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Sage just buried her face deeper into his thick ruff. “Don’t listen to him, you’re the bestest boy and you deserve all the yummy food, don’t you, cutie? Yes you do!”

Cal shook his head, grinning despite himself, and headed down the steps toward the big barn. The massive stone and timber structure glowed under exterior lights, its red metal roof dusted white, hay and leather and warm animal scents drifting out on the cold air. He returned moments later carrying a huge frozen slab of salmon on a heavy platter.

Brutus perked up instantly, rising onto his hind legs with an eager humming growl as Cal set the platter down in the snow. The grizzly dove in, licking and crunching happily while fat flakes continued to drift around them like silent confetti. Sage laughed bright and clear, scratching behind his velvet-soft ears.

“You’re spoiling him,” Cal said, voice warm with amusement.

Sage stood, brushing snow off her skirt, cheeks flushed pink from the cold and pure delight. “Damn right, Daddy. He’s family.”

Brutus gave a dismissive grunt and went back to demolishing his midnight snack, completely ignoring them now. Sage shivered hard, rubbing her arms as the wind picked up.

In one smooth motion Cal scooped her up against his chest, her legs wrapping around his waist like they belonged there. She hugged his thick neck, fingers sliding into the dark hair at his nape.

“Let’s get you inside, sweetheart,” he murmured, then kissed her—slow, deep, warm lips melting over hers, the soft tease of his tongue flicking gently against her lip ring until she shivered for an entirely different reason.

“Yes Daddy,” she whispered hot against his ear, breath brushing his skin.

Brutus waved one massive paw in their general direction, salmon still hanging from his jaws, as Cal carried her through the tall hand-carved double doors.

The house wrapped around them — heat, cedar, the sweet bite of pine. Firelight moved on the walls. The tree glowed in the corner like it had been waiting.

He carried her straight to the plush rug in front of the hearth and set her down, one big hand staying at the small of her back like he couldn’t quite let go yet.

The fire was still going strong. Cal had banked it before they left, and now the great room glowed with golden light from the Christmas tree and the thick string lights draped along the massive cedar beams. The air smelled like woodsmoke, fresh pine boughs, and home.

Sage caught Cal watching her the second he shrugged off his heavy coat. His large frame filled the space near the stone fireplace, tight jeans hugging those powerful thighs, flannel stretched across his broad chest, heavy boots still dusted with snow. He looked tense. Deliciously, heartbreakingly tense.

How is he so fucking sexy?

She held his gaze for a long, heated moment, then slowly unwound her scarf and let her coat slide off her shoulders. His eyes followed every movement, dark and hungry and nervous all at once.

Keep watching, Daddy.

Turning away from him, she faced the roaring fire and bent slowly at the waist. The short plaid skirt rode high up her thighs as she unzipped her tall leather boots, warm air kissing her bare skin. She could feel his stare tracing the curve of her ass, the backs of her thighs. When she straightened and stepped out of the boots, she glanced over her shoulder with a wicked little smile.

Cal cleared his throat, voice already rough. “You want some tea, princess? I can⁠—”

“No.”

He paused. The only light came from the fire and the soft glow of Christmas bulbs. Half his face was in shadow, but she could see the way his throat worked.

“Umm…no?”

Sage started unbuttoning her top, slow and deliberate, watching him watch her.

“Nope,” she said sweetly, then peeled the shirt off and let it drop. Turning her back to him again, she hooked her thumbs in her skirt and dragged it down her legs, leaving herself in black fishnet stockings, tiny red panties, and a matching bra.

“honey… I… I…” His voice was pure gravel.

She bit back a grin. This is so much fucking fun.

Reaching behind her, she unhooked the bra and let it fall away. “You okay, Daddy? You sound a little tense.”

Cal shifted from foot to foot, big hands flexing at his sides. “Ah… no. I mean— I’m okay. I’m not tense. I’m… yeah. Okay….”

Sage turned around, topless, and hooked her fingers in the waistband of her panties. She bent slowly, sliding them down her thick thighs, spreading her legs just enough to make him groan.

“Fuck me…” he whispered, completely undone.