Page 23 of The Naughty Elf

Core fluttering, I fight back against the pleasure threatening to take me back over that edge. His near-breathless grunts shred that last barrier between me and another orgasm.

I collapse against the brick, unable to hold myself up. His hard shaft and strong hands help keep me upright.

“Ginger?”

I shake myself back to the conversation on my phone. “Yeah, sorry. A little distracted. What’s wrong?”

“We need you in the children’s wing. ASAP. We’ve got a bit of a problem.”

Of course, they do.

11

GINGER

Ihave barely caught my breath by the time I make it back inside to the children’s ward. Disentangling from Ashley didn’t prove awkward. He laughed with me as we straightened our clothes, and he helped tame my hair before we separated ways.

Still, the jittery feeling of what we did in that alcove sticks with me as I approach the story-reading display. Samantha slides up to me with an anxious look.

“You call me?” I reach to put my hair up, but my hair tie is missing from my wrist, so I drop my hands and my hair. It’s a mess I’m sure.

“No. That was Sally, but she left me here to deliver the news. Our story-time volunteer canceled. She has an emergency. We need someone to read to the kids.” Her blonde brows are high on her head with anxiety, and I feel for her. I really do. But anxiety has been my companion for the last week.

“Okay. I’ve got it from here. Go back to whatever job I gave you.”

She smiles at me with relief and scampers off.

I finally let myself sigh with frustration. This was the opening for the terminal kids in the hospital. A special treat of a practiced storyteller with special Christmas puppets to entertain them while they eat lunch.

Rubbing my face, I pull myself together and think.

“Mom?” The sound of my daughter’s voice is a balm to every aching part of me. I turn and smile at her.

I look around. “Where’s Grandma and Grandpa? Did they abandon you?”

“No, they’re still hard at work.” A jolt of adrenaline hits me in the chest as I turn to Jackson. He’s got his most charming smile on. And beside him is his clone in teenage girl form. We haven’t been introduced yet.

“Did they get sidetracked with the food?” I ask.

“Yes.”

I let out another sigh, but maybe my mom could come read. She does love to entertain, although she’s better when food’s involved. It’s a comfort zone for the both of us.

“What’s gone wrong?” Jackson, of course, knows how often things go awry with this type of event. It’s why he hired me instead of taking care of it himself.

“Lost our story-time volunteer. I need someone who canat leastread to them. I’m at a loss with the puppets, though.” Rubbing my forehead, I try not to frown and think through my options.

“I can read to them. I read to the kindergarteners at my school once a month.” Jackson’s daughter bobs on her feet and offers me a tentative smile. A hopeful one.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve officially met. How rude of me. I’m Ginger. You must be Emily.” I hold my hand out to her, and she shakes it with a bit more confidence.

“I am. Nice to meet you.”

“Manners. I like it. And if you think you can take over, I’ll have the staff find you something to read.”

“I want to help,” Gracie says. “I can do the puppets.”

I look at Emily, and she nods.

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