Page 10 of Naughty Elf: Alfie
I cock my head. “Why not? You’re gorgeous Pisces.” I didn’t think shifters had anything against nudity, but I guess Pisces is different, which is fine.
“I’m plain. Plain Jane Pisces. There’s nothing interesting about me.”
I blink back at him, processing what he said. “You’re very interesting.”
“You’re just saying that because we’re fated mates,” he mumbles.
I flop to my back to look at the same popcorn ceiling as he’s got his eyes glued on. “You’ve always been interesting to me and I never knew who you were until now. Every year when we load the sleigh, I always sneak into the gifts to find the one I knew had the crystals in it. I don’t know how I know, instinct I guess. Over the years, I realized Santa was giving you a crystal to help you with something every year. He gave you blue lace agate three years in a row.”
Pisces swallows beneath me. “I was having a lot of anxiety about leaving the foster system. The crystals actually helped calm me. By the time I was dumped out, I was in a better headspace.” Without leaving his spot on the floor, he opens the nightstand and rummages around until he finds the three velvet bags. “I still have them.”
Harold climbs onto my chest as I give the ceiling a grin. “Very interesting.”
“If you say so.”
“Elves recieve Santa gifts, too. I also get a crystal every year. I got a really pretty moss agate this year. I had it in my pocket when Santa turned me into a rose quartz figurine.”
Pisces chuckles softly. “You looked like a dildo.”
“I heard, and, well, saw.” Though I’m still wondering what the bag I stood on was about. “Wanna see my pretty rock?” I maneuver with Harold to sit on the edge of the bed.
Pisces finally looks at me, and he’s got the sweetest smile. “Yeah. I wanna see your rock.”
I slide to the floor and Haroldmerrrrrsbefore jumping from my hold. Pisces’s eyes light up when I hand him the moss agate. The polished stone is about half the size of my palm.
“Oh. This is a beaut.” He turns it over and over, no doubt taking in each of the deep green dendritic inclusions inside themilky white. It’s like the tiniest of tree branches frozen in milk, if you ask me.
“You know, I would have thought you’d have more crystals around.” He has a salt lamp on a small table in the corner, but that’s about it.
“I didn’t want Harold to get into them, so I keep them packed away.” Pisces pushes to his feet, leaving the pillow behind. He’s practically hopping to the closet where, with a lot of effort, he pulls out a huge tub with a lid. “These are all my personal stones, along with the ones I leave in the nightstand.” He yanks the lid off.
The box is organized with dozens of smaller boxes and divider trays. I’m impressed with the system.
Another alarm blares from his cellphone on the nightstand, and he races to shut it off. “That’s the second reminder alarm. There’s one more in ten minutes, which means I have to be out the door.” His eyes dart around the room. “Do you have more clothes with you?”
“Not here?” But I suspect my Santa gave me what I need in that bag that’s still at the warehouse.
“Okay. Okay.” He paces. “Get in the shower. I’ll bunny bathe to save time. I don’t have anything that’ll fit you. We’ll have to go shopping after I close the shop for the day. I can’t miss one of my best shopping days.”
“Pisces.”
He sighs and his shoulders drop as if he’s relaxing.
“Take a breath. Everything will be fine. Besides, I think I have clothes at your warehouse. There’s nothing to worry about.” I cup his cheek and he leans into it. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the sizzle of our touch.
“Ohhhh-kaayyy. Breathing. Calming down. Breathing. Go shower.” Before I can say anything else, he’s a bunny again.
His ears stick up like they do in his human form and he reaches up to grab one to lick. I can’t watch too long or he’ll probably scold me as a bunny, but he’s so damn cute it’s hard to resist.
By the time I’m out of the shower, he’s dressed in a pair of nice black dress slacks and a festive Christmas sweater with a decorated wreath on the front.
The third alarm goes off.
Pisces’s eyes go wide. “We gotta go!” He takes my hand and tugs me towards the door.
“What about breakfast?” I ask.
“I don’t normally eat breakfast.” His face turns red as he rushes to the kitchen. “But I can make you…”
