North Pole City Tales: Complete Series Page 7

  Rudy nearly choked on his drink. Oh, Noel.

  “Why nip noses when I can have so much more fun nipping at other extremities?”

  Tim’s eyes went wide, his face going beet red as Noel jumped from his seat. “Have you no shame?”

  “Nope.” Jack wriggled his eyebrows and patted Rudy on the back to help ease his coughing. “Honestly, Noel. You all but ran headfirst into that one.”

  “He’s right,” Rudy managed hoarsely.

  “Don’t encourage him,” Noel grumbled, dropping back down into the seat to wrap his arms around Tim and hold him close. He placed a kiss on Tim’s lips, and the smaller elf’s blush spread to the tips of his ears. Was that what Rudy looked like when Jack kissed him?

  “Are you having fun?” Rudy asked them. He’d hardly seen the two since the four of them had arrived earlier in the evening.

  “It’s wonderful!” Tim replied, nearly bouncing with excitement. “Noel is such a wonderful dancer. Thank you so much for giving me lessons, Rudy. I never would have managed to keep up otherwise.”

  “My pleasure.”

  Tim looked over at Jack inquisitively. “Jack, why haven’t you asked Rudy to dance?”

  “Um, well… I…” Jack sat up and cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable.

  Rudy decided to spare his lover the explanation. A kiss on the cheek in public was one thing, but dancing together in front of the kingdom’s most elite families was something entirely different. “I’m having a lovely time right here, sitting with Jack. It’s the first time I’ve gotten to sit in the royal box. Just being here with him like this is more than I could have hoped for.” And it was the truth. He never would have imagined having the honor of sitting beside Jack in the prince’s gorgeous private box.

  Jack’s expression softened, though when he looked over at Rudy there was sadness in his dark eyes.

  Noel looked from Rudy to Jack in confusion. “I don’t see what the big deal is. They know you’re together. What’s it matter if you dance?”

  The look on Rudy’s face must have said more than he’d intended because a look of understanding suddenly crossed Tim’s face. Seconds later there was a distinct “oof,” which Rudy suspected was a result of Tim elbowing his lover. Jack’s expression grew darker, and Rudy quickly cut in.

  “Well, knowing something and seeing proof of it are two different things. I’m not sure society is ready to see Jack with someone like me.”

  “What do you mean someone like you?” Jack jumped to his feet to face Rudy.

  Tim and Noel gave a start, but having Jack looming over him never brought fear to Rudy as it did to every other creature in the kingdom. Rudy wasn’t afraid of Jack, no matter his size or strength, because he knew Jack’s heart. Jack could no more change his stature than he could his nature, and it had always been a source of heartache for the feared prince. Where most saw nothing but an icy demeanor and menace, Rudy only saw concern and love.

  “Well, aside from the fact that I’m not a sugarplum fairy, I’m just a Christmas elf.” As far as elves went, Christmas elves weren’t exactly at the bottom of the enchanted elf totem pole, but nor were they anywhere near the top with elves as powerful as Jack. It wasn’t as though Rudy was ashamed of what he was; it was merely a fact. When he thought about it, even Tim was more enchanted than Rudy, considering where he came from. The Northern Lights reflected in Tim’s ever-changing eye color were proof of it.

  “Like holly you are. You’re a captain and ace pilot. Without you, where would the rest of the Rein Dears be? What would happen to Christmas? Millions of hopes rest on you and your skills.”

  Rudy was touched by Jack’s fierce defense of him, even if his lover couldn’t see Rudy was really nothing special. Sure, he was a celebrity, but only because of his position and looks.

  “Yes, but underneath all that, I’m no one. You’re a prince, Jack.”

  To Rudy’s utter disbelief, Jack got down on his knee before him and took his hand. Murmurs and whispers spread through the prestigious ballroom like wildfire, all eyes on them.

  “I would give up my throne, my title, my fortune, everything I am for you. I love you for who you are, and I guarantee you it has nothing to do with you being Captain of the Squadron. If we were to look underneath all the pretentiousness of titles and merits, what would be left of me when compared to you would be but a shadow.”

  “Jack…” Rudy struggled to find a response, and in the end couldn’t come up with a single thing. He had never heard Jack speak so passionately. It seemed as if Rudy was navigating through some new, uncharted territory of his lover’s heart. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Say you’ll dance with me.”

  “Of course.” He could hardly contain his joy when Jack stood and pulled Rudy to his feet. Even though Rudy was taller than most elves, Jack towered over him, the breadth of his shoulders and chest impressive, while his regal military attire only added to his magnificence.

  Wherever Jack went, his presence demanded attention. Rudy did his best to ignore the whispers and murmurs as he was escorted down the elegant red carpet toward the marble staircase. Deciding to push them all from his thoughts, Rudy focused on Jack as he led him to the dance floor. The orchestra was playing a sweeping waltz, and Rudy’s heart was all but ready to burst from his chest. Jack pulled him close, one arm coming to rest around Rudy’s waist while his other hand took Rudy’s.

  “Are you sure you want to do this, Jack?”

  “When was the last time we danced in public?”

  “Never.”

  “Let’s rectify that shall we? Would you like to lead or shall I?”

  Rudy gazed up at him lovingly. “You know I’d follow you anywhere.” The orchestra broke off into a beautiful rendition of “Waltz of the Flowers,” Rudy’s favorite. “Jack, you didn’t.”

  “I may have mentioned it was your favorite. If the wind decided to carry it off to the conductor, who am I to stop it?” He kissed Rudy’s cheek before sweeping him into a magnificent dance, turning and twirling Rudy as the music picked up.

  Rudy couldn’t remember the last time he’d had so much fun at the Silver Bells Christmas Ball. He’d forgotten how good a dancer Jack was, how carefree he had been in his youth. Once upon a time, delivering winter to the world had been a joy for his lover, a work of art rather than the dreary task it had become as of late. Rudy wished he could return that joy to him, to see the wonder reflected in his gaze when the first snowflake fell. For now, he would cherish this moment when his Jack was so wonderfully happy here with him under the blanket of twinkling white lights.

  “Jack!” Rudy threw his head back and laughed after Jack sped up in time with the music.

  “Come on. Let’s show them how it’s done.” Jack unbuttoned the stiff collar of his uniform and ran his fingers through his hair, sending it into an unruly state.

  “You rogue,” Rudy teased, and he held on tightly as he moved to keep up with Jack’s pace, the waltz reaching its crescendo and sending the two of them into a series of breakneck turns. At the final beat of drums, Jack dipped Rudy and crushed their mouths together in a breathless kiss. There was a roar of applause and catcalls as Jack kissed him. When they surfaced for air and Jack pulled Rudy back up, they were both blushing from head to toe.

  “Got carried away, did we?” Noel asked, appearing beside them with a wicked grin.

  “A little,” Jack replied, clearing his throat and putting a hand up to the crowd in acknowledgment of his boldness. Everyone returned to their dancing until a toy soldier nervously approached Jack.

  “Forgive me, Your Highness, but his majesty wishes an audience with you.”

  “Record time as usual,” Jack muttered before turning to Rudy and delivering a sweet kiss. “I’m afraid this one will take a while. I’ll see you at home.”

  Rudy nodded, grabbing Jack’s face before he could walk away and kissing him with all the love and passion he possessed. The flash from a photographer’s camera told him it w
as time to part, and he reluctantly pulled back, though he still held on to his lover’s face. Rudy’s voice was quiet when he spoke. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

  With a sweet smile, Jack turned and walked away, his head held high and shoulders square, every inch the imposing prince. Rudy hoped Jack wasn’t in too much trouble with his father after that display. No longer feeling much like celebrating, Rudy said his good-byes to his friends and went home to wait for Jack.

  Chapter 3

  Midnight. They should have still been dancing and getting merry on peppermint juleps. Jack’s shoulders were stiff, and his back ached from the insurmountable amount of time he had spent standing there while his father blustered enough wind to cause a cold front. Why couldn’t his father understand what he felt for Rudy? Had he forgotten what it was like to be in love already? Pushing those thoughts aside, he handed his heavy black overcoat to his doorman and went off in search of the one enchanted creature who made him feel most alive and happy.

  The intoxicating waft of cinnamon floating through the pine-scented air called to Jack. When Rudy had been living in his apartment at the Rein Dear estate, Jack had spent most of his time there, preferring to share Rudy’s cozy bed rather than sleep in his own expansive, empty one. It was only a few months ago that he had managed the courage to ask Rudy to live with him in his ice palace, not out of some pompous desire to impress Rudy or live in more luxurious surroundings, but because Jack couldn’t ignore his duties, and most of his business was conducted from the east wing of the house. The fact Rudy had fallen in love with Jack’s library had helped make the decision easier.

  Jack’s boots echoed on the silver-and-white marble tiles as he walked down the arched hallways decorated in pale-blue-and-white splendor. He loved this little game of hide-and-seek Rudy played with him. Well, Rudy wasn’t really hiding from him, but Jack never knew in which of the many rooms he would find his love, or what state of undress he would find him in. Tonight appeared to be his lucky night, as Rudy was neither in the bedroom, music room, nor library, which meant there was only one other place his fiery young lover could be.

  As he had hoped, he found Rudy inside the extravagant bathroom, which was also intricately decorated in pale blue and white. Silver accents adorned the columns and faucets of the large, polished marble tub shimmering in the warm glow of the silver-accented wall sconces. Across the room, a roaring fire kept the place from becoming too uncomfortable for his cold-blooded elf. Speaking of his sweetheart…

  What a glorious sight. Jack couldn’t help but linger in the doorway, watching his lover lounging on the blue tufted-velvet davenport, the sides of his bright red paisley robe having slipped precariously open to reveal his bare, tanned leg. He had a book in his hand, and another small stack of them lay on the floor beside him. His hair was roguishly tousled, and his bottom lip was caught between his teeth. The room smelled of cinnamon and spices, and the record player on the small table in the corner played soft Christmas melodies.

  Rudy let out a wistful sigh. “If only I had my own handsome prince to sweep me off my feet.”

  With a chuckle, Jack walked into the room.

  “Oh, wait. I do.” Rudy snapped the book shut and turned his head in Jack’s direction. “Hello, handsome prince.” He sat up and moved over so Jack could take a seat beside him. As soon as Jack was seated, he slipped his arms around Rudy and leaned in for a kiss.

  “Hello, sweetheart.”

  “How did it go?” Rudy wrapped his arms around Jack, his chin coming to rest on Jack’s shoulder. His expression must have said it all because Rudy’s arms tightened around him. “That well, huh?”

  “Apparently frivolity at parties is to be added to the list of activities which are beneath me. His arrogance seems to have no limit. I swear if it wasn’t for Kringle, my father would believe he had given life to Christmas himself.”

  “He really is overbearing, isn’t he?” Rudy brushed his fingers through Jack’s hair, soothing him.

  “Nothing new.” Jack pulled him close so he could plant a kiss on his temple. “What would’ve become of me without you?”

  “Enough of those thoughts,” Rudy said, motioning toward the tub. “I prepared a nice hot bath for us.”

  “You waited for me?”

  “Of course. What fun is a bath without you?” Rudy slipped off the other end of the davenport and walked around to Jack’s side. With a sexy little smile, he got down on his knees and took hold of Jack’s boot, pulling it off, before moving to the other. He made his way up Jack’s body, removing his uniform piece by piece and laying it neatly on the tufted velvet until Jack was down to his breeches and white undershirt. A shiver went through Jack as Rudy’s hands slid up his torso, feeling his way up as he removed the soft shirt. Once Jack was bare to his waist, Rudy took hold of his hand and pulled him to his feet.

  “You were amazing tonight. Handsome, enchanting, graceful. You should have seen Vixen’s face. He was insanely jealous.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. He said if he had known about you, he would have crawled into your bed long ago.”

  Rudy was teasing him, but the thought of giving Rudy up for the brash and uninhibited Vixen had Jack shuddering. “He wouldn’t have gotten anything but a frozen backside, if he was lucky.”

  “Oh?” Rudy released Jack and walked over to the end of the colossal marble tub. “But he’s very handsome.”

  “All flash, no substance.”

  “Affectionate.”

  “You’re being too kind. We both know he’s a floozy.”

  Rudy laughed. “Are you saying you wouldn’t have considered it? Even for a quick romp in the snow?”

  “I’d rather freeze my baubles off,” Jack grumbled, his gaze fixed on Rudy’s face before it moved to his long, slender fingers resting on the sash of his robe.

  “Jack, please, I’m very fond of your baubles.”

  It wasn’t his own baubles he was concerned about at the moment. He stood mesmerized as Rudy turned away from him and his robe cascaded to the floor, revealing all his sun-kissed skin and sensual physique. Working on planes might be a labor of love for Rudy, but all that laboring had the most astounding effect on his lover’s body. The well-defined muscles in Rudy’s back moved and shifted as he stretched, undoubtedly more for Jack’s benefit than any real need for it. Jack’s gaze raked down the curve of Rudy’s spine to his perfectly rounded backside. It was true, Jack could appreciate the beauty of a sugarplum fairy, but nothing could compare to the beautiful grace of his lover. Just the thought of feeling Rudy’s bare skin against his had him terribly hard.

  “Plan on joining me?” Rudy asked, stepping into the tub.

  Jack didn’t wait to be asked twice. He removed what was left of his clothes before carefully making his way into the tub after Rudy. The tub was big enough for both of them and then some. It was also deep enough for them to stand, and offered seating at the ends should they wish to sit. Jack allowed Rudy to turn him, and he let out a low groan as Rudy began to wash his hair, long fingers gently kneading and working away his tension.

  “You’re too good to me,” Jack mumbled, closing his eyes and enjoying his lover’s care.

  “No such thing. I only want to make you happy.”

  “You do. Every single day.” Jack turned to face Rudy, the love and desire in his heart almost overwhelming. With a kiss to his cheek, Rudy rinsed Jack’s hair, his fingers caressing Jack’s jawline on the way down.

  “And you make me happy.” Rudy closed the distance between them, his lips close to Jack’s ear. “Tell me what you need.”

  Jack swallowed hard, the heat spreading through his body enough to melt glaciers. “You know what I want.”

  Rudy pulled back and kissed his lips softly before gently turning him. He wrapped his arms around Jack’s waist under the water and urged him toward the end of the tub until Jack reached the marble seat beneath the water’s surface. There he stopped, his breath growing ragged in anticipation, his erec
tion painfully hard as Rudy pressed himself against him from behind, kisses raining on his shoulder, his neck, up under his ear to send the most delicious shiver through him.

  “Please, Rudy.”

  “Anything you wish.”

  Most would think him weak, surrendering himself so completely to the younger elf, but Jack didn’t see it as weakness. It was about strength, about offering trust wholeheartedly to his lover, a trust he would never allow anyone else. As much as he loved to feel himself inside Rudy, it couldn’t compare to the reckless abandonment that coursed through him when Rudy entered him, when Rudy buried himself inside Jack. At that moment, there was nothing but the two of them. Jack could forget who and what he was. There was only the overpowering love and Rudy’s adoration for him. He was safe in Rudy’s arms. Slowly he was entered, and a steady rhythm followed.

  Jack closed his eyes, allowing himself to be swept away by the pleasure Rudy brought him, by the feel of his lover’s firm body pressed against his back, hands roaming, touching his cool skin with warmth, Rudy’s soft breath against his ear.

  “Harder. Please.”

  With a tender kiss to Jack’s shoulder, Rudy obliged, snapping his hips against Jack’s backside, burying himself as deep as he could before drawing almost completely out, then driving himself back in, over and over, their panting breaths mingled.

  “Jack…” Rudy grunted in warning, his movements growing erratic with his impending climax.

  “Yes. Gods, yes,” Jack growled, taking himself in hand as Rudy gripped him tight and with a low groan drove himself deep inside Jack, spilling himself. The feel of Rudy’s release was enough to send Jack over the edge. He gritted his teeth as his muscles pulled; his body tensed while his own release barreled into him. Once spent, he doubled over on the marble seat, Rudy folded over his back. A content sigh escaped his lover, and Jack smiled.

  They remained locked together for a few more heartbeats before Jack gave Rudy a gentle pat on his flank beneath the cooling water’s surface.