Free Jingle Bear: BBW Paranormal Holiday Shape Shifter Romance (North Pole Book 1) by Ruby Shae Page A

her.”
    “Quinn, that girl was determined to carry out her plans, and it could have happened to anyone. I know you carry most of the burden, but she fooled us all. Don’t let one mistake dictate your life,” Santa said.
    “I’m sorry, but,” he shook his head, “my heart can’t be trusted.”
    “You don’t have a choice,” Santa informed him. “Start actively planning a vacation, one where women will be present, or you will no longer defend our walls.”
    “You’d kick me off the team? I’m your best enforcer and Christmas is in three days. What about my men? ”
    “You’ll be replaced,” Santa stated.
    The jolly man rarely frowned, but his smile had completely disappeared.
    “But, I—”
    “Quinn, you are the best at protecting us,” Mrs. Claus said, “but you’ve lost sight of the bigger picture. Christmas is about happiness, friendship, and love. It’s the magic of believing in something impossible, for the pure joy of it. You’ve sworn to protect us, but you haven’t protected yourself. You’ve allowed anger and pain to push the magic of Christmas out of your heart and you’re becoming the very thing you protect us from.”
    “No, I—”
    “You’re grouchy and unyielding with your team,” Mrs. Claus ticked off one finger.
    “I don’t want them to get comfortable,” Quinn said.
    “You push everyone away except Mark, and you don’t participate in any extra-curricular activities. When was the last time you pulled a sleigh or gobbled up some sugar cookies?” she ticked off another finger.
    “I’m busy training my men.”
    “There’s more to life than training, Quinn. You need to have some fun,” she reminded him gently.
    “I can’t—”
    “It’s not up for debate. You need to start planning a vacation. Now,” Santa interrupted.
    Santa’s words were final. He had no choice but to comply with their wishes. He agreed to plan a vacation and left their office with his head held high.
    Anger and fear warred within until he realized Santa hadn’t given him a deadline. All he had to do was pretend he was actively searching, and they’d leave him alone.
    With a new sense of purpose, he went to find Mark.
     
    ***
     
    “So, how’d it go?” Mark asked.
    Quinn sat down on the opposite side of the wide booth and glared at his friend.
    “You knew what the meeting was about, didn’t you?”
    “Yeah, it wasn’t too hard to figure out,” Mark said and stuffed a fry in his mouth.
    “Does everyone know?”
    “Pretty much,” he stuffed in more fries. “I can’t say I’m surprised though. I’ve told you at least a million times, you need to get laid.”
    “What the hell? I thought you were my friend.”
    “I am your friend, but in case you haven’t noticed, I’m the only one you’ve got.”
    “No one is forcing you to stick around, you know,” Quinn scowled.
    “Cut it out. You know as well as I do that you let that woman do a number on you. Find a woman, have some fun. If you don’t want to take a vacation, ask one of the women here. Tracey would love to fuck Mr. Gloom and Doom.”
    “Tracey. Really?” Quinn asked. Mark had wanted the woman for years. He didn’t understand why his friend didn’t make a move on the little fox.
    “Yeah, why not?” Mark asked and took a bite out of his burger.
    “Cause I’m not an asshole. I know you’re in love with her. You really want to see me try to get in her pants?”
    Mark growled low and glowered at him.
    “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
    “She doesn’t want me,” Mark sighed. “In case you haven’t noticed, she loves you,” he made air quotes and sang the word loves.
    “Oh please. She’s infatuated with me and nothing more.”
    “Yeah, whatever. So, where are you going?”
    “Nowhere anytime soon. I agreed to plan a trip, but there’s no time limit. I can drag this out for a long time.”
    “Don’t try it,” Mark shook his head. “Listen to me. The big man knows when kids are sleeping, and when