Page 3 of Dirty December

“Sure. Where are we going?”

“There’s a little ski lodge in Kullorsuaq that I usually find empty on my run. Not many people want to take a winter vacation in one of the coldest places on Earth.”

“True. Um. How will I get back?”

Klaus gives me a long look so steamy that it would melt the stripes off a peppermint stick. “You know...In all these years, you have never missed a day of work. Never missed a Take-Off.”

“Well. What can I say? I love my job.” And my boss, I add silently.

“I’m retired now. I never had much time to stop and hobnob with one of my trustiest, most steadfast elves. I have a little leisure now. Are you interested in a short getaway?”

I swallow and nod. “But I have to be back by the time the team gets home. They need their post-flight massages and Donder’s hoof salve, and Cupid will want to be with Hades, and—”

“We’ll be home in time for Christmas dinner. How many other elves are under you?”

“A few dozen,” I admit.

“Delegate for one night. Let someone take over the stable for a handful of stolen hours.”

“Stolen?” My voice is a squeak.

Klaus leans in close. I’ve never seen him give me this look—one of pure burning knowledge.

He knows. He knows all about my secret wishes.

And he wants to make them come true.

“Do you want me to steal your heart, or do you want to give it to me?” he whispers, low voice a harsh grunt that makes me throb.

I whimper when his hand rests on my hip, completely cradling it.

My noise makes him hesitate. “I could have misread. People have idle thoughts. I understand, Eirwen. I hope you’ll forget all about this. Forgive me for—”

“No! I want everything you think I want. More.” My voice is a greedy little mewl.

“If you’re worried because of my age—”

“I’m not.”

“Or the difference in our sizes—” Klaus peers into my blushing face.

Is it wrong to think of the most giving man alivetakingsomething from me, roughly but not by force? Pulling a willing surrender I’ve been dreaming about giving? Knowing he’ll have to use powerful thrusts to make my body accommodate his ... maybe with sweat dripping down the thick muscles of his chest, mane of silvery-white hair wild as he plows into me. Does it mean I’m on the Naughty List if I love to imagine him pushing into me so hard I see stars, knowing he’ll make any pain instantly better with his gentle touch?

Not that I want to see the gentle Santa Claus I worked with for all these years. I want to see the god of winter I’ve come to lust after, a man who flew through blizzards and across warzones to bring joy to millions.

“Oh, Klaus.” I nod, eyes shining. “I’m only worried that this is a dream. Is this a dream?” I look into my now-empty mug of eggnog. Could someone have spiked it with something?

Klaus shakes his head. “No. We’re awake. Come with me to the stables. Let’s look at the options we have.”

“But the party!” I protest.

“Won’t miss us for a few minutes.”

WE TRUDGE THROUGH THEsnow together. Klaus sinks in up to his ankles while I barely leave footprints since my body is so light and small. All of Santa’s elves are like this, so I only appreciate just how big and heavy Klaus is when we’re close together—and that rarely happens.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask.

Klaus’ voice is a velvet whisper among the soft moaning of arctic winds that bring a fresh shower of glittering snow. “At first, I wasn’t ready. Not so soon after Holly. Then, when I was, I knew I had to wait until I stepped down. If you didn’t want me, I didn’t want to risk upsetting you and making you leave. The team needs you. Kris will need you. Now, if I’ve upset you or offended you, or you have doubts—”

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