Read Santa' Wayward Elf for Free Online Page B

to stop herself from reaching up
to run her hand over his cheek. Afraid she might give in, she turned her
attention to his wide, sensuous mouth instead. That was a mistake. Then she not
only had to fight the urge to caress his cheek, but to kiss him, too. She
stifled a groan, wondering how she could be expected to control herself when he
was quite possibly the most gorgeous being she’d ever seen among elf or man.
    Sosie was almost relieved when Derek announced the next stop
was theirs. While he didn’t keep his arm wrapped around her as they made their
way up the steps and out onto the street, he stayed close in the crowd of
people, occasionally putting his hand on the small of her back and sending
shivers of pleasure through her.
    Derek lived within easy walking distance of the subway in a
big, four-story brick building. Although it was late, the Christmas tree in the
center atrium was still lit and Sosie’s lips curved at the brightly twinkling
lights as he led her up the steps to the topmost floor.
    “My apartment is kind of small,” he said as he stopped in
front of a door at the end of the hallway. He gave her an apologetic look over
his shoulder as he slid a key into the lock. “I wasn’t expecting company, so
it’s kind of messy, too.”
    “That’s okay. I don’t mind.”
    But Derek’s apartment wasn’t small at all, not compared to
her one-room dwelling back home. It wasn’t very messy, either. Other than some
dirty dishes in the sink, the place was surprisingly neat.
    “As you can see, we’ve got the living room and kitchen out
here.” He led her down a small hallway, turning on the light above them as he
went. “Back here is the bedroom and the bathroom. You can have the bed. I’ll
sleep out on the couch.”
    Sosie’s gaze went to the bed. Figgy, it was huge. Two of the
big people could easily fit in it, much less an elf like her and a man Derek’s
size.
    She turned back to him. “There’s plenty of room in the bed
for both of us. Are you sure you want to sleep out on the couch? It can’t be
very comfortable.”
    His mouth quirked. “While I’m sure that would be a lot of
fun, I think I’d better be a gentleman and sleep out on the couch.”
    Sosie was disappointed, but she supposed she could see his
point. She wouldn’t get any sleep at all if she was in such close proximity to
that hard body of his. Not that she would have minded. She might be
sleep-deprived when morning came, but she was sure sleeping next to him would
be more fun than a snowball fight.
    “Do you need a shirt or something to sleep in?”
    She shook her head. “No, thanks. I sleep naked.” At his
raised brow, she blushed and quickly added, “But since I’m a guest, maybe it
would be better to wear a shirt.”
    He nodded. “Much.”
    Sosie nibbled on her lower lip as he opened a dresser drawer
and pulled out a shirt. She hadn’t meant to make him uncomfortable. Perhaps she
shouldn’t mention being naked around him again since it seemed to cause him
concern.
    “It’ll be big on you, but all my shirts will be like that,”
he said, handing it to her. “I just realized I never asked your name back at
the club.”
    “It’s Sosie.”
    “Sosie.” His mouth edged up. “That’s pretty.”
    “Thank you.” She looked up at him from beneath her lashes.
“And thank you again for letting me stay with you. It’s very kind.”
    Derek grinned. “Don’t worry about it. I couldn’t let you
stand outside the club all night. Besides, what kind of guy would I be if I
left you to fend for yourself on Christmas Eve?”
    “Not a very nice one, I would say.”
    He laughed. “Okay. Well, I’m going to go hit the sack. If
you need anything, shout.”
    Sosie wasn’t sure his neighbors would appreciate her
shouting in the middle of the night, but she nodded anyway. That must have
satisfied Derek because he told her to have a good night, then left.
    Taking off her clothes, Sosie folded them neatly and put
them on top of