Secrets of Thorns
Shield of Thorns
To Scorch a Quartz Thorns (novella)
Magickal Morsels
Spellbound Scones
Midnight Macarons
The Cozy Christmas Collective
Cookies & Claws
The Calpa Series
co-written with Johnna Dee
The Clan of Mist
The Clan of Luna
The Clan of Deception (novella)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fleur DeVillainy is an American fantasy author. In the realm of imagination, where love and enchantment intertwine, she crafts tales of extraordinary adventure interwoven with romance, internal growth and found family. By day, she brings healing to little hearts. By night, she lets her pen dance across pages, weaving magical worlds and captivating characters.
When not weaving tales, she finds solace in baking, sewing, and gardening. Join her on the many whimsical journeys through words and discover the wonders that lie within. Check out her series The Vandeleur Trilogy, her comic series Wolf and I, and her co-written Calpa series today!
Fleur DeVillainy, Cookies & Claws
