Rest Ye Merry Mermen & Moonlight and Mistletoe Read online

  She paused, leaning forward in her chair.

  “Does this have anything to do with that mystery secret second job of yours?” she asked point blank.

  “Miss Santa, are you all right?”

  Jumping, Sheila shifted her gaze to regard the little girl who now stood before her–staring at her with obvious concern.

  “Miss Santa, are you all right?” she repeated, then, shrugging, “I came to give you my Christmas list–but if now is not a good time…”

  Immediately falling into character, Sheila pasted on a broad smile. “Not at all, Missy! Christmas is coming and Sheila Claus couldn’t be better. Ha! Ha! Ha! Now tell me what you want for Christmas.”

  All I want is the truth, she added silently. And before Derrick and I enjoy our romantic dinner tonight, we’re going to have a long, serious talk over lunch.

  The hours passed like days until noon, when finally Sheila was able to post the “Claus Coffee Break” sign.

  “Come on,” she beckoned to Derrick, “Let’s go to the cafeteria. We need to talk.”

  Smiling, Derrick came to Sheila’s side and kissed her cheek warmly.

  “I’m afraid I’ll have to skip the cafeteria today, Love,” he chucked her chin playfully, “I want to do some shopping for tonight.”

  Pausing, he pressed his lips quickly but affirmingly against hers.

  “I have some surprises in store,” he whispered.

  “It seems you have a lot of surprises in store,” Sheila’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

  Derrick cocked his head.

  “You’re still coming to dinner tonight, aren’t you?”

  Sheila thought a moment then nodded.

  “Yes, I’ll be there,” she agreed, then raised a finger for emphasis. “Yet before we sit down for our meal–or lay down for anything else–we need to talk.”

  Derrick shrugged, smiling.

  “Sure,” he agreed, though he again seemed uneasy. “I have to go now, though.”

  And with this he walked quickly toward the front of the store.

  Sheila folded her arms, staring reflectively after him.

  He is so courting a lump of coal in his stocking, she tapped her foot crossly.

  The rest of the afternoon passed with agonizing slowness, as both Sheila and Derrick fought to concentrate on the task at hand.

  And Sheila, for one, came dangerously close to cracking under pressure.

  When one little girl asked for a Barbie and Ken doll set, Sheila said, “Sure, Honey. Do you think, though, that Barbie might be happier alone? Sure, Ken is hot and a top-notch ice skater, but being a male–even an anatomically incorrect one–he tends to confuse and concern Barbie.”

  The girl’s mother had heard enough.

  “Let’s go, Honey,” she told the little girl, who shrugged nonchalantly as they fled the scene.

  “Do I get my doll set or no?” she shook her head sadly. “That Santa had major issues.”

  At the end of the afternoon, Derrick accompanied Sheila to her car. Then, taking her into his arms, he seared her lips with a hot, full-bodied kiss.

  “Be at the house at seven,” he added in a whisper, “I can’t wait for tonight.”

  In spite of her earlier concerns, Sheila’s body immediately reacted to Derrick’s touch. A tell-tale wetness flooded her private area, and she trembled in spite of herself.

  “I’ll see you then,” she tried to assume a noncommittal tone.

  Cha, she rolled her eyes as she got into the car and started the ignition. About as ‘noncommittal’ as a poodle in heat. On top of a shag rug.

  Chapter Eight

  Early that evening, Sheila stood before her bedroom mirror dressed in the red negligee bought especially for tonight.

  The finely sewn lace appeared sexy but elegant and fell well within the bounds of good taste.

  “Well, except for the mistletoe over the crotch part,” she grinned slightly as she turned away from the mirror. “But hey, ‘tis the season…”

  Going to her closet, Shelia withdrew a black velvet dress that flowed loosely and gracefully to her feet.

  She had planned to wear a sexy red dress this evening; now, however, she was determined to maintain her strong sense of morality and composure–at least until she found out the truth about Derrick’s ‘night job.’

  “Then I fully intend to go buck wild all over his cute butt,” she smirked. “That is, if I can live with the truth of whatever it is he does when he leaves the store.”

  Yet what if she couldn’t?

  Sighing deeply, she fixed her favorite gold-plated necklace around her neck and sprayed a bit of perfume behind each ear.

  Back in her car minutes later, she formulated a plan of action for this evening.

  I’m going to remain the picture of calm, cool and collected, she vowed to herself. I’m going to ask lots of questions and expect solid, honest answers.

  I won’t be swayed by his–er–obvious charms, she nodded sharply.

  Soon she pulled up in the driveway of Derrick’s modest one-story home; a white ranch-style house decorated with a fluorescent Snowman figure in the front yard (“The only type of Florida snowman with any degree of life expectancy,” observed Sheila) and a line of red, white and blue Christmas lights bordering the roof.

  “A patriotic gent,” Sheila said, adding with a nod, “Another point in his favor. That, and the incredible abs.”

  Walking up a short sidewalk that lead to Derrick’s home, Sheila noticed that a note had been taped to his front door.

  Let me guess, she rolled her eyes. “He had to break our date because of Ye Olde Night Job.”

  She started, however, when she perused the actual content of the neatly written missive.

  “Step right in, Baby,” the note read. “I would come to the door, but I happen to be totally and completely naked.”

  Sheila gaped, quickly reminding herself that she had vowed to remain calm, cool, and collected until she learned the truth about her lover.

  Thrusting her chin firmly upward, she opened the door and stepped inside Derrick’s entryway.

  The first sight that met her eyes was that of a neatly decorated table that came complete with two fully lit, festive green candles and matching plates.

  A nice decorating touch for a woman, she observed silently. A minor miracle for a man.

  It was nothing, however, compared to the second vision that met her wandering gaze.

  Derrick’s Christmas tree was a fresh spruce decorated in decidedly masculine tones, with forest green ribbons and ornaments that took the form of miniature trains and toy soldiers.

  The tree’s most beautiful accent, however, was found underneath its neatly trimmed branches.

  Derrick reclined on his side, his golden hair and massive, freshly oiled chest glowing appealingly in the rays of moonlight afforded by a nearby window.

  His eyes also glowed as he regarded her–filled with a hot intensity that stole her breath.

  Although his finely toned legs also were exposed for her admiration, he wasn’t exactly naked as promised. His waist and privates had been wrapped in a shiny sheet of red foil paper–and secured with a luminous gold bow.

  Sheila’s hungry gaze devoured him from head to toe as she stepped sharply forward.

  “Did I overdress?” her slightly trembling voice belying her light tone.

  Chuckling, Derrick crooked a seductive finger in her direction.

  “I couldn’t think of what to get you for Christmas,” he told her, adding with a casual shrug, “I figured my body was as good a gift as any.”

  Grinning broadly, Sheila walked forward with quick, deliberate steps.

  Screw cool, calm, and collected, she knelt at Derrick’s side.

  Making quick work of the bow and foil that covered her gift, she soon revealed a shaft that was longer, thicker, and harder than she had imagined.

  After taking a moment to admire its almost artistic beauty, she boldly grasped her gift and stroked
it–using long, laving motions that evoked a strong reaction from the “bearer.”

  Throwing his head back, Derrick hissed sharply as spasms of desire rocked his perfect body. His nipples immediately hardened and his breath grew heavy and hard as his lover stroked him to the point of full erection.

  His arousal intensified a moment later, when Sheila boldly covered the tip of his shaft with her luscious ruby red lips.

  Lovingly she suckled and devoured his fully erect cock, teasing its golden skin with the shrewd flick of her tongue and looking upward as his rippled abs flexed appreciatively.

  Yet as much as he enjoyed her attentions, he never neglected her pleasure–and as she continued to nip and lave him, he extended his hand and fondled her bosom through the silken sheen of her dress. Soon her nipples too stood hard and erect, and the two grasped hands as Derrick reached a hard, electrifying climax.

  Yet even as waves of pleasure coursed through his sculpted body, he leaned upward and enveloped Sheila in a full, loving embrace.

  Kissing her fiercely, he unzipped her dress and peeled it with sensual slowness from her body.

  After discovering and whistling in appreciation of the red negligee, he removed it as well. Then, laying both garments carefully aside, he took her body tenderly onto his lap and cupped his hand in her slick, wet femininity–first grasping and massaging her throbbing clit, then slipping his fingers inside her vagina.

  Smiling, Sheila pressed her lips against his forehead and wrapped her arms around his muscular shoulders.

  “I should probably tell you, Sweetie, that you were headed in the right direction before,” she grinned sheepishly. “I’ve never had an orgasm this way.”

  Grinning devilishly, Derrick leaned forward and ran his tongue thrillingly down her neck.

  “I take it, then, that no lover has ever found your g-spot,” he whispered.

  Sheila cocked her head, beginning to take great pleasure in the heated pressure that was building in her private area.

  “No,” she admitted. “I mean, I’ve heard the term…”

  “Then let me define it for you,” Derrick growled, swooping down to sear her lips with a hot, open-mouthed kiss.

  As their mouths and tongues enacted a heated tango, Derrick’s intense stroking movements began to spark sharp, lightning shards of pleasure in the confines of her soaking wet pouch.

  Then suddenly, he ‘hit the spot.’

  Throwing her head back, Sheila dug her fingernails into his beefy shoulders and screamed outright. Her entire body pulsated with the ultimate sensual release; an incredible wave of pleasure that claimed her fully in its ecstasy-inducing grasp.

  Falling limply in Derrick’s arms, she purred softly as he lowered her sweat-soaked body onto the soft velvet skirt that surrounded his Christmas tree.

  For a few minutes the couple lounged happily, trading baby soft kisses and intimate whispers. Then Sheila took Derrick into her arms and pressed her lips against his.

  After engaging in a soft exploration, their lips and tongues merged fully in a kiss that reignited their passions.

  Derrick moaned as Sheila locked her long legs brazenly around his hips, finally opening herself to him. Then, running his hands down her back in a slow, massaging movement, he grasped her full, deliciously round derriere and lifted it from the ground.

  And finally, they looked deeply into one another’s eyes and joined–fully and totally–as one.

  Their hips claimed a perfect rhythm as their bare chests pressed and merged. Then Sheila gasped softly as she experienced the full penetration of Derrick’s hungry cock, and they kissed deeply as he pumped waves of unadulterated pleasure into her body.

  Their tongues and hips echoed their movements, and Sheila dug her fingers into the silky depths of Derrick’s long blond hair before lightly grazing his back with her sleek red fingertips.

  Finally breaking their kiss, Derrick buried his head in Sheila’s chest and lovingly laved her breasts. His hands, meanwhile, braced themselves on her full hips.

  “I just want to get lost in you,” he whispered, then lost all coherent thought as waves of incredible pleasure consumed them both. They came together, their heated moans and sighs raising an intimate chorus that filled the air around them.

  For a time they lay sweetly in one another’s arms, together admiring the glimmering golden string of lights that lined the tree above them.

  “So,” Sheila ran a loving hand over Derrick’s bare, hard chest. “What do you want for Christmas, Baby–not that I could top this.”

  Chuckling, her lover showered her fair neck with a sudden rain of soft baby kisses.

  “This is all I want,” he assured her. “I already have the best present under my tree.”

  With this he raised his lips to her mouth and graced her with a warm, affirming kiss.

  “Good answer,” Sheila cocked her eyebrows, “So you’re no longer interested in that year’s supply of Turtle Wax?”

  Throwing back his leonine head, Derrick laughed loudly.

  “You always make me laugh,” he rose slowly to his feet with her in his arms.

  “I’m just glad you didn’t say that a few minutes ago,” Sheila winked, “when we were all hot and heavy.”

  Soon the couple enjoyed a meal of freshly cooked pasta, sitting closely together at Derrick’s table.

  “Delicious!” Sheila smacked her lips to what Derrick considered adorable effect. “Of course, I’m so irritatingly happy right now I could possibly find culinary merit in the Leveaux Diner’s Delight.”

  Gaping, Derrick widened his emerald eyes. “Damn! I must be a good lover.”

  Following dinner, the couple lounged easily on Derrick’s couch, their naked limbs entwined as they read aloud to one another from a book of erotic poetry.

  Sheila savored this time with her lover, laying her head against his chest and listening to the sound of his deep, masculine voice as he recited each verse with deep articulance and emotion, showing both his love for the written word–and for the woman beside him.

  “Sheila, I hope you don’t think we’re going too quickly with this,” he closed the book and set it aside. “Because I don’t think I can stop.”

  Smiling, Sheila planted a line of kisses across Derrick’s perfect chest before resting her head in his neck.

  “I don’t want to stop,” she lifted her head to look directly in his eyes, “I do need to know more about you, though, before we proceed much further.”

  “I know, I know,” Derrick sighed. “You need to know about my other job.”

  Without awaiting an answer, he continued, “I promise I’ll explain everything tomorrow. And not just for your benefit–for mine.”

  He paused, shaking his head.

  “I never meant to keep anything from you. It’s just difficult…”

  He was silenced, however, by the light touch of Sheila’s finger across his full lips.

  “We’ll talk about it tomorrow,” she said, tone soft and comforting. “Tonight I want to be at total peace with you, and share your bed.”

  Touched by his lover’s tender sentiment, Derrick swept her up in his arms and stood from the couch.

  “I’ll gladly take you to my bed,” he charmed her with a dazzling smile. “First, though, I have one more surprise for you this evening. Another gift to brighten your Yuletide season.”

  “Well, damn,” Sheila replied with a wink. “And here I just barely survived the last one.”

  * * * *

  Sheila’s surprise turned out to be a luxurious bubble bath; one she shared with the man who had lovingly prepared it for her.

  Indeed, Derrick had lined his bathtub with freshly lit vanilla candles, each of which had been placed in Christmas ‘holly holders.’ And the bubble bath came complete with a fresh bayberry scent that Sheila inhaled deeply.

  “Perfect,” she sighed, grinning as Derrick lowered her into the bathtub.

  Their wet, soapy limbs delightfully entangled as they took turns b
athing one another.

  Sheila, for her part, greatly enjoyed soaping up Derrick’s heaving chest and long, succulent shaft–then playfully licking the bubbles from each.

  When Derrick’s turn arrived, he grinned slyly and removed an object he had hidden behind his mauve shower curtain.

  “No you didn’t,” Sheila laughed as she beheld her lover’s latest gift. “You bought the shower massager? It was supposed to be a gag gift!”

  Derrick made no verbal reply, but activated the shower massager. Soon Sheila’s breasts and belly were doused with a steady rain of water droplets.

  Then he ventured lower, teasing her clit with an invigorating aqua stream that evoked her sighs of contentment.

  These sighs grew substantially deeper as he replaced the massager with his moist, sensual lips.

  Fixing his sumptuous mouth around her throbbing clitoris, he finished the work of the massager–suckling and licking her feminine jewel until it again throbbed with the heat of desire.

  Soon he brought her once again to the brink of ecstasy, then sent her soaring with yet another incredible orgasm.

  Opening her eyes wide, Sheila admired the way that Derrick’s perfect face and silky long hair glowed in the gold of the candles that surrounded him–giving him an almost ethereal appearance.

  “The first time I saw you,” she cupped his cheeks in her hands. “I thought you looked like an angel.”

  Derrick bowed his head, stifling a sharp guffaw.

  “Thanks,” he leaned downward to grace her lips with a warm, affirming kiss. “Even so, you have to admit that idea is pretty silly, given our current circumstances.”

  He sobered, however, as his lover shook her head–her gaze filled with a look of love and acceptance that nearly stopped his heart.

  “No,” she said finally. “It’s not silly in the least.”

  Chapter Nine

  Soon the couple retired to Derrick’s feathered bed, settling into a warm embrace in the midst of his crisp cotton sheets. And while they almost immediately fell into a deep, fortifying sleep, Sheila awoke several times during the night to savor the feel of Derrick’s arms around her waist–pulling her tightly up against him even as he slept.