Page 9 of Naughty Elf: Alfie
Alfie frowns as he continues petting. “I’m so sorry, Harold. No one deserves that. I’ll keep you safe. I like kitties and bunnies.” He looks up and winks at me. “And doggies and reindeer and cows, and well, I don’t think I’ve met an animal I don’t like.” He stands up straight again, Harold continues on with rubbing against Alfie. “I think I passed the test.”
“You did.” I turn towards my kitchen. “Are you hungry? It’s late, but I can make you something.”
“Oh, no. I’m good. I had a ton of cookies with Santa.” He pats his tummy as he grins. “So many cookies.”
“Okay, then.” I fight the yawn.
“You need to sleep.” Alfie plops onto the couch. “I’ll just take the couch and?—”
“I have a second bedroom. But you should take my bed. Let me just change the sheets and it’ll be?—”
“I cannottake your bed.”
“Uhm, my guest bed is a twin and I’m not sure you’ll be very comfortable.” I wave for him to follow me. When we get to my bedroom, I flip on the lights, wave inside. “I have a much bigger bed.” I lead him to the second room. “See, tiny bed.”
I turn to him, and he’s just grinning. “I’m fine on the couch or on the tiny bed.”
“It just feels wrong. I’ll change the sheets on my bed so you can get a good night’s sleep.” I rush back to my bedroom and start stripping the bed.
“If you insist.” Alfie helps and we have the bed and pillows stripped quickly. I grab a new sheet set from the top of my closet and we get the bed back together in silence. “You know…” He looks at me and nibbles his bottom lip. How is an alpha of all people so sweet? His eyes drop to the bed. “The bed is too big for just me. There won’t be any harm in sharing it.”
I spread my hand over my side of the bed to smooth out the comforter. Could it be that simple?
“Just for sleep. No getting rowdy or anything.” His cheeks blush at the same time he starts to yawn. “It’s been a long, long night.”
“I usually shift and cuddle with Harold. The guest bed is big enough for that.”
Harold decides for us and hops on top of my bed. He curls up while we’re still yammering on about sleeping arrangements.
“I wouldn’t mind.” Alfie shrugs as he turns down the corner on his side. He yanks off his shirt and a soft moan escapes my lips. He’s more muscular than I realized and so yummy. If heheard my moan, he’s being polite by not mentioning it. He folds his shirt neatly before placing it on top of the dresser, and I appreciate the gesture.
“I think Harold already chose you and I don’t like sleeping cold.” I pull off my own shirt, a little self-conscious that I’m thin and soft, along with my short stature.
Alfie’s eyes rake over my chest, and his tongue darts out to lick his lips. He makes a soft little sound I’m hoping is approval. It’s like he has me in his hold. I can’t look away.
I slide Harold closer to me so Alfie can climb in under the blankets. It’s not ridiculously cold yet, but it’s still chilly enough I need blankets to sleep under. Harold’s the same and he roots under the blankets until he’s satisfied.
Instead of joining him, I move to drop my shirt in the clothes hamper by my door, then turn off the lights. I’m not ready for Alfie to see me naked. As soon as I plant my hands on the bed, I shift into my rabbit, letting my pajama bottoms and underwear fall to the floor. Alfie holds up the blanket and I hop in next to Harold, whopurrumphsat me as we get comfy in our usual way.
“You two are so so so cute together.” Alfie’s hand is already in Harold’s fur and a twinge of jealousy heats through me. I snort the thought away. Harold is a good kitty that deserves all the pets. I’m just… me.
Alfie turns to his side to face us. His hand absently petting. I fight myself, but I butt my nose under his hand.Pets please.
“My fated is the cutest mate in the world.” His huge hand starts at the top of my head and smoothes down my back. It’s everything.
Through the night, Harold migrates closer to my mate and I follow him until I’m snuggled up to Alfie’s chest. The perfect place for a bunny like me.
Chapter 5
Alfie
An alarm blaresand I wake to a purring kitty and a rabbit pressed against my naked chest. The bunny,Pisces, bounces up and shifts to his human-self to turn off the phone. He must have forgotten I’m here because he shrieks and covers his groin with a pillow all at the same time he falls out of the bed with his legs sticking straight in the air. The cat,Harold, the sweetie pie, seems to grumble and glare in the general direction of Pisces before settling back down.
I chuckle as I slide Harold out of the way so I can crawl over the bed and look down. Unmoving, Pisces stares at the ceiling, clutching the pillow to his crotch. He doesn’t seem hurt, more embarrassed than anything.
“Are you okay? You went down pretty hard.”
“I’m fine,” he croaks out. “I just didn’t want you to see me.”
