by Sarah Makela
Her Christmas Elf
Vera’s Christmas Elf, Book 1
Sarah Mäkelä
Lost in a forest, Vera finds an elf who gives her a Christmas to remember.
Traveling alone in Finland around Christmas is not really what Vera Hayes had imagined she’d be doing. When her longtime boyfriend dumps her before the trip at the last minute, she decides to go anyway. However, she gets lost in a forest in Lapland and starts to panic until she runs into a magical man who looks suspiciously like an elf without the pointy ears. Pekka, one of Santa’s elves, soothes away her worry and helps her find her way back to her cabin, giving her a Christmas Eve to remember.
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Table Of Contents
Her Christmas Elf
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Vera’s Christmas Wish
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Author’s Note
About the Author
Other Books by Sarah Mäkelä
Excerpt For Captivated
Chapter One
Shivering, Vera Hayes watched the soft snow falling around her. The landscape was so beautiful and so dangerous at this chilling temperature, especially considering she had no clue where she was. She’d gone on a walk when the sun had been up, but now darkness rapidly descended on the forest.
Damn it!
This trip had been nothing but trouble, and she’d been stupid to actually take it. Her ex-boyfriend Steve had wanted this, not her. She’d gone ahead with it thinking it would help free her somehow, but this was far from freeing.
Vera stomped her feet and huddled deeper into her coat, which was starting to feel a little too thin for the current weather. She leaned against a birch tree and hunched her shoulders, beyond frustrated with her current predicament.
Snow dusted her, and she scanned the forest again. Hope failed her, and she set off walking again. Damn, damn, damn.
Faint rumbling sounded in the distance behind her, and she stopped. The noise grew louder until she could identify it. Hooves. Lots and lots of hooves. Adrenaline flooded her veins, but her body froze in place from fear.
In the distance, she spotted a herd of reindeer running in her direction. A quick look around at her surroundings showed no trees with low-hanging branches. So much for easy climbing. She reached for the closest birch, its bark broken by the frost. She wrapped her hands around it and began to climb.
Behind her, the noise grew louder. Among the trees, a herd of reindeer led by a massive gray bull trampled its way through the forest. Snow and frost caved beneath their hooves with almost no resistance.
The glance startled her, and her feet slipped down the birch. Panic struck her chest as she dropped to the ground. To her left, she saw a small clearing among the trees.
She tried to sprint through the almost knee-deep snow, but her progress was too slow. With the herd not far behind, she screamed. When would this nightmare end?
Just as she reached the clearing, a man grabbed her by the arm. He pulled her toward him then and shoved her against a tree, his firm body nestled against her back.
Her breath came out in pants, and not only from her running. “Let me go,” she yelled, fear audible in her voice.
“Hush. The herd will ignore you.” The man’s low, accented voice calmed her a little.
For a moment, Vera considered kicking him and racing away, but his grip tightened on her. He pressed her tighter to the tree. His body molded to hers as if they were puzzle pieces. She only had a second to ponder that as the herd of reindeer stampeded through the clearing.
The large reindeer bull slowed to a stop beside them. Intelligence sparkled in its black, glaring eyes as it waited for the rest of the herd to pass.
“She won’t hunt your kin, Old One. I’ll look after her,” the man said. The reindeer turned its gaze to the man and snorted, shaking its head.
Vera trembled. The cold and numbness she’d been fighting against were draining away her energy. She barely made out the man saying something she couldn’t catch. Her attention now focused on the huge bull that stood close enough for her to reach out her hand and touch. The other reindeer were easily her height from hoof to head, but this one made them look small in comparison.
The reindeer stared at her then blew a cloud of steam from its nostrils, apparently not impressed, before galloping after the rest of the herd.
She watched it go until it was barely in sight, then the man grabbed her shoulders. He spun her around, and his gaze dipped to take her in. His expression soured, and he returned his gaze to hers. “What are you doing out here dressed like that?”
Surprise at his audacity had her pulling away from him. His clothing didn’t exactly inspire confidence in his sense of fashion either. From what she could tell, his clothing looked to be made of animal pelt. She placed her glove-covered hand against his chest and marveled at the sleek fur.
He snagged her wrist yet didn’t move her hand. “There’s a storm coming. You shouldn’t be out here. You’ll die.” His gaze whipped over her again, and he grimaced. “Where are you staying?” His words held a melodic lilt that was so pleasant.
“At the cabins.” Her teeth chattered a bit more, and she huddled in on herself.
He gave her a quizzical stare then cursed an almost lyrical string of sound. “You’re far from safety. What are you doing way out here?”
What did he mean? She hadn’t been walking for that long. Or maybe it just hadn’t seemed so.
He scooped her into his arms, and she considered falling asleep in the warmth of his grip. But she didn’t know anything about him, and after what had just happened with the reindeer…
The thoughts churning in her head kept her somewhat aware as the man quickly moved through the forest as if the knee-deep snow didn’t bother him much. Before she knew it, he was walking along the path she’d started out at near the cabins.
The snow wasn’t as deep here, yet he didn’t offer to set her onto her feet. A small thrill fluttered through her.
“Which cabin are you staying in?” he asked. His gaze met hers, and Vera got a good look at him for the first time. Blond hair stuck out of a pointed red hat that tilted a little to the side. He had a reserved beauty about him that she hadn’t seen in any other man.
“Who are you?” Her voice came out as a breathy whisper.
He frowned and adjusted her weight a little as if uncomfortable. “My name is Pekka. Where are you staying? We need to get you inside.”
“Pekka,” she said, marveling at his name. She moved her hand away from his chest and pointed to the cabin her ex-fiancé had reserved for them before breaking her heart.
Pekka headed toward it, and when they reached the door, he finally let her down.
She pulled her keys from her pocket and dropped them. She bent to pick them up, but he was already there. Her glove brushed against his, and she looked into his dazzling green eyes. “Sorry.”
He remained quiet, but he helped her stand up. He unlocked the door, and they walked inside the cool cabin. It was well insulated, but she must’ve been gone longer than she’d thought.
“Which fireplace did you use?” Pekka asked, his gaze scanning the cabin.
“The one in the corner. Why?” Vera pointed toward it as she closed the door behind them. It took her a couple tries, but she locked the door too.
He pulled her into his arms, forcing a gasp from her throat. His gaze descended on her and curiosity filled his eyes, but he loo
ked away to the cabin’s living room. They crossed the decent-sized space, and he placed her gently on the couch close to the massive masonry stove that dominated the center of the cabin.
“I’ll be right back. You need something to warm up with for a moment.” He went to her bedroom only to return a few seconds later with her blankets.
She appreciated the way he wrapped her in the cozy white blankets, but it did little to stop her from shivering. Her teeth continued to chatter, and she snuggled deeper under the covers.
Sighing, Pekka set about preparing a fire. “Those fireplaces are for your viewing pleasure. This one is intended to keep the place warm. The heavy stone retains heat much better. Unfortunately, it will take a moment to warm up.” He easily tore the birch bark from the wood before putting it into the stove. Once the flames had started, he put the wood in.
Her eyelids were heavy, but she tried to remain focused.
Pekka busily nursed the flames in the big stove, but she desperately wanted to sleep.
After a few moments, the fire in the stove covered the timber. Pekka used a sturdy knife to cut smaller pieces from a block of wood, then fed them to the hungry flames.
Her gaze drifted over him, taking in his muscular form. She watched his hands work with the knife, and she couldn’t help noticing its design. The blade was wide, and its dark wooden handle had seen its fair share of use.
Pekka nodded to himself, satisfied with the state of the flames, then he turned his gaze to her. Concern lit his eyes. “You still need to warm up. I’m sorry. This might be an odd request, but you need to get naked. Skin-to-skin body heat might help you to recover.”
She was wary of his suggestion, but the thought of getting warm was too much to resist. Besides, he was pretty easy on the eyes, and this was a foreign country. Not like she’d have to get wrapped up in more guy drama. She tried to stand, but her legs didn’t want to work. They were sluggish. How cold had she gotten?
Pekka picked her up along with the blanket and made his way to the bedroom, which gradually warmed due to the stove’s heat. He laid her on the bed, and the look in his eyes sent a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold through her spine. He unzipped her coat and piece by piece removed her clothing until she was in her underwear.
His breathing was a little heavier, and she couldn’t help but squirm beneath his penetrating gaze. “May I?” he asked, his hot hands resting on her shoulders. She wanted to press herself closer to him so she could drink in more of his warmth.
“Yes.”
After helping her into a sitting position, he slid his hands behind her back and unhooked her bra. The air kissed her breasts, and his gaze lowered. He licked his lips, and she looked down to see her nipples harden.
Desire pooled between her thighs, and she wanted this mysterious man. She wasn’t the type of woman to have one-night stands, but there was something almost magical about Pekka.
She leaned back and dropped her hands to the hem of her panties. Before she could remove them, Pekka had them down her legs. She took a shuddering breath and stared at him.
“This isn’t what I’d intended.” As he spoke, he stripped away his own clothes, revealing a deliciously muscular body used to hard work. “I’d only meant we should press our bodies together, but…”
She parted her legs as he climbed up her body. His cock stood ready for her, yet a flicker of doubt crossed his face before he could suppress it.
God, she must seem like a wanton hussy. Damn it.
He moved to her side, though the bed was small enough he wouldn’t be able to go far from her before falling to the floor. She rolled to her side, facing away from him. Before she knew it, they were under the blankets with the feel of his warm body against hers.
She cradled herself against him, trying to warm up.
Chapter Two
Pekka pressed his naked body against the woman’s. She excited a foreign part of him he’d never explored. He didn’t have much contact with ladies due to his busy schedule. As a Christmas elf, he didn’t have much time for fun.
He cursed himself at the near disaster with the reindeer. The reindeer were under his watch, and now they were still probably running through the forests while he warmed this female’s soft, cool body. He’d find them…eventually. He was the best tracker Santa had in Rovaniemi.
The woman pressed back against him, and he fisted his hand in the blanket. Neutral thoughts. Keep your thoughts neutral. His coaching didn’t help. The small movement awakened his cock.
He stilled, not wanting to make her feel more uncomfortable by his body’s lusty reaction. Instead, she shifted her position against him again. Everything in him wanted to claim her, but he wouldn’t take advantage of her current situation. She needed his help, not him forcing himself on her. That thought had been the only thing stopping him from taking her when she’d parted her legs for him a moment ago.
She bumped against his cock again. A fine shiver ran through her, and he wasn’t quite sure it was from the cold. She moaned, and he gripped her hip, keeping his hand there while he tried to restore his calm. Not only was this inappropriate, but she was a human female.
Although he knew many others who would have no problem with this, he had a few more reservations about becoming involved.
“What’s your name?” he asked, trying to think of any way to make this a little less awkward. All he wanted was to plunge himself inside her, and she wasn’t making his decision easy.
“Vera.” She slid her hand over his, which still lay on her hip, and she moved it lower, to her thigh.
Her skin was soft beneath his palm, and he wanted even more to caress her with his hands, mouth, even tongue. “Vera... This probably isn’t a good idea.”
“I know.” She rolled onto her back and watched him as she guided his hand up her cold thigh. He dipped his fingers between her moist folds. His cock hardened instantly. He slid a finger into her pussy.
She tilted her head back and moaned. He moved in closer as he pulled his finger out and thrust it in again, and he brushed his lips against her throat, tasting her skin.
Her hands still held onto his wrist as if he might suddenly pull away. That was out of the picture now. He didn’t think he’d be able to stop himself. It had been too long, and he wanted Vera too much.
He crooked his finger inside her, stroking her front wall until he found her sweet spot. Her eyes snapped open, and she gasped. He positioned himself over her, but she placed a hand on his chest.
“Wait.” Her voice was breathy and a little panicked. What had changed? She’d been guiding him toward this. “Protection.”
He frowned down at her, unsure what she meant. What did she need protection from? He looked toward the bedroom door, but he didn’t see anything or anyone.
She shoved against his chest, causing him to look back at her. “I have a condom in my purse.” She nodded at the small black bag on the nightstand.
He moved aside to let her grab the bag. She dug through it for a few moments before pulling out a strip of condoms. Her eyes widened, and she dropped them back into her purse, tearing one off in secret. He’d never had a need to use something like this. His kind shared bodies to procreate and enjoy themselves.
Yet mating with a human would be a good reason to wear one. He’d heard of others who had conceived with a human. They’d been sent away from Santa’s good graces after their mistakes. His work was all he knew. He wouldn’t risk procreating with a human.
However, he was risking his neck by not doing his job tonight, on Christmas Eve of all times. His erection waned a little, but the look in Vera’s eyes as she ripped open the wrapper fixed that. She reached for him, and he braced himself as her hand wrapped around his cock.
He balled his hands into fists at his sides as her fingers skimmed down to his balls, cupping them gently. Her other hand slid the condom over his shaft, and he shuddered. Perkele! Her touch was intoxicating.
She ran her hand over his cock in slow, deliberat
e strokes. Her gaze focused solely on what she was doing to him. He stayed still, savoring the feel, but with each caress, his self-control eroded.
He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his lap. His cock pressed snugly between her legs. Her hands gripped his shoulders, and she angled her hips for him. He guided her onto his shaft but let her set the pace, for now at least. There was no way he could promise anything in that regard. His hunger to satisfy her body raged within him.
She apparently had the same reaction since she thrust down onto him, taking him entirely within her, then rocking her hips in time to a steady beat. She leaned in close. Her mouth caressed the side of his neck, and he shuddered against the onslaught of desire.
This Christmas Eve wasn’t going a bit the way he’d planned. In fact, it was a lot better. Almost a wish come true.
Her nails bit into his upper arms as she ground against him. The way she moved still seemed a bit stiff, and he cursed himself for putting her in this position after what she’d been through earlier. He cradled her waist then flipped them over so he was on top.
She let out a startled gasp and stared up at him.
He grinned, trying to soothe her, which must’ve worked since she smiled. Perhaps it was a good thing she’d had all those condoms. Why she’d had them, he didn’t know, but she was a human. They were known for being naughty and nice. Both descriptions fit her perfectly.
He ran his hands over her pert breasts, squeezing them gently at first and then increasing his grip a little at her sexy reaction. He picked up his pace, shoving into her harder. His kind enjoyed a bit of rougher sex. Just because they helped the big guy with present-making didn’t mean they were docile.
Her leg circled his waist and held him closer to her. “Pekka,” she whimpered. “I’m close.”
He nearly came just at hearing her say his name in that tone of voice.
Beneath him, she threw her head back and pressed a hand to her lips. He pulled her hand away as she screamed her desire. Her gaze rose to his. Between her pussy squeezing him tightly and seeing the look on her face, he was sent right over the edge.
