Page 29 of Naughty

Chapter8

Noel

Safe.The word drums through my head and fills my body. When was the last time I felt this way? Kris shifts behind me and pulls me deeper into him. His warm arms surround my body in a haven of security. Even in his sleep, he seems to be guarding me from everything.

Breathing deep, I wriggle against him, burrowing even deeper. I never want this feeling to end. Lying back, I let my mind wander to the night before, and a smile eases across my lips. I worm my hand down to between my legs and blush as I recall his shaft delving into me over and over.

Yawning, I stretch a bit and detach myself from his warm embrace. My muscles protest, especially my hips, but I don't care. I feel like I've been well-used, well-loved. The carpet is soft under my feet as I pad my way over to the bathroom—nothing like the cold, unrelenting floors of Master Marcus's house.

I shake my head to dispel those awful memories. He can never hurt me again. Kris will never allow it. My heart races at the thought. It's finally over. But what am I going to do with myself now? I sit down on the toilet and rest my head in my hands. My whole life, I've been groomed to do Master Marcus's bidding. His vendetta became my life's mission. In all my years, I never did anything just for me.

Sighing, I use the restroom and clean up. As I wash my hands, my eyes keep drifting over to the large shower. It's been a while since I've had a nice long bath. My body screams at me, begging me to partake. Peeking outside the door, I confirm that Kris is, in fact, asleep before filling the tub with hot water.

Just a little bit of poking about, and I find a jar full of fragrant salts. Breathing in deep, I pull in the smells of cinnamon, ginger, and clove deep into my lungs. Perfect. I sprinkle in a few scoops before setting my foot inside the bath. The hot water licks at my skin as I groan and lower myself into the tub.

The scratches on my back sting and bit, and I hiss as the salty water laps over them. It's not as bad as it could have been, though. Mistress Gloria's attentive care took care of the worst of it. Sighing, I close my eyes and let the water soak into my muscles.

"I wake up, thinking I'll find my little elf firmly planted at my side. But I see that she's run off again."

Dread fills my stomach at his words. I've angered him already? But I wasn't trying to. Worrying my lower lip, I ease my eyes open, relief flooding me at the smirk on his face. Not mad. At least maybe not?

"I'm sorry, Sir. You were asleep, and I desperately needed a bath."

Frowning, he slides down his pajama pants, showing off his growing erection. I swallow and look away, my cheeks burning. He hunches down and slides his hand around my shoulders before easing me forward. In a fluid movement, he slips in behind me and pulls my back up to his chest.

His shaft splits my cheeks as he scoots me a little further on his lap, and I can't help but squirm a bit. The groan that pours out of his mouth is decadent. Spurred on by his reactions, I arch my back, curling my ass into his stomach.

Mumbled Christmas curses spill from his lips, and I can't keep the large grin off of my face. His strong hands grip my hips and force me to stay still. With one arm curled about my waist, his other hand grabs a pre-soaped loofa. He drags it across my skin, the fragrant soap perfuming the air. Sighing, I lean back against him and let him work me over.

"What caused you to hate me?"

I freeze. This isn't the type of conversation I expected to have after mind-blowing sex. More importantly, how can I begin to convey a life groomed for hating his people? Frowning, I suss through my memories and emotions, not exactly sure where to even starts. His hands never stop moving over me. They are secure, anchoring me to him.

"It was never my hate. At least, that's the best way to explain it. Never mind, it's such a long story."

"I'm not going anywhere," he murmurs in my ear before nipping at my lobe. "Are you?"

Yes, I want to scream. I can't stay here. I can't let him do all these things to me just to cast me aside when he's done. My body trembles as the thought of leaving him races through my brain. Setting down the loofa, he clutches me to his chest and breathes in a deep, rhythmic pattern. Before too long, I join him until the panic starts to subside.

"I was raised in Master Marcus's home, along with several other children. He controlled everything we did: what we ate, what we wore, who we talked to. It was very isolating."

Kris's arms wrap around me as my childhood spills from my lips. His strength permeates my being, giving me the courage to finally talk about everything, including the beatings. Though his body tenses in anger, he doesn't speak. He lets all of it pour out of me. This is the purge I've been needing but didn't know it.

"Once I saw Caitlin about to die, I knew he didn't actually care about anyone. Caitlin was an innocent pawn. The shell finally cracked, and I saw the monster underneath. I just didn't know how to escape. He was everywhere! That night you found me, I was trying to make things right. I was trying to put her back on the Nice list. I couldn't do it at his house; he would know, and things would be much worse."

Kris leans back against the tubs and brings me with him. His sure hands skim my body, squeezing and milking my muscles until I'm limp under his fingers.

"And now?"

"Now what?"

"Do you still hate me?"

Turning, I straddle him, his large hips stretching mine out. His thick head prods at my entrance, brushing against my lips. Grinning, I grab hold of his shaft as he watches me with hooded eyes. In a moment of false bravado, I brush his head against my clit and moan.

"Careful elf. You don't want to play with fire."

Ignoring his words, I bring him back to my core and feed his length inside me. Inch by inch, I slide down his shaft, wincing a bit at the stretch. After an eternity, he's fully seated inside me. I feel full, almost bursting. Clenching down, I wonder at the delicious tendrils of pleasure pulsing inside me. Kris groans and drops his head back, his fingers clenching around my hips.