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  “If you get cold, just let me know. I’ve got a jacket here that’ll keep you warm.”

  “Alright,” Sarah said.

  “Now, normally we don’t let citizens see inside the factory where all the presents are put together, but we’re making an exception for you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’d think to ask what made you special. When it comes to our boys, we’ll do anything to see them happy. Whether you know it or not, Sarah Stevens, you are Blitzen’s happy.”

  “Please,” Sarah scoffed. “That man wouldn’t know happy if it bit him in the ass, excuse my language.”

  “Words don’t bother me overmuch. They’d just an expression after all,” Amelia smiled. “But I’m afraid I’m going to have to disagree. Blitzen, while complicated for certain, is one of the happiest people I know.”

  “Then I feel for you,” Sarah said.

  “Don’t,” Amelia laughed. “Because you’re about to see things from a whole new perspective.”

  Chapter Four: New Perspectives

  Sarah stepped into the largest factory she’d ever seen. Three floors, at least, showcased staging areas for seemingly endless possibilities when it came to building or creating the endless list of toys, and gifts people, mainly children, wanted to receive on Christmas morning. “Oh. My. Stars.” she breathed.

  “You have no idea,” Amelia smiled. Sarah followed the older woman to an area with a large scroll added and deleted names almost constantly. “This is where we keep the naughty and nice lists. They’re updated about every second and are truly based on the conditions of someone’s heart, not so much on their words or actions.”

  “That’s an interesting way to put it,” Sarah said.

  “We like interesting around here,” Amelia agreed. “Speaking of…this is a unique instrument. It allows you to live anyone’s life for twenty-four hours. Now, granted, this twenty-four hours is going to feel a lot longer for you than for me, but it’ll give you an incredibly intimate look at the man you care for.”

  “I don’t- “

  “I already told you words don’t mean much to me. Deny it all you need to, but I know your heart.”

  “Fine,” Sarah huffed.

  “Just step through the gate and take your trip.”

  Sarah opened the gate and stepped into a home with whitewashed walls, yellowed by time or cigarettes, Sarah wasn’t sure. All she knew was that she now seemed to occupy the body of a little boy who was probably close to six. When she turned back, Amelia and the factory were nowhere to be found.

  “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll be keeping watch. Remember, nothing can hurt you here, you’re an active observer.”

  Sarah shivered when she heard Amelia in her head. Then she stepped into the house completely and saw, for the first time, how life had been for Blitzen.

  “Let’s go!” Caroline Chikovsky yelled up the stairwell. She was sturdy, tall and broad shouldered. Her dark hair was streaked with spritz of blonder hair where the sun had touched her. She turned and Sarah saw Blitzen’s eyes in those of his mother.

  It was his father, however, whom Blitzen carved so much of his looks from. When he stood from the kitchen table, Sarah would have sworn she’d never seen a man so massive. He was like a walking fridge with hair. Sarah watched two girls and two boys barrel down the stairs before him. Sarah held back, unsure what to do exactly.

  “Come on, Blitzen!” came the strong female voice again. Sarah descended the stairs slowly, noting the strong woman who stood at the end of the staircase. She was thick and strong, but good proportions gave her a figure that kept her weight in check. “You’re going to have to get faster if you’re going to beat your siblings to the table.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Sarah said, feeling odd when she sounded like a young boy.

  “Go get your breakfast.”

  Sarah did as she was told, following along inside Blitzen’s body like a strange interloper. He did all the actions and she was mesmerized by the intense feelings that radiated through him. He was so present in each moment, unlike any child she’d ever known. Of course, it might have been the perspective of an adult inside a child’s body that had the effect, but either way, she knew the intricacy of a six-year-old boy in that moment between the genuine and what couldn’t possibly be real.

  “Blitzen?” Caroline Chikovsky said, a note of astonishment in her voice. Sarah knew that motherly tone now. It was the tone of a woman who was seeing something that couldn’t possibly be. Smiling inside, Sarah felt the shifting nuances of the reindeer, Blitzen had become. It ran a close second to the adrenaline that made his muscles twitch.

  “It’s okay,” she whispered, wishing there was some way to help him understand that this change was going to affect the rest of his life, hopefully in a positive way. For just a second, Sarah wished she could fast forward in time and almost instantly she was sitting on a bed across from a very cute and obviously awkward teen Blitzen.

  “I can’t believe she won’t let me go,” he lamented. “It’s not fair, everyone’s going to be there.”

  “Then sneak out,” Sarah heard herself saying. Blitzen looked at her, but it was his friend he was seeing. Still, she felt those eyes look straight through her and she shivered.

  “Good idea,” Blitzen grinned. Sarah noted that despite his younger self, Blitzen was now the image of his older self with all the attractive features that stirred her blood. This time, when Blitzen changed, it was the defiance in him that shook her. He was out the window and, in the air, while his friend stood there watching. Then Sarah watched him turn and come back.

  He floated next to the window for a moment, his hooves pawing the air. “You want me to get on you?” Sarah asked. Blitzen gave a shake of his large head. “Hold on,” Sarah shakily maneuvered the young man’s body until she was sitting on Blitzen’s back. Then she grabbed large handfuls of his fur and laughed when she felt him turn and lift further into the air.

  ***

  The party was in full swing by the time Blitzen touched down well outside the party. Sarah jumped off and Blitzen changed back to his human self. Sarah tossed him a bag before turning around so he could dress. “How’d you know to grab my clothes?”

  “I just…figured there’s no way for you to carry them on you when you’re like this so- “

  “Thanks.”

  “No problem.”

  “Let’s party.”

  Sarah followed Blitzen into the party and was greeted by a cacophony of noise in all octaves. It didn’t take long for someone to hand her a beer which she promptly put down. Beer was nasty and she wasn’t about to drink it. Still, when someone handed her a shot of liquor, she didn’t turn it down. Three shots later and Sarah had reached her limit. Not to mention, at the rate Blitzen was drinking, she’d be lucky to get him home before dawn. Why had she encouraged him to sneak out in the first place? Was it because, as an adult, she didn’t have to answer to her parents anymore, or was it because he’d done this in the past anyways and the outcome would stay the same regardless of her observation?

  By the time Sarah managed to get Blitzen out of the party and back home, the sun was rising in the east. They stepped quietly into the living room, tiptoeing around furniture toward the stairs. “Good morning, boys.”

  Sarah jumped at the sound of Caroline’s voice. Before she could say anything in their defense, Blitzen’s mother spoke again. “Since you’re up, I believe there are some chores that need doing.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Sarah said, feeling the chagrin of a teenager caught red-handed after sneaking out. Feeling terrible for suggesting he go against his parent’s wishes, Sarah took on the brunt of the chores, letting her friend sort it all out before pitching in.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” Blitzen grinned. “I had a great time and being up and doing chores as punishment is more than worth it.”

  “Really?”

  “Hell yeah,” he smiled. “I had the perfect time.”

/>   Sarah smiled, feeling an odd pulling. Then she was standing next to Mrs. K, her body now her own again. She turned to see Mrs. K. smiling before begging her forgiveness and leaving without another word.

  ***

  Blitzen was just coming back downstairs, a towel around his shoulders when Sarah came through the door. One look at her face told him something had happened, but she apparently didn’t want to talk about it. “Hey,” he said, before he found his hand full of one hot-blooded woman. Her mouth fused to his in a kiss that had his loins tightening, almost painfully.

  Her hands, with their long, slender fingers, sank into his dark hair. He thought about pushing her back, getting to the bottom of whatever had happened between them; but just then she seemed to need him this way. Giving a careless shrug, he jerked her up against him, all but crushing her. Her shirt was easily discarded and Blitzen thanked whoever had seen fit to design the bra. Just now Sarah’s lovely breasts were encased in a beautifully trimmed black satin bra with pink lace edging. They moved each time he touched her, she breathed or simply tweaked a muscle.

  “Christ you’re beautiful.”

  “Shut up,” Sarah said, her mouth assaulting him again. Her flavor punch through him like a first, hard shot of whiskey, it warmed him and sat in his belly like lead. Figuring they weren’t nearly done here, Blitzen carried her into the living room and slid her down the front of him until he was sitting on the sofa with her positioned nicely on his lap. His body was already responding to her demands, his cock beginning to come alive under his jeans.

  “What is it you want, Sarah?”

  “I want you,” she whispered harshly. “I don’t want to waste another minute wondering what if, where is this going? I want us, you and me, to determine what we want, right here, now.”

  “Alright,” Blitzen said. She rose up now, her hands undoing the button to his jeans. Her mouth kissed his chest now, working its way down the tight, quivering muscles in his belly. Then those sweet lips kissed his throbbing cock and Blitzen nearly lost himself. Control was his only ally and he chained his own need like a bartender guards his liquor. It wasn’t an easy fight to win when her mouth continued its delicious assault. Her warm tongue slowly slid over the smooth length of him before she took him deeply into the cascading warmth of her mouth.

  Blitzen groaned as pleasure radiated through him in small waves. “Sarah,” he breathed, giving her auburn hair a soft tug. He felt her tug the tip of his penis with her soft lips before those beautiful green eyes met his. “Come here.”

  “Did I- “

  “You were incredibly sweet, but I want to make love to all of you, with all of me.”

  “Okay,” Sarah said. She stood up and promptly stripped down, her body softly curved at the hip so that her legs looked impossibly long on her slender frame. Blitzen took his jeans and boxers off, reaching out a hand for her. He pulled her closer, taking her mouth softly in a kiss that aimed to seduce her slowly. She was like a firecracker, lit and ready to explode. Blitzen wanted to slow her down some. He nibbled along her jaw, waking her nerve endings with soft caresses all over her body. He didn’t pinch her nipples when they peaked for him, although their pretty pink tips aroused him. He took his time, letting one hand stroke her back, shoulders and the glorious globes of her ass while the other one coaxed her legs open. Then he was searching for her hot, ripe sex, her lips spreading easily. He sank into her like a hot knife into warm butter. She arched against him, her mouth seeking his as arousal swamped her.

  Expertly Blitzen took her up, his fingers sliding back and forth in a rhythm that had his thumb torturing her small clit with regular contact. “It’s okay, Sarah. All you have to do is let go.”

  She came on a soft whimper of orgasm and settled quietly into his arms. Blitzen cuddled her for a minute before he began to arouse her again. Thank God women didn’t need to same turnaround time as men for sex to work well. Sure, he’d been with women who weren’t ready that fast, but Sarah moaned and turned her mouth to him, seeking the fusion of their bodies.

  ***

  Sarah wasn’t a sex expert by any means. She’d had only a handful of lovers and those left plenty to be imagined in the areas of arousal and sexual conquest. She’d never, before Blitzen, had a man seek her pleasure first, for instance. She’d never known men were capable of it, at least not from personal experience. Sure, like any avid reader, she’d plunged into fairytales and romantic adventures where women were swamped in blissful climaxes brought on my unselfish, caring lovers. But to experience it first-hand was something she’d never known, until now.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice still husky. It made her shiver just to listen to him.

  “I’ve never…”

  “You’re a virgin?”

  “No,” Sarah laughed. “I just…I’ve never had a man touch me…the way you did.”

  “Oh,” Blitzen said, stroking her cheek. “Then I’m afraid they weren’t right for you, love. You were made for that sort of pleasure. Do you have any idea how stunning you are when you’re steeped in pleasure? That’s the best part of making love, for me. Orgasms are good, but the memories I take away are all you.”

  “Really?”

  “I don’t make a habit of lying.”

  “No, I…” Sarah said, touching his hand. “I didn’t mean it that way. I…I’m afraid my experience is quite lacking.”

  “That’s nothing to be ashamed of, Sarah. No matter what the world tells you. Making love with someone should be about more than just sex. There should be some feelings, some strong ones, before two people decide to be intimate on that level.”

  “So, you…” she stumbled.

  “Sarah I…” Blitzen paused, standing to put his boxers and jeans back on. He helped Sarah stand up before he continued. “I’ve never brought a woman here. Not because I haven’t felt strongly for anyone, but because this is my home. This is where I spend ninety percent of my time and I never, before you, met a woman I wanted to spend that much time with. Sarah, I…I love you. I’ve loved you for some time now and I just…I wasn’t ready to admit it, not really. I sort of hoped that our weekend away would show you how I felt. But I realize now that you need to hear it. You need me to tell you just how much I want you here with me. Not just for a weekend, but all the time. I need you here so I can see you when I’ve had a long day. So I can hear about the newest book you’re reading and enjoy the way you come alive when you talk. I want to see you when you’re excited and I want to be there when you’re sad. I want to rile you up and be the one to calm you down when someone else riles you up.”

  Sarah was just pulling her shirt over her head as Blitzen finished and she felt the strength of his hands on her still exposed hips. “I love you, Sarah. I can’t say I’ve never said that to anyone else, but I can tell you that I’ve never meant it more than I do right now. Will you stay with me?”

  “Here?” Sarah asked, a laugh in her voice. “Blitzen I can’t…I can’t just uproot my life and start over. I- “

  “I understand,” he said, turning to walk toward the kitchen.

  “No. You don’t,” Sarah said, her voice even, patient. “I need some time, at least a couple of weeks to get my things in order. I need to give my notice at work and at least give them time to find someone new.”

  “Really?”

  “I’d come sooner,” Sarah smiled. “But I’m just not one to burn all my bridges at once. Can you…can you wait a couple weeks for me to get things ready?”

  “Hell yes,” Blitzen smiled. “Can I…what made you change toward me, toward our relationship?”

  “Mrs. K. allowed me to see your life, when you were younger. We went to a party, you and me; snuck out really. You got sloppy drunk and I had to help you home. It was a while after your first change and you were pissed because your mother wouldn’t let you go out. I suggested the sneaking out part.”

  “You did?”

  “I was in the body of your friend.”

  “Jason,” Bli
tzen grinned. “He was always one to flaunt the tradition of listening to parental advice, wanted or not.”

  “I could tell. Anyway, after that I…I knew I wasn’t giving all I had to this relationship. I held back, because I was afraid; afraid of how you made me feel, afraid of what this could become, afraid of the change I already knew was coming.”

  “Are you still scared?”

  “No,” Sarah smiled. She reached out and grabbed Blitzen’s hand. “I know what we can accomplish together and I know now that I don’t have to be afraid. I have to live and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

  “Then let’s do it together,” Blitzen smiled. “Still want to go to Florida?”

  “Nah,” Sarah decided. “We’ve only got a day before I need to be back at work and I don’t see the point in spending half of it traveling.”

  “I told you I liked a smart woman.”

  “Yes, you did,” Sarah smiled.

  Epilogue:

  It took closer to a month before Sarah could settle her life for a move to the North Pole. She and Blitzen decided, considering the closest town was more than five-hundred miles away, that they’d eventually settle in the northern most part of Canada, only making their way further north when Blitzen needed to work.

  “You’re not upset, are you?”

  “Of course not, dear,” Mrs. K. smiled. “I’ve known for a while now that not all of our boys would stay year-round. My only concern is their individual happiness and our Blitzen couldn’t be happier.

  “Then you’ll be pleased to know that your family is about to get bigger.”

  “Oh?”

  “I’m…I’m pregnant.”

  “What?” Amelia said, clearly surprised.

  “I haven’t told Blitzen yet.”

  “You should,” she said. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t pry.”

  “No, it’s okay. I just…I wasn’t sure if he’d welcome the news.”

  “Of course he’d welcome the news!”

  “I’m not so sure,” Sarah admitted. “He’s a wonderful man and I truly do love him, but I’ve always felt like he’s most comfortable with our life the way it is now. I’m not so sure he’d welcome the idea of a baby.”