5. Chloe

CHLOE

“ E scuze me?” A little hand tugs on the skirt of my elf outfit, so I kneel down to meet the little boy’s eyes.

“Yes?” He seems a little shier now, so I wait patiently.

Pointing to where Rune stands dressed up as Santa, he asks, “Is that really Santa?” This is not the first time I’ve been asked this, and each time is adorable.

Crooking my finger so he comes closer, I ask, “Can I tell you a secret?” His green eyes widen, and he slowly nods. “It’s not the real Santa; he’s busy getting ready for Christmas, but he is one of Santa’s longest and most trusted friends, doing the job for him so that he makes sure Christmas is special for everyone.”

“He knows Santa?” I make a show of looking around before nodding briefly. “Wow.”

“Pretty cool, huh?” The boy nods again before it’s his turn to meet the big man in red. “Ready to say hello?” I offer my hand, and he hesitates for a second before grabbing it, and I lead him to where Rune sits, his chair large enough for more than one child to sit next to him, or there’s a stool for them to stand on.

“Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas, Henry!” Rune booms joyfully. Watching him with the children today has been beautiful.

“He knows my name,” Henry whispers with awe.

“Told you…best friends.” I wink as he begins walking up the steps to Rune without me.

We’ve been in Santa’s Village the entire morning and have seen as many kids as possible with only three left in line, and I must admit, it’s the most fun I’ve had in years. I love what I do, but it’s so lonely and isolating. Oftentimes, it’s been terrifying, too.

I’ve not really told my family how dangerous some of the jobs have been in the past because I wanted to shelter them from worry. After my last assignment in Ukraine with UNICEF, we were nearly killed in a bombing, and to say I was scared straight would be an understatement.

I took on the Viking article and research because it seemed safe. There were no enemies to report on, no heartbreak to photograph. Everyone I’m speaking about has been dead for centuries. I can’t be hurt, and neither can anyone else.

Or so I thought.

Watching Rune now, with the feelings in my chest growing, I can see two roads in front of me. One filled with love, family, and laughter, and the other filled with Rune believing I’m not good enough and breaking my heart. I’d never recover.

What are you doing, Chloe?

Self-sabotaging before we can even have a chance.

Sighing inwardly, I plaster on a smile as little Henry talks animatedly to Rune, snapping a few candid shots before settling them for a more staged look. I’ve enjoyed giving parents options with photos they take home, and so far, they’ve all enjoyed the ones where their child or children are interacting with Santa.

I could do this, I realize.

Writing articles and photographing the children of Greenland.

I could spend my life in delightfully sweet moments like this if that meant keeping Rune and creating a life and maybe a family with my very own Viking Santa.

My mood shifts, and excitement rushes through me, unlike any I’ve felt before. I want to run into Rune’s arms and tell him I’m all in. I want to tell him I meant what I said yesterday, even if it still terrifies me. I want him to know that I understand his meaning when he said he knew I was the one for him.

I’ll have to wait, of course. We have a duty to the children first, and it warms me to know that one day, he’ll be playing Santa for our own.

Another tug on my skirt draws my attention. “Is it my turn now?” A young girl of about eight asks me with a kind smile. Her brown eyes shine with excitement, her hair is perfectly done up, and she has the most beautiful little elf costume on with matching pointed shoes.

“Don’t you look gorgeous!” I exclaim and offer my hand. She takes it eagerly and nearly runs and trips up the steps. I keep her steady before sending her off to talk with Santa. Again, I take the candid shots and the staged ones.

The afternoon continues on like this until well past closing, once everyone gets word about how much fun it is to see Santa this year and how pleased the parents are with their photos.

As I pack up my camera equipment, I feel Rune’s heated body come up behind me. “You were amazing today.” His compliment pleases me as his hands caress my sides.

I tilt my head to the right, and he takes the opportunity to brush his lips across my exposed flesh. “I had a lot of fun, and you were so amazing with the kids.”

Turning in his embrace, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down as I step up on my toes to meet his lips for a kiss. I don’t deepen it, and when Rune tries to, I draw back to tease him.

His growl is the only warning I receive as he tightens his hold and claims a kiss that curls my toes and has my sex pulsing between my legs. My heart hammers in my chest, and I’m dizzy with lust in no time as he twirls his tongue around the inside of my mouth, teasing me with languid strokes. Imitating how we’d be between the sheets.

“Mmmm,” I moan and rub my body into his.

“Naughty little elf,” he hisses when I slink a hand between our bodies and brush it gently along his erection.

“Rune, I want you to know I meant what I said yesterday.” My eyes slowly slide up to meet his. Biting my lip when I recognize the possessiveness in his stare, I try to hide my reaction because the power this man has over me is absolutely addicting and overwhelming.

Brushing the hat off my head, his powerful fingers delve deeply into my hair until he’s got a fistful and tugs back, forcing me onto my tiptoes. “Good, because I wasn’t going to give you a choice.” I gasp as he drops his head into my neck and bites until I squirm and moan in his hold, desperate for more.