A McCarthy Christmas [Moonlight Shifters 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read online

  Moonlight Shifters 7

  A McCarthy Christmas

  Jonah McCarthy loves his mate Brie. But sharing her with his brother Sebastian weighs too heavily on his heart. He can no longer stand by and pretend he's happy as he watches from the shadows as Sebastian’s life with their mate flourishes. Something has to change and leaving the only woman he's ever loved is the only solution that makes sense.

  Brie’s heart is shattered when her marriage to Jonah is threatened. Loving her mates made her whole and she’ll do anything to remind them of the bond they had forged together. Desperate, she calls upon the assistance of the pack.

  Jonah struggles to find his way, but when Brie and Sebastian’s daughter, Kayla goes missing, he is consumed with the need to find her. When the snow begins to fall and the Christmas season lingers in the air, Jonah is forced to face the demons that have clouded his mind and the selfish desires that have crippled his heart.

  Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Vampires/Werewolves

  Length: 27,121 words

  A MCCARTHY CHRISTMAS

  Moonlight Shifters 7

  Morgan Fox

  MENAGE AMOUR

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Ménage Amour

  A MCCARTHY CHRISTMAS

  Copyright © 2015 by Morgan Fox

  E-book ISBN: 978-1-63259-854-7

  First E-book Publication: December 2015

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2015 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  Letter to Readers

  Dear Readers,

  If you have purchased this copy of A McCarthy Christmas by Morgan Fox from BookStrand.com or its official distributors, thank you. Also, thank you for not sharing your copy of this book.

  Regarding E-book Piracy

  This book is copyrighted intellectual property. No other individual or group has resale rights, auction rights, membership rights, sharing rights, or any kind of rights to sell or to give away a copy of this book.

  The author and the publisher work very hard to bring our paying readers high-quality reading entertainment.

  This is Morgan Fox’s livelihood. It’s fair and simple. Please respect Morgan Fox’s right to earn a living from her work.

  Amanda Hilton, Publisher

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  www.BookStrand.com

  DEDICATION

  For all the readers who love the Moonlight Shifters this story is for you. Thank you for your continued love and support.

  This book is dedicated to my husband for always knowing the perfect things to say to me and reeling me in when I’m too close to the edge. I love you so much.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  About the Author

  A MCCARTHY CHRISTMAS

  Moonlight Shifters 7

  MORGAN FOX

  Copyright © 2015

  Chapter One

  Jonah McCarthy loved his mate, Brie. She belonged to him. His soul told him they were joined beyond the simple vows they had spoken to each other on their wedding day. They were bonded forever by something more powerful than words alone.

  It was the one thing in his life that he was sure of. Lately, what troubled him was feeling like he was the only one in their unique relationship that seemed as though he were standing on the outside looking in.

  Sebastian, his brother and pack leader was technically Brie’s husband in the eyes of Texas and even though Jonah and Brie had been married by the laws that governed their pack, he still felt less than equal. Brie shared two children with Sebastian. Other than himself, Jonah offered her nothing.

  For more than four years, Jonah watched his brother’s life flourish. Pack business was functioning better than ever. The only thing missing from Sebastian’s perfect life was a son, a male heir to the mighty McCarthy throne.

  I’m sure Sebastian will succeed in changing that, when it’s his turn to mate with Brie again.

  According to the arrangement he’d made with Sebastian, it was now Jonah’s turn to have a child with their mate. But his window of opportunity was closing fast, and the pressure was almost enough to drive him mad.

  What was I thinking?

  Jonah had spent most of his life in Sebastian’s shadow. Something that hadn’t bothered him until now.

  He never wanted to be alpha leader. That was a role groomed for men like Sebastian and Dominic Mercer, their second in command. Jonah had always had the gentle calm and humor needed to diffuse a situation. He liked that about himself, embraced it. The jealousy he now felt was unsettling, and it burned a hole in his gut that only festered the more he saw Sebastian’s life becoming more perfect.

  It feels as if I’m dying a little each day. When he kisses his sweet daughters good night each evening, my heart breaks. Damn it, I want to know what it’s like to feel that kind of love.

  “Why do you look like you just stepped in shit?”

  He scrubbed the hardened grimace from his face and slanted a softer look toward Brie. He hadn’t realized he’d visibly worn so much of his emotions.

  She leaned against the doorframe on the porch, her floor-length blue dress with its white cardigan sweater draped loosely around her figure. She asked, “Anything I can do?”

  He shifted his gaze away from her to watch the blowing wind rustle through the evergreen trees. Even the cooler temperatures left a chill upon his heart, and he stirred, wishing that he could’ve said yes. But the timing was off.

  “I’m thinki
ng.” Not exactly a lie, but not the full truth either.

  She moved toward him and positioned her slender body between his legs, shimmying herself closer, forcing him to shift to make room for her. She didn’t give him the option to look away again as she clasped his face in her hands. “Stop thinking so hard. It will give you wrinkles.”

  “Will it?” He smiled. “Do werewolves get wrinkles?”

  She nibbled her lower lip, running her fingers along the lines of his face. “They do if they frown too much.” She kissed his cheeks, nose, and mouth.

  God, he loved her. More and more each day. Maybe that was why he felt so much disappointment in failing to do something as simple as get her pregnant. Sebastian had managed to do it twice.

  Asshole.

  He released a breath of annoyance.

  What’s wrong with me? Why do I keep falling short?

  “So did Sebastian do something annoyingly big brother again?” She dragged her moistened lips over his cheek and jaw, and then nibbled on the lobe of his ear. “I know he can be a challenge, at times.”

  The flexing muscles in his cheeks and diaphragm encouraged him to laugh, but his mind wouldn’t allow it. “When is he not?”

  “True,” she replied, hiking up her dress to straddle his lap. Once in place, she rolled her hips forward to ride him. His cock pulsed beneath his jeans. “You know, it’s just the two of us at home right now.”

  He quirked a brow. Being home alone was rare. Kayla and Kerri were always around and when they weren’t Sebastian or her best friend, Tabitha, was. “Stop teasing.”

  She held up two fingers, as if to pledge an oath. “Sebastian took Kayla and Kerri to a friend’s house for a playdate.”

  His head was clouded with troubling thoughts, making it impossible to feel gratitude for their moment alone. He should savor it, have her in his arms, stripping her bare, and making love to her. Damn, he should be doing anything, but moping. But he couldn’t seem to get his mind, body, and heart to function in unison.

  “Babe, what’s wrong?”

  He forced a smile. “Nothing,” he lied. He’d been hiding his unsettling thoughts for so long, he was starting to forget to mask them.

  She inclined her head, telling him that she was calling out bullshit. Brie was a smart woman, intuitive. Quickly he told her, “Really, sweetheart. I’m fine.”

  Before she could argue with him, drill him for the truth, he kissed her. He hoped that it would offer a distraction, not only from his wayward thoughts, but hers as well. And as good as the kiss felt, as much as he’d hoped it would spark the desire he needed to pleasure her, it wasn’t. He weaved his fingers into her hair and pressed their foreheads together.

  “I need to get back to Dallas tonight. I have a client coming in first thing in the morning.” Damn, he was getting too good at lying to her.

  And myself.

  “It’s Christmas break for the office. I don’t remember anyone on the books for you this week. Did I miss something?” She looked distraught.

  “No, it was last minute.”

  “Can it wait?” Her words were soft and a bit worrisome.

  He brushed his fingers over her cheek. “No,” he said matter-of-factly. “It can’t. You know how our clients can be.”

  She frowned slightly, and he could feel her mind working. “Why don’t I come back to Dallas with you? I could help you.”

  He chuckled. “Oh, sure. Leave Sebastian with Kayla-and-Kerri duty. I bet he’d love that.” There was no point in hiding his sarcasm from Brie. Sebastian was a great father, but he was no babysitter. He played with Kayla and Kerri, loved them, and took them for ice cream. He needed Brie for everything else. At least, that’s how it appeared.

  “Sebastian’s more than capable. Don’t let that stop you from—”

  “It’s best I go alone,” he said, cutting her off before she could invite herself along again. His chest grew tight as he watched her frown deepen, and she coldly moved off his lap.

  “Well, it sounds like you’ve made up your mind. Forgive me for thinking we actually could use some time together.”

  “Brie,” he started.

  She turned to leave, but added, “I don’t know what’s going on with you, Jonah, but there’s something. I can feel it. When you want to talk, come find me.”

  “Brie,” he breathed.

  “No. Don’t do that Brie thing with me. If you can’t be honest with me, then there’s no point.” She shook her head, as if to clear her thoughts. “I can’t do this right now. We have guests arriving in a few days, and I have a lot to finish before they do. You’re probably doing me a favor by not wanting me to go with you anyway.”

  With her eyes glossy, she left him sitting on the porch. The weather turned colder and the wind blew harder. He rubbed a stiff hand over his face, hating himself for upsetting her. Shit, he was making a mess of things, and he wasn’t even trying. Why couldn’t he just appreciate the beautiful woman who loved him and be happy?

  Maybe he needed time away from his perfect brother. Maybe Jonah needed time away from Brie to miss what he had. Later, he’d call Sebastian and tell him that he planned to stay at the company loft. He didn’t know for how long. He only knew he had no other choice.

  * * * *

  Brie’s heart was broken. With all the fey magic she possessed, she still couldn’t read Jonah’s mind, unless he let her. His face was consumed with worry. The deep lines around his eyes were as expressive as the words he refused to speak.

  Her stomach knotted as she touched her belly—the place where new life was growing. Today was supposed to be the day she told him their joyous news. She’d kept the secret for weeks, wanting to make sure the home tests were accurate. They were. She and Jonah were expecting. Finally.

  Christmas was supposed to be a magical time of year. The announcement of a baby was going to renew the joy in their lives. But now she didn’t know if hearing the news would’ve made Jonah happy or troubled him even more. There was a sudden disconnect between them that had never been there before. Without that bond, the union she’d always felt, she was lost.

  After a few weeks of avoiding intimacy with her, she wondered if Jonah no longer wanted to share her with Sebastian. What if telling him she was pregnant only drove a deeper wedge between them and made Jonah feel trapped?

  She was no fool. A love triangle had its challenges. And as she thought back, she recalled many occasions where Jonah was absent when both Sebastian and the kids were around.

  She sobbed softly and brushed away the fallen tears. She didn’t want Jonah to see her cry. Not now. Not when she didn’t have any answers and she was a hormonal mess.

  A soft knock came from the bedroom door. She stood and faced Jonah as he entered. He looked as devastated as she felt.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered, closing the distance between them and pulled her against him. “I’m an asshat.”

  She nuzzled against his chest. “Yes, you are.” She eased back to see his slight smile. “But I still love you.”

  He brushed his thumb over her lower lip as his fingers glided up and down the flesh of her neck. “I love you too.” He kissed her and said, “I’m going to stay in Dallas for a while.”

  Her world began to spin. What the hell was happening? “Why?”

  “I told you that I’ve got a client meeting.”

  “But you’re staying in Dallas. Why can’t you work from here? It’s Christmas, Jonah.”

  “I know.”

  Her heart beat like a freight train, and her lower lip quivered, as she asked, “Is it me?”

  His jaw slackened and he clung to her. “No. God, no. Why would you even think that?”

  She scoffed, her eyes rounding and she pressed her hands to his chest to force them apart. “I don’t know, Jonah. Maybe it has to do with the fact that we don’t talk. You avoid me. Shit, we don’t even sleep in the same bed anymore.”

  “That’s not true,” he argued.

  She balled her hands on h
is chest, as if she were about to pound them against him. There was no mistaking the desire to do just that. “It’s not. When’s that last time you slept in bed with me? When’s the last time we made love?” He couldn’t look at her. “I’ll tell you. Two weeks and three days ago. That was the last time you slept in our marriage bed. The last time you really touched me.” Her eyes watered. “I want to know what’s going on. I can’t take this worrying about you. About us.”

  He stepped back. “I don’t know what to tell you, Brie. I don’t know what you want me to say.”

  “How about the truth?” Her heart sank to her belly as a terrifying thought surfaced. “Is there someone else?”

  “Someone else?” His face grew red. “Damn it, Brie, stop doing that. Stop assuming the worst of me. Fuck sake, I know I’m not perfect Sebastian, but give me a little fucking credit for being a decent guy.” He growled. “I would never cheat on you.”

  She shook, her nerves stretched thin. “Then tell me what it is. Tell me why you won’t—”

  “I can’t,” he shouted, then calmed himself. “I just can’t do this anymore.”

  “Do what?” She whimpered. “Be married to me?”

  He raked his fingers through his hair, stepping further away. His eyes glistened with unspent tears. “I can’t sit back anymore and pretend I’m happy. I’m not. This life—the one you share with my brother—” he swallowed hard— “there’s just no room in it for me.”

  She gasped, her world collapsing. She was dying inside. The thought of being without Jonah was killing her. “What are you saying?”