The Cowboy Comes Home

by Roni Adams

  "I'll take care of Teddy,” Susan said firmly.

  Beth slipped into the bathroom and removed her bra. The costume came with a set of satin red panties that she supposed was due to the shortness of the skirt. It also came with a bright red thong. Beth set the thong aside and stepped into the costume.

  "This is ridiculous,” she called out to her sisters when she had the entire thing on.

  Opening the door, she watched Sara's jaw drop open and Susan's grin widen.

  She picked up the jaunty hat and set it at a sideways angle over her short hair. “I look like I'm doing a Christmas centerfold for Playboy."

  Susan came up behind her and slipped a few pins in the hat to hold it to her hair. “You look fantastic. Too bad Cole isn't able to make it today."

  "He'd have a damn heart attack,” Sara snorted.

  Beth took a deep breath and adjusted the fur lined collar that dipped indecently low on her breasts. “There's not this much cleavage in the swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated."

  She shifted her breasts and tried desperately to make them look a bit less conspicuous.

  "It's the push up bra effect.” Susan finished adjusting the hat and stepped back. “Like a built in shelf to make them ‘pop.’”

  "They're popping already,” Beth murmured, glancing in the mirror. “I always thought I was the small one in the family.” She put her hands on her waist and twisted this way and that. The skirt just skimmed the top of her thighs and she grimaced. “Let's get this over with.” She paused and stared at Susan in a gorgeous green dress with matching heels. “I thought you were wearing an elf costume."

  "The order wasn't ready at the same time Ty picked up the costumes, and then Buck forgot to go back and pick them up.” She glanced at Sara.

  Sara shrugged. “His mind isn't on anything but this baby right now.” She patted her stomach and didn't look in the least bit contrite.

  Susan bent and plucked at the stockings on Beth's legs, straightening them.

  Beth glanced in the mirror again, wondering how on earth she was going to find the confidence to walk downstairs. “Where do I go?"

  Susan stood up. “Cord's waiting in the pantry. Sara will go first and make sure the coast is clear and get you hidden in there. Once the kids are here and settled in, we'll come get you."

  Beth grabbed the oversize book she was supposed to read to the kids then slipped off the stilettos so she wouldn't make any noise—or tumble—on the steps on her way down.

  At the bottom of the staircase, she waited until Sara waved to her.

  "No one's here, come on."

  Beth crept the rest of the way down and tiptoed past Sara. At the door to the pantry, she paused long enough to slip her shoes back on and then opened the door and stepped inside. The interior was dark and she waited for her eyes to adjust. She closed the door with a click making sure it was secured.

  "Holy Christmas!” a muffled voice whispered low from behind.

  Beth whirled around to shush Cord, but the man in the traditional Santa suit was way too tall to be the oldest Weston.

  One look up into those wide brown eyes and she knew exactly who was playing Santa this year.

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  Chapter Four

  Tyler's gaze raked her from head to toe and slowly back up again. Tingles broke out on her arms at his leisurely exploration. She forced back the urge to cover her exposed chest with her arms.

  "Why are you being Santa?” she hissed, keeping her voice down.

  Santa/Tyler shrugged. “Cord called, said he couldn't get back in time. Buck was too big for the costume and Teddy had a gig with the band ... so here I am."

  Beth narrowed her eyes. Between the pornographic costume and now Tyler as Santa, something was going on. “I smell something incredibly fishy in here."

  "Not me. I smell something wonderful.” He took two steps closer and leaned over to sniff at her neck. She jerked back but hit the door in the narrow confines of the room.

  "Is that gingerbread perfume or something? You smell like a Christmas cookie."

  Beth sighed. “Yes. Mrs. Claus is supposed to smell like Christmas cookies."

  "Makes me want to take a nibble.” His eyes were on the dark shadow of her ample cleavage.

  Heat burned her cheeks. He looked like he wanted to devour her. Her nipples peaked behind the material and she only hoped the cloth was heavy enough to hide her reaction.

  The sack he'd had on his back dropped to the floor. “You don't look like any Mrs. Claus I've ever seen."

  Beth yanked her top up higher. “They mixed up the costumes at the store and Susan couldn't fit into this one, so I got stuck wearing it."

  Tyler laid one white-gloved hand on the door next to her head. His eyes smoldered with fire and hers widened at the naked desire he didn't try to disguise.

  "Santa is a lucky man,” he said hoarsely.

  A tumble of confusing thoughts and conflicting emotions raced through her. His eyes told her exactly what he wanted to do to her. Her heart thudded and her breath quickened.

  One gloved finger trailed along the white fur lined collar. The cloth felt odd against her bare skin and goose bumps erupted. Her insides began to jingle like the bells on his belt. Tyler lowered his head towards her and the book in her hands fell to the floor.

  "Don't,” she whispered, even as her eyes closed and she wet her lips in anticipation.

  But the kiss didn't come. She opened her eyes.

  Averting his gaze, Tyler pushed away from the door. “Sorry, I got caught up in my role."

  He reached down and hoisted his sack to his back. Beth looked up, noting how he struggled to hold himself in check. The raw emotion in his eyes matched what she was feeling inside. It had been a long time since she'd been this turned on. She actually wanted to lock the door and make everyone wait while Mr. and Mrs. Santa got it on.

  Unable to keep looking at him, she picked up the book she dropped, ignoring the hiss of his breath when she bent down. She knew he'd gotten more than an eyeful of her breasts. She spun around and faced the door, waiting impatiently for their signal.

  Tyler shifted and the heat from his body seared into her. The heavy fur costume must really be hot.

  "Tell me you got bright red garters on under that skirt,” he whispered next to her ear.

  Beth couldn't stop the grin and ducked her head. Tyler always had a weakness for stockings and garter belts. She'd amassed a huge collection while they'd been lovers. She nodded.

  He moved even closer, his gloved hand tracing along the bottom edge of her skirt. “I bet this fur would tickle my nose,” he murmured.

  The image of his lips at the top of her thighs and then higher flashed across her mind. Her mouth opened as her eyes closed and she fought down the urge to turn around and let him know how his words had affected her.

  Cool air brushed the back of her thighs when he lifted the edge of her skirt, slowly exposing her rounded rear end to his view.

  "So beautiful,” he muttered.

  She leaned her forehead against the door. The sack hitting the floor echoed again, seconds before both his hands swept the skirt of her costume up.

  Just the thought of him staring at the satin panties caused her temperature to spike even higher. This was so wrong. It felt dirty, and yet, turned her on more, like part of some kinky fairytale. She was a Mrs. Claus made for being undressed, and he was Santa ready to have his way with her.

  His lips caressed the back of her neck and she trembled. He reached around, wasting no time before sliding his hand inside the low collar of her costume. Cotton covered fingers massaged her nipple and her breath caught. The odd sensation of gloved hand on her breast made her whimper with pleasure.

  "Mmmm, little holly berries,” he whispered along her ear. “All puckered up.” His fingers rolled her nipple making it pebble harder.

  His other hand slipped between her legs from behind. Somehow he'd removed his glove from that hand because bare fing
ers caressed her skin. He traced a pattern along the edge of the elastic of her panties, torturing her with his touch. Then he slid the elastic aside, lifted it until one bare cheek popped free. He cupped the rounded mount in his hand and squeezed gently.

  His hand under her skirt slipped from her rear end to sneak around and slide along the satin covering her front. He traced one finger on the damp outside of her panties and she couldn't help shifting into his touch. Her breath came faster and she bit her lip to keep from crying out. Her breasts were heavy and aching, and while his fingers tormented first one and then the other, she longed for his mouth on her.

  He teased her, stroked her lightly, then harder, then lighter again, knowing exactly what she liked and where she liked it. When he gently eased the material aside and touched her, Beth's knees buckled.

  Tyler held her up, nibbled on her neck, pulled on her earlobe with his mouth and bit her lightly with his teeth, all the while rubbing between her legs, soothing the ache that was building, and giving her exactly what she'd been missing for the past two years.

  All reasoning disappeared. All rational thought of right or wrong were flung aside. She hadn't been touched intimately in so long, hadn't felt this good in so long that she was powerless to stop now, even if she wanted to.

  Her head spun and her body throbbed with her impending release. She moaned and twitched back against him, moving her hips in rhythm with the stroking of his hands. One long finger slid inside her and she cried out. Warmth washed over her and she rocked back against his hand as he stroked her inside and out. Within seconds he brought her to a shaking climax and pressed closed, holding her against the door as her legs trembled.

  As her body convulsed, Beth bit down hard on her lip to keep the screams to herself.

  "Easy there, Mrs. Claus."

  Tyler's fingers slowed and soothed and then were gone. He squeezed her breast one more time and then took his hands from her body.

  Beth kept her eyes closed tight and her head against the door. Her entire body burned with embarrassment. What the hell kind of woman lets something like that happen? He touched her shoulders, urging her to turn around but she struggled against him. Before he could force her to turn, three sharp knocks on the door brought them quickly back to reality.

  They had to perform ... for children! She covered her cheeks with her hands. Burning hot, they'd surely be stained red.

  Beth fumbled with the door knob trying to get it open and bumped into Tyler's front as she struggled. He cussed, and she glanced back over her shoulder.

  He grimaced. “Santa has a hard-on."

  Having nothing to respond to that but a quick gasp, she yanked open the door and stumbled into the kitchen on her way-too-high heels.

  Tyler reached for Beth's hand as they walked through the kitchen to the strains of Here Comes Santa Claus. He studied her as they neared the doors to the main room. Her cheeks were stained bright pink and he knew it wasn't the make up. He should feel like a heel for touching her like he did, taking advantage of the cramped space, but he didn't. She could easily have swatted his hands away or told him in no uncertain terms to go to hell. Both of which he had fully expected. It was very interesting that she'd allowed him to do what he'd done. He frowned. Why had she? Wait...had he just been used?

  He winced as the part of anatomy that definitely was not part of the childhood fantasy of Santa reminded him of how one sided that little interlude had been. Had he just been played? Had Beth taken the pleasure he'd offered, knowing there wasn't any way she was going to have to reciprocate because they'd be on stage any minute?

  He watched as she laughed at the children's singing and waved to them as they walked through the room and began to mingle with the kids. As if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

  Shaking his head and forcing a hardy, “Ho, ho, ho,” he smiled at children's bright faces in the large room that had been transformed into Santa's headquarters. The decorators had done an astounding job and Tyler felt a pang in his chest that he'd missed last year's celebration. A mountain of gifts were stacked to resemble a Christmas tree and Tyler loved the looks on the kids’ faces as they realized the gifts were going to be for them before the end of the party.

  Beth slipped her hand from his and began to hug children and speak to them. Susan and Teddy stood on a small stage singing Christmas carols. Tyler saw his brother's face as he caught sight of Beth's outfit. Thankfully, Susan was on it and elbowed Teddy, drawing his attention back to the singing. Around them, Cord, Buck, and Sara all mingled with the kids. Funny how Cord suddenly made it back when earlier he was absolutely certain he'd be tied up all afternoon. Flo would be in the kitchen again making sure the food was being prepared the way she wanted it.

  Tyler loved the way the kids’ eyes lit when they saw him, or when he touched their cheeks. Even the older kids who tried to look tough seemed to melt when he winked at them. This Santa gig was pretty cool.

  Beth was back at his side as Mrs. Anderson, the Director of the Children's Home, approached them both.

  She smiled and shook his hand. “Thank you, Santa. We're so happy you could be here."

  "I wouldn't miss this for anything. We were on our way back to the North Pole from a brief vacation in Hawaii and I knew I had to stop by the Double B."

  "How was Hawaii, Santa?” Mrs. Anderson asked, playing along.

  He turned and slid his arm around Beth. “It was warm and sunny. You should see Mrs. Claus in her red bikini, quite a sight I have to tell you."

  Mrs. Anderson laughed. Tyler squeezed where his hand rested on Beth's hip. He was surprised when she slid her own arm around his waist. In a flash, he could easily imagine Beth in the imaginary bikini, maybe with the same stiletto heels—now that would be a fantasy.

  "Well, we don't want to see Santa in a bathing suit right away,” Beth began with a pinch to his side. “He put on a bunch of weight sitting around all summer. After Christmas, I'm putting him on a strict ‘no cookies diet'."

  Tyler couldn't resist. “Oh, but Mrs. Claus, you know I can't resist your cookies.” He wiggled his very bushy white eyebrows.

  Beth's face flushed, but she didn't have anything to say to that.

  Mrs. Anderson seemed to sense there was something going on and grinned. “If you'll excuse me Santa, I think I'll go help the elves get the gifts ready."

  Though she moved away, Tyler didn't move his arm from around Beth's waist. He smiled and nodded to the kids but spoke to her out of the corner of his mouth. “Now what do we do?"

  "I don't know, you're the boss, Santa,” she said.

  "I know what I'd like to do.” He continued to wave and smile at the kids even as they talked.

  "What's that?"

  He kept his voice low, only for her ears. “I'd like to take you back to the pantry, hoist you up on that shelf that's about waist high, flip up that little excuse for a skirt and...” He waved to a little girl who blew him a kiss.

  "Stop that! You have to be larger than life to these kids."

  Tyler looked at her pointedly. “Oh, trust me, sweetheart. Right now I am much larger than life."

  He waited for her to turn even redder but instead she smiled up. “Would you like me to get one of the reindeers for you?"

  He growled.

  Susan's voice blasted from the microphone. “Santa? Would you and Mrs. Claus like to do some dancing for us?"

  Tyler nodded. He'd never played the role of Santa before, but he'd watched Cord do it for years and knew the routine. He spun Mrs. Santa out onto the dance floor but only for a few seconds before they broke apart and both picked out a little boy or girl to dance with. The kids squealed as Santa jiggled to Jingle Bell Rock and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. The little girls stood on his black boots and hung on as he spun them around as if they were at a ball.

  His heart ached, knowing some of these kids had never known the joy of a parent or dancing with a father. He related so easily to these kids who, for one reason or another, were bei
ng raised by people other than their parents. Some were true orphans, others were here because their parents had such severe addictions they couldn't take care of them. Even though he and his brothers had Beth's father and Flo and Sam, he always would wonder how life would have been if his parents had lived.

  Several songs later, Santa was beginning to perspire in his hot suit. He looked pleadingly at his brother on stage. Teddy nodded in understanding.

  The strains of White Christmas began and he turned to catch Beth's eye. Holding out his hand, he bowed from the waist. “May I have this last dance, Mrs. Claus?"

  She dropped a slight curtsy in front of him. “It would be my pleasure, Santa."

  He gently drew her into his arms and they began to waltz. Beth smiled widely and, although he knew it was for the kids, it warmed his heart to see her looking so happy. The dance could go on all afternoon and he wouldn't have been tired of touching her.

  Having her in his arms again was all he wanted for Christmas.

  "You're very light on your feet, even with that round belly,” she teased.

  "There's a lot of things I could do with this round belly,” he teased back, waggling his eyebrows at her.

  "Hmm, I do like a man with something to hang on to,” she said. He spun her out and then back up against his chest wishing he didn't have on so much padding and could feel her breasts against him.

  "I got something you could hang onto, Angel,” he whispered, pleased to see her face redden at his truthful words. No matter what she said, Beth wasn't indifferent to him. That alone gave him hope. Maybe he had a sliver of a chance of making things right with her.

  He smiled at the twinkle in her eyes as he danced her around the great room feeling like a fat Fred Astaire from the old movies Flo used to watch.

  "It's a good thing those dance lessons we took in high school paid off. Even though you grumbled about them every week."

  "I never grumbled."

  "Oh, ho, ho, I think Santa lies,” she said, not letting the kids hear.

  Tyler spun her out and then twirled her around until he knew she was dizzy.

  Just as planned, she clutched at him when he brought her back against him. “That's what you get for calling Santa a liar."