Free BearyMerryChristmas by Tianna Xander

the worst.
    I’ll be right there.
    Jamie knew he could count on Duncan to help him warm their mate. Thankfully, someone had left the door to her room ajar. Jamie nosed the door open and moved to lie in front of the fire one of the others had set to warm her for the night. He stayed in front of the fire, his body overheating from exertion and from the close proximity to the flames. Closing his eyes, he prayed that she was all right and shifted back to his human form.
    “You could have warned me, you know,” she whispered in his ear. “I would have climbed off you first.” Lara wriggled a bit before she rolled off him and stared at the fire. “I’m not used to finding myself lying on top of naked men, you know.” Lara shivered. “I’m still cold.” She turned to frown at him, “And you’re hot. It feels like you have a fever.”
    She glanced back toward the fire before returning her attention to him. Her eyes widened. “You shouldn’t be this close to the fire, should you? Won’t you overheat?”
    “I’ve already done that, lass. Changing back was the only way tae keep me from getting ill from it.”
    “Then get away from the fire before something happens!”
    “Nothing will happen now, lass. There’s nothing tae worry about. I’ll be fine in a few minutes now that I’m back in my human form. We cool down easier in this form.” He raised his arms and looked at himself. “Humans can release heat from every part of their body, unlike my bear form. In that form, there are only a few places from which we can release heat.” He turned onto his side and looked down into her face. “I’ll be fine. My question is how are ye?” He leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose.
    “I’ll be fine.” She shivered a bit. “I’m cold, but I think that’s because the snow has melted on my clothes and now I’m wet.” She gave him a sideways glance. “Do you think I should take off these wet clothes?”
    Jamie stifled his grin and raised a brow. “If ye desire, lass. Ye ken I’ll be here tae keep ye warm once ye remove the offending garments.”
    He watched as she stood and began to remove her clothes. She’d removed the second slipper when Duncan opened the door and walked into the room.
    Lara turned and gave him a smile. “I don’t know what he’s told you, but I’m fine,” she said to his expression of concern.
    “Ye look more than fine, lass.” Jamie saw his Adam’s apple bob up and down. “Ye look good enough tae eat.”
    She shook her head and looked toward the door that led to the bathroom that connected Duncan’s room with hers. This had been Jamie’s room until last night. Last night, he couldn’t think of her being anywhere but his or Duncan’s room and he knew Maggie would never see her son displaced for a human stranger, even a dying one.
    Lifting the hem of her shirt, she grabbed the waist of the skirt and shoved it over her hips. With no hesitation, Lara straightened, grasped the hem of her blouse and yanked it over her head. “Neither of you is touching me until I’ve had a bath.” She smiled. “You’re welcome to join me if you like.”
    Jamie swallowed thickly, his naked body giving the lass no doubt as to his intentions. “Aye, lass. I would like that very much.
    * * * *
    “As would I, lass.” Duncan felt himself grow hard. Nothing could have prepared him for the beauty of her naked form standing in the glow of the fire. She’d just told Jamie she was cold, but her body looked warm and flushed. Whether it was from the heat of the fire or shyness, he wasn’t sure.
    His cock grew hard as a brick of kiln-dried clay as he stood staring at her in the golden glow of the fire. Orange light stroked her skin as the flames in the hearth licked at the thick oak logs. He wanted nothing more than to drag her into his arms and make her his.
    He glanced at Jamie whose face wore the same expression as his. He knew it did. Duncan could feel the way his mouth was set in the same way. How