AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter is rated M.
Under The Mistletoe
Chapter 6
-ZED-
Being a mall Santa wasn't so bad. The long hours in a stiff chair and a line of bony butts waiting to make my legs numb were the least of my problems. One month has passed and there's still no end to Addison's list of complaints. Once Wyatt is back from his holiday vacation with my sister, we're all going to be having a nice long chat.
It's Christmas Eve which means I'll never have to ask another child what they want for Christmas this year. Well, at least not for many years. The image of little firecrackers weaving around my legs and calling me daddy has my heart swelling.
But that's probably a bit too forward. Addison doesn't scare easy, but talk of kids one month in… yeah, that would scare anybody away. In fact, I'm scaring myself. I've never fallen so hard and fast. I've never fallen in love… ever, now that I think about it.
There's something about her. She's outspoken, direct, and demanding. Everything I would normally find annoying as hell. But she's not petulant about it, she's confident. A woman sure of herself and what she wants is damn sexy.
Thoughts of her plague me so much that I stay up through the night, tossing and turning. When dawn brings searing bright sunlight through my window, I smile groggily. It's been well over 15 years since I stayed up the night before Christmas.
It isn't until after I ring her doorbell that the fog in my mind clears. Shit. It's Christmas. Of course she's with family. We've only been seeing each other a few weeks, she probably hasn't even told them about me. And outside of work, we didn't do a whole lot of talking so I never even asked about her Christmas plans.
The sound of Christmas music from inside confirms it. She's with family, or soon to be, and she's hosting. And her fuck buddy is standing on her stoop uninvited. I'm such an idiot.
Halfway down the front steps and the music gets louder. Christmasy piano fills the quiet street. I turn around expecting to face the stern glare of Addison's father standing in the open doorway.
"Hey, Santa. You're a little late, you know." Addison beams wide. Her hair is in loose waves and half tied back. She's wrapped in a thick robe that looks like an ugly Christmas sweater that somebody made several feet too long. Fuzzy bunny slippers stare back at me.
"Merry Christmas, Addison." I pull the poinsettia plant from behind my back.
Her smile is wide and infectious. "Thank you!" Come in, come in! I was just about to make cocoa. Want some?"
"That's okay, I don't want to intrude. Just thought I'd stop by and bring you a little gift." I step backward down a step.
"Plans with Wyatt and your sister?"
I shake my head. "They're still on vacation. It's just me. Oh but don't worry, I've got a date with some microwave pizza and an overdue winter's nap."
"I'm all alone, too." Her smile fades. "Please stay with me."
"Yeah, okay." I blurt out, taken aback by her look of loneliness.
A dazzling smile lights up her face and she darts out to pull me inside. "Brr… I'm going to add more logs to the fire."
Addison's place shocked the hell out of me when I first saw it. And every time after that. I never got used to it… not that she gave me much time to admire her décor. I hang my leather jacket on the coat hanger in the shape of "NOEL" hanging behind her front door and take in the scene around me.
Thick wreaths line the walls in various styles. Garlands rope around every window and doorway. Her tree looks more like a massive organized pile of ornaments and ribbons than an actual Christmas tree. A fireplace rages as she tosses two logs into the flame. Her curtains look like they're made out of my thick Santa costume. The air is rich with cinnamon and peppermint. True to her word, beyond a wreath on the door and her tree visible through the window, there's not a single decoration outside.
"I'm scared to know what this place looks like on Halloween."
She grins over her shoulder as she sets the poinsettia beside the hearth. "Like this but everything's black and creepy."
Her kitchen is even decked out. Santa cookie jar, red and white hand towels, snowmen-shaped cooking utensils hang on the wall, holiday theme coffee mugs, and decorative plates line a display shelf.
"I feel like I'm in a Christmas boutique."
"What can I say? It's the most wonderful time of the year."
I laugh at her ridiculousness and fall that much farther. Her hair smells of spices and wood smoke and beneath her robe, I catch a glimpse of a gray tank top with no bra underneath. I think of laying her beneath her tree and tying a ribbon on her bare body.
She leans against me, sighing in contentment while she adds marshmallows to a cup. As she finishes making our hot chocolate, my eyes keep flicking to her front door. Maybe they celebrate over dinner instead of first thing in the morning.
"What is it? Are you okay?" She nudges me from my thoughts. I follow her to sit in front of the fire. The flame dancing at our feet reflects the vibrant red and gold wrapped presents under her tree.
"When are people coming over?" I gesture at all the presents. "I don't want to invite myself to your Christmas dinner. I'm just the boss you screw on your breaks, after all."
Addison chokes on her hot chocolate. Her pink tongue swipes at a tiny marshmallow stuck to her lip. My desire for her flares.
"Jeez, you make me sound like a tramp. Besides, I told you, it's just me. If being here today is weird for you, may I remind you who it was knocking on my door?"
"If it's just you, who are all the presents for? Wait... don't tell me… they're decorations, aren't they? You really are extra."
"Nope. I bought those all for myself. I do this every year. Get my own gifts, wrap 'em, and come morning, I slip on my favorite robe and slippers," she wiggles her bunny slippers. "Then I sit by the fire, drink my cocoa, and unwrap my gifts."
"Alone?"
"Yeah."
The fire pops, sending embers out in a sparkling display. Alone every year. Wyatt and my sister Zoey almost always vacation around Christmas, leaving me alone each year. It's never bothered me. But seeing Addison alone like this has my heart in a knot.
"Are your parents…?"
"Alive and well."
"Then why aren't you…"
"My parents are perfectionists and I…" she held up the ends of her gorgeous snow-white hair. "I don't exactly fall into the image they try to project. Don't get me wrong, they're not bad people per se. Just really selfish people." She offers a sad smile.
"They're idiots. You're perfect." I watch as a soft blush spreads across her cheeks. "I'm glad I came by." I reach for her hand. She squeezes mine. "Seriously though, you could've told me."
"I figured you had plans," she shrugs. "Most everyone does."
To the tune of a piano version of jingle bells, Addison begins opening the gifts she'd gotten for herself. I lounge by the fireplace, sipping from a little reindeer mug, and wonder if I'll be here next Christmas and the one after that. Maybe by then, more than one stocking will hang from her mantle.
"Oh thank you! You have no idea how much I needed these." She gushes over a pack of plain black socks. "How did you know?" She coos and hugs a red sweater. "It's like you can read my mind!" She holds up a fondue set. "You're the best gift-giver ever!" Addison slips on a thin tennis bracelet and wiggles her fingers at me.
I laugh at her display. "Do you compliment yourself on your gifting like this every year?
"Maybe," she grins.
"Guess I'll just have to find out next year. Looks like I've got tough competition as best gift giver though."
"Oh, so you plan to be my boss slash fuck buddy for that long, huh?"
"Nope, I'll probably be promoted to fiance' by then." My heart hammers as the words slip out. What the hell brain? We agreed to dial back on the crazy, remember?
Addison's eyes widen. Shit. Shit. How the hell do I backtrack from that?
"Ambitious and committed, I like it." She smiles wide and kicks herself free from the rubble of her unwrapping destruction. Addison drapes in my lap and hits a lever to throw the footrest up on the recliner. Her head settles against my chest. "And I like you. A lot."
"I'm falling for you." That's it. Mouth, you're grounded.
Her head whips up, her eyes pinning me in place. I open my mouth to dial back on the too-much-too-soon but then close it again. Taking it back now would only make this worse. My lips twist into a lopsided smile. I swallow back the panic as she continues staring me down.
"Really?"
I nod slowly.
To my surprise, she twists to straddle me, then leans down and kisses me gently. "I'm falling for you, too." Addison's eyes glitter in the flickering light. The fireplace pops and crackles. The piano Christmas tune changes to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Her words shoot straight through my chest and a strange warmth fills me.
"I love…" Nope, nope. Too soon, too soon! "Christmas." I recover with a broad smile.
She snickers, not falling for my cover-up. "I love… Christmas, too." Her smile fades into a darker look. Her gaze drops to my lips, her tongue darting out and taunting me.
"Can I unwrap my present now?"
"I didn't…" She starts to say but then closes her mouth as realization dawns when I slip a hand between us to untie her robe. The weird elongated ugly Christmas sweater falls away to reveal red striped baby doll pajamas. Gray lace ruffles atop her breasts, drawing my eye to the familiar glint in her cleavage.
I run my hands through her hair and pull the elastic free. Snowy white waves tumble around her shoulders and the fire casts her in a fiery glow. Her nimble fingers make quick work of the buttons on my green flannel shirt.
On top of the wrapping paper and ribbon mess, I lay her bare and beautiful body. I pluck a ribbon from the debris around us and place it on her stomach. "There!" I say triumphantly.
"Shut up and come here." She giggles, holding her arms out to me.
But I take a moment and breathe in the scene. Her body is flushed, her breasts taut and nipples peaked, waiting for my touch. Her legs part for me, waiting, and glistening secrets beckon to me. Her toned stomach quivers in anticipation. The mess beneath her crinkles as she sits up and wraps herself around me, pulling me down to her. Her mouth is hungry and her touch frantic.
I reach behind her neck and unclasp the necklace. With a wicked grin, I hold the small silver mistletoe charm over her lips then kiss her until she writhes and moans for me. Then I pull back and dangle the charm over her breasts.
"God, yes. Please, Zed!" Her hands fist in my hair as I kiss and nibble each nipple.
I trail the mistletoe lower and hover between her legs. Her hips buck as her eyes meet mine then drop to my lips. She mouths please and bucks her hips to meet my kiss. From the corner of my eye I can see her head tip back as she cries out. Her body trembles and her hips pump against my tongue's assault.
When her body becomes frantic in its search for release, I pull back and chuckle at her whimper of protest. I clip the necklace back on her and revel in the half-crazed look etched into her beautiful features.
"Thank you for the milk and cookies. I'm a very happy Santa."
Addison blinks at me before sputtering out a surprised laugh. "You're ridiculous. Shut up and finish what you started already."
I'm pushed onto my back as she rises over me. Before I can so much as settle onto the clinging wrapping paper, she slides me inside her, urging a deep moan from my throat. Her hips pump hard and fast.
"Fuck, Addison. Slow or I'm gonna…"
"Please… please…" She begs then arches back, crying out as her body trembles. She clenches around me, drawing the orgasm out before I'd had a chance to catch my breath.
"Damn woman, give a guy a chance to enjoy himself." I gasp teasingly as she collapses onto my chest.
"Your fault…" she pants, "for stopping when I was so close. Naughty, naughty."
"Oh, I'll show you how naughty I can be." I grip her hips, twist above her, and snuff out her giggling with my mouth.
ZzZzZzZzZzZ
Addison and I piece together a small Christmas dinner with odds and ends from her pantry. The fire has died to a glowing red pile of ash. The sun set hours ago and the piano songs have been replaced by some amazing Nina Simone. Our cocoa is swapped out for red wine. But thankfully our clothes remain heaped and discarded.
Addison twirls in front of the stove to "Wild Is The Wind." The red and green apron flairs out in her spin, giving me a peek of the flushed skin beneath. The silver and blue snowflake apron she forced me into itches against places that make me flinch with every move. But the kitchen is filling with the smells of thyme and chicken and the future is laid out before me. Never again will either of us spend Christmas alone.
"How would you like to join me in overhauling all Santa Stops?" She eyes me with suspicion but says nothing so I continue. "I want your vision for every location. And I obviously need your help in establishing a Santa vetting procedure."
"Obviously," she nods. "Fine, but I want the corner office with the best view."
"Well, my home office does have a pretty great view of a lovely forest."
"Hmm…" she purrs, lost in thought as she sautes green beans.
"How do you feel about the Easter Bunny?" I picture her place decked with pastel ribbons and fake egg wreaths.
"Huh?" She pauses from bending down to the bottom shelf in her refrigerator to look over at me. I lean back against the counter, enjoying the view, and momentarily forget what the hell I was talking about.
"I was thinking about expanding the Stop to include an Easter Bunny visit. Same gig, pictures, sit on the lap, get candy." I've seen it other places, but the idea to have our own Bunny Stop just occurred to me.
Her face splits in a wide grin. With a package of carrots in her hands, she stands up and does a happy dance. I laugh at her obliviousness to the irony of the vegetables in her grasp.
"I love it! I already have so many ideas!"
"I'm sure you do, my love." I kiss the top of her head to hide the embarrassment of my motor mouth.
Addison peeks at me over her shoulder with a sweet smile on her perfect lips. "This is the best Christmas ever… my love." She adds with a naughty twinkle in her eyes.
Nina Simone pitches in with her rendition of "Feelin' Good" and I add my baritone to her contralto much to Addison's delight.
Indeed, this has been the best Christmas ever. And I'll make sure every holiday is this magical for my little firecracker from now on.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Merry Christmas Eve! Thank you to everyone that has been reading this! I hope you all have an amazing holiday!
