It Started With a Sleigh

by Kaydence Snow

  I gripped him by the base and stroked up, caressing the tip with my thumb. He sighed and his eyes drooped, but he kept them open, kept watching me. I bit my bottom lip as I stroked him again, and he panted, his swollen lips parted.

  Voices and the approaching crunch of leaves made my hand pause halfway down Tin’s erection. My eyes widened.

  He twitched in my hand as his mouth quirked up in an almost smile.

  “It’s just El and Max,” he whispered inches from my mouth. “They won’t mind. They’ll wait for us to finish . . . or join in, if you want them to.”

  I didn’t think my eyes could widen any farther, but they did. I had no idea what to say to that. My body flushed, some part of me clearly liking the idea—I was attracted to all three of them. I just didn’t know what to make of Tin’s blasé attitude to the idea of group sex.

  The two elves in question entered the little clearing.

  “There you are,” El announced as Max gasped and cursed. “Shit. Sorry. Uh . . .”

  “And that’s why you’ve been gone so long.” There was amusement in El’s voice.

  I kept my back to them as I extracted my hand from Tin’s pants, stepped away, and fumbled to zip up my coat.

  “Please don’t be embarrassed.” Tin tilted his head to look into my eyes as he straightened his clothes and buttoned everything back up.

  “I’m not.” Lies. I was a little embarrassed. Intrigued as I was by Tin’s insinuation, I’d never actually had an audience. “I’m just . . . uh, what did you mean about them joining in? Are you guys closer than I thought?”

  Determined to handle this like an adult, I turned to face them all.

  Max had his hands in his pockets, avoiding my eye. El was staring right at me with a hint of curiosity in his face.

  Tin chuckled. “Nah. We’re tighter than most families, but we didn’t grow up together, so our bond is a little different. We kind of share everything.”

  “What?”

  “Women,” El stated, still looking at me steadily. “We share women from time to time. No, we don’t have sex with each other, but we’re not shy about putting a woman between us and seeing where it goes.”

  I thanked the Christmas spirits it was so damn cold—hopefully it would keep the blush from my face.

  I cleared my throat. “Anyway, did you get enough charge or whatever to power your sleigh?”

  They took pity on me and let me change the subject.

  “No.” Max finally joined the conversation. “The concert is wrapping up, and most of the parents are taking their kids home to warm beds. That was a great idea, by the way, Sadie—getting the kids involved.”

  I smiled. “Thanks.”

  Tin grabbed the bough of a nearby pine tree and yanked a bit off it. “Christmas tree.” He held it up for the others to see. “And we had a visit from a reindeer.” In his other hand, he produced a tuft of fur.

  “Nice!” Max moved forward, extracting a black pouch from inside his coat, and Tin dropped the items into it.

  “I got one of the programs from the concert—has all the carols listed with lyrics.” Max added it to the pouch.

  El joined our little circle and held up a tiny mitten with a snowflake embroidered on the back. We all turned to look at him.

  “You stole a child’s mitten? It’s freezing,” I admonished.

  He raised a brow and pursed his lips. “The child was long gone. I found it abandoned on the ground as we left to look for you two.”

  He dropped the mitten into the pouch, and Max disappeared it back into his coat.

  “OK, so what now?” I asked.

  El took the snow globe out of his pocket. Once again, it was a little more alive than last time. The trees in the forest scene looked thicker and more detailed; the snow was swirling a little higher.

  “We need more.” El sighed and put it away again.

  “How will you know when you have enough?”

  “We’ll just know,” they chorused.

  “OK then. So, what do we do now? Back to catch the rest of the concert?”

  “Nah. No point. We got what we could from it, and all these Christmas trees helped.” Max looked around. It really was beautiful out there. Peaceful.

  “What else is close by? We need another Christmas crowd. More cheer.” Tin leaned into me and grinned, reminding me of the cheer we’d very nearly shared just moments before.

  I sighed. “We really need to get into the city, but without a car . . . Public transport? But a train will take forever.”

  We fell into silence as we started walking back toward the main gate.

  I pulled out my cell phone. A taxi or an Uber would be crazy expensive, but maybe it was worth it. I checked both apps, only to groan at the expected wait times.

  “Where to now?” Max asked, and three expectant elves stared at me.

  “Uh . . .” I looked around, panic rising. Then an idea blossomed. “Actually, one of my friends lives two blocks that way.” I pointed across the street. Cars were pulling away from the park, people spilling out through the gates now that the concert was over. “I know she’s planning to head to a party in the city. Maybe she can give us a lift.”

  “Great!” Tin clapped. “I love parties.”

  “It’s worth a try.” El took the lead, setting a fast pace.

  I checked the time—it was just before eight. Monica didn’t usually leave for parties until well after ten, but this was her work’s annual party, and they tended to start earlier. Hopefully we wouldn’t be too late.

  I sent her a quick text and caught up with El, matching his hurried steps even though my legs were way shorter than his.

  The Eggnog

  Monica was waiting on the sidewalk outside her apartment building when we rounded the corner. She’d replied to my text with a simple “OK” and hadn’t asked any questions, but judging by the look on her face, she was about to ask them all now.

  “Girl, I thought you’d be halfway to your folks’ place by now. What the fuck happened?” She had her hands on her hips, pushing her open coat out to reveal the green sequined dress underneath. With her short black hair and killer stiletto boots, she looked stunning.

  “That was the plan.” I huffed, a little out of breath from keeping up with three sets of long legs and boundless energy. “But my car wouldn’t start. Piece of shit.”

  She gave me a sympathetic look and drew me into a hug. When she pulled away, her eyes were on the three men behind me, her eyebrows raised. “And who are they?”

  “Uh . . .” I glanced over my shoulder. Max had told me not to say anything to anyone about who they really were—it was against the rules unless the Christmas magic revealed them naturally, as it had to me. “They broke down right next to me. I figured if I couldn’t get home to my family, at least I could help them out. We’re trying to get into the city so they can get . . . uh . . .”

  “We need a part for the engine.” Max smiled and stepped forward, extending his hand. “I’m Max. That’s El and Tin.”

  El raised a half-hearted hand in greeting, his smile barely there. Tin grinned and waved enthusiastically. I held in a laugh at the polar-opposite reactions. So them . . .

  Monica shook Max’s hand, but her eyes narrowed. “I don’t think any mechanics are open, even in the city.”

  “Oh, we don’t need a mechanic. The part is electrical. Any department store or, like, a Radio Shack or something will do.”

  “Right!” I spoke over Max. “Which is why we need to get there before everything closes. Can you give us a lift?”

  “My car’s in the garage, but you’ll never find parking downtown.” Monica waved her hand, but before my heart sank, she grinned and pointed to a black stretch limo pulling up at the street. “But I can give you a lift. If you think we can all squeeze in there.”

  I burst out laughing. “I think we can manage.”

  We piled into the car, and I found myself seated between Max and Tin, Monica and El opposite us.

/>   “So where are you all from?” she asked, checking her phone.

  “North,” they chorused.

  She paused, then slowly lifted her head to look at them each in turn before fixing her gaze on me, eyebrows raised. “OK,” she mouthed, and I chuckled.

  Monica could always make me laugh. Her sarcasm matched mine, even if she was more cynical at times and kind of hated Christmas.

  “What’s with the fancy ride?” I asked, hoping to take the focus off the elves.

  “Alan organized it for all the senior management tonight. It’s part of our bonus for hitting targets.” Monica worked for a property development company that did work all over the world. She was the executive assistant to the CEO. I wasn’t entirely sure what her job consisted of, but it paid highly enough that she could afford a two-bedroom in a good neighborhood without needing to get a roommate.

  “What’s with the matching coats?” She lifted El’s hand by the sleeve, inspecting the beautiful fabric and golden fur trim. “These are really well made.”

  “What’s with the bright green sequins?” he shot back, pulling his arm away.

  She narrowed her eyes at him. I started to panic a little, my eyes flying between the two of them. Monica didn’t take shit from anyone. I wouldn’t put it past her to throw us out while the car was still moving.

  But El smiled and lightened his rude tone. “It’s Christmas Eve. I feel like outrageous outfits should get a pass.”

  A slow smirk pulled at El’s lips, and Monica’s breath hitched a little just as mine did the same. That wavy dark red hair, the freckles, the damn dimples when he smiled—coupled with the devious look in his eyes—were dangerous to women’s underwear everywhere.

  The car hit a bump just as it took a sharp corner a little too fast. With an “oof” I was knocked sideways into Max, Tin squishing me on the other side.

  Max’s arms wrapped around my waist to steady me as Tin righted himself.

  With my nose pressed to the spot where the top few buttons of Max’s coat were undone, I couldn’t help but breathe him in—fresh snow and gingerbread. He reminded me of running out into the yard after the first snow to make a snowman, then drying off by the fire, gingerbread man in hand.

  “You OK, Sadie?” His voice was low, his mouth close to my ear.

  I pushed myself up and nodded. He held my gaze for a moment, and that glint I’d seen in Tin’s eye lit up Max’s, only it was red instead of white. I smiled, unable to resist the warm, fuzzy feeling that Christmas magic seemed to bring out in me—or maybe it was the attention of the gorgeous elf looking into my eyes and gripping my waist that was making me feel hot.

  Slowly I pulled back, remembering there were other people in the car with us, and Max clasped his hands in his lap.

  Monica and Elvis were both smirking at me. I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat.

  Tin’s hand landed on my knee, and I reflexively covered it with mine. He was looking out the window at the busy streets of the city center, completely distracted. Monica’s eyebrows rose, and her smile widened.

  Before anyone could say or do anything to make things even more awkward, the limo pulled to a stop.

  I reached over Tin and pushed the door open before the driver even had a chance to come around, practically shoving the elf out onto the street.

  We all piled out of the vehicle, and I took a few deep breaths of the cold night air.

  “Thanks for the lift.” I gave my friend a genuine smile.

  “Anytime. This close enough? The mall is, like, two blocks that way.” She pointed down the street.

  “This is perfect.” Max nodded as he took in the decorated street, huge garlands hanging over the traffic, and people hurrying down the sidewalk with bags of shopping.

  Monica thanked the driver before he pulled away, then turned back to us. “It’s still early. You have plenty of time before the stores close. You guys want to join the party for a bit? Technically it’s for staff and family only, but you are my family, Sadie, and you three will fit right in.” She pointed to the three elves.

  “Oh, thanks, but—” I tried to rush through an excuse and get us moving, but El interrupted me.

  “This is a Christmas-themed party?”

  “Yep.” She grinned.

  “So, what’re we talking? Decorations? Eggnog? Fruit mince pies?”

  “We go all out. It’s like Christmas on crack in there.”

  The three of them shared a look before Max shrugged. “Worth a shot. We’re here already.”

  Monica gave me another amused WTF look. “Whatever that means. I’ll take that as a yes. Come on, I’m freezing my tits off out here.”

  As they all moved to enter the building, I trailed behind, resigned to dodging questions from Monica but kind of happy to be going. Her company really knew how to throw a Christmas party. No expense was spared.

  We crossed the cavernous lobby, and Monica swiped her card for the elevator, which took us to the twentieth floor. Her company occupied the top ten floors of one of the newer buildings in the city. The structure’s modern, impressive architectural design allowed for a massive open area in the middle of the twentieth floor, with the higher floors curving around an actual indoor waterfall.

  The elevator doors opened to reveal a party in full swing. The only thing rivaling the waterfall was the twenty-foot Christmas tree set up by the windows on the opposite side of the room. It was resplendent with white and gold decorations and glowing with hundreds of twinkle lights. The whole place was decked out in white and gold—garlands wrapped around all the railings, lights strung up everywhere, white poinsettias all over the place. There was even a snow machine tucked out of view near the top of the waterfall, sending soft flakes cascading down over the water.

  El whistled low, clearly impressed. Max was nodding with a satisfied smile. Tin grinned and bounced on his toes, his eyes flying about the room to take it all in.

  “I need to check on some things. Help yourselves to whatever you want.” Monica waved in the general direction of a food table and walked off, removing her coat as she went.

  Wait staff carried trays of food and champagne among the partying crowd, but the table was also laden with every Christmas food you could imagine. Tin made a beeline for it, stuffing an entire mince pie into his mouth and washing it down with eggnog even as he piled a plate high with frosted cookies, turkey slices, candy canes, and other things I couldn’t make out.

  Most of the people were in either Christmas sweaters or other holiday-themed outfits, at the very least, festive earrings or ties. Some were already dancing, “Last Christmas” by Wham blaring out of the speakers in front of a DJ wearing a Santa hat.

  After spending hours in the freezing cold, my poor fingers and toes were finally thawing out in the warm building. It was actually too hot under my bulky coat, so I draped it over a chair in the corner.

  I straightened my dress and turned to find three sets of elf eyes staring at me. Tin chewed slowly as his eyes trailed up and down my body. Max and El stood frozen in place.

  “What?” I frowned and looked down at myself. The hem wasn’t tucked into my tights or anything, and the Santa-inspired dress fit right in with what other people in the room were wearing. My family liked to dress up for Christmas too. Other than rushing to pile all the presents into my car, changing into the dress was the only thing I’d taken time to do before trying to leave the city.

  It was red and long-sleeved, with a scooping neckline and white trim at the neck, wrists, and hem. The bottom flared out and ended around mid-thigh.

  “Nice dress.” El grinned, flashing me those dimples. Max nodded but averted his gaze. Tin bit into a cookie, his eyes still on my body.

  “Uh . . . thanks.” I blushed and tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

  Max smacked El lightly on the stomach and pointed to his pocket. “Anything?”

  El pulled out the snow globe, and Max took it and held it up as we gathered around. It was looking more lively
again—there was more detail in the trees and more light in the windows of the little cabin, in front of which had appeared a sleigh.

  “OK. Good.” Max nodded and pocketed it. “Let’s get our Christmas on.”

  “Already on it!” Tin threw back the rest of his eggnog, and we all took something off his plate as he teasingly tried to lift it out of our reach. I managed to snag some shortbread and grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. The others all opted for eggnog.

  Max and Tin wandered back to the food table and soon disappeared into the crowd, while I busied myself with checking out all the unique outfits—one guy was even dressed as a reindeer, complete with antlers and a fluffy tail.

  El nursed his drink and leaned against the wall near the elevators, simply watching the festivities.

  I said hello to a few of Monica’s work friends I’d met before, making small talk for a while before working my way over to the tree. Craning my neck to see the top, I considered going up a few levels to get a better look at the star, but then I caught a glimpse of green velvet next to me and decided to stay put.

  El put his hands in his pockets and followed my gaze up. The gold fur trim on his coat perfectly matched some of the ornaments.

  “This tree is amazing.” I smiled. Some of the massive baubles were almost the size of my head, with intricate decoration. I shuddered to think what they cost.

  El leaned in to whisper in my ear, “You should see the ones at the Pole.”

  “Are you saying your trees are better than ours?” I flashed him a teasing smile.

  He flashed me some dimple in return. “I mean, it’s the North Pole. When it comes to Christmas, all our shit is better than yours. We’re the OGs of Christmas.”

  I snorted, my shoulders shaking with silent laughter. After finishing the last sip of my champagne, I deposited the empty glass on a passing waiter’s tray. The alcohol was making me feel warm and fuzzy. “I don’t know that a tree’s value has so much to do with how flashy it is or the size of the balls, you know?”