All I Want for Christmas

by Hadley Raydeen

  “Isn’t that a worthy cause?” Janiya chimed in.

  “I would say so. Anything to help the kids,” I agreed.

  “Do you have children, Nick?” Niya asked as Jamilya shot her a glare. Anywhere else that would have been an HR no-no asking such personal questions. I knew that from business 101, but Janiya Hawkins looked like the ‘I don’t give a shit’ type of woman. I just smiled and answered what was asked of me.

  “No, no kids for me, yet. I’m sure someday. I’m not getting any younger, you know?”

  “My sister wants kids too. Don’t you, Jamilya? She’d be a great mom. She is so good with our nieces and nephews.” Janiya grinned.

  I knew what a fix up looked like, and Niya was trying to nudge her sister in my direction, and I wasn’t mad at it. Jamilya, on the other hand...

  “Niya, oh my God. Those damn bras are not going to hang themselves out there. Scoot, would ya?” Her chocolate complexion blushed at the cheeks. Her sister was embarrassing her in true little sister fashion.

  “I was just being friendly to the new Santa. Who can have Yuletide cheer, when we have a Grinch in the midst.” Janiya glanced at me, pouting.

  “Who is doing this interview, you or me?” Jamilya’s tone was friendly, but that last statement was said through gritted teeth. It sounded like she had one nerve left, and Niya was getting on it.

  “So uptight. Someone needs to get laid if you know what I mean.” She glanced at me with a raised brow, before sticking her tongue out at Jamilya. With that, she flipped her hair and pushed the rack of bras out of the storeroom.

  “I am so—”

  “Don’t be sorry,” I said, cutting Jamilya off before she could say it. “She seems like a lot of fun, and she loves you and this store—you can tell.”

  “She really does. She means well. We have a lot of ideas for the store and want to drive in as much business as we can before the new year. We are kind of in a time crunch on how to get sales up and prove we belong in this space. Building management is really holding us to the fire on this. This promotion has to go well, or I may not have a store come the new year.” She eyed me under hooded eyes. I could see the emotion there.

  My temperature begins to rise. I hated she felt this way, all because of Tanya’s big mouth.

  “We won’t let that happen, Jamilya,” I said in all seriousness.

  She looked at me. “We?”

  I cleared my throat, picking my next words wisely. “You’re looking at your new Sexy Santa, Miss Hawkins. We are in this together.”

  Chapter Eight

  Jamilya

  “Okay, how are we setting this up?” Our cousin Tionne was adjusting the Santa throne, the mall property management set up for the old Santa toward the back of the store near the fitting rooms. We could still use it for our promotion unless Tanya was on her broom and demanded it back.

  Such a witch, that one.

  I stood back, looking at the setup. “What do you think, Niya?” I turned to my sister, knowing she was bursting at the seams to give her opinion on how this could be set up.

  My sister gave an exasperated sigh as if she were being put out for having to provide the opinion, I know she was biting at the bit to give.

  “Must I do everything?” She dramatically put her hand to her chest.

  “Girl, if you don’t shut up,” I said, reaching for some of the new bras and panties. Maybe if we throw this over the Santa chair—”

  “No, Milya,” my cousin and sister said at the same time.

  “Well, the two of you are just sitting there like you don’t have a clue what you want to do. Offer up some ideas and quit stalling.” I chuckled to myself; I knew that would get them going

  “I’m clearly the creative genius here.” Niya looked at me and shook her head.

  “Both of you are a mess. I’ll set up a winter wonderland scene, digitally. I really just need your Santa and the lingerie model to have a seat,” Tionne said, adjusting her camera.

  “Who did you get to model with him?” I eyed my sister. I didn’t know how I felt about some floozy model crawling all over Bryson right in front of me. I didn’t have any claims on the man, so it really didn’t make any sense for me to feel protective. But, I still didn’t want to see it.

  “Pepper is coming down. You know she is like a size two. She’ll look good in that new corset and thong set that just came in.” Niya’s nonchalance grated my nerves. I knew my sister didn’t know who he was, or why I would give a damn if another woman sat on his lap. I really didn’t want to explain myself. She’d make this ten times more embarrassing if she knew.

  “And...um, she’ll be on his lap?” I asked, biting my lower lip. This should not bother me like it did. I haven’t seen him in years, and he basically ignored me back then. Well, there were a few times we talked…when I tutored him and at that dance the one time and that one night…in the mall parking lot. I shook my head. Those were fleeting moments, he obviously didn’t remember. I have moved on from that, no longer an immature teenager caring what others said and did.

  But, as I watched him go back in the dressing room with some of the items from our men’s line, I couldn’t help but wonder what he was hiding under those pants. Still, to this day those fantasies came rushing back from when I was a senior in high school. Would that girl feel what he was working with before I even had the chance to?

  Pepper, Niya’s college roommate, came out of the dressing room clothed in our new line corset and thong, wearing a sheer robe. She had the body of a model, and she didn’t mind flaunting it. Her dark hair fell around her shoulders, and I felt a pang of jealousy. This was no doubt Bryson’s type.

  I could bet my store that man had never even looked at a woman outside his race before. I wasn’t bad looking, but I sure wasn’t the type he’d bring home to Mama. I chuckled at the thought. Why was I even thinking about this?

  “Milya, snap out of it. How do you think Pepper looks?” Niya asked.

  I looked over the tall, slim brunette. The white satin and lace corset hugged her small frame; the matching thong and garter belt held up fishnet knee highs. This set would sell out for Christmas and would look great in an ad for the store—especially with Bryson as her backdrop.

  “You look perfect, Pepper. That set looks amazing on you.” I meant what I said, but it still was a struggle saying it.

  “Oh, thanks, Milya, for the opportunity. You know I’m trying to get myself out there in the modeling game. Any shots I can get for my portfolio would be great,” she said to Tionne.

  My cousin turned to me, eyes wide. That look said, ‘If this girl doesn’t be quiet and just do the shoot.’

  I agreed. I love my sister and some of her friends, but they loved to talk. As my mother would say, ‘That’s Millennials for you.’

  “How about we just get these shots with Santa, and we’ll see if there is any extra time for portfolio shots,” Tionne said, positioning her camera.

  “Fine, but where is he? I’ve been here for a good thirty minutes, and I haven’t seen a Sexy Santa since I walked in here,” she asked, flipping her hair and adjusted the bustier part of the corset, pushing her girls higher.

  That is a good question. I was wondering where Nick was myself. I don’t know what that was all about. Why he would lie about his name was beyond me. The only thing I could think of is, being the managing director of this property, it would look strange, his dressing up as Santa in the mall lingerie shop. However, why come here in the first place and say he would do it. Since we seemed to be playing games, I’d play along.

  He’d disappeared after we gave him the red satin, sleep pants, Santa robe and hat.

  “Please tell me you didn’t scare him off, Niya?” I glared at my sister.

  “Me? What the hell, Sis? I didn’t do anything. It could be because you were uptight earlier—probably scared the poor guy away. What was that about, anyway? You had one job, Jamilya.”

  “Uptight? Are you kidding me right now? I didn’t even
get a chance to talk to him. You just decided he’d be Santa.”

  “Ladies,” Tionne tried to cut in, but we ignored her. She was always trying to be the peacemaker even when we were growing up. But, now wasn’t the time. Janiya was doing too much, and it was my job as a big sister to set her right.

  “He is a perfect fit for the job, Jamilya. You know good, and well, he will look amazing in that Santa get up. The ad will pop right off the page with him and Pepper. You should just say, ‘Thank you.’” Niya shook her head. “Just trying to make this place amazing, like I know it can be, Sis, come on.

  “Well, hopefully, he isn’t a damn thief like the other Santa y’all had up in here,” Pepper laughed.

  I turned to glare at the girl when Tionne let out a low whistle. “Damn. He can steal whatever he wants.”

  “Cuz? What in the world are you talking about?” I looked at her. She nodded to the left in the direction of the front door.

  Niya, Pepper, and I turned to see what T was talking about.

  “Holy Hell,” Pepper spoke first. I had to pick my chin up off the floor by myself this time because Niya was distracted as well.

  “Is that Sexy Santa?” Tionne asked, turning toward me.

  I couldn’t even verbally confirm. I just shook my head, ‘yes.’

  “Hey, Ladies, sorry I’m late. I had to take care of some things before I came in. Are you ready for me?” Bryson asked.

  Tionne looked at me and then back at the man standing at the entrance of my store. He wore the red satin PJ bottoms that left nothing to the imagination. The imprint of his bulge was in charge and prominent. He wore a crisp, white wife-beater tucked into the pants allowing us all a frontal view of what he was working with below.

  “Well, damn it’s like that, cuz?” Tionne turned and stared at me. I could feel my face heat in embarrassment. My cousin knew I had a thing for this guy back in the day, but she’d kept the secret from my sister for me. As far as my cousin knew, we’d only flirted a few times, and nothing else happened—and that was the truth. But, I’d always hoped something would come from the sparks we shared.

  “Does it look okay?” he asked, looking right at me.

  He’s not asking if his package looks good, Milya. Don’t make a whole fool out of yourself.

  But, my traitorous gaze still dropped to that very spot. I’ve not seen more of a perfect thing in a long, long time. He could not be wearing anything under those pants. I could see way too much definition of the perfectly shaped head of his dick for him to be hiding behind anything like boxers or briefs.

  To save face, I was thankful my chocolate skin covered the fact my cheeks were on fire. I’d probably be as bright red as the PJ pants he was wearing if my skin was lighter. I ran my gaze the length of his body and back up again to his dark brown eyes, never wavering from mine.

  “Hmm,” I said, acting like I was mulling it over. When, in fact, I needed a glass of water, hell a freaking shot of whiskey, something. “Turn around …let’s check for…for…”

  For what exactly?

  I couldn’t very well say, ‘let me see that ass, boy. Show me what you’re working with…’ Thank God for my cousin.

  “Lint? And um...wrinkles,” Tionne added as a quick save.

  I shot her a glance, both of us knowing good and well lint in the back of his jacket didn’t matter worth a shit in a photo ad, but then again neither did anything in the back of him—which was a shame because that ass, though…

  He smirked as if he knew I was grasping at straws, or maybe he knew I just wanted to see if the back of him matched the front. He only turned halfway, and the side view had me biting my bottom lip.

  Lord, the man has an ass too?

  “Never mind!” I stopped him before he turned the full way around.

  Tionne cut in again “It really doesn’t matter what’s going on in the back when this is for an ad. But, when you are modeling for the guests…”

  Good save, cousin.

  This man is throwing my common sense off. I can’t have this.

  “Oh, yes, the customers… They would want to see the fit and the size. I mean, how it fits around… You know in the…”

  Fuck. I just tripped myself up again.

  “Jamilya, there is a guest over there that needs some help. I could always help out with the shoot.” Niya put a reassuring hand on my shoulder, and thank God she did, so I’d stop talking! I was making a fool out of myself.

  God, how embarrassing.

  I turned to leave, but his voice drew me back in. “Do you think I have the right size, Jamilya?” His question was straight to the point. I almost tripped and broke my damn neck looking back at him. Tionne and Niya looked between us like it was a Wimbledon tennis match.

  “Size...large?” I asked.

  He’s talking about the pants right...

  “Extra-large,” he corrected.

  Holy hell.

  “Hmm, well, the... Um...the pants fit you well. Right length, size, cut—”

  “Good. I’m glad you approve. I want to make the season bright,” he said, along with the lyrics to the song playing over head, filling the store with Christmas cheer. I wasn’t dreaming of a white Christmas until this dude started flirting his way back into my life.

  You clever son of a bitch. Hmm...okay, I see you.

  “You look great in the sleepwear,” Niya said, filling in the awkward space. Thank goodness because I seemed to be a jumbled mess of stupid at the moment. I turned away from the scene, but not before I heard Pepper hang up from her call and turn to the Sexy Santa. “Well, hello, Santa,” she cooed.

  I heard Bryson’s nervous male chuckle, and I wanted to stick my foot out and trip the woman as she sauntered toward him.

  Thank goodness I was going to see after this customer, as Janiya had suggested. I did not want to watch this girl lap dancing this man in a sexy Santa shoot; though, I knew it would drum up business for Christmas.

  Hmm, Tis the Season...I guess.

  Chapter Nine

  Bryson

  Three women in the store were making me pose and what they called ‘brood’ for the camera. Whatever.

  I did what they told me to do, all while holding a wine glass and a bucket for charity money for the ‘fa la la la’ holidays. Some girl who, I was sure, was half my age and equally, half-dressed, was riding my lap. She was rubbing all over my junk, while Tionne was explaining how she would make this a hot and sexy ad for Sensual Essentials. “Oh, that one will have digital snowflakes in the background. We’ll call that one, ‘All I Want for Christmas.’ Perfect,” she spoke as she shot each time Pepper rode my lap like she was on my sleigh. I guess she was trying to incite some wood out of me. But, these chestnuts would not be roasting on the open fire tonight. She needed to stop. She was not my type.

  I glanced across the store, watching Jamilya help a middle-aged woman pick out something lacy or silky or whatever women bought to drive a man wild.

  I’d made her nervous, I could tell. She didn’t know how to act around me. I wished she’d just be comfortable. I’d like to get to know her better as adults. It had dawned on me why I remembered her. We’d gone to school together in our senior year.

  Mily Hawkins...

  As a teen, she was shy, a bit awkward, but so smart. It was because of her tutoring me in math that I was able to stay on the football and basketball team. Now, she wasn’t only smart as hell, but she was a business owner, and she was beautiful…she was gorgeous.

  My thoughts were broken up by someone calling my name. “I’ve seen it all! I told you, you had a meeting at two o’clock—what on earth are you doing down here dressed up as Santa?” I looked over as my assistant walked into the lingerie store. “Oh, this is too damn good. I have to take a picture and show your mother.”

  Holy hell. No-no that is the last thing I needed.

  Clara would blow my spot with Jamilya, spread the news to half the town and—

  “Hey, Clara,” Niya said, reaching in for
a hug.

  “Wait...is this Bryson Tillerman?” Niya asked Clara, not doing a good job of faking her surprise. No wonder she recognized me earlier.

  Clara wasn’t such a reliable confidant. What in the world were these two up to?

  “Yea, I told you he was coming down,” Clara said, giving the younger woman a quick hug

  Janiya eyed me before she spoke, “Well, I thought it was him until he told us—”

  “Clara, what are you doing here?” I cut Niya off before she could tell on me for my little white lie. Okay, I’m not Nick Walsh, but Niya helped with that trumped-up story more than I did.

  “Well, hello to you too, Boss,” Clara scoffed at me. “So, rude, Bryson. It’s not a good look.”

  “Will you two keep it down?” I said, glancing at Jamilya. She hadn’t noticed the new addition to the group. And, Tionne and the teeny-bopper model were looking over the shots she’d taken so far.

  “Why do I have to keep it down?” Clara asked, looking over her shoulder.

  “Milya thinks his name is ‘Nick,’” Janiya snorted.

  “Nick?” Clara laughed. “Well, that is his middle name. But, why on earth would you tell her that is your first name?”

  “Good question.” Niya stared back at me.

  “Do you think she would let me do this Santa gig if she knows I’m the property owner?” I whispered to them both.

  Clara and Niya thought about it and shook their heads, ‘no.’

  “Okay, you have a point. My sister is probably gonna be pissed you are the property owner, and you didn’t fess up. But, she is gonna not like that you lied to her too,” Niya fussed.

  “I didn’t do that shit on purpose, Niya. You are the one that jumped in, deeming me ‘the best possible sexy Santa in all the land.’ What was I supposed to do?”

  “Well, you fit the damn part. Just sit there and be sexy,” she scoffed.