A Very Furry Christmas
Chapter Two

Jason Lewis tugged at the crotch of his costume, cursing Nev for grabbing the roomier Santa suit first. This budget polar bear outfit with a zipper up the front resembled more of a onesie. Bedwear for the terminally cute wasn't something this six-foot-two ice hockey defenseman would usually be caught dead in. The women he was used to entertaining in a less than cuddly fashion would be most amused. Luckily, it was for a good cause, and he was always ready to help children in need.

"Jason!" The children's call prompted him to pull up his hood, complete with furry ears, and pull on his paws. They were the real reason he humiliated himself year after year. With more injuries than he cared to admit over the years and no loving home to go to at Christmas, he could empathize with those stuck here over the holidays. These weren't neglected or abused children, but they were in unfamiliar surroundings, and he was sure that was equally as scary. He was willing to do anything to bring some joy to little ones where he could.

"I'm coming, Santa." Hoisting his bag over one shoulder, he followed the call to arms.

The group of small people looked up at him with some trepidation, and he knelt down so as not to frighten them. Only one staff member stood with the children, and he made sure to address her directly after barging into the department. He read the badge pinned to her sunny yellow tunic. "Miss Caitlin, who do you think should get a present from Santa?"

The pretty redhead swept her bright green eyes over him. Only then did it cross his mind how ridiculous he might look to anyone over ten years old.

The Celtic-looking beauty blinked and licked her lips, drawing his attention to her full mouth. "I think all of the children deserve a gift, Mr. Polar Bear."

He swore she addressed him in a breathy Marilyn Monroe manner, which was totally inappropriate for their PG-rated audience, though his over-heated brain could have been mistaken. He was aware some women found the idea of a hockey player in their bed a fantasy come true, but this was the first time he'd caught someone's interest dressed like this. It was too good a disguise to make a woman believe he was soft and lovable when the opposite was the truth. He knew better than to encourage a flirtation with someone who looked so young and naïve. His needs demanded a partner who knew the ropes.

"Let's see what we've got in here." He focused on the reason he was here, opening the sack and passing the contents to Santa, who delivered the presents with the necessary jollity.

The children ripped off the wrapping with the usual impatience until the waiting room became awash with a sea of garish paper.

"I'm afraid we tend to leave a trail of devastation wherever we go." The need to apologize to the staff became necessary when the kids went haywire with the toys, but he'd yet to meet anyone who truly minded.

Caitlin came to stand beside him, patted his paw, and stroked his arm. "No trouble at all. It's great to see them enjoying themselves. Will you be staying long?"

"No. We're only passing through. Once the doctors have finished their rounds, we'll head up to the main wards." He backed away from the tactile staff member, doing his best not to encourage her. She didn't truly know the animal beneath the furry façade, had no clue what she could be getting herself into.

"Maybe I'll see you around then?" He heard the hope, and God forgive him; he couldn't get out of the place fast enough. She was beginning to intrigue him, and that could only spell trouble for both of them.

****

Shannon joined Caitlin to watch the polar bear's sexy, furry ass walk out the door. "Apparently, they're ice hockey players."

"Yeah?" That didn't impress Caitlin nearly as much as seeing the hunk dressed as a life-sized plushie.

"And that Scottish accent does things to me that I could probably get sacked for." Caitlin understood Shannon's response, with her own arousal hitting dangerous levels.

It had been a while since the end of her last relationship, and she'd believed she'd never replace anyone with the same interests. That's what it was going to take for her to settle down with anyone long-term. Someone who understood and didn't ridicule or tire of her after a short time. It was an area of her life she would no longer compromise over. Sex was a big part of a relationship, and a person's likes couldn't simply be switched off when deemed 'stupid' by another party. It was a long shot, but she was kind of hoping her ice hockey playing polar bear might just be exactly what she was looking for.

"Ah well, excitement over. You've got some new patients waiting for you." Shannon nodded to the group rifling through the craft cupboard, sending Caitlin back to work.

The minute the consultant called for his last patient, she packed up her box of activities and made her way to the wards. She visited every day to relieve the boredom of long-term patients and sometimes held their hands as they endured medical procedures no child should ever have to face. If she just happened to run into her furry fantasy as she made her rounds, so much the better. She wasn't usually bold enough to make her interest known to a member of the opposite sex, but with the chance to replace a like-minded soul, it might be worth her while just to take a chance.

****

The evidence of the North Pole visitors lay on every floor of every children's department in the hospital. It made Caitlin's job a lot harder to get the ward sisters' approval for her to tend to the already over-excited children, and her hopes of running into Jason again were fading fast. Missing him by minutes as she did her rounds.

As she packed up her box of tricks at the end of the day, it was with a sigh of resignation that she'd be going home tonight alone, something she was used to. Her whole life seemed to have been spent on her own. Growing up in foster homes, being moved from pillar to post had prepared her for her spinsterhood. Never replaceing the right connection with anyone that made them want to love her unconditionally. That didn't mean she wasn't still searching for it.

Perhaps she had built her hopes up that the attraction with Jason hadn't been one-sided, but she thought she'd seen the flicker of interest in his eyes too when she'd touched him. She supposed it didn't matter. He didn't come across as the shy type, and if he'd wanted to see her out of work, he probably would've sought her out himself.

Caitlin walked down the corridor, her dejection there in her slow pace. In no rush to get home to her empty flat. The only thing that cheered her was the sight of the tinsel-strung halls and the curtain of dangling snowflakes creating a lovely winter wonderland for her to walk through. Even better, she spotted a certain polar bear pushing his way through the paper decorations to meet her.

"Hello again." Her fingers itched to slide into the fleecy white fabric of his outer skin. She tightened her hold on the toy box instead.

"Hello." Jason smiled but couldn't quite meet her eye. For a split-second, Caitlin thought he might walk on by. Ending all hope of seeing him outside of work and replaceing out more about what made him tick. "Hey. We're having our own Christmas party at the rink tomorrow night if you and your friend fancy it?" Thankfully, Santa appeared and saved the day. He fished in his fur-lined pocket and handed her two tickets. "Aren't we a tad old for a kid's party?" As much as she wanted an excuse to see Jason again, this seemed a stretch too far. With no family, she had no nephews or nieces she could drag along as an excuse.

"This is strictly adults only." Santa winked, and she almost wished he would trade costumes with the surly bear. He hadn't given her any indication that he wanted her to attend, and she thought she'd completely misjudged the situation. "Come on, Nev." Dancing impatiently from paw to paw, Jason clearly didn't echo his mate's friendly demeanor. But this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fulfill her fantasies, and Caitlin didn't intend to let him get away so easily.

****