9. Mel

CHAPTER 9

MEL

I stare at Krampus, his blue fur contrasting with the stark white of my bedroom. He's huge, not just in height but in presence, dominating the space. Yet, there's a softness in his eyes that wasn't there before. I step closer, my heart pounding. I'm not sure what I'm doing, but I know I want him.

"Mel," he starts, but I cut him off, placing a finger on his lips.

"Shh," I say, sinking to my knees. His eyes widen, but he doesn't stop me. I reach up, tracing the line of his belt, feeling the heat of his skin beneath. He's tense, every muscle coiled, but he doesn't move. I unbuckle his belt, my fingers trembling slightly. He watches me, his breath coming faster.

I slide his pants down, revealing him. He's huge, just like the rest of him. I look up, meeting his gaze. There's a question in his eyes, a vulnerability. I smile, then lean forward, taking him in my mouth.

He groans, his hands fisting in my hair. He's gentle, though, letting me set the pace. I explore him, tasting, teasing. His breath hitches, his grip tightens. I can feel his control slipping, and it's exhilarating.

Suddenly, he pulls me up, his mouth crashing against mine. He lifts me, carrying me to the bed. He's dominant, but loving, every touch sending shivers down my spine. He lays me down, his body covering mine. I can feel his heart pounding against my chest, matching my own.

He enters me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. It's intense, the connection between us palpable. He starts to move, his rhythm steady, controlled. I wrap my legs around him, pulling him deeper. He groans, his pace quickening.

He reaches between us, his fingers finding my clit. He rubs, his touch sure and confident. I gasp, my hips bucking. He smiles, a wicked, knowing smile. He leans down, his mouth capturing mine. His tongue mimics his thrusts, driving me wild.

I can feel it building, the pressure, the heat. It's too much, too intense. I break away from his kiss, gasping for breath. He doesn't stop, his fingers, his thrusts, pushing me higher, harder.

"Krampus," I gasp, my nails digging into his back. He growls, his pace punishing. I can't hold back, I can't...

I scream, my body convulsing. Waves of pleasure crash over me, drowning me. He roars, his body stiffening as he finds his own release. He collapses on top of me, his breath ragged.

I lay there, stunned. That was...that was...

I can't find the words. I just hold him, my body still trembling with aftershocks. He nuzzles my neck, his breath hot against my skin.

"Mine," he growls, his arms tightening around me. I smile, too exhausted to argue. For now, I'm his. And he's mine.

The warmth of Krampus's fur against my skin lulls me to sleep, his steady breathing a comforting rhythm in the quiet night.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

My eyes snap open. The pounding on the front door echoes through the house.

"What the hell?"

The death ray Krampus installed would have vaporized any Grolgath trying to break in. Maybe those persistent carolers are back for round two?

I slip out of bed, careful not to wake the sleeping giant beside me. The silk robe whispers against my skin as I tie it closed. The wooden floor creaks under my feet as I make my way downstairs.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

"I'm coming!" The sun barely peeks over the horizon. Who shows up at this ungodly hour?

I unlock the door and before I can react, Tom pushes past me into the foyer. The scent of his expensive cologne makes my nose wrinkle.

"Merry Christmas." His smug smile sets my teeth on edge. "I'm here to pick up Sam."

"What do you mean? You didn't schedule any visits." The silk of my robe rustles as I cross my arms. "You gave up full custody when you decided Paris and your child bride were more important than your daughter."

Tom brushes invisible lint from his designer coat sleeve.

"That's ancient history. I'm here now, and that's what matters. Sam deserves to experience Christmas in Paris." His lips curve into that condescending smile I remember all too well. "If you really love our daughter, you won't deny her this opportunity."

My fingers curl into fists. He always does this - twists everything around until somehow, I'm the villain. The bad mother. The unreasonable ex. Heat rises in my cheeks.

"You've never even met your daughter." The words come out sharp enough to cut. "She's not going to want to go anywhere with a stranger."

Tom's eyes narrow, that familiar dangerous glint appearing. He steps closer, looming over me.

"I wasn't asking."

Heavy footsteps thunder down the stairs behind me. The floorboards creak under significant weight.

"Is there a problem here?" A deep voice cuts through the tension.

My jaw drops. Where Krampus's blue fur and horns should be, there's just... a very large man. Still seven feet tall, still built like a tank, but human-looking. His presence fills the entryway as effectively as his true form would.

Tom's face drains of color.

"I... uh..."

"Well?" Krampus's voice carries the same growl, even in human form.

"No problem, Sir. I was just leaving." Tom takes a step back, nearly tripping over his designer shoes.

"Without leaving a Christmas gift?" Krampus rumbles, crossing his massive arms.

Tom's hands shake as he reaches into his coat. He pulls out a thick roll of hundred-dollar bills, peels one off, and extends it toward me.

Krampus clears his throat. The sound reminds me of distant thunder.

Tom quickly adds another hundred.

A low growl builds in Krampus's chest.

"Here!" Tom shoves the entire wad of cash into my hands. He practically teleports to the door, yanking it open. The winter wind catches his coat as he bolts down the front walk, leaving fresh tracks in the snow.

"Thank you." I clutch the wad of bills, my hands shaking. "My ex showing up to ruin Christmas is the last thing I need right now."

Krampus's human disguise melts away, blue fur rippling across his skin. "The male who sired Samantha... I cannot hate him for that gift. But he stays away from our family."

Our family. The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Last night floods back - his touch, his growls, the way he claimed me. We should talk about it, define whatever this is between us. But the thought of that conversation makes my chest tight.

I mean, he's an alien. A literal blue-furred criminal from the future. This can't work long-term, can it? But then I remember how gentle he was with Sam, how he stood up to Tom without violence, how he makes me feel safe and wanted...

"Mel." His rough voice softens. "Your scent changes when you're troubled. What can I do?"

I back away, needing space to think. "I just... I need to be alone for a bit. Going to take a bath."

The stairs creak under my feet as I retreat upstairs, leaving him standing in the foyer.

I draw myself a bath and put my hair up before I get in. Hot water laps at my skin as I sink deeper into the tub. Steam rises in lazy spirals, but my mind races faster than the wisps can drift.

"Our family," Krampus had said. The words echo in my head, stirring up memories of Tom's empty promises.

Tom always needed an audience. His fancy car, designer suits, that smug smile he'd flash at waitresses while his hand rested on my knee. Everything calculated, controlled, crafted to scream 'look at me, I'm important.'

But Krampus? He just... is.

The way he faced down Tom without flexing a muscle. No posturing, no games. Just raw, quiet power that made my ex-husband shake in his Italian leather shoes.

My fingers trace the marks Krampus left on my neck. Heat floods my cheeks at the memory. Since Tom left, men took one look at my situation and ran. Single mom? Thanks, but no thanks.

But Krampus? He charges in like a force of nature. Declares me his, claims Sam as family, installs death rays in my house. It should terrify me. It should send me running.

Instead, my heart races every time he looks at me. My skin tingles when he growls my name.

The bathroom door rattles.

"Mel? You require sustenance. I made... what Sam calls 'pancakes'."

His voice, deep and rough, sends shivers down my spine despite the hot water.

"I'll be out soon."

A pause. "You are troubled."

"I'm fine."

"Your scent-"

"Stop smelling me!"

A low rumble that might be a laugh.

"As you wish. But I will wait. As long as needed."

His footsteps retreat, and I sink lower in the water to hide my smile. Maybe being pursued isn't so bad after all.