Candy Cane Cocktail Read online

  Her gaze shifted to Michael and she smiled. “Who is this dashing young man?”

  “Sorry, I’m being rude,” I said. “Grace Rosewood, meet Michael …”

  Oh crap. I flashed a glance at my weekend fling and the heat of a blush suffused my cheeks. I didn’t know his last name. How would that look to Grace?

  “Michael Claus,” he offered smoothly while holding out his hand to my mother’s best friend.

  I laughed out loud. Seriously, I couldn’t help it. Talk about thinking quick on your feet. His sense of humor was on par with mine. But wouldn’t that be a fun name? His wife would be Mrs. Claus.

  Grace tilted her head slightly, staring at him for a moment. “Why do I know that name?” And then her eyes widened. “Oh yes. Now I remember. Mr. Bernard asked for permission to upgrade you to the honeymoon suite at no cost.” She looked at me with a twinkle in her eyes. “This is a crazy weekend for us. We’re hosting the annual Night Elf Conference and there wasn’t a single standard room left in the house. But Mr. Anders from Dreamscape called in a special favor. It seems your friend here is high on Mr. Anders’ list.”

  My lips parted slightly in wonder as I stared at Michael. He wasn’t joking about his last name? Michael Claus and Susie Alvin. Talk about serendipity. We were destined to meet … and around Christmas of all seasons.

  “Small world,” Grace said with a wistful sigh. “How do you two know each other?”

  “Susie dropped twenty bottles of perfume at my feet, soaking the ankles of my pants with a nauseating mixture of rose, jasmine, and cherry blossom,” Michael said with a grin.

  Grace squeezed his forearm. “I like you just for the fact that you can name those scents. And what a meet-cute! Your mother will swoon when she hears about it at the party on Sunday. Will you be joining us, Michael?”

  His Adam’s apple bobbed and I swooped in for the save.

  “We’ve only just met today, Grace,” I said, keeping the tone light. “Don’t scare him away with talk of meeting the family. He’s from Chicago and only here a few days on business. I showed him the best booths at the Christmas market. We were just—” yeah … no. I wasn’t going there with her “—taking a few minutes to warm ourselves by the fire.”

  Grace smirked at my poor attempt to cover our true reason for being here. “Well, enjoy the rest of your evening. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make your stay more enjoyable. Although I daresay you’re in good hands with Susie.”

  She kissed me on the cheek and sauntered away with her high heels clicking on the marble floor. I let out a breath. Grace would never snitch on me to my parents. And by the gleam in her eyes, I could tell my mother’s best friend was rooting for me to have an enjoyable evening. She was a well-traveled woman and moved in high society wherever she roamed. No judgment coming from her!

  I turned on Michael. “Your last name is Claus and you dared to laugh at mine?”

  “I’m not laughing at you but with you.” His thumb rubbed gently over my cheek in a circular motion reminiscent of earlier in my bedroom. “Are we going to argue or fuck?”

  “The latter. But only if you let me take a bath in the massive tub. You’re in the honeymoon suite!” I squealed. “Do you have any bubbles? This is my dream come true.”

  His eyebrow quirked up. “And here I thought I was your dream come true when all you really care about is my bathtub.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him until the bulge in his pants was unmistakable. “Don’t you worry. We’re going to fuck first and then soak in that glorious tub together. Maybe fuck while we’re in there too.”

  “My wounded pride is healed. Let’s go!”

  We raced to the elevators and held hands all the way to the top floor. This would be a night to remember!

  CHAPTER FIVE

  At only five stories high, the hotel was still the tallest building on Main Street. I stood before the ceiling to floor windows and took in the spectacular view of the town I loved. This was my favorite time of year. Red bows enlivened the otherwise black street lamps. People milled around even more than usual and the streets sparkled merrily from the holiday lights strewn across every façade. An overwhelming sense of love and joy was in the air.

  We also had a great view of the market. Soon the lights would be gone as the booths closed shop for the night. Michael wrapped his arms around me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.

  “The town looks nice at night,” he murmured.

  I nodded and turned in his embrace. “This is a pretty good view as well. You’re a handsome man, Michael Claus. I’m glad you had your face buried in your phone earlier today.”

  His hands roamed over my cashmere sweater and he moaned against my lips. “This feels so good. Almost as good as your bare skin. Am I a bad host if I strip you naked without offering you a glass of wine first?”

  My hands settled on his round ass and I squeezed. “We could get naked and then enjoy a bit of wine. I’m a little clumsy sometimes. I might spill a drop or two down the valley of my breasts.”

  “That sounds intriguing.”

  “I can tell.” The corners of my mouth lifted. “That’s not a sausage in your pants.”

  I rubbed my belly against his hard cock. Heat flared in my core as I undulated my hips, generating sweet friction between us. Foreplay was half the fun with sex. And now that I’d had Michael once, I could slow things down the second time around.

  “You like to be teased?” He slipped his hands between my legs and massaged my pussy through the fabric of my jeans. The pressure was just enough to spark a few tingles but not enough to fully satisfy. “Best be careful what you wish for. I can be a patient man.”

  His mouth claimed mine as our bodies ground together and we humped through our clothes. Thoughts of his long thick dick deep in my pussy were driving me a little crazy. My panties were growing damp. His fingers found the seam in my jeans and pushed harder against my aching clit. Fuck. I might come right here in the living room … and fully dressed. I mewled and bucked against his hand.

  The doorbell to the suite chimed and Michael frowned, turning to stare that way for a second. He ignored the intrusion and kissed me again. The heat of his tongue was delicious on my neck. His free hand cupped my left breast, tweaking the hard nipple through my bra and shirt. Tingling sensations burst in my body wherever he touched. Oh my gosh. He was going to bring me to orgasm so fast.

  The doorbell rang again and he growled through clenched teeth.

  “You should probably answer that,” I said, panting. His fingers were still doing that thing at my crotch that made me breathless.

  He cradled my chin and stared deep into my eyes. “Don’t move an inch. I like those little sounds you make when I touch you like this. Are you close?”

  I nodded and swallowed. “So fucking close.”

  He grinned. “Good. Wait for me.”

  As if I would walk away from this spot? I was glued to the floor while he strutted to the door. His cock must be bulging in his pants. But he apparently didn’t care. Guess that’s what you got when you disturbed someone in the honeymoon suite.

  Michael flung the door open. “What do you want?”

  “Room service.” A man dressed in red and white livery stood wide-eyed at the door.

  “I didn’t order room service.” Michael slammed the door in the servant’s face as “compliments of Ms. Rosewood” drifted through the door.

  He sighed and opened it again. “I’m sorry, that was rude. Can you leave the whole cart and be quick about it?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  My curiosity won over and I greeted the man with a smile. “Don’t mind him. You can set the tray on this table along with the bucket. No need to leave the cart. You’d only have to come back for it. Is that champagne?”

  He nodded. “And chocolate-covered strawberries.”

  “Yum. Thank you…” I looked at his nametag. “Andrew.”

  Michael pulled a few sin
gles from his wallet and sent Andrew on his way before saying, “I told you not to move.”

  “But we have champagne and strawberries,” I countered. Plucking one of the chocolate covered confections off the tray, I bit off the end and chewed, moaning with pleasure. “Come taste this.”

  Michael bent his head and I captured his lips in a kiss, darting my tongue into his mouth where the faint sweetness of my treat still lingered. He deepened the kiss with a moan and picked me up, setting me on the tabletop. I locked my legs around his hips, drawing him closer. He humped against me, pressing his hard shaft against my aching core.

  “Okay … forget about the champagne,” I rasped, tugging his shirt out of his pants. He grinned against my lips and then stepped back.

  “No, no. It doesn’t work that way. You wanted to explore the special delivery. Let’s see what we have here.”

  He pulled the bottle out of the bucket and read the label. “Nice. I think you’ll like this. Grace thought of everything. It’s already open.” Tipping the bottle up to his mouth, he took a gulp and then kissed me. His tongue was cold from the bubbly and oh so scrumptious.

  “Take off your shirt,” he said after another swig.

  I yanked it off.

  “And your bra.”

  That came off too.

  My nipples hardened under his hungry stare. He poured a glass of champagne but instead of handing it to me, he set it on the table next to my thigh. Dipping his finger inside the glass, he wetted two fingers and ran them over my left nipple. The cold liquid made me jerk but I soon forgot the shock when Michael’s mouth clamped over the bud and suckled. He repeated the gesture on my right nipple with the same torturous perfection. His mouth was magical.

  I closed my eyes and luxuriated in the sensations his touch evoked. His thumb found my clit through my jeans and a familiar heat ignited low in my belly. But he teased me mercilessly. Holding completely still when I wanted more friction. More liquid heat between my thighs. I pressed against his thumb in a circular motion, taking what I wanted. My breathing escalated quickly. Tingles of pure ecstasy cascaded down my spine. I was on the precipice of coming when he chuckled and pulled back, shaking his head.

  “Not yet.”

  “Bastard!” I hopped off the table with a cry of pure anguish and sauntered around him. “Two can play at this game.”

  Wrapping my arms around him from behind, I kissed the middle of his back through his shirt while unbuttoning the front. My fingers glided over the silky black hairs around his navel on a path to his groin. I cupped his cocked and massaged right under the head in that sensitive spot that drove all men wild.

  “That feels amazing.”

  “But not as good as my mouth.” I turned him around and smiled. “Take off your pants but leave the briefs on.”

  He did so with a wicked grin. I kneeled before him and nibbled on the tip of his dick through his briefs. His head fell back and he groaned. I blew against his shaft through the fabric while massaging his balls. I could do this all night. And maybe I would in revenge for him withholding my orgasm.

  But where was the fun in that?

  “Take them off.”

  He didn’t hesitate. While he kicked off his briefs, I grabbed the glass of champagne off the table. Still kneeling before him, I guided the tip of his cock into the glass, dousing him in champagne. He sucked in a breath from the cold but I soothed him with my hot mouth, sucking away all remnants of the sweet liquid. His eyes glazed over with every hard pull of my mouth on his cock. Dip. Suck. Dip. Suck. He tasted so good this way.

  “Don’t fucking stop this time,” he finally begged after the fourth dip in the glass. I took mercy on him. He buried himself deep in my throat, pumping and moaning, his fingers tangled in my hair.

  “Condom in my wallet,” he rasped.

  I fumbled in his pants and produced the condom. He swiped it from my hands and put it on while I wriggled out of my jeans. Thank goodness my boots were already off. I needed him buried balls deep inside me. Now! He threw me over his shoulder and ran for the bedroom. I giggled and slapped his ass.

  He tossed me on the bed and climbed on. I spread my legs, crooking my fingers at him. Crawling up my body, he first licked my clit and then kissed my belly button. His mouth hovered over one nipple, then tugged playfully before plunging his full length into me.

  His gaze held mine while he found his rhythm. I couldn’t breathe for a minute. He was a man lost in the moment. His mouth covered mine and he kissed me deeply, maintaining the long, sweeping thrusts of his cock inside me, squeezing his ass at the end of each thrust so he was as deep as he could go.

  My thoughts became hazy as heat swirled in my nether region. The head of his cock had found that hidden spot that stole my breath, my ability to form coherent thoughts. His tongue was pure silk on mine and I could taste the sweet champagne. Thoughts of his blissful mouth on my tits careened into my head. Then I exploded with an orgasm so intense, I gasped for air. Wave after wave of chills skittered over my skin.

  He moaned and stilled, buried to the hilt as he came. His heartbeat hammered against my chest and his hot skin glistened with perspiration. I loved the feel of his toned body on mine. The way his harsh breathing tickled my ear. How he smiled at me before stealing another kiss.

  He flopped onto the bed next to me and exhaled. “By the way …” His eyes locked with mine. “I have bubble bath. Compliments of the hotel. How about that long soak?”

  I grinned. “Sounds perfect.”

  We soaked. And fucked. Ate strawberries and peppermint sticks. And fucked. Finished off the champagne. And fucked … until we fell exhausted in bed to sleep.

  ***

  My smartphone alarm blared and I jerked upright. Ugh! Eight o’clock in the morning came fast when you didn’t fall asleep until three o’clock. I scrambled out of bed and fumbled in my jeans for my phone to turn it off before Michael woke up.

  He groaned and lifted his head. “What time is it?”

  “Eight o’clock.” I sat beside him and rubbed his cheek. “Go back to sleep. I have to go home and change for work. Enjoy your day.”

  “Shit, I forgot.” He sat up and rubbed his eyes. “I should’ve ordered breakfast for you.”

  “No time,” I said, pulling on my jeans. When I was fully dressed, I kissed him again and pushed him back down on the pillow. “Get some sleep. I’ll see you tonight. What’s the dress code for the party?”

  “Formal.”

  Squee! Tonight, I could finally wear the gown Grace gave me for my birthday.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Despite having missed breakfast, I didn’t go hungry because shortly after my shift started, a cranberry muffin and large coffee were delivered to The Love Hut compliments of Santa Claus.

  “Another one of your admirers?” Judy asked with a chuckle.

  I nibbled on the muffin and shook my head. “Remember Mr. Hottie from yesterday? His name is actually Michael Claus. He’s so funny. Isn’t he sweet for sending me breakfast? I didn’t have time this morning to grab a bite to eat.”

  Her mouth gaped. “The one you spilled perfume all over?”

  “Yep.”

  “He asked you out? You’re shitting me.”

  “Not at first,” I said through a mouthful. After washing down the food with a sip of coffee, I filled her in on the events at Naughty Nights.

  A couple passed by and I greeted them with a smile, saying, “You’re a cherry blossom girl. We just got in a shipment of Mon Chérie. On sale for $20.99.”

  The woman laughed and walked up to the hut. “How did you know?”

  “My sixth sense. I’m good at reading people. Can I ring up a bottle for you?” I glanced at her companion. “Makes a great stocking stuffer.”

  “Sure.” He reached for his wallet as the woman perused the shelves.

  Judy rang up the purchase and then we were alone again. She started unpacking the latest shipment, setting the bottles on the counter. “That’s why I keep you aroun
d. You’re magical.”

  “Awe. Thanks.” I tossed the wrapper of my muffin into the trash bin and began putting the bottles in their proper place. “I wasn’t very magical when I broke twenty bottles yesterday.”

  “Thank goodness it was the cheap stuff,” Judy said with a laugh. “But look on the bright side. You scored with Mr. Hottie. I thought you didn’t do one-night stands?”

  I shrugged. “It’s not technically a one-night stand since we’re going out again tonight. He invited me to a Christmas party hosted by Dreamscape.”

  Judy paused in her work and whistled. “I’ve heard they offer a fancy spread. Lucky you! You’re sure he’s single?”

  “As sure as I can be. I asked him outright and he said he’s single. I’m pretty good at reading people. I think he told me the truth.”

  We didn’t have much time for chatting after that because the shoppers flooded the mall and I was busy doing what I do best—selling a ridiculous number of perfume bottles. Maybe it was the outfit. Or my bubbly personality. Or I was simply good at my job. I loved talking to people. I loved the joy of the holiday season. And my genuine interest in helping people find the perfect gift shone through. It probably helped that Judy paid a commission for every sale I made. So, there was a lot of incentive to perform well.

  By six o’clock when my shift ended, I was dragging on my feet. Five hours of sleep were barely enough to keep me civil. But when Michael strolled up with a coffee in hand to pick me up, my mood brightened. He was already wearing a dark suit and bright red tie with tiny snowflakes on it. I waved goodbye to Judy and greeted Michael with a smooch.

  “Hey, handsome!” I gave him an approving once-over. “You look sharp. My dress is emerald so we’ll look snappy together.”

  “You look beat.” He rubbed my arm. “Sure you’re up to this?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  He drove me home and found a parking spot on the street nearby. As we climbed the stairs, I glanced back at him.