10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Nick

One Day Before Christmas Eve

“Percy, I really could’ve taken you on a proper date.”

My mate shot me a cool look. I should be pampering him, treating him to everything that he could possibly need or want. But instead, it was him who was pampering me.

He’d had an elegant dinner set up at a small table inside our suite. Our suite. How I loved the sound of that. Now that he was fully moved in, it was no longer mine. We were in this together forever.

It took little to get his items over here. He wasn’t someone who had a ton of things. But now that his belongings were mixed with mine, this place felt like home in a way it never had before. He mentioned possibly painting an accent wall in the living room and adding some new art. I was excited to see him fully accepting it as ours and not mine that he’d simply moved into.

Today, he’d rearranged the furniture a bit. He set out a large, comfortable chair for me with a footrest and a kneeling pillow, presumably for himself. But what was the footrest for? He had me curious in the best of ways. Percy always kept me on my toes, and I loved that.

“Sit down, Nick,” he commanded. It was a side of him I hadn’t seen before, so of course I did as he asked without question. I was curious and turned on.

“I spoke with several Santas’ assistants and mates to see what sort of things they like to do to unwind before their big day—”

Interesting.

“I just usually have a small meal here in my room, and I take a nap.” But then again, I’d never had a mate before. Candy canes, I hadn’t even had a true friend before. Everyone saw me as my position. Percy was the first one since I took this role who saw me as Nick, the alpha, instead of Santa 69, who happens to also be called Nick.

“Exactly, and I didn’t want to disrupt that.” The small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth said otherwise.

I sighed. “I could have taken you anywhere—any restaurant, any show you wanted to see, any magical Christmas display you wanted to experience in the world. I could take you anywhere.” I couldn’t wait to spoil my mate, and I planned to do a whole lot of it. Claiming him just days before my big day was proving to be an annoyance. It meant that we had to worry about the job first, when that was the last thing I wanted to focus on. For the first time ever, I wanted to speed through Christmas.

He snorted. “You and what reindeer? The main crew is resting up for tomorrow. The backup crew is doing the same, just in case they’re needed, and all the rest are pitching in where they can—either with other Santas or here at our workshop. Everyone is busy, Nick, and I will not disrupt the flow of things simply because you think we should have a proper date.”

I hadn’t even thought of that. But Percy did. He slid into his role as my right-hand omega with such ease. Not an hour passed by when he didn’t impress me.

I crossed my arms over my chest, making a bit of a show of it. “You should be treated right.” That part was four bazillion percent true.

“And so should you.” He stuck out his tongue playfully, although he was being serious about me being treated right. He’d told me a few times I worked too hard and needed to let go of some control, but before we had that conversation, he added, “except in bed—I want you to keep control there,” and the entire topic had been forgotten for better activities.

He lifted the cloche off my meal, and the scent of rosemary chicken and cumin citrus-roasted carrots hit my nose. My mouth watered… I had never smelled something that delicious. Not food, anyway. I’d scented my mate in heat, and there was nothing more delectable than that.

“I had the kitchen put together one of your favorite dinners. No dessert, though, because you’re going to get plenty tomorrow. I grabbed some of the new massage oils that were left from this year, and I plan to worship you in the way that you deserve.”

My gaze heated as Percy kneeled on the pillow. He grabbed my feet and placed them on the cushion. He peeled off my socks and got to work, rubbing the soles of my feet.

“I’m supposed to enjoy a meal with you touching me in this magical way?” I asked.

He chuckled. “You don’t have a choice, mate. You can do it.”

I laughed. “I suppose.”

“Tell me about your Christmas Eve. What does that look like?”

“It’s magical,” I said. “Obviously. There’s nothing better than riding in the sleigh, overlooking all the beautiful lights of the world. My trip is slightly shorter than the other Santas’, but it is no less amazing.” Traveling around the world in that was something I’d never truly be able to describe. I’d done it countless times, and still, each one blew me away more than the one before. I didn’t know if it was because the belief and anticipation for me grew with each year or if it was that my body simply forgot the feeling with so many days between rides, but whatever it was, I treasured it.

“Really? There are fewer stops, even though there are more adults in the world than children?” His hands slowed. My words had surprised him, which given it was his first year in my department, made sense. Most people equated trips with sheer numbers, but it wasn’t one for one.

“Yes, but there aren’t quite as many good ones who deserve presents.” I winked. It was also having fewer adults reaching out to me, but that answer would get the conversation deeper than I wanted. Tonight was about relaxing and sharing quality time with my mate in preparation for the big day, not long discussions about adults and how they needed the magic rekindled.

“That makes sense. Humans do have a way of being terrible.”

And if I were being honest, I let a lot of things slide. The stress of being an adult often led to poor decision-making skills. Bad decisions didn’t get equated with naughty to me. Other Santas disagreed, but they could handle their own departments as they saw fit. Just like I was doing to mine.

His hands had to be infused with magic. I was getting lost in the sensation of his touch and moaned as he hit a particularly sensitive spot on the arch of my foot.

“What’s your favorite part about being Santa?”

It was hard for me to regain my concentration enough to even piece together what he was asking. I was so lost in his touch.

“Oh, the naughty toy shop,” I chuckled. “The absolute innovation that comes out of there never ceases to amaze me. Each year we come up with new ways in which we can find to pleasure people.”

It was so different from the other departments in many ways.

“Children—making toys for them is easy. Most babies are entertained by remote controls available in every household or cardboard boxes. Adults, though? Much harder.”

“This is true.”

“I love being able to help couples connect with one another in whatever way they can—whether it’s a new toy, a new silk tie, a new kneeling pillow, any of the things, or simply just a special lube. Love is the true Christmas magic.”

My mate smiled up at me so beautifully. “It really is.”

“Aren’t you going to have any dinner?”

“I had some before you arrived. This is about you.” How did I deserve such a sweet mate? I probably didn’t, but there was no way I was informing fate of that. I was happy to keep him right here with me all the rest of my days.

“Well, then let me at least let you taste some of this.”

I sliced off a tiny piece of chicken and lifted the fork to Percy’s mouth. He maintained eye contact as he closed his mouth over the fork, his eyes rolling back.

“That is delicious, isn’t it? Aren’t you a little sad there’s no dessert to go along with it?”

He giggled. “And what makes you think I didn’t already have dessert?”

“Oh, mate, you are going to keep me on my toes, aren’t you?”

“Always. Now, tell me more about your trip tomorrow. I want to know everything.”

“You know, someday we can plan for you to go along with me.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Not this year, as we would have had to plan for it beforehand. The reindeer aren’t prepared to pull two people, and of course, I want you staying healthy and rested for our little one.”

“Of course. Maybe next year.”