Christmas In Mistletoe

by Clare Lydon

  The passion roaring within took hold. All the colours behind Fran’s eyes turned to red, as she clutched Ruby that bit tighter still. Every heated moment they’d shared flashed through Fran’s mind, and every fibre in her body tightened to breaking point. Then desire crashed through her and her thoughts fell to dust. Fran came undone in a blur of movement and sensation she’d never experienced before.

  Ruby’s fingers were buried deep inside her, and Ruby’s whispered words urged Fran on. The light flashed once, twice, three times before Fran stilled Ruby’s fingers, whispering to her “enough, enough.” Fran didn’t want to, but she had to. For now.

  The sheet was soft under her skin as she pulled Ruby close. Fran was on the podium, the race won, champagne popped. She wallowed in the glory, soaked up the applause. It wasn’t hard. Ruby made it easy.

  Fran floated back to reality, the sugar rush of sex still fizzing through her. She kissed Ruby’s lips, then cracked open an eye.

  Ruby stared at her, a lazy smile on her face that told Fran she was feeling pretty pleased with herself. She had every right to be so.

  “You’re delicious, you know that?” Ruby shook her head. “Scarily so.”

  “I could say the same for you.” Ruby had no idea of the cartwheels Fran still had going on inside. Of the utter delight screaming from her every bone. Ruby was missing the fact she was a sex goddess.

  “You think everyone’s still out?” Fran pressed her face into Ruby. “If your parents heard me come, I’m never leaving this room.”

  Ruby hitched an eyebrow. “There’s an invitation.”

  Fran’s laugh was deep and guttural. “This is all your fault.” She kissed Ruby’s lips. “You strut around on stage outside, holding the village in the palm of your hand. Then you bring me in here, pull me into the bedroom and seduce me. How could I resist? It’s my duty to womenkind.”

  Ruby snorted. “Your duty? Wow. Women have described sleeping with me as many things, but never as ‘their duty’.” She quirked an eyebrow. “Their pleasure, maybe.”

  Fran grinned, then put a hand on Ruby’s face, stilling the chat. A rush of desire raced through her. She reached around and squeezed Ruby’s bum cheek. “You’re a little smug, you know that?”

  Ruby tilted her head. “Which bit of what just happened was most smug?”

  “All of it.” Fran smiled. “You’re annoyingly talented in all departments.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  Fran wriggled her hips. “I’m glad you remember.” She reached down and trailed her fingers through Ruby’s core.

  Ruby’s eyes closed and she shook at Fran’s touch.

  “You’re so fucking wet.” Fran rolled Ruby off her and reversed their positions. She pressed her naked body into Ruby, before trailing her fingers up and down the inside of Ruby’s thighs. Fran locked eyes with Ruby, then slid right inside her.

  Fran let out a long, low moan of pleasure. “Fuck, you’re so sexy.” Her voice was a growl. “Now, show me how quick you can come.”

  But Ruby shook her head, her breathing laboured, and reached out to Fran, too. “Show me how quick we can both come.”

  Ruby’s words made Fran quiver as another orgasm thrummed inside her. She slid onto her knees and opened her legs wide, making it easy for Ruby.

  Fran curled her fingers into Ruby, hitting her high and making her cry out. Fran’s other hand found Ruby’s clit.

  Ruby squirmed beneath her, her eyelids closing.

  Fran’s movements became frantic, as did Ruby’s. If Fran thought Ruby was all over her earlier, this was another level altogether, one she welcomed with open arms.

  Their rhythms merged as they both became more vocal, until Fran could hold off no more. Her hips bucked, her heart roared, and then Fran soared. In seconds, she began to shake, just as Ruby’s insides clutched Fran’s fingers, and they cried out as one. They both kept their rhythm, coming together in one earth-shattering moment.

  When they could take no more, Fran slumped on top of Ruby, and their racing heartbeats seemed to merge. Fran placed open-mouthed kisses on Ruby’s shoulder and her neck, loving how Ruby twitched under her lips. She tasted delicious. Then Fran put her head in the nook of Ruby’s neck, the only sound their breathing returning to normal. She gripped Ruby’s waist tight, warm and sated. She hoped Ruby felt the same. If she didn’t, there was plenty of time to correct course.

  Eventually, Ruby looked at her, grinning. “As girlfriends go, I think we’re going to be a good fit.”

  Fran burrowed her cheek into Ruby’s neck and laughed. She had the biggest smile on her face.

  Chapter 29

  Ruby crept out of bed the following morning, threw on her jeans and a T-shirt and slunk downstairs to get coffee and toast. She needed sustenance this morning, having been up all night with Fran.

  She boiled the kettle, then cut thick slices of tiger bread and put them in the toaster. Ruby buried her head in the fridge for milk and butter. When she popped out, her mum was behind the fridge, her hair sticking up, her dressing gown pulled tight.

  Ruby jumped out of her skin. “Don’t do that!”

  Her mum hugged her, Ruby having to bend down as she was so much taller. She didn’t mind. She breathed in her mum’s smell, still the smell of home.

  When they pulled back, her mum got another mug and added a teabag to it.

  “Sorry I bailed on helping out last night.”

  Her mum raised an eyebrow, then indicated Ruby’s two mugs. “You had other things to attend to.” She paused. “Is Fran still asleep?”

  Ruby nodded, embarrassment seeping up her body. Having a woman in her Mistletoe bedroom was a first for both of them. Ruby buttered the toast while Mum cleared some plates from the side into the dishwasher. She hadn’t tidied up last night. She must have been tired.

  Ruby put their breakfasts on a tray and picked it up. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

  Her mum laid a hand on her arm.

  Ruby stopped.

  “Just so you know, you did so well last night. You were incredible. We’re very proud of you.”

  Ruby flushed. It was always nice to hear. “Thanks, Mum.”

  Back in the bedroom, Fran was awake, checking her phone. When Ruby walked in, she looked up and gave her a wide grin, before pulling the duvet up to cover her breasts.

  “Don’t do that on my account.” She gave Fran coffee and toast.

  Fran made a famished sound. “You’ve no idea how hungry I am.”

  Ruby sat on the bed. “I do, because I’m the same.”

  “You okay with crumbs in the bed?”

  “So long as you’re served with them, I’m good.” Ruby ate her first piece, savouring the flavour. “By the way, I forgot to ask. Did Fast Forward make number one?”

  Fran shook her head. “Beaten by Skinny YouTube Boy. But we made number two, and there’s still one more chart before Christmas, so who knows. I checked my messages, too, and yesterday went well for them.” She ate some more toast. “It’s interesting working with Fast Forward. They could be really big. Girls and boys like them, so the sky’s the limit. Plus, the lead singer’s getting over her fears. A little like someone else I could mention.”

  “It was only a first step, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Ruby said. “Remember, I’m still me. I don’t do massive shifts in momentum. I’m a tortoise, not a hare. Slow and steady wins the race.” She paused. “Although, I better make sure I service my music mogul before she hits the big time and leaves me for the lead singer of Fast Forward, hadn’t I?”

  Fran chuckled. “Have you seen her? Tenny’s 19. I’m 36. I could be her mother.”

  “Stop it,” Ruby replied.

  “Have you seen your streaming numbers this morning? I bet they’ve gone up overnight. I posted a video of you singing ‘Pieces Of You’ and it’s got a couple of hundred likes already.”

  Ruby turned her head. “You did? I must watch it back.”

  “You should. You’re inc
redible and sexy. Buy one get one free. You’re my favourite BOGOF.” Fran smirked at her own joke, then kissed Ruby’s lips. “Good morning, by the way.”

  Ruby kissed Fran’s shoulder. “It certainly is with you in my bed.”

  Fran gave Ruby her phone and clicked play on the video.

  Ruby watched a minute of it, then clicked off. “It feels weird watching it now. Like masturbating in front of you.”

  Fran gave her a sultry smile. “I find both of those hot, so feel free to act anytime you want,” she replied. “Do you believe me now when I say you’re more than just a normal singer? That you could be a household name?”

  Ruby sighed, but happiness spiked her body. “Of course not.” She put down her coffee and sat up on the bed, taking Fran’s hand in hers. “What I know is that you spur me on. Like you said last night, you’re a great cheerleader. I appreciate that. I’m going to write a song for you one day.”

  Fran put a hand to her chest. “Nobody’s ever done that for me before.”

  “I better get there before Fast Forward lady does then, hadn’t I?”

  “Talking of Fast Forward, I still really need to go back to London this week. It’s our Christmas party tomorrow night, and I still have the final week to wrap up. Which I could do without, but I need to go. Plus, I need to deliver Delilah’s car back to her.”

  “I was hoping for a spin in the Porsche.”

  “We can still do that. I don’t have to leave until later.” She put her coffee down and crawled on her hands and knees to Ruby.

  Desire slid down Ruby. She reached down and cupped one of Fran’s breasts, before kissing her hard on the mouth. “I wish you didn’t have to go. I wish we could have the most perfect Christmas week.”

  “We will,” Fran replied. She knelt in front of Ruby, wrapped her arms around Ruby’s neck and kissed her. “I’ll be back for Christmas. You can trust me on that.” Fran cocked her head. “Do you trust me now? Have I done enough to let you know I may be in the industry, but I also have a heart and a soul?”

  Ruby nodded. “You have. I trust you.”

  “Good, because I’ll be seeing Delilah again this week, but you need to remember I’m your girlfriend, okay?”

  “I’m the only one you’re getting naked with?”

  Fran cocked her head. “If we discount Fast Forward lady.”

  “Touché.”

  “If you miss me, just remember this moment. Me naked in your arms. And if this isn’t proof of what Mistletoe has done to me, I don’t know what is. When did I turn into such a cheesy romantic?”

  “It was always buried within. I just coaxed it out,” Ruby replied.

  Chapter 30

  “Wow, you look hot.” Damian put a hand to his mouth, frowning at his own words. “And I can’t quite believe that just came out of my mouth. I apologise. I will file that under ‘things never to say again to your boss’.”

  Fran looked down at her outfit. She’d decided to wear the blue suit she bought for her cousin’s wedding two years ago that had sat in her wardrobe ever since. She’d teamed it with some navy heels and a crisp white shirt. “Thanks, I think. Although is now the time to tell you I’m gay?”

  Damian opened his mouth wide. “Stop, you’re killing me.” He waved a hand. “But seriously, you look… I don’t know. I’m not going to say hot again.” He stared at her, then clicked his fingers. “You look like someone who got laid at the weekend. Am I right? Is that what I’m picking up?”

  Fran willed her cheeks not to colour, but she was pretty sure they had. If not, her silence was deafening.

  Damian grinned at her. “I’m right, I know it. Good decision for you to go home, then?”

  “Great decision. The gig was a hit and I have a new girlfriend.”

  Damian put his hands in the air like he’d just scored a goal. “OMG! That’s fantastic. Is she signing with us, too?”

  “That was not in the criteria of her being my girlfriend.” Fran hadn’t even thought about that the whole time. She must be smitten.

  “You’re slipping,” Damian said, laughing. “But looking like that, you’re going to draw attention at tonight’s Christmas party, mark my words.”

  Fran grimaced. “I hope not. I plan to have a couple of drinks, grease a few palms and be home before I lose my shoe and need to be rescued.”

  “That’s everyone’s plans until the shots take hold.” Damian paused and straightened his party shirt. “Anyway, everyone smashed it at the weekend. Fast Forward killed the performance, in a good way. I watched that video you posted, too.” He shook his head. “That song needs to be heard. Ruby was amazing.”

  “Wasn’t she?”

  Damian nodded, then checked his watch. “We better get to the marketing meeting and then to the party.” He slicked back his hair. “How do I look? My make-up on-point?”

  “To die for,” Fran replied.

  The label party was in an old warehouse in East London that used to be a huge wasteland of space, and was now a huge wasteland of space that had been swept twice and had a bar installed. It was freezing, but the amount of booze on offer was the way to stay warm. Fran stalked the room, waved at Jules and Niall, and headed in the direction of Fast Forward’s lead singer, Tenny. As usual, Dronk Records had invited everyone on their roster — from interns to superstars. Even Delilah was coming. Everybody was under strict instructions to take no photos or videos of the guests.

  Fran recalled Delilah getting drunk at her very first Dronk Christmas party, when nobody knew who she was. In fact, it had been the Christmas party where they’d first kissed. Fran didn’t want any walks down memory lane fuelled by a heady mix of tequila and nostalgia, hence she was sipping sparkling water. She was a taken woman now.

  She passed a chocolate fountain, with sugary doughnuts and marshmallows to dip. She got out her phone, snapped a photo and tapped out a message to Ruby.

  ‘I’d like to cover something else in chocolate and lick it off. I’ll leave your imagination to figure out what. Miss you x’

  Fran hit send, pocketed her phone, and carried on walking until she landed next to Tenny. “Hey you,” she said, nudging Tenny with her hip.

  Tenny gave her a hug, before taking a swig of her beer. Something about her stance had always tweaked Fran’s gaydar, and tonight was no different. Can someone hold a beer bottle in a gay way? If it was possible, Tenny was doing it.

  “Great to see you. Great party, too.”

  Fran nodded. “It is.” She paused. “Are you performing later?”

  “We are.” She gave Fran a tight smile.

  “Are you feeling more relaxed about it?”

  Tenny shrugged. “I wouldn’t say relaxed, but at least this performance won’t be judged by the public or by the music press. This is just playing for our label, so the pressure’s off.”

  A little like Ruby’s performance at the weekend.

  She put an arm around Tenny’s shoulder and squeezed. “Damian said the weekend was fantastic. You’re doing brilliantly. Just keep going, and that’s the very best way to answer the haters. They’re doing nothing with their lives. You’re doing it all.”

  Tenny gave her a tense smile. “Thanks. I wasn’t sure I was ready for the exposure, but the team have shown me I can do it. I just needed to believe in myself a little more, and cut out the noise — from my past and my present.”

  Which sounded all too familiar. It’s what Ruby needed to do in order to get over her fear of success. Because that’s what it was. All these women had trained themselves to think they were one thing, because society told them they were. In actual fact, they could be anything they wanted to be. They just needed to believe it. Fran was pretty sure that Ruby’s weekend gig, plus her growing streaming numbers were the first step to her rebirth. Fran wanted to be there for all of it.

  Tenny slipped away some minutes later to get ready to play.

  Fran stood at the back waiting for them to appear when Delilah rocked up next to her. She chatted at spee
d in Fran’s ear about some producer she hated that Niall was trying to get her to work with.

  “Can you have a word with them?” Delilah swayed as she spoke. “You’re the only person in the world who gets me, Fran. Nobody else does. Nobody else ever has.”

  Fran’s defences went up as she glanced at Delilah. “Have you been drinking?” She already knew the answer.

  Delilah shrugged, then held up her right hand, indicating ‘a little’ with her thumb and index finger. “I needed something to take my mind off the fact Gretchen hasn’t been answering my calls this week. Probably another relationship I’ve fucked up. First you, then her. I’m doomed to singledom.”

  Fran grabbed her arm and moved Delilah to the side of the room. “What do you mean? Have you broken up?” She spoke slowly and at high volume, to make sure Delilah understood her over the music.

  Delilah shook her head. “No, we haven’t. But why is she ignoring me?”

  “She’s probably busy with her family. The whole world doesn’t revolve around you, Delilah.”

  “Easy for you to say, with your new, talented girlfriend.” Delilah pouted. “Did she like that you posted that video? Is she getting more views?”

  Fran didn’t like Delilah’s tone. “She is, but she’s still nervous about it.”

  Delilah got out her phone and called up the video. “What if I post it on my socials and tell everyone to go and listen? That would get her noticed.”

  Fran shook her head. No, she didn’t want Delilah to do that, but she had to handle it delicately. “That would be great, but I’d have to get Ruby’s okay, first. She’s nervous about exposure and what it would mean for her career. She likes to be in control. She’s been burned before.”

  Delilah waved her phone in the air. Her eyes were glazed. She might be more drunk than Fran had first thought.