Of Mistletoe and Mating (Claws Clause 1.50)

Evangeline’s heart beat a little faster. What a sweet mate she had. Her pregnancy must’ve already started doing a number on her because how else could she have, for even a minute, believed that Maddox didn’t want her.

What just passed between them was enough to prove he did, and as she felt him stirring against her thigh, Evangeline was ready to show him how much she wanted him back.

“Whatever it is, I’m sure I’ll love it,” she said, lowering her hand so that she could give his cock a leisurely, loving stroke.

Maddox moved suddenly and she missed.

“Okay. Let’s go find out.”

When Maddox started to slide out of the bed, she tilted her head back to look at him.

He was serious.

“Wait—now?”

“Why not?” His golden eyes lit up. “It’s Christmas.”

It was. Glancing over at the nightstand, the alarm clock announced that they’d boned their way right out of Christmas Eve. The display read 12:05. It most definitely was Christmas.

A laugh bubbled up in her throat. “You haven’t changed one bit.”

And he hadn’t. Despite what they’d gone through, despite the time they lost, Maddox was still her Maddox.

They might have only spent one Christmas together before this, but she’d heard stories about his childhood, growing up with Colt. When they were pups, their parents gave them each a special present on Christmas Eve because they were too impatient to wait until morning. Once they realized that all of the presents were from Terrence and Sarah, Maddox argued that—come 12:01—it was Christmas and he wanted all of his gifts.

Wouldn’t you know? The born alpha managed to argue his way into opening them all as early as possible.

It was the same when he was an adult. Their first Christmas? Very close to this one. While they fell asleep in each other’s arms after a vigorous round of mating, Maddox was wide awake and full of energy as soon as the clock struck midnight. And he insisted on giving her her present right away.

Just like now.

His smile widened, hope written in every line of his handsome face as he leaned back into her. “You remember?”

Remember…

She couldn’t wait until he felt confident enough in their relationship—in their mating—to not have to ask that question every time she mentioned the past. Now that they had a pup on the way… hopefully it would be soon.

For as long as she had to, she would assure him, though. Maybe they both needed a little reassurance: Maddox, that Evangeline remembered who they were to each other; and Evangeline, that Maddox was never going to leave her on her own again.

“Remember how my big, bad wolf is really a big kid?” she teased. She stretched her hand, closing her fingers over his left pec. Evangeline couldn’t quite get to his heart, but the dates inked on his skin—the jailhouse tattoo of the day they were married, and the elaborate design commemorating the day they were fully mated—was close enough.

His chuckle rumbled deep in his chest, vibrating all the way to her fingertips. “You sure you’re ready for another one?”

“I’ve always been ready. I just wasn’t sure you were.”

“A pup of our own? A little bit of you, and a little bit of me? Except for you, Angie, it’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

Who needed presents? His open honesty, the hint of vulnerability, and the steel underlying his words as he made an unsaid vow to her and their growing family… did she need anything else?

No. However, Maddox was so excited about Christmas, she had no choice but to nod as she rolled away, ready to climb out of the bed herself.

“Okay,” she conceded. “Let me clean up and get changed, then we can go open presents.”

Maddox hopped all of the way out of the bed, throwing the covers back, and revealing the tightest ass she’d ever seen as he landed in a protective crouch, then spun back around. Like she thought, his cock was already get

ting ready for a round—even half-hard it was super impressive—and Evangeline started to wonder if she could convince her mate to stay in bed and open presents in the morning when he gestured for her to stay.

“Sounds good to me. And, hey, if you want, go on and take a shower. Get comfortable. I’ve got the perfect thing for you to start with. I’ll put it on the bed for when you’re done. So stay here, right? Good.”