Free Bear Mine for Christmas: BBW Holiday Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance (Christmas Bear Shifter Romance Book 2) by Ariana Hawkes

falling around her shoulders, and her eyes were huge and soft, as if they weren’t yet ready for the day. Best of all, she was wearing a silky nightgown with thin straps. It was emerald green, rather than pink, but he thought he actually preferred that color on her.
    “Good morning! I thought you could use this,” he said, coming over to her.
    “Good morning to you too, and I could absolutely use a coffee,” she said, smiling with a hint of shyness. She took the cup from him and sipped. “Delicious,” she proclaimed. She scooted towards the center of the bed. “Please sit – if you like?” He sat down. She smelled amazing – so sweet and feminine. He picked up the scent of rose oil, almonds and musk.
    “Did you sleep okay?” he asked.
    “Yes, best sleep I’ve had in ages. Must’ve been all that excitement yesterday. But, more to the point, did you?” 
    “Yes. Your couch is amazingly comfy.”
    “That’s what mom says.” She picked up her cup and wrapped her hands around it, before lifting it and drinking from it. “Are you guys working today?”
    “We were thinking of opening the store, but I think everyone in the town must have their trees by now. More to the point, I’m not even sure how we’ll get up there in the snow.” She looked thoughtful.
    “Are you saying you’ll have a hard time getting home today?”
    “Maybe. I can’t even imagine what the mountain’s going to be like today. The roads will pretty much be wiped out by the snowfall, I’m sure.”
    “In that case, why don’t you guys stay here for Christmas?”
    “As in here, here?”
    “Here, here. In my house. We can have a big Christmas dinner. I think Karen will want to be in charge of cooking it, but I know she’ll just love to have you over.”
    “But wouldn’t we be getting in the way? Don’t you just want to have a family Christmas?”
    “Not at all. I’ve had too many lonely Christmases. To me, the more the merrier.”
    “Are you absolutely sure? I mean, we can easily stay at the motel, I’m sure.” She clicked her tongue.
    “There’s no way any of us would let that happen. Trust me, we’d love to have you stay. Let me just tell Karen the good news.” She picked her phone up and started typing. Brock watched her, barely able to contain his excitement. He’d be spending another 36 hours in this gorgeous woman’s presence. And, as much as he always said Christmas wasn’t a big deal, he’d always secretly longed for the full American Christmas experience. “Here’s proof that Karen wants you to stay,” Madison said triumphantly, showing him the screen of her phone. She’d written: ‘How would you feel about the three bears staying for Christmas?’ and Karen had replied, ‘ Over the moon! The more the merrier! ’
    “See, my sister and I have some things in common,” she said with a grin.
    “In that case, I’d hate to disappoint you all, so I guess we’re staying!”
    “Fantastic!” For a moment, he thought she was going to hug him, but she seemed to check herself and hold back. “Right, I guess I’d better get up.”
    “Sure,” he said, standing up, and heading for the door. “I’ll see you downstairs.” He closed the bedroom door behind him regretfully, hating to be away from her. Her energy was magnetic, drawing him to her, like a cool lake on a scorching-hot day. 
    “Grayson was just saying that the drive back up the mountain was going to be a little tricky today, so I suggested that you boys stay and celebrate Christmas here with us,” Elsbeth said as Brock came back down to the kitchen. Grayson was busy cooking up eggs and bacon on the stove. Brock broke into a grin.
    “That’s a funny coincidence, as I’ve just had a very similar invitation extended to me,” he replied.
    “You have? And what did you say?” she said. He shrugged.
    “I said we’d be delighted.”
    “Me too,” Grayson said.
    “Well, isn’t that fantastic?” Elsbeth said, looking from one to the other.