I don’t care.
I roll on my back and motion Artie to come with me, looking up at his lean body with his cock deep in my mouth. “Like this,” I urge, bobbing my head, wanting him to do more, to fuck mymouth, even if I’m not sure I should say it like that. “Fast and hard. I like it when you come, and I can taste it.”
Artie’s face is gorgeous, a tight mix of pleasure, concentration, and then a groan that shakes his spine and causes him to burst like a delicious chocolatey truffle in my mouth, and down it goes.
“Holy matrimony, Immy. That’s... That’s fucking awesome. I’m not even sure it’s legal to make me want you this bad. Is this some magical power of yours?”
I lick my lips and giggle, loving how he collapses beside me, winded but bright-eyed, smiling at me. Our hands tangle, naked, shameless bodies rubbing together. “I’m just a little stronger than most people. No magic.”
“You’re magical to Laurel and me. You go back to sleep if you want. I’ll get up with her.”
“She’s not up yet.” I hold onto him a little longer. “Sure you don’t want me to stay in?”
“Sweet temptation. But every night this week has been like a little stay-at-home honeymoon. Every night for the lasttennights!”
“Am I complaining? No. I’m not.” Besides, I’ll probably get my period this week, and then I’ll lose access to my newest addiction. Unless... No, I’m not going to ask Artie that. I don’t think people have sex when that’s happening.
Artie hugs me tight. “You know you’re tempting me to be a bad, selfish guy. I’d be happy to stay home with you for the rest of my life. This is like... I don’t know. My happy spot. My little corner of the universe, and I finally feel safe.”
I nuzzle my nose to his. “I know that feeling is so hard to get, and so precious.”
“But part of what makes it awesome is the community. That we’re making friends. We don’t have to be the loners anymore.”
“I like being alone with you and Laurel.” I pout.
“Yes, and you’ll appreciate coming home if you go out somewhere first. I know you love the girls at your book club and from the kids’ classes at the library. You need to get out of the house and be with your friends. I know that, and I don’t mind.” He kisses my throat and rubs his cheek in my hair, which is silkier and fuller than ever, thanks to a few weeks with a nice brand of shampoo and conditioner.
I actually feel beautiful.
Weird, but wonderful.
“All right, but I’ll be back by nine-thirty—just enough time to make sure you go to your meeting with a smile on your face.”
THE NIGHT MARKET ISa little closer than the park, but it’s still a decent walk. Artie insists on dropping me off, and I tell him Tess or Charlotte will bring me home.
Once he drives off, with me blowing a dozen kisses to him and to Laurel as she kicks her feet in the backseat, I walk around under the strings of white twinkling lights, bundled up in my heavy coat and hood to stave off the November chill in the open-air market—which isn’t that bad to someone like me. While I wait for my friends, I take a quick trip around the stalls, a kid in a wonderland of clothes, crafts, food, and gifts. I have money to spend, and when I hesitated to take it, Artie frowned and scolded me.
He always builds me up, even if he disagrees with me. I never had that until him. He said, “Are you kidding me? I couldn’t work without you here, Imogene. Half my paycheck is yours—except that I only get to actually spend about ten percent of my paycheck on nonessentials.”
I don’t care if there’s not much money. There’s so much love and so much respect.
If I’m walking around with my head in the clouds and stars in my eyes, it’s Artie’s fault.
Which is not much of an excuse when I bump into a tall, gorgeous raven-haired beast.
Yes, beast. Not man. His face is long and narrow, with a pointed chin and glowing eyes, and round, curling horns as black as ink in flowing, wavy tresses that go all the way down his back.
It’s a krampus male model. Has to be. Hairy legs. Hooves. Long leather coat and a rich voice that rolls like thunder. “My apologies,” he says, even though I’m the one who smacked into him. “Forgive me,schwesterl.”
I don’t know what he called me, but I gulp and nod. “My fault,” I squeak. “Sorry.” I turn to run—but he comes with me.
“You are the first krampus I have seen in this town. I am only here for the holidays, of course. The annual assignments.”
I feel like he’s looking at me too intently, as if his polite little comment is something I should know.
Something that’s part of being a krampus.
“Oh, yes. Of course.” My palms start to sweat. There is something about this creature that makes me stay beside him, even though I’m also freaked out.
