Page 25 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

“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?”