“Believe me,” I said. “My ego would love to outshine a room full of apes. But if I was better than them, I wouldn’t be here, spending Christmas Eve with a shot of whiskey for company.”
Elaine’s eyes softened. Her throat worked as she swallowed, tracing the stitching on my cut with one fingertip.
“I’m still waiting to hear that no,” I said.
With a tug on her belt loop, I pulled her against me, sliding my hand around her waist to rest on her lower back. The sweet warmth of her body heat radiated beneath my palm. I resisted the temptation to smooth my hand a few inches lower, following the generous swell of her ass.
But I didn’t want to move too fast and scare her off either.
Elaine patted my chest and stepped back.
“My shift ends at ten. If you haven’t been distracted by anyone else tonight by then, I’ll give you my answer.”
“Tease,” I protested.
A little smile played across her lips with a blush. She gestured to the door.
“You better get out of here. If Ironside finds you in the kitchen, he’ll put you to good use and make you start waiting tables. It’s a madhouse tonight.”
Reluctantly, I retreated toward the door, but I didn’t want to look away, didn’t want to lose sight of her.
By the time ten o’clock rolled around, I was waiting for Elaine in the parking lot. It was too damn cold for my bike, so I left it on the trailer at the extended stay motel where I had a room for the week.
Instead, I was relegated to driving my SUV through the ice and snow. I appreciated a working heater, but I missed my bike.
At last, Elaine emerged from the clubhouse, bundled up in a knee-length puffy coat, and a periwinkle blue scarf. Fresh snow drifted through the air in lazy whirls, dusting my head and shoulders. I leaned back against my car, blowing on my hands to warm them. I could have stayed inside longer, but it was peaceful out here with the whispers of snowflakes in the dark.
For a split second, Elaine hesitated and her steps faltered. Just once, and only a little. Her tracks in the snow gave her away—long, confident strides, eager to put work behind her and celebrate the holiday. Then the short stutter of her misstep, questioning her decision to meet me.
“What’s the verdict?” I asked.
“Kiss me and I’ll tell you.”
As soon as she was within reach, I cupped her hips, pulled her close, and our mouths met with slick, scorching heat in the frigid air. She melted against my chest with the neediest little sound of contentment, gripping my coat to steady herself.
A burst of laughter and cheers echoed from inside the clubhouse. Elaine and I were too wrapped up in each other to notice.
“Yes,” she breathed against my mouth. “I’m saying yes. You won’t hear no from me. Not tonight.”
That’s the green light I’d been waiting for. I fumbled at the zipper of her coat, slipping my hands inside and into the back pockets of her jeans.
“My place or yours?” I asked.
“Neither,” she replied.
Reaching behind me, I opened the door and ushered her into the back seat. I’d had the forethought to warm up the car first, so it was toasty and comfortable inside. After Elaine climbed in, she stripped off her gloves, shedding her coat. I settled into the seat beside her, and as soon as I closed the door, her mouth crashed against mine again. She slipped her soft hands under my shirt, mapping along my torso.
I guided her into my lap, pulling her shirt off over her head. With her thick thighs bracketing my hips, and her bra at eye level, I thanked the stars that I’d found my way to this bar on Christmas Eve.
I cupped Elaine’s gorgeous, heavy tits in my hands, kissing her plump cleavage.
“Maybe I do believe in Santa after all,” I said. “Since he seemed to know exactly what I wanted for Christmas.”
She laughed—a beautiful laugh from deep in her belly. So infectious and genuine that I found myself laughing along with her. I threaded my fingers up into her hair, dislodging the clip as I pulled her in for another kiss, tangling our tongues together.
Fuck, it felt so good to laugh with someone during the holiday season. To touch and be touched. To kiss like this, wiping all thought from my mind.
Elaine arched her back, unhooking her bra. I reached around to help, pressing my face into the curve of her neck. She sighed as her eyes slipped closed, instinctually rolling her hips against my hard-on.
