by Sarah Makela
She panted for a moment, and a rosy blush tinted her cheeks. If she hadn’t been warm before, Pekka had a feeling she might be now.
Chapter Three
Vera sat on the couch covered with the blankets. Pekka had been quiet since they’d had sex. Howling wind startled her from watching the fire, and she glanced at the door.
Pekka placed his hand on her knee. “It’s just the storm I mentioned. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to travel in it, so I will have to stay here. If that’s okay.” He turned his gaze to her.
After earlier, she’d hoped he would be staying, but once the passion had quieted, silence descended upon them both.
She glanced at the window, needing a little more distance than what the couch provided, to see snow whipping through the air. There was no way she could tell him to leave. Not in weather this severe. “It’s okay. I don’t mind if you stay.”
He crossed the distance between the couch and central stove. From what Vera could see, the fire didn’t need to be poked, but maybe the evening was becoming uncomfortable for him too.
“What were you doing out there alone? You weren’t dressed appropriately for the weather, and from your accent…”
“I’m on vacation.”
“Alone?” He looked back at her. “On Christmas Eve?”
Vera squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t feel like getting into this. Not with him.
“What were you doing in the forest? And what was up with that reindeer?” She could definitely turn things around, so he had to be the one to answer questions. Hopefully, he’d let her direct the conversation away from her own failings.
Silence added weight to the room, and she opened her eyes to see him watching her with consideration in his gaze. “I’m not sure I should tell you.”
What kind of answer is that? She blinked at him.
“I’m not exactly normal.” His visage flickered a little as if by magic. One moment, he was the handsome man she’d slept with, and the next he was a little slimmer and more...elf-like. “I’m—”
Before she could hear more, she scrambled away, tossing herself over the edge of the couch and nearly missing the end table. She landed on her ass, but she crawled to her feet then ran for the door.
Pekka stood in front of it. He was back to looking as he had when she’d met him. Normal. Maybe she’d missed something or hallucinated. She wasn’t exactly one hundred percent, and she’d been under a lot of stress recently with her ex-fiancé dumping her. Besides, running outside without her jacket on right now would be suicide. It was way too cold and snowy for her to handle.
“I’m an elf,” he said. “A Christmas elf, more specifically.”
Her legs crumbled beneath her, and she stared into Pekka’s green eyes as he held her. “I don’t understand.”
“You know, Santa Claus? I work for him. I’m an elf.”
She remembered going to Santa Claus Village earlier. That had to be what he was talking about, right? But she’d seen that glimpse of something else.
He carried her back to the couch. “It’s okay if you don’t believe me. You asked, and I answered your question.” The sincerity in his voice made her question her sanity.
“Really? A real elf?” From the tight expression on his face, she knew she walked a thin line. She’d already run away, but how did he expect her to react? “So, have I been naughty or nice?” She swept her tongue over her lower lip.
His gaze followed the movement, and she remembered their encounter earlier. She’d had sex...with an elf. Yet there had been something magical about him. She’d known that from seeing how he interacted with the reindeer.
“You’ve been nice,” he said. He glanced down Vera’s body. She wore only an oversized shirt, shorts, and a pair of socks. “I wouldn’t mind if you were naughty, though.”
She clenched her thighs together against the desire that ached between her legs at him saying that. He placed his hand against her hip and slid his warm palm down to her knee. He didn’t do much more than that as if waiting for her to signal him to continue.
Vera had no idea what she was doing but being with Pekka on Christmas Eve felt right. She couldn’t remember ever feeling the kind of pleasure he conjured within her.
Instead of verbally replying, she put her hand over his then moved it back up to her thigh.
Pekka let out a harsh breath as if he’d been holding it. He pulled her closer so she straddled his lap, facing him. His hands held her close, and he leaned in to kiss her lips, tentatively at first.
She remembered taking him within her in the bedroom earlier like this. Her legs had been stiff and uncooperative earlier, and as if he’d almost sensed it, he’d adjusted them to a more comfortable position for her. That was something her ex never would’ve done. He’d been more concerned with his own feelings and desires in the bedroom than with hers. He had complained she was too needy when he barely paid her any attention.
She shoved the thoughts away.
“Is everything okay?” Pekka trailed his thumb along her jawline, and she leaned into his touch. Concern reached his eyes, and she felt like she’d blown this merry rendezvous.
“Yes, I’m fine. Just...never mind.” The moment was over. She pulled away, but he stopped her from leaving.
“He wasn’t good enough for you.”
Her eyes widened.
He pulled her back in for a kiss. His tongue swept between her lips, demanding and hungry and totally drawing her thoughts away from her ex.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and savored the ferocity of his kiss. He was adamant as if he knew what he wanted from her. That turned her on even more than she thought possible. His hands tightened on her hips, and he adjusted her position slightly so he could stand.
He carried her back toward the bedroom, bumping into furniture as they went. His tongue never stopped probing her mouth. Once in the bedroom, he stopped inside and pressed her against the wall using his hips. His hard cock pressed firmly against her pussy, and she cried out at the touch. She wanted so much more than this. The barrier between them was too much.
He grabbed the hem of her shirt and yanked it over her head, tossing it aside. His hand descended on her breast, and he pinched the hardened nipple between his forefinger and thumb, rolling the bud around gently.
Her eyes rolling back, she arched into him, gasping from the swift pleasure and pain warming her.
Moist warmth took her other breast, and she glanced down to see him watching her with her breast in his mouth. He nibbled his way over the top of it before working up to her shoulder and neck.
From the straining material against the front of his pants, she knew she wasn’t the only one that needed more than this, and soon.
He readjusted his hands on her backside, then took her off to the bed.
Before they could get too comfortable, she grabbed another condom from the bunch. She held it out to him, but Pekka didn’t take it. Instead, he took off his clothes. His gaze speared hers. Her sliding the condom on him earlier must’ve thrilled him if he wanted her to do it again.
She took his cock and tugged him a little closer to the bed. His hands were fisted by his sides, and his breathing grew more ragged. She slid her mouth over his tip, and his hand moved to her shoulder, obviously trying to keep his grip loose. She sucked on his head before taking him deeper, tasting the slight saltiness of him. Her tongue flicked over him, licking him.
His hand clenched a little tighter. “I need to be inside you.”
She pulled away from his cock, desperately wanting him too. Within moments, she had the condom on him.
He took her shoulders, using the same strength and suddenness he’d used when she’d been running from the reindeer to turn her around. She sprawled onto her hands and knees. Her shorts were the only thing left covering her, yet the material ripped apart in his hands as if they were only paper.
The bed dipped behind her, and anticipation overwhelmed her. She’d had him less than an hour ago, and th
e idea of Pekka filling her pussy again thrilled her to no end. She felt him nudge against her opening. Her heart leapt in her throat at the contact.
He thrust inside her, and she gasped. He pulled out slowly before ramming back into her, over and over. Easing out of her and shoving in hard, fast. She whimpered, enjoying him being in such complete control of their pleasure.
He slid his hands over her lower back toward her ass. He massaged her cheeks, both soothing and arousing her further. With each hard thrust, she felt desire sweep her closer to orgasm.
Her hands balled into the bed sheets as he slammed inside her again. She bowed her spine and screamed her pleasure, not caring if the other vacationers heard her. Although, with the fiercely howling winds, she doubted they would. Pleasure crashed over her in waves. From Pekka’s hands clenching on her hips and his sexy groan, she knew he’d found release as well.
Beads of sweat formed along her skin. Her legs collapsed under her, and she lay there with him on top of her. He was careful not to place too much weight on her.
When she’d arrived in Lapland, she’d thought she was out of her mind for coming, but now, the thought of her vacation drawing to a close saddened her. Good thing she still had a little less than a month here.
Now she had someone to spend time with, whether in bed or out getting lost in the forest—she would be happy either way. This Christmas vacation was certainly turning around.
Vera’s Christmas Wish
Vera’s Christmas Elf, Book 2
Sarah Mäkelä
Vera’s back in Finland looking to find some Yuletide love with a sexy elf.
Vera Hayes had the most amazing Christmas ever a year ago. Now she’s back in Finland hoping to find Pekka, her sexy Finnish elf, in hopes of creating new and delightful holiday memories. Not having any luck, she goes back to her cabin where a deranged goat man storms inside demanding food and drink.
On the run from the goat man, she stumbles across Pekka overseeing a massive herd of reindeer. He’s glad to see her, even if he’s more than a little amused at the trouble she always finds herself in.
Chapter One
Vera Hayes couldn’t believe she’d come back to Finland for the winter holidays, but ever since she’d left last year, she couldn’t stop thinking about Pekka, the sexiest—and only—elf she’d ever met. Spending Christmas without him stirred loneliness within her. However, how did she expect to find him?
If only she’d thought things through before booking her trip. Right now, she didn’t have a plan. Maybe her first stop should be Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle. It was a tourist attraction, but knowing that Santa was real, it would be an excellent ploy to hide in plain sight.
The only other thing that stood out to her was the fact Pekka had been around all those reindeer. Perhaps he tended Santa’s herds—not that the realization helped much. She didn’t have any idea where to find them.
Vera tapped her foot on the woven rug, staring around the cabin. She’d rented it in the same area as last time, optimistic that she’d spot him nearby. Earlier in the day, she’d been walking around, but there was no way she’d stay out too long this time. While she wanted to meet Pekka again, she didn’t want to repeat her previous mistake and succeed in getting frostbite or hypothermia.
At no time on her hike did she spot any reindeer, but she had worn sturdy winter clothes. Not feeling like her limbs were about to snap off had been pleasant. However, the paranoia hadn’t faded. She was alone and in the wilds of Finland.
Vera slumped onto the leather sofa. She was running out of ideas and fast. The clock hanging on the wall said it was a little after noon. There was still time to investigate the Santa Claus Village, but why would an actual elf be there?
Laughter bubbled up her throat. “What am I thinking? Santa Claus? Geez... This is crazy.” Her parents had ruined the allure of Christmas by the time she was seven, laughing at the fact she believed Santa existed. Her youthful enthusiasm for the holidays had been crushed, making it hard to get excited when that time of the year came around...until meeting Pekka last year.
Ever since, she’d been counting down the days, excitement coursing through her. Maybe her parents had been wrong. Maybe Santa did exist. She knew there were elves. Pekka had proven that much.
Driving to the tourist spot didn’t take too long, but the snowy roads were treacherous, with pockets of ice everywhere. Her hands ached, and her knuckles were pale white from gripping the steering wheel when she finally pulled into a parking spot.
With the release of a breath of air she hadn’t realized she’d been holding, Vera shook away the fear. It was over. Besides, she’d driven through worse.
People bustled around Santa Claus Village. Laughter and happiness radiated in their very demeanors—then again, being here brought her a lot of joy too. The place was infectious. After forty-five minutes of searching, she’d visited all the shops and sights, but none of them housed her sexy elf.
When she was done, she sat at a table in the restaurant with a cup of hot cocoa. Coming back to Finland in hopes of finding Pekka had to be one of the most insane things she’d ever done. What were the chances of her accomplishing her goal? Zip, zero, zilch.
Vera sipped the hot chocolate, enjoying the rich, delicious warmth. All around her were women with their smiling husbands and laughing kids. What did she have to show for her existence?
Certainly none of that.
Last year, her dreams of finding “The One” had nearly been achieved. She and her ex-fiancé were going to live the perfect white picket fence life. Instead, he ended up breaking off their engagement before the holidays because he couldn’t keep it in his pants.
Then again, if she was so focused on her love life, then why was she in Finland chasing after an elf who worked for Santa? The idea that their relationship would give her what she needed was ridiculous. But if he felt so right, did it matter?
Swallowing the last sip of her hot cocoa, she set her mug back down with a sigh. Perhaps she was just thinking too hard. She couldn’t deny the wave of uneasiness washing through her—as if she were being watched. She looked around, but no one was there.
Shivers chased down her spine. Going back to her cabin, somewhere she felt safe, was a good idea. Maybe she was overreacting, but what mattered was not feeling like someone’s prey.
The winter’s chill soaked into her bones, despite the restaurant’s warmth and the hot chocolate. No one around her seemed to have noticed the sudden drop in temperature. It had to all be in her head. Shrugging the cold, odd feeling away, she left the merry crowd of children and their parents. Her lodging was in the nearby forest, just south of the Arctic Circle.
During the drive, the feeling of being watched lessened, and she grew more comfortable again. The rental car’s winterized tires broke through the slick ice on the road, giving a steady rhythm to the drive, easing her nerves. Why had she nearly panicked? She’d sensed the presence of something primal as if she had been a deer trapped in the headlights.
Deep in thought, she nearly missed her turn. The car slid a little as she braked a bit too hard, but she regained control. Had she learned so little from last time when she’d nearly been trampled by reindeer, let alone the mild hypothermia from the cold? Two turns later, she parked her car under a dense pine tree, facing a sturdy log cabin.
Getting out of the warmth of the heated car, she was greeted with a cheerful pine scent. A sense of peace permeated the forest. The trees around the yard barely moved in the breeze, under the heavy load of snow. Vera wasn’t able to see much in the woods due to recent snow, and the tree trunks gave her an impression of having driven into an enclosed yard with white walls.
A small part of her was jealous. She’d always wanted to build a snow castle or snowman when she was younger but growing up in the Southwest hadn’t given her that opportunity.
With a sigh, she dismissed the thought and went inside. The cabin still had a hint of warmth, but she needed to make a fire be
fore she dared to take off her winter outerwear. After getting the fire made, she stripped off her tundra pants and jacket, enjoying the toasty heat.
She climbed to her feet then went into the kitchen to make a batch of snowman cookies. Even though she was alone in a foreign country for the holidays, for real this time, that didn’t mean she couldn’t be at least a little festive. Once the cookies were in the oven, she walked back to the couch.
Odd sounds coming from outside stopped her from sitting down and getting comfortable. She stood at the window. Snow had slowly started to drift downwards, covering her rental car from view. Still, the noise raised the hairs on the back of her neck. Her hands shook. She tried to calm herself, but nothing seemed to help.
The kitchen timer beeped, and she yelped, jumping back. There had to be an explanation. Maybe she was freaking herself out for no reason. It could be some animal wondering around. She was inside the cabin, safe and sound.
As she was pulling out a set of snowman cookies, a chilled breath went through the building. The snowfall outside wavered, and she caught a glimpse of something making its way toward the cabin, unimpeded by the weather or the knee-high mixture of ice and snow.
Pekka? Could it be?
She squinted through the frosty window. As soon as she caught a better view of the shape, she froze, dread filling her chest.
Outside, a hulking man in a matted black fur coat with a set of antlers on his head made his way through the snow, not leaving tracks or any sign of which direction he’d come from. When he took a step, he didn’t crunch through the snow. His legs seemed to slide through the thick, wintry mix as if it weren’t there at all. The large man’s gait spoke of age and power.
Only then she noticed a heavy wooden staff, with a deer’s skull on its end, sticking up from the man’s back. The staff seemed ageless, the bone on it yellowed, the wood cracked with age. Whoever, whatever he was, was beyond old, and he conveyed it with his every movement. To her amazement, he reminded her of pictures she’d seen in her anthropology classes of native shamans. The shamans were full of life compared to the dark, hulking man on her doorstep.