Lon loves his job. Especially when he can do something special for sexy Tanty.
Nine tiny shapes flew together in perfect unison through the cloudless sky. Bok juggled the box he held to one arm so he could shield his eyes against the bright summer sun with the other hand. He couldn’t describe the patterns the team made in the sky or tell if their timing was off; he saw only perfection as they galloped through the air as though they had invisible wings. No harnesses strapped their furry bodies, and no sled followed behind. It was the off-season, and the reindeer had three more months before they’d start their time-travel jaunts to deliver toys to the humans’ world.
Bok’s best friend, Lon, stood beside him in the open double doors of the spacious barn where the reindeer would meet once their workout was done. A recent renovation had modified the interior. One side had been expanded to make room for eight stalls outfitted to cater to both shapes of the members of the team. Feeding troughs and hay bins were mounted in each, alongside narrow but comfortable benches with soft, sumptuous cushions. Cabinets that held brushes and hoof picks were right next to vanities with hairbrushes and makeup. Bok could scarcely comprehend how anyone could be comfortable with two body shapes or how any mind could wrap around being a furry, flying reindeer one minute and a hairless, pointy-eared elf the next. But having a mind capable of that made those nine people special.
“Here they come,” someone to Lon’s right murmured unnecessarily. At least a dozen other people besides Bok and Lon stood in the doorway, watching shamelessly. Some, like Lon, were in a relationship with one of those wonderful creatures. Others were relationship hopefuls. The reindeer were a lusty lot, and there were more than enough willing partners in Santa’s Village to keep them satisfied.
“This is my favorite part.” Someone else sighed as the reindeer began a gradual, spiraling descent.
“The landing?” asked the first voice.
“Okay, no.” A chuckle. “The landing’s great. But I like what comes right after the landing best.”
Various grunts, murmurs, and chuckles noted the agreement of the others. Bok and Lon added their own to the mix.
Touchdown. Snowy powder flew as first Rudolph, then Dasher and Dancer, then the rest finally succumbed to gravity. When all nine bodies were down, they slowed into a canter, then a trot. Their collective timing was impeccable. But then, this team had been together for two seasons now. Not for the first time, Bok regretted that he wasn’t the type to try out for the team. He’d been old enough three seasons ago when there had been a spot to fill, but he knew his limitations. Any elf could try out, but there wasn’t a chance for a tubby computer nerd to join Santa’s elite.
The trot turned into a brisk walk, but still the reindeer remained in formation until eventually they all came to a complete stop. The audience in the barn held its collective breath.
Dasher trumpeted. Eight throats followed suit. A mild electric charge filled the air. Then, almost in sync, each of the reindeer bodies shimmered into what looked like a cloud of snowflakes. When it was over, the reindeer were gone, and nine naked people stood in the snow. Five men and four women wearing only the silver medallions that signified their rank, each of them a prime example of everything an elf could be.
Bok’s eyes focused on the current female of his dreams. Tanty. Vixen. Her abundance of silky hair was certainly a foxy orange — several shades lighter and brighter, more neon than any naturally occurring color in the humans’ world. Laughing, she reached up to pull that hair back behind her slim shoulders. Her trim waist flared into wonderfully wide hips over beautifully muscled legs. He reminded himself it’d probably never happen. Not for a guy like him.
The reindeer started up the slope that would take them to the barn, unhurried, barely paying attention to the fact that they had an audience. Bok was comfortable ogling Tanty from afar because he wasn’t the only one hungrily watching, but as they got closer, he moved to the side and averted his gaze. He didn’t want to make it too obvious. Lon knew who he was watching, which meant Wod probably knew as well, but Bok trusted them to keep his secrets.
But he was watching when Tanty looked up. She was close enough that he could see the indigo of her irises when her eyes opened wide and her bright orange brows crowded her hairline as her gaze dropped to the box he held with both arms. A huge grin curled her pink lips. “Toys!”
Even though he sensed it coming, Tanty’s shriek still startled him. Yor, the male reindeer at her side, flinched at the sound but broke into a good-natured smile as the diminutive Tanty broke away from the pack and sped up the slope. Heedless of the temperature and of her nudity, she flew over the drifts like a bird, her Vixen medallion jangling, her tangerine hair mimicking a burst of flame.
Out of the corner of his eye, Bok saw Lon startle. “Wow. I’ve never seen her that excited.”
Neither had Bok, and he wasn’t anywhere near prepared for the effect it had on him. He could only be glad the hem of his belted forest green tunic fell to midthigh as the most beautiful female in existence ran toward him. Eyes wide, he flinched, hugging the box to his chest as meager defense when it became clear Tanty had no intention of stopping. In a ridiculously graceful move, she leaped into the air and wrapped her arms around his neck. Laughing, she rolled on top of him, then sat up to straddle his belly.
Then she leaned forward and brought her face close to his. So beautiful. She quirked one slim brow as her perfect lips curled on one side. “You brought me a present?”
He could only stare, speechless. But he had the presence of mind to nod.
“Is it what I think it is?”
Another nod.
She shriegged again, wiggling happily. “You”—she dropped down to press a firm kiss to his lips—”are the best!”
He was still processing her touch when she launched off him toward the box.
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