Santa's Elf

by Qwillia Rain

  The dew of her body coated his fingertips and palm, dampened the insides of her thighs, and kissed the hidden rosette of her ass. He waited until the last possible moment before whispering against her lips, “Come for me, Elf,” while stroking his thumb into her ass and thrusting his digits farther up her pussy than they’d been.

  He muffled her scream with his mouth and held her tight as she convulsed in his arms. Taking his time, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Settling her on the sheets, he left long enough to dampen a washcloth in the bathroom. Efficiently stripping away her clothes, he wiped at her damp cheeks before cleaning between her thighs. Dragging her bedding over her, he returned the cloth to the bathroom.

  In the darkened room, he sat on the bed waiting and watching as her orgasm eased and her breathing relaxed.

  “Don’t ever take chances again, Elf,” he warned her. “If you’re tired, tell me. I’ll bring you home.” Brushing the curls caught in her lashes, he continued, “Our situation may be temporary, but both our needs are paramount. Do you understand? Both our needs.”

  He watched her until her chin dipped in a nod and she replied, voice husky. “Both. I understand.”

  “Good.” Pressing a soft kiss to her brow, he settled the covers beneath her chin. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  She smiled, “For breakfast?”

  He chuckled at her cheek. “Definitely.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “She likes her.”

  “Who?” Dayton didn’t bother looking up from the invoice he was examining.

  “Lawrence.” Bryce leaned back in his chair as the waiter refilled his coffee and removed the nearly empty plate in front of him.

  Nodding his thanks to the server as the remains of his lunch were taken away and his coffee topped off, Dayton shot a perplexed look toward his friend. “Lawrence, your wife?”

  “Yes.”

  “Likes who?”

  Bryce shook his head and chuckled, “Haven’t you paid any attention to this conversation?”

  Setting aside the papers, Dayton admitted, “Not really.”

  “Lawrence told me how much she liked meeting your Elf at the Christmas party.”

  “That’s nice.” Dayton knew his voice held a distinctive and this means what to me tone.

  “She also told me I needed to warn you not to fuck things up.”

  The hairs on the back of his neck rose, like the hackles of a dog guarding his favorite bone. Dayton protected his privacy vigorously, and at times, aggressively. The thought that Bryce’s wife felt the need to butt into his affairs stirred those instincts. “I didn’t ask for your wife’s opinion.” His eyes met the ice green of Bryce’s. He’d counted the older man as a friend for nearly two decades, and he didn’t want to offend him, but he had boundaries no one was ever allowed to cross. And Mattilda Lawrence-Halsey had just toed up to one of them.

  White blond brows arched above turquoise eyes as Bryce met his stare. His lean features tightened imperceptibly, but Dayton could tell the friend was taking a back seat to the husband. “You may not have asked for it. And I certainly didn’t request it, but my wife is giving you advice you need to think about.”

  Dayton leaned forward, forearms resting on the table, hands folded around the cream ceramic mug of coffee. He waited for Bryce to finish.

  Bryce didn’t disappoint. His lean frame settled into a pose similar to Dayton’s. “I’ve watched you since Elf first waltzed into your office. I can probably tell you right down to the exact minute when you figured out some plan to seduce her into your bed.” Taking a swallow of his coffee, Bryce settled the cup carefully back into its saucer before continuing, “From what I observed at the party Saturday night, your plan seems to be working.”

  “Not that it’s any business of yours,” Dayton reminded him.

  Bryce nodded his agreement. “No, it isn’t my business. But having been in the same situation myself, I thought it prudent to offer a warning.”

  “What’s between my Elf and me is just that, between us,” Dayton growled, downing the last of his coffee and shoving aside the cup and saucer. His knuckles were white with the force of his clenched fingers.

  “Make sure you’re willing to pay the price, kid,” Bryce warned him.

  “What price?” Dayton glared at his friend. Bryce may be ten years his senior, but the man was treating him like a child around a hot stove. “It’s just sex. She and I agreed to simple, no-strings sex.”

  “Then don’t mark her.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Fuck her. Make her come before, after, or when you come,” Bryce advised, his eyes cold, face emotionless. “Marking her isn’t an option. If all you’re doing is scratching an itch, do it. Keep it straight, simple vanilla sex.”

  “Vanilla?” Dayton stifled the laughter pressing to escape. “This from the Master Dom himself?”

  Bryce nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. “I trained you, Dayton. I know your strengths.”

  “I remember.”

  “And your weaknesses.”

  Again Dayton agreed. “I know.”

  “Saturday, I watched her.” Bryce’s gaze was steady.

  Dayton fought back the urge to leave. He’d learned his lessons well under Bryce’s tutelage. Control had been a hard-won battle, but he’d mastered it. The primal need to warn off his mentor surprised him. He waited for Bryce to continue.

  “Elf’s a sub.”

  Dayton nodded again, but stayed quiet.

  “Mattie spotted it as well. That’s why she sent the warning.” Bryce admitted. “She isn’t like the other women you’ve been involved with, Dayton. She isn’t playing at D/s or dabbling in role playing.” Leaning forward, his gaze intense, Bryce seemed determined to convince him of something. “Elf is a born sexual submissive.”

  Dayton shook his head, ignoring the voice in his head shouting in agreement with Bryce. “You’ve never seen her pissed off, Bryce…”

  The shift was subtle, but profound. None of the patrons of the restaurant observed it, but they certainly felt it. An aura of power emanated from Bryce without his having altered position. Even the waiter, who’d moved toward the table to see if the men were interested in ordering dessert, stopped in his tracks, and turned away.

  The Master took over.

  Dayton listened.

  “Unless you’re willing to take on the responsibility of keeping her, Dayton, you need to be careful. No bondage. No spanking. No clamping. You do not come on her or in her.” His gaze and tone were implacable. “When you fuck her, use a condom and Missionary position. Keep it straight, simple, no-strings vanilla sex. Don’t ruin her for the Master she’ll eventually choose.”

  There went those damn hackles again. Dayton kept his expression smooth. He wanted to give no indication to his mentor of his intentions. There was no way he’d allow Bryce to dictate his liaison with Elf. She was his until the New Year. If the thought of another Dom training Elf twisted his guts into knots, he’d deal with it his own way. “I’m capable of making my own decisions.”

  “Are you?” Bryce shook his head. “Don’t fuck it up, Dayton. For her, for her next lover, or for you.”

  Dayton didn’t bother responding, he simply met Bryce’s direct gaze and waited.

  Not a flicker gave away the thoughts of the older man. Much as he wished he could figure out what Bryce’s thoughts were, Dayton’s primary focus was on not revealing the fact he’d already indulged in the acts he was being warned away from. During his four years of college, he’d trained under Bryce Halsey and Richard Bennett. He respected the man across from him. He respected him as a businessman, an investor in his company, and as a teacher.

  When he’d first begun his seduction of Elf, Bryce’s lessons had been front and center in his mind. Every gift he’d given her had been calculated to push her comfort zones. He needed to know the level of trust she was willing to offer him. Something in his expression must have given him away, Dayton
decided as he watched Bryce shake his head, and squeeze his eyes shut for a moment.

  “You’ve already started.” It wasn’t a question. Leaning back in his seat, Bryce crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “Damn it, Dayton.”

  “Stay out of it.”

  “When you’ve finished with her, let me know.”

  “Bored with your wife already?” Dayton snarled. The image of his Elf submitting to Bryce made him want to vomit.

  Bryce’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll make arrangements for David to complete her training.” Carefully gathering the documents and tucking them into the leather portfolio he’d brought, he signaled for the check.

  Neither spoke as the bill was paid and they walked out of the restaurant together. As they waited for their cars to be returned by the valet, Bryce offered one last bit of advice. “If you’re going to do this, Dayton, make sure you’re willing to commit to it long term. If you can’t provide that, then make sure you both can walk away clean.”

  * * * * *

  Her latest gift was waiting for her after lunch. Wrapped in silver-striped paper and a red ribbon, the box was tucked into her chair. Glancing toward the closed doors of Dayton’s office, she wondered if he’d dropped it off before heading to the restaurant. Or maybe, she considered, setting the heavy box in her lap and pulling the ribbon free, he’d placed it in her chair before heading into the factory. Stripping away the paper, she examined the wooden box, stained to resemble rosewood, like her pirate chest.

  Just over four inches deep and eight inches high, she opened the lid, hinged similar to an old-fashioned doctor’s case, to find nine stoppered bottles. Silver-embossed, hand-lettered labels identified the liquids inside each antique-style apothecary jar. Elf smiled when she pulled the stopper on a container and sniffed the peppermint scented contents.

  The letter was tucked into the top of one side of the box. Pulling it from the envelope she read:

  My Elf,

  Last night’s adventures illustrated an element in both our natures I’m anticipating exploring further. Though I’d hesitated at delivering this gift, your inventiveness with my candy inclines me to believe you would not balk at the implications associated with it.

  Your silky skin and delicious flavor need no enhancements. The thought of anointing your flesh with these oils arouses me nearly as much as the remembrance of your mouth on my cock.

  Though your pussy tastes fine without any flavorings added, I look forward to experimenting with your gift tonight.

  Yours,

  Santa

  Her nipples peaked beneath her blouse and her panties grew damp with her arousal. Imagining Dayton massaging the different oils into her skin interfered with her breathing. His touch already heated her body to an explosive level, so just how much more arousing would it be for him to use scented or flavored lotions? Settling the letter back into the case and closing it up, Elf placed the box into the large drawer of her desk. She expected Dayton to request the box sometime after he returned from the factory, and she wanted to have it available should he ask.

  He didn’t.

  * * * * *

  Not until they’d returned from the homeless shelter and he’d assisted her out of her elf costume and underwear did he mention it.

  “Do you have your gift?” His voice was casual, attention focused on buttoning the flannel shirt he’d pulled on after replacing his Santa suit with worn jeans, shirt, and sneakers.

  “It’s in my desk,” she assured him as he turned his focus toward helping her into the blouse and slacks she’d worn to work.

  His bedroom was illuminated by the milky glow of the moon through the skylight and the lamps in the living room. He made no move toward her other than to help fasten the last of the buttons on her silk shirt.

  Handing her the garment bag containing her elf dress, he motioned her out of the room. “Let’s go.” Settling his hand into the curve at the base of her spine, Dayton led her through the living room, and back onto the elevator.

  “Where are we going?”

  Leaning down, Dayton pressed a light kiss to her lips. “I’ve been thinking about how sleepy you seem to be every night when you leave me.”

  She nodded, remembering the incident from the previous night. Exiting the elevator when the doors rolled open on the floor their office’s occupied, she admitted, “I usually drop into bed and sleep like the dead.” Elf glanced up, not sure what she expected to read in his face, but he’d schooled his features to remain flat, blank.

  “Get your gift.”

  He waited at the door while she gathered her box from the drawer. Keeping her garment bag draped over her left arm, she carried the wooden case as far as the door. Dayton eased it from her hold and turned her back into the elevator.

  At the garage level, he escorted her to the parking space where they’d left his SUV. “I don’t like the idea of you driving when you’re so tired.” Moving beyond his vehicle he waited beside her car, hand extended for her keys.

  “I’ve been okay.” She handed the keychain over, and waited as he disengaged the alarm and unlocked the door.

  He helped her into the driver’s seat of her car. The garment bag was deposited on the passenger seat. He waited for her to roll down the window then shut the door. “I’ll follow you to your apartment.” Leaning into the open window, he kissed her softly on the lips. “We only have three more nights. I don’t want to take any chances with you.” Stepping away, he added, “Wait until I get there before you get out of your car. We’ll go to your apartment together.”

  * * * * *

  Just as he had the evening before, Dayton left Elf at the door while he checked through the apartment to make sure no one lurked in a corner.

  He no longer carried the case when he came to collect her at the door. Securing the deadbolt and the chain, he led her back to her bedroom. Two plush bath towels covered the comforter on her queen size bed. The decorative pillows and matching shams had been tossed onto the floor beside her dresser. The pillows she slept on pushed to one side.

  Taking his time, Dayton removed the pins holding her hair in its neat twist. Next he removed her blouse and slacks, carefully folding them into a pile on the dresser. Motioning her to take a seat on the bed, Dayton removed his own shirt and toed off his sneakers.

  The tray of bottles sat on her nightstand. Flickering scented candles illuminated the room. At Dayton’s urging, Elf lay belly down on her bed, the bath towels beneath her. Cheek resting on folded arms, she watched him examine each bottle, lifting it free of the velvet cocoon to read the label. Then he’d pull the stopper, sniff at the contents and shake his head. When he reached the fifth bottle, he grinned. “This one,” he told her, keeping the label hidden so she couldn’t read it.

  Pulling her arms above her head, he pressed them into the bedding, “Don’t move, Elf.” The mattress depressed beneath his weight as he climbed onto it.

  The or else was in his tone, but she wanted to confirm it. Glancing over her shoulder she asked, “If I do?”

  “I’ll use this if I have to, but I’d rather not.”

  Tilting her head up, she watched as he threaded the belt of her white terry cloth robe through the headboard. Slip knot loops were tied into each end of the belt.

  He started by dribbling liquid along her spine. She arched in surprise, because it was cold. His chuckle vibrated through her. Squeezing her eyes shut she waited, her head turned, and cheek resting on the fluffy towel. Clad only in his jeans, Dayton straddled her legs. He braced himself on his knees with only the slightest amount of his weight registering against her body.

  Starting at her neck, he’d stroked away the tension and knots in her shoulders. The smell of jasmine filled the room. He smoothed over her upper, then lower arms, and caressed each finger, and then her palms until it felt as if there were no bones left in her hands. From there he returned to her back, teased her ribs and the sides of her breasts, before moving down to her hips.

  The st
roke of Dayton’s calloused hands as he smoothed the scented oil into her skin had her purring. She didn’t move when his hands left her, but quietly moaned a protest. The splash of more oil along the base of her spine stifled it. Elf could feel him shifting his position on the bed.

  Taking his time, Dayton moved his caresses to encompass the rounded curve of her bottom. Each full cheek was thoroughly fondled, the oil rubbed into her flesh, before he moved to the muscles in her thighs and calves. First her left leg then the right was carefully massaged, pressing out any tension knotting the tissues.

  “Roll over, baby.” His gruff voice sounded at her ear.

  Eyes still closed, body heavily relaxed from his attentions, Elf, with Dayton’s help, rolled onto her back. She returned her arms to the position he’d placed them in above her head.

  Her eyes refused to follow her directive to open, but she didn’t worry about it. She was feeling too relaxed to worry about much of anything. The stroking of his hands over her body was soothing, so different from his usual seductive touch. Much as she enjoyed the build up and climax he’d provided these last seven days, the attention he was giving her now felt more personal and directed at pleasing her, not just as a prelude to sex.

  Dayton’s hands began at her feet this time. The oil coating them allowed enough lubrication to ease even the most recalcitrant knot from her shins and thighs. Her torso was ignored in favor of her arms. Again he massaged first her upper arms then forearms before moving on to her hands and fingers. The slide of cloth over her fingertips and the tightening of the loops around her wrists had her eyelids fluttering open.

  “Why?” She tugged at the restraints.

  Dayton positioned the lengths of fabric across her palms and curled her fingers over them, “Because you may need to hold on to something.”

  The wicked grin and twinkle in his eye caught Elf’s breath in her throat. She watched as he placed the jasmine-scented oil back in its space and pulled another bottle free. Recognizing the red stopper and fluted lip, Elf couldn’t stifle the groan slipping from her lips.

  “You like the jasmine. Let’s see,” Dayton chuckled at her expression as he opened the bottle, “what you think of this one.”