Page 46 of The Naughty Elf

When we’re done, we pack up camp efficiently and drive back to the ranch. The moment Ginger lets us inside, Gracie runs to the fridge to pull out a domed container of cake.

I laugh quietly. It’s refreshing to be around a child with such a strong personality. Ginger smiles up at me and pokes the corner of my mouth.

“You’re making everyone a plate, right Miss Graciella?”

“Yes, Momma.”

“Then we can unpack the truck and make some real food for lunch.” Her hand travels down my arm again, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

I’m handed a piece of spiced cake with a buttery and sweet frosting that doesn’t overpower the other flavors. Closing my eyes at my first bite, I swallow back the moan it causes, but they both catch me.

“It’s good. Huh?” Gracie asks, taking a big forkful that oozes frosting out of the corners of her mouth.

The cake is gobbled up fast, and unloading my truck takes little time with Gracie carrying pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags.

Ginger makes us leftover ham and turkey sandwiches, twice baked sweet and russet potatoes, and warmed cinnamon honey rolls.

It doesn’t take long for Gracie to say she’s bored, and Ginger tells her to go to her room and do whatever makes her happy.

I linger with her in the kitchen. Everything’s already clean and put away, but she lets me hover in her space, breathing in her sweet flower and citrus scent. Her hands roam up my chest as she leans in to put her mouth by my ear.

“You were really good with her on this trip. Thank you.” Ginger’s voice is soft, like velvet.

I cup her waist in my hands and keep her close. “I like her.”

Her laughter vibrates against my chest and lights up her teal eyes. “I think she likes you, too.”

“She doesn’t shy away from dirty work.”

“Well, Shakespeare, she does, but not because it grosses her out.” Ginger draws small circles at the center of my chest, and my grip tightens around her, pressing her closer.

We stand in silence like this for a while, touching but remaining mellow until Ginger checks on Gracie, to find her passed out in her bed, her tablet playing YouTube videos beside her.

After she closes her daughter’s door, she pulls me toward her room. She’s kissing me before we make it inside. It feels like I’ve waited weeks for this, and I try not to respond like the starving man I am.

Her mouth falls from mine so that she can look up at me, and I’m dazzled.

“Think you can keep quiet?”

The question hangs for half a second before she giggles.

“Of course, I can.”

20

GINGER

The smiles this man gives me makes my heart explode. He backs me into my room and closes the door behind him. I latch on with force, crashing our mouths together and pouring every frustrating second of not being able to touch him like this into the kiss.

Sawyer eliminates every inch of space between us, and I bask in how massive he is, with wide shoulders, thick arms, and all of the muscles I can feel under his shirt.

He doesn’t seem like he’s in a rush to undress either of us. The luxury of time spoils me as he cups and squeezes every part of me that he can reach. It’s so erotic that my insides are tying themselves up in knots.

A small moan slips out between us. Sawyer leans down to nibble my ear and whisper, “Shh.”

I can’t help but laugh at him. As serious as he is most of the time, he knows how to make me smile. Laugh.

And watching him today with my daughter…how well he took care of her after her our little scare. The way he looked at her when she was crying—it’s clear that he would be a great father.

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