Page 24 of A Swan for Christmas

“What’s the surprise?”

Flora giggled. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be one. But I can give you a hint. We put coupons for things like free massages inside a capsule that’s revealed once the bomb dissolves. You never know what you might get.”

Vic arched his eyebrows. “Dude. That’s cool.” He regarded Kellan. “Do you like both of them?”

Kellan nodded with a big smile. Vic turned to Flora.

“Sold.”

Kellan went up on his toes, placing a hand on Vic’s shoulder to support himself as he whispered in Vic’s ear. “They have the same scents for the candles too.”

Vic chuckled. “Pick out the ones you want, and we’ll get those too.”

Kellan turned his face up for a kiss and Vic happily obliged.

As Flora wrapped their purchases in shiny gold paper, Grayson showed up with a box full of more merchandise. He set the overloaded container on the back table then turned to face them with a wide smile.

“Merry Christmas, guys.” He regarded Kellan. “Enjoying our town market?”

“It’s amazing. We just got here, but I can already tell I’m going to love it.”

“Good, I’m glad.” Grayson turned to Vic. “Things picking up at the inn yet?”

“Oh yeah, it’s been going great. We even have some psychic investigator staying with us who’s doing a show.” Vic rolled his eyes. “One of my front desk guys got involved with the proceedings somehow, but I’m staying out of that whole thing.”

Grayson chuckled. “Yeah, my grandmother was telling me about it.” He winked. “As long as none of the town’s true secrets are revealed.”

“I bet Rosemary is on it.”

Grayson raised one eyebrow. “Trust me. She is.”

Once he’d paid for their goodies and Flora had finished bagging them up, they asked Grayson to give their regards to his grandmother. They continued down the aisle to the next booth. Vic wrapped an arm around Kellan’s shoulders. He loved his town and the shifters, witches and humans were great, but dammit, Kellan was his. Despite how irrational the idea that everyone intended to steal his beautiful mate out from under him truly was, he couldn’t help it.

Every once in a while, Kellan would stop to tell one of the vendors how incredible one of their items was or point out something he thought Vic would like. They reached the end of the first row and Vic spotted Sweet Bite’s booth. The line to get the already notorious fudge was at least ten people deep.

“Uh oh.” Vic nudged Kellan’s shoulder. “We’d better get over there before it’s all gone.”

Kellan gasped. “You’re right!”

Vic grabbed Kellan’s arm before he could take off. “Why don’t you wait in line and I’ll go buy us some hot cocoa.”

Vic laughed as Kellan jetted over to the booth the instant he’d released his hold. Since the hot cocoa stand was one of the most popular stops every year at the market, there was plenty of extra help on hand. Spiced eggnog, hot apple cider and plain ol’ coffee was also available for those who preferred something other than the decadent chocolate drink topped with whipped cream.

After he’d purchased their cocoa—complete with a mini candy cane as a stirrer—he made his way back to Kellan. Only two more customers to go and it would be their turn, so he’d returned just in time.

“Here you go, sweetheart.”

Kellan set his Creatures of Comfort bag down and accepted the steaming drink from him. “Oh, it’s so pretty.”

“Be careful.” Vic chuckled. “I’ve burned my tongue more than once on this stuff.”

“Okay, I’ll eat the cream first.”

Kellan proceeded to scoop up the white fluff with the candy stick, sucking the cream off then licking his lips. He made small noises of pleasure then went in for round two.

Vic clenched his jaw to hold in a groan. He’s trying to kill me.

At last, Kellan had finished fellating the candy cane and it was their turn at the booth. Vic purchased a half pound for them then picked up three more for the staff Christmas party that was coming up that week.