A Very Merry Iona Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page A

when she was near him. That tingly thing was back
and she was so damn aware of him that he felt right even when she knew it was
wrong.
    ‘I have no damn
idea what a bingo is, but I’m betting it’s not good.’
    “I would never hurt…”
Mason wanted to ease her fears.
    He got it now. Why she
took off. She was protecting her young. That was something that he could
understand. Now he needed to make her understand that it was now his job to do
that.
    “She’s not yours…”
Carly stated the obvious.
    ‘Go ahead, rub it
in…’  Iona sighed. ‘ Girl, you got
a thing or two to learn about shifters.’
    “You think I don’t
know that?” Mason gave a small chuckle. Right now he wanted to rip the bastard
that put a hand on his mate apart. He was more than aware that the child was
someone else’s.
    “Hi…” Hope drew his
attention downwards. His eyes met her bright blue ones and he felt a little
piece of his heart melt. Thankfully she looked like her mother…
    “Hi.” Mason offered
back as he noted the way that Carly’s hand wrapped around the child’s shoulders
and she drew her against her legs.
    ‘ Introduce them
then…’ Iona put in with disbelief.
    “He was just leaving…”
Carly informed her daughter.
    “Carly…” Mason wanted
her to give him a chance to prove himself. Just one chance was all that he
needed and she’d see that he was no danger to her child.
    “I’ll see you at work…”
She lied and he noticed again. Carly went to close the door…
    “I’m Hope. You’re big…”
Hope grinned up at him and another little piece of his heart melted. Her mother
wanted him gone, but the child was as open as a book. He liked that about kids;
they didn’t come with preconceived prejudices. That had to be learned.
    “Yes I am, but big
isn’t always bad…” Mason informed her, but Carly knew who that jibe was aimed
at.
    ‘ The big bad wolf?
Really. The man’s a pussy cat.’ Iona chuckled at her own funny. ‘ Look at
those puppy dog eyes. Damn, I think he’s even wagging his imaginary tail…’
    “This is Princess
Zara…” Hope informed him as she held up the doll that had seen better days.
    ‘ That Princess has
been round the block a few times.’   Iona scoffed and Carly groaned
inwardly.
    Haven’t we all,
Iona. Now shut up unless you have something important to say.
    “Well, she’s pretty,
but not as pretty as you. Princess Hope.” Mason beamed her a smile and Hope
returned it. Carly needed him gone.
    “Mason…”
    “Did you want to come
in and have some dinner with us?” Hope asked and Carly almost bit her own
tongue off.
    ‘ Ah. She’s just too
cute…’ Iona chuckled.
    I’m going to kill
her. This is just not happening to me.
    “Well, thank you, Princess,
but a gentleman invites a lady out to dine…” Mason offered and Hope grinned
harder.
    “Mason…” Carly warned,
but it was too late. Hope was already bursting with excitement.
    “Can we mummy?” Hope
bounced in place.
    ‘ Go on, say yes.
Look how exited she is… Don’t go crushing everybody’s hope today, no pun
intended.’
    Damn it Iona, stop
talking. I can’t think when you chatter on like that…
    ‘ Cool, because we
all know where your thinking is leading, and that’s not productive…’ Iona
sniped back.
    “Can you, Carly?”
Mason asked and Carly felt that same need to head butt the damn wall.
    “I…”
    “Please?” Hope gave
her that pleading look…
    “Please.” Mason smiled.
    ‘ Pretty please with
a damn cherry on top and some whipped cream, and chocolate…’ Iona was just
too damn much.
    “Fine.” Carly bit out
with a big dollop of frustration, but only because she wanted Iona to stop.
    “Yea!” Hope bounced in
excitement again.
    ‘ Yea!’ Iona
teased.
    “Bite me…” Carly bit
out.
    “Excuse me?” Mason
almost choked on his own tongue and for a heartbeat Carly didn’t understand,
but then she realised that she’d said it out loud.
    “Not you. Long story…”
She