“You won’t think so if you don’t mind me,” he responded with a wicked glint in his eyes. “By the time I’m through with you, you’ll feel more like a naughty five-year old. Now is that clear, Ms. Mistletoe?”
Merry swallowed hard. She was sure he could hear it. Her hands began to sweat and it had nothing to do with her gripping her fur coat. Her tummy tightened strangely and her breathing quickened. What in the name of tinsel and angel hair was wrong with her? Why did it seem the firmer his tone got, the more she wanted to push and see if he was as good as his word?
He’d threatened her! He’d all but said he would spank her like a naughty little elf if she didn’t do as he said. As odd as it seemed, his words excited her. The tiny panties she wore felt damp and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to run or fling herself into his arms. No, this would never do!
Straightening her shoulders she snapped her wayward lips together and nodded coolly. He must never know. More than likely he would find her biological response both amusing and satisfying. Turning her back on him she stood stiffly by the door waiting for him to open it.
Outside the cold night air felt wonderfully refreshing and Merry breathed deeply as they watched the lighted sleigh pull up. Once it stopped Bartlett lifted her effortlessly onto the seat behind the driver before climbing in. He covered her legs with the heavy throw provided and tucked it around her. Then he sat across from her, watching her silently.
His eyes were dark and keenly observant and she looked away as the horses began to trot along, bells jingling musically. They passed gaily decorated homes and businesses, bright with colored lights, but she saw none of them, not really.
Confused and a little frightened by her response to this man, she wracked her brain for intelligent topics of conversation. In the end all she could come up with was to thank him for a lovely dinner and for seeing her home.
Her words were cool, clearly insincere and for some reason they made him smile. As soon as the sleigh pulled to a stop she moved to climb out, but he beat her to it. Reaching up his arms for her she hesitated.
“Add stubborn to my earlier assessment of impulsive,” he stated as he took hold of her coat and pulled her from the convenience and straight into his arms. He did not release her immediately. Instead he held her pressed against his chest before slowly letting her slide down his body until her feet touched the snow-covered path.
“Goodnight, little fairy,” he breathed against her ear. “I’ll see you soon and I’m glad you came tonight. I think we are beginning to understand each other.”
Merry pushed back and looked up at him in stunned awe.
“I understand nothing,” she admitted a bit sadly. “You’re different.”
“I’m a human man and you’re a lovely female elf. Of course we’re different,” he chuckled.
“More than that, Bartlett, much more than that,” she sighed. “I don’t know what you want from me. I’m broken. I’m a worker who paints faces on dolls. I’m nothing special. Why have you singled me out for your attention, your concern?”
“In all honesty, at first I wasn’t sure about that myself,” he admitted grudgingly. “In the beginning, I was angry. You’re a remarkable artist and it drove me nuts to see you wasting your talents. I could feel your anger and sadness from across the room and I decided to see what I could do to get you back on track. It was all about your work. It’s not anymore.”
“What’s different?” she whispered.
“I like you, more than that. I haven’t felt this way about a woman in a very long time.”
“Come on,” she scoffed. “You’re a very attractive man. I’m sure you haven’t lacked for company.”
“No, I haven’t,” he acknowledged honestly. “But those were casual um…friendships. What I’m beginning to feel for you is far from casual.”
“Again, I’ll ask you why?” she repeated softly.
His hand came up and cupped her smooth cheek, his thumb stroking beneath her eye.
“You need me,” he replied simply.
Merry laughed.
“Like I need a toothache,” she snorted before breaking into a full-fledged giggle, the first one he’d heard from her lips. Then she twirled out of his arms and raced up the slippery walkway to her chalet. At the last moment she turned back and smiled at him. “I may need to find a good dentist,” she called laughing. “Goodnight, Mr. Bright.”
Then she was inside her cozy home, leaning breathlessly against the closed door. This man was trouble, she was sure of it. The best thing she could do for her peace of mind this holiday season was to stay away from him.
If she did her job and did it well he would have no reason to seek her out. Sadly, she instinctively knew she would miss his attention, but she assured herself it was for the best. Her life had been complicated enough without a handsome, bossy, assertive human man rocking her world.
CHAPTER4
For the next two weeks Merry tried her best to put a happy face on her dolls. It wasn’t easy and many were rejected by quality control. Occasionally she caught site of Mr. Bright on the catwalk above her station, but so far he’d refrained from reprimanding her.
The toy factory was running three shifts as they tried to accommodate all the requests that were pouring in from children the world over. Elves and humans alike were falling over each other in the melee.
Perhaps Mr. Bright was simply too busy to bother with her. Or maybe he too felt uncomfortable. Clearly they were attracted to each other, and that didn’t bode well for a smooth working relationship. A manager could hardly go around spanking slacking employees and that seemed to be where theirs was heading.
