Chapter Five
Hale Designs holiday party was held on the Wednesday before Christmas, since many people were going out of town for the holidays. Days before, everyone picked a name out of a hat and they had to buy a gift under twenty-five dollars for that person. The gifts were placed under the tree or under the menorah. Soft drinks and champagne flowed and there were tidbits on the table in the large conference room on the fifteenth floor. A hired actor, a dead ringer for Santa, real snow white beard and eyebrows, and round belly that did not require extra padding, was there to hand out the presents.
Once again the offices of Hale Designs was merry and whooping it up. Santa's chair was decorated in fake holly and mistletoe. Alice stood against the wall and watched the festivities. When you wear your sex appeal on your sleeve, many women won't count you as a friend and Alice was used to that. All through high school she had only a nodding acquaintance with other girls, she pretty much had herself and boys for company.
Same here in the grown-up world, Alice reflected. Women kept far away. Standing next to her was James on her left and Peter on her right, both of them attractive and attracted to her, but wary of doing anything about it because of the rumors.
Santa called the first name and it was Derek. Derek opened his present, a travel kit, and read the name of his 'Secret Santa'. "It's from…Bethany. Thanks Bethany." Santa called each name in turn, and he gave each man his present, with no fuss. But when it was a pretty female, he required her to sit on his lap and make a wish in his ear. It was all in fun and most of the women complied. He called Willow's name and she sat on his lap and whispered in his ear. Santa said, "If you're a good little girl you will get your wish." Then he gave her the gift and Willow opened it. It was a teapot for one. "It's from Jenna, thanks Jenna." He called each person by name. Some gifts were sweet, some were gag gifts. Santa called Maria's name and he handed her the festively wrapped package, he did not ask her to sit on his lap. (He's probably worried about his own package, Alice snickered to herself). Maria opened the gift and it was a foot massager, she read the card aloud. "It's from… Alice. Thank you, Alice." she grimaced, and Alice smiled politely in response. When Alice had made the purchase it was with the fervent hope that maybe, just maybe, the foot massager would relax Maria enough that she would be able to pull that giant rod out of her ass.
Santa called Paul Kincaid, and then James and then Tiffany. Then he called Jasper. Jasper took his gift and opened it. It was a 'Do Not Disturb' plaque for his doorknob. Everyone laughed and clapped, Alice had a fleeting suspicion that this gift came with innuendo and was a little nastier than just a run-of-the-mill-gag gift, but changed her mind when he read the name of the giver. "From Charlotte, thank you Charlotte; but I thought that was your job, to make sure no one disturbs me." Everyone laughed.
"It's for when I'm not here. I want to make sure you're covered." she replied. Everyone laughed again.
The process went on and on and then Alice's name was called. She walked over to Santa's chair. In the spirit of the holiday, and in her own unique style, she was wearing a bright red wool/silk knit dress. It had a bateau neck which emphasized her elegant neck and collarbone, and sleeves which came to just below her elbow. The dress was clingy but flared slightly at the bottom where it came to a very respectable four inches above her knees. She had on a wide black belt with red patent buckle and her black suede knee length boots.
The many bottles of champagne consumed may have gotten everyone a little tipsy, because as she stopped in front of Santa's chair the cat calls and whistling began. When Santa patted his lap, the whistling and whooping reached an all time high, Alice could barely hear herself think. Alice glanced at Jasper and saw that he was smiling and clapping too. As the noise lessened, she perched on the very edge of Santa's knee and he said "Ho, ho, ho, you can do better than that my dear." Santa pulled her fully onto his lap and the whooping and laughter became downright raucous. Someone said, "Go Santa, you the man!" and Alice almost bolted for her office. Santa held out his white-gloved hand and asked the crowd for quiet, "Pipe down, sssh. Sssh." It took Santa a couple of minutes to settle the crowd. "Now tell me your wish little girl."
Alice held up her hand near his ear as she whispered her secret wish. The cat calls started up again. Alice finished and Santa calmed the crowd of rabble rousers. He picked up her hand and kissed it and said, "You shall have your wish, my dear." and he gave her the gift from her Secret Santa. She opened it and it was a musical snow globe. Alice read the card. "It's from Jasper, thank you Jasper." She looked into his blue eyes, and he stared into hers, he was grinning from ear to ear. The crowd was watching quietly, and Alice thought she heard a sigh. She stood up and Santa called the next name.
After the gift giving was over, everyone milled about and drank and ate some more. And many more started leaving early, calling it a day. Alice went to her office and turned the key on the snow globe. "Unchained Melody" was the tune and the scene was Big Sur. It was so beautiful.
Jasper knocked on her door and came in. "Do you like it?"
She walked over to him and gave him a big hug. "Yes, I do. I love it. You're very sweet."
"I saw you looking at it in the gift shop when we were in Big Sur. When you turned away, I bought it and had them send it to me. Then I had to pay someone a hefty price to get you as my Secret Santa you know." His blue eyed twinkled. "Now after all that hard work can I get a proper kiss?"
"It's not a gift if I have to pay you with a kiss." She argued.
He held up a leaf, "But I've got mistletoe, you must give me a kiss. Santa said so."
Alice gave him a peck on the cheek.
"That's not a real kiss, Alice."
"That's not real mistletoe, Jasper, it's plastic." He tickled her and she giggled and struggled.
Jasper wrapped her in a tender embrace. "Forget the mistletoe, give me a kiss because you want to."
She tugged on his tie, and pulled him down to her. "I always want to kiss you." He held her by the shoulders and brushed his closed lips against hers, again and again. Until her tongue licked the corner of his mouth and he finally gave in and kissed her fully.
"Alice, sleep with me all night tonight." He asked her when he finally stopped kissing her.
She squirmed out of his arms. "I can't. I told you not during the week, I have work tomorrow. I'll be tired and I don't have any clothes at your place."
"Haven't you found a flat yet?" She had told him that she intended to move out of her mother's house and he was looking forward to it. He was not comfortable spending anytime in Renee Swan's house.
Alice went to sit back in her chair, moving in it from side to side. "Nope. But I will soon. I want to live close to BART, for the commute."
"I'll look for a place for you, here in the city, so you don't have to commute."
Shaking her head, her voice firm, she rejected his suggestion in a way he could not misconstrue. "I already told you, no. There's no way I'm allowing you to pay for a flat for me. Plus, I want to live in Berkeley, not here. You just want me conveniently close."
He pulled her up and wrapped both arms around her waist. "Can you blame me? I want you as near as I can get you. Alice, please sleep over tonight. I'm flying to Colorado tomorrow evening. This is the only night we can celebrate Christmas. Take tomorrow off, half the office will be gone anyway."
She pushed him away. "Jasper, I resent these last minute requests. I have nothing, no extra underwear, no toothbrush, no change of clothes. Nada. Even if I don't come to work, I have to wear the same clothes again tomorrow. You can't expect me to always be packed and ready so that I can accommodate you whenever you want me to sleep over. At least give me some notice. Be more considerate, for fuck's sake." Alice's voice had risen and her chest was heaving. Jasper turned on his heels and walked out of her office.
Alice knew he was angry, but she didn't care. It was always about him and what he wanted. She sat in her chair and resumed work on the latest project. A minute later, Jasper came back with a Christmas present for her.
He placed it on her desk in front of her. "Here! Merry Christmas."
"You already gave me a gift." She crossed her arms and pursed her lips sulkily, refusing to touch it.
He grabbed her by the chin and kissed her hard. Pulling away he said, "That one was from your Secret Santa, this is from me."
She opened it and it was a Prada leather weekender bag. He's spent way too much money on me, she thought to herself. "Thanks" she said, "It's very, very nice."
"Open it." His arms were crossed over his chest and his blue eyes were watching her.
She unzipped it and inside she found a smaller present to unwrap. It was a leather case with tooth brush, floss and toothpaste. In yet another gift box she found a brush and comb set. There was also a Saks gift box and she opened it. There were several lingerie pieces from Natori, sexy panties and two deliciously colorful silk nightgowns and a robe.
She put her face in her hands and burst into tears. She felt him pick her up and he sat down in the chair with her on his lap. "Shhh! Alice, don't cry. Please stop crying."
When she stopped she whispered. "I'm a wicked witch. I'm sorry." She kissed his neck and his cheek and his chin. She kissed him all over his face. "I don't deserve you."
"Does that mean you'll spend the night with me?"
"Yes, I will." and she pulled his head down to hers and kissed him.
#
They left the office at three o'clock and took a taxi to Jasper's place. Jasper's place was noticeably cleaner, obviously today was the day his cleaning lady came. There was a little three foot tree on a table and he had lights and ornaments in boxes. "Will you help me trim our tree?"
Alice realized he had really planned a little pre-Christmas celebration for just the two of them to enjoy. Lately, Alice had been feeling that he wasn't really interested in a relationship, that for him it was mostly about the sex, but this made her think otherwise. He put on Christmas music and brought out the eggnog and they had a wonderful time decorating the tree. They danced to "Rocking around the Christmas Tree" and threw tinsel on each other.
Then they walked down to the supermarket and Alice, who was no chef, bought Stove Top and thick sliced turkey breast, potatoes, and canned gravy. She made a holiday casserole for two. She layered all the ingredients and baked it. Martha Stewart, she wasn't, but it was tasty and filling and gave them a little holiday pre-taste.
"Mmm that was good." Jasper complimented her.
"Don't get used to it, I'm not a cook. That's Bella's thing. I think when I settle down and have a family I'll make sure we live near her so she can do all the cooking for me." Alice joked.
Jasper laughed, "I just can't see you married with kids."
"How do you see me? In the future, I mean."
"I think you're too exciting for married life. I see you partying on yachts in a bikini and having a good time, always the life of the party."
"Well, I can't do that forever. I won't be the life of the party when I'm fifty. You have a very narrow idea of me, don't you?"
"Alice, let's not argue again. I meant nothing by it."
"I'm not arguing." She wanted to ask him why he thought of her as only wanting a good time; ask him why he had this one-dimensional view of her, but knew that he was not in the mood for it. "We'll drop the subject." She snuggled into his arms and they sat watching the blinking lights on the tree. After a few minutes she jumped up excitedly. "Oh, I almost forgot to give you your gift." Alice got up and presented him with a gift bag. Inside was a festively-wrapped flat box. "Merry Christmas, Jasper. It reminded me of you."
He opened it. It was a beautiful cobalt blue silk robe that matched his eyes perfectly. "Thank you, very much." He gave her a kiss.
"Try it on." She urged him.
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours." He teased.
"Let's race." Alice laughed and shed her clothes quickly. She reached into the overnight bag for the robe he had given her, and put it on. She didn't bother with the nightgown. "Ta Da!" she turned around and showed him.
He wasn't ready yet. His clothes were off, but he was just getting the robe out of the box. Alice jumped up and down on the couch chanting, "I wi-in, I wi-in, I wi-in." and "You lo-ose, you lo-ose. "
He stared at her smiling as she jumped up and down. He finished putting on his robe. "You're a cheater." he accused. "You had less clothes to take off."
She got down off the couch. "You're a sore loser. You don't usually regard my wearing less clothes as cheating." she teased. "You look very, very handsome Mr. Jude Lawless." She undid the belt he had just tied, and gazed at his naked body with lust. She opened her own robe and pressed her naked body against his. She snaked her arms around his neck and pulled his head down for a deep wet kiss. "Merry Christmas, Jasper."
Jasper picked her up and carried her to his bed. The first time they made love they were so eager they still had their robes on when they were done. The second time was slow and sizzling. Afterwards, Alice was lying in his arms, head on his chest, stroking his arm. "Alice, I can't understand it. Making love to you is so much better than it was with anyone else."
"Maybe it's because you're starting to fall in love with me." She suggested as she ran her fingers up and down his firm belly.
He fell silent and still. She looked up at him, seeing that he was searching for the words to say. Alice was not going to let him off the hook, so she watched the emotions play across his face and she waited. He was either going to tell her how he felt, or she was going to drag it out of him.
"Alice let's take this for what it is, okay. Let's not push it. I don't do love."
Alice rolled on top of him and lay between his legs. She looked into his face. This was going to be a serious conversation.
"Have you ever been in love? Or said you were in love? With anybody? Ever?" She needed to know.
"Other than when I was a teenager? No. Never."
"How did you get away with that?"
"I don't lie. If I'm asked I have to tell the truth. Usually it leads to an argument and a break up. How about you?"
"Well all my boyfriends have told me that they loved me. And, yes, before you ask, I've told all of them that I loved them. But then I'm a lot younger than you."
"Ouch!"
"Well, I mean that I haven't had as many relationships. Jake, was my high school sweetheart. Then he graduated and left for New York and I dated Kyle, the super jock and class valedictorian. Then I graduated and left for college in New York. There I dated one of my professors, whom I was madly in love with. I broke it off after almost two years when I found out he'd lied about being divorced. He was married with a second baby on the way. That fucker turned me off relationships for a long, long time. Then I met Jake again, totally by accident, and we reconnected. We dated for a year and a half. And now you."
"That's it? You've only had three lovers?"
She touched his chest, "Four. That's it. I'm good aren't I?" She smiled confidently and rolled off him. She raised her arms to stretch like a cat next to him. "Sex comes naturally to me, I think it's in my genes. Jake always cried after we made love. He said he could never be with anybody else. Then, of course, he was. After we broke up he called me many times, begging me to come back to him. Because he said no one makes him feel the way I do."
She looked directly into Jasper's eyes and her voice lowered to just above a whisper. "And you know what? No one ever will, because I put a spell on him. I put a curse on every man I'm with, so be warned, Jasper." She sat up and slowly and gracefully waved her hands above his face, and spoke softly and hypnotically. "Jasper Hale, you will never, ever find another lover like me. You'll want me and only me forever. Poof!"
Alice burst out in a series of loud witchy cackles and she saw an odd look pass over Jasper's face. "You're cursed, you're cursed, for evah!" She cackled once again, for good measure. She looked at Jasper and for a second she could swear she saw a fearful look flicker in his eyes, and that made her burst into genuine laughter. Alice laughed and laughed rolling around on the bed until tears came to her eyes. She got up and ran to the bathroom.
When she came back Jasper was still in bed. And she got in next to him and hugged him. The giggles still weren't too far away. Jasper turned to her and held her in his arms, looking earnestly into her eyes. His voice was low and urgent as though he wanted to make sure she understood every word he was saying. "Alice, you are the best lover I've ever had. There's something about you, the way you kiss me and move with me and feel me. And I know that every time we're together it's even better than the time before. But that isn't the same thing as love. I'm not falling in love with you."
It suddenly occurred to Alice that he was like a dog with a bone. A serious, boring, old dog with a bone. Who wouldn't let it go, or let her in.
She rolled her eyes and patted his cheek. "I know that. Don't worry your pretty little head over it Jasper. I'm not in love with you, either. I'm just in lust with you." She ran her thumb over his lips and opened them to give him a deep wet kiss. She pulled away and whispered in his ear, "I'm sick of this subject, can we talk about something else. Or better yet let's make love, hmm?"
She kissed him again and he rolled on top of her and kissed her deeply. They made sweet slow love all night long. Alice lost herself in the sensation of being kissed and licked and touched and stroked by him, knowing full well that their time together was coming to an end.
#
Christmas was wonderful. Bella came home on Thursday evening and they went shopping for the tree. Alice, Bella and Renee sang along to Nat Cole, Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis and Bing Crosby and decorated the tree.
The following day they went shopping for groceries and last minute gifts. Christmas Eve night the ham was in the oven and the sweet smell of Christmas past, present and future filled the Swan house. Renee Swan prepared side dishes and Bella baked holiday cakes. Alice 'helped' by imbibing the holiday rum freely. In no time she was tipsy. Very tipsy.
At midnight Alice's cell phone rang. It was Jasper. "I want to be the first to wish you Merry Christmas, Alice. Am I?"
"Yes, you are. Merry Christmas, Jasper. Are you having a good time in Coldorado?" Her words were full of merriment, she laughed at her inadvertent pun.
"Yes, it's snowing, it's beautiful. I wish you were here, your sweet little naked body, lying in bed with me." His voice was husky.
Then why didn't you ask me? Alice wanted to ask him. He's so full of shit. "Then get out on those ski shlopes. Maybe you'll get lucky, and meet a Cold- Coldoradan to lie in bed with you." Her voice was slurred, soft and sexy even though her words were hard and mean.
"Alice, what's wrong?" The sexy huskiness was gone from his voice.
"Nothing is wrong." she chuckled. "It sheems as though you're in desperate need of shex, so I was wishing you luck with that. I would hate for you to come back home with cold blue balls." She started to giggle uncontrollably.
"You know Alice I called to have romantic pillow talk with you and you're ridiculing me." He was heated.
She was still giggling. "Romantic pillow talk, my ass. You called for a phone fuck, you horny bastard. On Christmas. Have you no shame?" She laughed at him.
"Alice, I'm going to hang up if you don't stop doing this."
"I'll save you the trouble." and she hung up on him. She laughed and laughed as she pictured his surprise. The thought briefly crossed her mind that maybe she shouldn't have had that fifth glass of rum punch.