SARGE

“That’s the last one.” Sarge set down a packed cardboard box on the floor of the guest room in his condo.

Even though they spent every night in the same bed, Tamsin wasn't quite ready to call his place hers yet. So he'd let her move her stuff into his extra bedroom to give her the illusion that they weren't living together officially. Although, since their time on Shay Island, they hadn’t spent a day apart, and he had secret plans in motion already to change that status sooner than she’d expect.

Attempting not to sound too interested, she pulled out a stack of books from the box. “Did you talk to Everly?”

Sarge hated hearing the conflicted emotions in her voice. Her sister had no right to be forgiven for any of the bullshit she had caused. And yet, Tamsin’s heart was so big that she longed to fix things. He was more than sure that Everly wasn't worth fixing.

But whatever Tamsin wanted, he'd support. “She wasn't there. Probably on purpose. I left the key on her kitchen counter as you asked. I don't think we’ll be running into her anytime soon.”

“Not unless she starts something up with Rob again.”

Sarge doubted that Everly would dare anything so stupid, although those two really were a match made in Hell. The rookie deserved a vindictive, manipulative shrew as much as she merited a self-serving, egotistical prick.

“Oh, I've got something to share with you.” Tamsin stopped unpacking. “My mother has been spotting Monty more and more in the downtown area of Shay.”

“Really?” Sarge wondered why he should care.

“Yep. And he has a cell phone, by everyone’s observations.” The gleam in her eyes gave him pause.

“Good for him. He shouldn’t be alone all the time.” Nobody understood that life lesson more than Sarge.

“And it's been overheard that he got it so that he could text and call someone in particular.” The corner of her mouth twitched, and Sarge picked up on the clue.

“No. Don't tell me.” He waved his hands and squeezed his eyes closed to shut out the inevitable.

“Yeah. He keeps talking to everyone about a secret girlfriend he calls A-Dora-ble.”

Sarge groaned. “I do not need to hear this.”

Tamsin walked over to him in the doorway and threw her arms around his middle. “Aww, I think it's sweet.”

His stomach turned. “You're going to put me off my game for practice.” He swallowed hard, and he changed the subject. “You don't mind that I'm going?” He’d already taken extra time off to get Tamsin settled with him, but he didn’t relish leaving her so soon.

“It's your job. Why would I mind? Besides, I need to get caught up on school. I've got some paperwork to fill out for my student teaching, and I need to write out the last of my lesson plans for the rest of the semester. I probably won't even notice you're gone,” she teased.

Sarge scooped her up, legs kicking, ignoring her protests and carrying her into their bedroom. He tossed her onto the middle of the king-sized bed. “Maybe I should do something about that. Leave you with something to remember me by.”

She squealed, her cheeks flushing in that way that made his dick pay attention. “Don't you dare. If you're late again, the team will take it out on you. And I know you don't want to give Rob anything to lord over you.”

Dammit, she was right. He'd been letting her pull his focus from his game, and on the winning streak the team was on, he needed to focus on making it to the championship. “Fine,” he grumbled. “But when I get home, I'm going to grind on top of you so hard, you’re gonna get lost in the memory foam.”

“Promises, promises.” She rolled off the end of the bed. “Oh, and don't think I don't know you had something to do with my new job.”

Sarge grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. “I have no idea what you're talking about.”

“Yes, you do. I'm pretty sure that Tamsin Webb wouldn't have gotten a full-time job for the spring semester if Aaron Sergeants, team captain of the Seattle Blizzards, hadn't used his influence.” She narrowed her eyes at him with mock suspicion.

He’d done his best to hide it from her, but the clever girl saw right through him. “I might have gotten your resume in front of a few people. But it wasn't my accomplishments that got you the job. You did that all on your own, and don't forget that, boss lady.”

So what if he had helped out just a teeny, tiny bit? He wasn't lying when he said it was her merits that got her the job. But she'd eventually learn that a solid relationship was a little give and a little take. Sometimes she was in charge, and sometimes he helped her get her way.

“Fine, you crazy bearded man.” She tugged on his whiskers and pulled his lips to hers. Giving him a warm peck and a pat on the cheek, she beamed up at him. “I’ll consider that my last Christmas gift.” She fingered the thin silver band of the bear paw bracelet he’d given her on Shay.

“Fine with me.” She could think of it any way she wanted. She still got the job, and that made her happy. And her happiness was his everything.

He gathered his gear and kissed her goodbye. On his way out the door, Tamsin called out his name. “By the way, your mom called.”

He loved that she and his mom had enough of a connection to chat on the phone. “Did she say when she was moving here?”

Tamsin nodded. “After the new year starts. So we've got limited time to look for a place for her. She also mentioned the vacation you offered her.”

“She knows where she wants to go?”

“Not yet.” A sly smile spread on Tamsin’s lips. “But she did ask if she could bring along other people.”

“Good. I’d hoped she'd want you to come along.” Sarge opened the door.

“Not me.” Tamsin’s voice rang out behind him. “I think she has a certain somebody else in mind.”

Sarge stopped cold in his tracks. The thought that he might have to spend time thinking about his mom and that insane man spending naked time together turned his stomach. He’d seen enough of Monty’s body to last him a lifetime. His groan kicked into an irritated, low-rumbling growl.

Tamsin attacked him from behind. She threw her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry. That was mean of me. Fun, but mean. I can’t let you go to practice on such a sour note.”

Without turning around, Sarge slammed the door shut. He smiled despite the thought of having to spend a vacation with Monty. Faking a scowl, he turned around. “I think you should make it up to me.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Dropping his bag, he bent down and picked her up. She protested and squirmed, so he threw her over his shoulder, giving her ass a solid spank. “I’m gonna teach you what happens when you rile me up.”

Tamsin gasped and giggled, still trying to escape. Sarge dumped her onto the bed with a bounce, enjoying her shining eyes and flushed face. He whipped off her baggy sweater and the camisole underneath before she could gather her wits. Pulling her legs apart, he attacked her stomach with his mouth, tickling and teasing.

“Okay, okay. I promise to never mess with you again,” she managed between breaths.

He yanked a bra cup down and captured her breast in his mouth. Her squeals turned to moans, and her hand cupped the back of his head. In such a short time, he’d learned what took her from a purring kitty to a ravenous bear. And the best part was how much she enjoyed his beard.

He’d thought about shaving it off for the new year. But he could never give up how she pulled him in by his whiskers to kiss her. How she moaned when it tickled her neck. And how her body shuddered when he paid special attention between her legs. The beard was here to stay for as long as she was.

He brushed his whiskers across her skin, kissing a path to her neck just to earn her sexy sounds.

“You’re gonna get in trouble,” she exhaled. Funny that she pulled him closer instead of pushing him away.

He captured an earlobe in his teeth. “I’m planning on it.”

Tamsin shivered underneath him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You know what I mean.” With a regretful grunt, she pushed on his chest to get him to stop. “You’ve got to go. That rink is your home. I completely understand that, and would never want to take that away from you.”

Sarge brushed his fingers down her cheek. “You’ve got that all wrong. The arena is where I work and play hockey. Wherever you are is home. And right now, that’s here on this bed, where I’d like to play you.”

“You are a crazy, scary, funny, and sweet man.” Tears rimmed her eyes. “You make every moment with you feel like Christmas.”

Sarge wiped away a stray drop that escaped down her cheek with his thumb. Finally, his life was whole, the hollow space inside him filled to the brim with her. Thanks to Christmas, Shay Island, and Tamsin, his heart…and his other grateful body part…had grown in size.

And as his lovable, and still single, teammate Samson liked to say, “Christmas miracles really do happen. You just gotta believe.”

Happy Holidays from all the Shay Island Shifters and their Friends!

* * *

Dear Reader -

Thanks so much for reading Sarge and Tamsin’s story. If you enjoyed their journey to becoming each other’s forever mates, I hope you’ll consider leaving a review!

If you want to be notified when Vaughn’s story in Bearly Bruised or Samson’s short journey to love is out in Bearly Slapped, be sure to sign up for my

If you missed Griff & Maddox’s story, be sure to read -

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