Page 2 of Naughty

I lose myself in my work, letting my fingers dip and twist, tweaking and molding my creation. Time passes by in a blur. I empty my mind, letting all my worries and fears drain out of me.

The Cuckoo clock calls out the time, and I run a weary hand over my eyes. But I can’t sleep. Not yet. My body feels near collapsing, but my brain just won’t shut up. It’s an incessant noise in my head.

Groaning, I walk over to the wall and input my code, waiting for the wall's near-silent hiss as it pulls away. Slipping out into the hallway, I look again to ensure I’m alone. My feet point me in the direction of my study.

Time to check the list one more time then head to bed. I make my way to the study and stop short, noting the door is slightly ajar. Unease drips through my veins, filling me with dread. The last time this happened, Caitlin turned my world upside down. What in the holly and ivy will I find this time?

Staying silent, I push the door open and peek inside. The room is empty, illuminated by my fireplace. My gaze flies to the bookshelf. Still closed. Frowning, I stalk over, my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

I tip the book forward, watching as the hidden door swings open. Blinking, I simply stare at the petite figure at my monitor. Her fingers fly over the screen. Since her face is away from me, I can only stare, dumbfounded, at the back of her head.

It has to be her. I rub at my eyes, trying to convince myself that she isn’t real. The longer I stare, the angrier I become. Crossing my arms, I lean against the door and clear my throat. The little elf jumps in shock and slowly turns to face me.

Her pale cheeks are stained pink, her green eyes glint up at me like tinsel. Her mouth, though, that’s what catches my attention and doesn’t let go. Plump, lush lips stained the color of mulled wine tremble just a touch. Something in me stirs as I watch her twitch. Something dark and primal. A slow grin eases across my face as I ease my way towards her.

Pulse thundering in my ears, I stalk her across the room, eating up every inch she moves back. Each step gets me closer to her until she’s trapped between the monitor and me. Her body quivers as her breathing kicks up a notch. I raise up to my full height, forcing her to look up at me. My eyes trail her face and down her neck, where I’m fixated by her pulse fluttering just beneath her skin. How I long to run my nose up her slender column.

“I think I’m lost,” she squeaks, her voice tinkling like silver bells on a clear, frosty night.

My cock hardens as the half-baked lie trips from her lips. I take another step, not touching, but close enough I can feel the heat coming off of her. I study her face, her hair, her body. Hell, nothing is off-limits to my perusal. Taking my time, I go over every inch of her, committing her to memory. Her nipples pebble under my scrutiny before she crosses her arms to cover them up.

“Cold?”

“Freezing.”

I smirk and reach past her, brushing my arm against her shoulder. A jolt runs through me as we collide. If her breathing is any indication, she feels it too. My balls tighten as we stand there, just staring at each other. Her breath stutters as I lean down. Stretching out my arm, my fingers brush against the woolen blanket tucked up on a shelf to the side of the screen, but I pause. I want to keep this contact for just a moment more.

The longer we touch, the more nervous the little elf becomes. Her feet fidget about making everything bounce on her. My eyes travel again to her chest, and a grin curls up my lips. I drag my arm back, watching every movement in her body. With a flick of my wrist, I pop open the blanket and wrap it around her shoulders.

“Better?”

She nods and clenches the blanket tight around her; like that’s going to save her. I back up and give her a bit of space, noting the deep exhale as I do so.

“So, where exactly were you heading?”

Her eyes shift about for a moment before she shuffles deeper into the blanket.

“The kitchen?”

“Oh. That seems plausible. It’s easy to get lost here.”

A small smile teases the corners of her lips. Her eyes sparkle just a touch more. It’s too easy. I should be the bigger person. I should confront her right here and now. But I’m not. I’m going to keep handing her rope. Soon, it will be enough to tie her up with.

“Obviously, this isn’t the kitchen.”

“No, it isn’t. I guess I better be on my way then.”

I flash her my charming smile and tilt at the waist. “By all means then. Would you like me to show you the way?”

She beams up at me and shuffles past, taking extreme care not to let any of her touch any of me. Cute. My lips twist in a smirk as I reach out with my foot, pinning the blanket behind her. Her grip isn’t as strong as she thinks because it rips from her body with ease. I reach down and pick it up. Folding it, I tuck it over into a corner and follow her out. Her brows draw up into a worried frown, but I shoo her out and shut the bookcase behind us.

"I take it you like to read?"

Her eyes light up for real this time, and it's breathtaking. Shoving those thoughts out of my head, I force myself to keep focused on the fact that this little deviant was mucking around in my sacred area. The only logical explanation is that she had something to do with the first glitch. Gripping my fingers into fists, I lean against the doorway, waiting for whatever lies are going to spill from her lips next.

"I don't get to do it as often as I'd like, so when I saw your bookcase, I just had to poke around a bit." Her eyes tip to the side for a moment. "I didn't mean to open up your room, thingy."

"I see." I push myself off from the bookcase and motion towards the main door. "And I take it you didn't mean to mess with my monitor?"