by Zetta Hunt
My eyes grew wide. That’s when I noticed he was wearing a black suite with a red and silver tie that matched my dress. My mouth fell open. “You what?” I could barely speak.
He smiled, and oh lord help me was he handsome. “Brianna, I’m here to take you to the ball tonight.”
“Wait.” I tried to think straight. “You’re my Secret Santa?”
“Yes.”
“But, I don’t understand, you never speak to me. Why on earth would you want to take me to a ball?”
His smile didn’t falter. “I’ll explain it all on the way to the ball.”
I stood aside to let him in.
Then I remembered the note with the lingerie. For when I undress you. Remembered seeing him shirtless the other day. My temperature rose. Did he think? Wait, would I? Oh hell yes, that was a dumb question. But all this time he never gave me the time of day. Now, he showered me with gifts and he wanted to take me to a ball.
We stared at each other. “You never speak to me, and now you’ve sent me all these gifts and just like that expect me to go to the ball with you? I asked you if you saw someone leaving the gifts.”
His smile faded. “Technically, I didn’t lie, I didn’t actually see myself leaving the gifts. I overheard you talking to your friend on the phone that you were spending Christmas alone. I wanted to do something for you so you didn’t have to be alone. I just. . .Look, the gifts are yours to keep.” He deflated. “If you don’t want to go with me tonight, I’d understand.”
When I said nothing he looked at his watch and said, “I need to go, I don’t want to be late.”
A pang gripped my heart. Also, I knew if I didn’t go, Sandra would never forgive me. I probably wouldn’t forgive myself. “Wait,” I said as he turned to leave. I took a deep breath and said, “I’d love to go to the ball with you.”
He turned back around and his smile returned and it did all kinds of gooey things to my heart. “I better get that full explanation on the way.”
“Deal.” He picked up the black coat he’d given me that was laying nearby. I went over and he helped me into it. I gazed up into his dark eyes and my knees grew weak. “Shall we then?” He opened the door. We left the building, and he already had his SUV parked by the building door warmed up and running. He helped me in, then came around and slid into the driver’s seat.
As he drove he said, “I was not in a good place emotionally and mentally when I moved here. I’d just lost my house in a nasty divorce settlement. That’s why I didn’t speak to you, I had no desire to make friends with anyone, especially a woman. I’m sorry. But I figured you’d give up saying hi to me all this time.”
We stopped at an intersection. He looked both ways before we were on the move again. “But your smile always brightened my day and as time went on, I just didn’t know what to say to you. When I overheard that you were spending Christmas alone, I wanted to do something special for you. I didn’t know what, till I got the invite to the ball. I still didn’t know what to say to you and I figured if I just asked you, you’d tell me no, and rightly so. I’ve been an asshole and I’m sorry.”
My head swirled with all he was telling me.
He continued, “All I want to do is take you to the ball and have a good time tonight. I’m not asking for anything more. But, I don’t have any plans for Christmas day either, so if you’d like some company I’d gladly provide it for you.”
“I still can’t believe you were my Secret Santa all this time. I love the gifts, by the way. But, why are we going to the Local Small Business Ball? I thought you worked at a nightclub?”
“I own the night club. That’s why.”
“Wait, you own that club?”
“Yes. I was deathly afraid of loosing it during the divorce. Luckily, I had an excellent lawyer.”
“So why did you get divorced?”
“Apparently, she didn’t enjoy being alone at night while I worked the club. But it’d been my dream, and I wasn’t giving up on it. I told her what she was getting into before we married. I thought she was okay with everything. She gave no sign there was a problem. I came home early one night to find her with not one, but two men at once doing things I can never unsee.”
“Oh, wow. No wonder you were angry at the world.”
“Yeah, I thought we were going to build a life together. We talked about trying for a baby and everything. Apparently it wasn’t enough for her.”
My heart clenched. No wonder he hadn’t been Mr. Personality of the Year.
“Seeing you smile almost daily kept the darkness I was in from consuming me. You did more for me than you can ever know, and this is my way of saying thank you.”
Okay, now my heart was fluttering. “Does this mean you might say hi to me once in a while?” I asked.
My heart did back flips when he smiled and said, “I plan on saying more than just hi to you from now on. That is, you know, I mean, you know, if you would like to get to know each other better.”
The sudden nervousness in his voice endeared me like nothing else. “I’d like that, actually.”
My pulse quickened when he reached over and took my hand in his. Soon he pulled in to the parking lot of the event center where the ball was being held.
My first Christmas ball. Now I was the one who was nervous, because it finally hit me, I was going to a ball with my hot-as-sin neighbor. I prayed I didn’t screw this up.
Marcus
I was nervous as fuck. What was I doing? Had I been out of the dating scene so long that I now felt like a teenager on my first date? Actually, I don’t think I was this nervous on my first date.
Brianna was absolutely beautiful in the gown I gave her. I knew she’d look great in it, but nothing prepared me for the sight of her when she opened the door tonight as I saw her standing there. She was breathtaking.
The red-blooded man in me thought about the lingerie I gave her. Was she wearing it now? I took a deep breath and cleared that thought from my mind. No doubt I wanted her, but more than anything I wanted to make her mine. Not just for a night. Not just this Christmas. I wanted to make her mine for always.
We entered the event center and checked our coats in. Charles found me first thing. “Marcus, it’s so good to see you.” We shook hands. Then his attention gravitated to Brianna. “And who is this lovely woman?”
I couldn’t help but puff my chest out. “This is Brianna.”
When she extended her hand for Charles to shake, he instead took it and kissed the back of her hand. “The pleasure is all mine.” Something inside of me took hold. Was I jealous? I’d never been a jealous man. I wasn’t happy with the hand kissing. I reminded myself Charles was happily married and how much he’d done for me. Instinctively I put my arm around Brianna’s waist all the same.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Brianna said.
When Charles finally tore his gaze from my date, he said, “How’s business?”
“I think this is going to be our busiest holiday season yet,” I said.
“Good to hear. I have to introduce you to Jeff, he’s buying the building next to your club. He plans on opening an all-night diner next to you. Could benefit you both.”
Our night began with talk of business. After that, a dinner followed by Charles and a few others giving speeches. When the speeches ended, a DJ took control playing music and people filled the dance floor. I’d been enjoying Brianna’s company the whole time. She was smart and articulate, thoughtful and sweet. She made friends fast. When a slow song came on, I asked her to dance. Something I’d been looking forward to all evening.
“This is really nice,” she said as I took her hand and we began our slow movements.
“Having a good time then?”
Her smile raised my heart beat. “I am.” I enjoyed the feel of her so close to me. Her red lips only inches from mine. I wanted to taste them, but not in front of all these people.
“Good,” I said. “Because I’m having an amazing time with you.”
&n
bsp; We made some small talk as we danced. Afterwards, we mingled some more, but I wanted to get her alone. Brianna was everything I imagined and more. She blended in well and impressed everyone. Her sweetness and good nature were a far cry from what my ex had ever been.
At long last people began to leave and Brianna I were among them. As we drove back to our apartment she said, “This was really an amazing night, thank you. But you know, it really drove me nuts as to who my secret Santa was. I feared it was that creepy guy in the building next door.”
“You mean Ryan, that works at the car dealer?”
She laughed, and it was like the finest music. “Oh god yes. He is so creepy.”
“Just so you know, he has a knock-out of a girlfriend.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, they come into the club dancing. Believe it or not, that man has moves. He might come off as creepy at first, but believe it or not he is first rate.”
We arrived at our building and I cut the engine. I turned to her and said, “I have another gift for you.”
“Another one?”
“Well, the invite was only number eleven, I planned a full twelve.”
“But I thought the ball tonight was number twelve.”
“Nope. That still counts as eleven.”
We went in the building, and in my apartment where I helped her out of her coat. “Thank you for coming with me tonight. I really worried you’d shut the door in my face. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had of.”
“Well, I admit, you never had an outstanding personality, but you were always great to look at.”
“Is that so?” I gazed into her lovely brown eyes.
“It is,” she whispered.
I couldn’t help myself. I closed the distance and brushed my lips against hers. When she didn’t retreat, I gently gave her a real kiss. My whole being came to life. When I pulled away I said, “And I’ve always thought you were beautiful.”
Chapter 5
Brianna
My knees grow weak when he kissed me, and his words sent my heart soaring. Here was a man I’d admired from afar and now I’d been with him, talking, dancing, kissing. I gazed up into his dark eyes. He caressed my face as he gazed into mine. He dipped his head and took my lips again. He deepened the kiss, this time parting my lips with his tongue. My memory of him shirtless flashed through my head.
Even though he’d never given me the time of day, I’d been drawn to him, anyway.
He broke the kiss. “I want you,” he said. “I’ve wanted you for so long. But I’ll not push you into something you’re not ready for.”
As I gazed into his eyes, something inside of me knew I was ready for whatever he wanted to give me. I don’t know why. It made little sense. But right now, I didn’t care. It felt right.
I said, “As I recall, one gift you gave me was for when you removed my dress.”
He smiled. “You sure about that? Because believe me, I’m ready to take you right now. I knew I was pushing things with that gift but, I couldn’t help myself. You’re beautiful inside and out, and I want you like I’ve wanted no one. But this is your choice.”
My heart to swooned at his words. I gave him the most seductive look I could muster and said, “I think you should remove this lovely dress from me.” I leaned up and kissed him. He let out a low moan that sent me over the edge. I’d wanted him for so long, even though he never spoke to me. I’d wished for a man like this.
I can’t imagine the pain he went through with his divorce. Yet he’d opened his heart and given me so much, because I knew the presents were more than gifts to him. He was giving me a Christmas I’d remember forever and always. He was giving me a piece of himself.
He took a step back and removed his suit jacket, then held his hand out to me. “One more chance to back down.”
I took his hand and said, “Not backing down.”
He smiled, closed his big hand on my small one and led me to his bedroom. Once inside, he turned on multicolored Christmas lights that were strung around the room. “Festive,” I said. “You had this all planned, didn’t you?”
“Honestly, I really didn’t think we’d get this far, but I wanted to be prepared just in case.”
“Like a boy scout, huh?”
“I was never a boy scout, and trust me, I don’t intend to be one tonight.”
“Good, because that’s the last thing I want right now.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Really?” He wrapped his arms around me, never breaking eye contact as he slid the zipper down the back of the dress. He grazed his hands back up along my bare skin to my shoulders, moving the dress straps aside causing the dress to fall to the floor. His gaze swept up and down my body. “Perfection.” He pulled me close for a deep, hungry kiss I matched.
I tugged his tie loose. “Impatient?” he asked.
“You’re wearing more than me.” After I got rid of the tie, he unbuttoned his shit and shrugged it to the floor. “That’s much better,” I said as run my hands up his chiseled torso. His hard plains felt as good as they looked. Wrapping his muscular arms around me, he lifted me up and laid me on the bed.
His powerful body hovered over mine as he kissed my neck, then trailed kisses down to the top of my breasts. He lifted and said, “As much as I love seeing you in my gift, right now I want you out of it.”
I lifted, and he unfastened the red silky bra. With it gone, he brought his lips to one hardened nipple and feasted on it as his large hand massaged the other one. I entwined my fingers in his hair, urging him on.
He moved to the other nipple, taking his time. I knew my matching red panties were soaked already as every nerve ending in my body flared with pleasure. Moving from my breast, he trailed kisses down my belly, going lower as he hooked his fingers in the top of my panties and pulled them down over the black thigh-high stockings till he freed me of them. He tossed the garment to the side, then spread my legs with his hands.
I saw heat in his gaze as he looked me over. He watched me as he ran his fingers between my wet folds. I couldn’t help but arch my back at his touch. He leaned down and covered my clit with his mouth as he shoved a finger deep inside my wet sheath.
I moaned out as I fisted the bed sheets. He lapped at laved at my core, pushing me closer to the brink. I whimpered when he put a second finger in me. I knew I was close. He picked up the pace as if sensing my need. Seconds later, I met my release and cried out as I coated his fingers with my juices.
When I floated back down, he stilled and said, “You’re beautiful when you come.”
I couldn’t look away from his dark gaze. “I need you,” I breathed out.
He slid off the bed and removed his pants. I lay there watching his powerful form in awe. From head to toe, he was the perfection of a male form. I also became wetter when I saw how large his rock hard cock was. He was, without a doubt, beautiful.
Climbing back on to the bed, he positioned himself between my legs. He gave me a light kiss and said, “Sorry, I wanted to go slow, but I can’t wait any longer.” He ran his hands along my stocking clad legs.
“I’ve got all night.”
At my words, his mouth crashed on to mine. He positioned himself at my opening and slid in. I held on to him as he entered me. I was unaccustomed to a man of his size. I let out soft moans as he pushed in further and further.
His size caused a little pain at first, but it only heightened my pleasure. I didn’t want him to stop. When he finally buried every inch inside of me, I relaxed around him as he began his sensual movements.
He took my mouth again with his. I run one hand through his dark lush hair and another through his short soft beard. His dark eyes gazed down at me as he picked up the pace.
His muscles tensed and strained as he pumped harder. My body responding to his every thrust. I was close, but I wanted to hang on a little longer. I wanted to savor this moment. But when it became too much, I had to let go. My nails dug into his skin as I cried out my release. He didn’t sl
ow, and I didn’t want him to.
My body tensed around him. His breathing labored. Stars filled my vision as my body basked in pleasure. As I started back down, his body tensed and hardened as he found his own release. He let out a low groan as his hot seed flooded me. He gave a final thrust, and we collapsed in a tangle of limbs and sheets as we caught our breath.
When our breathing slowed, he rolled off to the side and pulled me close as he kissed my forehead. He said, “So you have all night?”
“Yes, I do,” I said as I snuggled in even closer.
“Good, because I plan on making good use of it.”
“I’m going to have to get you a gift for Christmas now,” I said.
“Absolutely not,” he said.
“What? Why?”
He shifted to look me in the eye. “Brianna, you have gifted me all year with your smile. You gifted me with your company tonight, and now you gifted me with so much more. You’ve already given me far more than I deserve already.”
“Are you saying you made Santa’s naughty list this year?”
A wicked smile spread across his face. “Trust me, by the time I’m through with you tonight, I will defiantly be on Santa’s naughty list for sure.”
Chapter 6
Brianna
“I told you that man would surprise you one day,” Sandra said on the phone the next day.
“Surprise? More like shocked me.”
Sandra laughed. “Are you complaining?”
“No complaints at all.”
“I’m so happy for you, sweaty. You deserve this. But I have to know, was he as good in bed as he looks?”
“Better.”
“I’m jealous of you. A ton of great gifts, a hot man, a Christmas ball and great ass sex. Seriously, I hope this gives Steve some ideas.” She laughed.
“Did I mention he’s going to cook Christmas dinner for me also?”
“I’m so going to have a long talk with Steve. His parents are great, but his mom can’t cook worth a shit.”
I laughed.
“Brie, I’m happy for you. I knew there was someone just around the corner for you.”
