Page 29 of Naughty Elf: Merry
“No.” I rolled over and squinted. December light was muted and gray but still too bright for me. I must remember to put sunglasses on the nightstand this evening.
“I thought you were luring me back to bed by not getting up and making breakfast together.”
My cooking skills were expanding thanks to Hernan. I could cook bacon without singing it and didn’t put bits of shell in with the egg. My slicing and dicing skills were improving, though my mate still did most of the cooking.
What I enjoyed most about us cooking was being together. Laughing, chatting about our day, along with smacks on the ass and squeezes of a butt cheek or two.
“Nah. Just worn out.” The festival committee needed a lot of hand-holding during the weeks I’d been in command. Everyone worked hard, but I was the puppeteer, pulling the strings and making sure everything had been done.
Now it was over and I had to make a plan about future work, though that would wait until the new year. Nothing much happened between Christmas and New Year.
“The committee thinks you deserve a prize for all your hard work, and I can think of something to give you.” Hernan grinned and shoved his hand under the covers, but I stopped him.
“I love you, and on any other day, I’d be begging you to have your length buried inside me.”
One of Hernan’s brows shot up. “But not today? I get it. Cuddling and spooning can be more intimate than penetration.”
How did I tell him I didn’t want to be touched but left alone to wallow in my exhaustion and sleep until this evening.
“I don’t have time this morning, as my dragon has to fire the pieces that are on order for Christmas.”
I blew my mate a kiss. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere, and I’ll be here when you’re done.”
He asked if he could bring me breakfast in bed, and I fibbed and said I’d make something later. The idea of putting food in my mouth made me want to puke.
The door closed, and I drifted off to sleep, hoping when I woke up I’d feel better. But Hernan returned, the mattress dipping as he sat.
“Did you forget something?”
He kissed my cheek. “I’ve been gone most of the day.” His pre-Christmas firing was done, and the pieces were delivered or waiting for collection.
I’d slept for more than eight hours and felt just as lousy as I had this morning.
“Shirley collected the piece she’s giving her mom for Christmas.”
“That’s nice.” I yawned. Shirley was the woman on the festival committee.
“She suggested you might not be ill.”
Hauling myself into a sitting position, I stuffed the pillows behind my back.
“Is she a doctor?”
My voice was more shrill than I intended because Shirley was insinuating I was faking. Why would I do that? I’d helped produce a successful festival and received lots of praise. I had no more responsibilities other than being a loving mate until I found a paying job.
“No.” Hernan slid into bed beside me. “It’s not anything bad. At least I hope you’re pleased.”
He wasn’t making sense. “Is there a nasty bug going around town?” I put his hand to my brow. “Have I got a fever?”
“Not sick, babe. She thinks there’s nothing wrong with you.”
A little ball of fury grew in my belly, and if Shirley were here, I’d tell her to take her nose out of my business.
“Pregnant.”
“Shirley’s having a baby?” Oh, that was why she was a little off-kilter. She was experiencing mood swings. I sent her a silent apology for having mean thoughts about her.
“No, you are. Maybe.”