6. Dan

SIX

DAN

I'm a fool . I sighed.

You are, but what are you talking about?

There's something about Sparkle that is endearing, and I want to hug him and keep him safe. I also want to kiss him senseless .

My wolf didn't approve of making anyone senseless, unless it was prey. I kept to myself the tidbit about me wanting to eat Sparkle out. My beast was my other half, but he didn't share that aspect of my life.

He is charming and energetic, and those fingers …

My wolf was referring to Sparkle sewing tattered decorations and ragged pieces of fabric together, his fingers moving quickly, reminding me of fast motion film.

But he's not our mate. We are in agreement.

I sighed as I pottered around the kitchen, heating up the remains of a casserole for a late lunch. And it was very late because I stopped frequently to peek at what Sparkle was doing, and compared him to our workers at the toy factory.

Our factory was unique because nothing was machine made. Everything was by hand. The next month was the most hectic of the year. We always hired more staff. Not me personally but human resources, though even my accounting department increased our temporary staff in the last quarter.

If Sparkle applied for a job with us, he'd need clothes, ones that fit. Maybe we could go out tomorrow if the weather improved.

"Dan, what do you think of this for the mantlepiece?" Sparkle held up some faux foliage entwined with red ribbon that had originally been wrapped around a cake box. "It's simple but effective, I think."

"It's beautiful. Thank you."

Sparkle rummaged in the box and brought out white candles. "Got any mason jars?" I trotted into the kitchen. "Empty ones," he added. "Four, if you have them."

We anchored the foliage on the mantelpiece with two of the jars and popped a candle in each one. Standing back, I admired Sparkle's work.

He nudged me and placed a red-and-white stocking under the third jar. Sparkle had made the stocking and sewn my name on the front in gold thread. He picked up a second one, this one was green and white. I almost did a clappy dance, thinking he was staying for Christmas, but that was weeks away.

But Sushi's name was sewn in red, and he anchored it under the last mason jar.

"I hope you like what I've done. If not, I can?—"

"It's all stunning," I blurted out. "You are so talented."

"Perhaps I should do a third stocking. We don't want anyone left out."

He was staying. My heart was all melty. But my wolf pointed out he'd invited himself to live at our house. Okay, a little weird, but…

"For your beast." He picked up some silver and gold fabric. "Should I write ‘Wolf' on it?"

Awww. Awww. He wants to make one for me. That's so sweet. Tell him yes, yes, yes .

Hmmm. Who's melty now?

Quiet, you .

"That would be lovely. Thank you, Sparkle."

I nibbled a nail as my elf companion sat down to make a third Christmas stocking. Would it be creepy to ask him to make one for himself? Other than his clothes, it would be his only possession. And where would he be Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?

I'd assumed wrongly he was in the adult entertainment industry and Sparkle was his stage name. But he was sparkly. Everything from his eyes, to his bracelet, to his personality.

Avoiding the topic, I offered to make hot cocoa, forgetting I'd been heating lunch. Who cared, we could have cocoa with lunch. I'd invited an elf who was previously made of porcelain into my home and he was making Christmas decorations out of garbage, and I was worried about drinking cocoa with a meal?

I brought in a tray and put it on the side table. A casserole tasted better the day after it was made, and paired with a baguette, it was yummy.

"I'm impressed with your sewing skills."

"Thanks." He didn't look up as he dipped a slice of baguette into the casserole.

"I was thinking perhaps I might introduce you to our operations manager. I'm sure you'll get a job until Christmas."

Sparkle's head shot up, and he put his bowl on the side table. Leaping up, he threw himself into my arms, wrapping his legs around my waist.

"Thank you. Santa always said I was his best sewer." He kissed my cheek, and I closed my eyes, enjoying his soft lips, his heart pounding against my chest, and his chocolatey breath from the cocoa.

But while I couldn't scent him, I could feel him. Yikes, with his crotch pressed against me, I couldn't mistake that bulge for anything else. But I rewound what he'd said. Santa? There was that red flag again as I wondered where he'd worked previously. He said he made toys, but I imagined him sitting backstage sewing skimpy Santa costumes for nightclub performers.

So? What if he did? That was nothing wrong with it, he'd worked hard and earned money. Some people might look down on that profession, but who gave a damn.

"Santa?"

He lost his grip and fell onto the floor. "Yes, that's what we called him." He ate a mouthful of the casserole. "This is so good. You must give me the recipe."

"Okay." He was changing the subject, and I wouldn't push him further.

"How would you feel about me buying you clothes for a job interview?"

"I'll pay you back as soon as I get my first paycheck."

I waved my hand. "Consider it payment for the decorations." I lifted my chin toward the food. "Eat."

Sparkle put down his spoon. "You've been so kind to me, Dan. Most people would have left me in the garden, maybe called the police."

I rubbed my chin and grinned. "That's a severe punishment for calling you a gnome."

Our gazes locked, and a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He giggle snorted, and I handed him a napkin.

"My gnome friends would laugh at you calling me a gnome." He bit off a piece of bread. "Gnomes bring good luck. Did you know that?"

"I didn't." Maybe I needed some in my garden. "And what about elves?'

He shoulder shimmied and held up his arm so the light hit his sparkly bracelet. "We bring a little magic into people's lives."

He wiped up the last of the gravy with the remains of the baguette. "After I make your wolf's stocking, we need to do something about that tree." He got up and brushed his hand over the fake branches and bits of tinsel fell onto the carpet.

I worried that he'd suffered memory loss during the big porcelain warm-blooded body changeover. And he hadn't given an explanation as to why he was a figurine, but the longer he was here—and he'd have to stay until at least Monday—he might offer tidbits I could piece together.

"By Christmas you will have made friends, especially if you get a job with us, but if you haven't got anywhere to spend Christmas, you can come here." I always invited Jan and her family plus a friend from work and the owner of the store where I bought my suits.

"That's so kind of you." He looked down. "But I might be gone by…" His voice trailed away, and my heart ached, thinking he might not be around.

Not our mate. Just a friend , my wolf insisted.

So you've said a thousand times .

Not a thousand, he huffed.

"Okay, but maybe you can make a stocking with your name on it and take it with you." I held my breath, hoping he'd accept. Perhaps if he enjoyed the job and made friends, he'd consider staying.

"I will but later." He held up my wolf's stocking, and my beast was over-the-moon excited.

Over the moon? he scoffed. I'm pleased. Can he put it up?

We admired the three stockings, and I wished there were four. Sparkle promised he'd do one for himself. He turned his attention to the tree, and he made green-and-gold elf ornaments, and wolf baubles. We hung them on the branches, and I untangled the Christmas lights I never put up because they were always… tangled.

"Did you want a star at the top or an angel?" Sparkle asked as he pulled out more tattered fabric from the box.

"How about an elf? There'd be no tree if it weren't for you."

He closed one eye. "Are you sure? People might think it odd."

I shrugged. I didn't care, and if Sparkle was here, they would fall in love with him just as…

Not us. Not you. Friend zone only .

Do you have an off switch? I was being snarky, but my beast was annoying me.

If you mate with anyone but your fated, you'll regret it your whole life. We both will.

I'd held onto the idea of a soul mate for so long, but what if… what if the person didn't exist and I threw away a chance at happiness?

What makes you think Sparkle wants to mate with you?