Nick (The Kringle Boys Book 1) by Lily Rede Read Free Book Online

might have a lot in common. I would like to get to know you better, but I don’t want to step on any toes. Do you…are you involved with anyone?”
    Phoebe thought of Nick, of the heat of his mouth and the hard grip of his hands.
    “Not at the moment,” she said.
     
    NICK HAD NEVER JOGGED before, but it seemed to be the way humans burned off the day’s stress, and it gave him an excuse to spend a few hours outside in his icy natural habitat. He quickly realized that he enjoyed the sensation, the blood pounding through his system, the cold air in his lungs as lights twinkled over the darkening city. Though he no longer had his magic, he had discovered after two weeks of homelessness that he wasn’t precisely human either – it might make him a little uncomfortable, but he could still withstand a hell of a lot from the elements. As he pounded the pavement along the river, he wondered if it would be worth it to hunt up a witch to restore his stolen powers. It would probably cost a pretty penny.
    The phone in Nick’s pocket beeped, reminding him that Phoebe had asked him to stop by. As if he could forget. The last time he’d seen her, she was caught in the throes of lust, about to pleasure herself whether he was in the room or not. For a moment, Nick indulged himself in the fantasy of Phoebe answering the door in a prim shirt, silky stockings, and nothing else. Maybe he could teach her a few new tricks for that vibrator. He’d thought up a few good ones while he was jerking off last night.
    “Shit, I should have just fucked her and gotten it over with,” he muttered to himself, surly, as his cock pulsed in agreement.
    Being all noble and not-scumbag-esque was a real pain in the ass.
    He’d taken advantage of her absence today to ask the elves about his new supervisor. Lucky for him, elves were gossipy little things, and had no trouble telling him everything they knew about the curious blonde half-elf. Her father was one of Santa’s sleigh engineers, and had married an elf. Phoebe was well-liked in North Pole Village, but in the last few years had started turning down invitations left and right. She’d become introverted and cautious.
    I’ll bet I know why .
    Sugar-based uncontrollable arousal in a village where no one left the house without a pocketful of candy had probably been hellish on Phoebe. Nick was surprised to feel a pang of sympathy, unsettled by the sensation. From all accounts, Phoebe was more than the curvy little termagant who seemed determined to blow his mind and his temper at the same time. She was sweet and helpful, determined and loyal. Somewhere under all of that prissiness, she actually had a sense of humor, if the rumors were true. Nick was dubious about that one. Not having much experience with one himself, he wasn’t sure he’d recognize it if he saw it.
    Nick had hoped that learning more about her would remind him that she was an uptight, judgmental little elf, but instead, now he had a sneaking suspicion that he was growing to like her… and she made his mouth water.
    He’d managed to cool down by the time he reached her apartment building, the lust swamped by an unaccountable case of nerves. Nick looked down at his wardrobe – a long-sleeved tee, sweats, and sneakers – and frowned. Whatever. He didn’t plan on staying long.
    She probably just wants to apologize.
    Their phone call this morning had been stilted at best. If apologizing was what she wanted to do, fine. He’d listen to her apology, offer a satisfactory response, and hopefully they could forget the whole thing. The last thing he needed was more awkwardness and rejection. And heat and moans of pleasure and softest skin under his hands and lips. Especially that. It was time to get back to normal.
    Because if they didn’t, he was going to go out of his mind.
    Nick knocked, feeling his stomach tightening. Light footsteps, and then she opened the door to her apartment and completely knocked the air out of his