Romancing Rudolph - Chapter 4

(If you’re just joining us, the story began on December 15th–click here to start at the beginning.)

Chapter 4

Rudolph sweat buckets as he waited his turn in line.

It was just a standard physical, nothing he hadn’t done a thousand times at the fitness center. But the idea of Mandy running her muzzle over his chest and down his legs nearly made him pass out. Oh, yeah. She bothered him. No doubt about that.

He just couldn’t figure out why.

She was fairly ordinary looking, except for those eyes. She had the usual curves, a trim body, and a nice rack. All in all, nice about summed it up. Nothing spectacular. She didn’t polish her hooves, or wear a glitzy harness. So, why had the mere sight of her this morning set his heart racing? And why did his imagination keep straying to other, more risque, tests of his physical limits?

He grimaced.

Mandy had completed her examination of Prancer. Dasher was next, then him.

Surreptitiously, he studied the little efficiency expert. Was it her cool, elegant demeanor? Or the light scent that suggested she shampooed every day with some fruity concoction? Nah, those were just superficial things.

Mandy finished with Dasher, thanked her, then sidestepped in front of him.

Rudolph’s heart sped up.

She lifted her gaze from her copious notes and stared into his eyes.

And just like that, he fell hard. He was a goner. Those eyes beat out an impressive rack any day. His nostrils flared instinctively, drawing in a swirl of her pheromones, and the angle of his head tilted aggressively. If either of the other two males had been watching at that moment–which thankfully they were not–they would have recognized the signals.

Mine, his stance said.

Mandy didn’t notice anything unusual either, so intent was she on doing her job. She ran her muzzle down his neck, over his shoulder and across his chest. The velvety softness of her nose against his fur sent a lick of flame through his veins. Her scent was full and rich and absolutely maddening. Only through sheer will power was he able to resist a near unbearable urge to nip at her neck.

She frowned as she noted the rapid pace of his heartbeat.

When she glanced up, Rudolph returned her stare unapologetically.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“Nope.” Nothing a few hours alone with her wouldn’t cure.

She resumed her check of his form and musculature, moving with agonizing slowness down the length of his leg.

Rudolph forced himself to breath normally and tilted his head to get a better view of her withers and back.

Not just nice. Real nice.

Abruptly, she stood and tried to step away, but Rudolph’s spying caused a bit of a problem. Their antlers tangled and locked.

The rest of the Flying Team hooted with laughter.

Staring at her through the snarl of bone that held them together, Rudolph got a sudden insight into why he was attracted to Mandy. The look on her face was one of blanket horror, of having made a serious faux-pas, of wishing she were anywhere but here. And he recognized that look. He’d worn it himself often enough when he first arrived at Christmas Village ... back in the days when his red nose drew laughter and ridicule instead of willing young females.

Like him, Mandy felt awkward and out of place.

“Hold on,” he said quickly. “Sorry about that. My bad. Wasn’t paying attention.”

Mandy stopped struggling, and returned his stare.

Yup. That was it. He’d noticed that misfit air when he’d first met her, and then again at the bar last night. Which, of course, was what had drawn him over in spite of all the reasons he had to avoid her.

He sighed. “You stay still. I got us into this mess, so I’ll get us out.”

As the other reindeer called out well-meaning but useless advice, Rudolph twisted and turned his head until finally their antlers came loose.

Mandy backed away a few steps, avoiding his gaze. “Thanks.”

Donner gave her a sympathetic rub on the back, saying it happened to him all the time, and Rudolph saw red. He wanted to plow right between the two of them and aggressively defend the claim he’d made on Mandy. But that wouldn’t be smart. Not only would it cause some serious dispute on the team, but a claim on Mandy was impossible.

Mating with a non-flyer would mean most, if not all, of his offspring would be born without the ability to fly. They’d never be his successors on the Flying Team. And that bothered him. Hugely. Becoming a member of the Christmas Flying Team had made his entire life worthwhile, and although he wasn't anywhere near ready to retire, when he did, he wanted one of his own to experience the same sense of reward.

That meant Mandy was not for him.

No matter how much his instincts told him a match with her would be perfect.

“Ok, Miss Efficiency, what’s the next test?” he asked as nonchalantly as he could manage.

(To go to Chapter 5, click here)