12. Chapter 12 Elevator Going Down

Chapter 12: Elevator Going Down

G rum

The champagne buzzes pleasantly in my system as Joy and I make our way to the elevator. Despite our best intentions, our efforts gathered no new info tonight. Now that the Frost King’s Gala is winding down, Sarah and Thornn will either find something out or we’re at another dead end. Either way, it’s time for us to go. I surprise myself as I realize I’m not ready for the night to end.

“Well, that was… not terrible,” I admit, pressing the down button.

Joy grins up at me, her eyes sparkling. “High praise indeed, coming from you. Admit it, you had fun.”

I grunt noncommittally but can’t quite hide my smirk. The elevator arrives with a soft ding, and we step inside.

As the doors close, I catch a whiff of Joy’s perfume—vanilla and something flowery. It’s so sexy. I lean in, although I’m not sure if it’s to get another sniff or to have an excuse to be closer to her. Since our dance, I’ve had trouble keeping my hands off her. We fit together perfectly as we danced, which makes me wonder how we would move together in bed.

Suddenly, the elevator lurches to a stop. The lights flicker once, twice, and then we’re plunged into darkness.

“Oh, no!” Joy’s voice is tight with alarm.

“It’s alright,” I say. “Orcs can see pretty well in the dark.” I can see her clearly, her expression is panicked. “It’s probably a power outage. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” Shit! This is what women hate, right? Orc females even more than human women. The whole Cro-Magnon, I’ll-take-care-of-you crap that went out of fashion decades ago.

Joy fumbles in her purse, pulling out her phone. The screen illuminates her face, casting eerie shadows. “No signal,” she mutters with a frown.

I reach for the emergency phone, but it’s dead. “The elevator phone’s out too. Must be a widespread blackout.”

Joy tries dialing 911 on her cell, but gets a circuit busy signal. “Even emergency services are swamped. This must be big, perhaps city-wide.” She turns the screen off. “I’m on low battery. As much as I’d like to keep the flashlight on, I’ll conserve power in case I can get through to 911 later.”

I sigh, shrugging off my tux jacket, then loosening this irritating tie. “Might as well get comfortable. We could be here a while.” I spread the jacket on the floor. “Here, sit. That dress looks too fancy to get filthy on this floor.”

Joy hesitates, then gingerly lowers herself onto the makeshift seat. “Such a gentleman,” she teases. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”

I snort, lowering myself to sit beside her. “Might as well memorize this because it’s once in a lifetime. It’s only because that dress looks so good on you that I wouldn’t want to ruin it.”

My eyes dart from her, to hide my appreciation. Then I remember that out of the two of us in this little box, I’m the only one who can see.

Though it’s not polite, I take the opportunity to stare. She told me this is a bridesmaid dress, that the bride picked it out. It’s not her usual style, that’s for sure. I’ve never seen her wear anything even vaguely low-cut, and this is nothing short of wow! territory. I never said I was a nice person, so I let myself get an eyeful, which is a lot, considering I’m looking down into the valley between some pretty luscious breasts.

Her hair is usually pulled into a ponytail, with a few escaped strands that frame her face. Today, it’s shiny and loose and shows off her high cheekbones and full pink lips. I want to grip it, pull her head back, and cover her mouth with mine.

I’ve been half hard all night, despite that we’re here on a dangerous caper. Hell, between her perfume and that dance where our bodies were pressed together, how’s a male supposed to stay in control? But now, with such a magnificent view, I’m hard as stone.

I force my gaze in a different direction because I’m beginning to feel like a perv.

We sit in silence for a moment. The only sound is our breathing. Even my keen sense of hearing doesn’t catch the faintest sound of someone calling to see if anyone in an elevator needs help.

“So,” Joy says finally, “trapped in an elevator. That wasn’t on my bingo card for today.”

I chuckle. “Just another exciting chapter in the Joy and Grum Christmas Adventure, huh?”

She laughs, the sound echoing in the small space. “You know, when I first met you, I never would have imagined you had a sense of humor.”

“I’m a real laugh riot,” I deadpan. Although her comment doesn’t surprise me because I pride myself on being Grinch-like, it does make me question my choices. I’ve enjoyed myself a lot the last few days, especially when I let my guard down. Maybe I should do that more often.

Joy shifts, leaning against me. I stiffen for a moment, then relax. Her warmth seeps through my shirt, and I enjoy the contact more than I care to admit.

“Grum?” Her voice is soft, tentative.

“Hmm?”

“Thank you. For tonight. For… everything, really. You didn’t have to traipse around L.A. with me. It was kind. We may not get the presents delivered by the 25 th , but at least I feel as though I’ve done everything possible.”

I’m glad the darkness hides my face because her compliment heats my cheeks. “Glad to h-help.” What is it about this woman that has me stuttering like a fool?

We lapse into silence again, but it’s comfortable this time. I can hear Joy’s heartbeat, steady and soothing. Without thinking, I wrap an arm around her shoulders.

Joy sighs contentedly, nestling closer. “You’re warm,” she murmurs.

“Orc biology,” I explain. “We run hotter than humans.”

She hums in acknowledgment, her head resting against my chest. “It’s nice.”

I quit fighting the urge and glide my fingers through the silken strands of her hair, amazed at its softness and the way it makes me wonder what it would feel like to clutch it when she sucks my cock. This is dangerous territory. I never wanted to fall for a human. It feels… disloyal, somehow. To my people, to our struggles.

But as Joy’s warm body leans against mine, her intoxicating scent swirling in the confines of the elevator, it’s hard to worry about anything but this moment.

“Joy.” My voice is rougher than I intended.

She looks up at me, her eyes sparkling in the darkness, though I don’t think she can see me. “Yes?”

Throwing all caution to the wind, I cradle her face in my palms, pulling her closer until our lips meet. The back of my mind tells me this is the type of woman you take your time with, the kind you coax with soft-lipped kisses and tiny nips, warming her up before you barge between her lips.

But I’m an orc, and although my brain says one thing, my mouth descends on her as I let out a sigh that’s almost a groan. We’ve been bickering for days, but I’ve wanted to do this from almost the moment we met.

While carefully ensuring I don’t jab her with my tusks, I claim her lips in an almost bruising kiss. How can I hold back?

Lifting her with ease, I rearrange her so she’s sitting on my lap, her hip grazing my stomach. She’s higher now, our faces almost even. I have better access to that sweet-tasting mouth of hers as my palms slide up and down her back.

I try to pause, try to collect my thoughts, but it’s a struggle. Through the haze of lust, I manage to tune into her, to read her, to make sure this is a two-way street.

She’s fisted what an hour ago was my crisp, white shirt. Now she’s tugging me closer… as if I’d even think of pulling away.

My lips leave hers, tracing a path along her jawline, down her neck. Her skin is soft and sweet, her pulse fluttering beneath my touch. She tilts her head back, offering me more, her breath coming in quick gasps. I can feel her heart racing, matching the pounding of my own.

“Grum,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. It’s a plea, a question, a demand all rolled into one.

I answer her with a low growl, my hands sliding up to cup her breasts. She gasps, arching into my touch. Her nipples harden beneath her dress, pressing against my palms. I want to tear the fabric, to feel her bare skin, but I force myself to be patient. I want to enjoy every second of this.

“Joy…” I had nothing to say but that. I just wanted to feel her name on my lips, to make this real.

Her taste lingers on my tongue as I memorize the moment.

“Grum.” Perhaps she feels the need to codify this moment, so she can remember it forever, too. I can see in the dark; she can’t see me. But Gods, she must feel my cock, jerking against her with a mind of its own, perhaps trying to communicate with her in Morse Code. If it’s trying to talk to her, I doubt she’d want to hear the filthy words it must be tapping out right now.

I hold my breath, unsure of how she’ll respond. With one hand still gripping my shirt, she lifts the other and presses her palm to my nape as though she doesn’t want me to pull away.

Trust me, Joy. I’m not going anywhere.

Her lips are plump and inviting as they press against mine, kindling heat that spreads through me like wildfire. Joy’s hands now roam my chest and back, her touch igniting little spark-like shocks.

As our kiss intensifies, she hikes up her long skirt, twists in my arms, and straddles me. My lids had drifted shut, but they shock open to make sure the woman in my lap is Joy Noel.

This is the woman who wears hideous Christmas sweaters? Who has tinkling bell earrings and little Santa earrings and reindeer earrings? Because she’s grinding against my hardened cock beneath the fabric of our clothes, riding me with the softest, most expressive sexy little grunts.

Each time her passion escalates, it ratchets something up within me. I shouldn’t even think it, but the erotic picture in my mind, of yanking down her panties, opening my zipper, and settling her onto my dripping cock, will not leave my mind.

She fumbles with my bun, yanking the band off so her fingers can sift through my hair. She’s not dainty about it, pulling my hair in the process. It’s so passionate, so off-the-chain, and out of character, that it’s setting my blood on fire. I growl, deep and low as I cup her sweet ass cheeks and tuck her even closer to me. She whimpers my name, then whispers, “Please.”

Her breath is warm and sweet, mingling with mine. I can taste the remnants of champagne on her tongue, a heady mixture that makes my head spin. A low rumble builds in my chest, a primal response to her touch as I mentally engineer the logistics of lifting her up and sliding into her wet heat.

I trail my hands up and then down her back, tracing the curve of her spine until I reach the swell of her hips. She arches into me, a soft moan escaping her lips. The sound goes straight to my cock, making it twitch. I want to claim her right here in this dark, confined space. But I rein myself in, wanting to savor this moment, to explore her slowly.

This time, when my purr rumbles in my chest, as loud as a Harley running without mufflers, I don’t try to tamp it down. Orc purrs are one-size-fits-all to our females: they’re calming when needed, and during sex, they increase arousal.

“Oh, fuck, Grum.”

That sounds like my purr had the latter effect. Joy’s hands roam my chest, feeling the vibrating rumble, then fumbling with the buttons of my shirt. She manages to undo a few until her fingers brush against my bare skin. I groan, the feel of her touch calling to my primal roots. I capture her mouth in another fiery kiss, my tongue dancing with hers.

Suddenly, the elevator jerks, trembling but not descending. The lights flicker back on. We break apart, blinking in the sudden brightness, still panting. Joy looks at me, her lips swollen from our kisses, her chest rising and falling rapidly. I can see the desire in her eyes, reflecting the same hunger I feel.

Assuming we’ll be surrounded by others soon, we quickly straighten our clothes, but the air between us is charged, electric.

“Wow,” she whispers.

I chuckle as I help her up and can’t control my urge to run my hands down her back, unwilling to let her out of my grip. For a moment I consider one of my trademarked grunts, but no. Not with Joy. I’m going to give her the best of me. So I admit, “Yeah. Wow,” with a pleasured sigh.

“So, Mr. Grinch. Still hate Christmas?”

I pretend to think about it. “Well, I’m not sure that what I’m feeling has anything to do with Christmas, but my Grinch heart might have grown a size or two.” Among other things that have expanded south of my waistband.

Joy laughs, swatting my chest playfully. Then her expression turns serious. “Grum… what is this? What are we doing?”

I pause, though I know we can’t avoid this conversation forever. “I don’t know,” I admit. “This wasn’t… I never planned …” I let her see my raw emotion, how I’m as floored by this as she is.

“Me neither,” Joy says softly. “But, whatever’s happening, I like it. I like you.”

“I like you too,” I say, surprised by how easily the words fell from my lips. “But it’s complicated. You’re human, I’m an orc. We come from different worlds.”

Joy cups my face in her hands, her touch gentle. “Yeah, complicated. But we’re here now, in this world. Together.”

I lean into her touch, closing my eyes as I cup the back of her head. She’s right, of course. And as much as it scares me, I can’t deny how I feel about her.

“Okay,” I say finally. “Let’s see where this goes.”

Joy’s smile is radiant. She leans in to kiss me again, and I meet her halfway.

As our lips meet, the elevator suddenly lurches and descends. Joy slips her hand into mine. I give it a gentle squeeze, marveling at how perfectly it fits.

The doors open, revealing the lobby bustling with confused guests and harried staff. As we step out, Joy leans close to whisper in my ear.

“To be continued?”

My cock flexes as I grin, showing my tusks in a way I hope she finds endearing. “Definitely.” Tonight would be good , I think, but I keep that thought to myself.

Between the way she responded in the elevator and the way she’s looking at me now, I doubt it will be much longer before we finish what we just started.