A Date with an Elf

by Dover, L. P.

  The way Caleb smiles makes me melt. “Speaking of photos, I need to get busy taking more. You’ve been monopolizing my time.”

  “Hey,” I snap, playfully hitting his arm as I step away from him. “The same goes for me too. I haven’t painted a single thing since we started dating.”

  He lifts his fingers to my face, gently tucking the hair behind my ear. “I’m not complaining, though. It’s been nice having you at my house every day, cooking dinner and spending time with Alyssa and me. I think she likes getting a bedtime story every night.”

  I lean into his touch. “I’ve enjoyed every second of it. Tonight, when she goes to bed, I need to rewrap her presents you got her from Santa.”

  His eyes widen. “Why? Do you think I did a crappy job?”

  It takes all I have not to burst out laughing. “Well … they kind of look like Santa was drunk while wrapping them.”

  “Fine,” he says, throwing his arms in the air. “I suck at wrapping. At least, I tried.”

  I kiss his cheek. “That’s all that matters. Next time, just ask me to do it.”

  He grabs my wrist and pulls me into his body. “Don’t worry,” he murmurs, his lips so close to mine, “I will.”

  Our lips touch, and I breathe him in as we kiss. My body lights up like fire, and I’d give anything to have him touch me more intimately, but I don’t want to rush him. The thing is, I know he wants me just as much as I want him.

  “What are you doing on Christmas Eve?” he asks, breaking the kiss.

  There’s so much heat in his eyes; it makes me tremble. “I don’t know. Waiting for Santa?”

  He bites his lip. “Do you think you might want to wait for him at my house?”

  “All night?”

  “Yes,” he replies, his serious gaze on mine. “I want you to be with me and Alyssa Christmas morning.” He smiles and shakes his head. “Who am I kidding? I want you there. I can’t imagine spending it without you.”

  “Does that mean you’ll come to my parents’ house for Christmas lunch? I think my mom has more presents under the tree for Alyssa than anyone else.”

  Caleb chuckles. “I’m sure she’ll love that. I’ll be happy to go with you as long as you come with me to my parents’ house for dinner.”

  “Deal. In all honesty, I see it as a win-win. It’s going to be a day filled with family, food, and twinkling lights. What could be better?”

  He opens his mouth to speak, but then he closes it. His gaze drops down to my lips, and the raw passion I see in his eyes is just what I’ve been waiting for. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about it at the moment. I have elf duty tonight, and he has to pick up Alyssa from his parents’ house.

  “I have to get changed into my costume,” I whisper.

  He sighs and steps back. “I know. It’s just the more I’m around you, the harder it is to control myself.”

  This makes me laugh. “I know the feeling.” Inside, I’m burning. The need to have him is stronger than I’ve ever felt for anyone before. Slowly, I keep my eyes on him and move back toward my office. “I’ll be out in a minute. Do you have time to wait for me?”

  He waves for me to go. “Yeah. I was going to walk you over to the town square and leave from there.”

  “Thanks.” I can’t help but smile as I turn away from him to go into my office, which also has a private bathroom. My elf costume is hanging from the bathroom door, so I grab it and lay it over my desk along with a pair of thick tights. It’s going to be cold tonight. Once I slip off my sweater and jeans, I reach for the costume just as a set of warm arms wrap around my waist from behind.

  “You are so damn sexy.” Caleb kisses my neck and nips my tender flesh.

  Moaning, I tilt my head to the side so he can kiss me more. “What are you doing in here?”

  His hands slide up my stomach to my breasts. “I kept thinking of you getting undressed in here. It about killed me. I can’t tell you how much I’ve wanted this.” He squeezes my breast and slips his hand inside the cup of my bra. When his thumb traces over my nipple, I gasp. Holy hell, I want him so bad.

  Goosebumps fan out over my skin, and I shiver. “Why did you have to start this when we have no time?”

  He bites my lobe and chuckles in my ear. “Oh, we have time. Not much, but just enough.”

  I suck in a breath. “Enough for what?”

  “For me to touch you. That is, if it’s what you want.”

  “Yes,” I breathe, probably sounding a little too desperate. I can’t help it. It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time now.

  Caleb turns me to face him, and he picks me up in his arms, setting me on my desk in just my bra and underwear. Luckily, I chose a sexy, matching set to put on this morning. Caleb’s gaze roams over my body, and he responds just the way I hoped it would. He maneuvers himself between my legs, his arousal pressing up against me in just the right spot. I wrap my legs around his waist, and he pushes into me.

  He kisses me hard and squeezes my ass in his firm grip. “I’d give anything to make love to you right now.”

  I moan into his mouth. “So would I.”

  “Lay back for me, Bree.”

  There are only a few papers on my desk, so I swipe them to the side and lay back, still spread wide for him. He leans over me and trails his lips down my neck to the mounds of my breasts, sliding my bra to the side so he can taste me. Gasping, I close my eyes and fist my hands in his hair.

  “Oh my God, Caleb.”

  He groans deep in his chest and slides a hand down my stomach, slowly making his way between my legs. The second he pushes a finger inside of me, I arch off the desk, which only gives him more access to my breasts. He tortures me with his tongue and fingers, driving me over the edge. I can feel my orgasm build, and it doesn’t take long to explode within me.

  Caleb stares down at me with a satisfied grin on his face. “How did that feel?”

  I feel like I’m out of breath. “Amazing. I just hate I can’t return the favor.”

  He winks. “We’ll have more time soon. Right now, you have to go.” My body is so relaxed I don’t even think I can move. Grinning, Caleb helps me to my feet. “Do I need to help you get dressed?”

  Clutching my chest, I shake my head. I’m ten seconds away from ripping off his clothes. Then again, I don’t want our first time making love being on my desk. “I’m good,” I say, pushing him away playfully. “I suggest you get out of here before I do something crazy.”

  He waggles his brows. “Maybe I should stay then.”

  “Out,” I laugh. He walks out the door, and I can hear him laughing. I put on my costume and check myself in my bathroom mirror to make sure I look okay. My cheeks are a little red, but that’s because I just had an orgasmic experience for the first time in forever. Taking a deep breath, I walk out of my office, and Caleb is waiting by the door, his face lighting up when he sees me.

  “You really are sexy in that costume.” He’s still hard by the looks of things. “I need to think of something else, and you’re not helping.”

  I nod toward the door. “It’s freezing outside. That should help.”

  We walk out, and I lock the gallery door behind us. Caleb sucks in a breath and hisses. “Yep. It helped. It’s cold as shit out here. I don’t know how you and Santa don’t freeze.”

  We start on our way toward the town square. “It’s only for a couple of hours, and it’s our last night. Trust me. I’ll be ready for a warm blanket and some hot cocoa tonight.” It’s crazy how fast the month has flown by. In three days, it’ll be Christmas.

  Caleb drapes his arm over my shoulders. “I promise I’ll have both waiting for you when you get to my house.”

  “Sounds perfect to me.”

  When we get to the town square, Jody is already sitting on the sleigh, dressed in my grandfather’s Santa suit. He waves at us, and we wave back. “Have fun tonight.”

  I can feel the heat rise to my cheeks. “Oh, I already did. It was nice.”

&
nbsp; Caleb leans in slow and gently presses his lips to mine. “Yes, it was. I just wanted you to know I’m ready for the next step.”

  “So am I.” I’m ready for a whole lot more.

  8

  Caleb

  “Daddy?” Alyssa says my name quietly as she sits on the countertop, swinging her legs back and forth, although her heels really have nowhere to go except to slap into the cupboard doors.

  “Alyssa?” I’m standing next to her, tying and retying my tie. I can’t seem to get the knot right. I haven’t worn a tie in over a year, and I don’t miss it.

  “Tonight is important, right?”

  “Yes,” I say slowly, wondering what she has planned. “Why are you asking?”

  “I’m just wondering since I’m wearing a really pretty dress.” She picks up the first couple of layers of ruffles. I never realized I was a dad who could pick up a dress for his daughter, but when I saw this one, along with the Christmas dress, I had to get them for her. Giving them to her and watching her face morph into surprise and elation gave me so much happiness. It proved I can do this single dad thing, even though I feel anything but. Bree and I have only started dating, but she’s slipped into a role as Alyssa’s caregiver. Last week when my daughter wasn’t feeling well, it was Bree she wanted to take care of her, and Bree did, without hesitation.

  “And Bree is going to be there?”

  I pause and glance at Alyssa. She’s not looking at me but everywhere around the bathroom. She’s a little schemer. “Yes, Bree will be there, but—”

  “I don’t like your buts,” Alyssa says, laughing.

  Setting my hand down on her knee, I squeeze it to get her attention. Alyssa finally looks at me, and for the first time since her mom passed away, I see a sparkle in her eye. Her brown eyes had dimmed so much when my wife died. “But,” I say as softly as possible. “Bree has to work. This is her job, and it’s how she pays her bills, so as much as you want to take up all her time, you have to let her work. You have to be respectful, polite, and the cutest little girl I know you to be.”

  Alyssa nods slowly, which doesn’t send a wave of confidence my way.

  “You know, I hear Santa might make an appearance at the show. You wouldn’t want him to see you acting poorly, would you?”

  She shakes her head slowly.

  “What happens if he does?”

  “I get coal in my stocking.”

  I nod, acting like I’ve had it happen before.

  “But . . .” Alyssa holds her hand up so I don’t interrupt her. I can’t imagine where she’s learned this. “But if Bree wants to be with me or calls me over, I can go, right?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Okay, phew,” she says, wiping her forehead. “I’m not worried then.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “What do you mean?”

  Alyssa throws her hands up. “I’m irrestible.”

  “Irrestible?” I question, and she nods. The smile I sport is so wide, my cheeks hurt. “You’re irresistible.” I make sure to enunciate the word so she can hear me say the word correctly.

  “Yes, that’s the word. I’m irresistible!”

  “That you are.” I tickle her. “But, and yes, I know you hate my buts, Bree is working tonight, and while I know she loves you and wants to spend time with you, I need you to show all those people tonight just how important Bree is to you and be on your best behavior. Okay?”

  Alyssa smiles widely and nods. “She loves me?”

  “Yeah, she does.” I don’t know if this is accurate or not, but every vibe I get from Bree says she does. I can’t imagine someone not falling in love with Alyssa, but on the other side, I can’t imagine what must go through Bree’s mind when she’s with her. Bree competes with my wife’s memory, someone Alyssa talks about often, and Bree embraces and runs with whatever Alyssa is saying. Not once have I heard Bree discount Alyssa’s feelings, only encourage them.

  I give up on tying my tie and leave it dangling around my neck. Wrapping my arm around Alyssa’s waist, she scolds me for trying to wrinkle her dress but still loops her arms around my neck and allows me to help pull her off the counter. She links her hand with mine and looks at me.

  “I love you, Daddy.”

  My eyes mist and I crouch down, so we’re the same height. “I love you, Alyssa. More than anything in this world. You’ll always be my number one girl.”

  “Forever?” she asks.

  “And always.”

  * * *

  When Alyssa and I arrive at the gallery, there is a line of people waiting to get in. It’s damn cold out, and they’re waiting for Bree to open the doors to see what artwork she’s acquired for this event. Bree told me to walk right in, despite the sign on the door saying she’s closed. As soon as I set my hand on the door handle, panic sets in. These people are going to look at my photographs and judge me. They’re going to frown or smirk when they don’t like one, and I’m going to see their expressions because I have to be here. I have to stand there and pretend like I’m not full of nerves each time I see someone standing by one of my images and pointing. Of course, there’s the off chance that someone in this line will like my work, even love it. The few pictures Bree put out earlier sold instantly, which is surprising. In a million years, I never thought someone would find my vision through a lens worthy enough to pay for it. Bree has proven me wrong.

  “Are we going to go in?” Alyssa tugs on my hand, bringing me back to reality.

  Are we? I look over my shoulder, and through the front window, I can see the line of people. No one is focused on me. They’re huddled together for warmth or looking at their phones. I don’t understand why I’m afraid of them or what they might think, but I am. It’s a feeling that I hate. I’ve never been scrutinized before, at least not like this.

  “Daddy?”

  With my gaze back on Alyssa, I realize this is when I can set a good example for her. I can show her how to overcome fear, no matter how small or trivial it might be. “Yeah, we are.” My thumb presses down on the handle, and we walk in. The gallery is inviting, with some music playing, the perfect lighting, and the right amount of heat. Instantly, my chilled bones are warmed. But my body temperature changes when Bree struts toward us in a royal blue wrap dress with a silver bow tied on her hip. She’s like a present waiting to be unwrapped.

  Earlier, when I was with her and doing things I haven’t done to another woman in many years, I expected guilt to take over, but it didn’t or hadn’t at least. I wanted to make love to her, but in her office or on her desk gives off the impression I only want to fuck her, and that’s not the case. I want to lay her out on my bed, one that hasn’t been shared with anyone else, and ravish her. I want to learn every inch of her body and discover what turns her on and what will drive her absolutely insane. Most of all, there isn’t a doubt in my mind that I want to be with her. I know people will have a problem with me moving on, but everything about Bree and us feels right. It feels perfect, and I’d be a fool to let these feelings go because someone out there thinks they know what’s best for my daughter and me.

  “Wow,” Alyssa mutters.

  “I know,” I say in agreement.

  The seconds tick by slowly as Bree approaches us. I suppose I shouldn’t be jealous when she takes Alyssa’s hand and twirls her around. Alyssa’s giggle warms my heart even more. “Alyssa, I love your dress.”

  “Thanks, Daddy bought it for me, and he says he picked it out all by himself, but I’m not so sure. I think you did it.”

  Bree kneels and clutches both of Alyssa’s hands. “Your dad did it all by himself. He didn’t even show me until he bought them.”

  “I love it,” my daughter replies with another spin. That’s when she sees my parents and goes running after them. Bree stands and straightens her dress. She eyes my tie, loose around my neck, and reaches for it. “I didn’t take you for a man who couldn’t tie his own tie.”

  “I tried. It never looked right.”

  Bree loo
ps and pushes the fabric through the hole, then she tightens and wiggles it until it’s in place. “There.”

  “Thank you,” I say before stepping closer. “I’d like to kiss you.”

  She grins. “I’d like that as well, but the last thing I want is for the people outside to see us embrace. I don’t want there to be any doubt in their mind that you’re on these walls because you deserve to be here, not because you have something going on with the gallery owner.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “Are you ready?” she asks. I’m not, but I nod anyway. “I’m going to open the door and invite everyone in. All you need to do is mingle and wander around. If someone has questions or wants to compliment you, they’ll come up to you.”

  “How will they know it’s me?”

  “That’s my job,” she says. “I’ll greet every person who walks through this door tonight. I’ll find out what they’re looking for, direct them to the right painting or print, and when the time is right, I’ll ask if they want to meet the artist. You’re not the only one here, so don’t worry about being alone. Ross Sanders is over there in the corner, sipping a glass of champagne. He’s a retired police officer who started painting to deal with the things he saw when he worked in New York City. Talk to him. I think you two will hit it off.”

  I glance over my shoulder and find him looking at one of my pictures. “Maybe when he’s done,” I say, shrugging. Bree rolls her eyes, takes me by the arm, and leads me over to Ross.

  “Ross, I’d like you to meet Caleb, the man behind this image.” We shake hands, and before I say anything to Bree, she’s gone. Ross and I maybe get three words out before the doors open, and people flood into the gallery.

  “First time?” he asks me.

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “Yes.” He laughs and takes two flutes of champagne off the tray when a waiter walks by. “This will help. Just sip, no gulping. The only time you gulp is when some pompous ass comes up to you and tells you how you could’ve captured the moment differently.”