before him could sing “Let it Snow” and women as well as men would be throwing themselves at his feet to hear more.
“Um, well, I’m not exactly sure where it’s located at, but my associate Ryan would be more than happy to show you where you need to go,” Angela said sweetly as she indiscreetly shoved Ryan in the right direction, bringing him out of his trance.
Feeling totally off balance, Ryan felt himself flush even more as he stumbled toward the man. God, even his feet weren’t working right!
The man reached out and grabbed Ryan lightly by the arms, keeping him from stumbling further into the man himself. Through the warmth of the handsome stranger’s hands, Ryan felt a tingling sensation from the top of his red hair to the tips of his toes. “Are you all right?” that deliciously deep voice asked softly, causing Ryan look up into those concerned blue eyes. Ryan could feel the warmth of the man’s hands through his long sleeved T-shirt as he started rubbing his hands up and down Ryan’s arms, as if to soothe any pain away.
He’s talking to you! Say something, idiot!
Ryan cleared his throat and attempted to smile at the man.
The man smiled back and slowly let go of Ryan’s arms as he took one small step back as if to put some space in between them.
“Ooops! Sorry about that! I must’ve had too much eggnog during break,” Ryan joked, as he shrugged his shoulders and smoothed down his “Got Mistletoe?” T-shirt.
The man laughed.
Oh my God, he’s got a gorgeous laugh too!
“That eggnog will get you every time!” the man said, almost reaching out to touch Ryan’s shoulder but stopping himself midway.
At the sound of the stranger’s joyful laughter, Ryan felt happiness flow through him and a genuine smile come across his face.
2
All Blake had wanted to do was to buy some damn wrapping paper. He knew that three days before Christmas any store would be a madhouse. But here he was, once more putting off buying Christmas gifts and all the other things that seemed to go along with the holiday until the last minute. Again.
He had been anticipating the crowds, the hustle and bustle of people trying to buy their last-minute gifts. What he hadn’t expected was this adorable young man standing before him with a brilliant smile on his small elfin face.
Blake found himself mesmerized by the cutest man he’d seen in a long time.
Calling the man handsome wouldn’t be appropriate, Blake decided as he slowly assessed the smaller man who stood in front of him with a mischievous grin on his sweet face.
Even though he was short in stature, his spiked, blazing red hair would make him stand out in any crowded room. His small, pale nose was feathered with freckles; his dark green shirt only enhanced the emerald green eyes gazing up impishly at him.
As Blake’s eyes slowly glanced down to further assess the younger man, Blake felt his body start humming with awareness as he took in the faded jeans that looked like the man had just poured himself into them. While Blake had grabbed the man to keep him from falling, he found himself wishing that he had just allowed the man to fall into his arms instead.
Ryan was everything Blake found attractive in a man and more. Even those cheesy reindeer antlers looked adorable on him, and when the man laughed it was with his whole being. Ryan’s laughter was hearty and strong, which was quite a contradiction coming from such a small man.
“Thanks for keeping me from falling! That could have turned out to be even more embarrassing than it already was.”
Jesus, even Ryan’s melodic voice was appealing. Blake was suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to protect the adorable creature standing in front of him.
“No problem. Sorry I interrupted your impromptu dance moves a minute ago,” Blake said, fighting the urge to reach out and run his fingers lightly on his elf’s sweet face. His elf. Good Lord, he’d already started thinking of the imp as his,
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