“I’ll call you if I need it,” he replied.
Merry did exactlyas she said she would. She snooped around. She looked at his photos, the books on his bookshelf, and browsed his movies and CD’s. Then she hit the kitchen checking out the stuff in his cupboards and freezer. It seemed he was a carnivore and liked meat. There was little in the way of fruits and vegetables in his fridge and it seemed to her that a man his age in human years should be watching his cholesterol. Still, if he planned on staying in the North Pole he didn’t need to worry about his health, for he would stop aging too.
She was waiting for him when he walked to the great room wearing baggy flannel lounge pants and no shirt. Looking at the redness of his chest she flinched.
“Your chest hair too?” she asked incredulously.
“Yes,” he replied glumly. “Never let it be said that I don’t go all out when I decide I want something.” Slowly he lowered himself to the leather sofa.
“A drink?” she offered.
“Three fingers, neat,” he replied holding up his hand.
Merry returned with the whiskey and the bottle of lotion. She dropped to her knees beside him. After passing him the drink she uncapped the lotion.
“Want me to try?” she asked sympathetically.
Bartlett nodded and leaned back against the cushions.
Pouring some into her hand to warm it, Merry gently began to smooth it over the chafed skin of his chest. His muscles jumped, quivering at her touch.
“Am I hurting you?” she asked worriedly.
“No,” he replied taking a swallow of the whiskey. “I doubt you could. Not after this afternoon. I didn’t know I was such a wimp,” he stated in disgust.
“You’re not a wimp,” she contradicted. “Waxing hurts and I don’t care who tells you different,” she stated firmly. “It’s unnatural if you want my opinion. Ripping out hair, follicles and all is a bit barbaric. Not to mention it takes a layer of skin with it,” she finished with a shiver.
“Have you ever done it, get waxed I mean?” he asked curiously.
“Once,” she replied, adding more lotion. “It was horrible and the end result wasn’t any better than I could do with a razor and far more painful.”
“Agreed, and just so you know, if you ever need any help with that sort of thing I’d be happy to assist you. I’m pretty handy with a razor,” he said smiling wickedly.
“Thanks for the offer, but I manage quite nicely on my own,” she replied with a sniff.
“A pity,” he replied clearly disappointed.
“Yes, isn’t it? I’m all done here,” she said rising. “Are you ready to try something to eat?”
“Is that my only option? I have other areas that could use your gentle touch.”
“I’m afraid feeding you is as far as I’m willing to go tonight.”
“Tonight? Does that mean there is hope for us at a later date,” he asked catching her hand and kissing the back.
Merry could not help grinning.
“You never know. Strange and magical things happen at the North Pole during the Christmas season.”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he joyfully answered. “Suddenly, I’m starving.”
Chuckling Merry pulled away and went to get dinner on the table.
CHAPTER5
From the moment her small hand touched his chest Bartlett had been on fire. He was not a saint, far from it. Over the years he’d had his share of attractive women, but the way this lovely elf affected him was staggering. Everything about her screamed out for his attention, his touch. Her scent, the feel of her hair, which he could never decide if it was silver or gold, her slightly tilted violet eyes and even her ears. He wanted to trace them with his tongue and suck gently on the tiny lobes. Now her tantalizing touch made it worse.
He wondered how her hands would feel as they stroked his erection, the erection that had failed to behave even though his lower body burned with raw pain. She wanted him too. Maybe not in the way he desired her, but she was not immune to what was happening between them. He thought about walking the short distance to the kitchen, picking her up and laying her out on the table, like a feast for his eyes and his mouth.
