Mistress Sheila and Her Four Naughty Elves

Excerpt

An eerie idea tickled her memory. Wasn't the kitchen empty when she'd come in? "Oops, sorry. I didn't realize anyone was in here."

One of the men with dark hair shook his head, his attention locked and unmoving on her. "I don't believe I've ever seen anyone as lovely as you." He stepped closer and, although he wasn't tall, his demeanor commanded authority and, strangely, gave the impression of a larger man. "Please tell me your name or my heart will break."

Sheila giggled at his old-fashioned way of speaking and regretted it when his smile dropped, his face a mask of shame and hurt. "Oh, no. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make fun of you." She regained her composure and started over. "Don't mind the stupid giggle. I do that when I'm not sure how to respond to compliments. My name's Sheila Simmons."

"Sheila."

Okay, she had to admit all of them murmuring her name was a bit strange. Yet, at the same time, somehow appealing. Very appealing.

"Well, from the lack of shouts and glass breaking, I think the fight is over. It was nice hiding in the kitchen with you, but I'd better get back out there." She'd taken a couple of steps when the blond one spoke.

"Sheila, please don't go." He hurried to her side, but didn't touch her. "My name is Billy. And this is Jeremiah, Joseph and Blue."

"Good to meet you, boys." She wanted to leave, but something about the way Blue looked at her made her hesitate. What did he want? What did they all want? "Are you friends of Tyla?"

"Oh, yes. We're friends with everyone. You might say we know lots and lots and lots of people. Mostly good people, but we like the bad ones, too. Do you like being bad, Sheila?" Blue's black eyes captivated her, drawing her in, holding her with him.

Wait. What did he say? Did he just come onto her? Sheila didn't know whether to laugh or run. "I guess. Sometimes. When I'm among friends. I mean, don't we all do bad things at one time or another?"

"We're your friends, Sheila," said Billy, his boyish grin showing off his dimples.

Jeremiah nudged Billy out of the way. "As usual, my friend is acting silly. But I can't blame him, you could make any man act silly, dazzling him with your beauty."

Sheila blushed, gave him a quick smile and headed for the door. "Uh, thank you. But I'll leave you to, uh, whatever it was you were doing and get back to the party before Tyla thinks I've gone home." Right now going home sounded like a terrific idea. Still, she did enjoy a good party, providing the fighting was over. The four men, however, didn't take her not-so-subtle hint and followed her into the living room.

"Looks like Mistress Santa brought her four horny elves with her."

The partiers close to Terry once again focused their attention on her. Why couldn't she enjoy the party like everyone else? She hadn't planned on being the center of attention, no matter how outrageous her costume was. Nonetheless, she'd learned a long time ago to go with the flow. "I'm glad you figured out my costume. I am…" she paused for dramatic effect, "Mistress Sheila, the Dominatrix Santa."

"You can whip me anytime you want, Mistress Sheila," quipped Terry who now sported a blackish-blue bruise around his right eye.

Playing the part of a dominatrix, she confronted him, scorn filling her face. "I don't play around with little boys." The crowd jeered, making Terry the brunt of their scorn and, without a doubt, she knew she'd made a mistake. She should've known an a-hole like Terry wouldn't take jabs at his manhood lightly.

"Watch it, bitch." He grabbed his crotched and thrust his hips at her. "Bend over and I'll show you who the man is."

"Why? Will she be looking at him as you try to put your little wankie into her bottom?"

Sheila's jaw dropped and she turned to face the four fearless─or was it brainless?─little men.

"Jeremiah, you don't know what you're getting into."

"Yeah, and you don't know who you're dealing with either, shortie." Terry closed in on the four men. "What'd she call you? Jerry-my-ass? Is that your name, you little freak? I thought all you midgets were named Tinker Bell. Or Tiny Tim. Oh, wait, I bet it's Thumbelina."

Tyla and Dexter, her rugged boyfriend, shoved to the front of the crowd that had formed a circle around them. "Okay, everyone calm down. We don't want any more trouble. Right, Terry?"

But the big bully was on a roll with no intention of stopping. "And what's your friends' names, little boy? Grumpy, Dumpy and Dopey? Hey, where's the other three dwarves?"

Blue was on Terry before Sheila knew what had happened. Yelling, the other three men jumped on the bully, too, punching him. Terry whirled around, cursing, trying to throw his attackers off, but they clung to him like alley cats fighting over a three-day-old fish. Sinking to the floor, Terry tried rolling, but they continued to pound on him, four sets of fist flailing.