Date: 2011-11-29 08:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Romance; Fantasy
Description: Tanty -- better known as Vixen, one of Santa's shape-shifting reindeer -- loves toys. Grown-up toys. Sex with men is great, but toys go when you want them to go and don't stop until you say stop. No muss, no fuss, and all fun. Bok buys toys. Not only toys for good little human girls and boys, but also sex toys for elves who make a request. If it tickles, wiggles, thrusts, licks, or tingles then Bok's the elf to see for purchasing that perfect personal treasure. What Bok wants most of all is to provide Tanty with everything she needs, toys and all, but he doesn't think the feistiest of the rein
Publisher: Loose Id

REINDEER GAMES 2:

TOYS FOR GOOD GIRLS

Jet Mykles

®

www.loose-id.com

Warning

This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id® e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Reindeer Games 2: Toys for Good Girls

Copyright © November 2011 by Jet Mykles

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

eISBN 978-1-61118-669-7

Editor: Raven McKnight

Cover Artist: P. L. Nunn

Printed in the United States of America

Published by

Loose Id LLC

PO Box 809

San Francisco CA 94104-0809
www.loose-id.com

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Warning

This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id LLC’s e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

* * * *

DISCLAIMER: Please do not try any new sexual practice, especially those that might be found in our BDSM/fetish titles without the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Neither Loose Id LLC nor its authors will be responsible for any loss, harm, injury or death resulting from use of the information contained in any of its titles.

Chapter One

Nine tiny shapes flew together in perfect unison through the cloudless sky. Bok juggled the box he held to one arm so he could shield his eyes against the bright summer sun with the other hand. He couldn’t describe the patterns the team made in the sky or tell if their timing was off; he saw only perfection as they galloped through the air as though they had invisible wings. No harnesses strapped their furry bodies, and no sled followed behind. It was the off-season, and the reindeer had three more months before they’d start their time-travel jaunts to deliver toys to the humans’ world. Three months to practice and train for the nightly task that put them a step above any other elf in Santa’s Village. Well, any other elf except Santa and Mrs. Claus, of course.

Bok’s best friend, Lon, stood beside him in the open double doors of the spacious barn where the reindeer would meet once their workout was done. A recent renovation had modified the interior of the barn. One side had been expanded to make room for eight stalls outfitted to cater to both shapes of the members of the team. Feeding troughs and hay bins were mounted in each, alongside narrow but comfortable benches with soft, sumptuous cushions. Cabinets that held brushes and hoof picks were right next to vanities with hairbrushes and makeup. Bok could scarcely comprehend how anyone could be comfortable with two body shapes or how any mind could wrap around being a furry, flying reindeer one minute and a hairless, pointy-eared elf the next, but then again, having a mind capable of that made those nine people special.

“Here they come,” someone to Lon’s right murmured unnecessarily. At least a dozen other people besides Bok and Lon stood in the doorway, watching shamelessly. Each one of them had some valid excuse to be there, some reason to speak to a reindeer. Some, like Lon, were in a relationship with one of those wonderful creatures and had a standing invitation to be present when practice was over. Others were relationship hopefuls or at least one-night-stand hopefuls.

The reindeer were a lusty lot—as though the physical exertion in their four-footed forms translated to sexual excess in their two-footed ones—and there were more than enough willing partners in Santa’s Village to keep them satisfied.

“This is my favorite part.” Someone else sighed as the reindeer began a gradual, spiraling descent. Down a gently curving slope from the barn stretched a vast meadow. Snow covered the land in all seasons at the North Pole, the elves’ plane of existence a place of magical construct rather than natural balance. Despite the relative warmth of the spring air, drifts of chilly powder blanketed the ground.

“The landing?” asked the first voice. Bok didn’t look to identify the speakers. He didn’t want to miss a moment of the spectacle before him. The reindeer were almost there, their feet just a few yards above the snow. Angled in a straight line toward the barn as they were, it was possible to see them all, arranged in four pairs behind Rudolph, like they were running down a steep hill.

“Okay, no.” A chuckle. “The landing’s great. But I like what comes right after the landing best.”

“I can agree with that.”

Various grunts, murmurs, and chuckles noted the agreement of the others standing there.

Bok and Lon added their own to the mix.

Touchdown. Snowy powder flew as first Rudolph, then Dasher and Dancer, then the rest finally succumbed to gravity. When all nine bodies were down, they slowed into a canter, then a trot. Bok couldn’t for the life of him tell how the lead reindeer knew when Donner and Blitzen hit the snow, but they did. Their collective timing was impeccable. But then, this team had been together for two seasons now. Perhaps the magic that allowed them to shift and gave them flight also gave them other senses about one another. Not for the first time, Bok regretted that he wasn’t the type to try out for the team. He’d been old enough three seasons ago when there had been a spot to fill, but he knew his limitations. Any elf could try out for the team, but there wasn’t a chance for a tubby computer nerd to join Santa’s elite.

The trot turned into a brisk walk, but still the reindeer remained in formation until eventually they all came to a complete stop. A few tossed their antlers in the air, and most of them pawed impatiently at the ground. The audience in the barn held its collective breath. Bok could feel the anticipation in the air.

Dasher trumpeted. Eight throats followed suit. A mild electric charge filled the air. Then, almost in sync, each of the reindeer bodies shimmered into what looked like a cloud of snowflakes. When it was over, the reindeer were gone, and nine naked people stood in the snow.

Nine bodies, some with skin nearly as pale as the snow, some various shades darker, tormented Bok as he watched them break formation. Five men and four women wearing only the silver medallions that signified their rank, each of them a prime example of everything an elf could be.

At a few inches over five feet, Rom was the tallest. He was also Dasher, their leader. Sleekly muscled and milky pale, with a long, full mane of sky blue hair, Rom was everything Bok wished he could be when he ever had thoughts of a more physical way of life. Or perhaps he’d rather be like Lon’s boyfriend, Wod. As Dancer, he was second in command and could easily have been the leader. Where Rom was sparkling light, Wod was a darker creature, and not just because his skin was a light caramel and his waist-length hair was dark mahogany. No, Wod and those like him—the darker-skinned elves—all had an air of mystery about them, even if every one of them had been born and raised in the village. Knowing his friend, Bok could easily see Lon’s attraction to the almost wicked-looking elf. But Bok didn’t go for men himself. Although most elves experimented freely both ways, Bok had never felt the urge to take up with another guy. Women were his fascination. He liked curves, breasts, and hips. He preferred to sink his cock into soft, wet pussies.

Soft. Wet. His mouth watered as his eyes focused on the current female of his dreams.

Tanty. Vixen. Knowing the humans’ definition of the word, Bok thought her aptly named. Her abundance of silky hair was certainly a foxy orange. No, actually, it was several shades lighter and brighter, more neon than any naturally occurring color in the humans’ world. Laughing, she reached up to pull that hair back behind her slim shoulders, fully baring her small, pert breasts to the sun and to his gaze. Her trim waist flared into wonderfully wide hips over beautifully muscled legs. Between those legs was a small, trimmed patch of orange Bok ached to taste even as he reminded himself it’d probably never happen.

The reindeer started up the slope that would take them to the barn. Unhurried, they talked and laughed among themselves, barely paying attention to the fact that they had an audience.

Bok was comfortable ogling Tanty from afar because he wasn’t the only one hungrily watching the team approach, but as they got closer, he moved to the side and averted his gaze. He didn’t want to make it too obvious. Lon knew who he was watching, which meant Wod probably knew as well, but Bok trusted them to keep his secrets.

But he was watching when Tanty looked up. She was close enough that he could see the indigo of her irises when her eyes opened wide and her bright orange brows crowded her hairline as her gaze dropped to the box he held with both arms. A huge grin curled her pink lips away from startling white, perfectly straight teeth. “Toys!” Even though he sensed it coming, Tanty’s shriek still startled Bok. Yor, the male reindeer at her side, flinched at the sound but broke into a good-natured smile as the diminutive Tanty broke away from the pack and sped up the slope. Heedless of the temperature—since elves didn’t really feel the cold much—and of her nudity, she flew over the drifts like a bird, her Vixen medallion jangling between perky, bouncy breasts. Her tangerine hair mimicked the burst of flame that gave a rocket speed.

Out of the corner of his eye, Bok saw Lon startle. “Wow. I’ve never seen her that excited.” Neither had Bok, and he wasn’t anywhere near prepared for the effect seeing it had on him.

Yes, he was there to deliver the box to her. Yes, they both knew what was in it. He had even delivered her similar packages before. But her reaction to this package was far more jubilant. He could only be glad the hem of his belted forest green tunic fell to midthigh so it camouflaged the immediate erection he sported as the most beautiful female in existence ran toward him.

Eyes wide, he flinched, hugging the box to his chest as meager defense when it became clear Tanty had no intention of stopping. In a ridiculously graceful move, she leaped into the air and managed to wrap her arms around his neck. The box dropped to his side as Tanty took him to the straw-strewn dirt floor. Laughing, she rolled on top of him, then sat up to straddle his belly. He couldn’t help but stare at the patch of bright orange curls that sheltered the treasure between her thighs, noting how vivid the color was against the dark of his tunic. I’m never going to wash this again, he thought.

Then she leaned forward, spreading her fingers over his chest as she brought her face closer to his. Her breasts would have been a distraction if he weren’t captivated by her face. So beautiful. She might be one of Santa’s elves, but to him she looked more like one of those ethereal angels that humans put on top of their Christmas trees. Her face was heart shaped, wide across rounded cheeks that narrowed to the sharp point of her chin. Her nose was tiny and upturned, dwarfed by enormous indigo eyes that were ringed by long lashes just a few shades darker than the wild mane that flowed from her head. She quirked one slim brow as perfect, petal-pink lips curled on one side. “You brought me a present?” He could only stare, speechless. But he had the presence of mind to nod.

“Is it what I think it is?”

Another nod.

She shrieked again, digging blunt nails into his chest and wiggling happily on his belly.

“You”—she dropped down to press a firm kiss to his lips—“are the best!” She smelled of snow and sun and faintly of oranges. Bok had never inhaled a more erotic fragrance.

He was still processing her touch when she launched off him toward the box that had fallen to the straw at his side. It was about twenty inches long and a foot wide and tall. The address on the front was one of many dummy addresses Bok had as his disposal. He worked in the Department of Acquisitions, one of a handful of computer geeks who spent their time ordering toys online. His coworkers often procured specialty items for other elves, but Bok had gotten a name for himself by obtaining adult toys. It made him popular with some of the ladies.

Tanty was one of those ladies.

She rose to her feet, the box cradled in her arms. She even rubbed her cheek against the cardboard, almost purring.

A tall male stepped into Bok’s line of sight behind Tanty to sling a familiar arm about her shoulders. Navy blue hair that was almost black in the shaded light was shorn on the sides and left long along the top and behind his head to drape halfway down his back. When Yor applied himself, he could make that hair into quite a dramatic Mohawk, but since the team had just come from a run in shifted form, the dark blue locks lay almost flat. “What have you got there?” Tanty kept purring and added some petting for the box. “A marvelous new toy that Bok found for me.”

Yor grinned at Bok, who’d just managed to sit up. “What is it?” It was a measure of Bok’s obsession with Tanty that his eyes didn’t even roam as the other three females gathered around. Two of them were his customers. Issie had even sucked him off in gratitude for a vibrator she’d fallen in love with. But none of them stopped his heart like the girl with the hair of flame who smelled like citrus. “I, uh…” He wasn’t ever sure if his customers wanted their toys to be public knowledge.

He should have known Tanty wouldn’t mind. “It’s a sex machine.” Responding to the murmurs of interest from those around her, she presented the box, as though everyone could see what was inside. “It’s this awesome little wedge thing that’s got a vibrator stuck in the top of it.” She frowned slightly and glanced down at Bok. “It does vibrate, right?” Bok took a hand offered him and let Wod pull him to his feet. Lon’s boyfriend smiled, and he and Lon helped to dust Bok off as Bok answered, “Yeah.”

“Mmm.” Happy, Tanty hugged the box to her chest again.

“Well.” Jannie stepped into the circle. Everyone snapped to attention. Bok wasn’t sure if anyone else had known, but he certainly hadn’t realized Santa, the most magical elf in Santa’s Village, was present among them. The short, sporty curls of her grape purple hair were tucked behind her ears, which were pierced with silver and gold hoops all the way up to the pointed tips.

She gave him a stern look, although her silver eyes sparked with what he thought was humor.

“I’m glad to know our funds are being well spent.”

Bok flushed a little and tilted his head in respect. “It’s within Tanty’s allowance.” Everyone was given a certain allowance that, as long as they didn’t abuse the privilege, they were allowed to use for anything Bok or his coworkers from acquisitions could buy.

Tanty nodded happily. “I’ve been saving up,” she assured her boss, stroking the box.

Jannie chuckled. “I’m sure you have.” She considered the box with a tilt of her head. “Let me know what you think of it, Tants.” She wagged her eyebrows. “I may have to get one too.” General laughter followed her statement. Letting the matter go, Jannie called Rom and Wod aside. As their leaders chatted in private, the rest of the team peeled away. Most headed into their stalls to dress, followed by one or more of the throng that had been waiting in the barn.

Lon stayed at Bok’s side with Wod’s red velvet robe draped over his arms.

Laughing at something Yor whispered into her ear, Tanty pushed him away with one hand, then headed for her own stall. She, unlike the others, was alone, but she didn’t seem to mind. All of her focus was on the box she held close.

Bok had noticed that about her. She was very friendly and as prone as any of the reindeer to accept company for a sexual romp, but she didn’t encourage the same following as the others.

The tendency had been made obvious to him when she started ordering sex toys. It had begun in December when Bok, through Lon and his new relationship with Wod, had been brought to the attention of the reindeer. It was little surprise that many members of the team had quickly become his customers. But Tanty had taken a special interest in the toys. Most of the others had made vague requests and trusted Bok’s knowledge to supply them with something fun. Tanty had actually taken him out drinking to the Mistletoe twice so they could discuss what was best and why. To date, Bok had purchased four vibrators of various size and functionality, two anal plugs, a string of anal beads, and two clit stimulators for Tanty. It was her attitude toward the toys that sealed his fate. She took them seriously. She used them by herself. He knew this because she’d told him. Although it hurt his heart to think of her having sex with herself, he appreciated that she took the toys for the experience they could provide. That was why he’d mentioned the sex machine to her. After hearing about it and seeing images he’d printed out for her from the Web, she’d insisted that she must have it.

Watching her through the open door of her stall as she sat to pull on knee-high purple-and-orange stockings, he could only imagine what a sight she would be when she mounted the machine. The thought had him nearly coming in his pants.

“So…”

Startled, Bok looked up to see Wod at his side. He’d been so caught up in watching Tanty, he hadn’t even been aware that the taller elf had finished his discussion with Jannie and rejoined them.

Wod grinned, aware he’d broken Bok’s train of thought. “How’s Tanty paying you for her new toy?”

“Aw.” Bok flushed, dropping his head so a fall of his lime green hair could obscure his face. “You know I don’t do that anymore.” Back before he’d had reindeer as customers, when he’d bought toys for a few others in the village, he’d more often than not received sex as extra

“payment” for buying toys. It was the only sex a chubby boy like him had been able to get, although his various partners had told him he wasn’t half bad. But when the reindeer and Santa herself had taken an interest, Bok had stopped suggesting additional payment of any kind.

Wod shrugged into the robe Lon held for him. The three of them remained at the barn door, well away from the stalls and anyone who could hear them. “But you want her, don’t you?” Bok slanted a grimace at Lon, but his friend had suddenly and falsely taken an extreme interest in the tails of his blue tunic. Straight blond hair didn’t cover his face or the fake innocence on his face. “You told him.” He’d known Lon couldn’t keep secrets from Wod, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t get on Lon’s case about it.

Lon cringed, then sighed. “Oh come on, Bok. It’s not like it’s hard to see that you’re infatuated with Tanty.”

Bok narrowed his eyes. “Infatuated? You’ve got a lot of nerve. How long ago was it that you—”

A strong hand wrapped over Bok’s mouth, Wod’s arm curling to bring him even closer.

“Now, now. Enough of that.” Wod’s expression was calm but stern, saying without words that he would allow Bok some leeway but his fiercely protective instincts would kick in quickly. “Lon didn’t tell me. I guessed. He just confirmed.”

Lon gave his lover a look of utter and blatant devotion, melting into the taller male’s side as soon as Wod released Bok. Seeing them together both warmed Bok’s heart—because his friend deserved a wonderful relationship—and made his belly ache—because he’d never have that. Or, at least, the chances weren’t good. All the women in the village wanted guys like Wod or Rom. No one wanted a short, chubby computer nerd like him.

Least of all Tanty.

“I’ve got to tell you,” Wod continued, casually cuddling his lover close, “I know Tanty well, and I’d say your chances with her at the moment are nearly one hundred percent.” Bok’s heart jumped into his throat. He’d considered that. Late at night, alone in his bed, he’d tried to convince himself that, given Tanty’s attitude toward the toys, she might consider at least letting him watch. She was open enough talking about what she did with them.

Before Bok could respond, however, Lon frowned up at his boyfriend. “How well?” Bok had to laugh as Wod blinked in surprise. Wod caught on quickly and joined the laughter as he wound both arms around Lon’s shoulders. “I haven’t even noticed her as anything more than a friend since you came into my life.”

Predictably, Lon relented. “Well. Okay.”

Bok turned away, glad for them, but he didn’t need to watch them cooing and caressing.

Across the barn, Yor left his stall and strolled into Tanty’s. Bok tried not to be jealous as the tall male stroked her loose hair, then, once he’d gained her attention, turned her into his larger body.

She was dressed now in a simple pullover dress that ended at midthigh over her knee-high stockings. Yor wore laced black trousers under an open, blousy navy shirt. The loose clothing was hardly any barrier between their bodies. Yor bent to murmur, and Tanty tipped her face up to accept his kiss. They were murmuring as they casually nuzzled. His hands slid down her arms, and hers idly stroked the dark fabric that covered his back. They looked infinitely comfortable with each other, and it burned Bok from the inside out. He swallowed his jealousy as she smiled and nodded, then gave Yor one last kiss before she stepped away. She gathered up her box, took Yor’s hand, and led him from her stall and out the back door of the barn. Without even a glance at Bok. Not that there was any reason for her to glance at him.

One hand patted his shoulder while another, smaller hand stroked the back of the other.

Bok straightened, aware Wod and Lon must have seen what he’d been watching. Don’t say it.

Don’t say anything, he warned them silently. Telepathy and empathy weren’t magics the elves had, but friendship must have given them insight, because neither of them made any comment.

They waited until he’d gathered his senses, then agreed to go with him to get a drink at the Mistletoe.

Chapter Two

Tanty clutched the brass rail of the footboard, bracing herself as Yor knelt behind her. She glanced over her shoulder, and they shared a smile. Quite handsome, was Yor. Broad shoulders, defined chest, and all that navy blue hair. With one hand braced on her hip, Yor gripped his cock and aimed it at her core. She shut her eyes and held her head back, anticipating that first, best moment when his thick cock penetrated. It was gorgeous, the first little stretch, followed by a wet engulfment. Moaning a little, she let her head fall between her shoulders as he slowly pushed in, filling her up. She squeezed just to feel the resistance, to make him push harder. Expelling a little groan of his own, Yor leaned in to grab the railing outside her own fists, using the leverage to yank himself that last little way so he filled her completely.

“Oh yeah,” he murmured, his breath hot on the back of her neck.

“Mmm.” That delicious tingle began in the muscles that squeezed him, then radiated out through her groin. Hot. Molten. This was the part she loved. “Fuck me.” Biting the back of her neck gently, he pulled out, then slammed back in. She gasped, and her elbows buckled, tumbling them both forward. Her chest was perilously close to the cool metal rail as he started thrusting in a slow, measured pace. She whined and twisted her hips so his thrusts hit slightly different places inside her, trying to draw out the moment.

No use. The delicious tingle now had her dancing in her skin, her heart pittering like a rabbit’s. She was going to come, come hard, and come soon, and there was nothing she could do about it. Yor had fucked her before. He knew it. He loved it. His only goal right then was to make her come.

“Nnnnn!” Tanty bit her lip and screamed into it, unable to keep still as lightning shot through her limbs. She shoved back onto Yor’s cock, desperately squeezing every inch of him as pleasure poured through her. It lasted for a brief, perfect moment.

Then it was over.

Releasing her lip, she took a breath. Head low between her shoulders, she adjusted on her rubbery knees, trying to keep her balance as Yor kept pushing his cock into her. The aftermath of her orgasm drained slowly, leaving behind a warm pleasure that wouldn’t last.

“Good?” Yor murmured, reaching around to massage one of her breasts.

She didn’t tell him to stop, although it was what she was thinking. “Yes.” She’d be good.

Wasn’t his fault she was done. He just didn’t get that once she’d come, she wanted it over. None of her lovers did. She couldn’t fault them for it. The men she fucked prided themselves on their sexual prowess and endurance. Most women loved a man with stamina. It would just confuse—
or, worse, insult—him if she asked him to just get on with it.

So she knelt there and made the sounds, gave him the encouragement he needed. Some of the pleasure did ramp up when he got to some serious thrusting, so it was easy to fake a second orgasm. But the tingling wasn’t nearly the pleasure she’d had from the first, and the comedown from the second was a worse disappointment. Now he was serious, but he still had stamina, was still holding back. She tried to egg him on by rolling with him, but he was chasing another orgasm for her. His fingers told her that, the fingers that slid down her belly toward her clit. That she just couldn’t allow. She grabbed his hand to stop him and threw back her head, twisting so she could see his face. “Just fuck me.”

He growled, braced his hands on the bed, and did just that. Relief cleared her head when she recognized his final thrusts, the loss of rhythm, the primal grunts. He spilled inside her, and all she could think was: finally.

With a happy sigh, he collapsed at her side. As he rolled onto his back, she carefully sat back on her heels, aware of the warm spill of cum wetting her. Her thighs ached in the terrific way that sex did to her, but the thrill of that first, perfect orgasm was gone. Fleeting.

Resigned, she sat up. Not Yor’s fault. She reminded herself that every time she slept with someone. Male or female, her lovers wanted to make it last, and Tanty just wanted that first crest. She would much prefer a bunch of quick shorties through the night than one extended session. But she’d learned long ago that she was in the minority of women with such a preference.

“Where are you going?”

She glanced at him after swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. His mattress was about a foot higher than hers, so she actually had to hop down to the carpet. “Home.” Yor frowned, rolling to his side. “So soon?”

She shrugged, then smiled and leaned in to kiss him. “Thank you.” His frustrated sigh filled the room as she stood. “I really don’t understand you.” She chuckled as she picked up her dress from the chair it was draped over. If she told him she’d nearly called off their after-practice fuck when Bok had arrived with her new toy, Yor would understand less. It was bad enough that she’d had to talk him out of trying out the machine with her. He was her friend, and she liked him a lot, so she didn’t want to hurt him by letting him know she didn’t want him around for that. Nor did she want to explain herself.

“Don’t try. It’s futile.”

“You do like sex, don’t you? I’m not imagining it?” They weren’t in a relationship—both of them knew they could never be more than friends—but they were frequent fuck partners. She’d had him more than anyone else. He probably wouldn’t appreciate knowing that a big reason was because he didn’t last as long as others she’d had. Rom and Wod, for example, could fuck for hours.

“Of course I do.”

“Then why do you always leave right after?”

She indulged in a brief mental debate about a shower but after deciding not, she pulled her dress on over her head. If she stayed, he’d try to coax her back into bed, and she had a toy at home she was dying to try out. “Why should I stay?”

“Ever heard of cuddling?”

She pulled her loose hair out of the collar of the dress and dropped it down her back.

“When have you ever known me to cuddle?”

“Exactly.”

Laughing, she sat to pull on her knee-high stockings. “It’s not my thing. If you want cuddling, call Matta. Or Jon.” Or any number of other elves who’d jump into a reindeer’s bed.

Yor was fantastically gorgeous. He didn’t have any problem finding partners. The thing between them was just easy, and he was a tad on the lazy side.

He was lying on his side, elbow bent, head propped on his hand. His violet eyes were narrowed. He was genuinely confused, poor thing. “I’m pretty sure you like me some.” There was no hurt in his voice, just speculation. “Is it just me?”

“Not just you.” She shrugged, pulling her pointed shoes onto her feet. “I’ve just never been a cuddler. I feel smothered. I prefer to sleep alone. Nothing to take offense over.” He laughed. “I guess in some ways you’re a dream fuck, then.” She stood, grinning. “That I am.” She twirled her panties around one index finger. “Dream over.”

Chapter Three

A mere twenty minutes later, Tanty was naked and kneeling on the carpet in her bedroom.

She stared at the parts spread out before her and growled. She was not, in any way, technically minded. The microwave, the telephone, and her vibrators were the only things she had any hope of working successfully. But her new sex machine had to be assembled. Others might think just the few parts available wouldn’t be a problem, but she was hopeless at following even the simplest directions. It just wasn’t going to happen. She’d managed to get all the parts out and was very excited by the three different sizes of dildos that came with the little triangular wedge that was just big enough to settle comfortably between her legs. But there were cords and batteries, and the mount she was pretty sure held the dildos looked daunting. She knew reading the manual would just be a waste of time.

Desperate, she reached for the phone. The magical handset lit up, and she stared at the little keyboard that waited for her to enter a name. “Who to call?” She tapped the top of the phone on her chin, thinking. Yor would come, but after this afternoon, having him there was a bad idea.

Even if he did put it together, he’d take over and probably fuck her rather than let her enjoy. Nile was a possibility. He wasn’t a reindeer and was, frankly, glad to spend any time with her he could, but she didn’t want to lead him into thinking they shared more than they did. Maybe she should call one of the girls. It could be fun to put the toy together, then play with each other. But although it’d been a long time since she’d messed around with a girl, she just wasn’t in the mood. Besides, she really didn’t want to share the toy the first time. It was hers. Acquired for her on her request with her allowance. When Bok had shown it to her, she’d…

Her thoughts came to a sudden halt. Of course. Bok was the perfect choice. She typed his name into the mini keypad, then hit the Speaker button as she waited for the village magic to find him.

“Hello?”

“Hi!”

“Hi.” How cute. He sounded so hesitant, just like he acted when he was around her.

“Are you busy right now?”

“No.”

“Good. Could you come by and help me?”

His gulp came through loud and clear. “Help you?”

She sighed dramatically. “Yeah. I’m hopeless at putting my new toy together.”

“Y-you want me to come help you put it together?” Smiling, she curled into a ball against the front of the couch that sat on the wall opposite her bed and dropped her voice an octave or so. “Yeah. Do you mind?”

“N-no.”

She stifled a giggle, willing to keep him off-balance, but she didn’t want him to think she was laughing at him. “Good. You can find my place?”

“Uh, yeah.”

Silly question, she knew. It was childishly easy to find any of the reindeers’ houses since they all lined the avenue up the hill to the workshop. The path to her place was marked with a sign that matched the Vixen medallion she wore around her neck. “Good. How soon can you be here?”

“Uh, ten minutes?”

“Okay, but…” She put a pout into her voice. “Hurry. I really want to try my toy.” This time he cleared his throat, and she wondered if his cock was hard yet. She refrained from asking.

“Okay.”

She hung up and set the handset on the small table at the side of the couch. For a moment, she stared thoughtfully at the snow roses that graced a vase on the table, but her attention wasn’t really on the glossy blue-white petals. He’d want to fuck her. It wasn’t that she was full of herself thinking that. She knew. They all knew. One of the very reasons to become a reindeer was that you became one of the elite. Your sex life automatically became the best, with practically every elf in the village at your beck and call. Tanty was honest enough to admit it was a huge reason she’d always wanted to be a reindeer, one of the main reasons she’d trained from a young age to qualify, and it was certainly her favorite perk now that she was part of the team.

She liked sex, even if she didn’t like it prolonged for ages. It would be strange if Bok didn’t want to fuck her.

She stared at the parts of the sex machine. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. The whole reason she’d called him was because he’d appreciate the importance of the toy. Maybe he’d be okay watching? Or maybe she could loan him one of her other toys, and they could watch each other.

Now that sounded kind of fun. She almost called him back to ask him what his favorite was. But he was probably already on his way, and she didn’t want to delay him.

So she shrugged. Okay, maybe she’d fuck him. Or they’d work it out. It’d be worth it. He wasn’t her type, but he was cute enough, even if he was a bit on the portly side. He had lovely lime green hair and dark green eyes. Plus he had a wicked smile sometimes. She liked that.

Decided, she stood and headed for the bathroom to freshen up.

* * * *

The door was ajar when Bok walked up Tanty’s porch. Even so, he stopped, staring at the dark slit that would lead into her domain. Into a reindeer’s domain. Okay, he’d been in Wod’s house. Rom’s once. Tik’s for a party. But this would be the first female reindeer whose house he’d visited. And they were alone. And he was here to assemble a sex toy.

And he was going to pass out.

Bracing himself, he took a deep breath and shut his eyes. “You can do this,” he muttered, hands in tight fists at his sides. “Just. Be. Calm.” Then the door swung wide open to reveal Tanty in a tiny little purple robe with a hem that barely brushed the tops of her thighs. The robe gaped in a deep V in the front that revealed the inner curves of both breasts and a sweet swath of flat belly. “Hi!” He was toast.

Casually, she reached up to tuck abundant tangerine hair behind her ear as she toyed with her sash with the other hand. Gorgeous, dark blue almost-purple eyes blinked happily at him.

“You are a saint for doing this.”

Bok had never felt less saintly in his life. “Uh, yeah.” Giggling, she reached out to grab his arm and pull him inside. Instantly, he was surrounded by a warm, fruity smell, citrus with something sweeter, like strawberries. The air was moist, as though…

“I just took a shower.”

Of course. She’d just been naked and wet. But then…? He looked at her dry hair.

“I had it up,” she said, reading his confusion as she led him through the front room toward the open door at the back.

“Oh.”

Her home was decorated in a cacophony of orange and green, like she was trying to mimic an orchard or a pumpkin patch. Most of the big furniture was covered in dark green upholstery with leaves embedded in the pattern, but the pillows and accents were all in orange. It took him precious moments to realize the walls were not white but light blue, like a summer sky. Hand still around his arm, she led him past a huge couch set in front of a television with accompanying entertainment gear. Santa’s Village didn’t have cable or satellite access to live television from the humans’ realm, but plenty of people had developed a fondness for DVDs. She drew him into a bedroom decorated in much lighter, warmer shades of the same colors that dominated the outer room. The carpet was cream to match the walls, the bedding and upholstery ranging from pale peach to vibrant orange, and the noncovered furniture was all light pine. Sunlight warmed the sheers that guarded her privacy.

The box he’d given her earlier lay in front of a plush couch. It had been torn open and its contents spilled over a plush carpet. At first glance, he could figure out how it went together and was confused why she’d needed help.

“There it is,” she said, dropping his arm so she could cross hers under her breasts. The perky little handfuls pushed at the lapels of the robe, which threatened to nudge aside to reveal her nipples. Then her eyes were on him, and for the first time he realized he was about an inch taller than her. “Can you fix it?”

“Uh, yeah. Sure.” Realizing he sounded moronic with all the uh s, he dropped to his knees and took a look at the parts. The main part of the saddle was a triangular wedge that was padded, then covered with a soft black water-resistant covering. In the center was the socket where the dildos fit. A coiled cord waited to get plugged into the back. Simple. He picked up one of the unwrapped dildos lying on the protective plastic beside the wedge.

“Wait.” She snatched the thick four-inch dildo with the nubbins along its shaft from his hand and replaced it with a six-incher that had a clit-massaging appendage in front. “Use this one.”

Blankly, he nodded, trying desperately to swallow in a throat gone completely dry. He couldn’t stop picturing her with that dildo, lowering her sweet, wet opening on it so she could surround and strangle it. Of course, the semierection he’d sported since he’d heard her voice on the other end of the phone sprouted to full arousal at the thought. But he ignored it by concentrating instead on inserting the batteries into the dildo.

“Does it really need batteries?” she asked, perching on the couch over him.

He tried to avoid noticing that her knees were right by his shoulder, that if she parted them, he could reach between them and find… He gulped. “Uh, no. But since they’re interchangeable, you can use the other dildos while you’re, uh, riding.”

“Mmmm.”

Bending way too close to the machine, he concentrated on fitting the dildo’s end into the machine rather than thinking about how it would soon be inside her heat.

But when he sat back, he immediately felt her warmth over him. She laid a hand on his shoulder and leaned into him, her attention on the machine. “Is it ready?”

“Al—” He cleared his throat. “Almost.” He plugged in the cord and leaned over to push the other end into the socket in the wall beside them. Then he picked up the little remote and took a minute to unwrap and insert the batteries. To test it, he flipped the power switch.

“Oooo!” Strong fingers clutched his shoulders as the dildo started to tremble.

He closed his eyes, thankful his back was to her so she couldn’t see her effect on him.

“There you go.” He stared at the tan column of plastic that buzzed, rather than look at her. If he did, he might— Whoa!

She pushed close to wrap her arms around his shoulders, pressing her cheek to the side of his neck. Her weight was negligible on his back, but she still nearly knocked him off-balance.

“You’re the best! This is awesome!” She kissed his cheek.

Tongue-tied, he remained still as she dropped to her knees beside him, her attention on the machine. She picked up the remote. “Show me.”

He managed to stay calm as he told her what each button did. It was simple enough, designed to function for someone who’d have other things on their mind when they worked it.

When she squealed in delight after they set the vibrator on high, Bok nearly had cardiac arrest.

Okay, elves didn’t have cardiac arrest, but it sure felt like his heart was going to stop. Christmas, but he wished he could stay and watch her use the machine. Maybe if he asked nicely…

She dropped the remote and rose up on her knees in front of him. He froze when she opened her robe, then slid it down her arms and off her body. Captivated by the nearness of her soft, silky skin, he didn’t immediately realize she’d picked up a bottle of lube from the floor beside the box. A half-empty bottle of lube. With the ease of an expert, she popped the top, poured liquid into her palm, and coated the buzzing dildo with one hand while she closed the cap with the other. She did this without a care that he was still there, that he was stunned motionless, torn between watching her slim fingers wet the dildo or the graceful sway of her breasts as she leaned forward. Her hair, tossed over her far shoulder, provided a vivid backdrop to the luscious view she provided him.

He curled his fingers into fists and pressed them to his thighs to keep from reaching out to touch when he hadn’t been invited. It’s nothing, he assured himself. She got naked with people all the time. She just wasn’t thinking…

His brain completely ceased to function when she swung around, lifted one leg, then lowered it so she was straddling the machine. Without any hesitation, she reached down to hold the dildo while she positioned herself above it. Her dry hand closed on his shoulder, using him for balance as she found her place. His eyes were riveted to the shining plastic dickhead as she rotated her hips above it, rubbing herself with it. “Oh, yum.” She purred, tossing her head back.

Her nipples thrust toward the ceiling, pebble hard and captivating, but his attention remained between her thighs. Her fingers crawled up his neck as she lowered her hips, letting the vibrating dildo disappear slowly beneath soft, pettable orange curls. “Mmmm.” She tunneled her fingers into the hair above his left ear, pulling him closer. He lost his vantage for the apex of her thighs, but his focus found the breasts that were so very close. “Oh, wow. Bok, this feels so good.” Her back arched as she jerked up a little so she could push slowly down again. Bok’s mouth watered as he imagined the dildo filling her. He wanted to watch, but her breasts, her face, all that hair draping her back… Holy night, there was just so much to feast his gaze on.

“Christmas!” she sang out loud, and if he had to guess, the little appendage in front of the dildo had finally come in contact with her clit.

“Oh, snow!” She circled her hips, grinding. Her far hand slid up her flat belly until it cupped her breast, coating her silky skin with the lube that remained on her palm. Nimble fingers plucked at the sweet pink treat at the tip. “This feels so good.” An honest whimper bled from Bok’s throat.

Her eyes opened at the sound, her head swiveling to face him. Her smile was pure sin. A gorgeous flush climbed up her neck. He’d never realized pink and orange complemented each other so very well. “Hi.”

He mouthed the word back, but no sound emerged.

She licked her lips, her body rising and falling slowly as she began to ride the machine.

“Mmmm.” Her fingers tugged at his hair, pulling him a little closer. Her breast brushed the front of his tunic when she rose. “Want to kiss me?”

Completely abandoning any pride, he nodded eagerly.

She purred and tugged. “Come here.”

He did, and the touch of her lips to his made him wonder if he’d ever really touched anything or anyone before. Tanty was as brilliantly hot as the color of her hair promised. She opened her lips to his, teasing, nipping at his lips, biting the lower and sucking the upper. She ran her tongue along the front of his teeth. All the while, her body undulated so he couldn’t forget she rode a toy that vibrated inside her.

He didn’t fight it when she grabbed his shoulders and hauled him into a better position. He found himself kneeling in front of her, knees touching hers, the saddle a solid weight beneath her. The dildo was vibrating so hard, he felt the echoes of it when his crotch brushed the front of the machine. The new position allowed her to cup his face with both hands so she could angle it the way she wanted. She took full possession of him, her tongue delving into his mouth to tease his to come out and play. His hands found her waist for balance but stayed because the way she gyrated just turned him the fuck on. Added to that, he could feel the vibrations of the toy inside her.

“So good,” she mewled, pumping faster as she devoured his mouth. “Ah, snow!” On instinct, he brought one hand up to claim a breast, and she howled her approval when he squeezed. It made him bold, and he edged closer, close enough that her free nipple scraped the front of his tunic as she bounced up and down. Close enough that he could slide his other hand around her waist to cup and squeeze one tight buttock. He held her but not too tight—he didn’t want to interrupt her ride. If anything, he wanted to help her in any way he could.

“Ah!” She tore her head away, dropping it back as she froze. Fingers dug into his shoulders as she jerked once, twice, a few more times. He could only watch, fascinated as the orgasm raced across her face, distorting pretty, angelic features into the gorgeous throes of a sexy demon.

But then it passed. With a happy sigh, she spilled forward, sliding her arms around his neck as she buried her face into his collar. He held her, petting her back, her butt, her hair. The machine still caused a constant tremor through her body. Wasn’t she sensitive? How long would she sit there? He wanted to ask but stayed silent, enjoying the last few moments, realizing she could send him away.

When she sighed, he sank onto his knees, letting her slip from his grasp. She remained kneeling over the machine, her head down as she breathed heavily.

That’s it. He recognized his cue to go. Silently, he rocked back and scrambled to his feet, wishing he could be as graceful about it as Wod or Rom would be. He’d just settled his balance when she grabbed his hand to stop him.

Vivid eyes met his when he looked down. “Where are you going?” He blinked. “I, uh, thought… I-I mean, that is I… Well, you don’t have to…” Well, Christmas, what was he saying?

She smiled. “You’re not going anywhere.” She tugged at him to make it clear he was to sit on the couch. After he was seated, she raised off the machine just long enough to turn the wedge so the front faced the couch before she sat back down on it. “I’ve never left a man unsatisfied in my life.” She gave a brief, appreciative sigh as she readjusted to the fake cock inside her. Then she gave him a wicked glare. “I’m not going to start now.” His cock kicked at the mere suggestion. “Wait. You don’t have to… I-I mean…” “Shhh.” She petted his thighs until he stopped trying to talk. “I want to suck you off.” She tipped her head to the side, orange hair spilling over her naked shoulder. “Let me?”

“Christmas, yes.” It burst from his lips before he could stop it.

Smiling, she reached for the remote control. A flick of a button, and the buzzing sound slowed. She grinned. “I don’t want it to get me there too soon, right?” He shrugged, unable to put two thoughts together while this devastatingly sexy woman was kneeling in front of him with a dildo vibrating inside her.

The machine was awesome! Tanty already knew she was going to wear the damn thing out. The first orgasm had been ridiculously explosive, and now the slower buzz was a sweet touch of foreplay ramping her up to another. Normally she’d be ready to stop after the first time she’d come, but she didn’t want to waste the mellow warmth that flowed through her. For the first time in a long time, she wanted to continue. She wanted Bok’s dick in her mouth, was salivating at the mere thought of sucking him while the machine continued to tremble inside her.

Bok was fun, she decided as she tossed aside the remote and reached for the hem of his tunic. That he so clearly wanted to behave was endearing. That he didn’t expect her to want him was sweet. But she wasn’t like that. She’d pulled him into this knowing he’d want her; she was going to give him a good time. And anyway, he was the person responsible for her having the gorgeous machine that vibrated between her thighs. She owed it to him.

She folded the tunic up over his rounded belly to expose the crotch of his trousers. He wasn’t built anything like the men she was used to, but everything was certainly in working order. Smiling, she cupped the erection that poked toward her. He hissed for her, writhing just a little. Just the way she liked. “Mmm, yum,” she murmured, tucking her hair behind her ear as she leaned in to rub her cheek against his shaft. Aware that his belly obscured his view, she contented herself with knowing he’d certainly appreciate the feel of her.

Loving the way the toy between her legs caressed her insides and teased her clit, she leaned back so she could undo Bok’s belt. The lacing beneath fairly burst apart once the belt was free, so it was child’s play to tug down his waistband. Underwear wasn’t a problem, easily pushed out of the way to free his excitement. Lovely, she thought. He had a gorgeous dick, longer and thicker than the toy inside her, with a pulsing purple vein running the length of it.

“Oh, Bok.” She sighed, letting her enjoyment show on her face for him. Lovingly, she caressed him with both hands. “What a treat you have for me.” The helpless meep that escaped him was intoxicating. So was the clean forest scent of him.

How did a man who sat in front of a computer screen all day smell like forest pines? Didn’t matter. It was a heavenly smell that drew her down so she could thumb back his foreskin and swipe her tongue over the smooth head of him.

“Ah, snow.”

He writhed under her, but she was busy now. He tasted musky and clean and filled her mouth so very nicely as she took him in. Tanty had learned the art of giving head so she could distract the most amorous lovers who insisted on dragging sex out to its limit. She’d found that a blowjob, well done, could get a male off and often keep him down for a long while. She’d also found that a blowjob before penetration often helped to speed the intercourse along. But just because she’d learned it for specific reasons didn’t mean she didn’t like it, and she was finding Bok’s eager enjoyment heady. Or was it the toy jacking inside her? Or maybe it was the little plastic nubbin that rubbed at her clit? Silver bells, it was a combination of them all. When he threaded hesitant fingers into her hair, the setting was just about perfect. So she sucked him in.

He hissed, tensing. She dug the fingers of one hand into his thigh in warning. He was not to drag her away. His grip relented a little. Good. Now that she had what she wanted, she wouldn’t be interrupted. The tip of his cock bumped the back of her throat before she drew away, letting his shaft drag on her tongue. Still, his hips moved, just a little, his body unable to resist pushing that gorgeous cock into her mouth. She let him, willing to take it slow so she could learn him. She wanted him wild before she satisfied him. Judging from the moans that now filled the room, it wouldn’t be long. Mouth full, she stole a glance up at him and was caught by the sight of his face contorted with pleasure. So handsome, even if he wasn’t as chiseled and perfect as she was used to. The lime green of his chin-length hair was shiny and bright, and the brows that matched it were thick but smooth. His lashes were long, currently hiding the intriguing green of his irises. The lips under his straight nose were lush and tasty, nearly as tasty as his cock. They were lips, she thought as pleasure buzzed through her veins, she’d be happy to taste again.

But then it was past time for thought. Squeezing one hand around the base of his shaft, she started sucking in earnest. The sex machine was pushing her back toward the peak, and she wanted him with her when pleasure spilled through her again. Her efforts paid off as he started squirming underneath her. The fingers in her hair clutched, the small pain throwing her that much closer to orgasm. Moaning, she dug into his underwear to cup his balls, squeezing and rolling them gently as she laved his shaft. It worked for him, and he went off with a shout, warm cum shooting from him to fill her mouth. She gasped, letting that push her over. She ground down on the machine, laying her cheek on Bok’s warm thigh as the orgasm sizzled and then hummed through her bloodstream.

Above her, Bok’s breath was as loud and winded as a new reindeer-hopeful after his first major test run. Tanty smiled and rubbed her palms down his thighs, over his legs. She would have nuzzled his spent cock, but she got the impression from the twitches in his muscles it might be a bit much for him.

After a slow minute, she sat back. Hissed. Her pussy was really sensitive now, and the darn dildo hadn’t stopped. Deciding not to overdo it, Tanty turned off the machine and rose from it, then sank to her side, glad of the soft, plush carpet to cushion her. Eyes closed, she just smiled and sighed, enjoying the moment.

Then Bok moved. Tanty cracked open one eye to watch him tuck his dick back into his pants, then tie his laces. She lay there as he stood and buckled his belt, and noted he avoided looking at her. Poor guy. Lazily, she stretched and rolled first to her knees, then to her feet. By the time she was standing, he was running bashful palms up and down the front of his tunic, clearly searching for something to say. Perfectly comfortable that she was naked, she stepped into him and slid her arms around his neck. She met his wide-eyed gaze with a half-lidded one, then angled in for a kiss. At first he shied away, but she kept with him, and eventually he melted into a real kiss. He was a nice kisser when he wasn’t thinking too hard.

“Thank you,” she drawled, her lips brushing his as she stroked one hand through the soft hair at the back of his skull.

He blinked. “You’re welcome.” The stutter didn’t have a chance in the heat between them.

Hesitant hands squeezed her waist. “Thank you.”

“Mmmm.” She kissed the corner of his mouth. “Maybe we could do it again sometime.”

“Uh, yeah. Maybe.”

She could tell by his face that he didn’t believe it would happen. She chuckled and drew back, sliding her palms down his chest to come to rest somewhere in the vicinity of his nipples.

He swallowed, then stepped back to break the connection, his eyes downcast. Maybe she should make him stay. And wasn’t it surprising that she kind of meant that? She hardly ever wanted anyone to stick around.

“I should go.”

Startled from her own thoughts, she decided to let him leave. “Okay.” She stayed where she was as he made a beeline for the door.

She knew where to find him when she wanted him.

Chapter Four

Bok stared at his ceiling. Barely a day after Tanty had blown his mind, and his thought processes were still not functioning. All he could remember was the taste of her lips, the sight of the dildo sinking into her body, the bounce of her breasts, the incredible, mind-boggling suction of her mouth when she’d sucked him off. Although most elves in Santa’s Village were pretty open and comfortable about sex, he’d never been with anyone as comfortable in their skin as Tanty. It had to come from being a reindeer, because Wod had the same confidence. It added to the allure of the reindeer team. Not that any of them needed any more help.

His hands remained folded on his bare belly. He hadn’t even been able to jerk off. When he’d tried, the feel of his own fingers and palm had so paled in comparison to Tanty’s touch, he’d given up. The frustration was too new, too keen. Now that he’d been to heaven, the normal world was just too mundane.

He was doomed. He lay naked in his own bed and wondered how he could live his life from that point forward.

The phone appeared beside him. Without looking, he picked it up off the mattress and glanced at the ID. That name made him sit up and take notice. “Gus?” The reigning Mrs. Claus was a slim, serious male elf. It was popular opinion that he was one of the best, most organized Mrs. Clauses in history. So organized, in fact, he often covered quite a few of Santa’s responsibilities as well. Recently he’d taken over personnel operations of the various departments, which included tracking who came in to work on time. Gus’s deep voice was calm, but the strength behind it was evident. “Are you coming to work?” Bok glanced at the time. It was well after midday. Although no one in Bok’s department worked particularly normal hours, they were expected to be at their terminals a certain number per day. Christmas through June might be the off-season for the reindeer, but acquisitions’ work was never done. Too many kids in the world—buying for them couldn’t be put off until the last moment.

“Yes, sir.” Bok hauled himself out of his bed even as he spoke. “I’m on my way now.”

“Good. One of the network segments is down. Work with Cam to figure it out.” Bok couldn’t even get another “yes, sir” out before the line was dead. He tossed the phone aside, letting it disappear in midair, and headed for his dresser.

“This is good,” he muttered to himself, shaking out a worn but comfortable dark blue tunic. “Work will get your mind off of her.”

Yes. If he said it enough, he might even believe it.

* * * *

She found him at his desk just fifteen minutes shy of the end of his shift. Which was remarkable since it was one in the morning. Or, judging from the skimpy little black party dress she wore over black-and-orange-striped tights, maybe the timing was perfect for her.

“How’s my favorite go-to guy?” she asked, slinking around the edge of his desk. The slight slur in her voice suggested she might have had a bit too much sleighberry wine. Her hair was bound in a tail that stuck straight up from her head, but abundant tendrils had escaped to frame her face and throat.

“Tanty.” Was he hallucinating?

“That would be me.” She sauntered right over to his side, her strappy sandals dangling from one hand. Without bothering to ask or warn him, she pulled back his wheeled chair and draped herself over his lap. Luckily, she was slim enough to fit, and she didn’t seem to mind working around his bulk as she wrapped one arm around his neck. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Then, when it didn’t look like she was going to respond: “What are you doing here?” Disregarding his question, she glanced at the three 27-inch monitors in front of him.

Thankfully, he’d not brought up any porn while he was multitasking that shift. It was all toy and novelty sites with carts in various states of completion. “Wow.” She sat up and leaned toward one of the monitors to take a better look. He was pretty sure she wasn’t that fascinated with toy robots, but she showed avid interest. “Wow. I never realized what, exactly, you did.” She waved a hand at the screens before them. “What’s all this?” “Toy Web sites.”

“You buy from these?”

“Yes.”

“In bulk? Wouldn’t humans get suspicious?”

“Yes, they would. That’s why we don’t buy in bulk. We’ve got a number of bogus accounts and credit cards, and we rotate them constantly.” They also often created new ones. The elves had always kept themselves toward the forefront of human technology, and the Internet had provided a tremendous boon for them, possibly more dramatic than it had been for the other world. The ready, anonymous availability of movies and television shows alone had completely altered life in Santa’s Village. Some might argue for the worse, but Bok wasn’t one of them.

Tanty stared at the screens another minute, then looked back at him like she’d never seen him. “You buy stuff like this all day?”

Unable to take her direct look, he reached over her to a touchpad to click through a cart that would expire if he left it idle too long. “Yeah.” She swiveled back, taking note of the tiny text at the far left of the leftmost monitor. “Is that the list?”

“Part of it. My current assignment.”

She peered closely. It was a spreadsheet of names, listing children with not only their ages, sexes, and regions but their hobbies, preferences, religions, and handicaps. Each year, elves in the field took note of which toys had been successful and which had not and updated the list accordingly.

“Wow.” She settled back against his chest. “I have a new respect for what you do.” He flushed, and not just because the sexiest woman he’d ever laid eyes on was curled up in his lap. “Thanks. But it’s nothing like what you do.”

“No. But what we do is all flash and brawn. This”—she waved a hand at the monitors—

“this is real work.”

“Thanks.” He couldn’t help but be flattered. He barely even thought of what he did anymore. There were dozens if not hundreds of Web sites he visited on a regular basis just for his real work.

“But”—she stood, keeping her free hand at the side of his neck as she faced him—“all work isn’t good for you.” She twirled a lock of his hair around her finger. “You’re off soon, yes?”

“How did you know that?”

She brought her other hand up but was prevented from laying a finger aside her nose because she was still holding her sandals. Laughing, she dropped her hand. “I have my ways.”

“Oh.” He placed his fingers on the keyboard to input credit-card information. An idle, familiar moment to keep him from concentrating too hard on warmth she provided. “Yeah.” He startled when she leaned in to whisper in his ear, “Come home with me.” An entirely undignified squeak burst from somewhere in his throat. “What?”

“Come home with me.”

“Why?”

She giggled at his aghast look. “What? Don’t you want to fuck me?” A full-body shudder took him before he could play it cool. “Why me?” She was back to playing with his hair, tugging a little at the lock behind his ear. “Why not?”

“You just came from a party.”

“What?” She looked down at her clothing, at the sandals she held. “Oh. We were dancing at the Mistletoe.”

“You can’t tell me there weren’t guys there dying to go home with you.”

“There were.” Said without modesty, but then again, she didn’t need it. “But we have some unfinished business.”

“We do?”

“Yes. I like that you let me play with my toy while I was playing with you.” She shook her head. “I don’t think any of the other guys I could have taken home would have treated it with the same appreciation.”

His jaw dropped. “Really?” That was his in? No, what was he thinking? He had no in. He had no chance.

Her smile told him she understood his surprise. “Really.” “That’s… Huh.”

Purring, she bent to kiss the corner of his mouth. “I’m going to head on home and get everything ready.” Then a brush of lips on his. “Don’t keep me waiting long.” Tanty took her time strolling along the snow-lined avenue toward the hill, letting her mind wander. What would it be like to live in a world with different seasons? All her life, she’d known winter. She understood the magic that kept her alive, that made her and her magical race possible, also kept the North Pole realm in perpetual winter. It wasn’t the same winter as seen in the humans’ plane of existence. While cold, it was rarely a biting, killing cold, despite the constant snow. She had only seen pictures and read stories about lands that were free of drifts and hot and dry to the touch. About flowers so delicate they required a moderate heat to sustain life. Of animals that romped through the grass. Of grass. She only saw glimpses of such things during her trips to the humans’ realm when they visited the southern hemisphere. One day she’d love to actually see it in the daylight.

Occupied with idle thoughts, she walked off some of her tipsiness. She waved to some friends who passed by before she turned off Peppermint Avenue to head up the hill along Santa Claus Lane. At the top of the hill, the workshop stood as the largest and oldest building in the village. The first elves had all lived there with Santa. That was before the expansion to erect other buildings as others like the reindeer and Mrs. Claus came into the picture. Through the decades, Santa’s Village had grown and expanded in direct proportion to the humans’ belief in their existence. True, modern-day skepticism had threatened, but the elves continued to live on the hope and magic that parents instilled in their young children.

Far ahead toward the top of the hill on the opposite side of the lane, she saw a handful of people crowd down the narrow road that led toward Dasher’s house. She smiled. Rom had been having troubles deciding who to take home with him tonight. Evidently, he’d decided to make it a group effort. No doubt it’d be fun. She’d participated in more than one of the lead reindeer’s orgies, then struggled through the workout he demanded of her at team practice the next day. She thought Rom was great, but he had a sadistic sense of fun, in her opinion.

Amused by her own thoughts and enchanted by the moonlit evening, she nearly didn’t see the man waiting underneath the spreading pine that sheltered the turnoff of the path to her house.

Yor’s navy blue hair and dark clothing partially hid him in the shadows, but the pale skin of his face and the sexy triangle of chest bared by his open shirt gave him away.

She stopped a few paces in front of him. “Have you been waiting for me?”

“Just a few minutes.” He stepped forward, folding both arms over the top of the sign that identified Vixen Road. “So, I’ve been thinking about this toy of yours.” Her feet, once again wrapped in her new sandals, ached to be free of their confinement after her short walk. “Oh?”

“Mmm.” Violet eyes gleamed black in the moonlight. “I’d like to see it.” She kept his gaze, considering. On one hand, she and Yor were familiar lovers. Sex between them was consistently good and usually great fun. But on the other hand, she hadn’t been kidding when she told Bok the men she knew would take over. Yor would see the toy as part of foreplay and wouldn’t think to treat it as the main event. Also on that other hand, Bok was on his way over. Although she wasn’t averse to sharing—and was pretty sure even Yor might be up for it—instinct told her it wouldn’t sit well with Bok. She’d freaked him out enough.

Tonight she just wanted to enjoy and share that enjoyment with him.

So she smiled at the handsome elf who stood before her, but shook her head. “Maybe some other night.”

“You sure?”

She nodded. “I’ve got someone else on the way.”

“Oh?” He straightened and rounded the sign to get closer to her. “Who?” Hesitation. But why did she hesitate? She wasn’t ashamed. “Bok.” It took him a moment before a confused frown creased his brow. “The chubby little nerd?” She scowled. “Yeah. You got a problem with that?”

Yor held up both hands in surrender. “No, no. I’m just surprised, is all. Didn’t know you were into that.”

“Into what?”

But Yor was at least a marginally sharp man. He shook his head and backed away.

“Nothing. I think I’ll just be going.” He circled her and began to back down the lane toward Donner Road farther down the hill. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Well, now she was irritated. Cursing under her breath, she stomped down her path. That’s why she’d hesitated in telling him. She’d known he’d react like that. That any of the reindeer would react like that. It wasn’t that being overweight was uncommon among the elves. Their iconic image of Santa Claus was portly. But the Santa Claus form had become a magical construction centuries ago, and as the elves’ population had grown, so had their tastes refined. As the reindeer were all physically fit and beautiful, so too their lovers tended to fall along the same lines.

But it didn’t have to be that way. Tanty was fine with her choice of partner for the night.

With that firmly in mind, she opened her front door and promptly sat so she could take off the shoes from hell.

Chapter Five

Bok saw Tanty talking to a male. He was too far away to recognize Yor until the tall man stepped out of the shadows, but the shaved sides of his head under the dark swath of hair were distinctive.

The sight made Bok hesitate. What if Tanty changed her mind? He couldn’t blame her. He knew Yor was more her type, and it was pretty obvious they’d slept together often. Should he just go home and leave her in peace? But her parting words haunted him: Don’t keep me waiting long. He’d never heard that from a woman, not in a sexual situation. He knew better than to make her think he’d ignored her wishes. But, really, what did he have to offer her?

Inspiration struck. Knowing he shouldn’t take the time, Bok nonetheless turned to jog down Peppermint Avenue toward the street where he had his own modest home. It was only a few blocks, but he was woefully out of shape and breathing hard by the time he reached his door.

It took a precious few minutes for him to catch any semblance of breath or hear anything over the thudding of his heartbeat. Only the thought that this was worth it kept him upright instead of sinking onto his couch until he felt better. So, gulping in a second wind, he rushed to a chest in the corner of his main room. Inside were any number of adult toys, all still in their boxes or plastic wrap. These were either the rejects or toys he’d purchased on a whim because he wanted to see them in person. Since most of them were for women and involved either penetration or clitoral stimulus, he’d not made use of any of them himself. But he did like to have an available stash for the odd girl who wanted something right now. Muttering, he rummaged through the selection, searching for a particular…

Ah!

He held up the box and smiled. Even if it felt like his heart was going to explode, and even if he still had to run back to Tanty’s— up the biggest hill in the village—he was sure her reaction to this would be worth it.

* * * *

If he wasn’t going to show up, she’d darn well start without him!

Tanty had considered calling Bok, but pride got the best of her. If he wasn’t coming, she wasn’t going to chase after him. Not tonight, at least. So when the knock sounded at the front door, she was already naked and playing with one of her vibrators as a prelude to mounting the sex machine. Ensconced in the corner of her bedroom couch with both knees up on the cushions, she stared at the bedroom door and seriously considered not answering. But then she decided she wanted to hear why he was late.

She threw Bok off by answering the door without a stitch on. He blinked those eyes the color of ancient coins, then devoured her with his gaze. His breath was loud and labored. Had he run there? She let him look, then noticed a box in his hand. “What’s that?” Breathing deep in an effort to stop huffing, he raised the box with both hands. An offering.

“This is why I’m late. Sorry.”

“Hmm.” She made a show of reluctance to hold out her hand for it.

Appropriately shamed, he handed it over.

It wasn’t plain brown. It was the actual glossy packaging for the toy, complete with a picture on the front. Once the sight sank in, her irritation dissolved in mounting excitement.

“Oooo.” Leaving the door open, she swung around to return to the bedroom, already breaking the seal on the box. The little device was soft plastic in a flattened C shape. Nubbins of different sizes decorated the insides of each end, making it immediately obvious to her how to use it. It was also just a little bendable, to make the C wider or narrower. The plastic was pliable and soft orange, as though made for her. Grinning, she fell back into her corner of the couch and lifted one knee. “It’s lovely. Thank you.”

Caught in her bedroom doorway, he just stared at the juncture of her legs, no doubt noting she was already moist. The sex machine sat on the floor at her feet, assembled and waiting for her to mount up. Her other toys were laid out on the table that sat beside the wall right next to the couch. A nearly finished bottle of lube sat on the table as well, along with a fresh bottle.

Closely inspecting her new toy by turning it over and over in front of her nose, she advised: “You should probably take your clothes off now.” When he didn’t move, she glanced up at him. “Bok?”

Uncertainty showed in his frown. “Are you sure you want me to stay?” She softened. Poor thing. She kept forgetting he really didn’t think she wanted him there.

“Of course I do.” She sat forward to grab the packaging for the new toy and dug out the batteries.

“Now get naked.” A brief little instruction packet fell from the box and opened to a line drawing that caught her attention. She squealed in joy. “Oh, Christmas! You can fuck with this thing in?” She squeezed her thighs together, shivering at the very thought. Then she threw a wicked smile at Bok. “We’ve got to try that.”

His loose waistband slipped from his fingers, causing his trousers to drop around his ankles. His damn tunic was too long for her to see the reaction of his dick.

No matter—she’d find out soon enough. She smiled. “You should get the shoes off first.”

“What? Oh! Right.”

She unwrapped the batteries but watched him out of the corner of her eye. He perched on the edge of one of the chairs that matched the couch and bent to pull off his shoes and socks.

Despite the weight issue, he was really very cute. She was used to sleeping with men with hard muscles and slim hips, but she could adjust. The lime green hair was bright and vivid, nearly fluorescent, just like her favorite colors, and it was a convenient length to use as a handhold. He moved well, although she could see the evidence of strain because he’d hurried to get there.

Patches of his tunic were dark with sweat from the exertion, but she didn’t mind. A good, clean sweat turned her on.

By the time she’d filled the new toy with batteries and figured out how to start the vibration, he was pulling off his tunic. She noted he did so carefully and kept the garment clutched to his chest when off, in a paltry attempt to hide his body from her. Reaching down to apply her new toy to her hungry flesh, she raised her free hand to beckon to him. “Come here.” He hesitated. “Should I shower? I’m kind of sweaty.” She grinned. “I don’t mind. Come here.”

He did, eyes hungry as he drank in the sight of her. The pure adoration in his emerald gaze went straight to her heart, blossoming into a determination on her part to please him as a reward for making her feel special. She smiled and arched for him, pushing her pert breasts out to draw his attention. He knelt on the floor by her side, and only then did he drop the tunic and toss it aside. It meant she didn’t get to see the goods, but she let it go. She threaded her fingers in his hair and brushed his lips with hers before she guided his mouth to her nipple. She expected him to latch on with desperate intensity, but he surprised her with a small moan, then a delicate nip, followed by a slow, delicious drag of his tongue around her areola, licking at her like her breast was a scoop of delicious ice cream. That gentle exploration combined with the mindless vibration of the new toy in her sex forced her to close her eyes to adjust to the overwhelming sensations. A hesitant hand slid over her belly, then up to cup her other breast. His thumb stroked her nipple as his lips closed over its mate.

“Oh, yes,” she murmured, pulling him closer. She guided the toy slowly out, then back into her body and bent it so it would stay. The sensation was gorgeous, the C shape cupping her so the toy could massage her inside as well as stimulate her clit. Closing her thighs to hold it in freed her other hand so she could bring it up to wrap around Bok’s neck. “Yes, yes, yes. More.” He obeyed her encouragement, opening his mouth to take in more of her breast so he could suckle properly.

“Mmmm, yes. The other one.”

Her nipple popped from his mouth as he switched, leaning over her to reach her neglected breast. She scraped her nails down the smooth skin of his back as she buried her nose in the fragrant nest of his hair. The toy and Bok’s mouth were driving her pleasantly insane, tiny electric sparks from one clashing with sparks from the other to combine somewhere in her belly.

With no more than a little whine, she came quietly, her thighs clenching and her hips bucking.

It was by far the sexiest thing Bok had ever experienced. Eyes closed, mouth devouring Tanty’s breast, he felt her shudder against him, felt her fingers tug at his hair. His cock bucked where he had it trapped against the front of the couch, aching to get inside her.

But he understood. She wanted a playmate with her toys. She didn’t necessarily want to fuck. He could only do what she said and commit everything he saw to memory so he could recall it later in his dreams.

He slid his hand down her side as she shivered after the orgasm. Lapping at her nipple now, he stroked her soft skin until he could cup the taut curve of one side of her butt.

“Mmmm.”

Strong fingers tugged his hair, pulling his mouth away from its treat. But since the direction was toward her mouth, he went. Deep purple-blue irises twinkled at him from beneath lush tangerine lashes for a few seconds before she opened her mouth on his. He sighed, managing to suppress the whimper that wanted to emerge. Tanty took charge of his lips, her tongue leading his on a merry dance. She twisted her hips so she rested mostly on her back, the move causing his hand to naturally slide over her belly. It was instinct to reach lower, to seek the vibrating plastic that hugged her most intimate parts. She squealed a little when he touched it, and he took that as permission to slowly wiggle the toy. He didn’t know what was touching her, exactly, whether it was the curve or the little nubbins built into it, but whatever it was pleased her. The moisture of her sex coated his fingers as he explored the delicate tissues around the toy and was even so bold as to slide a finger along the bottom curve of the toy, following it into her body.

Groaning, she clawed at his shoulders, her hips twisting. Then he must have moved the toy just right, because she ripped her head back to gasp at the ceiling. Without thinking, he leaned a little to the side and down so he could see his hand, see her opening, see the gorgeous, swollen pink tissues that clamped around the bright orange of the toy and his finger. Fascinated, he leaned closer, tapping the toy with his thumb and pressing on it inside her. Her hips bucked, and her nails dug into the back of his neck, but he stayed focused, delighted by the vibrating collection of plastic and wires that was pleasing her so well.

“Bok.” Her tone was urgent, her grasp encouraging him to turn more toward her.

Intent on the toy, he tilted it, tapped it, rubbed it. As he watched, she came again, the juices from her sex now covering his hand.

“Christmas,” she grumbled, tugging his hair. “Bok!”

He hoped she wasn’t as mad as she sounded. How could she be when she’d come beautifully? He should turn around, but the sight of the toy was so gorgeous…

He yelped when the world spun, not even realizing she’d shoved at his chest until he was on his back on the plush carpet. She was on him in an instant, crawling up to straddle his hips.

The vibrating toy pressed against the shaft of his cock, and he cried out.

“Did I hurt you?” she demanded, her palms spread on his chest.

He gazed up at her, captivated by the sight of her angelic face surrounded by a haphazard cloud of fiery orange hair. “No.” His voice was breathless.

She smiled and rolled her hips, making him moan again. “That feel good?”

“Christmas, yes.”

She rolled again, arching back as she did it, showing she also enjoyed the press of the toy between them. He closed his eyes and dug his fingers into the carpet, trying his best to hold on.

He didn’t see when she reached down, but he felt her fingers close around his shaft. He moaned as she stroked him. Then his eyes flew open when the vibration of the toy left and she held him straight up. His eyes snapped open, and he looked down, but he was too late to see her position the tip of his cock. In one swift motion, she impaled herself on him, sliding both herself and the toy down the length of his cock until her hips met his.

“Oh. Holy. Night.” He groaned as his hips bucked against hers through pure instinct.

“Oh, yeah.” She too was caught up. Her palms were back on his chest, and she leaned heavily, her eyes closed. Her bottom lip was twisted and caught by her teeth, and her brows were drawn together in fierce concentration. She jerked her hips, and they both cried out.

She took him that way. There was no other way to describe what she did. He lay beneath her, unable to form coherent thought as she gyrated and ground above him. The feel of her clenching his cock along with the unrelenting buzz of the toy set off major explosions in his brain and down along his spine. He was close, so close, he was going to…

The bottom dropped out of his world when she stopped. He couldn’t immediately fathom that she’d also reached down to stop the toy. All movement ceased, leaving just the relentless squeeze of her sex around his cock and the pressure of her palm on his chest.

She grinned down at him when he opened his eyes. “Not yet.” He groaned.

She pushed out her bottom lip. “Aww.” Chuckling, she drew her finger along his chin.

“Hold it for me.”

“I…don’t know if I can.”

“Sure you can.” She sat back on her heels, drawing her arms up to pull all her hair up over her head, then drop it down her back. Arching her back, she rotated her hips once and laughed low in her throat. “You’re just as good as the machine.” He wasn’t sure if the forced breath from his mouth was an aborted laugh or curse. Maybe a little of both.

“Mmmm.” She rotated again. “This is won derful.” He both agreed and disagreed. He feasted his eyes on the curves of her body as consolation. She reached over to the side, and only then did he realize they were close to the table where she had her toys. Without leaving his body, she managed to grab one of the bottles of lube and…

“Father Christmas,” he muttered.

She grinned and let the string of anal beads dangle from her fingers. “I love these,” she told him, expertly popping the top of the lube with her thumb. With a deft twist of her wrist, she spun the beads around so they lay in her palm and poured lube over them. All the while, she kept up a minor roll with her hips, just to make sure he couldn’t forget they were joined. When the beads were coated, she set down the bottle and leaned forward to spread her dry palm on his chest. She met his eyes and held his gaze as her other hand disappeared behind her. His mouth fell open as he watched her watch him, both of them knowing that her fingers… He felt her move. Then he felt a different pressure as she pushed one bead into her body.

“Tanty.”

“Yes?”

Nothing. He had nothing to say, but her name needed to come from his lips. “Tanty.” She smiled and seemed to understand. Either that or she was distracted as she kept pushing beads into her body, kept gently rocking on his cock. It took forever, and it didn’t take nearly long enough. Her eyes shut in obvious bliss before she was done, and the fingers of the hands on his chest curled so that short nails dug into his skin. He couldn’t have minded the minor hurt less.

At last she was done, and she slid her wet hand forward to brace on his hip as she adjusted her position.

“Oh.” Her sigh was almost a purr. A cascade of orange hair slipped over her shoulder to pool over the left side of his chest. “Oh. ” She was moving again, driven by what had to be a riot of sensations inside her. Full. She had to be full to bursting, and part of that was him. Bok found his hands on her thighs, holding, caressing, needing to touch as she picked up speed. With a tiny growl, she reached down and quickly flipped the vibe between them on again, and Bok cried out as the buzzing started. He wasn’t going to last. He was shocked he hadn’t blown yet, but the pressure on his cock was probably all that kept him going. She cried out and leaned back, her hands gripping his legs for balance as she slammed down on him hard. He bit his lip and buckled down and did everything he could not to blow. He wanted her to—

She came. Loud. Hard. Shuddering. Long. She thrashed over him, caught in the grip of a storm that didn’t want to stop. It caught him up in the whirlwind, and he couldn’t have held on longer if he tried. His spine exploded, and molten fire poured through his limbs, forcing him to pump and writhe in tandem with her grinding from above.

She was laughing before he could think straight, a sound of pure, unadulterated joy. The maddening buzzing stopped, and then she was draped over his body, her cheek coming to rest on his shoulder. Her labored breath fanned his Adam’s apple.

“That. Was. Awesome,” she assured him.

Pride suffused him, melding with the pleasure that had yet to leave his system. He’d satisfied her. He’d gotten his pleasure, but she’d found hers as well. It couldn’t get any better than that.

Chapter Six

Tanty woke warm and sated. Morning sunlight pushed its way through the burnt orange sheers that blocked her bedroom windows. The tone usually put her in mind of the inside of a lighted oven. Luckily, the temperature didn’t match. A heavy male body was curled around her.

Half hanging off the side of the bed, she smiled at the floor, aware who belonged to the naked weight draped over her back and hips. One of Bok’s legs was hooked over her thighs, and his arm banded her waist. She was nearly smothered in the plushness of her mattress, and she didn’t mind a bit.

Bok had ended up staying the whole night. She’d lost count of the times they’d fucked. He hadn’t been content until they tested each one of her toys. Well, except one. Only now, as she was staring at it, did she realize she never had mounted up on the sex machine. How odd. Her shiny new toy, and they’d never used it. Just the thought made her smile. She and Bok had found plenty to do with each other without it.

Very carefully, she rolled forward and slid out from under him. Turning on her knees beside the mattress, she let herself get a good look at him. Teddy bear. Definitely. He wasn’t hairy—no elves were—but his shape gave her the impression of a big, huggable teddy bear. She gently brushed green hair back from his eyes, then traced the arch of one brow. He looked far less worried when he was asleep.

Content, she gathered the three dildos, two sets of anal beads, and the new vibrator they had used last night, then stood to take them to the bathroom. She rinsed herself and her toys off, whistling a little under her breath. Her body was pleasantly sore, and her heart felt peaceful. She knew, as a rule, she was an overly active person. Throughout her life, too many people had asked her to calm or slow down for her not to have gotten that memo. But right now, she was content to just go slow. Last night had worn her out. Thoughts of breakfast surfaced in her mind, but she just let them drift. She wasn’t hungry, Bok was still asleep, and she wasn’t expected at practice today, so there was no hurry.

“Huh.” As she laid them on the counter to dry, she realized all the toys had been used on—
or in—her. She remembered trying to turn one of the slim dildos—barely wider than her index finger—on him, but he’d rejected the idea of anything going in his ass. She’d proceeded to demonstrate on herself that it could feel good and now realized Bok had completely distracted her to get her off the subject. Laughing, she fingered the small blue toy, thinking how she could try to introduce him to it again.

A knock sounded at the front door before she decided on a plan. She wasn’t expecting anyone, but it wasn’t out of the ordinary for company to come calling. She walked out through the bedroom toward the living room but stopped when she saw Bok. Their raucous activity had spilled all the sheets and covers to the foot of the bed or to the floor. She took a moment to pull the sheet and bedspread up and tuck them in around him. Once he was covered, she headed for the door.

Issie and Nold stood on her porch, each dressed in the casual sweats reindeer typically wore before practice or for lazy mornings after a busy night. Issie wore a light gray that nearly matched her ice blue eyes and could have been a blend of the white and black stripes of her hair, while Nold wore black, which set off his cherry red hair and merlot eyes.

“Hey.” Issie waved as she stepped out of the bright morning sun into Tanty’s foyer.

“We’re headed for breakfast. Wanna join us?”

Tanty leaned on the open door as her friends filed in, very aware she was still naked. At least she was clean. “Nah. I just got up.”

“We can wait,” Nold said. Then his gaze found and held on the man who could be seen on Tanty’s bed through the open doorway. Nold stepped forward so he could lean on the wall right by the bedroom door. He tilted his head, then startled. “Is that who I think it is?” Tanty closed the front door to shut out the draft. “Probably.” Issie sidled up to Nold, leaning against his back as she looked around his shoulder. “Oh, hey, it’s Bok! I sucked him off once.” She glanced at Tanty, tossing back a black swipe of hair.

“Was he good?”

“Mmmm.” Tanty smiled and hugged herself as she leaned on the closed front door.

Nold blinked at her, gaping. “Really?”

Tanty frowned a little. “Yeah, really.”

“Ooo!” Issie kept her exclamation soft in deference to the sleeping man, but she sped into the bedroom just the same. By the time Tanty reached the doorway, Issie was kneeling beside the sex machine in order to get a better look at it. “How was this?” Tanty glanced at Bok as she walked into the room, but he was sleeping the sleep of the dead. She wasn’t sure yelling would wake him. “It’s awesome,” she assured her friend as she perched on the edge of the couch.

“What’s the deal?” Nold sat on the arm beside her. “Can’t find enough willing cock?”

“Careful,” Issie warned, pointing a finger at him. “Tanty might get offended.”

“No offense taken.” Tanty gave Nold a mild glare nonetheless. “Not a thing wrong with cock. But it’s cool to have the machine. You know what you’re getting.” Issie giggled, fingering the dildo. “These nubs are kind of scary.”

“But they feel so good.”

Issie hooted, then slapped a hand over her mouth and glanced back at Bok.

I guess yelling does wake him. Tanty watched his eyes open. Blink. Again. One more time.

His focus steadied, and Tanty could tell when he recognized Issie. Then Nold. Recognition dawned just as he must have realized he was still naked. His head jerked up in surprise.

Tanty realized then that she probably shouldn’t have let her friends in. Too late now. “Hey, there.” He looked at her with wide green eyes. She smiled. “Want to come to breakfast with us?” Two of them. No, three with Tanty. Three reindeer sitting in a bedroom with him, all of them dressed except for Tanty. And him. He was naked as a newborn, with just an orange and green quilt to shield his considerable flesh. Christmas!

“Bok?”

He was still in her house! He’d fallen asleep in her bed. Had she not been able to wake him? Curse him for a heavy sleeper! When had she really wanted to kick him out? He stifled a groan.

Tanty stood from the couch, her skin rosy in the sunlit room. “Bok?” They were all staring at him. He’d never spoken directly to Nold, but he knew who Prancer was. Issie he did know personally because she was one of his customers. “Uh, yes?” She stopped at the edge of the bed, reaching out to stroke his arm. “Breakfast?” He shied away, sitting up into the pillows and crumpling sheets and quilt close to his groin.

“Uh, no.” She was just being nice. She was nice. She’d let him fuck her and play with her toys, play with her… Memories of repeated sex flooded his brain, disabling him for a precious moment. He shook himself. “I need to get to work.” He owed her everything for that one, perfect night. He certainly owed her a gracious retreat. “I, uh…need to get to work.” He folded his legs over the edge of the bed, clutching the quilt over the erection he refused to allow to grow. “Gus is, uh, y’know…”

“Oh, man.” Issie rolled her eyes, sitting back against the front of the couch. “You report to Gus? My sympathies. I used to work with him before I won my place on the team.” He blinked at Issie, unable to believe he sat there naked on Tanty’s bed looking at Issie’s round face and nearly white eyes. She grinned at him, reaching up to hook a white lock of her black-and-white-striped hair behind a pointed ear.

“Yeah.” Be cool. He edged off the bed, pulling the blanket around his belly. Achingly aware that there was so much more to him than any of them. “I, uh…” Noticing his clothes, he bent to swipe them off the chair where he’d dumped them last night. An undignified squeak escaped his throat when he nearly lost hold of the quilt. Christmas, don’t embarrass Tanty any more than you already have. Trousers and tunic in hand, he spun and fled to the bathroom.

Oh, holy night. He released a soundless groan as he came to rest against the counter. There, on the smooth surface, the dildos, beads, and C-vibe they’d used the night before lay drying on a green towel. Memories again, visual and tactile: Tanty’s legs wrapped around him as she sucked on the purple jelly dildo, his tongue deep in Tanty’s sex as he worked the slim blue dildo in her ass, Tanty’s growls as she rode him with the C-vibe rumbling between them… He would never forget last night and had his doubts he could ever match it. None of the other women he’d been with had been so willing to play. He wanted to stay, oh so very badly, but he couldn’t do that to Tanty. She had to want him gone.

He dressed quickly, aware he smelled of sex. He’d have to go home first to clean up. It was minutes before he reopened the door.

Tanty had a short lavender robe on when he emerged. She was standing by the bathroom door, and the robe hung open to display the treasure that was her body. They were all talking quietly. Tanty looked disturbed. Bok knew then he’d certainly outstayed his welcome.

“T-thanks.” He bent to pick up shoes and socks, then straightened, tucking them under his armpits. “For everything.” He grinned, hoping he didn’t look like a loon. “It was…great.” Tanty tried a smile. “You sure you can’t…” She stepped toward him.

He backed through the bedroom door. “No. No. I’ve got to go.” She stopped. Frowned a little. “Okay. Thanks.”

Thanking him. For the toys. Of course. He nodded quickly and headed for the door. He wasn’t going to make her kiss him good-bye. She’d suffered enough. “See you around.” He fled, barely feeling the cold as he ran through the snow that had fallen on her path.

“Well, that’s a weird one,” Nold observed. He stood behind Tanty as she stood at her front door, watching Bok run from her. His bare feet made deep prints in the new powder that covered her path, backtracking the trail Issie and Nold had left on their way to the house. In less than a minute, he was out of sight, moving fast for a large guy.

“Not really.” She crossed her arms over her chest. He hadn’t even kissed her. And he’d been so nervous. Because of Issie and Nold? But they hadn’t said anything. “You guys scared him.”

“We didn’t do anything,” Issie protested.

Tanty turned to look at them. Tall Nold with his cherry red hair and merlot eyes. He was the oldest of the nine reindeer—had even made noises of retiring to let someone younger be Prancer—but you’d never know it to look at him. Issie, the newest of the reindeer, had now been with the team for two seasons, filling Comet’s shoes. To other elves, they could be intimidating.

Reindeer had certainly cowed her before she’d made the team. But she’d expected different from Bok. He was so sure at his work, and he’d been perfectly confident and in control last night once he’d let go into the sex. His best friend was dating the team’s second in command. She’d expected him to handle the presence of reindeer better.

But he hadn’t. He’d been terrified. She’d seen it plainly enough. It made her sad, and she wasn’t altogether sure why. Maybe it was just that she couldn’t share her new friend with others.

She sighed. “Oh well, looks like I lost my playmate. Wait a few, and I’ll get some clothes on.”

Chapter Seven

Bok stood his ground on one side of Gus’s desk, determined not to fidget under that hard stare. It wasn’t easy. The reigning Mrs. Claus was the closest anyone in Santa’s Village came to looking like a hard-as-nails corporate CEO. Bok had seen enough human television to make the reference. Gus even looked the part. No extravagant colors to Gus’s hair, his was that indeterminate shade between brown and blond, a little bit of both but not quite either. Not streaked, exactly, but definitely one color in places and another color in others. He kept his hair cut short about his long face, his pointed ears the only thing breaking the illusion that he could be human. Well, that and his square jaw was far too smooth for him to ever have shaved. His irises were sapphire blue but hard as granite.

His office could have been a human’s habitat. His desk was rich oak and matched the bookcases along the wall behind him. Bok wasn’t sure what books could be filling those cases, but they were, indeed, full. The right side of the desk was piled high with neat stacks of papers.

A desktop monitor dominated the left side, a wireless keyboard and mouse in front of it. Gus knew just as much about computers as anyone in acquisitions. In his younger days, he had, in fact, been one of the designers and programmers of the current software they used for The List of Good and Bad.

Gus sat forward and folded his hands on the blotter before him. He wore his red and white jacket tailored to look almost businesslike, if you ignored that it was sleeveless and had fuzzy white lapels and cuffs. The snowy white shirt beneath was perfectly cuffed and pressed. “You want to move your office to your home.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes, sir.”

“Why?”

“I’d like to work from home for a while.”

“Is there an issue with someone at the office?”

“No, sir.”

“Is there a personal issue I should be aware of?”

Bok consciously did not fidget. “No, sir. I would just appreciate the change of pace.”

“You won’t get lonely?” It might seem an odd question for anyone who didn’t work for Gus. He looked hard—he washard—but he did care. Bok suspected Gus cared more for the village than anyone else.

“No, sir. I just…” He took a deep breath. “I need some time to myself.” Those shrewd eyes narrowed a little. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No, sir. I have it covered.”

“Is this about you and Tanty?”

Bok blinked. His jaw fell open. But then he snapped it shut. He shouldn’t be surprised Gus knew. “No, sir.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, sir.”

Gus took a breath of his own, his mouth twisting a little to the side as he bit the inside of his lip. It was a habit that made him seem less stony. “All right. I’ll allow it. As long as you continue to meet your quota, you may work from home as you wish.” He sat back and turned his big leather chair to face the monitor. “Do you need help moving your computers?”

“No, sir. I only need one. My setup at home should be enough for the rest.” Gus nodded, fingers on his keyboard. “Very well. Let me know if you need anything else.” Bok nodded his head in respect. “Thank you, sir.”

* * * *

Tanty stared at the empty desk, frowning. The small office had been dark before she’d turned on the light, and it looked like no one had been there all day. But that didn’t make sense.

Bok should only be three quarters of the way through his shift. She’d purposely left practice in a hurry so she could catch him.

There was something wrong with his desk too. It took her a few moments, but she finally realized one of the huge monitors was missing. That was odd. There had been three the last time she was there. She remembered that one particularly because it had shown the list.

Maybe that was it. He was out getting one of his computers boxed so it could be shipped into the other realm to get fixed. Or maybe he’d taken it to the electronics workshop. That was probably it.

Fine, she’d catch him tomorrow.

But he wasn’t there the next day either, and it looked like his office hadn’t been touched.

This time, she took herself down the hall and knocked on another office door. She didn’t know the little male who leaned owlishly toward the center monitor on his desk, but when she finally got his attention, she saw he knew her. He nearly fell off his padded swivel chair when he recognized her.

“Hi.” She grinned, holding out her hand. “I’m Tanty.” With that awed look others seemed to exclusively reserve for reindeer, he shook her hand.

“You are?” she prompted.

“Huh? Oh. Me? I’m, uh…?” He seemed to have to think about it for a second. “Gurt. I’m Gurt.”

“Nice to meet you, Gurt.” She gestured down the hall. “Do you know where Bok is?”

“Bok? Oh. He’s working from home.”

She blinked. “You guys can do that?”

That got her a smile. A small one. “Most of us have a setup at home, yeah.”

“Huh. That’s pretty cool.”

“Yeah. Helps when you’re not feeling well or something.”

“You mean, Bok’s sick?”

Gurt frowned, bushy green brows drawing together. His hair was green like Bok’s, but where Bok’s was fluorescent, Gurt’s hair was far more pale and subdued. In some lighting, it might even look blond. His eyes were the deep brown of the forest floor. “I don’t think he’s sick.

He just asked to work from home for a while.”

“Oh.” Tanty frowned. What was going on? She wanted to talk to Bok to make sure they were still okay after the other night. Also, she wanted to see if they could do it again. She hadn’t had sex since that night, and she was getting antsy. “Could you tell me where Bok lives?” She left the acquisitions building with exact directions. It wasn’t all that far, just a few blocks. Heading there, she gained a new understanding of how far he’d run the other night to get her new toy. It wasn’t a great distance for her and wouldn’t be for any of the reindeer, but they trained to run for hours at a time. For someone like Bok, who sat behind a computer most of the time, the run must have been a trial of endurance.

His house was indistinguishable from any of the others on his block. All elves had the right to a home to themselves once they came of age. Most had their choice of the empty houses in the residential blocks. Santa’s Village rarely changed size. The residential plots had been the same for centuries, since the population was pretty regular.

She walked up the path to Bok’s house and stood on the minuscule porch to knock at the bright green door. She was pretty sure he was home, although she couldn’t be absolutely certain.

She tried the door handle and didn’t appreciate that it was locked. Not many people in the village locked their doors, but it wasn’t exactly uncommon. She put some strength behind her next knock and called out his name.

It took knocking twice more before the lock finally clicked and the door opened. Bok stood on the other side, holding door and frame close so she could see just a sliver of him.

“Hi,” she said, unable to smile through her surprise at his lack of welcome.

“Hi.”

“You’re not at work.”

“I’m working from home.”

Well, duh. Now that we’ve covered the obvious… She mentally shook herself. “Can I come in?”

He glanced to his side, clearly thinking. Then shook his head. “No. I’m working.”

“We’ve talked while you were working before.”

“I know. I, uh, I’m way behind. Th-that’s why I’m working here. Less distractions.” “Oh.” She didn’t believe him, but she had no basis for calling him out. She knew next to nothing about what he did. “When do you think you’ll be done?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Okay.” Now she felt stupid. She was getting the clear idea he didn’t want to be around her, and it pissed her off. “Listen, I want to apologize for the other morning. I shouldn’t have let Nold and Issie in while you were sleeping.”

His gaze dropped, and a flush colored the pale skin of his rounded cheeks. “That’s okay.”

“I didn’t even think, and I…” She shrugged. “I’m sorry.” Silence. Uncomfortable. Awkward. She wanted to ask him to come home with her but got the impression she’d be rejected. She didn’t take rejection well. “All right. So. Right.”

“Right.”

She bit her tongue over an outburst she was dying to spit at him. She didn’t know what she wanted to say, only that his attitude pissed her off. “So. Call me sometime.” That’s as far as she’d go.

He nodded, his gaze still averted. “Okay.”

“Fine.” She stepped back off the porch. “Bye.”

Bok groaned, leaning his forehead against the inside of his door as he locked it.

That had gone badly. Spectacularly so. He’d seen the look in Tanty’s eyes. She’d actually seemed hurt. And why not? She probably considered them friends, or at least well on the road to being so, and he’d dashed that. But he couldn’t see her, and he couldn’t tell her why.

It was better this way. It was okay. Once he’d fixed everything, he’d explain, and she’d forgive him.

It would be worth it.

Chapter Eight

“You’d better let me in,” Lon yelled though the locked door. Lon wasn’t very big or strong, but he was managing to pound the wood rather well. “If you don’t open up, I’m going to your mother’s.”

Gritting his teeth over a growl, Bok dropped the damp towel he held over the back of his desk chair and stomped across his living room to unlatch the door. He opened it just enough to look out. He scowled even though he could barely make out Lon because of the glare of the pristine snow behind him. “Leave my mother out of this.” The last thing he needed was for his mother to stick her nose in his business. She was distracted enough by her own work, and he’d like it to stay that way.

Lon’s silhouette thrust hands on hips, and Bok was sure there’d be a stern look to go with the posture. “Then don’t make me go see her. Let me in.”

“No.”

“Why?” Lon craned his neck, but there was no way he could see anything beyond Bok.

“What are you doing in there?”

“None of your business.”

Lon’s face came into focus when he leaned closer. Concentration became horrified surprise on his animated face. “You look horrible.”

Leaning heavily against the edge of the door, Bok knocked his forehead against it. “Please.

Just go.”

“No. Let me in right now, or I will go to your mother. Or Gus.” Pressing his lips together, Bok considered calling Lon’s bluff. Gus scared Lon something awful. But that had been before Wod. Now that he was dating a reindeer, his feelings toward Mrs. Claus had probably mellowed. He still had the threat to go to Bok’s mom too. “Fine.” Bok stepped back, glancing at the road behind Lon to make sure no one was watching. No one was.

No one on his block gave him too much thought. Most of them were in housekeeping and maintenance and weren’t in their homes during the day anyway. “Come in. Quick!” Surprised, Lon scurried inside. “What’s the matter with you anyway? What are you…?” He stopped just inside Bok’s hallway, surveying the mess that was the living room. “What is going on?”

Sullen, Bok brushed past him back into his personal chaos. His desk was filled with papers and keyboards, with his computer from work adding to the clutter. He’d moved all the regular furniture—the sofa, coffee table, and two chairs—to the edges of the room to make room for the weight bench, various free weights, and cross-trainer treadmill machine. “I’ve been working out.”

“You’ve been what now?”

Bok heaved an irritated sigh as he mounted the treadmill. “Working out.” He punched buttons to get the treads to start again. “You know, getting in shape.” Lon gaped.

“What?”

“You?”

“Yeah, me.” Sweat started up almost immediately, mostly because he had the heat up higher than usual to create something of a sweatbox. “Hand me that towel.” He pointed at the one he’d left draped over his chair.

Lon picked up the towel and brought it to him. “B-bu-but you hate exercising.”

“Yeah.” Bok took the towel and swiped at his forehead. He’d tried a headband, but it had irritated his head. “Still do.”

Aghast, Lon wandered farther into the room. His expressive gaze took in the pull-up bar attached to the door to the bedroom and the old stationary bike that sat facing the little kitchenette. He stopped by the dining table and picked up one of many cans of protein drinks.

“How did you…?”

“It’s all secondhand. Well within my budget.”

“And no one knew?”

Bok snorted, his breathing already labored. “No one pays attention to stuff like that unless it’s toys for the warehouse.”

Lon’s fingers moved as he counted the boxes of protein drinks. There were six. “I don’t understand.”

“What’s not to understand?” Bok checked the timer in front of him. Fifteen blasted more minutes before he could stop to cool down so he could get some acquisitions work done. Only way people would leave him alone was if he kept up with his daily quota.

Everyone except his best friend, of course. He hadn’t been sure how to handle Lon through this, so he’d avoided telling him. Now that the time had come, he was both relieved and a little miffed it had taken Lon five days to track him down. Life with a reindeer must be good. With any luck, I’ll find that out for myself. He put his head down and concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. No way he could go faster. He was completely worn-out. How did people do this all the time? He couldn’t fathom the physical activity it took to be a reindeer.

Lon stepped to the side of the treadmill, looking Bok up and down and clearly finding something to be dismayed about. Bok stamped down irritation. He knew he didn’t look good in his sweats yet, knew he was covered in sweat and smelled something awful, but he had to go through this to lose weight. He had to do this if he’d ever be worthy.

“Why are you doing this?”

“I figured”—he could barely breathe—“it was about time”— huff, huff—“I finally took an interest in my health.”

Lon scowled. Elves didn’t have the same worries about obesity as humans. Bok wasn’t going to die of coronary disease or any related ailment. There were elves who were much fatter and less active than he was who’d lived twice as long. “This is about Tanty, isn’t it?” Bok kept his eyes on the timer in front of him. Ten minutes. “No.”

“Bok.”

“What?”

“I heard you were with her. All night.”

Bok sniffed. He wished there was something else to distract him from the discomfort, but he’d tried reading or watching movies and found the watching made him feel queasy. “That was so last week. Where have you been?”

Lon winced, his gaze dropping as he ran his fingers up over the back of Bok’s desk chair.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been around. I didn’t hear about what happened until the other day, and I thought you’d come. And when you didn’t, I had to ask around, and I wasn’t sure if you wanted to talk. I…I’m sorry.”

Bok let Lon’s stream of explanation die down before he asked, “What did you hear?”

“That you spent the night with Tanty.”

“What else?”

Lon still wouldn’t look directly at him. “There’s more?” Bok gave up and punched the buttons that would slow the treadmill to a stop. He waited until his feet could stop moving. “What did you hear?”

“Tanty said you took off when the other reindeer showed up.”

“You talked to Tanty?” Bok had thought Lon heard from others, from people who were shocked Tanty had spent thewhole night with a fatty.

Lon nodded, biting his lip. “She came to ask about you. She wanted to know if something was wrong.”

Bok wasn’t sure if he was happy or concerned by that.

Now Lon was looking at him, enormous blue eyes full of concern. “Is something wrong?” Bok mopped his head with his towel. “No.”

“Why haven’t you talked to her?”

He sniffed. “She doesn’t want to talk to me.”

“What? But she does.”

“No.” Bok stepped off the treadmill, irritated that he had to hang on to the handlebar to keep his balance. Perhaps he was overdoing it a little. But he wanted this part of the exercise thing over already.

“Huh?”

Balance secure, Bok headed for the table. “Look at me. If you were her, would you want me?” He snatched up a can of protein drink and popped it open.

Lon moved to his side. “But she had sex with you.”

“Right. She had sex with me and her toys.”

“What? Oh.”

Bok drank as Lon thought about that.

“But…weren’t you with her twice?”

Having downed most of the drink, Bok slowed to sips. “Yes. Well, more than that the one night.” He shook his head and looked Lon in the eye, unable to quash the wave of warmth that filled him. “The best night of my entire life.” Lon tried a tentative smile. “That’s good, though, isn’t it?”

“No. That’s bad.”

Lon’s smile fell. “Why bad?”

Bok turned and spread his arms to display his chubby, sweaty self for his friend. “Look at me.”

Lon did, then shrugged.

Bok sighed. “You don’t get it because you’re cute. Everyone thinks you’re adorable.

Everyone wanted to fuck you before you even hooked up with Wod.”

“That’s not true!”

“That is true—you were just too naive to see it. Even though I tried to tell you.” Bok crushed his empty drink can and threw it into a growing pile of empties in the corner. “But me?

No. No one wants me more than once.”

“But you just said you were with her more than once.”

“She was just being nice. She’s different than the others. She really gets into the toys, Lon.

I mean, really. I’ve never seen a woman so into it.” His gaze and mind drifted a little in fond memories. “She’s incredible.”

“You really like her.”

He snapped his attention back to Lon. “Yeah. I do.”

“But that’s great. She asked about you. She must like you too—” He broke off and mirrored Bok’s headshake. “What?”

“She wants more toys. That’s what I am to her.”

Lon frowned. “I don’t think Tanty’s like that.”

“It’s no slight to her. Not at all. She’s a reindeer, for snow’s sake. She knew she was doing me a favor just by looking at me.”

“I’m not sure you’re right about that.”

Bok put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Trust me. I know these things better than you do.”

Lon’s frown told Bok he thought otherwise, but Lon had never been a particularly fast or coherent thinker.

“Look. She might keep sleeping with me, just so long as I keep supplying her with toys, but sooner or later she’s going to want to move on to better things. Better guys. Big, buff, reindeer-type guys.”

Lon opened his mouth to rebut, but Bok laid two fingers on his lips to silence him.

“I figure if I lose some weight, buff up, my chances with her get better. She’ll let me be with her longer.” He sagged against Lon’s side, heedless of the damp of his workout clothes.

“I’ll never be a reindeer, but at least I can be better to look at.” Lon held him regardless of whether he stank. “Bok, I really think you’re wrong about this.”

“Yeah, well, I love you, but I know what I’m doing.” His arm secure around Lon’s shoulders, Bok walked him to the door. “Now, you’ve got to get out of here. I’ve got to get back to work so Gus won’t come after me.”

Lon dug his heels in when they reached the door. “Bok, wait. You don’t look all that good.

You sure all this is healthy?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve done my research. I know what I’m doing.”

“Maybe you should talk to Wod.”

“I don’t need to talk to your boyfriend.”

“But he knows Tanty. Maybe he can—”

“Lon.” Bok grabbed the smaller male’s shoulders and made Lon face him. “I want you to promise me that you won’t tell anyone about what I’m doing. Not Gus, not my mother, not Tanty, and certainly not Wod.”

Lon’s eyes got big at the mention of the love of his life.

“I’m serious. If Wod got it in his head to do something, he’d embarrass me or expose me, and I just don’t think I could stand that. Seriously.” He shook Lon a little and made sure they had the eye contact of friends who’d known each other a long time and shared too many memories to count. “Promise me.”

“I don’t know…”

“How many of your secrets have I kept?”

Lon winced, and Bok knew he had him. “You promise you’re being careful?”

“I promise.”

“And you’ll tell me if you’re in trouble?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, then. I promise. But I still think you’re wrong about Tanty.” Bok pulled Lon into a hug, comforted by his friend’s presence even if he wouldn’t admit it aloud. “Even if I am”— I’m not—“she deserves someone who looks better than me.”

“But that’s what I mean. I don’t think Tanty’s all that worried about looks. Not like you think.”

Bok released Lon from the hug and opened the front door. “We’ll have to disagree on that one.”

Lon glanced back at the living room. “Call me. Let’s have lunch.”

“Maybe. Sure.”

“I’ll bring you dinner tomorrow, and we’ll eat here.”

“Can’t. I’m on a diet.”

“But…”

“I’ll call you in a few days. Just let me get into this.” Lon took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay.”

Bok closed the door after Lon with a sigh of relief. There. That was the only person likely to intrude on him. He’d staved off housekeeping, and his parents were busy enough with their own affairs so they barely spoke. As long as he filled his daily quota for work, he was home free for his diet and exercise program.

He’d be slimmed down for Tanty in no time.

Chapter Nine

Seeing Lon waiting in the barn alone set off Tanty’s last nerve. She’d been good; she’d been patient; she’d determined that she didn’t give a flying fuck if Bok wanted to talk to her or not. But she deserved to know why, damn it!

She broke a little ahead of the strolling reindeer and headed straight for Lon. The little man was about her size, but he seemed smaller as she marched up to him. When he glanced over her head, she knew Wod wasn’t far behind her. That was fine. She had no intention of hurting Lon, but she’d find out what he knew.

“Where is your friend?”

Huge blue eyes blinked at her. “Uh…”

“It’s been over two weeks. If he doesn’t want to see me, fine, but where the fuck is he?”

“Um…” Lon’s gaze darted up over Tanty’s left shoulder again as he backed up a step.

“Uh, he’s…”

Wod circled Tanty to wind an arm around his boyfriend’s shoulders. “He’s holed up at his house.”

Tanty watched Lon shoot Wod a sharp look. She narrowed her gaze. “Still? Why?” Wod and Lon stared at each other, the first coldly calm and the other fairly pleading.

Tanty balled her fists and just stopped herself from stomping her foot. “Tell me.” Wod opened his mouth, but Lon slapped his chest. That made the taller male shake his head. Brown eyes focused on Tanty. “You should go see for yourself.” Lon’s fingers dug into Wod’s bare chest. “Wod!”

With narrowed eyes, Tanty kept looking from one man to the other. “What’s going on?”

“To be honest, I don’t know it all. Lon’s sworn to secrecy.” He grimaced, and it wasn’t because Lon slapped his chest again. And again. “But it can’t be good.” “Wod! You can’t tell her that.”

Wod held tight to his squirming partner but kept eye contact with Tanty. She saw that he was throwing her a bone even if she didn’t know what it was. “He didn’t let me in when I went before.”

Wod nodded. “Force it.”

Tanty’s eyes went as wide as Lon’s, but she didn’t sink into a tirade of frustrated—if mild—cursing like Lon. She stared at Wod long enough to realize he was serious. Then she nodded. “Okay. I’ll do that.”

“No!” Lon tried to break away and follow her when she headed for her stall, but Wod stopped him. “Tanty, wait.”

She probably should wait. Lon was frantic for a reason. But Wod had never led her astray.

She trusted him. If he implied there was something at Bok’s house she needed to see, then there was something at Bok’s house she needed to see.

It was an overcast afternoon with a good chance of snow that night. Tanty strolled up the path to Bok’s door like she didn’t have a care in the world. Her hair was loose and long, her dress was short and tight, and both were exactly the same color. The tights that banded her legs up to her thighs were purple and orange stripes. She’d dressed in her favorite colors, trying to keep herself in a good, open mood.

She knocked.

A strange, repetitive, mechanical noise from within slowed and stopped.

She knocked again.

More movement inside, soft shuffling she decided was footsteps. She stepped to the side and pressed against the wall so she couldn’t be seen through the peephole. When she was pretty sure Bok was behind the door, she reached over to knock yet again.

“Who is it?”

She knocked once more.

There was some irritated grumbling. Then an inhospitable, “I’m not playing. Go away.” Tanty crossed her arms and thought about it as the sounds inside indicated Bok was leaving the door. She could try the game again, or she could reveal herself. Decisions, decisions.

After a few moments’ thought, she stepped back in front of the door and knocked again.

This time, he’d see her through the peephole.

He saw her. She could hear him breathing. Something scratched the other side of the door softly.

She stared at the little hole and raised an eyebrow. “Bok, let me in.” Silence.

She crossed her arms and let her annoyance show. “I know you’re there. I can hear you.”

“What are you doing here?”

Calmly, she lifted a hand to inspect her fingernails. “You owe me an explanation.”

“I what?”

“You owe me an explanation.”

“For what?”

She waved a hand at the door. “For this. I thought we were friends.” She glared at the peephole. “We fucked, for mistletoe and holly. Doesn’t that get me something?”

“I…I…”

She sighed and dropped her arms, her patience with his stuttering not up to its usual.

“Open the damn door, Bok.”

“I can’t.”

“You can.”

“No.”

Balling her fists, she let every bit of her anger show. “Bok. If you don’t let me in that door, I assure you that I’m going right out, and I will get Gus. I think he’ll let me in.”

“Gus?”

“Yeah. He might want to know why one of his employees is holed up in his house.”

“He knows I’m here.”

She nodded. “Yeah. But does he know you’re mysteriously not letting anyone in? Does he know you’ve sworn your best friend to secrecy about what you’re doing in there? Oh, I think Gus will find what I have to say very interesting.” Without another word, she turned on her heel and started back toward the street. It might not get him to open the door, but Tanty had every intention of carrying out her threat. Because now a part of her was worried. What was he doing in there?

She heard the door open before her feet hit the street. “Tanty! Wait.” Slowly she turned. He only had the door cracked open. She could barely see his face.

When she didn’t start to come back, he stuck his head out the opening, keeping the rest of his body inside. “Don’t go to Gus.”

She frowned. He looked weird. Curious, she started back toward the house. What was it?

His hair was damp. Wet. Almost plastered to his head. That which wasn’t close to his skull stuck out at odd angles, the lime green darker than it should have been. But that wasn’t the weird part.

His face was flushed, and his mouth was a little unhinged. He looked…off. “Are you all right?” she asked, stepping up on the tiny porch.

He withdrew but kept the door cracked. It was dark inside so she couldn’t really see him well. “Yeah. I’m okay.”

“Why are you out of breath?”

“I’m not.”

“I’ve trained enough people for the reindeer games to know when someone’s winded.” She laid her hand flat on the door and pushed. He resisted. “Let me in, Bok.”

“I, uh, can’t. The place is a mess.”

“I don’t care.”

“I do. I…don’t want you to see me like this.”

“Like what?”

His slight scowl was much more like the real Bok than the male she’d been talking to. He reached up and scratched his ear. “Just please go away.” The plea almost got to her. She might have complied if worry hadn’t set in. “No.” She pushed at the door again, and still he resisted. “Not this time. Let me in. I don’t care if the place is a mess.”

“Why?”

“I’ve seen messes before.”

“No. I mean, why do you want to come in?”

Why. Good question. Wasn’t like they were bosom buddies. Technically, they weren’t even fuck buddies. They hadn’t gotten that far. Why did she care? “Just let me in.” He glanced inside, considering. “Tanty, I…”

He was way too pale, and why would he be sweating so much in a dark, enclosed space?

Her worry meter shot off. Without warning, she jumped at the door, slamming all her weight against it. She wasn’t all that heavy, but she had muscle and the element of surprise on him. He yelped and fell back. With Bok’s resistance gone, Tanty stumbled past the doorway and into the house.

It stank. Truly. Lots and lots of sweat, old and new, and not enough ventilation. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust and another moment for her to figure out what she was seeing.

Treadmill, weight bench, stationary bike. A bunch of cans of protein drinks on the dining table, a pile of empties against the wall behind it. The brightest light in the room came from the three monitors on the big desk shoved off to the side. Some recorded human program played out, the sound down low.

“What the…?”

She glanced down at her side. Bok had lost his balance when she’d shoved her way in, and ended up on his butt a few yards into the main room. He stared at the room too, seeing it with her, but with a dejected scowl on his face. She recognized the sweat marks at the armpits of his loose shirt and down the front of his chest. His legs were splayed apart, and he sat forward with his hands gathered in front of him. He looked every inch the abandoned puppy dog.

“Bok?”

“I wanted…” He raised a hand to gesture at the exercise equipment, then let the hand drop with a sigh. “I just…” His head went down, twisting from side to side in sad negation.

Glad of the open door that provided a little bit of a breeze, Tanty knelt before him. She reached out to squeeze his calf. “Bok?”

She could see his profile at this angle. Worse, she could see the fat tear that dribbled from the corner of one eye. “Oh, Bok.”

When she moved toward him, he sprang to life and scuttled back. Those beautiful emerald eyes wouldn’t point her way. “I wanted it to be a surprise, y’know? I wanted to just do it, to just lose the weight, then come and find you. Show you.”

Tanty sat her butt on her heels, hard, staring at him. “You…what?”

“I’m fat. I know.” He swiped at his nose as he got to his knees. “You deserve better. And I didn’t want to… If I wanted to be with you again… Ah, Christmas.” Tanty had to make sure she understood. “You were working out…for me?”

“Pathetic, huh?” He climbed to his feet. It wasn’t easy for him. Didn’t seem like his legs were steady. He had to use the wall for support. “I know you don’t need me.” She watched him stumble away toward the dining table. He grabbed a protein drink and opened it. She glanced at the pile of empties. Oh, no, he hadn’t…? Was that all he’d been eating?

After a few sips, he scowled at the can in his hand. “Worthless. I only lost two pounds.” The catch in his voice at the end of his sentence poked her heart.

Oh, holy night. Tanty stared at the floor, aghast. He’d done this for her?

She rose to her feet and crossed the room to him. He put down the can and stared at the floor. She watched him for a quiet moment, and he waited.

Then she punched his arm. Hard.

Shocked, he stumbled against the chair at his side and fell into the seat.

She glared down at him, hands on her hips. “How dare you!” All he could give her was wide eyes and a gaping mouth.

So she punched his arm again. Hey, it was better than punching his jaw or his gut. She didn’t think he could take that.

“Ow.”

“Who told you you needed to torture yourself to be with me? Did I ask you do to this?” He rubbed his arm and cringed. “No.”

“No. I didn’t. Did I say I wanted something like that? Did I even hint that I wanted you to be anything other than what you were?”

“No.”

“No.” She raised her fist again but stopped when he winced. She took a slow, audible breath and released it. “You. Look. Like. Shit. Do you realize that?” He dropped his gaze.

She snatched up the half-empty can at his elbow. “Is this all you’ve eaten since you’ve been holed up here?”

“Yes.”

“Yes? Gah!” She stormed away, circling the room to vent before she came back to stand at his knees. “Are you tryingto make yourself sick?”

“They’re healthy—”

“They’re healthy when you’ve got a normal diet. They’re healthy for a while. But not to the exclusion of all else!” She stabbed a finger toward the treadmill. “How much time are you spending on that?” The mutinous tightening of his lips told her what she needed to know.

“You’ve been doing too much. You’re overdoing it. It doesn’t even work that way! Are you an idiot?”

“I read up—”

“You read wrong. Deck the flocking halls and sleigh bells ring!” Rather than hit him again, she took another fuming circle around the room. “If you were going to do this, why didn’t you ask for my help?”

“I couldn’t.”

“Why not? Physical work is my job; it’s what I do. I live for this. I could have helped you.

Or, snow, if you don’t want me, Wod could have—”

“I couldn’t ask you, because I was doing it for you!” he spat. “If you knew, it wouldn’t have the same effect.”

“Well, you’re right there. I think this is imbecilic, but I think the drive to lose weight—if that’s really what you want to do—is admirable. I would have been happy to help you.” His gaze dropped again, a pout pushing his lip out from his face. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

She wiggled her fingers in his face. “Surprise.”

Miffed, he jerked away from her and managed to get to his feet. She eyed him for any change. Unfortunately for Bok, an elf’s metabolism differed greatly from the humans he’d likely read about. He clearly didn’t realize it would take him exponentially more exercise to lose weight. If he even could. It was entirely possible the magic that was Bok had decided on his shape, and nothing he could do could change it. She’d seen it happen. She hadn’t realized it wasn’t common knowledge among the rest of the village.

“All right.” His back was to her, his hands balled into fists at his waist. “I was stupid.”

“Yes.”

“You made your point. Get out.”

Perversely, this show of spine put a grin on her face. Luckily, he couldn’t see it. “What?”

“Get out. You don’t need to yell at me.”

“Yes, I do.”

“No.” He turned, and she was glad she’d schooled the grin from her face, because he looked pissed now. “You think I’m stupid. I ruined my chances. At least leave me with some dignity.”

She drew herself up and cocked her head to the side. “Who said you ruined your chances?” He scowled. “Don’t tease me.”

“Who’s teasing? Look, I came here because I was worried about you. No, okay, I really came because I was pissed that you were avoiding me.”

“What?”

“Holy night, what is it with men? I missed you, you chubby idiot.” He shook his head, but she cut off his denial by stalking up to him and poking him in the chest.

“Don’t you dare tell me that I didn’t. You don’t know how I feel. You’ve proved that with this silly exercise stunt.” She poked him again, sending him back a step. “I couldn’t give a silver bell if you’re overweight. I knew that, and I accepted it. The only reason you made it into my bed was because I wanted you there. You there, nitwit.” He caught her hand to keep her from poking him again. This time, she couldn’t smother her grin. The sight of it baffled him, draining his anger. “What?” She sighed and pinched at the bridge of her nose with her free hand. “Must I spell it all out?”

“I think so, yes.”

She raised her gaze to meet his. “I want you.”

“Why?” The words spilled seemingly of their own accord.

“I’m not so sure right now.” She smiled to take some of the sting out. “I like you. I like talking to you. I like that you like toys as much as I do. Do you even realize you’re the first guy I’ve let sleep over in ages?” When he gaped, she went on. “I don’t like to spend the night with anyone. To be honest, I didn’t much like sex beyond the first orgasm.” She cocked her head to the side, grinning. “But you made it fun.”

“The toys.”

“Yes. You and the toys. They’re one and the same, aren’t they?” He frowned, and she thought back on what she’d said. “Okay, maybe not.” She twisted her wrist from his loose grasp and stepped into him, placing her hands on his shoulders. “But we just started. Give me a chance to get used to you before we try it without the toys, huh?” She winked.

That got a smile out of him. Then a grudging laugh. “You’re weird.”

“I’m glad you noticed.”

His laugh filled out. Her heart thrilled when he leaned toward her until their foreheads touched.

“I don’t know how to do this.”

She slid her arms around his neck. “Neither do I. Let’s work on it together, huh?”

“Okay.”

She tilted her head into a kiss and found his lips warm and inviting. She kissed him as long as she could but finally had to pull back. “Okay, Bok, I think I might love you, but you have got to take a shower.”

Chapter Ten

“What is it?”

Bok tucked the small box closer to his body, nearly hiding it in the crook of his arm.

“Never mind.”

Lon pouted. “You won’t even tell me?”

“No.” Lon had seen Bok avoid all the other people in the barn. Too many of them now knew him now as the Toy Man, which made any boxes he carried of interest. Especially boxes he carried when he came to wait for Tanty to finish reindeer practice. He tried to ignore those people, but there were still a few who were keeping an eye on him.

“Why not?”

Bok searched the skies, looking for the team. They weren’t in sight, so they must be over the forest. “It’s Tanty’s toy. She can tell you about it if she wants.” Lon giggled softly. “So I’ll find out soon enough.”

Bok smiled and shrugged. “Something like that.”

Lon stroked Bok’s shoulder. “I think it’s sweet that you look out for her like that.” Bok shifted, trying to stop the flush from taking over his face. He was still getting used to this relationship stuff. It had been nearly two months he’d been seeing Tanty on a regular basis now. Two months of lots of physical exertion—mostly sex but also an exercise regimen she’d put him on—during which he hadn’t lost even a single pound. But Tanty didn’t seem to mind and proved that to him time and time again.

The reindeer team appeared in the sky, racing at top speed. They weren’t in formation this time, more of a jumble as they sped through midair toward the meadow. Tanty had explained that Rom was switching up their workouts lately. There were only two more weeks before the start of the season, so he was letting them have some fun before the daily grind began. As they got closer, it was easier to make out details of individual reindeer. They were almost to the ground, though, before Bok could make out which one was his Vixen. He was still amazed he even could distinguish her from the others. They were all roughly the same build, all with antlers, all vaguely the same shades of brown. But he could tell it was Tanty in the middle of the pack, not one of the leaders but not losing either. Not that she would mind losing. Tanty was competitive only so much in that competition brought people together to have fun.

The team hit the ground, and it wasn’t surprising to see Rom and Wod toward the front.

But they weren’t the winners. The reindeer to hit the ground first was one Bok didn’t immediately recognize, but he thought it might be Cupid. Boisterous and just a little smaller than all the rest, Tik’s reindeer form was apparently made for speed. Bok had seen them race in pairs before, and Tik never lost. Shortly after he was on the ground and had slowed to a stop, the reindeer shifted to prove Bok had pegged him right. He came out of his transformation laughing, and the sound filled the meadow. The others shifted and gathered around to congratulate him.

All but one, that was. Tanty shifted, started toward her fellows, then glanced up to see Bok waiting. Immediately she changed course and rushed up the hill.

“That must be something good in the box,” Lon murmured.

Bok nodded, even though he didn’t know if Lon was looking his way or not. His full attention was on the naked female trotting over the snow, her orange hair a flaring, fiery cape billowing behind her. She aimed straight for Bok, and her graceful agility allowed her to wind one arm around his neck and press her lithe body against him as she stopped, all without threatening to throw off his balance.

“Is that it?” Her fingers plucked the small box from the bend of his arm.

Unable to resist, Bok wrapped his arm around her waist, then pressed his nose behind her ear and breathed deep. “Yeah.”

She giggled, cuddling close. He felt the bite of the box against his chest, but only because she had it wedged between them. He could live with that.

“Let’s put it on.”

He startled. “Huh? Now?”

Laughing, she pulled away. Her hand slid down his arm until her fingers could twine with his. “Yes. Now. Hi, Lon.”

“Hi, Tanty.”

She kissed Lon’s cheek, then, with Bok’s hand firmly held in hers and the box curled against her chest, led the way to her stall.

“Shouldn’t we try it”—Bok glanced behind him, aware of a few people, Lon included, who were following at a short distance, their faces alight with curiosity—“later?” When they crossed the threshold of her stall, she released his hand and kept walking to the edge of the cot. Both hands were busy opening the box. “Don’t be silly. I want to wear it at the party.”

He groaned, wiping a hand down his face. “I was afraid you were going to say that.” Her chuckle had a wicked twist to it. “You know me too well.” Surprisingly, that was true. They had managed to work out a lot of issues between them in the past few weeks. He knew her far better than he could have ever hoped to know any woman, much less a reindeer.

“Oooo.” Excitement made her wiggle her bare ass, just visible under the fall of her hair.

She dropped the box and spun to face him, ripping at the packaging that remained around her new toy. Once it was free, she shook out the straps to free the small little bit of purple that promised her joy. It fit comfortably in the palm of her hand, basically a vibrating egg with a jelly housing that was shaped like a butterfly. The nylon straps were attached to each wing and designed to go around her thighs and hips to keep it in place, snug against her sex. The remote was attached with a thin cord but long enough that she should be able to tuck it in her pocket, or so she’d claimed when they’d read the details about the toy online. “It’s beautiful.” She held it out toward him, displaying it perfectly so he—and everyone behind him—could see. “Come help me put it on.”

He flushed. “Now?”

The arch look she gave him told him she knew exactly how many people were watching.

“Yes. Now.”

He went to her, lifting the toy from her fingers. She delayed him just long enough to brush a kiss on his lips before she pushed him to sit on the cot. He concentrated on the purple straps, figuring out what went where. He helped her step into them, then slipped the toy up her smooth legs. She parted her thighs to give him full access to cup the toy and fit it against that sweet, moist entrance to paradise she carried. She let him linger and stroked his hair as he pressed his cheek against her belly, briefly overcome by the beauty of this female who allowed him to touch her. Aware of their audience, he kept it brief, then pulled away to adjust the waist strap. She’d managed to free the batteries that had come with it and actually got them into the remote herself.

She didn’t try to start it, though, just handed the little piece of plastic to him once he had the toy in place.

“Feel okay?” he asked, unable to take his eyes from the purple jelly. She’d been right. The purple did go well with her neatly trimmed orange curls.

“Feels great.” She wiggled to test the fit. “It’s even comfortable.” He found that hard to believe, but he let it go. The remote was simple, sliding to three speeds. Knowing Tanty’s desires, he slid it to the middle speed.

“Oh.” Her hand clutched his shoulder. He looked up to see her head tilted back, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the first sensation. “That’s nice.”

“Faster?”

“Not yet. That’s good.” Without looking, she stepped closer, forcing him to sit up so she could press against him. His face naturally found the space between her breasts, and it was a test of will not to take a sweet pink nipple into his mouth. He did slide his free hand around to cup her bottom. “Mmm, part of me wants to say let’s skip the party.” No longer caring about their audience, he closed his eyes and nuzzled the inside of one breast. “Okay by me.”

Fingers threaded through the hair at his nape just as lips pressed the top of his skull.

“We’re still going.”

He slumped a little, which made her giggle. “Oh, come on. It’ll be fun.”

“It’ll be torture knowing you’ve got this”—he plucked at the waistband along the lowest part of her back—“buzzing at you.”

“Mmmm.” She rocked her hips into him. “But think of how crazy I’ll be later.” He couldn’t think of anything else. He grunted. “You’ll wear me out later.”

“Exactly.” Her hands slid around to cup his jaw, tilting his face up. Gorgeous eyes in that hazy color between blue, purple, and black gazed down on him with enough warmth to set his blood to simmering in his veins. She smiled before sharing a slow, lazy kiss with him.

“I love you,” he whispered when her lips parted from his.

Their faces were so close, he almost couldn’t see her smile, but he saw the feeling in her eyes. He felt the tightening of her fingers on his jaw as he held the slim body that pressed against him. “I love you too.”

Loose Id Titles by Jet Mykles

A Rose is a Rose

Fox and Dragon

Just for You

One for the Team

Reindeer Games

Snagged

Sursein Judgment

Tech Support

Two Man Team

* * * *

The DARK ELVES Series

Taken

Mastered

Dissent

Salvation

Discovery

Awakening

* * * *

The HEAVEN SENT Series

Heaven

Purgatory

Hell

Faith

Genesis

Revelations

* * * *

The INDIGO KNIGHTS Series

Squire

* * * *

INTERLUDES
featuring characters from the Heaven Sent series: Pretty Red Ribbon

Sexy Spring Surprise

Fiesty Little Firecracker

Sly Spectral Trick

* * * *

The LEASHED Series

“Leashed 1: Two for One Deal”

Part of the anthology Howl, with Raine Weaver & Jeigh Lynn Leashed 2: More Than a Bargain

Leashed 3: The Lion’s Share

“Spiritual Noelle” (A Sister “Leashed” Story) Part of the anthology Rated: X-mas, With Rachel Bo and Barbara Karmazin

Jet Mykles

As far back as junior high, Jet used to write sex stories for friends involving their favorite pop icons of the time. To this day, she hasn’t stopped writing sex, although her knowledge on the subject has vastly improved.

An ardent fan of fantasy and science fiction sagas, Jet prefers to live in a world of imagination where dragons are real, elves are commonplace, vampires are just people with special diets and lycanthropes live next door. In her own mind, she’s the spunky heroine who gets the best of everyone and always attracts the lean, muscular lads. She aids this fantasy with visuals created through her other obsession: 3D graphic art. In this area, as in writing, Jet’s self-taught and thoroughly entranced, and now regularly uses this art to illustrate her stories or her stories to expand upon her art.