Chapter 1

1

Christian gazed out the window at the snow, already feeling cold. Constant frigid bone-chilling weather was one of the major reasons he hated the North Pole. That and his unrequited love for his fellow Christmas Elf, Alistair. Once the season passed this year, he was seriously thinking of handing in his resignation.

He reached up and adjusted his pointy Elf cap as it had started slipping off his blond curls. Again. He envied Alistair for being brave enough to refuse to wear the regulation Elf attire. The Head Elf, Gabriel, had so far not forced the issue. Once Christian had shown up for an Elf meeting without his cap and Gabriel not only noticed, but gave him extra work as punishment.

There was no hope for it, he had to go out into the elements. He fastened his bright red cape firmly and headed for the front double doors leading outside from Santa Claus’s Castle. As soon as he stepped outside the icy wind whipped against his face. He squinted his eyes and turned so the wind was at his back.

Across the courtyard from the Castle, about one-hundred yards or so, was the Work Shop where the Christmas Elves made toys, ornaments, fruitcake, and other Christmas items up until Christmas Eve. And this was his destination. It seemed miles away as the snow and icy wind made it difficult to see. Christian ran toward the building, hoping his special tread Elf boots would keep him from slipping.

“Christian!”

His hand on the door of the shop, he froze. He recognized the voice behind the bellow, of course. Gabriel. The crunch of boots on the snow had him turning to face his boss. Barely keeping the wince off his face, Christian couldn’t manage a friendly smile. “Sir?”

Gabriel loomed over him, his muscular arms crossed in front of his chest, glaring at him. At over six feet tall, he stood a couple of inches taller than most of the other Elves. Probably three or four inches above Christian’s own five foot eight inches. Gabriel’s Elf cap sat on his dark brown head perfectly. His long, thick hair had been braided with red, green, and gold thread. His eyebrows were sculpted, his lashes lightly dotted with flakes of snow, his cheeks red from the cold. His emerald green eyes flashed fire. “How many times have I told you no running on the premises?”

“I-I-well—” he stammered. Of course. He always stammered around Gabriel. He hated making a fool out of himself, but he always did.

“It’s dangerous.”

“I have the special tread boots on,” Christian said.

“They’ve been known to fail. Nothing is perfect, Christian.”

Except you, apparently

“It’s also behavior unbecoming an Elf,” Gabriel insisted.

“It’s cold out here, sir. I wanted to get inside the shop as quickly as possible.”

Gabriel smirked. “And yet, here you still are.” He leaned forward and straightened the red cape Christian wore. His gaze raked over him. “Are you wearing your thermal underwear under your clothes?”

It shouldn’t sound sexual coming from Gabriel, someone he didn’t even like, but the way Gabriel dropped his voice, low and rumbly, sent a jolt straight to Christian’s cock. He licked his lips and swallowed. “Um, no. I loaned them to someone else and they never gave them back. I haven’t been able to get a new pair made. Everyone’s too busy with Christmas.”

“You shouldn’t have loaned them out. I’ll see if I can arrange for you to get a new set.” Gabriel shook his head. “No more running. What are you doing this afternoon? You aren’t late for a task, are you?”

“No. I’m stringing beads for garland. We didn’t have to report until later today.” He hated feeling so inadequate, but Gabriel seemed to have that effect on him.

“Very well. Come by my office when you’re done,” Gabriel ordered.

“Sir?”

Gabriel reached past him and put his gloved hand over Christian’s. He jumped at the contact, but Gabriel just turned the handle and opened the door to the shop. “After you.”

Christian bit back the response he wanted to make, which was why he had to report to Gabriel’s office. He had a feeling questioning the boss wouldn’t go over too well. Besides, as soon as he stepped inside coming down the hallway toward him was Alistair. He straightened immediately, his hand going to his hair. “See you later, sir,” he said, absently, moving off toward his friend.

Alistair was not alone. With him was another male Elf, Kent, and a red-haired female Elf, Jasmine. Alistair had his arm wrapped around Jasmine’s waist and the three of them were laughing. Trying not to show his crushing disappointment, Christian smiled.

“Hi there.”

Alistair, his brown head bare of his Elf cap, naturally, and the others stopped. His friend grinned, his brown eyes sparkling merrily. “Hey, Christian. I haven’t seen you all day.”

“I had the morning off.”

“Lucky. We were just going to go down to the Gingerbread Café for some snacks. You want to come?”

Yeah, of course he did, but he also knew he couldn’t. He had a job to do and besides he was pretty sure Gabriel still lurked somewhere behind him, waiting, watching…judging.