Page 18 of A Swan for Christmas

Vic held in a retort. “That’ll be fine, Skip. Thanks. I’ll see if he can take his break.”

Skip snorted. “I’m sure it won’t be a problem. Been dead out there again today.”

He nodded. It wasn’t unusual for the time of year, but he still hated when it got too slow. At least I can sit with my… Vic swallowed hard, his heart fluttering as he let the truth sink in of what being with Kellan meant. He could fight the compulsion raging through him all he wanted. The urge to protect and care for the beautiful Kellan might not make any sense, but it was undeniable. How could a wolf mate with a swan? He might not understand why fate had chosen them to be together, yet one thing was now clear to him—he would never let Kellan go.

Does he feel the same?

If it was too soon for Kellan, if he was still hurting from what his herd had done to him, Vic wouldn’t push. Kellan was young. When he was ready to be mated, he would let Vic know.

Rosemary doesn’t know Kellan’s whole story. The town’s mayor likely assumed it was the onset of Kellan’s heat that was preventing him from shifting instead of the fact that he’d been traumatized and injured. They could worry about heats, mating and all that other stuff later. And anyway, a half-swan, half wolf baby? Didn’t make any sense. Kellan might never carry any children for them, which was fine too. A thread of melancholy coursed through him at the thought, but he was so happy to have Kellan, he didn’t dare question fate any more than he had already.

The moment he spotted Kellan up at the register with Dora, seemingly lost in thought as he chewed on the end of his pen while pointing at something on the counter, he broke into a grin. Vic had always been quiet and would keep to himself, so he was sure his staff was more than aware of how smitten he was with Kellan. It was impossible to hide.

Kellan caught his gaze and smiled, his features brightening. He set down the pen as he said something to Dora then came rushing over. He threw his arms around Vic’s neck and Vic embraced him back.

“You’re here! I hope you’ve been having a good day.”

He turned up his chin and Vic got the hint. Vic captured his mouth in a soft kiss—Dora’s interested stare be damned.

“I did, thank you. How about you? Is restaurant work all it’s cracked up to be?”

“I was nervous at first, but Dora’s been helping me and I’m getting the hang of it. Plus, I enjoy waiting on the customers. They’re friendly and smile and thank me for bringing them their food. Finn and the others would throw it at me half time if it wasn’t exactly how the liked it.”

Vic grunted. “Yeah, well, most of our customers treat the staff well, but we have a few cranky ones here and there. Food-throwing is off-limits, though, so you should be safe from that.”

Kellan pressed his cheek to Vic’s chest. “I know you wouldn’t let anyone do that to me.”

Vid tried not to be too blatant as he scented the air. With each day that passed, Kellan’s aroma became more pungent, more irresistible. He’d never been aware of the scent of birds before—except when they were cooked—but with Kellan, everything had changed. He might want to eat Kellan up, but not in the way he’d eaten birds before.

Vic snort-laughed at his errant thought then pulled back to look into Kellan’s eyes. “Hey, as soon as the night shift guy gets here, I’ll sit down and have dinner with you. Have you had a break at all yet?”

“No, I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Kellan, you need to be careful while your ankle’s still healing.” Vic sighed. “I don’t want you overdoing it.”

“I won’t, I promise. It hasn’t been busy at all and anyway, I’m used to working very hard. This is a cinch.” Kellan peered around Vic. “I’ll be right back. Those guys at the counter might need more coffee.”

Good idea. Might need some myself. “Okay, sweetheart. I’ll be up front checking in with Dora.”

Kellan froze, staring up at him with his lip trembling again.

Shit. What did I do now?

“Are you okay?”

Kellan sniffed. “You called me sweetheart.”

Vic brushed back a strand of Kellan’s hair that had come loose and was dangling across his forehead. “Well, that’s what you are to me. Is that all right?”

He gave a shaky nod, pressing his lips together as if trying to keep control. “No one’s ever said that about me before.”

Vic stroked his cheek. “They do now.” He pressed another quick kiss to Kellan’s lips. “After you take care of those customers, you’ll take a break with me, okay?”

“I will. Promise.”

Vic wasn’t sure how subtle he was being as he snuck an eyeful of Kellan’s ass as he walked away, but it couldn’t be helped. With an appreciative sigh, he turned his attention to Dora. She leaned against the register counter, her arms crossed and a smirk planted on her lips.

As her strolled toward her, he pretended not to notice. However, it appeared she wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easy.

“Finally found the one, huh?”

Vic lifted his eyebrows. “It’s that obvious?”

She chuckled. “Yup. On the rare occasion I’ve seen you with anyone, you would hustle them in and out of here so fast, I would barely catch a glimpse. Then, there’s that one.” She jerked her head in Kellan’s direction. “All day long. ‘Vic says this, Vic says that, Vic is so smart, Vic is so nice, blah blah blah’. I’ve known you for over five years and I don’t think I’ve talked about you that much in total.”

Heat filled Vic’s cheeks. “He’s just young and… he’s been through a lot and… uh yeah, so anyway.” He ran a hand across the top of his head. “You got a spool of thread and a couple needles up here?”

“Excuse me?”

“I thought it would be nice to string some cranberries with Kellan tonight, maybe put together some Thanksgiving centerpieces…what?”

She shook her head, chuckling. “Nothing, Vic. Just that love looks good on you.”