They spent the rest of the afternoon decorating the cabin that Tamsin had gotten Titus to reserve for Sarge’s mother. Other than a small Christmas tree, they used the decorations intended for Monty, along with a few other donated items from her parents, Maya, and Griff.

Tamsin stood on her tiptoes, hanging an ornament on the tree. A rumbling sound from nearby concerned her until she figured out its source. With a turn of her head, she spotted Sarge leering at her, a lascivious growl rolling in his chest.

“What has you all riled up?” His stare sent electric heat through her body.

“My holiday treat, I hope.”

Unable to handle the flirtatious compliment, Tamsin turned beet red. “Stop that.” She chucked a plastic Christmas ball at him.

“I have a couple of balls you can play with.” He lifted an eyebrow, taking too much glee in the effect he had on her. Underneath her embarrassment, an uncontrolled craving for more took root.

“When we’re done decorating, then I might have a treat for you. But only if you're a good boy.”

“And if I'm bad? Do you get to punish me?” He turned around and presented his butt to her.

Surprising herself, she hopped over and slapped him on his left cheek hard enough to sting her hand.

“You gonna leave me uneven?” He shook his other cheek at her, intentionally squeezing his ass muscles.

She flexed her hand, anticipating another sting. But if she let them get distracted, they might never finish. “Maybe if you help me finally finish so that the place is ready for your mom, then I’ll think about it. Work first. Play after.”

Sarge straightened and approached her. He stood so close that she felt the heat radiating off his body. His lips hovered over hers, and his beard brushed against her chin. Her eyes fluttered close in heated anticipation.

“As you wish.” He left her cold and wanting with a little snicker, dutifully hanging up ornaments.

When the last decoration was in place, they stood back and surveyed the tiny space. “Are you cured of your Bah, Humbug's yet?” Tamsin bumped Sarge with her shoulder.

“I told you I would never let myself get to Monty's level, but I have to admit that having my mom come for Christmas goes a long way towards lifting my spirits. That and…” he bumped her back, unable to give her credit out loud.

“Now that this place is ready for her arrival, let’s head back to your cabin.” Tamsin picked up a few odds and ends, throwing them in an empty box to take with them.

She could tell by Sarge’s intense gaze that he was hungry, and not for food. Butterflies took nervous wing inside her stomach, and thoughts of spending the night with him danced in her head.

When they arrived, Tamsin opened the door and walked in as if nothing had changed. Sarge stood on the outside, his hands on his hips shaking his head.

“Did you steal that wreath from Monty’s?”

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

He pointed at the decorated piece adorning the cabin door. “Pretty sure that's the same one. Is that my surprise? That you have skills as a thief?”

“No, that's not your surprise. I just know the lady who makes them.” She crooked her finger to beckon him inside.

When he stepped across the threshold, he let out a whistle. “Looks like the Ghost of Christmas Present visited my cabin. How did you manage this?”

“If I told you all my secrets, then I'd have to kill you.” She did her best British spy imitation. The thing was, Tamsin did want to tell him her secrets. She longed to spill out everything, let him get to know her. Then maybe he would open up, and she could find out more about the mystery man who occupied more and more of her thoughts.

“Is it too much?” She worried that she'd overstepped or misread him. Maya, Griff, and Maddox had helped put up a small Christmas tree with lights on it. Velvet bows and pine cones decorated the quaint fireplace. A red and green star quilt covered his bed. She thought it was tastefully simple. Not an over-enthusiastic amount that might scare away a Christmas-phobic.

“It's kind of…” he trailed off.

“Too much? Too little? Not a good surprise?” Tamsin panicked.

“It’s not exactly what I was hoping I'd get in this cabin. But I like it.” He stroked his bearded chin. “It's kind of like you. Perfect. And just what I need. There's only one problem.”

“What?” She waited for his criticism.

His finger pointed at the ceiling above him. “What are we going to do with this?”

Tamsin came over to inspect and found herself standing under a stealthy sprig of mistletoe. With Sarge. Again.

Those meddling Berengers. “I did not ask them to put that up,” she protested, taking a step away from him.

Sarge reached out and pulled her against his hard body. “Maybe someone wanted to give us a second chance. Or maybe a first chance at getting it right.” He placed his hand gently on her cheek and brushed the tip of his thumb across her lips.

Hot electricity sizzled through her body, and she melted like a snowman next to a fire. He leaned closer, pressing his warm lips against hers. Not demanding, but inviting. Not forceful, but giving. Waiting for her to set the pace.

One simple kiss and she was a goner. Tamsin could no longer deny the bond that tethered her to him. Though they'd both been running away from it, their connection strengthened enough that it might shatter her if she let him go.

She was tired of running. Tired of the fear that had ruled her life for too long. She’d come home to Shay to lick her wounds, not guessing that the peace and balance she sought were right here with her in this cabin.

A guttural sigh escaped her lips, and the gentleness in Sarge evaporated. He deepened the kiss, one hand on the back of her head and the other gravitating to her ass, pulling her into him.

Tamsin rocked her body against his and felt a vibration against her hip. That was a new sensation. She'd only known her secret battery-operated boyfriends to have that ability, not a real man. Ignoring it, she tilted her head, never lifting her lips from his.

With another grind against him, the bulge against her thigh vibrated again. She broke the kiss and glanced down, unsure she wanted to know what would make his dick vibrate.

“I think that's your phone,” she figured out, annoyed at the interruption.

“Ignore it,” Sarge grunted, covering her lips with his again.

She tried to concentrate on the moment and lose herself in their embrace again. But the buzzing continued, and she couldn't help but giggle. Breaking away, she gave up. “Answer it.”

“If it’s important, they’ll call back,” insisted Sarge.

“It might be your mother.”

Grumbling under his breath, he let go of her and reached into his pocket. With a scowl on his face that Tamsin hadn't seen since the first night at Griff's house, he accepted the call. “What you want?” The snarl in his voice that had sent terrified shivers down her spine before amused her now.

“No, we're not. Do we have to? Fine, we are coming. I said we’ll be there.” When he hung up, he looked like he wanted to toss the phone into the fireplace.

With regret, he stepped away from the mistletoe. “That was Griff. He says that we need to leave the love nest and get our asses over to his house. Maddox and his mom have made lasagnas. If we don't get there soon, Samson will do his best to eat them all.”

Tamsin loved lasagna, especially Maya's. But at that particular moment, she could care less about food. She almost suggested that they skip dinner, but Sarge’s stomach rumbled loud enough for her to hear. At the mention of food, hers answered in kind. They gave up and got themselves together, giving Sarge some time to get his dick under control.

Both of them pouted on the way to Griff's house, the tension around them bouncing between impatient annoyance and denied desire.

When they pulled up to the house and Sarge parked the car, she reached out her hand in an attempt to calm him down and reassure herself. “Relax. There is no need to go in full bear mode, ready to tear up some ass. It's just dinner. We can eat fast and then leave together.”

“Oh, thank fuck.” He unbuckled her seatbelt and pulled her into his lap, crashing his lips against hers with a desperate intensity. “I thought I was the only one who wants to get his dinner to go.”

Sarge unzipped her jacket and slipped his hand under her sweater, grasping her breast over her bra. Tamsin ground her sex against his massive bulge, the friction sending her into overdrive.

She was done trying to take things slow. If he wasn’t buried deep inside of her soon, she’d go crazy. No better time to lose her re-virginized status, even in his SUV.

“Need you naked,” grunted Sarge, his fingers yanking the lace down to pinch her hardened and aching nipple.

She fumbled with the button of his jeans. “Need you in me.”

“Damn, you’re so fucking perfect.” He snarled, biting her lip.

A knock on the window startled them. They froze mid-grind, trying to see who interrupted them through the fogged glass.

“You two cut it out. The food’s inside, not out here.” Griff attempted to peek inside.

“Pretty sure I can make a meal of you,” Sarge rasped, grazing his teeth on her neck and taking little nips of her skin.

Tamsin ran her hand over his erection, making it twitch. “I already know you’re more than a mouthful.” She licked her lips.

Griff pounded on the car window. “Come on, guys. If you don’t get out, I’m gonna bring everyone out here to help. You might as well take a break.” He rapped his knuckles on the window, first in a slow rhythm and then in faster, annoyingly chaotic knocks.

Tamsin slumped forward and rested her forehead against Sarge’s. “I think we need to go.”

He grunted. “I’m gonna kill him.”

“Me first.” Giving Sarge a quick peck, she rolled off his lap. With a sigh, Tamsin zipped up her jacket and got out, calling out to Griff. “Remember that time in fourth grade when you tried to steal my chocolate cookie?”

Griff snickered at her over the hood of Sarge’s car. “As I recall, I ate that delicious cookie.”

“And got a bloody nose in the process. You’re pretty close to getting one now, Berenger.” She approached her friend, hands on her hips.

“Gotta say, I’m pretty happy to see this Tamsin again. Ready to fight for what’s hers.” Griff stuck up his hand for a high five, but dramatically doubled over when she punched him in the stomach.

Sarge opened his door. “That’s my girl.” He stomped on Griff’s foot, muttering, “Fucking cockblocker.” He wrapped his arm around Tamsin’s shoulders and escorted her inside.

“Hey. That’s Mr. Cockblocker to you, oh Captain, my Captain,” Griff called out from behind.

* * *

Despite her desire to eat quickly and leave, Tamsin enjoyed the meal. Maya’s lasagna lived up to its legendary status, and Maddox’s salmon lasagna came in a close second place. Tamsin loved watching Sarge and Griff give Samson shit for trying to sneak extra servings.

“How am I ever going to achieve my Bowl Full of Jelly belly if I don’t eat?” the enormous hockey player complained.

“You’re the team Enforcer. You’re supposed to be more like Satan on the ice, not Santa,” teased Griff.

“But it’s Christmas,” Samson whined.

Maya and Maddox winked at each other and left the table. Tamsin covered her grin when she saw them approach the big crybaby from behind. At the same time, they presented him two smaller containers of lasagna in front of him.

“Merry Christmas,” the two women exclaimed, each giving him a quick kiss on either cheek.

Samson whooped. “Christmas miracles really do happen. You just gotta believe.” He celebrated by grabbing a fork in each hand, dipping into each of the lasagnas, and shoving both mounds of pasta into his mouth. “Thanks, guys,” he managed while chewing.

Griff and Sarge slapped him upside his head, but Samson ignored them, shoveling in more of his favorite food. Tamsin helped Maya and Maddox clear the table. She reached across the table to take Sarge’s plate, and he tilted his head to try and peek down the neck of her sweater.

“Merry Christmas to me,” he mouthed at her.

“Later,” she silently teased him back, relishing the zing of energy his naughty attention caused.

The doorbell echoed through the house, and everyone stopped what they were doing.

“You expecting anyone else?” Maddox asked Griff.

“No. Parker, Rylan, and Vaughn won’t be back from Seattle until the late ferry tonight. Titus is out with Brock.” Griff counted the likely suspects on his fingers.

Tamsin put the plate in her hand back on the table. “You know how it is here. It could be anybody.” The doorbell rang again. “Want me to get it?”

Griff pulled Maddox onto his lap. “Thanks. You might as well since you’re like family anyway.”

When the doorbell chimed a third time, Tamsin hurried to answer, trying to figure out who would be that rude. “I’m coming,” she called out.

Opening the door, the last person she expected to see stared back at her. “Tate,” she exhaled. Her stomach turned sour at the sight of her ex-husband.

His dark, beady eyes looked her up and down. “Tamsin. I knew I'd find you on Shay Island, but who knew you were climbing up the social ladder so quickly. Nice place you got here. So what did you have to do to earn it?”

She tried to say something but stammered. “It’s…it’s…not mine.” Her eyes dropped to the ground, unable to take his intense scrutiny. “H-how did you find me?”

“Asked around at some shitty ass bar. It’s amazing what a winning personality and a round of drinks will get you.”

Griff placed his hand on Tamsin’s shoulder and moved her out of the way. “You're not welcome here.” He crossed his arms.

“I don't care,” replied Tate. “She's my wife, and I'm here to take her home with me.”

“The hell you are,” gritted Griff.

Samson joined his teammate in the doorway, blocking Tamsin’s view of her ex. The sounds of heated threats filled the air. Sarge didn’t join the other two but stood by her side, his hands clenching in fists and a low growl rumbling in his chest.

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end at the crackle of power so near to her. His need to shift triggered hers, and she didn't want to lose control. Not because she was in Griff's house, but because she refused to show weakness in front of her ex.

Maya stood at her other side and gripped her hand. She squeezed it in support. Griff's mom didn’t have to say a word. Tamsin knew what advice she’d give. Stand up. Fight for what you want. What’s yours.

Rolling her shoulders back, Tamsin stood tall. She tapped Griff on the shoulder and pushed him to move aside. “Ex-wife, Tate. Emphasis on the ex part. You signed the papers. I don't belong to you anymore.” Asshole.

Tamsin didn’t know why she held back the swear word. Probably out of a long enforced habit to keep her ex happy. The fact that she fell back into line so fast irritated the hell out of her.

Sarge replaced Griff beside her. The raw power radiating off of him riled Tamsin’s bear. But she felt supported and protected, not under threat.

Tate did his best to repress a shiver, no doubt feeling the effects of Sarge’s dominating energy. “I signed those papers for Misty, not for you. She and I were planning to get married.”

The name of her former best friend kicked her in the gut. Not too long ago, the reminder of his betrayal would have crippled her. But with Sarge at her side and her friends and family backing her up, she drew strength from them and let go of her insecurities and weaknesses.

“I’m glad the two of you worked things out. I wish you all the best, Tate. But you need to leave.”

“Misty left me. It's over between us. And now I'm back so you can come home with me. Now.” He tried to intimidate her by adding an extra amount of authority in his voice. His hollow attempt at power fizzled.

But Tamsin finally understood what pure dominance was versus his supposed superiority. She was surrounded by Alpha males who did their best not to control those they cared about. And Sarge? He may have been the most powerful in the house, but he never once tried to exert his rule over his two hockey friends. And to her, he only exhibited extreme strength by controlling his shift and keeping his bear in check despite his radiating desire to allow his bear to tear Tate apart.

The valley of difference separating her ex from Sarge shook her. Not a valley, a whole continent. An entire galaxy of difference. Watching Tate try his best to act better than Griff, Samson, and especially Sarge was comical.

A giggle bubbled up and burst out of her in a high-pitched cackle. Everyone stared, most likely wondering if she’d cracked. Tate sneered, clearly unhappy he hadn’t gotten the reaction he wanted.

“You okay?” Sarge whispered to her.

She tried to explain why she found the situation so funny, but unintelligible words were all she could manage. After a few deep gasps, she managed to garble out a few. “He thinks I'm going to go back to him.” Her giggle fit took her over once more, and she laughed until the tears flowed.

“I can see that coming back to the island has done you a huge amount of good,” mocked Tate. “Let's go, and we’ll get back to normal.”

All humor evaporated, and Tamsin tapped into her anger. “Normal? Nothing was ever normal with you. Unless you define normal to be keeping me isolated away from family and friends. Forcing me to stay at home to take care of the house and you instead of developing a life of my own. Catering to your every whim. Jumping whenever you said, or making me scared enough to jump at your very presence. That's not a normal life, Tate. And I'm not your girl. So get out.”

She rushed at him with new energy, ramming her left shoulder into his chest until he stumbled backward through the open front door. A few whistles and hollers erupted behind her, but she knew she needed to finish the job once and for all. If not, then he could haunt her the rest of her life. And she refused to give him even a second more of it to him.

The night air stung her lungs as she huffed. “You tried your best to change me. To kill my spirit. But as you can see, I'm doing just fine.”

Realizing that everybody was witnessing his recent humiliation, Tate stormed toward her, his fist and arm reared back in a position she knew too well. “I guess a whore like you will always land on your feet. You need to be taken down a peg or two.”

When he swung, a massive hand caught her ex’s fist. Sarge towered over Tate, his body shaking with the last bit of his control. Tamsin’s heart fell even harder for the big man with a hard exterior but a sweet inside with every heaving breath he took to keep himself from shifting, ready to pound her ex into the ground if she gave the word. She loved that hulking man who wanted to fight for her, not against her. But she needed to end the fight. Not him.

Tamsin could have let the large pro hockey player attack Tate. She could have watched his face being pummeled to a pulp, and she would have reveled in watching him crumple in pain. Payback for all the hurt and fear he'd caused in her life. Whether in bear form or as a man, Sarge and the immense power he possessed could take down the monster that her ex had been to her.

But allowing Sarge to do so would make her the monster. It would mark her soul and cast a shadow on her future choices.

When Sarge grasped Tate with two hands, lifting him off the ground, the air around him crackling with the electricity of the shift, she knew only she could end things. “Aaron, let him go.”

“He will not hurt you again,” promised Sarge through gritted teeth, his voice teetering between human and animal.

“I know.” She brushed Sarge’s cheek with her hand and made him look at her. “Let me finish this.”

The robust shifter’s body shook uncontrollably, his bear almost breaking the surface. With a roar, he tossed Tate and nodded at Tamsin with reserved understanding. Although he didn't get in her way again, he refused to leave her side.

Tamsin fought her own urge to shift and fight when she spoke to her ex-husband. “You and I, we were never right for each other. I think you knew that. Why else would you never complete the bond between us?” Her ex had never bitten her, and now she understood why she’d never tried a mating bite on him either. “It's over, Tate. Time to let me go.”

Her ex-husband spit on the ground. “You think because you found some muscle to protect you that you can leave me?”

“No. I can leave you because I finally found my way home again. Go back and try to work things out with Misty. Or, hell, you can try with my sister again if you want.” Tamsin watched his face and found him surprised that she knew. “Just go find your happiness, Tate. Leave me to mine.”

By the time she finished her speech, the other two hockey players stood behind her and next to their friend, a wall of Nope ready to attack her ex at her say so. Realizing he couldn't win, Tate backed away with slow steps toward his car.

Opening the door, he couldn't resist taking one more shot. “Good luck with her,” he directed at Sarge. “She's damaged goods anyway. All those years with me and she never produced a cub.”

Maybe Tamsin should let Sarge and the other boys kick his ass after all. But physical pain wouldn’t teach him a lesson. He’d been under physical threat the second he'd come to Griff's house. He needed his ego destroyed.

“You know why I never got pregnant? Because I made sure I would never have a spawn of yours. I guess a part of me deep down knew better. Oh, and as far as needing any luck? I make my own. For all your control, you never knew that I finished my teaching degree online, did you? I guess Misty felt guilty enough to keep her mouth shut about that. But I became a teacher after all, and I know that I can do whatever I set in front of me. And you no longer exist there.”

Turning her back on him, she stomped back in the house. Tate would do better to get in his car and go back to wait for the next ferry. If he showed his face in town again or tried to take on the wall of muscle out there, he might not leave the island. And he had too much of a sense of self-preservation to try.

For the first time, it dawned on her that out of the two of them, Tate was the one who lived in constant fear. He was the coward, not her.

No one spoke to her once they filtered inside. She’d said all that needed to be said. Everyone passed her around, giving loving pats and hugs to reassure her. Her bear and her nerves still stood on end.

A light touch from Maya gave her animal temporary peace. “Well done, sweet girl. You’ve reclaimed your life as yours. Now go live it.”

Still in a daze, she allowed Sarge to escort her outside and into his SUV. He sat in silence, waiting for her to tell him where to go.

“I don't care where you take me. Just drive.” On the road, she reached her hand out to touch him, grounding herself in his presence. She wasn't done for the night. Not by a long shot.