Candy Cane Cocktail Read online

  Kind of handsome but … Eeewww! I ignored his rude gesture. If he wanted to get to know me, he could’ve just said ‘hi’ like any normal guy and asked to join me. Once seated, no one else would notice how short my skirt was with my coat hanging over the back of my stool. Not to mention that it was pretty obvious this was a work outfit.

  My brother walked by the rude man and shot him a menacing glare that said: “don’t be a dick” to the other customers. But it’s not like he’d toss the guy out for whistling at a hot woman. He was still a paying customer and as long as he left me alone, there was no issue.

  “Hey, sis,” Woody said with a wide grin that made the corners of his eyes crinkle. He leaned over the bar and kissed my cheek. “Tonight’s special is a Candy Cane Cocktail. A little berry vodka. Peppermint Schnapps. Other tasty stuff. Right up your alley. Want one?” He winked. “It’s on me.”

  “Of course I do!”

  My brother started gathering the ingredients for my drink. I leaned in, watching him with interest. I’d never heard of the special before. When he dipped the rim of the cocktail glass in crushed peppermint candy canes, I was already half in love with the drink.

  “Have you made it to Winterfest yet?” I asked. “I thought I might check out the ice sculpting tomorrow. Wanna come with me?”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Don’t you have to work? This is the holiday season. The mall is open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. isn’t it?”

  I nodded and accepted the yummy looking drink he slid over the counter. “But I’m not working a thirteen-hour shift. Judy says I’m still young and ought to enjoy my evenings out, but I really think she just prefers to close up. She’s a bit of a control freak that way.”

  My brother laughed out loud. “I can see that. Good for you, though. Wish I could join you but I already have plans to go with Jasmine during the day.”

  Say what? My eyes must’ve widened to the size of saucers because my brother blushed.

  “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I demanded in a harsh whisper. “You’ve been chasing that woman for more than a year. How did you get her to finally cave?”

  He folded his arms and scowled. “My irresistible charm.”

  I snorted. “Then why didn’t she fall under your spell from the get-go?”

  “Good point.” He waggled a finger at me. “I can’t get anything by you.”

  “So?”

  “Persistence.”

  “Ah, you wore her down.”

  He howled with laughter. “Pretty much. She agreed to go with me if I promise I’ll lay off afterward. But she’s going to fall hard for me after one day spent alone together. Once she finally gives me her full attention and stops putting up roadblocks. I don’t care that she’s four years older than me. We aren’t in high school anymore. Age is just a number.”

  “Bravo!” I saluted him with my drink and took a sip. A moan of pure pleasure escaped my lips. “Mmmm … this is so delicious.”

  Woody chuckled. “Told you.”

  Another customer sat at the bar midway down and my brother rubbed his hands together. “Be back in a few minutes.”

  I nodded and focused on my yummy drink. The creamy liquid was smooth and tasty as it slid down my throat. I loved the bits of peppermint that clung to my mouth with each sip. I licked them away and crunched on the sweet candy, savoring the flavor.

  “God, watching you drink that cocktail is so hot! All that creamy white liquid sliding down your throat.”

  What an asshole. I glared at Mr. Jerkoff from three stools down who was suddenly in the seat next to mine with his salacious gaze undressing me. I felt naked in front of all the other patrons. By the look in his glazed eyes, he was going to be a problem.

  “That is so unoriginal,” I said, gripping the stem of my glass harder so I wasn’t tempted to slap him in the face. This was the season of giving, but acts of violence did’t really fit into the concept. Staring directly into his eyes, I said, “I’m not interested in anything you have to say. So please crawl back to the hole you came out of and leave me alone. The bartender is my brother and he’ll kick your sorry ass out of this place in an instant. Trust me.”

  Jerkoff leaned in closer with the scent of beer heavy on his breath. Not a good sign. How long had he been here? If he was drunk, threats about getting tossed out wouldn’t hold much weight. Alcohol would only fuel his courage.

  “I trust your mouth on my cock will feel as good as that drink must taste,” he murmured in a husky voice.

  Gooseflesh rippled over my arms as bile lurched up my throat. The thought of touching Jerkoff was sickening. I glanced down the bar toward my brother, but he had his back turned my way while chatting up a couple as he made their drinks.

  I pressed my hand against Jerkoff’s chest and shoved him away. “Back off, asshole. I already told you I’m not interested. Do I need to call the bouncer?”

  The man gave me an oily grin that was probably meant to be sexy. “I’m down with a threesome if that’s what you prefer, honey.”

  My pulse spiked and my cheeks flushed red-hot. I shouldn’t have said “please.” No more playing nice with this guy. I clenched my fists, prepared to show him the bitter side of my personality. Before I could throw a punch, Michael was suddenly standing between our stools. He kissed me on the cheek and placed his hand possessively around my shoulder.

  Turning to Jerkoff, he said, “The only threesome my girl likes is with me, her and one of those Christmas specials on her favorite t.v. channel. Do you mind?” His gaze fell on the barstool. “You’re in my seat.”

  My anger vanished in an instant and I actually smiled. How had he guessed I love Christmas movies? His rebuttal was creative and I felt the tension in my body ease somewhat.

  “Hey, sis, is everything okay over here?” Woody asked. He stared at me with a concerned look, sizing up Michael and Jerkoff. “Want me to call the bouncer?”

  I placed my hand on top of Michael’s and shook my head. “All good. My boyfriend was late arriving and this other gentleman was just leaving.” The scathing tone of my voice didn’t even make Jerkoff cringe. “Weren’t you?”

  With both Woody and Michael defending me, Jerkoff lifted his hands and stood. “Honest mistake. I didn’t realize the lady was taken.” He tossed a twenty on the bar and strutted away.

  “Thank you,” I said, squeezing Michael’s fingers with my trembling ones. This wasn’t the first inebriated guy to hit on me. Still, most men had the sense to leave once I made it abundantly clear they weren’t going to score.

  Michael sat in the stool beside me and nodded. “No problem. Are you all right? I saw that sleaze bag hitting on you. By the scowl on your face, I was pretty sure you weren’t enjoying his attention.”

  I deflated on the stool and buried my face in my hands. “Ugh. He was so slimy.”

  “This is your boyfriend?” Woody interjected. His mouth turned down. “What the hell? You never told me about a boyfriend.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Just like you never told me about Jasmine? He isn’t my boyfriend. Michael, meet my brother Woody.” After taking a fortifying drink from my cocktail, I rested my forearms on the bar and faced off with my brother. “I had an unfortunate accident at work today and dropped a bunch of perfume bottles. Michael was walking by at the time. Poor guy got splashed and smelled like a damned flower garden. So, I helped him find new pants in time for a business meeting. I saved him earlier today. He saved me just now. Guess we’re even!”

  Woody gave Michael one of those big brother assessing looks that said: “don’t fuck with my baby sister.” But then his shoulders relaxed.

  “Thanks for coming over to help Susie. I didn’t catch on quick enough with work and all.”

  “I was happy to help.”

  “Can I get you a drink?” Woody asked.

  “Sure. Whatever she’s drinking. And give her another, if she wants one.” He looked at me with a questioning brow.

  Fluttering sensations stirred in my belly. With the
situation over and my brother here to protect me, Michael didn’t have to stay, which meant he wanted to have a drink with me.

  “Yes, please.”

  While my brother prepared our drinks, I snuck a peek at Michael. He truly was a handsome man. Both inside and out, it seemed. Too bad he was only passing through town. I didn’t engage in flings often. But I would make an exception for him. I could envision him sprawled out naked on his king-sized bed at the hotel. Heat flared in my nether region and I cleared my throat.

  “You’re sure you have time for a drink? I thought you have a Christmas party tonight.” I glanced at the table where he had been with his other colleagues earlier, but it was empty.

  A grin brought his dimples to the forefront again. “Had the date wrong. Turns out the party is tomorrow night. If all goes well, I’m sealing the deal on Monday. So, I’m here for the weekend.”

  Oh goody. I had to work all day on Saturday and Sunday but my evenings … and more importantly, my nights … were completely free.

  Woody pushed two cocktail glasses in front of us and I gave him the look that said: “bugger off so I can snag the prize.” He smirked and glanced at Michael. “Later!”

  I took a sip of my Candy Cane drink special and chewed happily on the bits of candy from the rim. The evening was looking brighter. This would be the first time I was grateful for an asshole hitting on me. If Mr. Jerkoff hadn’t been his surly self, I might not be sitting beside the hottest man on earth.

  Michael licked off a large section of peppermint from his glass and I laughed while he chewed with a look of pure bliss on his face.

  “I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to order the cocktail for the drink, not the candy on the rim.”

  “You’re judging me?” He lifted his brow. “I saw your empty glass. There wasn’t a crumb of candy left. What can I say? I love peppermint. Best thing about the holiday season.”

  I waggled my finger in protest. “No, that’s wrong. Winterfest is the best thing about the holiday season. Hot cocoa spiked with peppermint Schnapps is a close second. Roasted chestnuts third or perhaps tied with gingerbread. You can get them all at Winterfest and enjoy them while browsing the crafts or marveling over the ice sculptures.”

  Michael finally took a gulp of his drink and licked the creamy goodness off his top lip. The gesture was so erotic my panties might have melted a little under the heat flaring in my core.

  “Do they sell peppermint sticks at Winterfest?” he asked.

  Earth to Susie. All I could think about was the stick in his pants. I needed to get a grip. “Of course. Mary Kate sells the best ones.”

  “Define best.”

  “The really long sticks that are swirled,” I said, motioning with my hands. This wasn’t up for debate. Everyone knew the thicker and longer a peppermint stick was, the better. I could take my sweet time and savor the yummy goodness. “It takes me at least one week of sucking before its gone. What’s better than that?”

  He didn’t answer, but heat flared in his eyes and I swallowed hard. Oh boy. That sounded a bit like a come on.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean… What I meant was hard candy is best when sucked, not chewed.”

  “For sure. No chewing allowed,” he said. “Only sucking.”

  “That still sounded all wrong.” My cheeks flamed and my breath lodged in my throat. Geez. I was no better than Jerkoff. “I meant…”

  “I know what you meant.”

  Michael chuckled as I stared into his mirth-filled eyes and I could breathe easy again.

  “What’re your plans while you’re in town? I’ve lived in Rockville my whole life. So, if you want the scoop on the best sights, you need only ask.”

  “I’ve heard Winterfest is worthwhile. Are you interested in showing me around tonight? If you don’t have other plans, that is.”

  Score one for me. Here was the date I’d been angling for earlier. Santa granted my early Christmas wish after all.

  “I’d love to. But I need to change first.”

  His gaze dipped to my sexy Santa’s Helper get up and a cheeky grin spread across his face. “You don’t have to change for me. Red suits you. But it’s probably too cold outside for this outfit. Then again, there are ways to keep you warm. Like … hot cocoa.”

  My breathing quickened and I searched his steady gaze. There were lots of ways he could keep me warm. And his look said he wanted to try them all. “My place is around the corner. Do you want to wait here while I change or come with me?”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  He said it with a straight face but my heart was like a jackhammer in my chest. Because he would definitely be coming tonight if I had anything to say about it. Every nerve ending in my body was electrified as we stared at each other. He was a smart man and understood the innuendo in my question.

  We both downed the last of our drinks and stood. He helped me into my coat like a gentleman and we left before my brother could give me a stern look that might make me second guess my plans for a fun-filled weekend.

  CHAPTER THREE

  We strolled along Main Street and I pointed out a few shops I thought he might like to visit Saturday to complete his Christmas shopping. It was too cold to stay outside for longer than an hour or two at a time. But if he browsed in the shops between jaunts outside, he would be fine.

  “So where is home for you?” I asked, peeking sidelong at him.

  “Chicago.”

  “Ah, you’re a big city boy. You must find Rockville boring in comparison.”

  “I wouldn’t say that. Quaint. Quiet. But not boring. I’ve never been trampled on by a beautiful woman in a Chicago mall. That’s exciting stuff.”

  I giggled and punched him the arm. He made me laugh, and I wanted in his pants in a big way. This was so out of character for me. Yet something about him drew me in. Still, if we were going to get naked, I needed to be sure he was single. Fooling around with a taken man was a line I wouldn’t cross.

  “What will your wife or girlfriend think of our first encounter?”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “Can’t say for sure.”

  My stomach dropped and I feigned interest in window shopping. A guy this hot couldn’t be on the market. I should’ve known he was taken and asked him outright before we left Naughty Nights.

  Michael bumped my shoulder and I glanced up.

  “I’m single, Susie. Our meet-cute will make for a funny story someday. Who wouldn’t laugh? You had pink bubble gum splattered all over your face.”

  I shoved my hands into my pockets and resumed walking. “I look good in pink.”

  He laughed so loud he drew attention from passersby. See? We made a good pair, causing each other to belly laugh. I hung a left on the corner of Fifth and led him to the entrance to my apartment, which was on the second floor above The Hot & Frothy coffee bar. We trudged up the narrow stairwell where the faint noise of chatter from the patrons could be heard.

  “Does that keep you up at night or is it more like white noise?”

  I shrugged. “The place closes at ten o’clock so it isn’t an issue. I’m rarely in bed before midnight. Mall hours are usually ten in the morning until nine at night. So, I can sleep in late. I don’t mind the white noise during the day.” At the top of the stairs, I shoved my key into the door and looked at him over my shoulder. “But I sometimes wonder if the thumping of my headboard on the wall while having sex bothers the patrons.”

  His eyes widened a fraction.

  “Just kidding,” I said with a giggle. “Come inside. Have a seat if you like. I’ll only be a minute.”

  He glanced around my tiny apartment while I unbuttoned my coat and hung it on a hook near the door. His gaze fell on my Christmas tree in the corner of the room and those dimples were back in full force.

  “Charlie Brown style,” he said. “I like your sense of humor.”

  And I liked him. “By the way, I dropped off your gifts at the hotel. They’re waiting for you at the front desk. I loved
the pink slippers so much I bought a pair for myself.”

  “You did not!”

  “Did too.” I sauntered to my bedroom door and glanced back. “Do you want me to put them on and show you?”

  He nodded. “I thought they were supposed to be a joke.”

  Slipping into my bedroom, I quickly changed out of my Santa’s Helper outfit and into my pink slippers. And nothing else. Michael wanted a piece of my ass. I was more than willing to give him what he desired. Why dance around the bush?

  I quietly opened the door and struck a sexy pose in the doorway with one foot pointed forward to display the pink boa-trimmed slipper. He was perusing my bookshelf with his back to me.

  “So, what do you think, Michael?” My voice was kitten soft with a husky purr.

  He turned around and his jaw went slack. I crooked my finger at him, and he walked mesmerized in my direction. His gaze moved at a snail’s pace from my full breasts, along the curve of my hips, over the blonde curls of my bush, and down my long legs to the pink slippers.

  When he was no more than a foot away, his steamy gaze met mine again. My stomach flipped over at the intensity of his desire. I had made the right call in stripping down to my birthday suit.

  “That’s no joke,” he rasped before his mouth was on mine an instant later. His tongue delved through my parted lips and twirled tantalizingly over mine in a frenetic dance while his hands ran down my back to cup my ass. I wrapped my arms around his neck and deepened the kiss with a tortured groan. My body was already consumed by red-hot flames. He lifted me and walked us to the four-poster bed.

  What can I say? I like getting tied up sometimes and letting a guy have his wicked way with me. For our first romp, I wanted Michael fast and furious. But he had entirely too many clothes on. I unzipped his coat, never letting our lips part. His kisses grew bolder, deeper. Our harsh breathing was a glorious musical sound all around us.