Chapter Five
Davis flicked his wrist, smiling when the pancake turned in midair and landed back in the skillet. Leaving it to finish cooking, he pulled the rack of bacon from the oven and turned to see Noelle. His grin widened at the sight of her messy hair and her petite frame covered by the white shirt he’d worn the evening before.
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, sliding the bacon onto a plate.
“Coffee,” she said in the way of greeting.
“Excuse me?”
Green eyes lifted. “I’m sorry, good morning, Daddy. May I please have a cup of coffee?”
“You may,” he said, moving the skillet off the burner before reaching for the coffee carafe and pouring the liquid into her mug. Taking it to the table where she’d slid into a chair, he dropped a kiss on top of her head and put the mug in front of her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ve got your breakfast just about ready.”
A much sweeter voice said, “You’re the best, you know that, right?”
Davis chuckled, thinking that whoever coined the phrase that coffee was nectar of the gods had been wrong. It was definitely nectar of grumpy little ones. He fixed two plates and then joined her at the table, passing her the syrup and watching her pour a lake of the sticky liquid over her pancakes.
“How you don’t bounce off the walls with all the sugar you consume is beyond me,” he said, shaking his head and finishing half a strip of bacon in one bite.
“I need the energy,” she said, giving him a bright smile as she shoveled a forkful of pancakes into her mouth.
“What’s on the agenda today?” he asked, pouring a far smaller serving of syrup over his own stack.
She waited until her mouth was empty and took another sip of coffee before answering. “I’ve got the bookstore today. No food or drinks, just decorations. The kids have some study group, and though they said they could skip out early, with finals next week, I told them I’d be fine on my own.”
Davis found it amusing that she referred to her employees as kids, most of them only a year or two younger than herself, but he simply finished his eggs and then asked, “No tree?”
“What?”
“At the store. There isn’t going to be a Christmas tree?”
“Of course there’s going to be a tree. What’s Christmas without a tree?” She shook her head and took another bite of pancakes. He remained silent and simply waited. Finally, she looked up and her mouth formed a little ‘O’. “Oh, you’re wondering how I’m going to get the decorations on up high, right?”
“I am,” he concurred, his breakfast finished.
“Well, I was hoping you might be willing to help me.”
Davis grinned. “That depends, what’s the pay?”
Her eyes widened. “You really expect me to pay you?”
Standing, Davis refilled both their mugs before lifting her from her chair, taking a seat and pulling her down onto his lap. “I most certainly do. But,” he said, nuzzling his lips against her neck. “I didn’t say it had to be a monetary compensation.” He loved her soft giggle as well as the squirm of her little bottom on his lap.
“No?” she asked, pretending innocence. “How else would an astute business woman such as myself reward your efforts on her behalf?”
His hand slid beneath the shirt that was huge on her small frame and moved to cup a breast. Her nipple instantly pebbled beneath his fingertip as he circled the sensitive areola. “I can think of many, many different possibilities,” he informed her, moving across the valley of her breasts to stroke her other nipple.
“You—you can?” she said, her breath a little faster as her bottom lip disappeared between her teeth.
“Oh, yes,” he assured her. “Now, finish your breakfast and then we can discuss the first hour’s payment.” Hearing her soft moan, then little yip as he gave her nipple a tweak, he bent to kiss her forehead before standing and settling her back into her chair.
“I’m full,” she said, pushing her plate away.
“Every bite,” he countered, sliding it back. “You just said you need your energy, and believe me, little girl, you’re going to need every calorie to pay for my services.”
Her face flushed as she looked at his groin, his erection already tenting the fabric of his pajama pants. “Remind me to ask my boyfriend about the law,” she said, stuffing another bite into her mouth. “I’m pretty sure there’s got to be some sort of rule against trading sexual favors for decorating a Christmas tree.”
Davis chuckled and didn’t bother to answer. She could spout a dozen different cases, but he still had every intention of enjoying her sweet little body in several ways before the day was done.
Once the dishes were finished, he decided to end her torture. She’d given his groin look after look as if wondering when his cock was going to pop free. “Come here, boss lady,” he said, pointing to a spot right before him. He loved her flushed cheeks and quick smile at his address. When she stood in front of him, he reached down and whipped the tuxedo shirt over her head.
“Tsk, tsk, what a naughty little businesswoman you are, Miss Atwell. No panties? Whatever would your clients think?”
“I thought we were here to discuss your rate, Mr. Waterford, not my choice in clothing.”
“Oh, we are. On your knees if you please.”
Noelle dropped to her knees, her nipples going even tighter as he reached down to take them between his thumbs and fingers, rolling them back and forth.
“Speaking of clothing, take my cock out of my pants.” Once it was free, jutting out from his body, the tip already glistening with his pre-cum, he gave her nipples a little pinch, smiling when her mouth opened in a gasp. “You are indeed a very astute woman,” he said. “Opening your mouth before I even ask. Now, let’s see if your instincts know exactly how I expect to be paid for that first hour of hard, manual labor.”
She smiled and bent forward, the tip of her tongue darting out to swirl across the head of his cock, lapping at the fluid like a very contented little cat. It was his turn to gasp as she lifted those gorgeous green eyes and locked them onto his before opening her mouth and taking his cock inside. Her tongue laved his flesh, dipping into the slit on the tip, causing him to move his hands to fist her hair. God she was good at this. Her head bobbed up and down, taking a bit more with each move until he felt his cock nudge the back of her throat. Tightening his grip in her fire colored tresses, he said, “Be a good girl. Open that throat and swallow me down.”
He had no doubt she’d obey and no question that she’d need help regardless of her desire to submit to him. Words could not describe the incredible sensations she gifted him with as she relaxed her throat and swallowed, taking his cock deeper. The sounds of her slight gagging and muffled gasps as he began to thrust, the lines of drool slipping from the corners of her mouth around his engorged shaft, the look of determination to please him from eyes that shone with love was one of the most beautiful images he could imagine. His hips pumped as she took him inch by inch until his entire length was buried in the column of her throat. Davis groaned deeply, pausing for a moment before pulling back to allow her to gulp in air. The erotic dance continued until he felt his balls tighten.
“Every drop, baby,” he said, his order hoarse with his arousal. “Ready?”
She managed to nod her head despite his hold in her hair, and after taking another breath, she went down again, taking not only every inch but accepting every drop of his seed as he spurted into her mouth, roaring her name. When he was empty, he pulled back, releasing one hand from her hair to run a finger across her top lip, stretched around his cock.
“God, you are so incredibly beautiful, Noelle.” She smiled around his slowly deflating girth until he pulled from her lips. Drawing her up, he crushed his mouth against hers, her breasts flattening against his bare chest. Lifting her up, he turned, setting her down onto the countertop. “My turn,” he said with a grin, pulling her legs apart before bending to run his tongue up her slit.
This time it was her fingers entwined in his dark hair as she moaned with every lick of his tongue and every nibble of his teeth on her flesh. Pushing his tongue deep into her cunny, he lapped at her cream, changing his tune about what he’d thought earlier. Forget coffee. This, her cream that coated his tongue, was the true nectar of the gods. Her moans, her gasps, her soft yips as he grazed her clit with his teeth was the song of the angels in heaven, and when she came, her head thrown back, her cry of “Davis”, was the anthem he’d never tire of hearing. Rising, he lifted her again, trembling legs wrapping around his waist as he walked through the house and into the bathroom. He didn’t set her down until he’d turned on the shower and the water was the perfect temperature. Setting her on her feet, he stepped in behind her, but she turned to face him, arms wrapping around his neck.
“You’re hired,” she said with a smile.
“For an hour at least,” he said with a chuckle, giving her bottom a swat when she rolled her eyes. Dropping a quick kiss on her forehead, he turned her around again, running his hand over her ass. “Don’t forget, there will be other payments required throughout the day.” He adored the slight shiver she gave as she leaned against him, letting the water stream over her body. “And penalties for non-payment, of course.”
“Of course,” she mumbled and though her eyes were closed, he was pretty sure they rolled.
An hour later, he was helping her carry boxes of decorations into the small bookstore.
“Set them down over there, please,” she directed with a point.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, earning a smile as he placed the boxes on a table and went back to the car to get the rest. Once everything was inside, he had to grin. “You know, if you were but a few inches taller, you wouldn’t need my help,” he said as he looked at the evergreen waiting to be turned into one worthy of the title of Christmas tree.
“So true,” she said with an exaggerated sigh. “If I weren’t vertically challenged, I also wouldn’t be subject to extortion from my newest employee.”
He caused her to squeal when he grabbed her and patted her butt.
“Davis! You can’t do that here! We’re working,” she protested, her cheeks coloring as her eyes darted around.
“I believe I just did,” he countered, giving her a kiss before releasing her and glancing at his watch. “Speaking of work, we’re well into our second hour, Miss Atwell.”
“Driving does not count!” she protested. When he just chuckled, she smiled and opened a box. “Put this on,” she directed.
“You’re kidding right?” Davis said.
“Nope, all my little elves wear them. Of course, if you’d rather not, I suppose I can consider that a payment.”
“Good try,” Davis said, taking the Santa hat from her hand and putting it on his head.
Noelle smiled, reaching up to give the huge pom-pom a tug, causing the silver bells attached to chime. “Welcome to my team, now get to work, Mr. Waterford. The lights need to be put on first. You can start that while I talk to my client.
“Sure thing,” Davis said, opening the box, expecting to see a huge tangle of lights but instead found neatly wound strands wrapped around plastic holders, all lined up like good little soldiers. He shook his head. His girl was a bit of a mess as witnessed every time he opened the door to the master closet, but he should have known she’d be nothing but perfectly organized when it came to her craft. Pulling out several, he started unwinding one around the tree. It might not stand more than a couple inches over six feet, but it made up for its shortness with its girth. It took several steps to complete one revolution around and two additional strings of lights to cover the very first row. As he worked, he watched as Noelle hugged a woman almost as portly as the tree. The woman’s smile was bright as she clapped her hands, evidently quite excited to see Noelle in her store. He couldn’t blame her, he was quite excited himself as an image of his love’s lips stretched around his shaft as well as a vision of her wrapped in nothing but twinkling lights popped into his head, causing his cock to stiffen.
“Davis, I’d like you to meet Harriet,” Noelle said, snapping him out of his daydream.
“It’s very nice to meet you, ma’am,” Davis said, glad that there were several thick branches between him and the woman as he extended his hand. “Forgive me, but I don’t want to lose the end of these lights.”
“That’s quite all right,” Harriet said, giving his hand a pump. “It’s wonderful to see you helping out. Noelle tells me you’re her boyfriend?”
“That’s right, but today she’s actually my boss,” he said, pointing to the red hat on his head.
Did women ever outgrow giggling? Davis wondered as the older woman did so.
“Well then, young man, I suppose I should let you get back to work, but when you get a break, I’ve got cider and cookies in the snack area. Please, help yourself.”
“I will, thank you,” Davis said and watched the woman turn to greet some customers entering the store.
“Why were you hiding?” Noelle asked, coming around the tree.
He saw her eyes drop to his belt and he grinned. His erection had subsided during the conversation. “Like I said, I didn’t want to lose my place,” he said, pleased to see a bit of disappointment flash in her eyes. “Why, Miss Atwell, you didn’t think I was up to no good did you?”
She smirked. “Oh, I’m sure you were up to something.” The two worked together to string the rest of the lights.
“Should we test them before decorating?” he asked, pushing the final connection together.
“Oh, no! That would ruin the effect,” Noelle said. “I test them before packing the box. Let’s hang the tinsel and then take a break.”
They hung strand after strand of shiny silver tinsel, Noelle correcting him several times on the necessity to carefully drape each individual strand over a branch. By the time she considered the tinsel complete, he was more than ready for a break.
Harriet joined them, insisting on serving them herself. “I made these last night from your recipe, Noelle. You must tell me if I got them right.”
Noelle took a bite and nodded. “They are perfect. And this cider is delicious. You’ve got to give me the recipe.”
Davis downed two cups of cider and three iced sugar cookies listening to the two women exchange recipes from memory. It amazed him how much information Noelle stored in her pretty little head. Well, information she considered important. Ask her what had been on their grocery list she’d forgotten to take off the front of the refrigerator and she’d just stare blankly at the cart in the middle of the aisle.
By the time they were done with the tree, several customers were watching, waiting in anticipation. He’d hung the final ornaments while she’d placed ribbons, wreaths, garlands, and several different Santa figurines around the store. “Now for the final piece,” she said, pulling an item from a box and taking the bubble wrap off.
“Is that a caterpillar?” Davis asked as the object came into view.
“No, it’s a Santa bookworm,” Noelle corrected, tossing the bubble wrap back into the box and holding the item up. “See, he has his Santa hat on and he’s reading The Night Before Christmas.”
“Wherever did you find that?” Davis asked with a smile.
“Santa gave him to me, of course,” she teased.
“Shall I lift you up so that you can put it on top?”
Noelle seemed about to nod when her eyes moved to the side where a young girl clung to Harriet’s leg. Instead of handing the tree topper to Davis, she knelt in front of the girl.
“What’s your name, sweetie?”
“Christie,” the child said softly.
“That’s a very pretty name. It’s like Christmas. Would you like to do the honors and put Santa Bookworm on top of the tree?”
The child lifted her eyes from the bookworm to Davis who was towering over her. Her pigtails swung as her head began to shake from side to side. Davis squatted down to be more on her level and spoke softly. “I promise it’s a lot of fun.”
“You-you won’t drop me?”
“No, sweetheart, I promise.”
“You can trust him,” Noelle said, bending forward a bit to whisper. “He may be huge, but he’s really one of Santa’s elves.”
“He is?” the girl asked, her eyes going wide.
“Yes,” Harriet said, giving the child a hug. “Miss Noelle told me that Santa needs big elves just as much as he needs little ones. See, his hat? That means he’s one of Santa’s helpers.”
The little girl gave Davis a doubtful look, but when Noelle smiled and held out her hand, Christie slipped hers into it and allowed Noelle to lead her towards the tree. Davis bent down again.
“Ready?”
At her nod, he grinned and lifted her into the air after Noelle handed her the topper. “Okay, honey, I’ve got you.” Christie’s fear was forgotten as she was lifted high enough to easily set the bookworm into place. Davis settled her on his shoulder as he gave Noelle a nod and stepped back a bit. “Okay, I think we’re ready for the main event.”
Again, Noelle gave the honor to another, this time a young boy. “Just press that big red button,” she instructed, and when he did, oohs and ahhs filled the store as the lights came on and then began to flash on and off.
“It’s so pretty,” Christie said, clapping her hands.
“It is,” Davis agreed, setting her onto her feet. “Thank you for your help, Miss Christie,” he said, giving her a bow and hearing yet another generation’s giggle waft on the air.
He and Noelle passed out candy canes to all the customers as Harriet gave them each coupons they could redeem in the store, extolling how books made the best gifts.
After accepting thanks for doing such a wonderful job, as well as a box of cookies Harriet insisted they take in addition to the payment she pressed into Noelle’s hand, the couple left. Davis seated Noelle in the car and snapped her seat belt into place, gave her cheek a kiss and made it a point to look at his watch.
“Hmm, seems you are behind on your payments, Miss Atwell.”
“You couldn’t have expected me to pay you in the store!” she protested.
“I don’t know. I thought part of a boss’ responsibility was to find creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems,” he said, shaking his head. “Oh, well, guess I’ll just have to add on a little penalty payment.”
“What sort of penalty?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out,” he said cryptically, before shutting her door and walking around the car, his cock once again pressing against the front of his jeans. When her eyes dropped to his lap, he shrugged. “Don’t blame me. All day I was imagining you naked, wrapped in nothing but twinkling lights.”
“You did?” she asked and then giggled as she reached over and tugged on the pom-pom hanging from his hat. “You are a very naughty elf, Mr. Waterford.”
“An elf who expects payment the moment we get home. I want you naked and bent over the couch within thirty seconds.”
“Fine,” she said, her cheeks flushing, “but that’s hardly enough time to wrap myself in lights.”
“Don’t worry, I promise I’m going to light you up until you are glowing, little girl.” He grinned as she shivered. That was one promise he was determined to keep.