Page 12 of Santas' Elf

My husband—my mate—still wanted me.

The feeling of him coming inside me—knotting me—was the reminder that I was his, and it was enough to push me over the edge as well.

Things weren’t perfect. We’d have to work through my confession. But it was clear that I hadn’t irrevocably damaged our relationship.

Chapter 9 - Warren

Ipoked at the cold take-out, but I couldn’t bring myself to reheat it.

Pete was asleep, but it was a fitful one, and I wasn’t sure that the sound of the microwave wouldn’t wake him.

The weight of his feelings for Benny had been a major burden, and I should have seen that something was bothering him earlier. I probably would have, if I hadn’t been struggling with my own conflicted feelings about the sweet omega.

Pete was clearly far more infatuated than I was, but his admission meant that I had to face my attraction as well.

My sweet brave Pete. He’d been terrified when I’d arrived home to find him sobbing on the living room floor, and after listening to him, I understood why.

Who wanted to hear their partner admit they were sexually attracted to another person—that they’d imagined being with somebody else during sex?

But we were stronger than that. He’d come to me when he realized it was a problem. That was an act of love, trust, and respect.

I glanced up from the takeout container when I heard footsteps. Pete stood in the kitchen arch, clad only in a pair of soft pajama pants and slippers.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled, eyes on the food. “I meant for that to go different. I wanted to treat you to your favorite food before unloading all of that.”

I stood, walked over, and pulled him into my arms.

He trembled as he leaned into the embrace.

I kissed his bleached hair. “We can reheat the food. I’m more concerned about you. Are you ok?”

He took a deep breath, then nodded against me. “I’m… better… than I was. Everything feels raw though.”

I tightened my arms around him. “I understand. I’m here though. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Thank you,” he whispered.

I guided him to a chair and urged him to sit. Then I knelt in front of him and took his hands in mine.

“Now it’s my turn,” I stated.

“Huh?” he asked, paling slightly.

I lifted his hands and kissed his knuckles—trying to reassure him. Then I looked him in the eyes. “Pete, Love. You’re not the only one attracted to Benny. He’s sweet, funny, and reminds me so much of you. I think—for me—it’s more a passing fancy. But it’s there. I wrote it off because it’s normal to admire another person from time to time, and I figured my desire would pass once we weren’t working with him any longer.”

“Really?” His voice was so soft I could barely hear it.

I nodded.

He swallowed. “So… so what do we do now?”

I kissed his knuckles again. “That’s what we need to decide. Do you think your feelings will go away once the holidays are over and you’re not around him so much?”

He was silent for several minutes. “I don’t know.”

That stung a bit, but he wasn’t hiding anything. I squeezed his hands. “Ok. Let me think.”

He nodded.