Naughty Elf: Humbug (Santa’s Naughty Elf Mates)

Chapter 7

Chapter

Seven

B ax checked on Guffy, who was out playing in the April Fool’s Day mud. That was going to be a joy to clean up. Then he went looking for Gavin, who was sitting at the kitchen counter, head in his hands, his laptop open in front of him.

The computer had arrived mid-March, on what he’d found out was Gavin’s birthday. No shipping label. Just a box with a Macbook and an iPhone, both already loaded with apps and ready to roll. And with a plan attached to the phone, too.

He’d twitched some, thinking maybe Gavin had another sugar daddy somewhere, but he’d just smiled his mysterious elf grin and said it was from Santa.

“Hey, honey. What’s wrong?” The scent of baking cookies filled the air.

“Hmm?” Gavin glanced up, his eyes a little red-rimmed, his face pale. “Oh. Hey, babe. I just don’t feel so great. I tried to have some coffee, and it made me barf.”

“Ugh.” He moved quickly, going to press the back of his hand to Gavin’s forehead. “You don’t feel hot.”

“I’m not running a fever. I don’t get it, Bax. I’m never sick.”

No, that he believed. He’d caught a rotten cold in March, and Gavin had never so much as sniffled.

“Well, I can watch your cookies if you want to move to the other room. Smelling food might make it worse.”

“Yeah. Thanks.” Gavin grabbed his laptop and phone, then dragged ass to the front room to sit on the couch with Guffy, who whined and licked Gavin’s face. He looked so damn puny.

He sniffed the cookies. Oatmeal scotchies. Yum. He knew Gavin had probably made a double batch. Some to wrap up in little bags with ribbons to sell, some for Bax. Gavin had gotten a bunch of clients for his desserts already, and was bringing in plenty of money to help with the bills.

The guy was incredibly good at making things salable. His website had never looked better.

He poured a cup of coffee, then leaned on the counter, waiting for the timer to ding.

When it did, he called out to Gavin. “Is this the last batch, honey?”

“Yes. Would you pull them out? I’ll come put them on the cooling rack in five or so.”

“I can do that.” He’d washed up out at the studio, so he wouldn’t get anything contaminated. Gavin ran a tight ship, the kitchen so clean that even Guffy’s fur didn’t dare shed in there.

“Thanks, love.”

“You’re welcome.” He liked the love as much as the babe. Maybe more. That had started after Valentine’s Day, when they’d had their first night out, and then the most amazing night of explosive sex ever.

He set the timer, and when it went off, he transferred the cookies with extra care. “Can I have one, honey?”

“Of course.” He heard Gavin gag. “I made the batch for you. The others are already boxed up.”

“I’ll eat it out here, okay?” He had no desire to make Gavin feel worse.

“Thanks, love.”

When he was done dunking his cookie into his coffee, he cleaned up, then went to check on Gavin. He was prone on the couch now, the back of his right arm over his eyes.

“Do you want a cold cloth, honey?”

“No. I think I’m going to go back to bed for a bit. Is that okay?”

“Hey, I’m not gonna judge.” Poor baby. “Do you want me to run out and get you some Sprite?”

“Ohh.” Gavin looked at him from under the arm. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all.” That was the truth. His sicky-sick lover had made him cookies. The least he could do was get soup and lemon-lime soda. “I’ll be back. Guffy, help Gavin to bed, huh?”

Guffy hopped down, and sure enough, he let Gavin lean on him all the way to the bedroom.

That was just awful. Nothing was worse than puking.

Bax grabbed his keys and his wallet, his phone in his pocket, and headed for the door.

An hour later, he was back with noodle soup and broth, tea and Sprite, and a new pair of jammies for Gavin that he hadn’t been able to resist. They’d been in the clearance bin, and they had Christmas elves on them.

He let himself in quietly, then went to check on Gavin. Guffy wagged for him but didn’t leave the bed.

“Good dog,” he murmured. He moved to pour a glass of Sprite to leave by the bed. He grabbed the box of saltines he’d gotten to go with the soup too. Sometimes they helped.

That way, if Gavin was still nauseated when he woke up, he would have crackers to chew on.

Moving back to the kitchen after he dropped off the drink, he thought of how sweet Gavin looked when he was asleep. Those bright green eyes always held mischief and a little bit of the devil, but asleep, Gavin looked young. Angelic. Adorable.

Even with tired shadows under his eyes.

Bax had another cookie before he decided he needed some protein. He’d had cereal for breakfast, so he needed something… Maybe a turkey sandwich. Tuna was tempting, but the smell might linger and make Gavin gag. Or worse, be ill again.

Baxter wasn’t great at listening to someone else puke.

So he had a sandwich and, instead of going back to the studio for the afternoon, he worked on ordering some supplies and doing some financials, just to stay close in case his lover needed him.

He hoped to hell Gavin recovered soon. He didn’t like Gavin being sick. He didn’t like it one bit.