Chapter 12

12

Millie

I quietly shut the front door and rush to my car, throwing my bags into the trunk before I climb in. I can’t do it. I can’t wake up tomorrow morning and pretend that it’s all okay. Pretend that my father didn’t destroy our family. Pretend that Brawn didn’t break my heart. I know Laney is going to be upset, but I hope she’ll be so wrapped up in her presents that she’ll forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye.

“Hello, Millie.”

I nearly launch myself out of my seat at the sound of the deep voice. I look over, and sitting in my passenger seat is an old man dressed like Santa Claus. Great, so now I’m going to be robbed on Christmas Eve. Wow. This holiday couldn’t get any worse. Next year, I’m going to be joining my mom on the cruise and pretending like it’s the Fourth of July on some Caribbean Island.

I reach for my door handle but the lock clicks, sending me into a full-blown panic attack. I’m not even sure I’m going to be alive next Christmas.

“It’s okay, Millie. I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to talk to you about Brawn.”

What? My vision slowly begins to focus on the man beside me, studying him closer. The gray hair. The long, silky white beard. The creases around his eyes. His big round belly which definitely looks like it’s seen a cookie or two in its lifetime. He looks just like the Santa depicted in all the books.

“He told me that you learned the truth about what he did. He said you told him to never come back.”

My pulse starts to race. I think I’m having a conversation with the real Santa Claus.

“I want to tell you a story, Millie. About the elf who has the most genuine heart. The boy who believed he was doing the right thing, not understanding that human life isn’t so simple. He thought that by revealing the truth all those years ago, he’d be giving you your dad back. He had no idea he’d be taking your mom away from you in the process. He didn’t know the reason why your father had been lying.”

It sounds like Santa is here pleading Brawn’s case, but why couldn’t Brawn come and do that himself? Why is apologizing so difficult for the people in my life? They never fight for me. They never say the hard words. It’s five simple letters, S-O-R-R-Y, but it has the power to heal a broken heart. Yet, no one realizes that.

“But I need to tell you, Millie. If Brawn hadn’t acted impulsively, the fate of your family would’ve been far worse. I can’t tell you any more than that, and I’m not saying that excuses him for his actions, but I wanted you to know the truth.”

Great, so one way or another, my life would’ve sucked. “I guess that means I owe the guy a thank you.” I can’t even help the anger in my voice. This entire situation is totally absurd. Here I am having a conversation with the jolly old Saint Nick, and instead of him asking me what I want for Christmas, he’s trying to convince me that his elf is a decent guy. But a decent guy would have stood before me and begged me to forgive him.

“I didn’t say that,” Santa states, narrowing his eyes, not sounding very jolly at all. “But I do think you owe the boy a chance.”

I shake my head. Brawn had a chance. He had a chance to beg, grovel, and show how terribly sorry he was, but he left. And now, he sent in the big guy here to do the hard work.

“Thank you, Santa. But I just want to be left alone. Now, do you mind?”

His head rears back like I just slapped him across the face. “Yes, I mind. No wonder you were always on the naughty list. You have no respect or appreciation for the good things. Here I am making a special stop on Christmas Eve when I have millions of boys and girls to visit, and your stubborn ass can’t even appreciate the gesture. Well, I tell you what, maybe after you spend some time up at the North Pole and see what some children are truly enduring, you’ll be singing a different tune. He suddenly waves his hand and then I’m no longer inside my car. I’m standing in what looks to be a cottage, staring at a shirtless Brawn. Noting all the ripples of muscles running along his broad shoulders and down his strong back.

“Keep her locked in here until I return, Brawn. The girl needs to be taught a lesson on how to be nice.” Santa’s gone within a flash, and now I’m alone with Brawn in this very confined little space.

“Millie?” He turns to face me. His eyes darkening on the spot. Shoulders tensing as he takes me in. A slow and steady perusal, head to toe, eyes lingering on my cleavage. His chest rising and falling faster and faster.

His body is incredible. Every inch of his strong chest is detailed with lines of rigid strength. Every black tattoo makes him look dangerous and sexy. My eyes drop lower, following the trail of little course black hairs leading its way down to one incredibly thick cock which has risen in my honor. There’s no denying that he is one sexy-as-hell elf.

“You see something you want, little dove?” His voice is about as rough as my ragged breathing. That uncanny force is drawing me in. My lower belly is tingling to life, and that magical feeling that I can’t describe is now coursing through my veins. He takes a step toward me, and a tremor of desire runs up my spine. There’s a force much stronger at play here because every thought that had just been racing through my mind has vanished. There’s only one thought plaguing me now, causing a rampant ache between my legs.

He takes another step forward, and my knees grow weak. “Looks like you’re a very naughty girl indeed.” His eyes have turned to cinder, his body loaded with tension. The sweet elf I’ve come to love has disappeared and left in his place is someone dark. Someone dominant. Someone who looks to be caught under the same spell.

“Santa shouldn’t have brought you here. My control is weaker up here.” Another three feet of space is removed between us and I’m not only running out of a safety zone, I’m also running out of air. “I need to make you mine, Millie. I have to claim you.” He takes the final step in front me, and my knees give out.

His arm wraps around my back, catching me before I touch the ground, pulling me snug against his chest. He lifts me in the air, taking me to his bed. “I’m going to make it better, little dove. I’m going to give you what you need.”

I don’t understand it. It’s almost like I’ve been taken to another planet, and sex is what I need to survive. It’s all I can think about. My back hits the mattress and in one fast shrug he rids me of my pants, collapsing onto his knees as his eyes land between my legs. “It’s pink and swollen.” His head drops forward and his nose nuzzles against my folds, breathing me in deep, sending a blast of that all-consuming heat through my pussy. “And wetter than she was last night.”

“Brawn.” I nearly buck off the bed as his tongue comes out and licks my juices up slowly. His moan rumbling against my sensitive skin. I grip onto his head, holding on for what feels like dear life as he dives back in for more. Ravenously licking up every drop.

“I’ve never tasted anything like you, Millie. You’re sweeter than gumdrops and richer than hot chocolate.”

The ache is nearing an excruciating high. My hips begin to grind against him, needing to find relief. His groan of approval is loud, and his mouth has now doubled down its efforts. Licking, sucking, and nibbling his way over every inch. When he wraps his lips around my clit, sucking on it like it’s the tip of a candy cane, my body explodes. The orgasm tears through every nerve, shattering my strength and leaving me in a heap of exquisite convulsions. I’ve never felt anything like it. It’s like I’m floating in some magical realm. Every part of me tingling with pleasure. It’s another crazy phenomenon that I can’t explain. All I know is that I want more of it.

“Open your eyes, little dove. I need to know you’re all right.”

My eyes flutter open. Brawn is above me, looking calmer now, which doesn’t make sense. I figured he’d be in more of a dire state, needing to find relief to his own ache.

“It’s better now.” I nod, feeling like I can finally breathe again. “The pain is gone.”

“Good, little dove. That’s good.”

“What about you?” I reach down between us, wanting to feel what kind of state he’s in, but his hand stops me.

“If you touch me now, I won’t be able to stop, and there’s something I need to say first.”

“But you’re still in pain.” I can see it straining between his legs.

He shakes his head. “Kissing you took the edge off. But it’s not going to last, so I need to get this off my chest. I’m sorry, Millie. I didn’t know my actions would hurt you and your mom. I can’t go back in time and change anything, but there is something I can do to make it better. And if Santa gives me a Christmas wish, my only wish is for you and for those you care about to be eternally happy.”

The tears blur my vision. That word has a magical power of its own, making the pain retreat. Making me feel lighter. Hopeful.

“It pains me to think that you’ve spent so many years suffering, my sweet girl, but that is going to end. And if Santa won’t give me my wish, then I’ll go to the Keeper of Magic and give him my soul in exchange for your happiness.”

I shoot up, rattled by his words. “No, Brawn. You can’t do that. Please promise me you’ll never do that. I’m in love with you. I need you in my life. Please, you have to promise me.” He can’t leave me. I won’t survive without him.