Page 11 of The Naughty Elf

And those three are so different. I like that because they obviously work well together. Their differences make me like them all the more. Teasing and flirty, silent and brooding, and someone who likes to battle with his wits.

I’m looking forward to going to work in the morning and feeding them something I’ve made.

My dreams are filled with scenes of them finding reasons to crowd me, catch me alone, touch me, and kiss me. Those dreams follow me through the morning and my usual routine and onto the job site.

I’m carrying the Tupperware box full of treats, and Jackson beams at me, holding the door so I don’t struggle. “What’s all this?”

“An experiment. For the carnival. Want to try one?” I saunter past him and to the kitchen, where I set down the box and peel back the lid’s corner. The smell of butter and sugar wafts up to meet me, and I sigh.

Jackson groans. “Yes, I want to try one.”

I plate one for him and the girls, waiting for his first bite. The moan low in his throat causes a wave of lust to course through me. Would he moan like that with his mouth on me?

Shaking the thought away as I meet Jackson’s gaze, I silently ask his opinion.

“Are you kidding me? What is this? It’s so fucking good.” He pops the second half in his mouth and licks his fingers clean. Thesight of his tongue should not send me back down a very deep rabbit hole of dirty thoughts.

But here we are. If I don’t corral myself soon, my panties are going to be ruined before the day truly starts.

I smile at him. “Thanks. It’s sticky toffee pudding.”

“You’re thinking of having this at the carnival?”

I nod. “Free for the kids, but another fundraising opportunity for the guests.”

“Genius.”

“I know.” I take the plate to the girls in the office and leave one on Brenda’s desk before I nudge Jackson in the ribs as he chews through his second helping. “Those aren’t all for you, you know. You have to share.”

I snatch up the Tupperware and saunter my way outside to the two build sites. The moment I lift off the top, I’m swarmed. A chorus of moans sound in my wake as I make sure everyone gets to try one. I get six marriage offers before I make it inside to Ashley.

He bites into it, maintaining eye contact, and all of his teasing evaporates. “Fuck. Be my wife.”

I laugh and slap him in the chest—a move that’s become our primary way of communicating. “You’ll have to wait in line. I’ve already gotten six other offers in the last ten minutes.”

His hand finds my elbow, keeping me close. Keeping me touching him. The look he gives me has my pulse picking up speed. If no one else were here, if he weren’t one of my bosses, I’d pull him down into a kiss. I’d give him another reason to propose.

I lay a sweet smile on him. “If there are any left, I’ll be sure to save another for you.”

Winking at Ashley, I slip away. I make my way upstairs, finding Sawyer in the master bedroom. He’s already nailing shelves up in the closet, and it looks nearly finished.

I wave at him, and he puts his nail gun down and steps forward, saying my name in his low voice.

“Hey, brought you a treat.” I lift the lid again, but he pauses. “You don’t like sweets?”

He nods his head. “I do.”

Then, he reaches in to take one, and I wait. I have to see his reaction. I want him to love them.

After a few beats of silence, he takes his first bite. His eyes widen, and he pauses to look at the treat again. I can’t suppress my proud smile.

“It’s good,” he says after he swallows. “Thank you.”

I laugh, head falling back with delight. He’s so understated, which makes me want to prod at him. The bewilderment in his features almost has me cackling. “You’re welcome, Shakespeare.”

Spinning on my toes, I leave him to it, tossing a glance over my shoulder at him on my way out. I’ve left him frozen in place, watching me. Today’s slacks leave little to the imagination, and I like how my ass gains his attention before he can correct himself.

He shoves the other bite of food into his mouth before he disappears from my sight.

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