“I’m here because you didn’t do as I asked.”
“Did so.” I put my hands on my hips, turning to face him. “There is your Rudolph. I took him just as you asked.”
“Your coat choice is ridiculous for this weather. I’m getting you proper winter wear tomorrow. You can’t be walking around in that flimsy thing. You’ll catch a cold.”
Why does he care if I catch a cold? And how did he miss the entire germ theory revelation of the 19th century?
“My jacket is fine. I haven’t gotten a chance to get a new coat. I gave mine to Mr. Claus’s dog.”
“You gave your coat to a dog?”
“Hey!” I hold up a finger. “Don’t go spreading that around town. People might get the wrong idea. I’m not some big dog lover or anything.” I peek over at Grinchy.
She’s not listening to a word I’m saying. Her attention is focused on Sebastian. I swear she looks like one of those cartoon characters that’s been love struck and has little hearts dancing above her head. What has gotten into her? “Mr. Claus is outside a lot this time of year, and he always has his dog with him. She looked cold, so I gave her my coat. That’s all there is to it.”
“She gave her coat to a dog,” he mumbles as he runs his hand down his face. He looks hot as hell with that frustrated look on his face.
“Why don’t you be helpful and help me move Rudolph into the tub?” I walk back over to the lonely little reindeer and open the bathroom door to get him tucked away for safekeeping until I can figure out where I’m going to hide him for the game.
“You are not giving it a bath.”
“That would be stupid. Why would I give it a bath? Besides, it’s got electrical cords for the nose. Runs on a circuit that I had to sever and reconnect for the other reindeer to continue blinking and being cute.”
“You did that?”
I smile. “Jack of all trades, master of none. Remember? School counselor called it ‘idiot savant ADHD,’ but tomayto, tomahto, right?” I try to shove Rudolph toward the bathroom.
“Someone called you an idiot?” His voice is almost a growl.
I point to the giant reindeer. “Focus, Sebastian.”
He arches a brow in that sexy way of his. Sebastian really is odd. The hot ones are never too bright. Not that I have any experience with them. I’m just going by what Mrs. Graham says, and I think she might be right. I grab on to Rudolph to pull him into the bathroom. “Wait, did you say something about putting me over your knee? Why would you put me over your knee?” I give a tug. How can plastic be so darn heavy?
“To spank your little ass.”
“What!” I squeak as a strange thrill shoots through my body. I jerk to stand up straight, knocking over Rudolph as I do. He crashes into the door, his nose cracks, and a piece falls to the ground. I stare down at it.
“I’m going to jail!” I realize seconds before I burst into tears.
5
Sebastian
Tears.
There are tears.
Before I even know what I’m doing, I’ve scooped Merry into my arms.
She gasps, but then cries some more and snuggles against my chest.
I have to admit it doesn’t feel … bad. In fact, it feels … If I’m being honest, it feels fucking amazing.
“Merry.” Is that a soothing tone in my voice? I didn’t even think I was capable of a sound remotely like that.
“Yes?” She sniffles.
She’s so light in my arms, like a little doll. One with curves and warm skin and plump lips. I need to put her down and stop this unprofessional foolishness. I don’t. I hold her. I even tighten my grip.
“You’re not going to jail.”
“I broke him.” She points. “Just look at that mess. I broke the magical Rudolph. I’m a terrible person.”
“Absolutely not.” I almost shake her, but I don’t. Instead, I lift her higher so she can nestle in the crook of my neck. God, is that her lips against my throat?
The room is suddenly too small, too hot, too everything. But I still can’t seem to let go of my wayward elf.
“Please stop crying.” I rock her a little as her cat glares at me. It’s almost as if the creature is … jealous?
“I’m trying.” More sniffles.
“We can fix it.”
“We can?” She pulls back and meets my eyes. Then she blinks, and a smile blooms across her angelic face. “Well, of course we can. What am I even crying about? I just need some E-6000—have you ever used that glue? It’s the absolute best. Could glue a crow to a bale of hay. And then I can check the electronics and rewire if I need to.” She even kicks her legs a little.
I have no idea what she just said to me, but I’m glad she’s happy again. Still, I can’t seem to put her down.
I clear my throat. “You do realize there’s absolutely no chance you’re getting that reindeer into your bathtub, right?”
She looks over at the absolutely bonkers matchup of oversized reindeer to small bathroom door. “Not without a saw.”
I’m about to suggest that’s a great idea. Destroy it completely and then burn what’s left. But then she says, “But I couldn’t do that to poor Rudolph.” She shivers. “Besides, I don’t think I have enough E-6000 to put the whole thing back together, either. Hmmm.”
I should put my foot down and tell her what happens to the reindeer is immaterial to her. That it belongs to me now. Instead, I ask, “Is there anywhere else we could stash it?”
She looks up. “There’s an empty apartment over mine, but I don’t think I can get Rudolph up the stairs.” She runs her hand down my chest in an absentminded way that sets my entire body on fire.
“I’ll handle it.”
“But Mrs. Graham won’t let you just—”
“She’s the landlord?”
“Yes.” She nods. “Lives next door. You’ll help me?”
“I’ll handle all of it. But I need something from you in return. After all, I don’t give out free favors.”
“Oh.” Her face falls a little. “I guess that’s fair. What do you want?”
That question opens an entire universe of desires. Some of them darker than anything my sweet little wayward elf could imagine. God, the things I would do to her. Utter ruination. But the fucking pleasure would be worth it. For both of us.
“Sebastian?”
I realize I’ve been trapped in my imaginings for a moment too long. “In exchange, you must promise me no more tears.”
“Like ever or right now?”
“I would prefer ever, but I can’t form a contract with terms that last into perpetuity without my lawyer drawing something up. I’m sure you understand. So I’ll settle for right now.”
She wipes her cheeks dry, then rests her palm against my chest again in that maddening, comforting, utterly sexy way. “Deal.”
We look at each other, and I’m drawn closer to her. I can’t stop. It’s like her mouth is utterly irresistible. I’ve lost my mind. And the strangest thing of all is that she closes her eyes. As if she wants me to kiss her. How could that be?