'Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas

by Stacey Espino

  He laughed and leaned forward to press a kiss onto her smiling lips.

  "I love you," he said. He'd never meant the words more than he did right now. Not only was she willing to explore the physical side of their relationship but she was also giving him a chance to be himself. And for that he would love her forever.

  "Merry Christmas, baby girl.” His smile was pure sin. “Now, where's the bag of goodies your sister gave you?"

  The End

  Yes Alana, There Is a Santa Claus

  Copyright© 2010 Seleste deLaney

  Come on, Allie. You never go out with us.” Jerrica stood in front of the open locker, fluffing her long black waves. “I swear you act like an old woman, sitting at home with your knitting.”

  No. I act like someone who almost had her heat shut off last month. “Look, I’m tired.” I kicked my locker shut. “As for the knitting, you didn’t complain when I made you the scarf you wanted.” Which you never did pay for like you promised. “

  “Whatever. I still say you’re getting old before your time.” Jerri’s hand cupped my shoulder. “Seriously, it’s Christmas, get your party on. The guys are going. I’m sure Dan said something about hoping to see you there.”

  Shrugging off her grip, I tugged my boots on, my foot propped on the old wooden bench in the locker room. The paint had chipped off most of it through time and abuse, kind of the same way the shine had worn off my life. “Now I know you’re full of shit. Dan hasn’t given me a second glance—ever.”

  “Maybe he would if he saw you in something other than curly shoes and pointed ears. Come on. You’re only going to be young and gorgeous once.”

  A snort escaped before I could rein it in. “Yeah, tomorrow I’ll make sure to come to work with my walker and wrinkle cream.” Standing up, I yanked on my beat-up parka and took in her skinny jeans and the cherry-red corset under her leather jacket. I couldn’t help but sigh. Jerrica didn’t get it—never would. Hell, she still lived at home. She probably only took this job to pay off her credit cards...and her bar tab.

  My parents, on the other hand, believed in the sink or swim philosophy of child rearing. They figured they'd raised me and covered my bills for twenty-two years, but once I graduated last May, their job was over—off to Florida for retirement.

  Not a horrible plan, I guess. Too bad no one bothered to check with the economy to make sure it was on board. When I couldn’t land a teaching position after graduation, I took whatever odd jobs I could find: concessions at the amusement park, selling beer at baseball and football games, perfume sampler at the mall—until my allergies rebelled. Hell, I’d even done a short stint for a phone sex line. That one didn’t last long.

  But the perfume job at Macy’s had led to this one and, while it wasn’t the career I’d always dreamed about, being one of Santa’s elves for the season wasn’t the worst gig in the world either. At least I got to work with kids, even if they were screaming half the time. Besides, Daniel Hendrix ran the camera, and I’d spent more than one lonely night lying in bed thinking about him. Which reminded me—I needed to see if I could scrape together the cash for batteries.

  There was the off chance Jerri wasn’t feeding me a line of bullshit. “Later, Jerri. Have fun tonight. Maybe I’ll tag along next time.” I ducked out of the locker room before she had the chance to respond.

  My boots squeaked on the tile floor and I winced. Not like I wanted to sneak up on the guy, but would something a little less obvious have killed the universe? I turned the corner and there he stood, all six feet plus of gorgeousness. Chiseled jaw. Firm, full lips, and deep brown, hooded eyes that just screamed sex. Saliva flooded my mouth thinking about it and I had to stop myself from drooling. It didn’t really help. The moisture just went further south instead.

  Jerri had called me gorgeous, and I was pretty enough, I guess. Maybe enough to have snagged the attention of someone like Daniel, even if just for one night. Sure, I was going after him because he was delicious, but with my work schedules, I never had much of an opportunity to get to know people. And at least I wouldn't have any illusions with a guy like him. He wouldn't stick around for long, but a little while would go a long way to making me feel better about my life.

  I swallowed hard one more time before I went over to talk to him. Two steps toward the door and my shoulder bumped against something hard, but yielding, that sent my lust-infused blood racing.

  I glanced up into a pair of bright blue twinkling eyes. Brady. I’d been so intent on my target I hadn’t even seen him. “Oh, I’m really sorry.” My eyes flicked toward Daniel before returning to Brady’s face.

  “No problem, I don’t break that easily.” The carefree grin he flashed carved a dimple into his right cheek. “So, are you going to Wonderland with everyone tonight?” As I absentmindedly rubbed my shoulder, I opened my mouth to say maybe. I never got the chance. He brushed my fingers away, and his thumbs massaged the soreness that came from hours of hefting small children. “I hear it’s supposed to be a really good time. Rumor has it some big-deal musician is in town for the holidays and doing a show.”

  Even as it gave an unexpected little flutter, my heart sank. It didn’t matter if Daniel did want me to go to the club; I couldn’t swing the cover charge a live band implied. Shit. I heaved a sigh. “I doubt it. Money’s a little tight with the holidays and all.” I risked a peek at Daniel. Still there. Maybe if Jerri was right and he really did want me to go, he’d offer to pay—make it a date.

  “Don’t worry, Alana. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before the perfect job comes your way.”

  My gaze shot back to Brady, and I was suddenly aware of his fingers still kneading my shoulder. Nobody but my family called me Alana anymore, and I was sure I’d never used it at work. How had he...I shook my head—it was probably on some stupid piece of paperwork he’d seen. Anything legal still had my full name on it. “What makes you think I wasn’t born to be one of Santa’s elves?” I asked, half distracted by him knowing my name, and half by Daniel glancing at his watch.

  “Because your heart isn’t in it.” The pressure of his fingers disappeared as I stepped back and his hands dropped to his sides.

  I couldn’t deny what he said. I’d spent a lot of years believing in Santa as a child—far more than most kids—because I couldn't get enough of the magic of what I'd find waiting for me Christmas morning. Until the year I woke up to find my dog lying dead next to the chimney.

  Now, listening every day as kids whispered wishes to Santa that probably wouldn't come true tore me up inside. I loved children, but it was so hard to not tell them all to give it up because Santa didn’t exist and the only way they'd get what they wanted was through indulgent parents or a lot of hard work. The ten-year-old inside me screamed to rip the band-aid off now rather than force them to learn the hard way later.

  A lump formed in my throat as I mourned the loss of the younger, innocent me. I had to choke it down before I could respond. “I guess I just have a hard time believing in miracles these days.”

  “Things that seem impossible happen all the time, Alana. Maybe your miracle isn’t as far away as you think.” Shaggy brown hair fell across eyes filled with sincerity, like he could will me into believing in fairy tales again.

  I tugged my parka closer, still intent on at least talking to Daniel before I left. “See you tomorrow, Brady.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need someone to walk you home?”

  My lips forced their way into a half-hearted smile. “I’ll be all right, been walking home by myself for a long time now. Go have fun with the others.” I turned away.

  Before I took my first step, Brady’s voice called my attention back to him. “Alana?” I twisted around, and he reached up and tapped at his ears.

  My hands flew to mine and, horrified, I yanked off the latex prostheses. “Thank you.” How stupid would I have looked hitting on Daniel wearing elf ears?

  Brady gave me another effortless smile and winked before heading t
oward the door.

  I tucked the ears in my pocket, squared my shoulders, and strode over to Daniel, knowing the only way I’d get through this was with as much boldness as I could possibly muster. As I approached, he raised his head, looking at me with one eyebrow arched sky high and my heart started hammering. I can do this. “Hi, Daniel.”

  “Hey, Allison.”

  He got my name wrong. The guy who supposedly wanted to go out with me didn’t even know my name. Then again, Allie usually was short for Allison, so I supposed it was a natural assumption.

  “It’s actually Allie.” He nodded and gave an embarrassed shrug but didn’t say anything. This wasn’t going at all how I’d hoped. I searched my brain for something to say. “You got a lot of great shots today.”

  Daniel snorted. “Happy kids this close to Christmas. It’s not too hard to make them smile.” He glanced over my shoulder in the direction of the locker rooms. “So, did Jerri convince you to go out tonight?”

  When he turned back to me with a slow, sexy smile spreading across his face, my nerves began melting away—maybe he really did want me to go. “She tried. I’m still not sure. I heard there was a band, and the cover—”

  “Yeah. Nothing more solid than a rumor right now. We won’t know anything for sure until we get there.” He glanced at his watch again, his beautiful smile twisting into a scowl.

  No offer yet—damn. “Oh. Not sure I’ll be able to make it then. Cover charge and drinks will really eat into this week’s food budget.” Actually, there wouldn’t have been any drinking for me. If I couldn’t manage the cover, I sure wasn’t going to waste money on alcohol.

  “That sucks.” He looked over my shoulder and gave an irritated harrumph. “Well, since I’m not sure about the band, maybe you could come along next time.”

  Jerrica’s leather boots clacked against the tiles as she walked up behind me. What little hope I’d had for the night melted away with every step she took. He wasn’t going to offer.

  When Jerri stopped next to us, Daniel caught my gaze again and confirmed it. “Have a good night, Allie. See you tomorrow.” Even the return of the heart-stopping smile didn't make me feel any better.

  Jerri gave me a quizzical look, but the only thing I could do was shrug as Daniel waved her toward the door. At least he’d gotten my name right this time. I had to convince myself it was progress. “Yeah, have fun.”

  They walked outside in a swirl of snow, Jerri backing out and shaking her head at me all the while, like I'd just made the stupidest mistake of my life.

  I stood there for a minute, my eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the over-heated room. With a heavy sigh, I shoved open the door and stepped out into an icy blast of wind, snow violently pelting my cheeks as I turned toward my apartment and another cold night alone.

  ****

  At home, I turned the heat back on and waited for my apartment to warm up a little before I slipped off my coat and hung it over the back of a chair. Warmth from apartments below mine helped keep things from freezing, but there weren’t enough blankets in the world to fight the chill if I didn’t turn the heat on at night.

  Dressed in fleece pajamas old Mrs. Hardison down the hall made for me, in exchange for some hand-knit socks for her granddaughter, I stood with my hand poised over the thermostat. I wanted to leave it cranked up, but winter had barely started and I needed to be conservative now so I wouldn’t have to chip ice off my faucets in January and February. I twisted it back down several degrees. I should've gone lower, but since it had gotten so cold I’d unplugged my fridge and stored perishables on the fire escape. I could splurge on a couple degrees.

  And tonight I needed a little something extra. I’d already wasted money on batteries. I tried to consider it all an early Christmas present to myself.

  “I’ll go back to being frugal tomorrow,” I muttered, heading into my bedroom. “Right now, I need to indulge a little.”

  Tucked under the covers, I waited until the sheets matched my body temperature before unbuttoning the pajama top. Closing my eyes, I conjured an image of Daniel’s face, his brown eyes full of passion as he stared at me.

  I stroked my neck, imagining his mouth pressed there, laying kisses against my drumming pulse. Picturing his large hands, I almost felt them on my breasts. My own fingers drifted down to massage them, squeezing the nipples and tugging them gently. In my mind, Daniel ran his tongue over his lips, and my clit started to ache.

  The fingers of one hand worked at my breast, playing with my nipple until I felt moisture pooling between my legs, while the other inched slowly down my stomach, fingers traveling lightly enough to tickle my skin.

  It was so much easier to believe it was someone else’s hand that way, because I wanted it to be Daniel’s fingers. I’d wanted it since the first day I walked into work and saw him manning the camera. He'd been so strong, so sure of himself, I couldn't help but be drawn to the glowing flame of him. Part of me said if I’d just been brazen and said I wanted to fuck him, he would have come home with me, no question. But the other, probably smarter half was convinced the plan would backfire, and I’d still be alone, only with a horrible reputation at work to go with the loneliness. The last thing I needed was to be Santa’s slutty elf.

  So I’d waited, dropped subtle hints, and dreamt about him instead. Of course, Christmas Eve was the day after tomorrow. Only two days left working with him, and I still hadn’t managed to make him notice me—regardless of what Jerri said. No. All I had were my fantasies, and damn it, tonight he was going to satisfy me, even if I burned out the new batteries trying.

  I pushed down my pajama bottoms, the fleece caressing my legs as every nerve ending flared to life. Fingers traced the edge of my panties, raising gooseflesh, before easing beneath the cotton. Warmed from the time spent playing with my breasts, my hands pressed down on my thighs, easing them apart the way I imagined he would.

  That’s where I waited, spread, as I pictured him looking at me, taking in every inch with eyes hooded by desire. The delicious spot between my legs started to throb. I reached out one finger and touched my clit. Pleasure shot through me and I let out a tiny moan as more moisture seeped onto my panties. I shoved them over my hips and kicked my legs free. The way my body was reacting tonight, they would’ve been in the way soon enough.

  I rubbed at the firm little nub, my insides clenching as the movement eased the hardest edges of the ache there. Within minutes, spots formed behind my eyes, bursting into stars over Daniel’s face. My other hand reached up and trailed a path from between my breasts, over my belly, and winding around one hip—just like Daniel’s mouth would do.

  Two of the fingers on my left hand found my opening and teased at it, flicking at my pussy like a tongue, while the other index finger continued to push me higher and higher. I let the two fingers slip inside my wetness a little farther, and my eyes rolled back as my hips lifted off the bed. The sheet slipped off the top of me and the coarse blanket scratched across my nipples, making them pucker and tighten.

  My breath came in short gasps. So close.

  Increasing the pressure on my clit, I moved my finger faster and faster. My other hand slid inside a little more, still working me like his tongue. I wanted to feel the heat of his mouth against me as he licked and tasted. And his teeth. Oh God, I wanted to feel his teeth scrape against me. In a moment of desperate need, I pinched my clit between the nails of my thumb and index finger and dragged them over the sensitive flesh.

  An orgasm tore through me and I arched off the bed as my muscles clenched around my wriggling fingers. I rubbed my swollen clit again as I rode the wave until it dissipated to a dull throbbing between my legs.

  I collapsed, my sheets damp with sweat and my wetness. My hand flopped around on the mattress until it landed on the green vibrator, which had been my constant bedside companion since my old roommate gave it to me as a graduation gift. I twisted it on without a thought.

  The buzzing brought on another rush of moisture, lik
e my body knew what was coming and wanted to be ready for it. Breasts already heaving, I laid the vibrator across my groin, tipping it slightly so the tip of it rested on my clit. A shiver ran through me all the way down to my toes.

  Tipping it further, I ran the length of it from my clit, over my opening, so the end of it vibrated against my ass. The ache, which pulsed quietly just a moment before, flared to life and screamed for attention. Breathing hard, I angled the vibrator until the tip shuddered inside me.

  “Gentle or rough?” I said. Daniel said.

  Instead of thinking, I reacted, shoving the vibrator into me as hard as I could. It pushed against my cervix and I cried out. Then I pulled it free and pushed it into my pussy again and again. My right hand found my clit, rubbing it fiercely as my left thrust the vibrator into me. My muscles squeezed around it as I fought to hold the orgasm. All too soon, my insides clenched of their own accord.

  This time the orgasm tore me apart, and it was all I could do to hold the vibrator tight inside me as my body rode the waves of pleasure. When it was done, I lay back against the sheets, gasping for breath and wondering how well the real Daniel would measure up to the one who’d visited me tonight.

  ****

  The next day at work, the hours crawled by. I’d scrounged up something club-worthy from my closet and couldn’t wait to put it on. Over breakfast, I’d realized I would never get Daniel if he only saw me at work. As long as there was no huge cover and I didn’t drink, there was nothing to stop me from going out. Wonderland wasn’t much farther from my place than work, and maybe I could even beg a ride home—especially if the weather got much worse. There’d been a winter storm watch all day, and I dreaded the idea of making it through the streets of Chicago by myself after midnight.

  But no matter what, I was going. I couldn’t live life locked up in my apartment waiting for things to happen. Besides, it wasn’t like they were going to call on the receptionist position I’d interviewed for this close to Christmas. I needed to let myself have a little fun. No, I deserved to have a little fun.