Page 19 of Santa's Knotty Workshop

Maybe it was the emotions of early pregnancy, but that brought tears to my eyes. I’d been so worried I wasn’t going to live up to my new title. And for a small time, that had been a very real possibility. That lube spill had been the test of all tests. Yay me for having silk pajamas and knowing what to do because that could’ve ended really poorly.

“Thank you,” I said. “That really means a lot.”

“Go on and get some rest. I’m sure you’ll want to be up and about when Santa comes home.”

I grinned. I definitely wanted to be up and awake. I had plans for my mate. I wanted to fulfill the special little fantasy he had told me about, and I needed to be well-rested to do it.

“Thanks, Willy. Don’t stay out too late.”

“Oh, I won’t. But I might find me a little entertainment for the evening.”

I hoped he did. He deserved a fun night out.

Chapter 12

Nick

Early Christmas Morning

The sack lay empty in the back of the sleigh, and I steered the reindeer toward home. I enjoyed Christmas Eve night. Dropping all the gifts into the unsuspecting adult’s stockings filled me with a happiness that was unrivaled. Until now.

I could imagine their surprise, delight, and inevitable arousal when they opened their naughty gifts on Christmas morning.Any other year I would have savored that feeling and drawn out the night until the last possible moment.

This year, though, I was in a rush to get home. I had a mate waiting for me. I shouldn’t have been so far from him so soon after our claiming.

The night had gone with no issues, thank the candy canes. I was heading home earlier than normal. The reindeer sensed my desire to be home and they flew faster than ever before.

When we landed in the square of the Naughty Workshop town, the elves gave a raucous applause. They all gathered outside, just as they had when I left.

As we returned home, the reindeer held their heads high. I searched the crowd for my mate. I found him. He was near the doors of the barn. The reindeer headed that way. The barn was where we would unhook all the tack and store the sleigh.

Inside, I waved to the crowd. They sang their praises and congratulations at another successful run. Thankfully, no one expected a speech or any sort of flowery performance. The elves knew how exhausting the night was for me. They got to work unhooking the reindeer and storing the tack. The reindeer were just as tired as I was. We were all eager to get to our beds after another successful season.

Percy launched himself onto the sleigh and threw his arms around my neck. He kissed my cheek. “You were amazing, Nick. Was it a good night?”

“The best,” I said. “Because I ended up here with you.”

I kissed him soundly then, not caring who was there to witness it. As if sensing that we wanted our time alone, the elves and reindeer all cleared out. None of the things that needed to be done couldn’t wait until a later time. I heard them talk about heading to the cafeteria for their breakfast. They had their own Christmas traditions to enjoy.

All I knew was that my mate and I were alone, and he was in my arms.

He grinned up at me as soon as we parted. I recognized the naughty glint in his eye.

“What is it, mate?”

“I’ve been very busy while you were away, Nick. I tried to sleep, but I missed you too much.”

I raised a brow. “Oh yeah? What did you do to pass the time?”

“Practice.” His grin turned mischievous, and my cock stood at attention. My blood heated, and suddenly, I needed my mate right then.

“What were you practicing, sweet Percy?”

Percy trailed a hand up my coat, flicking open the buttons until he was able to open it completely. “See, I heard a certain Santahad a fantasy regarding this sleigh. And… I thought that might be a delightful Christmas gift for him.”

My breath quickened, but I kept my hands at my sides, letting my mate take the lead.

He pushed my coat from my shoulders, then guided me so that I was sitting on the seat of the sleigh. With me sitting and him standing, we were about eye to eye.

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