First Christmas Read online

  Praise for Erzabet Bishop

  "If you love excitement and sexy wolf shifters! Then you will love this incredible storyline!

  You will love this super exciting, thrilling, funny, suspenseful, and scorching hot shifter Romance! This is a five star plus story."

  ~ Roxie's Romance Reviews

  "OH WOW! Suspense builds, a world different from anything is shown and love and death battle."

  Praise for Erzabet Bishop

  "I started reading and couldn't stop until I turned the last page. I really enjoyed the characters and thought there was the possibility for more stories with these characters. I thought this was a very entertaining story. This is the first book by this author that I have read, and it won't be my last."

  ~ Loves to Read (A Cozy Booknook)

  "Fantastic story and read!!!"

  Praise for Erzabet Bishop

  "This is a must read for those who like a bite to their romance."

  "What a fantastic read! I was so drawn in by this book that I couldn’t put it down until the very end. I love the connection that these two share and how they finally reach their HEA. I felt all of the emotions and cheered for them every step of the way. I can’t wait to read the next book."

  Praise for Erzabet Bishop

  "It's complicated, shifter style."

  "For a shifter reverse harem to start off with a quote from Joseph Campbell, you know it's going to be smart and different."

  "What an amazing book! Tormenting Her Mate is the third book of the My Wicked Mates series. And what a fantastic book it is!"

  Praise for Erzabet Bishop

  "I loved reading this book! A sweet and passionate romance with a happy ever after! Love it!"

  "You will love this Awesome storyline with its BDSM theme. The characters are fantastic. This story will keep you glued to its pages."

  "I loved reading this story. I opened the book and didn’t stop reading until the last page. I was swept into the story from the first page."

  Praise for Erzabet Bishop

  "WOW! Clover and Richard are great!! The chemistry incredible! This is a hot story with some suspense and drama."

  "This book hooked me from the get go I just couldn't put it down I fell in love with these characters and omg what a story just a perfect read."

  "This was a great story. I have never read anything by this author before but I will be from now on. I can't wait to read the rest of the series."

  Table of Contents

  About

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  A Taste Of

  Sapphic Holiday Cruise

  About

  A Letter To The Reader

  Excerpt

  Where to Find More of Erzabet Bishop

  Also By Erzabet Bishop

  About The Author

  First Christmas:

  A Sigil Fire Holiday Short Story

  Second Edition

  December 2019

  Published by Naughty Nights Press LLC

  http://naughtynightspress.com/

  Cover Art by Willsin Rowe

  Copyright © 2017 Erzabet Bishop

  All rights reserved.

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

  No part of this book may be adapted, stored, copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this, or any copyrighted work is illegal.

  Authors are paid on a per-purchase basis. Any use of this file beyond the rights stated above constitutes theft of the author’s earnings.

  If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this ebook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the publisher and purchase your own copy.

  File sharing is an international crime, prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice Division of Cyber Crimes, in partnership with Interpol.

  Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is punishable by seizure of computers, up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 per reported occurrence.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  About

  Sonia and Fae are about to have their first Christmas. Feeling awkward in the face of all the holiday frivolity she is experiencing for the first time, Sonia finds solace in a moment alone under the stars and amidst the snow. When that moment results in an unexpected visit—and in a special gift for Sonia—she finds out that home can find you even in the darkest of places. And that maybe, just maybe, someone might need her just as much as she needs them…

  Chapter One

  Sonia stared at the scene in the kitchen with disbelief. Its normally pristine surface was in complete disarray. Flour covered the counter, the smell of something delicious baking was in the air, and Fae, her blood-witch, vampire girlfriend, was singing Christmas carols like she was Patsy Cline incarnate. Dressed in low-rider skinny jeans and a vibrant red tank top, Fae shimmied around the kitchen with a snap in her step. Her long, black hair was loose and flowing, and Sonia had to fight the urge to pin her lover to the counter and run her fingers through it while ravaging her lips.

  She loved to watch Fae in the kitchen. The normally badass, “don’t mess with me or I’ll shove a sword up your nose” woman was pure magic when she wielded a spatula. Or any other kitchen equipment, for that matter. Sonia grinned, a low simmer of heat spreading between her thighs as her eyes followed Fae’s every move.

  Jellybean rested next to the kitchen door, her small, black, hellhound face fixed on Sonia. It seemed even Jellybean didn’t know what to make of Fae’s behavior.

  As Sonia rounded the corner into the kitchen, she caught sight of a stack of cardboard boxes and a half-decorated tree started in the front window of the living room. She’d left for work, and everything had been normal, and now, she’d come home to Chaos Comes to Christmas Town. “What are you doing?”

  “Getting ready for the Yule party, what else?” Fae came around the kitchen island and placed a light kiss on Sonia’s lips.

  “Party?” Sonia leaned next to the island and let the scent of baking goodies settle over her. Still dressed in her fetish costume from the day’s shoot, she felt like a pornographic elf.

  “I like the corset,” Fae crooned, her eyes sliding up and down the length of Sonia’s body.

  “Thanks. Monty said I could wear it home this time. It feels great.” Sonia did a pirouette and took a bow, letting her full breasts come dangerously close to falling out of the corset. It had been a long afternoon at the photo shoot, but Monty was happy with her work, so it had been worth it.

  “Mmmm. Someone is going to get a spanking for that one. Definitely on Santa’s naughty list.” Fae tisked and waggled her finger, reaching for a spatula.

  “What?” Sonia bit her lip and giggled, scurrying around the island. Something dinged, and she jumped. “What did I do?” Her voice rose in a panic, her eyes darting around the room to find the source of the sound.

  “You’ve n
ever baked cookies before?” Fae padded over to the oven and snapped up the hot pads camping on the counter. She opened the door to the oven, schlepped the pans out, and laid them on the stove. The spicy scent of freshly baked cookies filled the kitchen.

  “No.” Sonia turned away, more than a little awkward. “I’ve never really had Christmas or Yule before. It was always…I don’t know…something for other people. And about takeout.”

  Fae set the hot pads on the counter and came around the island. “I had no idea.”

  Sonia shrugged. “It wasn’t something I ever thought about. I modeled a sexy Santa suit here and there, but that’s been about it.” She walked over to the cookies, the spicy scent tempting her nostrils. “That smells amazing.”

  “Thanks.” Fae leaned back against the counter, lifting her eyebrows. “So, in all your years, you’ve never been to a Christmas party or a Yule celebration?”

  Sonia’s lips twitched, and she met her lover’s eyes. “You have to understand: I was an angel before I was changed into this.” She held out her arms and sighed. “I didn’t remember anything from before, and, like I said, the only time the holidays meant much was when Jeannie popped over for a drink or when I had to model for a magazine standing next to someone else’s Christmas tree.”

  “We always had Yule at my house.” Fae gazed off into space. “My mother was the neighborhood Yule goddess of light.” An amused smile tilted up her lips. “She had me baking cookies and making presents by hand at the age of ten.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Nope.” Fae grinned. “I keep forgetting you’ve only been here a couple of months. It feels like you’ve been a part of my life forever.” She walked over to Sonia and tugged her toward the living room.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Fae dragged her to the spare bedroom and pulled open the top of a chest of drawers.

  “Open your hand.”

  “Okay.” Sonia lifted her palm and cocked her head.

  “Here.”

  Sonia looked down and found a small, round shape made from yarn with beads sewn into it. The dark evergreen yarn was over-dyed, the colors natural and earthy. The beads sewn into the fiber were red and resembled shiny ornaments made in miniature. It was topped off with a red bow. The shape reminded her of something.

  “What is it?”

  “It’s a wreath, silly.” Fae chortled. “I made it last year. It gets slow at the shop, so sometimes I pick up my mother’s old crochet hook and make some quick presents for people. It’s fun.”

  “You made this?” Tears prickled behind Sonia’s eyes. “I can keep it?”

  “Of course.” Fae looked at her curiously. “Are you crying?”

  Sonia turned and shook her head. “No.” She stared at the tiny wreath and at the wonderful woman who surprised her every day and smiled. My first Christmas present. “I’m happy.”

  ***

  “I’m telling you, Monty, you won’t believe it.” Fae hugged the phone to her ear. “I want everyone over here right now. She’s gone to grab a bite of someone at the bar, and I need all you guys, tout de suite.”

  “She’s been to a Christmas party before.” Monty growled through the phone. “At least, I thought so. We had one at the studio a few years back.” Fae could positively hear him counting back the years in his head.

  “I don’t think so.” Fae shook her head, even though she realized the demon couldn’t see it. “She’s completely clueless about Christmas. They must have scrambled her brains pretty good when they changed her into a succubus. I mean, what kind of former angel hasn’t gotten the down low about gingerbread cookies and little crocheted wreaths? It’s unnatural.”

  “No, it isn’t. Our girl’s been through a lot.” Monty paused, his rich, chocolate voice revealing his surprise. “Come to think of it, she wasn’t there. Always ducked out before the festivities started. Every time.”

  “I thought so.” Fae mused. “Every year, we have the party over here at Forbidden Ink. It helps me keep relations with the customers, and with Cirque Nocturne hanging around longer than normal, I kind of want to have an extra fun one. I want them to stay in town. Will you help me give her a good Christmas? I want her to understand she’s got a family that loves her.”

  “She does.” Monty agreed. “The girl is special, but the guys can’t come right now, actually. There’s been some trouble at one of the clubs downtown. A zombie was sighted in one of the back alleys. Not a good situation.”

  “Crap.”

  “I know. Got to get a lid on it quick, or it’ll start to spread. But anyway…I digress. What time do you want this shindig to start?”

  Chapter Two

  “No, you hold it like this.” Fae grabbed Sonia’s hands and tried to position them around the crochet hook.

  Sonia squirmed in frustration. “I’m hopeless.” She moaned, holding out the knotted up piece of yarn and the ugly swatch of stitches. “This is hideous.”

  “No, you’re not hopeless,” Fae said. “But you are pretty frustrating.”

  “Hey!” Sonia’s lips slid into a frustrated pout.

  “Come on. Put that down for a minute. I want you to come into the kitchen. We have to make some crescent cakes for the party and stir the soup.”

  The whole second floor was decorated stem to stern with holly, Christmas trees, and garlands. Holiday music filled the air, and even Jellybean seemed to realize there was something going on. She roamed from table to table, sniffing out possible tidbits in need of rescue. Platters of chicken and vegetables were laid out along the sideboards, and an assortment of cakes and pies lined another table to the other side of the dining room. The tree sparkled in the front window, laden with white lights and crystal snowflakes. It was a dream.

  One of the girls she’d seen down in the shop nodded at Fae as she headed out the door.

  “Thanks, Wanda.”

  “You’re welcome! See you in a couple of hours.”

  “Did you drop by the bookstore and the bakery?”

  “Yes. Now, stop worrying.” Wanda grinned. “It’s going to be amazing.”

  Sonia gave Fae a dubious glance. “I’m not sure why you’re trying to make me into a domestic goddess, Fae. I’m not.” She frowned.

  “I realize that, but a few people from the shop are coming, and I wanted some time alone with you before they show up.” Fae winked. “Monty’s even coming this time.”

  Sonia perked up, laying down the offending crochet hook.

  “Whoop! Really?”

  “Yes. Perry and what’s-her-name are supposed to come, too.”

  Sonia rolled her eyes. “Her name is Charley.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Fae whistled as she finished a batch of cookies and slid them into the oven.

  “Whatever. She’s still a pain in the ass.”

  “Who else?” Sonia eyed her suspiciously. Her lover was hiding something.

  Fae looked down, pretending to be busy putting dishes in the dishwasher. “Oh, you know…a few people.”

  Sonia bit her lip and tried not to panic. “I’m not sure how to have Christmas, Fae.”

  “It’s easy, babe.” Fae tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear and smiled. “You just come to the party and gawk at the pretty lights, eat a few snacks, and if you’re especially good, you might get a present.”

  The timer dinged, and Fae reached down to take out the tray.

  “But you already gave me a present.” Sonia pointed to the small crocheted wreath pinned to her blue T-shirt.

  Fae blinked. “You haven’t taken it off.”

  “No. You gave it to me. It was my first Christmas present. Why would I ever take it off?”

  “How about I help you?” Fae pressed her lips to Sonia’s and wound her fingers in her hair. Her hands cupped Sonia’s breasts and Sonia moaned. “Come here.” The shimmering lights of the tree flickered in the darkness of the room. Fae urged her forward with beckoning fingers.

 
; Sonia sat down on the carpet in front of the tree.

  Fae followed close behind and sank down beside her onto the floor. Their lips met, and Fae groaned. “They’ll be here in an hour.”

  “Good. I want to see what you look like underneath my first Christmas tree.” Sonia breathed, desire moving under her skin like molten fire. “No clothes. Just you.”

  “Your eyes are so beautiful in this light.” Fae tugged Sonia down to meet her hungry lips. One of Fae’s fangs drew blood.

  “Ow!” Sonia drew back, quirking her lips into a grin. “So, you’re going to be feisty tonight. Oh, good.” Her life had changed so much since she had met Fae. The sex between them did something for Sonia on a primal level that went way beyond the norm. They fed off each other—Sonia giving blood, Fae giving her the life force she needed without having to feed as often. It was sexy and hot, and Sonia had never been as happy as she was right now. Her needs as a succubus were met, but there was so much more than that between them.

  “You have no idea.” Fae grinned, the feral being in her coming out to play. “Look under the tree there. The package with the red paper. Open it up.”

  “But I can’t open it yet. Christmas is still a few days away.” Sonia wiped a loose strand of hair out of her eyes.