Moon Cursed (Book 2 in The Star and Her Moon Series)

Bonus Chapter: The First Christmas

Raff

Mature Content Ahead

"Raff," Meribella gasped, nearly dropping the ornament she was holding as his warm hands slid beneath the red miniskirt she was wearing. "We are never going to get this tree decorated if you don't stop."

He spun her around and kissed her, pulling her tight against him so she could feel just how disinterested he was in trimming the tree right now. She'd been prancing around their living room for the last hour, that damn skirt riding up every time she stretched to reach the uppermost branches of the tree. A man could only take so much temptation before giving in.

Their relationship had never been what anyone would call normal. Between faked deaths, suspected deaths, real deaths, curses, and wars they'd been through a lot. He'd never tell her but sometimes he woke up at night and watched her as she slept, wondering if they'd traded one curse for another. This prophecy she was at the center of at terrified him. She'd come back to him twice already- he knew in his heart there would be no third chance.

In the weeks that followed their return home, his need for this woman had grown a hundred times greater than it had been before. Instead of growing accustomed to having one another without boundaries, he felt like they were becoming addicts. Each touch and taste leading to a desire for more every time. And watching her settle into their home together only fanned the flames.

"Raff," she moaned against his lips. Even with his thoughts wondering, his hands had continued exploring. One was expertly undoing her bra clasp, while the other...

"Gods woman," he choked as he felt her hot center. "You're not wearing any underwear."

She was almost limp in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder as he began a rhythm he knew would drive her crazy.

"What can I say," she panted, "you've got me feeling a lot naughtier than nice most days."

"I promise I'm going to make you feel really nice here in a second."

Raff nibbled on her bottom lip, then kissed her hard, swallowing her scream as she came against his hand. Then, he lowered her to the plush white tree skirt. He paused and enjoyed the view before him. The light sheen of sweat on her olive skin glimmered, partly from her power and partly from the twinkling Christmas lights. Her red skirt was bunched around her hips, while her cream colored cropped sweater hugged her now free breasts in a way that made his mouth go dry.

"I love you," he whispered, lowering himself over her body. She grabbed his shoulders as he pushed inside of her.

"I love you too."

No other words were exchanged. None were needed. They moved together, rising and falling with sighs and moans until their fluid movements became harsher and more demanding as they both neared their peak. He tried to hold out longer, wanting to savor every moment they had together, some part of him afraid it was always their last, but she knew what he was doing. Anchoring her legs around his back, she forced him to move faster, tightening around him as she flew apart.

"Best Christmas ever," she said once they caught their breath.

"I have to agree. Though, maybe we should get a fake tree if we're going to have sex under it." He picked pine needles from her hair and off her skin.

She glared at him as she smoothed out her clothes. "Oh no. We're not bringing a fake tree in this house. You may just have to learn to control yourself."

Considering the way his lower half jumped to attention in response to nothing more than her heated glare, he didn't think there was a snowball's chance in hell of that happening. "The couch then?"

Meribella laughed as she rummaged through the ornaments. "The couch, then. Oh gods, did you see what time it is? We're lucky Lincoln didn't barge in on us. As it is, he's going to know what just happened the moment he walks in."

"It's fine. They know what goes on here, and you've been to their house..."

He let his words hang. Meribella wrinkled her nose, but then the look of disgust morphed to something else. Something softer. She held up a silver snowflake, its dainty arms sparkling as it spun.

"I didn't keep up with a lot when I was moving around all the time, but I did keep up with this. My Mam wasn't always the kindest woman. I think growing up with a mom like Kai made her hard. She didn't want to be hurt in the same way. But one Christmas, she saw me looking at this in a department store. It was way too much money to spend on something so useless and small, but it was in my stocking that Christmas morning. It was always the first one I'd put on the tree, and later, it was the only one I had to put on a tree. Thank you."

Raff took her hand as she looped its string over a branch. "For what?"

"For not throwing my things away... you know, after. I would've lost this."

"After you pretended to drown?" he teased, grateful the sting of that day was starting to fade. He understood what drove her to do it, and it was nothing compared to having her die in his arms.

"Ha, yes," she replied, wiggling free from his embrace. The movement sent heat straight through him.

"Oh, no." Her nostrils flared as she scented his desire. "They're going to knock on that door any minute."

As if waiting for her declaration, the door downstairs burst open. Lincoln called out, "Everyone dressed. Or at least Raff."

A smack was followed by a grunt. "Sorry you guys. He's an ass."

Thorne appeared first, her arms full of takeout that made Raff's stomach grumble in anticipation. Meribella had a lot of fine qualities. Cooking wasn't one of them, though she tried often. Which meant he tried to eat it.

"You two just had sex."

"Lincoln," Thorne exclaimed, a hard edge to her exasperation that worried Raff. She usually endured her boyfriend's blunt nature with a lot more grace than that.

"I've already set the table," Meribella said, her eyes widening and flying to Raff's. So, she heard it too. "Just set the bags on the counter."

"Oh, MB," Thorne gushed, spying the table.

It was a sight to behold. Fresh pine boughs and dark red berries. White plates accented with gold, and flames flickering atop tapered candles. All spread out across the large farm table she'd insisted they'd needed. Of course, it hadn't taken much convincing when he realized how much more room it provided than their old round table.

"I can't believe this is our first Christmas together," Meribella said, hugging Thorne and Lincoln.

"Could've been our second if you'd not run off the first time." Lincoln popped the top on a beer and shrugged when everyone narrowed their eyes at him.

"True, but then we wouldn't have Thorne."

Thorne arched a brow at Lincoln as if daring him to argue or say something pithy. But, Raff's Beta smiled- an almost said smile- and lifted his beer. "I'll drink to that."

"Let's eat!"

His friends and love rushed to fill their plates, but Raff hung back, his heart swelling as he drank in the picture before him. As a member of a pack, he'd never been in short supply of companionship, and come Christmas day, the four of them would come together again, this time to celebrate with the entire pack. But the grand affair wasn't half as special as this moment. These people were his family. For now and forever.

"You okay," Meribella asked on her way to sit at the table.

He kissed the top of her dark head. "Everything is perfect. Merry Christmas darling."

She smiled. "Merry Christmas, Raff."