Merry Cris Moose (Otter Cove Shifters #9)

Chapter 1

Chapter

One

KEELY

O tter Cove, Alaska

Keely Blake rushed through the snow-dusted streets of Otter Cove, her boots crunching against the fresh layer of ice beneath her feet. Arms laden with prototype toys, drawings, and schematics, she muttered a string of curses at the biting wind that whipped her auburn hair into a frenzy.

“That’s no way for a pretty toy designer to talk,” called Zak Grayson as she hurried past him.

“Shut up, Zak,” she called good naturedly.

Zak laughed. Zak was the sheriff in Otter Cove and a good friend. He’d recently found his fated mate, Sienna, and the once grumpy sheriff and now seemed to be in a perpetually good mood.

Late again. Why am I always late? Well, this morning it was because her car had sputtered to a stop two blocks from the office. Her cheeks were flushed both from the cold and her rush to make it to an important meeting on time.

The small town where she had been born and raised was picturesque at any time of year, but during the holiday season the twinkling lights and snow-draped trees made it look like a postcard. Unfortunately, the lovely setting did little to ease the nervous energy knotting in her stomach. Today was important. ‘A mysterious new client.’ Her boss' words echoed in her head, and the hint of intrigue only fueled her anxiety. Their clients were usually regional business owners or parents looking for custom toy designs, but if her boss was to be believed, this was big—massive, even.

She knew the company hadn’t been doing well, mostly because the current owner, Warren Schultz, was an abysmal businessman. Keely was convinced that the only reason he was the president was because Schultz Toys had been founded by his great, great grandfather and it had always been a privately-owned and run company.

Current rumor had it that Warren was looking to move the company to Seattle or sell it. Either way, Keely felt her days were numbered. At first that had made her angry, but then she’d begun to dream and then to think about going out on her own as a consultant or toy-designer for hire. She didn’t know if there was any money to be made, but she loved Otter Cove and couldn’t imagine living in the lower forty-eight.

Finally, she reached the small warehouse that served as Schultz Toys’ headquarters.

“Morning, Keely,” called George, the security man. Security was kind of a misnomer, as she wasn’t sure George could keep a kitten out, much less someone intent on physical harm or working to steal company secrets. But still, it was nice to have him around. When she worked late, he often insisted on driving her home.

The warmth of the lobby was a welcome respite from the bitter cold outside. “George, is that CEO guy here?”

“Already in the conference room.”

“Shit.”

“Not to worry, Keely. You give me your coat and other things. Take a minute to catch your breath and do whatever it is you ladies do in the restroom and then just head in there. I’ll make sure the rest of your things get to your office.”

He really was a dear man. The fact that he was also a deer-shifter made her smile. “You’re the best, George,” she said, handing him everything but what she needed for the meeting.

Taking his suggestion, she slipped into the restroom, straightened her clothing, made sure her hair didn’t look too much of a mess, pasted on a bright smile, gathered her things and then headed into the conference room. Keely’s mind raced as she approached the conference room doors.

She entered through the large glass door and immediately recognized the man with his back turned to her, looking out the large wall of windows onto the harbor. Cris Sutton, CEO of North Star Toys. North Star was a giant in the industry; their toys were unique, well-made, and sold all over the world in the best shops.

Straightening her back, she set her things down on the conference table and then walked around to meet him as he turned to see who’d come through the door.

“Mr. Sutton? I’m Keely Blake. Warren asked me to meet with you. I’m so sorry I’m late.”

She was surprised she could get that much out as anything else she might have said was caught in her throat as he extended his hand to her. His pictures did not do the man justice. He was gorgeous—drop dead, jaw dropping, can’t speak gorgeous.

Tall and broad-shouldered with dark brown hair, a close-cropped full beard, and intense dark eyes, he exuded a raw, primal energy. His muscular physique, accentuated by his tight-fitting jeans, left little to the imagination, especially when it came to what she was pretty sure was an impressive bulge contained within them. He was the epitome of an alpha male, a role he seemed to embrace with every fiber of his being.

He was mesmerizing, but perhaps it was that he just seemed to embody every erotic fantasy she’d ever had. His piercing dark eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop spinning. His chiseled features were at odds with the bright, whimsical atmosphere his toy company was known for. No warm smiles or jovial energy here—just raw, dominant, animal magnetism. Get it together, Keely.

"Ms. Blake." His voice was low, rough, with a hint of something she couldn’t quite place. "I believe you have some designs to show me."

All business. Okay, I can handle that. His gaze flicked briefly to the pile of toys scattered on the table and the drawings laid out haphazardly beside them. Keely suddenly realized how ridiculous she must look—red-faced and snow-dusted with her things scattered across the table. She stifled a nervous laugh.

"Yes, right," she stammered, fumbling to spread out the colorful, handcrafted pieces in a more organized way that would allow him to look at and touch things. Her fingers brushed a small wooden dragon, and she focused on the familiar texture to steady her nerves. "These are my latest prototypes—interactive toys for kids. I designed them to inspire creativity and adventure." She lifted her eyes to meet his, but Cris’s expression remained unreadable. “Our IT department is working on a program where kids can scan their toys into an interactive game.”

Keely’s heart thudded in her chest as she continued, describing the intricate details of each toy. But Cris wasn’t looking at the toys. No, his gaze kept returning to her—intense and unwavering, as if he were studying her every move, every breath. It was as if she could feel the weight of that gaze, her pulse quickening under his scrutiny. There was something about him that pulled her in despite the gruff demeanor he projected.

"Interesting," Cris said after a long moment, his voice sending a shiver down her spine. "Your designs are... imaginative."

He was known as a man of few words who played his cards close to his vest. North Star Toys was located in a remote area to the north. Very few details were known about the company, other than it was a leader in the toy industry and that those who worked for them rarely, if ever, left. A compliment coming from him meant something to Keely. But it wasn’t just the words, it was the heat in his gaze that sent another, entirely different surge of energy coursing through her system.

"Thank you," she said, her voice soft, betraying the tension that was building between them. She hadn’t expected this. Hadn’t expected him.

He stepped closer, his imposing frame seeming to fill the space, and the air between them felt charged, crackling with an unspoken attraction neither could deny. Cris’s eyes softened ever so slightly, but his voice remained steady. "I like what I see. You’ve put a lot of thought into these designs. I can see your passion for what you do. Too bad Warren Schultz is a fool. I came to see your designs, but my ulterior motive was to meet you."

“Me?”

He nodded. “You.”

Keely’s breath caught. There was something in the way he said it that made her think he wasn’t just talking about her work. Her mind raced, torn between professionalism and the growing tension in the room. She couldn’t ignore it—the way he was looking at her, the subtle electricity that hummed between them like an undercurrent of desire.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. The room, the toys, the snow falling gently outside. It was just her and Cris, standing far too close for this to be a normal business meeting.

"Your company’s reputation for cheerful design and quality workmanship…" she began, trying to keep the conversation on track, but her voice wavered as he stepped even closer. "You’re not exactly what I was expecting, if I’d been expecting you at all.”

“Oh?” he asked, arching a dark eyebrow at her.

“Warren didn’t give me specifics. He just told me I would be meeting with a new prospective client.”

“Knowing Schultz, he told you I could be a ‘big’ client.”

She grinned. She didn’t know what else to say. She was too aware of how close he had come, how his scent—a mix of cedar and something darker—filled the air between them. Her skin prickled with awareness, and she wondered if he felt it too, this undeniable pull between them. It was probably all in her mind. He was most likely happily married. She snuck a glance at his ring finger—nothing there, not even a tan line. The tension was almost unbearable now, the room feeling too small, too intimate.

"Would it surprise you to know North Star tried to buy Schultz toys?”

“Yes. Yes, it would,” she stammered.

“Schultz wouldn’t sell. Well, that’s not true, but he wanted to sell at more than twice what the company is worth. My people tried to tell me if you were part of the deal, it would be worth it. My current head designer, Tinker, said if I saw your toys in person, I’d be hooked. He was right. So instead of buying the company, I guess I’ll have to settle for buying its toys and perhaps getting to know its head designer better."

Keely’s breath caught in her throat, her heart thudding against her ribcage as she met his gaze, her pulse racing with a mix of excitement and anticipation. She knew she should step back, put some space between them, but she couldn’t. She didn’t want to. The intensity in his eyes, the raw magnetism of his presence—it was intoxicating.

If Warren really was trying to sell the company or move it south, Cris Sutton and North Star Toys might just be her first client. The weight of Cris’s words seemed to be heavy with unspoken promises. Promises she was sure she was imagining. His dark eyes remained locked on hers, and for a moment, she couldn’t move—could barely breathe under the intensity of his gaze. Her mind spun, searching for something to break the tension, but nothing came. Every thought, every professional boundary, evaporated in the heat of the moment.

“Dinner,” Cris said abruptly, his deep voice slicing through the thick air. It wasn’t a question, but the command wasn’t harsh, either. “Tonight.” He shook his head, grinning. “That came out rather harsh. Let me try again. I’d like to take you to dinner.”

Keely blinked, her pulse spiking in disbelief. This wasn’t happening, was it? The CEO of North Star Toys was asking her out? Her heart raced, and her common sense struggled to catch up with her desire.

She swallowed hard, trying to find her footing. "Dinner?" she repeated, as if she hadn’t heard him right the first time. It felt like such a normal word in the middle of all the electricity swirling between them.

Cris's lips quirked into the faintest hint of a smile, his gaze never leaving hers. "Yes, Keely. Dinner. You know, that meal in the evening where you eat? Dinner. Tonight. Are you interested?"

There was a certainty in his tone, an assurance that made her heart flutter. But the way he said her name sent shivers down her spine. Every part of her wanted to say yes, even though she knew it was a bad idea, even though she could already feel herself stepping past the line of professionalism. She should decline, she really should—but that magnetic pull was too strong.

"I’d like that," she said softly, her words hanging in the charged air between them.

His smile deepened, satisfaction glinting in his eyes as if he had known what her answer would be all along. "Good. I’ll pick you up at seven."

Keely’s head was spinning long after Cris left the conference room. Her body still hummed with the tension that had built between them, and as the day passed in a haze of nervous anticipation, she couldn’t focus on anything but what awaited her tonight.

She went back to her office in something of a haze and then left early. She hadn’t been on a date in months, maybe longer. She needed to go for a run, get cleaned up, wash her hair, shave all the necessary parts, and figure out what the hell she was going to wear to dinner with the sexiest man she’d ever met.