Page 37 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

“We don’t.” It was hard to think with his half-mate so close and smiling up at him.

“But that means we could be temporarily together.”

“What?”

“We can’t be proper mates, as I’m not a krampus. That’s what you said. And we are so different, so we have no future.” Jasper took Kraghol’s hand. “But we could be together temporarily, couldn’t we? Until the bond fades and we no longer wish to be together.”

Kraghol stared at their joined hands.

“But if you want me to go away, Kraghol, I will. I’ll stop bothering you.” Jasper’s brown eyes searched his face. “I don’t want to be a nuisance. If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave. You won’t see me again. The decision is yours.”

Kraghol blinked.How the fuck is this my decision?

Kraghol was the monster. He should be lucky to be allowed near Jasper! Now Jasper was letting it be his choice if they should be together, even if only temporarily.

A part of him knew he should say no. This wasn’t right.

And he knew without a doubt he’d fall for Jasper. And then when the bond broke and Jasper left, he’d be heartbroken.

But as he stared into Jasper’s beautiful face, as he stood in Jasper’s glowing presence, all he could think was that he wanted to be around Jasper for as long as he could. He’d willingly suffer the heartbreak later if it meant he could be with Jasper now.

“All right,” Kraghol said.

Jasper’s smile widened. His eyes twinkled. “Really?”

Kraghol found himself smiling in response. “Yes. I would like to spend time with you. Temporarily.” He couldn’t forget that last bit.

Jasper tilted his head to the side. “And how long exactly until the bond fades?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t know a lot about partial mate bonds. But I believe it varies a great deal. It could be a few weeks or a year,” Kraghol said.

“Hmmm. That’s a big range.” Then Jasper reached up and wrapped a hand around Kraghol’s neck. “We better make the most of it.” He tugged Kraghol down and kissed him.

Kraghol closed his eyes as their warm lips met.

This couldn’t last. He knew that. But he would savour this time together with Jasper until the bond faded.

Chapter

Twenty-One

Jasper carried a picnic basket over his arm the next day as he walked through the slushy city streets. Thick snowflakes fell. He stared up at the buildings crowding up and over him. He caught glimpses of brightly coloured decorations in windows.

He’d done it! He’d convinced Kraghol to spend time with him. They would temporarily be together. Although, if Jasper was being completely honest, he was kind of hoping he might be able to change Kraghol’s mind.

He understood Kraghol’s point of view. Different worlds and all that crap.

But Jasper didn’t buy all that nonsense about darkness. No matter what Kraghol said, the krampus he knew was not some terrifying creature who existed in the shadows.

Sure, he was massive, with horns, dark fur, a tail, fangs, and hooves. But that meant nothing. Kraghol couldn’t fool Jasper. Not for a bloody second.

He liked Kraghol, the surprisingly shy, ridiculously sweet, soft-hearted krampus who’d also saved his life. And the things he could do with that tongue of his… Furthermore, Kraghol had raised Kali from a little orphaned kit! What was there not to adore about Kraghol?

Creature of darkness my arse!

Jasper was sure that even without the bond, he’d like Kraghol and be attracted to him. If they were good together, which Jasper was certain they would be, then he was sure they could find a way to be together when the partial mate bond faded.

After all, many of Jasper’s siblings had partners who came from very different worlds from themselves. Love could find a way and all that shit. Now Jasper just had to convince Kraghol of that.