by Evelyn Sola
“Nothing sexier than my woman moaning every time the fork goes into her mouth.” She pulls her wrist free, pierces a shrimp with her fork and turns her beautiful brown eyes back to me. She puts the fork in her mouth, closes her eyes, and moans softly as she slowly pulls the fork out.
I take the fork from her hand and set it down while never breaking eye contact. I lift her from her stool and place her on my lap and immediately stick my face in the side of her neck. She shivers in my arms and practically comes apart when I lick the base of her neck.
“Don’t tease me, pretty girl. If I had a table, I’d throw you on top of it and eat you instead of this food. You taste far better.” I bite the skin at her collarbone, causing her to groan.
“Good thing that table will be here in four days.”
“I’m going to have you on every piece of furniture. I’m going to have you on the floor in front of the tree at least a hundred times before Christmas. I plan on being inside of you so much, I won’t know where I end, and you begin.”
I know she can feel how much I want her when she starts to grind on me. She leans up, her lips parted, and I give her a tap on the lips.
“Let’s eat first. You’ll need your strength.”
CHAPTER 18
MIRANDA
“Girl, I want to know what’s gotten into you. Or should I ask who’s gotten into you? You haven’t stopped smiling all day.” I turn to my friend Marissa and smile even wider. I pretend to ignore her by arranging bras in the drawer for our customers, but she nudges my shoulder with hers, urging me to speak.
I mouth later, knowing full well I’ll tell her everything. We’ve been friends since high school, and she’s the manager of this store. In fact, when things ended with Brandon, I had no intentions of quitting my job, but he started dating another employee, and since his mother ran the call center, it got very uncomfortable for me there. When I told Marissa about it, she offered me a job as a sales associate in the store for the holiday season. She’s already told me she plans on keeping me on after the holidays.
“And why have you been keeping shit from me?”
“Because you’ve been dealing with your sick mother-in-law. Let’s just say I met someone, and it’s complicated.”
“Forget my mother-in-law. This was just her latest attempt at getting her son’s attention. That old bitch is much too mean to die.” Marissa grabs my hand and walks me to the back of the store where I tell her everything. Her jaw drops when I tell her my new boyfriend is my mother’s boss.
“She’s going to be pissed, but judging by the smile on your face, it’s totally worth it. And he wanted to tell her right away. Got to respect the man for that, and I agree with him; the sooner the better.”
Luckily, a throng of people walks into the store, putting an end to our conversation. Marissa goes to help at the cash register and leaves me to my thoughts.
I squeeze my legs together, feeling a tingle of pleasurable pain in the apex of my thighs. I put both hands to my cheeks, but I can feel the flush creeping on my face.
When my mother pressured me to go with her to her company’s Christmas party, I considered it as a favor to her since my dad refused. It was an evening I had to endure to make her happy. I never would have imagined what would come of that one night.
Her boss, the man she described as the devil in human form, was the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. But that wasn’t even the best part. He wanted me from the first moment our eyes met. I knew it. I felt it.
When he asked me to come to his house, I had no choice. It was inevitable. We were inevitable, like opposite sides of the same coin.
I absentmindedly help two older women, but I’m on autopilot, smiling politely and speaking at the appropriate times, but my thoughts are on Nick Bain, my boyfriend.
I almost giggle at the thought, but I catch myself and continue working the floor of the store. Visions of last night flash through my mind. The way he took control of my body in the middle of his king-sized bed; but what happened after was the best part. Being held tightly in his arms, our legs intertwined, and with my head on his chest, we fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, dazed and confused, we were still wrapped around each other.
As I straighten a display of silk panties, I become aware of a change in the atmosphere, and when I look up, I find him walking toward me. His eyes hold mine until he reaches me in the middle of the store.
“Can I help you?” I ask him. I almost explode into a ball of fire when he smiles at me.
“I hope so. I’m looking for something for my girlfriend. Do you think she would like these?” He holds up a lacy red thong.
“I’m not sure. Tell me a little bit about her first.”
“She’s gorgeous. Easily the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” My eyes widen at his words at the same moment my nipples harden. “She’s sexy but sweet and innocent. She drives me crazy, and she doesn’t even know it.”
“Really?” I ask. “How does she do that?”
“Just by being her.”
I start rummaging through the underwear, knowing exactly what I’m looking for.
“Is this a gift for Christmas?”
“No, I wouldn’t get her underwear for Christmas. This is just for tonight.”
“In that case, I think I know just the thing. Is there a budget, sir?”
He cackles at the question, then slowly shakes his head as he mouths the word “no.”
I turn toward the side of the store and find a short, red satin robe. Beneath that is a matching cami set. I also find a black, lace bustier and a matching thong. He smiles when he sees it.
“Do you think these will work, sir?”
“Perfect,” he says. I hand him the items, and he takes them from me, making sure his fingers touch my hand in the process. “Just a few more things for her to keep at my place.”
I follow him and watch as he picks out about half a dozen panties and matching bras.
“Are you sure those are the right size?” I ask.
“Positive.” I grab a bag for him, and he puts everything inside.
“Your girlfriend is a very lucky girl,” I tell him, smiling shyly as I look into his eyes.
“You think so?”
“I know it. I’m sure she knows it too.”
“I hope so. I try to show her. I’m going to go pay. I’m hoping my girlfriend meets me outside of your store in a few minutes for lunch.” He checks his watch and starts walking to the long line at the cash register.
“I’m sure she’ll be there,” I say to him.
I walk to Marissa and tell her I’ll be taking lunch soon. She nods at me, too busy ringing up sales to pay any attention. I return to the floor, and the minute I see him walk out, shopping bag in hand, I go in the break room and clock out.
As soon as I step out of the store and into the crowded mall, I see him. He’s leaning on the wall right across from Victoria’s Secret, watching me. He smiles when he finally sees me, and I nearly skip to where he is. Nick opens his arms, and I fly in. He lifts me off the ground before kissing me softly. I cling to him, smelling his cologne as he holds me close.
“There’s my girl,” he says, kissing my forehead.
“I’ve missed you,” I say to him, realizing the truth of my words. It’s only been a few hours, but he’s all I’ve thought about since I walked out of his house this morning.
“Me too. How long do I get you for?” I wrap my arms around his bicep, and we start walking.
“Forty-five minutes.”
“Let’s eat. I have something to talk to you about.”
^^^^
We opted for something light, Cobb salads for both of us, and luckily, we found a table in the middle of the crowded food court.
“Ireland for Christmas, huh? That sounds amazing,” I say to him as I steal a slice of avocado from his bowl.
“So, she feels bad about not spending Christmas with me. I thought I’d invite them over for dinner Friday night and
show off the place.”
“Yeah, that sounds like a great idea.” I’m already disappointed he’ll be busy on Friday, and I won’t get to spend time with him.
“Why are you pouting if you think it’s such a great idea?” He bumps my shoulder with his and steals a piece of bacon from me.
“You’ll be busy on Friday and I have to work on Saturday, which means I won’t see you until Saturday night.” I pout dramatically again.
“Well, you won’t have time miss me since you’ll be there for dinner, and you’ll be spending the night.”
I stop mid chew when his words finally sink in.
“You want me to meet your mother and stepfather?”
“Why not?” He shrugs. “This isn’t a secret, Miranda. I’m ready to tell your mother now. I’m only holding off because of you, so, yes. I want you to meet my mother. I already told you she’s going to love you.”
Guilt mixed with another foreign emotion takes hold of me. I reach over and grab both of his hands and look into his deep blue eyes. “I’d love to meet your mother.” He smiles, raises my hand, and kisses it. “Are you sure she’ll like me, or be okay with us?”
“She’ll love you, and why wouldn’t she be okay with us? She was a lot younger than my father too. She’ll probably make a joke that’s the one thing I inherited from him.”
“I wasn’t even thinking about the age thing,” I say, eyes wide as I let go of his hands. “Now, that’s another thing I have to worry about. I was thinking about the elephant in the room.”
“What elephant? Your mother?”
I burst out laughing. “I’ll be sure to tell Mona Moore you referred to her as an elephant, but no, I meant the interracial thing, Nick.” I roll my eyes at him.
“My mother won’t care about that, but if she did, I’d tell her to fuck off. Is that why you won’t tell your mother about us? Will she have a problem with that?”
“That will be the least of our problems, Bain. You’re more like the bane of her existence.”
He relaxes and pulls me into his arms. “But what am I to you?”
I turn in his arms and look into his eyes. “You’re becoming my world.”
CHAPTER 19
MIRANDA
“There’s our baby girl, Nigel.” Mom pulls me into a tight hug. She holds on to me as if she hasn’t seen me in years. My father pulls her away and takes me into a bear hug.
“How’s Uncle Lee?” I feel a twinge of guilt for not thinking of him at all in the past few days.
I had every intention of coming home Sunday before my parents arrived back from Hartford, but Nick convinced me to stay another night. I felt no guilt about telling them I was spending the night at Marissa’s.
Mom talks about the weekend and my aunt and uncle while I set the table for dinner. The phone in my back pocket vibrates, and as my mother talks and my father finishes dinner, I check my phone.
Nick: I’m lonely.
Me: I’ll be there in less than twenty-four hours. Miss you too.
I send him a kiss emoji.
Nick: What are you doing?
Me: About to have dinner. I’ll call you after. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.
Nick: Neither can I, pretty girl.
Minutes later, we’re seated at the table, and my stomach growls at the smell of chicken and white rice.
“So,” my mother begins after loading her plate, “you two won’t believe this.”
“Believe what, woman?” my father asks. “Get on with it.”
“The boss was pleasant all day today. He even smiled on more than one occasion, and for whatever reason, he’s been going out of his way to make conversation with me of all people. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was trying to be friendly toward me.”
“What’s wrong with that, Mom? Maybe it’s time you let go of this grudge.” I try to catch my father’s eye, but he’s looking down at his plate.
“Because I don’t trust him, baby girl. Not one bit. Why on earth would he suddenly want to be nice to me?”
My father lets out a snort. “It’s not what’s gotten inside him, woman. It’s what he’s gotten inside, or who.”
I start to cough, and mom absentmindedly taps me on my back. “Which brings me to my next point,” she says.
“Why are we always talking about this man?” my dad asks. “The poor sap’s ears are probably always ringing.”
Mom ignores him and continues. “I was in the kitchen, and his phone rang. He had set it on the table.” She puts a forkful of food in her mouth, most likely for dramatic effect. Daddy looks at me, smiles, and rolls his eyes. Mom notices and tries to pinch him, but he blocks her hand.
As my mother’s words sink in, I start to cough again, because I know who called Nick during lunch.
“Get on with it, woman,” he says.
“The phone vibrates across the counter, and I couldn’t help myself. I had to look.”
“Of course, you did,” Daddy says.
“And the name Pretty Girl flashed across his screen.” She lets out a loud shriek at that announcement. “I don’t know whether to be happy, feel sorry for her, or track her down and warn the poor girl. Instead of answering the phone right away, he looks at me like a deer in headlights. Finally, he picks up the phone and runs out of there like the devil himself was after him, which is impossible since he is, in fact, the devil.”
She leans back in her chair and claps her hands once, as if her statement was a big revelation.
“Why would you feel sorry for this woman?” Daddy asks. “Sounds like the man done lost his damn mind over the woman, whoever she is, if he has her in his phone as Pretty Girl.”
I clear my throat loudly and take several sips of my ice water as I think of a way to change the subject. Just as I’m about to open my mouth and say something, my phone buzzes again.
I tune my mother out and check my texts. I choke on my laughter when I see a picture of Nick doing an exaggerated pout.
Me: My poor, rich baby.
I add a smile emoji at the end.
Nick: I need my pretty girl
Me: You’ll have me tomorrow. Let me make you dinner for a change.
“Maybe I will find this woman and warn her.” My mother taps me on the shoulder. “Right, baby girl?”
“Woman,” my father begins, “leave him alone. If the man is getting some, he’ll be happier, and that will make things better for you at work. Leave it be.”
Irritated by my mother’s judgment, I lose my patience.
“What exactly did the man do to you, Mom? I met him and he’s not the devil you described.”
My father nods in agreement. “Don’t forget that nice Christmas bonus you got. And you just admitted a few minutes ago the man is trying to be nicer, which he doesn’t have to do, Mona. He’s the boss while Joe is out.”
“He offended me on his first day. He was rude and talked down to me. I went out of my way to decorate his office to make him feel welcome, and he destroyed my hard work. How can you all forget?” I try not to roll my eyes, but my dad catches me and winks. “He essentially called me a thief, and he broke the mug my baby boy made for me. I’ve had that mug for over two decades and in a few seconds, he destroys it. I think he did it on purpose.” She taps on the table with two fingers while she nods.
“Mom, he did not. He had the books audited. That’s it. And you have nothing to hide, so what’s the issue? You told us he apologized for the mug incident. It was an accident.”
“You two never take my side.” My dad grunts and shifts in his seat. That’s mom’s typical accusation whenever we don’t agree with her. “I know him better than the two of you. Trust me. He’s the devil, and I will never like that man.”
CHAPTER 20
NICK
“It’s so beautiful,” she says for the millionth time. “It doesn’t even look like the same place.” She stands in the middle of the living room and spins around, looking in awe at the change in the room.
<
br /> “I’m pretty sure it is. And you said the same thing on Wednesday when you were here.”
I admit, the place was transformed with just the furniture, but a few hours later, Miranda showed up. Like a whirlwind, she came in through the garage and grabbed the bags from our shopping spree. She had so many in her hands, I had to rush over and take them from her before she fell over.
After a kiss that got my blood pumping, I started to lead her to the bedroom only for her to sidestep me. Instead of cooking me dinner like she promised, I offered to cook while she turned my house into her version of a Christmas card.
The tree is lit with white lights and matching ornaments above a beautiful red skirt. The house is fully furnished now and filled with poinsettias. I hadn’t told her, but I hired someone to put Christmas lights outside the house and wreaths on all the front windows. When she arrived, we spent ten minutes outside looking at the lights while I held her in my arms, shielding her as best as I could from the harsh December winds.
My regular dishes were put away and replaced with the Christmas themed ones we bought last Friday, along with the most ostentatious tea set I’ve ever seen. According to Miranda, Queen Elizabeth herself would approve of it.
“Are you going to set the table, sweetness, or are you going to just walk around the house?”
She smiles at me, but she sets the new table. She even goes so far as to pour our water bottles into two large Christmas themed goblets she just had to have.
“I don’t know how I’m ever going to leave this place now that it looks like this.” She wraps her arms around me as I plate our food.
“Who says you have to leave?” I bend down and kiss her nose. She takes the plates from me and puts them on the table. When we’re both seated, I grab her hand underneath the table.
“I’m pretty sure you’ll be sick of me soon.”
“I’m pretty sure that won’t happen.” We eat in silence for a while until I speak again. “How do the Moores celebrate Christmas?”