Jingle Balls Read online

  Jessica grabbed the wine bottle and poured three glasses. Lifting hers, she toasted her sister and brother-in-law. “Yeah, Penny. Besides, you’re the one who always brags about being the lucky woman who gets to screw Santa Claus.”

  * * *

  Pushing his chair back, Nicholas loosened his belt and sighed. Penny was a wonderful cook. One of the reasons he married her. Smiling across the table he winked. “Shall I fetch another bottle of wine then, my dear?”

  Setting her glass on the coffee table, Jessica stood. “I recognize that look,” she said with a wide grin. “It’s my cue to leave so you guys can make hot passionate love here on the kitchen table.”

  “Indeed?” Penelope answered, one eyebrow rising. “The kitchen table you say? Not with all these dirty dishes about.”

  Nicolas grinned. “We could just push them out of the way.”

  “No, dear, we will not,” Penelope answered with a wink and a grin for her husband. “Jess and I have to get going.”

  Jessica stared at her sister. “Get going? Where?”

  Rising, Penelope smoothed the long, black wool skirt she was wearing. “We’re going clubbing. We haven’t had a girls’ night out on the town together in ages.”

  Jessica fisted her hands on her hips. “And whose brilliant idea was this?” She glared at her brother-in-law.

  He held up his hands, palms forward. “Don’t be looking at me with fire in your eyes. It’s not my idea.”

  Jessica slid her glance back to her sister. What was Penny up to now?

  Her sister was smiling innocently. “Oh, come on, Jess. Like you said, Christmas is only a few weeks away, and I’ll be too busy to spend any time with you. Is it so terrible that I want to spend time with my only sister? Now, come on. Barry’s going to drive us, so we don’t have to worry about having a couple of glasses of wine.”

  Closing her eyes, Jessica sighed. Penny was right. They didn’t spend much time together. It would be fun to go out with her. Opening her eyes, she nodded. “Okay, let me get my coat.”

  Penelope crossed her arms over her chest. “You will not wear that coat tonight. One of mine will fit.”

  For a moment, Jessica considered rebelling. If she couldn’t wear her coat, she wasn’t going anywhere. But then, when she took another look at her sister’s face, Penny had her “don’t mess with me” look on. No way would she give in.

  Jessica felt her lips twitch. Penny did have a point. The coat did smell pretty gamey.

  “Okay, I’ll wear one of yours. Hope you don’t plan on going anywhere too fancy.” Jessica looked down at her sweater and jeans. “I’m not dressed as nicely as you.”

  Smiling, Penelope locked arms with her sister. “No. Nowhere special. Just a place called Studs and Suds.”

  Chapter Three

  “And I want a new Xbox and lots of new video games -- the ones with lots of blood in them -- and a trampoline and one of those motorized scooters and a new red mountain bike and a pony and…”

  “Don’t you think that’s enough?”

  The little boy on his lap narrowed his eyes and glared at him. “What kind of stupid Santa Claus are you? You’re supposed to say you’ll get me everything I want.”

  “Danny! That’s no way to talk to Santa,” said the fidgety, gray-haired woman waiting for him.

  “I don’t care, Grandma. He’s not the real Santa anyway. Everybody knows there really isn’t any Santa. Daddy and you buy all my presents.”

  Brat. Richard closed his eyes and shifted his butt. The chair had a cushion, but it had been three hours since his break, and his ass was numb.

  The boy slid off his lap. “I wanna go back to the mall,” he whined. “This Santa Claus sucks.”

  “Are you finished yet, Danny? Did you tell Santa everything you wanted?” asked the smartly dressed woman who joined them.

  That voice! Sucking in a breath, Richard opened his eyes and pushed himself back against his chair. Alison. What the hell was she doing here? He glanced at the boy. No way was he hers. She’d been practically engaged to him only three years ago.

  Danny stuck out his tongue at her. “What do you care? You ain’t my real mother.”

  After a stiff smile for Alison, Danny’s grandmother grabbed his hand. “Come along, dear. Let’s get some ice cream.”

  “I want a chocolate sundae and a Mountain Dew to drink.”

  Richard watched them walk away. Just what that kid needs, more sugar and more caffeine.

  Alison sighed. “It’s so hard being a step-parent.” She glanced around. No one else was anywhere near them. Smiling, she stepped as close as she could. “Mind if I tell you what I want for Christmas, Santa?” Her smile was blatantly inviting. Her coat was open and her sweater was low cut.

  Richard gawked. Alison was coming on to him -- well, to Santa. And she had no idea who he really was, or did she? Did she regret losing him? He glanced at the huge diamond on her finger and shook his head mentally. Nope, probably not. Time to enlighten her.

  When he leaned forward, she licked her lips. Her hand strayed to her breast.

  “You sure have a lot of balls, coming on to me, Alison.”

  She stared, then her eyes widened. “Richard? Richard Cassidy? You’re playing Santa?” For a moment, she seemed nonplussed. However, she quickly gathered her composure and smiled at him. She hooked her finger in the neckline of her sweater and pulled it down to display more cleavage. “If you would have put on that suit sooner, maybe I wouldn’t have left you. What more could a good little girl want than to fuck Santa Claus?”

  Richard grimaced. Thank God that he hadn’t worn this suit sooner and she had dumped him. Then the picture of Alison sliding up and down on a cock surrounded by a red suit flashed into his mind. “Did you even know that guy’s real name?”

  She shrugged. “It didn’t matter. At this time of the year, only Santa matters. Now, since I’ve been a good girl, can I sit on your lap?” She looked around. “It’s almost closing time, and you always were the adventurous sort. How about a little nookie right here?” She brushed her knuckles against the nipples pushing against her tight sweater.

  Richard placed his hand in the middle of her chest and pushed her back. “With you? No way is my cock getting anywhere near you. Who knows what kind of diseases I’d catch.”

  Dumbfounded, Alison stared. Then she lifted her hand.

  Richard caught her wrist before she slapped his cheek. “Now, now, Alison. You don’t want to be a bad girl or Santa won’t bring you any presents for Christmas.”

  Wrenching her arm free, she hissed. “You were a schmuck when I lived with you and you still are. And you sucked in bed. There were times I could have done my nails while you were grunting away on top of me.” Spinning on her expensive, spiked heels, she flounced away.

  Muttering under his breath, Richard sank back into his chair and glanced at the clock on the opposite wall. Fifteen minutes. Fifteen more minutes and he was done. Good thing, too. His show at the club would start in just over two hours. Then he was going to go to O’Reilly’s and have a couple of good stiff drinks. Then, if he got lucky, he might even find some female companionship for the evening -- one who could care less about Santa Claus.

  “Santa?”

  Jerking his attention back to the present, Richard looked down at the small girl standing in front of him. “Yes?”

  The little girl squeezed her hands together and looked over her shoulder. When she looked back, she smiled hesitantly and whispered, “I don’t have to sit on your lap to tell you what I want, do I?”

  Forcing a smile onto his face, Richard shook his head. “No. You can tell me from there if you want.”

  Her smile became less tentative. “My name is Lisa White and I live at 42 North Maple Street.”

  Richard leaned forward. “Forty-two North Maple Street. Got it.”

  She glanced over her shoulder again then looked back at Richard. “I only want one thing, Santa, please? Just a kitten. That’s all. I already have a
doll who I love lots and lots, but I’d like a kitten. Mommy says that kittens are nice, and they only eat a little so I can have one if Santa brings it. But she said that kittens are hard to find at this time of the year because they’re mostly born in the spring. But you can find me a kitten, can’t you, Santa?”

  Richard stared at the little girl. For the first time that evening, a child hadn’t asked for more than he or she could possibly ever play with. A kitten. Just a kitten. God, he hoped her mother found one.

  “Well…”

  “Lisa,” scolded the small woman who scurried up to them. “I told you not to bother Santa. It’s not safe for him to carry baby kittens in his sleigh.”

  The little girl looked at him, her eyes wide and pleading. “You know how to take care of kittens, don’t you, Santa?”

  “Ah…”

  Her harried mother grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry. I told Lisa kittens were hard to find at this time of the year. We even went to the SPCA, and the workers there told her the same thing.”

  “Ah…”

  Leaning forward, Lisa patted his hand. “I have faith in you, Santa. I know you can find me a kitten. I don’t even care what color it is or if it’s a boy or a girl.”

  “Ah…”

  A gentle tug had the child stepping away. “Come on, Lisa. We have to get home. Daddy is waiting for us.”

  Smiling, Lisa waved to Richard. “Bye, Santa. Thank you for listening to me.”

  As they disappeared between two aisles of board games, Richard slouched in his chair. A little girl wouldn’t get her kitten, and she’d blame him! Fuck. He hated Christmas.

  Chapter Four

  “Are you fucking crazy?”

  Tanya straightened to her full five foot eleven inch height. “I -- beg -- your -- pardon.” Every word was low and clearly enunciated.

  Richard shifted his weight to the other foot but didn’t lower his eyes. Tanya might be the bitchiest bitch he’d ever met, but she didn’t intimidate him. “I am not dressing like Santa Claus. Santa doesn’t strip for a bunch of drooling women.”

  She smiled slightly -- not too much -- her carefully applied makeup might crack. Lifting her hand, she stroked his arm. “But, darling, you already have the costume. All you need to add is this.” She dangled a red and green pouch from her fingers of her other hand. Bells jangled when she shook it. “The customers will love it.”

  Shaking his head, Richard stepped back. How the hell had she known he’d brought that Santa suit into the club with him? Why hadn’t he left it in his car? “No. No way. This is my last night. I’m Zorro, and that’s that.”

  Her chuckle was downright malicious. “Read your contract again, sweet cheeks, although you went through it carefully enough before you signed it. You have to personify whichever character I choose, so tonight you’re Santa.” She tossed the G-string to him. Bells jangling merrily, it bounced off his chest and fell to the floor. “Now quit whining and get ready. Oh, your background music will be ‘Jingle Bells.’ I’m sure you’ll be able to adapt.”

  “Damn it, Tanya.”

  Her expression became downright frosty. “Don’t you ‘damn it’ me, Richard. Tonight might be your last night working here, but you signed the contract of your own free will, so stop the fucking bitching and go get ready. You’re on right before Jeff.”

  Because she was right about the contract, Richard swallowed the obscenities he wanted to hurl after Tanya as she turned and wiggled her ass down the hallway to her office. So, she was still pissed about the day he’d turned down her sexual advances. And now he was on before Jeff, huh? He’d lost the headliner spot. Fine with him. Sooner he performed his set, the sooner he could get out of here.

  Fuck, but he was glad he was finished after tonight. Some men might fantasize about dozens of women panting over them, groping them, sticking hands and fingers in places he’d rather not think about, but he could live without it. This last paycheck -- not to mention the money the women threw at him and tucked into his G-string -- would finish paying off the loan he’d taken out to cover his father’s medical bills. So what if he’d lied to his entire family and told them the money came from his savings account. They didn’t need to know he stripped for it. And the constant groping, poking, and prodding was worth the look of relief that had appeared on his mother’s face when she knew they wouldn’t have to sell their home of thirty years.

  Sighing, he bent and picked up the colorful G-string. The bells jingled.

  “Cute bells.”

  Richard glanced over his shoulder into Jeff’s smirking face.

  The other man held out something white. “Tanya wants you to wear this wig and beard, too.”

  When Richard didn’t answer, Jeff shifted his weight to his other foot. “Look, I’m just delivering a message.”

  Richard grabbed the wig and beard from Jeff’s hand. “A word of advice. Just because you’re fucking Tanya, don’t think you mean anything to her. The only thing she’s interested in is money.”

  “Speaking from experience,” the other man sneered.

  For the first time that night, a true smile appeared on Richard’s face. “Nope. I’m not. Sex with Tanya? No, thanks. I’d rather get in bed with a hungry polar bear. My chances of survival would be better.”

  Spinning on his heel, Richard strode into his dressing room and pulled the door closed behind him. Damn, but that felt good.

  Then he saw the red suit drooping off the side of a chair. He looked down at the beard, wig, and G-string he was carrying. He tossed them onto the chair.

  The bells jingled happily again.

  Fuck. Santa Claus. Twice in one day. How much worse could it get?

  * * *

  “Now isn’t this fun?” Penelope crowed. Mocha skin glistening beneath the lights, the man on the stage fell to his knees before them. She leaned over and stuck another dollar bill down the front of the G-string. “My oh my. Have you ever seen such muscular thighs?”

  He grinned at her and shimmied closer.

  Oil glistened on his taut body.

  The tantalizing scents of expensive cologne, coconut oil, and male sweat tickled Jessica’s nose. She dropped her gaze to the pirate’s thighs -- at least she thought he was supposed to be a pirate. He had a gold hoop earring in one ear and a black patch over his left eye. He’d come out on stage carrying a curved sword and wearing a black vest and white pants. Neither had stayed on his body very long. Now all he wore was a black G-string that barely covered his family jewels. As a matter of fact, if he gyrated the wrong way one more time, his left ball would probably pop out.

  Jessica sighed and shook her head. All around her, women were screaming and waving dollar bills in the air, their concentration centered on the man shimmying on the stage in front of them. Okay, so he did have a good body. She snorted. Okay, great body.

  Leaping to his feet, he gyrated his hips above them, spun around, and pranced across the stage.

  Jessica watched him go. And he had a damn fine ass.

  Chapter Five

  Tanya stood backstage and watched as Andre finished his pirate set, craning her neck as he strutted to the other side of the stage. Damn, but he had nice ass. Why hadn’t she noticed before? Just the right size to grab onto as he pumped into her. Or… smack a riding crop across. She glanced up at his face when he turned and gyrated back across the stage. Was he into kinky stuff?

  She stepped back as his music reached a crescendo. After one last twirl in the center of the stage, Andre planted his fists on his hips and stomped to a halt, his legs spread, his boot clad feet planted firmly.

  As he bowed, Tanya blinked, leaned over, then looked more closely between his legs as he bowed a second time.

  His left ball was hanging out of his G-string.

  She licked her lips.

  After his third bow, he spun away from the audience and headed toward her.

  Tanya patted his slick, muscular ass cheek as he passed her. “Nice job.”

  His white grin flash
ed. “Thanks, boss.”

  She watched his ass muscles flex as he walked away. Oh, yes, that was an ass she’d love to spank.

  She was yanked out of her fantasies by the merry rollicking music of Jingle Bells.

  Dashing through the snow

  In a one horse open sleigh.

  O’er the fields we go,

  Laughing all the way…

  Jingle bells, jingle bells,

  Jingle all the way…

  Lips pinched together, Tanya lit a cigarette and watched as Santa Claus strutted out onto the stage, the bells sewn onto the red suit he wore jingling and jangling in time to the music.

  Sucking in as much smoke as she could, she savored the flavor for a moment and then exhaled. Fucking tall, sexy, handsome, I’m-too-good-for-you Richard Cassidy was her one failure. He was the only stripper in her club she hadn’t been able to lure into her bed, not even the night she’d cornered him in his dressing room while she was wearing nothing but a black leather corset, a silk G-string, and her thigh high boots with four-inch heels.

  He’d taken one look at her, jerked on his jeans and shoes, and stomped out of the club bare-chested. In thirty degree weather!

  Santa pranced across the stage, his coat hanging off one broad shoulder.

  Shuddering, Tanya blew a smoke ring. He was the only one of her performers who absolutely refused to shave his chest and oil his body before a performance. She shuddered again. Damn, but her nipples hurt. She was too used to the guys who worked in her club being longer on brawn than brains. Richard Cassidy was something else entirely. When he’d first applied for the job explaining he needed money fast, and he’d work six months, but that was it, Tanya had been sure he was just like all the others. The bright lights, the eager women -- not to mention the money -- would be too much to give up. What a miscalculation!

  She inhaled more cigarette smoke. Bastard. But she’d get even. Now that Richard had earned the money he needed, he thought he was too good for her, too good for her club. Six months ago, she’d let his dark eyes, rugged good looks, and hard body distract her. While he’d gone over the contract with a fine-toothed comb, questioning every vague clause, demanding clarification in writing, she’d been fantasizing how he would look chained spread-eagled against the wall wearing nothing but a tight, black jock strap. She’d practically creamed her panties right then and there.