by Claire Woods
“What? I’m not dressed for dinner there.”
“You look hot as fuck Kate,” he answers taking one hand off the wheel and placing it on top of my clenched ones.
“You do too.”
He’s wearing dark slacks with a buttoned-down white shirt tucked in. A charcoal wool sports coat hugs his broad shoulders. He’s the one who’s hot as fuck.
I fiddle with his radio, stopping when Mariah Carey sings about what she wants for Christmas.
I know what I want this year. And I think the odds are high I might get my Christmas wish.
We enter the Lincoln Tunnel, coming out on the other side five minutes later. Like Christmas magic, the lights of Manhattan are all around. Every lamppost has garland wrapped around with bright red bows. String lights twine around stick branches giving the hibernating trees life. There’s nothing like Christmas in New York. Nothing. It’s impossible not to believe in the spirit of the holidays when the city breathes with it.
“We should bring the boys here one weekend.” I finally turn away from the view. Gianni is staring intently at me. “What?”
“It never gets old, does it? The sights… the lights… ”
“No. It never does.” I answer with a smile.
He pulls into a parking garage a few blocks from The Four Season’s Midtown.
“You don’t mind a short walk?” He asks opening my door.
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss walking the streets of New York this time of year.”
“Looking for some Christmas magic, Kate?”
“I think I’ve already found some,” I answer taking his face with my hands, bringing it down while tipping up in my heels.
I hear the angels sing along with the trumpets in heaven.
In less than a week, he’s put the joy back into my world.
Our lips meet and this time—there’s no teasing as he cups my face sliding his tongue in my mouth. We moan in unison, mouths fusing together in harmony.
My breasts tingle, the butterflies in my belly rejoice—he moans my name, shifting his hips closer.
I’m pressed back against the door of his truck and this time—I’m the one moaning when I feel him harden through his dress pants and push against my tummy. I shift trying to increase my height, needing him pressed up against where I’m burning.
“God, I want you so much,” he murmurs against my lips. He cups my ass, lifting me and I wrap my legs around his waist.
He’s there, urgently pressing into the center of my body. My hips push forward demanding he gives me more. Instead, he huffs out a deep breath, resting his forehead against mine for a moment.
“I had to stop before I forget where we are.” He says, gently putting me down.
My lips tingle. My thong’s soaked but my heart—my heart is full, and I think I could fall in love again.
It’s terrifying.
Exhilarating.
Unexpected.
Who knew a week ago, I’d be here tonight? On a date with a man, I never knew existed?
I look up to the sky saying a prayer, hoping this could be the start of something real, not just for me—but for Luca.
The hostess seated us at a cozy table at the end of the room. From my seat, I have a view of the bustling city outside and the packed bar serving cocktails to elegant couples. Bright red poinsettias adorn every table. A three-piece jazz band plays Christmas tunes, and a few buzzed couples twirl around.
“Is work going any better this week?”
“No. My boss expects me to pull off a Christmas miracle. He asked me to sign two-hundred grand worth of sales by the end of the month.”
“Can you do it?”
“Not likely. By the end of the year—I’ve already exhausted any accounts where I could make up sales. I finally got an appointment with the biggest target on my list, but that was the day Luca creamed Tommy with the slushball. I never made it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“So am I,” I answer taking a long sip of Cabernet. The thick, red wine is smooth and the perfect complement to the steak I ordered.
“How did you end up married to Tiff?”
“Whoa… that’s a loaded question for a first date, huh?” He laughs swirling his own wineglass. “I met her six years ago at the Jersey Shore. I was young and stupid. I didn’t care much about a woman’s personality as other attributes…”
“Just like any other guy at that age.”
He tips his head, “Sure. I carried on with her for a summer and then it turned to fall. Before I knew what happened—I had a girlfriend. She got pregnant that New Year’s Eve. She had strep and was on antibiotics. She claimed that she didn’t know it could make her pill ineffective.”
“Was that a lie?”
“No. I believed her since Tiff was never big on kids—never mind getting pregnant. She was hysterical that she’d never get her body back. I put a ring on her just to calm her down. She seemed happy for a while…” He trails off, and I feel sorry for prying.
“I never loved her.”
“How long did you stay married?”
“Three years. I couldn’t pretend anymore. I tried—I did for Tommy. Being married to Tiff was hell. She never wanted to do anything with him—said being a mom was boring and that she missed clubbing. After she said that—it was my last straw. I was done. I packed up Tommy and rented a place before buying where we are now. Tiff was just happy to have my cash in her pocket—buying freedom. But I’m not bitter, she gave me my son. I’ll never, ever regret having him.”
“Of course not.”
“What about you and your ex?”
“Tony? Well, I was in love with him at first, but he changed, becoming obsessed with money and status. He had to have it all—including the cliché affair with his personal assistant.”
“Scumbag.”
“But what I’m most pissed about—is that he’d rather spend his weekends drinking and playing golf in the Hamptons than spend time with Luca. You saw how a lack of having his father around has affected him. He never acted like this before. I just realized—I never formally apologized to you for everything he did to Tommy. I had no idea his anger and resentment had escalated to the point where he was bullying other kids.”
“Luca’s a great kid. Look how much he’s changed in one week.”
“Thanks to you and Tommy.” I smile warmly, raising my wine glass to my lips. But it never gets there. “Shit,” I mutter under my breath locking eyes with Tony coming my way.
“Kate?” Gianni asks.
“Kate?” Tony says in disbelief.
“I wish I could say this was a pleasant surprise, but sadly it’s not.”
“This is your ex?”
“Unfortunately,” I answer.
“Is this the guy who you said had a bigger dick than me?”
Gianni almost spits out his wine.
My face is on fire, “Tony! What is wrong with you?” I hiss. Then, I notice his glassy eyes and swaying his feet. “You’re piss drunk… on a Wednesday night?”
“Ah, I came for happy hour with some guys from work and never left.”
“Obviously,” I answer dryly.
“So… are you are the one banging my ex?”
Gianni places his wine glass down gently and wipes his mouth with his napkin before scooting his chair back and standing.
“Gianni… don’t,” I plead.
“No worries, babe. I’ve got this.” He answers with a wink and that infamous smirk of his.
“Let’s take a walk, Tony.”
“It was good seeing you, babe.” Tony moves to kiss my cheek, but Gianni yanks him back by the arm.
“Wanna head to the men’s? We can compare and know for sure.”
“I’m good.” Gianni answers.
“I gotta take a piss anyway.”
Gianni rolls his eyes, mouthing, “loser” as he escorts Tony down the hall. I pick up my wine, gulping the rest in one swallow. I was having the perfect date until my ex-showed up. Ma
ybe he’s my curse; destined to ruin my life forever. He’s become a pest I can’t shake. Every time I call the exterminator thinking the problem’s gone—he comes back, finding a way to invade my happiness. I can only pray that Gianni’s not put-off by Tony’s antics and that he still wants to take a chance on me.
“YOU DON’T REMEMBER ME, DO you? I remembered you the second I saw that pug nose of yours since I broke it our sophomore year.”
I stare him down. I’m wound tight, worked up over what a piece of shit he is. I can’t believe he threw away his amazing son and his even more amazing mother for a quick bit of ass.
“I can barely see straight. Shit—DeLuca?”
“In the flesh. If you ever disrespect Kate again—I won’t hesitate to break your nose a second time.”
“Come on. I was just having some fun. Kate gets it. We’ve been sexting.”
“What?”
“She didn’t tell ya’ about the dick pic I sent her?”
“You are not worth one more second of her time, or Luca’s. Take a piss and get lost. I mean it, Tony. Get the fuck out of here.”
I turn around slapping the door open. I really wanted to hear the cartilage in his nose crunch, one second after my fist made contact. But I’m not the hot-head I used to be. I’m a father. A pretty decent one, and if she’ll let me—I’ll be the best boyfriend Kate’s ever had. I don’t believe for one second she’s texting him. He’s obviously still trying to wreck whatever happiness she’s trying to build for herself.
I’m nothing like him.
I’ve never been a man to tear a woman down. My ma raised me better than that. I just hope he hasn’t done enough damage to prevent Kate from seeing that not all men are like him. I need to put Tony out of my mind and focus on getting back to Kate. The back of her head is bent; her eyes look towards the windows. The sight of her sitting there despondent makes me want to haul her in my arms and cherish her like she deserves.
I want to kiss all her pain away—tuck her in my bed and tell her that it will all be all right. I’ve never had such a strong urge to protect a woman before.
Kate’s bringing out all my baser instincts and desires. It’s heady and potent. She’s all I can think about. I’ve woken up hard and hurting for her every morning since the day we met. I just want a chance to see where things with her could go.
I’ve been lonely; looking for a woman who could fit into my life and understand what I’ve gone through. Kate is everything I’ve been looking for and when she dropped out of the sky, landing in my lap—it was like a gift falling out of Santa’s sleigh.
I’m not gonna let her get away.
She better not think: I’m just another meathead looking to score. Well, I guess I am.
My eyes drink her in as she waits for me
I'm winning your heart, baby and giving you mine—all wrapped up with a friggin’ red bow tied around the box for you to open on Christmas morning.
“I’M SORRY WE RAN INTO him. I’m so embarrassed.”
“How he acted is not a reflection on you. It’s a small world. I actually knew him back in high school.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I kicked his ass real good our sophomore year when he lied and told all the guys on the basketball team he scored with my cousin Liliana. I almost broke his nose again, but I wanted to get back to our date and not waste another second on him.”
I link my arm through his as we walk towards Rockefeller Plaza to see the iconic skating rink with Manhattan’s Christmas tree decked out in the center.
“It’s late, and the boys have school tomorrow.”
“I know,” he sighs. “But I just couldn’t wait for the weekend to do this.”
I moan as he yanks me to him and places his hands on the back of my head. He wastes no time entering my mouth. Our tongues dance together.
My hands snake inside his sport coat, and I clutch the firm muscles of his back, feeling them contract.
The night air bites my face with its icy sting, but the rest of my body is warmed by the fire igniting between us. We let it burn, kissing like our lives are ending. He maneuvers us behind a landscaping wall where potted evergreens shield us from view.
I move my hands down to the full round globes of his muscular ass, pulling him to me.
“God, I want you,” he rasps between kisses.
Our mouths break for air, but we still clutch each other close.
I feel something wet land on my face and tip my head back. Falling down from the sky are the first snowflakes of the season. They flutter in the air glistening from the reflection of the lights all around.
“I don’t want tonight to end,” I whisper, feeling the magic.
“It doesn’t have to. I’m sure Luca’s passed out. I’ll carry him to the car and up to his room. I’ve done it for Tommy a million times. Do you want me call the house and check in if it’ll ease your mind?”
I nod, placing a finger to my lips wishing his were still on me.
“Ma? How are the boys? Good… good. We’ll be back in an hour or so, all right?”
“They’re fine. Ma said they fell asleep an hour ago watching the Polar Express.”
I begin to relax and go back to enjoying the most romantic date I’ve ever been on when my cell pings.
Chet: Meet me@ 9 tomorrow morning at Deb’s Diner to go over your 30-day plan.
Don’t be late.
My face falls.
“Kate? What’s wrong baby?”
“It’s Chet. He wants to meet me tomorrow morning. He’s putting me on a plan. That’s code for. ‘I’m firing you in thirty days.’ ”
“I’ll break his nose for you if you want. Actually, I might just do anything to hear you scream my name…” He says retaking my mouth—like he owns it.
I whimper low in my throat, and he growls, “It’s been too long, and I want you in my bed. We’re doing this sweetheart. It’s not gonna be an ‘if’ but a ‘when.’ ”
I can’t answer.
Images fill my head of the two of us naked and moaning; our bodies thrusting and twining together on cream satin sheets.
I melt, ready to do whatever he says. He’s all male—huge in every way, and my female DNA just wants to let him go all caveman on me.
I want to be ravished and fucked… and loved by him until I can’t think.
Until I can’t walk.
Then I want him to do it all over again.
But dreams of sweaty and hot sex with Gianni will have to stay just that—dreams.
I sigh, texting Chet back: See you then.
But in my mind, I also typed out: motherfucker.
“Don’t let him get to you so much baby.”
I shrug my shoulders, “I don’t want to think about work when I’m with you.”
He stops walking, “Kate,” he whispers cupping my face with his warm hands. He lowers his head kissing me breathless in the middle of one of the busiest street corners in Manhattan.
The city moves around us, but we’re still. Caught up in this moment together. I feel like we’re in the middle of a snow globe; a place where time stops and magic spins.
The need to fight this left me days ago. It’s past time to live for myself again. He smiles against my lips and holds me close, before taking my hand and leading me back through the snow-covered streets with my hand snugly fitted into his.
Despite how tomorrow ends, tonight was magic.
“SHE WAS A LOOKER.”
“I know Ma.”
“You like her?”
“Yeah… I think I could love her one day.”
“What?” She snorts picking up her purse. “She’s the first woman you’ve taken out since Tiff.”
“You don’t know everything I do, Ma.”
She flushes to the roots of her carefully dyed chestnut hair.
“Well, she does seem like a nice girl and a doting mother unlike, Tiff.”
“She’s fucking perfect. You want me to drive you home?’
“Don’t be crazy. I only live around the corner.”
“Thanks for babysitting.”
“I love it. You know that.”
“Hey, Ma—do you remember the Gilletti’s from Staten Island?”
“Sure… I was good friends with Grace Gilletti for years, why?”
“Tony Gilletti is Luca’s father. He’s a real schmuck too, blows him off on the weekends just like Tiff does to Tommy.”
“What a loser.”
“I was thinking maybe you could call his ma and get her to beat some sense into him. She’ll set him straight real quick, and Luca would finally get some time with his father.”
“I wish I could. She died a few years back.”
“Oh shit. I’m sorry for Luca.”
“I know, but don’t worry. His Great-Aunt Giovanna is still around. She’s terrifying. I’ll set her off on Tony, no problemo.”
“That would be perfect. Thanks.”
“I’d do anything for you—my son.”
“I know, Ma. I wish Tommy could have what I did. You are the best mother.”
“Well, you never know what’s coming around the corner for you,” she replies with a wink.
My heart feels light, and I whistle, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” as I walk back inside. I hope Luca’s Great-Aunt Giovanna is a tough old-bird like Ma says. With a little help, Luca might get the best Christmas gift this year—a father who finally gives a shit.
I just wish I could do the same for Tommy: A mother that cares more for him than herself.
MY FOOT TAPS ON THE tile floor of the cafeteria. I just want to get the hell out of here. But I can't, because in a moment of "mommy guilt," I responded to the email from the PTA asking for help with the annual holiday fundraiser.
This year—one-half of the proceeds are being donated to our sister school in Houston since they lost most of their library books in the hurricane flooding last September. It's a great cause, but the other moms on the committee are driving me insane.
"Frank Carlucci backed out as being Santa this year. We need a replacement."
"My husband wouldn't be caught dead wearing a Santa suit."
"My husband doesn't have enough patience for hundreds of screaming kids grabbing at him yelling what they want for Christmas."
