Page 1 of Merry Elfing Xmas

Chapter1

Grey

“I’d rather have toothpicks jabbed under my fingernails.” That’s a goddamn understatement. I grab my suit coat and follow Easton, my business partner, out the door of my temporary office. We’re headed to hell. Literal hell. Every moment I spend in this tiny fucking town seems like an eternity.

“You’re trying to soothe ruffled feathers,” he reminds me as we walk down the deserted hallway. “And the best way to do that is by attending the company-sponsored Christmas party. Even if it sucks.”

I hate to admit it, but he’s right. Fucking hell. The last thing I want to do is show up at the goddamn party, but I don’t have a choice. Closing this deal is going to drive me to drink.

My advisers really screwed the pooch on this deal. After Santa’s Shoppe’s owner died without an heir, the residents in Blue Spruce, Ohio, have worried about the future of the town’s largest employer. My acquisition advisors assured me that buying Santa’s Shoppe would stabilize the small town’s economy while making me lots of money. The fuckers promised me an easy transaction. Unfortunately, they underestimated the small town’s dislike of outsiders. My first meeting with the town council was a fucking nightmare. I walked into a goddamn ambush.

“There shouldn’t be ruffled feathers,” I growl, pissed off at the reception we’ve received. What should’ve been an easy in-and-out job turned into a constant fight with the locals. “We’re saving the largest employer in town, not burning it to the ground.”

An hour ago, I was sitting in my temporary office, looking forward to the end of the day from hell. Now, I’m about to attend this fucking Christmas party with a bunch of assholes who’d like to run me and my company out of town. God, I need a drink. A strong fucking drink.

The sound of Christmas carols hits us as we head down the back staircase. “Just smile and ignore the death threats,” Easton teases, but the situation isn’t funny. After announcing our plans for Santa’s Shoppe, I expected a warm welcome. We’re planning to keep all the employees and expand the business. I walked into a routine meeting with the city officials

“It’s hard to ignore it when the mayor threatens to hang you by your citified Scrooge private parts.” I shudder to myself, remembering the meeting from hell.

“It could’ve been worse,” Easton tells me as we walk into the company cafeteria. Holy shit. It looks like a fucking Christmas tree exploded in here. I rub the back of my neck and paste a fake ass smile on my face.

“I don’t see how,” I grit out through my smile as one of the town’s most vocal assholes walks up to us.

“Mr. Woodward.” Bob Edwin, the nightshift factory manager and all-around fucking weasel, spits out my name like it’s a fucking curse before turning to Easton. “And Mr. Ritchie.” My partner doesn’t fair any better. The assholes in this town are nuts. “We’re so happy you could take time out of your insanely busy schedules to grace our little Christmas party.” This motherfucker looks anything but happy.

“We’re happy to be here,” Easton tells him, and the little bastard has the nerve to roll his goddamn eyes.

“Make sure to get a cup of our world-famous punch.” Bob points to the table set up in the corner. “And you can get your picture taken with our Santa,” the little fucker mumbles, but I tune him out. Easton taps me on the back and signals for us to move.

I glance around the crowded room, wondering how long we have to stay at this party when my eyes stop on her. The floor drops out beneath my feet while my heart stops in my chest. The room darkens around me as the music disappears, and I lock my knees. There’s a curvy little elf standing next to the massive Christmas tree. She’s fucking breathtaking. I immediately know her stunning body was made just for me and me alone.

I shake my head, wondering where these crazy thoughts are coming from as my eyes roam over her perfect body. I groan as my cock turns to stone.

“Are you okay?” Easton frowns at me, but I ignore my friend and concentrate on memorizing everything about her. Long, sleek caramel hair frames her delicate heart-shaped face, and I’m dying to watch her large doe eyes fill with passion as I fuck her. This shit is getting scary.

My eyes stop on the gaudy red and green velvet costume hugging her luscious curves like a second skin, and I suddenly want to hide her away from all the men in this room. Ignoring everything happening around us, I feel myself moving toward her. My heart rate accelerates scarily as I realize something life-changing is going on here. I’m pretty sure Santa’s helper just stole my heart.

The adorable little elf looks up and sees us heading across the room. Her eyes widen while her mouth makes a perfect zero. As I step closer, her delicate scent mixed with evergreen surrounds me. I ignore the burly man dressed as Santa Claus and look directly at her. “Hello.” I hold out my hand. “I’m Greyson Woodward, but please call me Grey.”

My little elf’s eyes narrow as she places her delicate hand in mine. “Noelle St. Nick,” she hisses. “Please call me Ms. St. Nick.” My urge to spank her luscious ass wars with my need to kiss her pouty lips as I stare down into her defiant eyes. “Or nothing at all.”

I think my little elf is trying to fight the overwhelming chemistry flowing between us. I bring her soft hand to my lips, barely resisting the urge to run my tongue along her soft skin. “Nice to meet you, Ms. St. Nick.” Her delicate scent puts my senses on high alert as my zipper digs ridges in my hard cock. I reluctantly release her hand to pull my jacket closed, hoping to hide my boner from everyone else in the room.

“This is my business partner, Easton Ritchie.” Manners dictate that I must introduce her to my friend, but I’ll break his goddamn hand if he dares to touch my curvy little elf.

“Meeting the two of you is the highlight of my life.” My sassy little elf smirks at Easton before turning to hold out a candy cane to me. “Want a candy cane?”

I already have a hard cane in my pants, little elf.For a second, I worry my mouth disconnected from my brain and I muttered the thought aloud. When neither my elf nor my best friend react, I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Or would you prefer a picture with Santa? We could probably get you both in the picture with him.” My cock urges me to throw my curvy little elf over my shoulder and take her somewhere to discuss her insolence. Or more accurately, I want to discuss what her insolence does to me.

“We’ll take a pass, but thank you for the lovely offer,” Easton tells her, easing some of the tension coursing around us. While I’m thankful for my friend’s diplomatic response, I hate the thought of another man talking to my girl. I’m not sure where this caveman attitude is coming from, but I can’t seem to control it. I had no idea snark coming from a curvy little elf would be my cock’s kryptonite.

“Noelle, the picture line is getting long.” The asshole manager comes up behind us. I barely resist the urge to drive my fist through Bob’s smug face when he steps way the fuck too close to my curvy little elf and whispers, “And Santa can’t take pictures without his beautiful elf.”

Oh, hell no. When the motherfucker reaches out to touch her shoulder, I see red as rage flows through my blood. Luckily, my best friend saves the day by interrupting the asshole. “Bob, I need to talk to you really quick.” After the two men walk away, I turn back to Noelle.

“If you’re done with me, I have to get back to work.” My curvy little elf takes a step back, and I feel the urge to pull her close again.

---