Page 66 of Enchanting the Elf
“Adelbert Alberad,” I chastise playfully and saunter over to him, “why is this the first time I’m seeing them?”
“Um…” Adelbert looks genuinely confused and I walk my fingers up his naked torso until I cup his cheek.
Staring into his silver eyes, I explain cheerfully, “If you had worn these earlier I think I might have had to do some very naughty things to you.” I boop his nose with my forefinger and turn around, leaving a stunned Adelbert in my wake.
“Naughty things?” Adelbert huskily asks the empty room as I make my way toward the kitchen, humming my favorite tune. “Like what?”
“Cook me dinner and I’ll show you,” I call then giggle as Adelbert rushes after me, his footsteps thudding across the wooden floorboards.
I try to speed away, but two strong arms band around me from behind and I laugh as Adelbert hugs me to him. I turn my head so I can see his face and the joy etched on his features makes me giddy.
“Hi, baby,” I whisper over my shoulder.
“I never thought I’d say it, but I like it when you call me that,” Adelbert whispers back.
My eyes widen when I realize I said it out loud.
Adelbert kisses my temple.
“It’s cute.”
“You don’t mind getting a cute nickname?” I ask and turn around in his arms so I can fully face him.
“From you, no. I like it. Liebling.”
My breath catches at the sound of that nickname again and something inside me unravels when Adelbert stares at me like this. Like the mask he always wears has finally come off and I can see a glimpse of his warm heart that he hides from everyone. Adelbert’s brows aren’t scrunched up, his mouth isn’t turned down, and his jaw isn’t tight. For the first time, he looks relaxed. At peace.
I splay my fingers across his chest, tracing invisible patterns and ask, “Care to tell me what that one means?”
Adelbert gives me a soft smile. “Darling.”
“That’s so sweet. I like that,” I sigh in contentment.
With a voice full of affection, Adelbert elaborates, “But it also means ‘favorite.’ You’re my favorite person, Florence Everly.”
My heart skips a beat and it feels like a kaleidoscope of butterflies has just been set free in my stomach. I melt in Adelbert’s arms and feel myself fall in love with him in that exact moment.
Maybe I’ve always loved Adelbert a little but never had the guts to really examine my feelings. But this, right here, right now, stamps the final seal on my heart, ensuring that I never want to leave his side.
“You can call me that any day.” Then I lean up so I can press my lips against his.
Adelbert walks us backward until we’re in his bedroom again. This time we explore each other’s bodies slowly and tenderly until we’re both sated and boneless.
When we enter the kitchen, it’s with ravenous appetites for real food and not just for each other.
I start walking toward my usual seat but Adelbert snakes an arm around my waist and draws me back into him.
“And where do you think you’re going?” Adelbert says and runs his nose along the column of my neck, making happy goose bumps dance down my arms.
“My spot, so I can drool over you while you cook,” I state, nuzzling back into him and luxuriating in all the physical touch I’m getting. It’s like I’ve been running on empty for so long that I didn’t realize how much I needed human contact, but since that first kiss in the rain—which I’m totally going to embroider—he has filled my touch tank to overflowing, yet I can’t get enough. If I had it my way, I’d be gluing myself to Adelbert’s side for as long as he can stand me.
Adelbert huffs, “I don’t think I’ll be able to get anything done with you so far away from me.”
When I turn my head to look at him, there’s an actual pout on his face. He’s so cute with his puffed-up lips and knit brows.
“Is my baby feeling a bit needy?” I tease.
Do other elves also secretly crave touch and affection?I might need to secretly plot how to surprise the next elf I meet with a cuddly hug, just in case they don’t know how to ask for it.
