“I see. You’re going to take a nap while I get to work.” He chuckled.

  Kali closed her eyes. Soon the fire glowed in the pit. Jasper stood, brushing dirt from his lower legs.

  He glanced at the cave entrance. How long until Kraghol returned? How long had he been gone? Jasper could wait a couple of hours at least before he should head home.

  Jasper sat beside Kali on the pile of furs. He patted her. He glanced around the cave.

  But what if Kraghol didn’t actually live here? The cave didn’t contain much. Just the pile of furs, some wood, and the firepit. Perhaps this was just one place he stayed. Maybe he rarely came here.

  What if Jasper waited for hours and Kraghol still did not come? What if Jasper came back tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that, and still the krampus didn’t return?

  His stomach clenched. He could search. But it was a big forest. He could wander it and never run into Kraghol for the rest of his life. His breathing sped up. His head throbbed, and a wave of dizziness rose inside him.

  Kali opened her eyes. She placed her paws on Jasper’s chest and licked his cheek.

  Jasper exhaled, wrapping his arms around her. “You’re right, Kali. No need to stress. We just got here. We have time.”

  Determined to relax, Jasper lay down on the pile of furs with his fox familiar. Kali closed her eyes and slept. Jasper kept his eyes on the cave entrance, waiting for Kraghol to appear. But eventually his eyelids grew heavy.

  Chapter

  Thirteen

  The krampus waited amongst the trees. Jasper and Kali stood in the entrance to his cave. The little human turned his head and scanned the forest. But Kraghol remained too well hidden to be seen.

  After several moments, the two turned and entered Kraghol’s cave.

  Kraghol huffed.

  Why is Jasper back? I told him to stay away from the forest. So why hasn’t he?

  Kraghol had spent the night wandering the forest, mourning the loss of Jasper. And Kali. He’d thought he’d never see his almost mate ever again.

  Then Jasper had returned the very next day. Clearly, he’d not heeded Kraghol’s words at all!

  Kraghol has sensed Jasper approaching the forest. He’d felt the prickle of awareness on the back of his neck as he always did. He’d immediately trekked to the spot where Jasper and Kali always entered the forest.

  Keeping his distance, he’d followed Jasper and Kali as they walked through the wintry woods. Although, it had been pretty clear exactly where the two had been heading.

  But why has Jasper gone straight to my cave?

  The answer settled inside his chest, confusing and stirring the blood in his veins.

  Jasper wants to see me.

  But why? He’d always assumed Jasper would be terrified if he saw Kraghol. He’d thought the human might flee or scream. That was how city folk reacted to krampuses.

  But that was not how Jasper reacted to him. And today he came back to Kraghol’s cave.

  He wants to see me.

  The thought warmed his very soul. Kraghol had to hold back from running to his half-mate and basking in his presence and closeness.

  Maybe he likes me? Maybe he wants me?

  Kraghol turned his head away. We could never work. A krampus and a human did not belong together. Kraghol could not forget that even for a single instant.

  Jasper should not be here. He should be safe in his home in the city, far away from the snow and cold and monsters that live in the forest. Monsters like me.

  A golden light flickered into life and illuminated the interior of his cave. Soon smoke curled from the entrance, rising into the sky.

  Kraghol crossed his arms over his chest, trying to ignore the pleasure that unfurled inside him at the thought of Jasper and Kali making themselves comfortable in his home. He continued staring at his cave, wondering what the human and fox were doing inside.

  Minutes passed. He could see no movement within.

  Finally, unable to resist the urge to find out what they were doing, he crept forward. When he reached the cave entrance, he paused. Jasper and Kali lay curled up on his pile of furs. They both slept.

  Kraghol’s lungs constricted as he stared at the welcoming sight of the two of them in his bed, the place where he slept each night. He could barely breathe at the intimacy of such an act.

  Did Jasper know Kraghol slept there?

  What would it be like to return home to such a sight every day? What would it be like to no longer be alone? He could sleep cosied up with Jasper and Kali. Like a little family.

  Kraghol inhaled. No. He could never have that. So he needed to stop wishing. Stop dreaming.

  Jasper shuffled on the furs. He blinked awake and spotted Kraghol. He sat bolt upright. “Kraghol!” He smiled. “You’re back. I was worried you wouldn’t return.”

  Kraghol fought against the desperate urge to smile in response. For a moment, he imagined crossing to Jasper and touching his cheek. But that was a ridiculous thought.

  He turned to the dancing flames, trying to collect himself and suppress the wants surging inside him. The fire crackled. Kali, now awake too, yelped and bounded towards Kraghol. After a moment’s hesitation, he knelt and patted her.

  “She is so comfortable with you.” Jasper paused. “It’s like she knows you.”

  Pulling his hand away from Kali, Kraghol cleared his throat and stood. “I told you that you should not return to the forest. It is dangerous here.”

  Jasper laughed. “It isn’t that dangerous. I’ve been coming here since I was a child.” Then he winked. “And I’ve never been one to behave and follow advice. I’ve always been a little naughty.”

  Kraghol sucked in a breath. Didn’t Jasper know that krampuses punished the naughty? For a moment, he imagined Jasper as one of those people who taunted the krampuses on Krampus Night, wanting to be chased down and fucked in an alley.

  Kraghol’s gut tightened. No, Jasper could not be alluding to that. Could he? No. That was not possible.

  Jasper got to his feet and picked up a small box on the floor. “Anyway, I had to come back. I needed to give you this.”

  Kraghol’s gaze flicked between Jasper’s face and the box that had been tied with a dainty red ribbon. “What is it?”

  “You’ll have to open it to find out.” Jasper held out the box.

  Kraghol stared at the petite little thing. He frowned.

  Jasper laughed, that beautiful, incandescent laugh. “Take it. It won’t bite. I promise.”

  Pressing his lips together, Kraghol took the small box. It looked minuscule in his massive, furred hands. He turned it over. He glanced at Jasper.

  “Well! Open it!”

  He tugged the ribbon, and it came undone. Slowly, he opened the box slightly and peeked inside. “What is this?”

  Jasper, seeming to take pity on Kraghol’s confusion, took the box from his hands. He pulled the box properly open. The red ribbon fell to the floor. Without a second’s thought, Kraghol dropped to the ground, picking up the shiny material. It shouldn’t get dirty on the floor of his cave.

  Jasper held the box open. “Chocolate truffles. I made them for you this morning.”

  “For me?” Kraghol’s hand clenched around the red ribbon.

  “Well, I made enough to sell in the bakery too.” Jasper smiled. Then he leaned forward and lowered his voice. “But I was thinking of you when I made them. It’s just a little thank you for not letting me freeze to death in the snow.”

  He shook his head. “You do not have to give me something as a thank you for that. I would not have let you die. Never.”

  Jasper’s smile widened. “That’s good to know. But I still wanted to make them for you all the same.” Then he tilted his head. “Do you not like chocolate truffles?”

  “I… I do not know,” the krampus confessed. “I have never had one before.”

  Jasper’s brows raised. “Really?”

  Kraghol shrugged. “I hunt and collect my own food from the forest. That suffices.” His fare must seem so basic to Jasper. He stared at the spherical brown balls. White and brown swirls decorated some. Little chopped nuts decorated others. They looked so small and dainty.

  “Well, it’s probably time you tried a chocolate truffle, then.” Jasper shook the box slightly. The truffles slid from side to side.

  Kraghol hesitated. He picked up a small truffle with brown swirls on the top. Jasper made this for me. His heart thumped against his ribs.

  He opened his mouth and placed the truffle on his tongue. He bit into the ball. A noise of surprise escaped him. He chewed the dense fudgy texture. The truffle melted in his mouth.

  He tried to process the sweet, rich taste with a slightly citrusy tang. He swallowed. He blinked. How could such a small thing hold so much flavour? So much complexity?

  “You don’t like it?” Jasper’s brows lowered. “Huh. Do you not like sweet food? That one is orange flavoured. Maybe you don’t like orange?”

  “No… I…” Kraghol frowned. “It is delicious. Beyond delicious. I just have never eaten anything like it. Is it magic?”

  “What?” Jasper grinned. “Well, I mean yes. But you don’t have to be a witch to make chocolate truffles. But since I very much wanted you to enjoy them, I definitely poured that intention into them when I made them. Which makes it a form of witchcraft.”

  Kraghol didn’t really understand any of that.

  “Have another.” Jasper held out the box.

  Kraghol picked one up. This one had white swirls on the top. “You should have one too.”

  Jasper shook his head. “I made these especially for you. That’s a nougat-centred chocolate truffle.”

  He bit into it. Once again, he marvelled at the complexity of flavours and sweetness. Rich chocolate surrounded a soft, chewy centre with a hint of nuttiness. “This has to be witchcraft. Only magic could make something taste this incredible.”

  Jasper laughed. He continued to watch Kraghol as he chewed, studying his face. Kraghol did not know what Jasper saw or why he looked at Kraghol so intensely. After all, he knew his face was hideous. He knew the types of responses his face usually evoked. Yet Jasper stood close, watching him, not at all seeming to mind the sight of him.

  Jasper closed the box. “I’ll put them over here, and you can eat the rest later.” He placed them by the pile of furs.

  “Thank you.” Kraghol swallowed the last of the truffle.

  “We’re sorry for intruding and for making ourselves at home in your cave,” Jasper said. “I suppose I could have waited for you outside. But I thought you might not mind me taking shelter.”

  “It is fine.” If Jasper was going to ignore his warnings and come to the forest, Kraghol at least wanted him out of the elements. “I want you safe.”

  The smile that lit up Jasper’s face caused Kraghol’s lungs to constrict.

  “Do you?” Jasper stepped in dangerously close.

  Kraghol inhaled. The scent of sugar and chocolate filled his nostrils. Jasper smelled like the chocolate truffles he’d been making. Would he taste like them too?

  “Do you care about me, Kraghol?” Jasper asked.

  “I—” He shouldn’t finish that sentence. Because of course he cared for Jasper.

  But Jasper should not be standing this close. He shouldn’t be looking at Kraghol with so much intensity.

  Kraghol couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think. All he could do was stare into Jasper’s lovely, warm brown eyes. And maybe his brain had stopped working, because he said, “I do.”

  Chapter

  Fourteen

  Ashiver ran down Jasper’s spine at Kraghol’s words.

  “I care for you,” Kraghol said in his deep growly voice. His chest rose and fell with each deep breath he took. “More than I should.”

  His grey gaze pierced into Jasper. Jasper wanted to fall into those eyes.

  Jasper had planned to try to unravel the mystery of their connection first.

  But with Kraghol gazing down at him like that, standing so close, all Jasper wanted to do was reach out and touch his furry chest. He wanted Kraghol in a way he’d never wanted anyone before.

  All he wanted was to stroke those broad shoulders. He wanted Kraghol to lift him in those powerful arms, hurl him onto the bed, and have his way with him. He wanted Kraghol to protect him. He wanted to lose himself in the taste and smell and touch of the krampus and never find himself afterwards.

  And from the way Kraghol stared down at him, hunger glinting in his eyes, Jasper thought he might want that too.

  Jasper would try to solve the puzzle of what was going on later. He had other, more pressing priorities right now.

  Jasper tilted his head back. “What do you mean, you care for me more than you should?”

  The krampus’s gaze traced down the lines of Jasper’s exposed throat. “You are a human. I am a krampus,” Kraghol said, as if that explained everything. “We are different.”

  “Are we?” Jasper’s lips twitched into a smile. “I hadn’t noticed.” He took another step closer, until their bodies almost pressed together.

  Kraghol’s nostrils flared.

  “I mean, you are much taller than me. You have a tail. Fur. Horns.” Jasper reached up and touched one of them. He ran his hand around the curled horn. It felt smooth.

  Kraghol leaned towards Jasper, like he couldn’t help himself. He practically vibrated, as if holding himself back.

  But Jasper didn’t want Kraghol to hold himself back. He dropped his hand and trailed it lightly over Kraghol’s shoulder, stroking the firm muscle covered in fur.

  Kraghol gaped, watching the movement. “You want me?” he asked, the shock so obvious in his tone.

  “Is that so surprising?”

  Kraghol inclined his head. “Yes.”

  “Because we’re different?”

  Kraghol nodded again.

  “I mean, I find all our differences intriguing. Don’t you?” He slid his hand down Kraghol’s chest. He gave an exaggerated pout. “Or do you find me repulsive because I am so different from you, Kraghol?”

  “No! Of course not!” Kraghol said with far more vehemence than Jasper expected. Especially since Jasper had just been teasing.

  Kraghol placed his hands on Jasper’s shoulders. “You are beautiful beyond all words, Jasper. How could anyone resist you?”

  The words melted something inside Jasper. “Then don’t resist me.”

  He leaned up, desperate to press his lips against Kraghol’s. But the krampus was too tall. So Jasper slid his hand around the back of Kraghol’s neck, tugged him down, and kissed him.

  Kraghol made a startled noise. Jasper held still, giving Kraghol time to pull away or reciprocate. But Kraghol just remained completely still, as if stunned.

  Then Kraghol’s whole body shuddered. He wrapped his thick arms around Jasper, and for the first time in months, Jasper felt whole.

  This feels right! This is exactly where I should be. In Kraghol’s arms.

  Moaning, Jasper slid his hands over Kraghol’s chest as they kissed. He pressed his body against Kraghol’s. Suddenly Kraghol lifted Jasper from the floor as if he weighed nothing.

  He carried Jasper to the bed and laid him gently down amongst the furs. He broke the kiss and pulled back. His gaze flicked over Jasper’s face. “How…” He trailed off. “Are you sure?”

  Jasper almost laughed. Was he sure? Jasper’s hard cock throbbed. He was definitely fucking sure. But the clear uncertainty in Kraghol’s eyes made him hold back his laughter.

  Jasper stroked Kraghol’s cheek. “I’m sure. Are you?”

  Kraghol nodded. “I just cannot understand how you could want me.”

  Jasper threaded his fingers through the fur on the back of Kraghol’s neck. “Well, I do. So much.” Then he pulled Kraghol down, and they kissed.

  Jasper ran his hands over Kraghol’s furry body, wanting to touch and explore every inch of him. Meanwhile, Kraghol’s hands moved lightly over Jasper’s shoulders and arms. But the touch was hesitant, as if he worried Jasper would break.

  But Jasper would not break. He rubbed up against Kraghol, wishing he wasn’t wearing clothes. He wanted to be naked with Kraghol. Skin to skin. Or skin to fur. Whatever!

  He broke the kiss. “I want to get undressed.”

  Kraghol rolled to the side, giving Jasper the space to do so. Kraghol’s eyes traced the movements as Jasper removed his clothes and cast them onto the floor.

  Kali, who now lay on the floor by the fire, opened one eye as a boot landed near her. After a second, she returned to sleep. Jasper tugged his trousers off so he remained just in his drawers.

  Suddenly a cold burst of wind swept through the cave. Snowflakes whisked past. The flames flickered, and Jasper shivered. Kraghol grabbed some furs and pulled them over them.

  “There. Now you are safe from the cold,” Kraghol said.

  They faced each other beneath the soft furs.

  Jasper cupped his throat. “Touch me. I want to feel your hands on my bare skin.”

  Kraghol reached out. But his gaze seemed to snag on his own furry hands. He hesitated as if he couldn’t comprehend that Jasper would want those hands on him.

  But Jasper was not above begging. “Please. Please, Kraghol. I need your touch.”

  Tentatively, the krampus slid a hand down Jasper’s chest. Jasper whimpered at the feather-light caress. Emboldened, Kraghol ran his hands over Jasper’s torso, constantly glancing at Jasper’s face, as if needing the reassurance that Jasper actually wanted this.

  Jasper’s hands settled on Kraghol’s hip as he gave the krampus time and space to explore. He moaned as Kraghol stroked his skin, hands wandering over the planes of his stomach, flank, and chest.

  He saw the nervousness shift to awe in Kraghol’s eyes. His touch grew firmer, bolder, and more confident.

  Jasper panted. He squirmed. His cock ached, tenting his drawers.

  Jasper tugged at the cloth that wrapped around Kraghol’s waist. “Can I take this off? I want to see all of you.”

  Chapter