Chapter One

“Oh, Nat,” Noel murmured against Natala’s soft hair. He curved the front of his body closer to hers and spooned himself around her in bed. He loved holding her. As if to enforce the thought, he tightened his arms, determined to never let go. Now that they’d found each other under such bizarre odds, he wanted to wake up beside her every single day of their very long lives.

Each morning was filled with the prospect of happiness, and he was more than ready to open his eyes before the alarm clock sounded. Before she’d entered his life, the prospect of a new day had filled him with sadness. It was a struggle he didn’t want to face, especially when December rolled around. Nowadays, however, everything was different. He hated having to sleep. If it were up to him, he would spend every single minute of every hour lying naked beside her.

“Good morning.” Natala stretched her arms above her head and shifted her position, slowly turning onto her back.

He gave her enough room so he could stare into her lovely eyes. They were so dark and still seemed to hold so many mysteries. At least now, he knew more about her home. He’d never tire of listening to her talk about it, just to see the gleam in her eyes. He became excited whenever she reminisced and shared details of her life in the Wilds. Natala never admitted she missed her real home, but he knew she wanted to see her cousins again someday—to ensure that their lives were back to normal and they were moving on in freedom. Thanks to her, and a little Father Christmas intervention.

He yawned and willed all thoughts to leave his mind. He wanted to do only one thing right now.

“I see you’re wide awake already. Or at least, he’s awake.” Natala’s small fingers caressed his erection with feathery motions.

Noel closed his eyes to enjoy the sensations she aroused. “Oh, he’s been awake for a while.”

“Why didn’t you say so?” Natala started to move but he stopped her, placing his arm over her chest to keep her where he wanted her. She winked at him. “What’s wrong? You don’t want to wake up yet?”

“Oh, you know I do—but today, we do it my way.”

She pouted. “I love taking control.”

“I know you do, sweetheart. But when that happens, I don’t get to do wild and crazy things to your gorgeous body.” He returned her wink and slid his hand across her bare breasts. Each nipple tightened at his touch, causing his erection to harden. Oh, God, she never fails to have this effect on me. He wanted to thank the Heavens for delivering such a gorgeous woman into his arms.

He had a lot to be thankful for this year. The bleakness this festive season usually brought with it was forgotten, now replaced with joy at being with his luscious Natala. He licked his lips and caught her gaze.

“What kind of crazy things did you want to do to me?” The tease in her voice made it husky, lower. Her eyes shimmered with anticipation.

Noel laughed. No need to answer her question with words. He pushed away the blanket, exposing her pale, petite body. She was gorgeous; small and delicate, with curves in all the right places and just enough muscle to ensure her femininity.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said as he rose to his knees beside her. Slowly, he lifted one leg over hers, then the other, until he knelt between her legs. He gazed down at her beauty as she stared intently at his penis. It extended a little further thanks to the intensity of her stare. If he got any harder, it would hurt until he reached release. But he wanted to take his time with her this morning.

A beam of sunlight shimmered in through the bedroom window, making her body glow. He encouraged her to spread her legs by running his hands up and down her soft skin, along her knees, and then slipping them down her calves. Leaning over, he pressed his mouth to hers. No need to fool himself with slow kisses; they both knew where this was headed—the same place it had so many times since they’d met and committed to each other. Even after a year, he couldn’t get enough of her. The more they connected, the more he craved their lovemaking.

The time he spent at work pained him so much he’d call her a thousand times a day. She would always be there, willing to talk and listen to his complaints about customers who were less than friendly when he offered to help.

Natala was a gem. Later on today, after surprising her with a romantic, candlelit Christmas dinner and settling with her in front of the tree, he had a special gift to give her. One he hoped would sparkle perfectly on her finger. He couldn’t wait to see her face.

The thought pushed him forward, intensifying his kisses as he held himself up with one hand and used the other to trace her nipples.

“Noel, you’re killing me,” she whispered against his lips.

He kissed her again, harder, pushing his tongue past her lips greedily in search of hers. When they connected, all the blood in his body engorged the head of his erection. And as if she’d heard him, her small hand was suddenly there. Wrapping around the base of his shaft with a feathery touch that she slid up toward the head. He shivered, closed his eyes, and nibbled on her bottom lip.

“Who’s killing who, I wonder?” He teased her by running his hand down to cup her sex. She throbbed beneath him and her hips squirmed from side to side, encouraging him to touch her more intimately.

Noel loved getting her going like this, until she couldn’t take anymore, and then she’d pounce on him—which was why she usually wound up taking control of the situation.

“That’s it.” She released him and lifted herself onto her elbows. “I’m taking over.”

He pressed his palm gently against her chest. “Uh-uh. Lie back. You need to be a good girl. Otherwise, Santa might not deliver your special present.”

She narrowed her eyes and studied him with suspicion. “What’s this present you’ve already mentioned?”

“You’ll have to wait until tonight, when we exchange gifts. You did get me something, right?” One way or the other, he didn’t care. He just loved to fire her up.

“I guess you’ll have to wait to find out, too.” A small smile played over her lips.

He kissed her mouth before tracing her chin and moving on to the underside of her jaw. He paid special attention to the long scar adorning her neck and shoulder, kissing it lightly and trying not to recall the horror of seeing that disgusting demon inflict the injury upon her.

Natala accommodated his venture downward by tilting her head accordingly. His hands weren’t on her body anymore; instead, he’d pressed them against the mattress. Noel was eager to kiss her. His tongue was always ready to slide along her skin. She tasted sweet, like the soaps with which she loved to soak, but she always held an underlining taste that was all her.

Visions of their many bedroom activities flashed in and out of his head. So many, he reached her navel quicker than he had anticipated.

He paused.

“Oh, Noel,” she said. “Don’t stop now. Make this my Christmas present. You know how much I enjoy it.” She lifted her legs, pressed her feet against the mattress, and spread her knees as wide as she could get them.

After settling his body accordingly, he faced her pussy, wrapped his arms around her legs, and lifted her buttocks enough to press the curve of her mound against his mouth. He flicked his tongue against her, in and out.

She gasped.

He did it again, only this time, tracing a little lower. Noel ran his tongue against her clitoris, and she writhed. His penis hardened, becoming so swollen he craved release. No point in teasing her any longer, not when he wanted to eat her as badly as she wanted him to. He spread her labia with his fingers and swirled his tongue around her clitoris. Slow motions were all he needed. He knew what she liked.

Natala’s breathing grew ragged. Her eyes closed, and she wrapped her hands around the headboard.

He added a finger, stabbing it deep into her wet center as his tongue continued its long, languid strokes. She felt so good, so perfect. As if every bit of him was especially made to fit every bit of her. She was amazing, and he wanted to explore her body for an eternity. His heart jumped at the thought. Sometimes he almost forgot he could. Nick had granted him immortality after last Christmas.

Noel shook the thought away. Why in hell was he thinking about that old kook when he had so much sweetness melting in his mouth?

Her muscles tightened around his finger. He sucked her clitoris into his mouth as she cried out and lifted her lower back off the bed.

“Noel!” she screamed his name.

Hearing it was music to his ears, but he didn’t stop. He knew that if he pushed her just a little bit more, she’d explode a second time. And as if on cue, her toes curled and her breathing grew heavy.

Noel slid his finger out, lifted his head, and planted a small kiss on her lower abdomen. He licked his lips, eager to keep the taste of her with him as long as he could.

“Wow!” She gasped, desperately sucking for air as she brought her hands to her heaving chest. Her hips fell back onto the mattress. “That was amazing.”

“I’m always happy to satisfy.” He flashed her a smile and stepped forward, ready to embed himself inside her. Oh, he couldn’t wait to feel her soft folds, moist from the pleasure he’d just given her.

She smiled at him, encouraging him to keep going. He pressed the head of his penis against her and slipped slowly inside.

“Sorry to interrupt.” The voice behind Noel scared the hell out of him. A cough followed the man’s words, as if it would excuse the interruption.

Natala shrieked and brought her hands to her chest. Noel groaned in frustration, grabbed the blanket, and threw it over her nude body. He grudgingly pulled back from between her legs and settled underneath the covers with her. His erection pained him; he needed release. But with uninvited company in the bedroom, he sat beside her with his back against the headboard.

“What on earth are you doing here, Nick?” Noel gazed at him, angry at the sudden intrusion. A horrendous thought struck him. “I thought you said I had years ahead of me before it was time for me to—”

“Calm down.” Nick held up his palm. Worry lines etched his face. Clothed in his bottle green pants, white tie, and red shirt, he looked like a damn clown, but Noel wasn’t about to voice his opinion. He knew just how tough Santa Claus could be, thanks to what he’d experienced firsthand last Christmas.

“What’s so important you had to barge in here like this?” Noel threw a protective arm over Natala’s shoulders and settled her against his side, holding the sheet tight beneath her armpits.

“I’m really sorry to do this to you, but I have no other choice. You two are the only ones who can help me.” His eyes had a faraway look. They glistened, and were as bright as a cloudless sky. When he moved forward, sunlight caught his dark hair, causing the few strands of gray in his sideburns to glow. He lowered himself onto the edge of the bed and pressed both hands to his thighs. “I really need your help.”

Noel couldn’t help but soften at the obvious misery on Nick’s face. He literally softened, everywhere. Nothing like Santa dropping in to ruin a damn good erection.

“What happened?” he finally managed to say. He took a deep breath and exhaled all of his anger and frustration. What could be so important that Nick couldn’t wait?

“Is it another demon?” Natala spoke for the first time, although she still seemed a little rigid for someone who’d just had a double orgasm. Still, it wasn’t everyday that someone interrupted their intimate time.

Nick took a deep breath and let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s not a demon exactly, but there is trouble.” He sighed a second time. “At least, I don’t think it’s a demon…you just never know what’s hiding in the shadows this time of year.”

“Are you going to keep us guessing until we get it right?” Damn, his problem sounded serious. Noel hadn’t counted on seeing Nick again so soon, or on being swindled into helping him fight off another bad guy. He still had nightmares about the demon Decarabia. So much could’ve gone wrong with that situation, and it had. He’d almost lost Natala after the demon devoured her shoulder. Thinking about it now, he tightened his protective hold around her.

“No, of course not, it’s just…” Nick paused. “…a little embarrassing.”

“Are you sure we can help you?” Noel asked, doubtful he could do anything about the mysterious situation. He’d only crossed paths with the magical man once before, but it had impacted both him and Natala deeply. They were together now because he’d saved her by healing her life-threatening injuries.

Yet no matter what was going on with Nick, Noel knew he wouldn’t hesitate to help—and by the look in Natala’s eyes, he knew she felt the same way.

They owed him; there was no way around it.

Nick shrugged. “I hope you can do something.”

“Please tell us what happened,” Natala whispered.

“Okay.” He nodded. “I suppose I’ve laid on the suspense thick enough.” He met Noel’s eyes and then shifted to meet Natala’s. “My wife left me.”

“Oh, that’s awful.” Natala’s heart sank as she read the desperation in Nick’s blue eyes. She made a move, to go and comfort him, but stopped when she realized she was still naked. Her body buzzed with the double orgasm Noel had given her, but she ignored the bliss to concentrate on this man’s dilemma. It didn’t feel right to be happy when he looked so miserable. If it wasn’t for him, she’d probably be dead right now. A shiver raced down her spine. “How can we help?”

“Hold on—did you say your wife left you?” Noel adjusted his position and drew Natala closer to his side. “Mrs. Claus?”

Nick nodded, and his pained look intensified. He stared at the carpet in front of him.

“Um, I’m confused. Your wife left you, and you want our help? With what, exactly?” Noel’s tone seemed a little harsh.

Natala turned to peer at him, narrowing her eyes in hopes he’d tone it down. He shrugged.

“I need you to help me find her,” Nick continued.

“Sure,” Natala said. “We’ll do whatever we can—”

“Why’d she leave?” Noel interrupted, sitting forward.

“I don’t know.” Nick pushed off the bed and paced the room. From one side to the other, scratching his chin. “She mentioned something about me not paying enough attention to her. But I didn’t think it would come to this. She just up and left without a warning.” He stopped in mid-stride to stare at each of them, his arms outstretched. “Why would she leave me after so many years?”

The intensity of his gaze would’ve been unnerving if Natala hadn’t noticed how distracted he looked.

“Mrs. Claus left you because you weren’t paying enough attention to her?” Noel looked as if he might laugh.

She elbowed him in the ribs and flashed him a warning glance. The poor man was in obvious pain. Of course, his timing was awful—and as a result, Noel was left hanging with his desire unquenched. But this sounded serious. If he ever walked out on her without an explanation, she didn’t know what she’d do. Besides, he’d lost his own wife several years back. She hadn’t exactly walked out on him, however; death had taken her away. Yet if anyone knew how painful it was to lose a loved one, it should be Noel. She was puzzled by his reaction.

“That’s what she said, according to the elves.” He stopped pacing. “It’s hard to be ol’ Saint Nick all year round. She’s got her own role to fulfill. I thought she enjoyed it, that it kept her busy. I just don’t understand what happened. We used to be so close. We’d talk about everything at the end of the night. Nowadays, though, I mostly stumble into bed exhausted, when she’s already asleep. There seems to be so much distance between us.”

“Don’t you work just one day a year?” Noel asked.

Nick’s eyes turned glassy, and he shifted from his younger demeanor into his older version. His body shortened, grew spindly, and became curved. He limped closer to the bed. “Noel Harris, you should be ashamed of yourself. You know my work is never done. I work hard all year round. My job is a non-stop responsibility. I need my wife to help me, to be there with me at the end of every day. Ah, you’ll find out soon enough just how hard it is to do this job.”

He sank onto the bed. By the time he was seated, he was again the suave young man in bright clothes. “If she doesn’t come back, I’ll need you to step up to the plate sooner than scheduled. I just can’t do this without her.”

“Hold on.” Noel lifted a hand. “No, no—I’m not ready for this. Okay, tell us what we can do, and we’ll help you get Mrs. Claus back. Won’t we, Nat?”

She couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, of course.” She wasn’t surprised at his instant interest. Noel had mentioned many times during the year that he didn’t want to take on his newfound destiny anytime soon. As long as it was in the distant future, he didn’t seem to have a problem with it. Now that it stood in front of them, however, he wasn’t so keen to laugh at Nick’s misfortune.

Natala wasn’t exactly thrilled at the notion of being thrown into a new life with new duties, either. She was still getting used to this one. She, too, would be prepared to one day fulfill them, no matter what they were—but for now, she was happy with the calm life Noel lived every day.

While he was at work, she’d discovered technology in the guise of his computer and their Internet connection. She loved the concept, although she was still unable to wrap her mind around it completely. Neither the Wilds, nor the Underworld, had access to such a wonder. She assumed it was the human’s version of magic. She didn’t need to understand everything about it in order to do what she’d discovered was her passion—which was one of the surprises she had in store for Noel. She’d worked hard for months to setup her personal website, and in the New Year she intended to embark on her own web-design business. She’d already networked and snagged a few authors who were interested in her fairly-priced packages. She couldn’t wait.

It would be the perfect job for her. She could work from home and help Noel with their finances. He’d never expected her to do such a thing, but she wanted to do it for him. Besides, this was now her home, and she wanted to settle in completely.

Nick turned to face them. “Before we go any further, you need to stop calling her Mrs. Claus. Her name is Carol.”

Noel bit his bottom lip, no doubt to keep the laughter at bay once again.

Natala liked the name, and she’d heard Noel mention that carols were special songs sung at Christmastime. In spite of the negativity they might face by being involved in this situation, Natala looked forward to embarking on another Christmas adventure with Noel.

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