Author Emy Calirel was kind enough to share an excerpt An Elf to Myself which is available now.

The last thing Wilhelm expects to find at Michaels, three days before Christmas and in search of a gift to make for his niece, is one of Santa’s elves—a cute one with a wicked, inappropriate sense of humor and a kinky streak. Alabastair may have been kicked out of Santa’s village, but he’s still a Christmas expert. And he’s determined to give Wilhelm and his family the best holiday he can.

With only two days to turn the Grinch’s house into a Christmassy wonderland, they have a lot on their plate. Among the glitter and the cheer, Wilhelm and Alabastair might find more than just the holiday’s magic. But will it be enough to keep Alabastair in Wilhelm’s bed and life when the North Pole calls him back?

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“You can’t welcome a little girl over for Christmas and not decorate the house. You need the tree at a minimum. Christmas is supposed to be all about sparkles and magic. Or is your sister against magic as well?”

I chuckled despite myself. Who knew my guest had sass in him too.

“She’s not, but we don’t need all of those—”

“No! We have a deal. I slept on your couch, and in exchange, I help you with Christmas.”

“Christmas presents.”

“Presents aren’t enough!” Alabastair threw his hands up in the air. “You need the whole shebang or it’s not the real deal.”

“Who the hell are you? One of Santa’s fucking elves?”

Alabastair froze and lowered his head, his shoulders dropping. “Yes, I am. Or I was.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

He looked up to me without raising his chin. “I’m not. I am one of Santa’s elves. He kicked me out of the village, but trust me, I know Christmas. Let me make the holidays extra special for you and your family. Please.”

He looked so sad and yet so hopeful, I couldn’t bring myself to crush his illusions. If he wanted to believe he was an elf to deal with what had landed him on the streets in the first place, it wasn’t my place to question it. Not yet at least.

I didn’t want to spend the next two days preparing for Christmas, but I wanted to make Cassie happy. And the shock I would surely see on Rosa’s face would be worth it too. So finally I took a deep breath and nodded.

“Fine. Do whatever you want to do. Christmas me, baby.”