Try as she might she could not stop her mind from imagining what he would look like naked. Bernard had been a spindly little elf, eager to consummate their marriage and while he’d eventually learned what pleased her, he was not often interested in doing so, especially after they’d been married for a few months.
She now knew she had Ginger to thank for that. Apparently, the redheaded, excessively curvy elf had something to offer that Merry did not. It was galling to say the least.
Bartlett Bright, being a human man, of course looked nothing like Bernard, which was a blessing. Mr. Bright was much larger, stronger, and far more attractive. Even his confidence appealed to her on some level. His persona of not being someone to mess with intrigued her. Clearly he had a dominant personality, but she also sensed tenderness in him. The combination ticked off every one of her buttons, much to her annoyance. The last thing she needed right now was a lover.
It would complicate her already messy life. Work was a trial. Seeing Ginger and Bernard together annoyed the hell out of her, even though she didn’t want him. The gossip seemed never-ending and she longed for some peace and quiet to reflect on what she wanted to do with her life.
Soon that time would come. After Christmas Eve there would be a round of parties and celebrations. Once they wound down the season for romance would begin.
Elves had a lot of time on their hands in January. Well-deserved time off which usually resulted in hundreds of new babies arriving in September, just in time for new mommies to go back to work and pick up the slack in late November. It seemed to work out and in all honesty she’d enjoyed a few short-lived but passionate affairs herself. An Elfin woman didn’t get to be her age without indulging in some sexual recreation.
Still, she’d never considered herself promiscuous. No, she was extremely selective and had not shared her body with a male for a number of years prior to her marriage to Bernard. Since his desertion she’d not considered doing so, figuring it would be smart to avoid any sort of intimate relationship for a good long time. While her heart hadn’t been broken, her pride had taken a beating, something she never wanted to repeat. Besides, she was still not convinced leaving would not be for the best. Yes, she would begin to age, but she would also be reunited with her parents who she missed very much. It would mean a whole new life for her. She could have surgery to adapt her ears to a human form, but there was not much she could do about her small stature.
As an artist, she could arrange her life so she had limited contact with great numbers of people, spending most of her time in a private studio she would create. Merry had no doubt she could make a decent living but was she the sort of person who would be happy on her own.
Lately she believed it was so. She was still licking her wounds, but before Bernard had done her wrong she’d been a vivacious creature, full of life and silly pranks. She had loads of friends and was typically surrounded by like-minded elves, creating a joyous atmosphere wherever she went.
In what she considered her previous life she loved to host dinner parties, sleigh rides and sing-alongs during the holidays. Now she kept to herself, for the most part, and while her friends had tried to include her in their activities, she’d cried off with headaches and other various ailments. Oddly, Bartlett Bright was the only one who had managed to break through her numb façade. Of course, he was a bit like a bulldozer and she was quite certain he would use everything at his disposal to get her into his bed.
Would that be so bad, she wondered.
Bartlett limpedup the path to his home and let himself in the wide front door. In his hand he carried a bag which he set on a rustic table in the foyer.
Damn! What had he been thinking? The way he felt now he’d probably nixed any plans of seducing Merry for at least a week, maybe more. What man in his right mind would put himself through that, he thought, shaking his head and moaning as he hung up his heavy jacket?
Of course, he was the one who’d ordered the deluxe package. He now knew bigger and more expensive was not always the way to go. Glancing at the mirror above the table he noted how pale his face appeared and the pinched line around his lips.
“Oh hell,” he groaned, leaning heavily on the table.
“Yes, that’s exactly my feelings on the subject,” Merry said from where she leaned against the arched wall of the great room watching him.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was worried about you.”
“Really?” he asked, his demeanor brightening a little.
“Yes. I brought dinner and wine,” she replied.
Bartlett lifted the bag.
“Lotion, pain reliever and whiskey,” he stated bitterly.
“You have a point,” she acknowledged with a nod. “Whiskey might be better, but you should eat something first.”
“Thanks for thinking of me, but I’m not hungry. I really just want to soak in a warm tub.”
“Go ahead. I’ll keep things warm and amuse myself snooping around,” she responded with a grin. “Need any help getting in the tub?”
“Oh baby, you don’t know how badly I want to take you up on that sweet offer,” he replied with a sigh. “Unfortunately, I think I’d better assess the damage on my own first. I don’t want the first time you see me naked to be one of those things you can’t un-see.”
Merry giggled.
“Understood, just trying to be helpful.”
Nodding he handed her the bag as he slowly made his way toward the bathroom.
“Hey,” she called after him. “Maybe you should take the lotion.”
