“Is it a problem?”
I couldn’t find words to answer.
“I can use a scent blocker if that would help.”
“No. It’s not a problem. I like it.” The words floated from my mouth as if I was not the one speaking.
“Oh. Uh. Okay.” His eyes turned a bit fiery in their bluish depths.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“You’re fine.” He blinked. “It’s flattering. To me. That you. Said that.”
Keir had never stunted his sentences with me. My shoulders hunched. What had I done? I ducked my head. As I peered at him through my lashes, he looked all strong and glowing. As if a spotlight had come out of the ceiling to shine directly onto him. He was beautiful. He made my throat go tight, my stomach turn to liquid. My uncontrolled mind started to flash at lightspeed on a hundred different scenarios of me going to him, touching him, asking him to put his arms around me. Every sense came into play, what that might feel like, what that might sound like with his breath in my hair all hot and fast. I was sure his muscles would be like home. His skin would taste like candy.
I shook my head fast to clear it.
“Okay?” he asked, still glowing.
“Yeah. Fine.”
I lied about being fine. When I went home, his scent followed me into my apartment. I sat before my warm hearth in my very own space. I should have been happy. And I was. I had made a new life for myself in less than two months. A beautiful life. But something was wrong deep inside.
Keir’s scent lingered even here. In the air and on my clothes. My body went cold, then hot. I took a shower, then made myself a sandwich and cocoa. The chills returned followed by heat waves.
Was I in heat?
I checked myself mentally. No slick. No current arousal. Maybe it was only a cold.
I took some aspirin and watched a movie under my favorite fuzzy blanket. I woke on my couch the next morning surprised I hadn’t awakened to get myself to bed.
Assessing my body, I found the good night’s sleep had actually refreshed me. I was fine. I had worried myself over nothing.
When I arrived at work, Keir met me outside our facing offices. “Come with me to Control. I have an announcement. Everyone should hear it.”
I hung up my jacket and scarf and followed him downstairs. In Control I stayed back, grabbing one of the chairs to sit as Keir walked to the upper level where he could look down and address the team.
“Morning everyone,” Keir began.
My gaze wandered about the room, landing on Clea. She was staring at me but when caught she turned her head fast, pretending to be focused on Keir.
A slight pain went through my chest. I told myself she didn’t matter. But she did matter to Keir. He needed her. I would ignore my feelings. I’d do anything for Keir. He should be able to do his job without stupid reindeer games.
Keir continued. “Your work has been exemplary this season. Santa is pleased. I’ve been able to update him often. He’s grateful for all we do here. It ensures his flights are even safer and smoother with every season.
“Which brings me to my point for coming here this morning. You’ll all receive a more detailed email later, but I wanted to inform you in person. This week’s forecast predicts a pretty hefty oncoming storm. We’ll begin to feel the effects by tomorrow with heavy snow and wind. We’re hoping it wears itself out by Christmas Eve, but it’s too early to be confident in that.
“We’re all used to inclement weather this time of year, including on Christmas Eve. And we’ve dealt with it well together when it comes. We’ve gone through some tense moments, some more years than others, but this team is trained for it. I’m going to need you all round the clock, taking turns with longer shifts. We’re well-set for Christmas Eve. Our work shows it on all the sleigh upgrades and corrections. Our third flight test was near perfect. But… we have a lot of analysis of this stormfront to take care of. It could be nothing major. We don’t know yet. Work with each other to make sure everyone gets enough rest and food and breaks. This week is our most important, as you all know. We need to be studying this storm. It will be changing before our eyes. That’s why I need you all in your best work mode. We will be wanting to run more tests with simulations of this weather event.”
“Sir.” A team member named Rian raised his hand.
“Yes.”
“You just called it an event. Is it different from the blizzards that pass by here in December?”
“That’s what we’ll all be working on figuring out,” Keir replied. “We leave nothing to chance. Right? That’s our motto right now.”
As Keir continued to answer more questions, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was definitely the most alpha of elves. And of anyone in the entire room. He was magnificent in his white sweater and black wool trousers. A leader worthy enough to actually fly Santa’s sleigh.
