by Sarah Makela
He leaned down to press a kiss against the rosy peak, savoring the taste of her skin. She was delicious. He wanted to devour her delicate body as he slid his cock inside her, bringing them both to ecstasy.
Vera stirred up odd feelings within him. What he felt for her was more than just the biological need to mate and continue his species. This was deeper than that. But perhaps he was over thinking this. What did he know about love, at least in this context? He’d never felt like this for anyone else.
He pressed his hips between her thighs. His cock bulged against his pants, and he wanted to be naked with her more than ever. Would he scare her away if he was too forward?
Vera’s lips parted, and she swept her tongue over her lower lip. “Pekka, I need you now. Please.”
Relief swelled in his chest. He fumbled with the laces on his pants, needing to be inside her. If he didn’t, he might explode. Her hands covered his, and he released his grip on the ties, letting her slip the obstructing material from his hips.
Smiling at him, she spread her legs a little farther apart in invitation.
Pekka couldn’t believe he’d been without her all through the year. He nudged the head of his cock inside her. The awesome sensation of her tight pussy clenching around him weakened his control. Now that he knew what he had with her again, giving her up would be impossible. He only hoped she felt the same way.
Gasping in pleasure, Vera dug her nails into his back as she tilted her head to the side against the rug. Her hair spread around her like a halo, making him that much more hot and bothered. Her very essence made him feel like he could shed his careful glamour and expose himself to her. He’d done so before, but he wouldn’t do it again, not with this being their first time in so long.
He pushed inside her, driven forward by her delicious moans. She arched against him, meeting him stroke for stroke.
Vera nibbled her lower lip, and he couldn’t believe how turned on he was by watching her do that one simple motion. Being able to see her face each day was what he deeply desired. This past year without her had been lonely.
She brought him down to her. Her lips caressed his, her tongue sensually sliding over his lower lip. It took all his strength to not take her with everything he had. He wanted to be gentle, but the way she reacted lit his body on fire.
Each thrust inside her brought them closer to climax.
Within moments, they were careening off the edge into orgasm. Vera cried out, and he smothered the sound, not wanting anyone to hear. Her pussy clenched around him, and he found release.
Pekka leaned his forehead against Vera’s. Each time they made love was one more moment he knew he had to make a decision. Sex for elves wasn’t a casual undertaking. They had sex to reproduce. Most of the time for that sole reason. Plenty of females liked it for other reasons as well, but this was a lot more than pleasure or reproduction.
Love. Something he saw between Santa and Mrs. Claus while they were together in the workshop.
Maybe their love would last like that.
Chapter Five
Vera nuzzled Pekka, surprised to find him still asleep. Before, he’d slipped out before she’d had a chance to say goodbye. Maybe that had been a good thing at the time. It would’ve been very hard to leave him. Hopefully, things had changed between them this time, and she’d never have to worry about that again.
Besides, she’d grown to love the Finnish city of Rovaniemi. The fresh air was full of possibility and wonder...and happiness. She had the chance to finally gain the thing she’d been missing out on her whole life. Something she’d thought she might have with her ex, but that had been such a joke.
How could she come to Pekka and ask him to be such a larger part of her life? Would he deny her? They were so different from one another. There was only one way she’d find out, and if she didn’t find her courage, she might never get the chance to ask him. She needed to broach the subject.
She rested her hand on his chest and started to nudge him, but she couldn’t. Not when he looked so sweet in his sleep. However, if she didn’t do it soon, she might be back to square one, not knowing whether he would accept her or not. If she went back home only to return next December to find him again, she might get herself killed.
She leaned back in the bed, not wanting to break this wonderful Christmas moment. There would be time for her to ask later. As far as she knew, he didn’t have the ability to vanish into thin air or teleport her back to her cabin. For now, she only needed to sit back and be with him. That was all she wanted anyway.
Vera closed her eyes. Within moments, she was fast asleep again, only to be awakened by the delicate caress of a hand trailing up her thigh. Stealing a quick glance, she saw Pekka smile down at her.
He brushed his hand along her leg straight toward the junction of her thighs. The look in his eyes told her he was set on claiming her again.
She had to admit, sex with him was otherworldly. He didn’t have the limited stamina of a human male. His was amazing. Then again, he wasn’t an ordinary human. He was an elf. Not just any elf either, but one of Santa’s trusted few who was in charge of taking care of the reindeer that flew his sled.
Good thing her friends and family weren’t here. They would be dragging her to the nearest mental hospital, and she’d probably be locked away for a long while as doctors pumped her full of meds to make her less crazy.
None of that worried her now. Things would work out, and she’d look back wondering why she’d gotten worked up to begin with. The only thing she needed to do was express her feelings and hope for the best, and with how Pekka was acting, this might turn out in her favor.
At least, she really hoped so.
“I don’t know if this is the right thing to say, Vera. I’m not really accustomed to talking with humans, but I need you in my life. I’m not sure how we’ll make our relationship work.” Pekka grimaced. His hand fell away from her inner thigh. “However, I’d like to try. You’d have to come to Finland, and I’d have to...uh...talk to my...boss, but I believe you’re here for a purpose. For me.”
Her eyes widened at his words. They were exactly what she’d wanted to express to him herself.
He leaned away, looking nervous. “If you’re uncomfortable with—”
Vera placed a fingertip over his lips, not allowing him to continue with his worrying. She pushed him onto his back on the bed, straddling his hips. His eyebrows rose. Uncomfortable didn’t even come close. More like joyful! “I’m not because I want to be with you.”
Okay, maybe she was a little concerned with how she’d break the news to her family, but they already thought she was crazy for going to Finland on vacation by herself two years in a row during Christmas.
They could get over it. This choice was hers and Pekka’s to make. No one else would interfere, and she wouldn’t hide behind her fear and take the easy way out.
Pekka smiled, and happiness lit up his eyes.
For a split second, she saw beneath his human façade, but he quickly hid his elf side from her again. “If I’ve learned anything in all my years as an elf for Santa Claus, I know that dreams come true. You’re mine.” He pulled her down to him, then pressed a kiss to her lips. “Merry Christmas, rakas.”
Want more elves and faeries? Try Captivated the first book in the Courts of Light and Dark series...
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading the Vera’s Christmas Elf boxed set! The idea to write a Christmas elf story came to me when I was with one of my previous publishers. I’ve loved Finland and Scandinavia for many years, which is why I sometimes make nods to that part of the world in my books. One year, I had the opportunity to spend Christmas with my husband’s family in Finland, and I learned that Santa is believed to live in Finnish Lapland. There might have been several jokes about eating Santa’s reindeer since that is a delicacy to Finns. I did a lot of research for the book online since at that time I hadn’t traveled to Lapland, only the lower section of Finland, but I was finally
able to in 2013 and visited Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland. It was every bit as magical as I could have imagined. My in-laws might have thought I was crazy for being so giddy with excitement, but standing on the Arctic Circle was like a dream. My husband and I had our picture taken with Santa who was absolutely enchanting.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this book as much as I do. Please consider leaving a review at the retailer’s website or on Goodreads, even if it’s a line or two. It truly helps! Also, if you’re interested in being the first to know about my next release, sign up for my newsletter.
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About the Author
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Sarah Mäkelä loves her fiction dark, magical, and passionate. She is a paranormal romance author and a life-long paranormal fan who still sleeps with a night light. In her spare time, she reads sexy books, watches scary movies, and plays computer games with her husband. When she gets the chance, she loves traveling the world too.
Other Books by Sarah Mäkelä
Beneath the Broken Moon Series (New Adult Paranormal Romance)
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Cry Wolf Series (New Adult Paranormal Romance)
Book 1: The Witch Who Cried Wolf
Book 2: Cold Moon Rising
Book 3: The Wolf Who Played With Fire
Book 4: Highland Moon Rising
Book 5: The Selkie Who Loved A Wolf
Cry Wolf Series Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
Edge of Oblivion Series (Urban Fantasy Romance)
Book 1: The Assassin's Mark
Book 2: The Thief's Gambit
The Amazon Chronicles Series (Paranormal Romance)
Book 1: Jungle Heat
Book 2: Jungle Fire
Book 3: Jungle Blaze
Book 4: Jungle Burn
The Amazon Chronicles Collection
Hacked Investigations Series (Futuristic Paranormal Romance)
Book 1: Techno Crazed
Book 2: Savage Bytes
Book 2.5: Internet Dating for Gnomes
Book 3: Blacklist Rogue
Book 4: Digital Slave
Feral Ink Series (New Adult Paranormal Romance)
Book 1: Skin Deep
Book 2: Inked Fury
Courts of Light and Dark Series (New Adult Fantasy Romance)
Book 1: Captivated
Book 2: Surrendered
SuperPowered Series (Superhero Romance)
Book 1: Stolen
Book 2: On Thin Ice
Standalones and More
Captive Moonlight
Moonlit Feathers
Saved by Moonlight
Vera’s Christmas Elf
Write to Success
Excerpt For Captivated
Chapter One
Gritting her teeth, Honora Butler sneaked farther into the dark, snowy forest. Danger lurked within the shadows, and she would kill or be killed. Death didn’t intimidate her anymore. She knew it too well.
Everyone she’d loved had been taken from her. The only thing she cared about now was destroying those who had ruined her life.
Snow crunched beneath the soles of her knee-high leather boots. The risks of killing those monsters were great, but she didn’t care. When she was young, the Mercenary Guild had taken her in. They’d seen her abilities and her determination. They’d trained her, given her a chance when she’d wanted only to die, and now she did what she bloody well could to make sure the dark beings of the Unseelie Court hurt no one else.
A horrified scream erupted ahead, beckoning her deeper into the forest. It had to have been caused by her prey. Picking up her pace, she pulled a throwing knife from its sheath. Her magic surged into the blade, filling it with power and making the metal white-hot.
The trees broke into a clearing. The cause of the cries stood in the dirt road. A woman cowered on the ground while a short, stocky man dressed in blood red with a matching hat sneered at her. He looked to be having far too good a time.
“I have a husband and kids. Please, don’t hurt me,” the woman whimpered. “My master...he’ll—”
The Fear Dearg snorted and crossed his arms in front of him. Stroking his bushy beard, he stared down his crooked nose at the terrified woman as if pondering what to do first.
Honora doubted the woman was in immediate danger. The Red Man mostly engaged in cruel pranks on those he sought, but that wouldn’t stop her from killing him. Her mission in life was to rid the world of malevolence. No matter what.
She slid from the trees, taking one quiet step after another. “Na dean maggadh fum,” she said. Those words, ‘Do not mock me,’ were the best chance she had to take him down without a problem.
The Fear Dearg jerked his gaze to Honora. His lips curled back into a snarl at the interruption. “So be it. Now go on. Get out of here. Can’t you see I’m busy?” He stared at her blankly, waiting. “What? You want my favor and prosperity? One of those bold adventurers? Wait for your turn.”
Just like that, he returned his focus to the woman, grabbing for her dress.
With a snap of her wrist, Honora sent the throwing knife sailing through the air. A wash of blood arced in a thick spray as the Fear Dearg collapsed, the knife lodged between his eyes.
Shrieking, the woman scurried backwards from the corpse. Her eyes were wide and horrified at the sight of the dead faerie. “What have you done?” she asked, glancing Honora’s way. Shaking her head, she reached for her large basket with foodstuffs that lay on its side. Most of the food had fallen out, but the woman didn’t bother gathering it. She just took the basket, then ran off down the dirt road.
What had that been about?
Honora watched the woman until she disappeared around the curve of the path. She walked over to the dead Red Man, then tugged her blade out of his skull. It came away easily, blood dripping off it in great crimson drops. She wiped it clean on his jacket before tucking the knife back in its sheath.
Her stomach rumbled. On the ground was an unsoiled loaf of bread from the woman’s fallen food. She stripped off her bloody gloves and crouched. After brushing off a few leaves, she tore a piece from it and lifted it to her lips.
In the distance, she heard a faint noise like that of a large flock of birds beating their wings. That couldn’t be right. Birds weren’t typically active at night there. Yet the sound grew louder.
The sudden realization of what it was punched her in the gut. She dropped the bread and raced after the woman. Honora needed to find the safety of shelter. She couldn’t be out here when the Sluagh—restless spirits of the dead—flew over. What they did was worse than death. They captured their victims’ souls.
Behind her, the cries became impossibly louder. She didn’t have much time at all. She had yet to spot any homes or places to hide and knew if she were spotted, she would be connected with the murder of the Fear Dearg. They’d hunt her down. She wouldn’t be safe unless she found somewhere soon.
Chancing a look over her shoulder, she saw a horrible black mass darken the sky. Screams of their victims filled her ears. They were close. She caught sight of an elegant manor off to the left.
She sprinted, pushing herself to pick up her speed. Her legs ached with the strain, but she refused to slow down. Not with the dark creatures flying behind her, closing in despite each step she took.
Within a few tiring moments, Honora reached the massive wooden door. She knocked hard, and when there was no response, she pushed against it. The door opened easily.
Her ears hurt from the screeching noise. She pressed her back against the door as a heavy force slammed into it, nearly throwing her to the floor.
Honora’s gaze drifted over the opulence surrounding her. Shite. She didn’t want to be here long. Who knew whom this place belonged to? She twisted aro
und to face the door, then slammed the lock in place. Whoever it was didn’t seem familiar with locking their door. Leaning against the solid wood, she heard the Sluagh circling the manor, searching for a weakness.
For whatever reason, they retreated. Uneasiness flared within her—they weren’t known to do that. Maybe they’d found another victim. No, she found that hard to believe. The other option was that they recognized whoever’s place she’d entered. That didn’t bode well, did it?
She pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to think of what would have caused the restless spirits to leave, but she didn’t have a clue. Nothing stood out as unusual.
Sighing, she scrubbed her hands over her face. Weariness soaked into her bones. Her adrenaline had faded fast after her frantic race. Maybe whoever lived there was merely human, happened to be away and would never notice if she stayed the night. She could always hope.
Both the Mercenary Guild and her home were a day’s ride, and she’d left her horse at her makeshift camp a good distance away. It might be foolish to stay, but she couldn’t bear to drag herself from temporary safety, especially since she wasn’t certain that the Sluagh were well and truly gone.
She walked into the hall where a fire was burning in the large hearth. No one would go out of town and leave a lit fire. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. A place this size would have servants, so where were they?
Tugging her lower lip between her teeth, she glanced around again, one hand on the hilt of her short sword and the other near the throwing daggers at her belt, ready to use them if the need arose. Yet, try as she might, she didn’t find anyone to throw a blade at.
A sleeping mat lay before the fire. She tossed down her pack, then slid back her hood, deciding to take advantage of what little good fortune she’d found. A small sound sent her spinning around.
