Mark & Spence

By Hollis Shiloh

Mark is a cynical, too pretty, slight man working as an elf for the Christmas season at a department store.  He also hasn't been in a relationship since his manipulative and abusive ex left him. Spence is a tall, handsome, strong man who works as a reindeer helping 'Santa' at the same department store.  The two share a special chemistry, but it's hard for Mark to trust anyone, even this gentle man. They both have secrets that could -- perhaps should -- keep them apart.  Gentle, caring Spence keeps getting past Mark's barriers...but will Mark be able to handle it when he finds out why Spence is really here?

 

Contains a Christmas theme, reindeer shifters, elves, abusive relationship aftermath, angst, and a happy ending.

14,000 + words gay romance

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spare Words Press
• Release date: Sep 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215092095

Book preview

Mark & Spence

by Hollis Shiloh

That's not setting a very good example, Mark.

I continued puffing on my cigarette, leaning against the brick back wall of the mall.  I raised a quick, casual middle finger and flashed it at the speaker.

My coworker gave me an offended blink and retreated.  But don't buy his polite veneer, please: he was one of the guys who mocked me the worst when he thought I couldn't hear.

Was that called for? asked a lazy, amused voice. 

I turned to see Spence, my tall, muscular coworker— and the only one who didn't mock me.  He watched me with a faint smile twitching his mouth.  I took the cigarette from my mouth and tried to unobtrusively straighten my posture and look less slouchy.  Spence.  Hey. 

I mean, you are one of Santa's elves, right?  Ho ho ho?  What if one of the kiddies...  He reached out and snatched the cigarette away with quick, gentle fingers.

Oh, what do you care!  I reached for it, but he was faster and built like a brick wall. 

He moved back quickly, the half-grin lighting his face turning to a full one.  He held the cigarette high. 

C'mon! I complained, then stopped reaching for it and stood back, swallowing, hating the whiny sound in my own voice.

I'd always hated it when people treated me like I was childish; the last thing I needed to do was give them a reason or an excuse.  Even Spence.

Spence was a big man with broad shoulders and surprisingly gentle eyes.  Something about his stance said he belonged in the military or the police force.  I couldn't quite pin him down, but he certainly shouldn't have been one of 'Santa's' assistants.

He was too tall to be an elf, so he had to be a reindeer.  His brown, shapeless, baggy costume at least made me feel a little less ridiculous wearing my green-and-red striped tights and the little red tunic they went with, all cinched tight with a wide green plastic belt with a big black buckle.  The brown felt antlers Spence had to wear even mostly made up for my costume shoes that turned up on the end; but not quite for the jingle bells on their tips.

The worst part, the part nothing could make up for, was how well I fit the part.  I knew to my humiliation that I'd never escape the looks of aww! that went with my wiry, slender, youthful build, or the curls I'd been graced with, or the face that tended to look sweet and appealing even when I wanted to look pissed off and mad as hell.

The last thing on earth I'd wanted to do, ever, was play one of Santa's elves.  But here I was.

Spence almost made it worth it, though.  Spence, with his quiet, caring ways, his wicked sense of humor, and his smiling, kind eyes.

Now, the smile left his face, and he handed the cigarette back without a word.

Er, thanks.  I accepted it, embarrassed that I'd tried to get it by force.  I thought, He gave it back to me when he thought I was upset.  Interesting!  I took another quick puff and watched him, my eyes narrowing.  But Spence was already walking away, his steps surprisingly quiet for a man his size.

Hey Spence, wait up.  I pelted after him.  "You ever going to tell me why you're working here?  I mean, really working here?" 

I told you, I need the job.  His strides stayed long, and I had to run to keep up. 

I snorted.  That's a good one.  Come on!  You could get a job anywhere, not like me!  I pointed my thumb at my chest.

He looked over at me with that crinkle-eyed, gentle look.  Hardly.

I liked when he looked at me like that.  Okay, a lot of people did, but most of them were older women who wanted to pinch my cheeks, not hot guys.  The guys I tended to attract were creeps of the first water.  You know the type—the scary-eyed guys who want to bend you over a table and pretend you're underage. 

A bell rang far away inside the building, and I said, Oh, hey, we're due back.  Better head inside. 

He