by Anthology
“I love you too, Mom. And thank you.”
I hang up and head back to the house, not crying at all. The tears are done I think, and that's fine for me. When I climb the steps and go back inside, I'm shocked when I see Jaxon on his knees, his hand against his stomach. “Jaxon? What's wrong?”
Jaxon shakes his head, smiling. “Nothing. I just... I have something for you.”
Jaxon unfolds his hands to reveal a gorgeous diamond and ruby ring. “This is the partner to my family's signet ring. It's yours... if you want it.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, my hand reaching out and taking the ring. “Jaxon...”
“I love you, Mandy. For nine months now, nothing has been more important to me than that. We've reclaimed our lives together. And if I'm reclaiming my life, I want to reclaim it all... and that includes you. For the rest of my life, that includes you. I want to make love to you, to... to raise a family with you, wherever the fuck fate takes us,” Jaxon says in a slightly hysterical laughing tone before he swallows and takes the ring back, clasping my hand. “Mandy... will you marry me?”
“Of course I will,” I whisper, slipping the ring on. It slides on effortlessly, a perfect fit, like it was made for me. Like Jaxon was made for me, and I was made for him. “Happy Birthday to me.”
Jaxon stands up, taking me in his arms and kissing me tenderly before leading me toward our bedroom. “Happy Birthday to you indeed. Now... let's see what we can do about making this duo a trio.”
Stolen Mistletoe Kisses
Willow Winters
Chapter 1
Vinny
The brightly colored mouse face on the plastic phone in my hands stares back at me. I remember this toy, with its primary colors of red, yellow, and blue, and the loud noises the buttons make. I can’t pull the little phone out, but I know there’s a thin red cord that’s connected so little tykes can drag it along the floor. I huff a small laugh.
Same damn toy I had as a toddler, twenty-five years later.
Some things never change.
I set the box back on the shelf and look over to my left. This aisle in the toy store lines up with the door to the back room, which in turn leads to the manager’s office. That’s right where I need to go. I’m just waiting on the perfect moment to slip into the back and grab the spare key. The manager slipped out already; he clocked out early even though the store’s still open. I don’t blame him, since it’s dead. In this small town, everyone’s done their shopping early for Christmas.
The owner and him are the only two with the keys to the registers, but now they’re both gone and won’t be back till after Christmas, and I know the keys are back there somewhere.
The old lady behind me finally tosses something into her cart, making a small racket and a squeak. I turn to look over my shoulder and watch as she pushes her cart away. I take the chance, looking to my right and left as I make my way to the “employees only” door and confidently open it.
As though I belong back here.
My heart’s racing, and adrenaline is pumping through my veins. This isn’t the first time I’ve done something like this. It’s been years since I’ve jacked a car or stolen anything. Back then I was a thief for hire. I’m not proud of it. But now I stay on the right side of the law. I peek into the break room and see it’s empty. Stockroom is next and there’s a girl bending at the waist digging in a box, muttering about how the color of the dress on the doll isn’t gonna matter. I keep walking until I find the door with the Manager’s Office plate on it.
Bingo.
I test the knob and it doesn’t budge. But that’s alright. I may be a reformed man, but I still remember how to pick a lock. I stare at the door for a moment, then look back to the storefront at the end of the hallway as I shove a bent paperclip in the lock.
This isn’t about stealing for me. It’s about doing the right thing. Maybe it’s the wrong way of going about it, but it’s the only way I know.
The lock clicks and I’m quick to open the door, walking in as swiftly and quietly as possible and shut it behind me with a soft low snick. My heart pounds, and I can hear the blood rushing in my ears.
I stalk to his desk and check there first. I need the keys to the register. I need that cash. I know this old toy shop doesn’t have a safe. All the money’s stored in the registers, and I need that fucking key.
It’s not on the desk. I open one drawer after another, sifting through all the paperwork and looking under the stapler and pens.
Where the fuck is it? I know he didn’t take it with him. He’s got the key to the entrance doors though and I wasn’t able to lift that like I would have liked. My eyes look up and hone in on something shining on the bookshelf filled with binders.
A smile crawls across my face.
The tiny key that’s been a pain in my ass the last week to get is hanging on a keychain, and I don’t hesitate to grab it. Finally. The last piece falls into place. I shove it in my pocket, knowing I’m one step closer to completing this task. Nothing’s going to stop me.
I put my ear to the door and listen for anyone coming. I don’t hear anything, so I open it slowly and peek out.
The chick who was digging in the box is walking toward the door leading out to the rest of the store with her back to me. She’s empty-handed and muttering to herself with her hands balled into little fists. She huffs a deep breath like she’s getting ready to go to war over this doll. I shut the door and wait a moment, listening for the telltale sound of the heavy door opening and then shutting. Click.
Once the coast is clear, I sneak another look and make sure.
No one’s there. My throat feels dry and my face is heated, knowing I need to make a clean getaway out of here and back into the store.
I lock the manager’s office door behind me and make a beeline for my escape. As soon as I’m back to the customer area, I feel a slight sense of relief. But I need to get the fuck out of here. One rule I always lived by back in the day, you never stick around to find out if someone saw you.
There’s no security in this place though. I know that for a fact.
If there were, I wouldn’t have to do this. They would’ve caught that bastard in the act, and it wouldn’t be left up to me to get justice.
I walk quickly toward the exit, through a few aisles of toy trucks and stacking blocks, but I stop before walking through the large automated glass doors.
Cary Ann’s standing at the register. Sweet Cary. The sight of her makes me stop before I can leave.
I’ve known her most of my life since we grew up together in this small town, but scoping this place out has made me see her in a new light. It’s been years since I really looked at her. And now I can’t stop. She’s not the little girl who’d fawn over me on the school sidewalks. She’s a woman now.
Her tight, faded jeans fit her figure just right and make my dick hard as a fucking rock. They leave nothing to the imagination, and I can just picture how the curve of her ass would feel in my hands. I don’t know how it’s possible that I ever looked at her with anything other than lust; she’s fucking gorgeous.
Her white tanktop is low enough that a bit of cleavage is showing, but the red cardigan she has partially buttoned up over it makes her look a bit more modest. I crave more. I wanna see more of that sun-kissed skin. Every inch.
She’s always popping that bubble gum, blowing big, round, cherry-red bubbles at the checkout counter. Pop!
It’s like she knows she’s tempting me with her sweet innocent glances. I don’t even know what she’s still doing here; she’s better than this.
She’s got her degree in social work, and I know she doesn’t want to work here at the toy store forever. This was a side job for money while she was at the university. She shouldn’t be here.
I clear my throat as the front doors open and an older lady walks out, clutching her cardigan.
Cary’s a distraction. And she’s sure as fuck too good for a man like me.
I thought she�
�d be gone by now. In the weeks I’ve been staking this place out, I never thought she’d still be here. But Christmas is around the corner, and she’s not showing any signs of leaving or even putting in her notice.
That’s a big fucking problem for me. I’m stealing every fucking dime in this place on Christmas Eve. She can’t be here, but she’s scheduled to be the one closing. All alone, too. I can’t pull a gun out and point it at my cherry. The thought of putting fear into those innocent baby blues breaks my heart.
But I’m not the villain here; Jimmy Morose, the owner, is a greedy thief. He’s practically the fucking Grinch. All the money that was supposed to go to the orphanage, he’s already stolen. I’m getting it back though, and that means emptying these tills at midnight on Christmas Eve. It’s the perfect time, right when the annual Christmas Eve parade will be happening and the police will all be there on the other side of town. It’s then, or never.
But Cherry’s going to be here… A grin slips into place. I could just steal her, too.
Chapter 2
Cary Ann
He’s here again, and he still hasn’t bought a damn thing. Not that a man like him looks like he needs anything in this toy store. I think he’s just coming to check me out. Or at least I thought he was. But he hasn’t said a damn word to me. Maybe I’m just vain or getting carried away with the thoughts I used to have of him.
Vinny’s a bad boy… or bad man, I should say.
I knew him growing up, and lusted after his I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude. He wore his leather jacket and rode that motorcycle everywhere. I wanted to be on the back of that bike. I wanted him to take me away. I shake off the thoughts and swallow down my childhood fantasies.
I was just a silly little girl. My parents would never have allowed it, and he was a few years older anyway. He wasn’t interested in a girl like me. Besides, I’m better for it now. I have my degree in social work, and I’ve already nailed down the job of my dreams. I’m going to be making the world a better place.
I’m not saying Vinny would’ve held me back, but I’m damn proud that I was able to focus on school and my career.
And to be wise enough to know what’s been going on around here.
Now Vinny’s back, and he’s tempting me. But judging by the puppy dog look on his face, I’m tempting him just as much.
My heart beats just a little faster, and my blood heats with lust. Pop! I blow out a bubble and hide my smile when I see him shake his head and smirk at me. My cheeks heat with a blush as I lower my head out of shyness and ring up the remote control car for the mom that's checking out.
“But I want it!” her little boy screams from the seat in his cart, and his loud shriek brings me back to the present.
He’s a cute little guy in a snowman sweatshirt, jeans and little boots that look like they could take on a blizzard. But his high-pitched yells and him kicking the cart are driving me crazy. And giving me a headache.
“You want to just hand it to him, or do you want it in a bag?” I ask the mom. I feel bad that she’s got two kids out here this late at night. That’s gotta be a handful and even worse since they’re obviously tired. She looks worn the fuck out. Her hair’s pulled back into a ponytail and the little infant in her arms is trying to yank on her earring, which is a miniature Christmas ornament. I wince. That looks like it hurts.
The woman leans her head down so her baby isn't tugging on the earring, seething through her clenched teeth; the pain is evident on her face as she pries the little fingers off of the dangling jewelry. The little girl squeals with delight in her mama’s arms and the woman gives the baby a small smile, but switches her to the other hip.
I don’t know what good that’s gonna do, since the little girl just focuses on that side's earring now.
“No thanks, can you bag it please?” she answers with a forced smile and leans forward to talk to the boy in the cart. “You have to wait, little man.” Good for her for at least holding it together.
The boy comically crosses his arms across his chest with a pout, and I have to stifle my laughter as I ring her up.
Once she’s done, the store’s basically empty. And it’s only a few minutes before close. Thank God. I’m spent. I’m ready to get out of here and grateful that so many people are shopping online. I yawn and cover my mouth, then look back to where Vinny was standing. He’s gone, and the sight of the empty aisle makes a frown touch my lips. I don't know why, but I just want him to say hi. To just acknowledge my presence. He never did growing up, but I never talked to him either. I didn’t have the courage back then. Now though… I need to suck it up and let him know I’m interested. I can do that. I should’ve already.
He’s been in here three times this week, and he’s never bought a damn thing. The knowledge makes my stomach twist in knots.
He’s up to no good. I hate that I think that. That’s what everyone said when he was growing up. They pretend like they don’t know why he ended up doing shady things when they never even gave him a chance at anything else. From what I know, he’s a good man now. He’s got his life together. And I hate that I think anything negative about him at all. But why the hell does he keep coming in here?
I hated the way the parents and teachers all talked about him when we were younger, yet I find myself thinking he’s gotta be up to something.
Or maybe I’m just projecting my own actions onto his behavior. My blood cools at the thought, but I can’t focus on that right now.
I smile as I ring up the last two customers in the entire place. At least there aren’t any more kids in here yelling. I’ve taken so much Advil the past week that I should really consider buying stock in them.
I’m leaving soon though; this job isn’t forever. I just need to stay until Christmas. I have to. I need to be here and make sure everything goes the way it’s supposed to on Christmas Eve.
With the store finally empty, I go through the daily closing checklist and take a peek down one aisle. It’s a fucking disaster.
Cindy’s crouched down, picking up dolls off the floor and shoving them back into place on the shelf. “I bet it was that little brat,” she says under her breath when she sees me. I have to press my lips together and hide my grin. She’s had a really hard day and given the fact that she only stayed on later because the manager ducked out early, I can see why she’s pissed.
“I can take these if you wanna line up aisle three?” I ask her. I know she prefers the larger toys. They’re mostly in boxes and easier to straighten out.
She sighs and looks up at me, shoving her blonde hair out of her face. “It doesn’t matter really. I’m just tired and ready to go home.” She looks fucking exhausted.
“Go ahead,” I say with a shrug, “I got this.” I don’t mind taking a little more work anyway. Besides, it’ll give me a chance to get things ready for Christmas Eve. The thought makes my skin prickle with nerves.
“You are a saint, Cary.” She rises slowly and stretches out before giving me an unexpected hug.
“Thank you,” she says and then doesn’t look back as she heads out the front doors to the parking lot. For this town, nine o’clock is late for any place to be open. But for the holiday season it’s worth it to be open another three hours on Sunday. At least that’s what Morose thinks, but he’s a liar, a thief, and an asshole. Judging by the lack of business, you can add dumbass to that list.
I have to straighten two more rows, all the while wondering if I’m going to be able to go through with my plan, and then I turn out the lights and lock the doors. I’ve been sick over this. I can’t stand it, and I want to make things right.
But I’m struggling with what I need to do. I’m not a criminal. And what I’m planning on doing is a crime. I run my hand over my face, feeling torn and exhausted as I walk to the parking lot. It’s late, and the street lights are dim. My heels click on the pavement, and my keys rattle in my hand. I look at the ground as I carefully watch my step, avoiding the potholes in the parking lot that Jimmy Morose
hasn't bothered to get fixed yet. The only sounds I hear are my heels, and I think I’m alone, but when I lift my head, I stop in my tracks.
Vinny.
He’s leaning against my car, his motorcycle parked behind him.
Chapter 3
Vinny
I can at least get her number, I think as I walk out of the store. Take her on a date. Maybe then I can convince her to quit. Or better yet, wear her out and make her pussy so sore she won’t be able to work on Christmas Eve.
The thought makes me smile as I take out my cell and text Toni. I let him know it’s all set for Christmas Eve and then sit on my bike watching the little boy across the parking lot say “please” over and over again to the mom who looks like she’s gonna snap any minute. She’s got a cart full of toys by her trunk, a little boy kicking the cart for enjoyment while begging for something, and the baby in her arms is throwing a fit.
Last-minute shopping doesn’t look like it’s treating her well.
“You need a hand with that?” I ask her, walking away from my bike and over to her minivan. The night air is crisp, and my boots smack against the pavement.
“Please,” she says as she looks up at me, but it doesn’t last long as her infant arches her back and lets out a shrill cry. “I thought they’d sleep,” she says with desperation cracking her voice. Poor mama. I feel bad for her as I reach in the cart and grab a few of the bags in each hand.
She opens the trunk and then the side door before placing her keys back in her purse. “My husband had to work late,” she starts explaining, as if she owes me that, but she doesn’t. I get it. Sometimes we do shit we wish we didn’t have to. “And he was supposed to do the shopping for his side of the family, and he never did.” She talks while plugging her little one into the carseat. I can faintly hear the clicking of the buckles.