Merry set her mug down on the coffee table and got to her knees, clearly ready to confront him.
“And another thing,” she continued, her voice growing sharper. “You told me months ago that we were going to have a conversation about…”
“About what?”
“Well, things you expected if we were going to have a real relationship, a connection that entailed more than friendship. You’ve had plenty of opportunities and haven’t spoken of it again. I think,” she drawled sarcastically, “that you’re full of reindeer turds! You talk a good story, but when it comes time to act on it you grit your teeth and walk away.”
“I’ve had to,” he explained, keeping a reasonable tone, as though he were talking to a child. “I had a job to do, and in order to do it well, I needed to keep everyone working, especially you, little miss know-it-all. The very last thing I needed was a shortage of dolls and I didn’t need you upsetting the other elves.”
“How could anything I do upset the others?” she demanded in surprise.
“You worked very hard to garner sympathy. The whole place was on the verge of choosing sides. You’re portrayal of the injured wife was masterful, especially when I know you did not love Bernard. That was quite a remarkable bit of acting.”
“I wasn’t acting,” she hissed, leaning closer. “Bernard’s defection was devastating! I was terribly upset and seeing them together made it even worse. He broke my heart,” she insisted with a sniff.
“He hurt your pride,” Bartlett contradicted. “I doubt you’ve ever really been in love,” he added.
“How would you know?” she sneered. “Have you ever been in love? Have you ever had your heart broken?” she demanded.
“Not broken,” he responded calmly. “It’s been kicked around a bit, but never broken. There’s only one woman who could do that and I hope she chooses not to.”
Merry dropped back, sitting on her heels in shock.
“You’re in love?” she asked weakly.
“I believe I am.” There, he’d said it!
Merry froze,unaware her mouth was hanging open like a hooked fish until she snapped it shut.
“You wretch!” she screamed, jumping off the sofa. “You rotten, lying, son of a snake! You led me on,” she continued with a screech as she tried her best to loom over him. “I can’t believe I let you string me along for months. Letting me think there was something between us, something new and exciting when all along you only wanted my productivity, my compliance . Oh, I’m such a fool, a sucker letting you get away with putting me off because I found you so very tempting. Ugh!” she said standing up, her body stiff as a board. “Get out!” she insisted. “Get out of my house and go find the woman you love. This game is over,” she harshly commanded.
Bartlett stared back at her grinning.
“Did you hear me?” she demanded. “I said get out.”
“You find me tempting?” he asked, still smiling.
Merry stared at him, his hard bare chest, the sexy stubble on his face and her shoulders drooped.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she asked.
“I’m fascinated by the way your mind works,” he admitted.
“Well, stop by some time when you can’t stay long and we’ll discuss the workings of my mind,” she responded facetiously.
Bartlett laughed as one of his hands shot out to grasp her wrist and pull her down onto his lap. Merry pushed against his chest but he easily subdued her.
“Behave,” he ordered as he pressed his lips to her neck.
Instantly she felt overwhelmed, unable to think clearly. Her heart began to pound as she allowed her head to drop back, giving him better access. She was appalled at her own vulnerability.
“Don’t do this Bartlett,” she pleaded weakly. “Don’t use me. I may not be human, but I have the same feelings, the same needs as you.”
“God, I hope so,” he breathed against her skin. “I’d hate to think I was the only one suffering this wicked depravation.”
His hand came up to palm her breast and she melted into his embrace, his words barely registering.
“I mean it,” she sighed as her back arched, pressing her breast closer as her nipple pebbled.
