“Y ou are way too cute to be Santa, you know.”

I giggled as Jon opened the door, his eyes twinkling as he looked at me and ushered me inside.

What did I say then? What could I say to explain why I was back?

“I, uh, I think I left my scarf here.”

Jon grinned. “You’re wearing it.”

“Oh.” I felt my cheeks burn as he raised an eyebrow at me.

“You want that second drink now?”

“Yes , please,” I said quickly, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. I shrugged my coat off as I kicked off my boots.

“No mittens?” Jon was looking at my hand as I rubbed them together in the heat of his living room. “Here, let me hold your hands, they're freezing”

He was holding me tight then, close to him. My pulse raced in my throat, suddenly realizing the strength in those hands, how much bigger and older than I he was. He brought my hands to his chest, his eyes meeting my wide ones unflinchingly as he stared down at me.

“Here, sit. I’ll grab that cocoa.” I swallowed, not trusting myself to say a word as he led me to the couch before moving off towards the kitchen.

Jon passed me a mug when he came back, and I sipped it gingerly as he sat next to me on the sofa.

He laughed, as if reading the look on my face. “Best cure for cold weather. Sorry if it’s too strong, kid.”

“No, no it’s fine.” I bit my lip as I looked at him, leaning back into the couch looking so cool and so easy. “It’s perfect.”

“Good, cheers.”

We clinked glasses before we moved to silence, sitting there in his house drinking the spiked cocoa. The heat of the room, silent but for the fireplace and our breathing, weighed down on me like a blanket, and suddenly, everything hit me all over again. What was I doing here? I shook my head, feeling the heat of the alcohol coursing through me; I really needed to get back home.

“You know, since we found the scarf and all, maybe I should go.”

Jon raise a brow at me. “Stay.”

“My mother will worry.”

I don't know why I said it. I suppose it was half-true, though maybe I'd meant it as s threat, or leverage. Whatever the intention though, it came out pathetic more than anything else.

“What's the hurry, beautiful?” He winked at me, the gesture charming in a way that had me feeling warm all over.

“My-my father-”

“Listen to that fire crackle, Rachel.”

He dropped his hand over my shoulders then, and I felt my pulse skip a beat as he pulled me close to him. I could smell the lingering alcohol on his breath, mixing intoxicatingly with the aftershave and wood smoke and pine - captivating and vying for my senses.

“I-”

“Shhh, there's no hurry.”

That damned smile was back, shattering my defenses and making me weak. I could feel my will crumbling, his smile breaking down my defenses and wrapping me in that warmth again.

“How’s that drink?”

I glanced down and blushed, realizing my mug was totally empty. “Evaporated, I swear.”

Jon laughed loudly, his muscled body rumbling against mine and making me dizzy. “Freshen that up for you?”

“Oh, I- I don’t know.” I took a deep breath. “Maybe, maybe just one more.”

He grinned wolfishly at me.

“A half one,” I added quickly, shyly looking at him.

“You bet.”

“Oh, before I do, I really did get you a present you know.”

I felt myself grinning giddily. “Oh?” I fought to keep the eagerness out of my words.

He stood and walked over to his Christmas tree and brought a box up from beneath it. It was large, gorgeously wrapped in gold and red, and topped with a bright red bow. He winked as he passed it to me

“Just a little something. I figured a good looking girl like you could use something like this at school.” He gave me a wink as he sipped his drink. “Might bring a few more boys knocking this next semester.”

I blushed and shook the box gently, cocking my head.

“Oh just open it!”

I grinned at him “Thanks, Jon; really.” I sat back on the couch to open the box. I pulled at the bow, and then mischievously tore at the wrapping, making him chuckle.

The gift box was matte black and unadorned beneath the wrapping. I cocked my head at him.

“Just open it.” His voice was more honeyed now, watching me intently. With a nervous giggle, I pulled off the top of the box.

The room went quite silent, quite still, and I felt my heart skip a beat in my breast. Sitting delicately in the box, surrounded by crepe paper, were a matching pair of tiny, lacy, black panties and bra. My throat went dry and I felt my breath catch. I didn’t know what to say, or how to even look at him, and I could feel the crimson flooding my face.

“I know, I know, they’re kind of more of an adult present I guess. But, I just know you’ll be a knockout in them.”

I slowly raised my beet-red face to look at him from beneath my lashes.

“Can’t study all the time, you know. Have some fun with those - break some hearts.” He winked at me, sipping his drink and eyeing my red face.

“I-” I really was at a loss for words. “Thank you?”

“You’re welcome.”

To be fair, lingerie or not, it was probably the nicest piece of clothing I’d ever held. I tried to swallow my embarrassment. But I also felt a little rush of flirtation, thinking about actually wearing what lay in the box on my lap.

I raised my head, my confidence rising, and grinned at him. “Thank you.”

He passed me a fresh mug of cocoa with a wink. “Anytime.”

I blushed again.

“Hey, why don’t you try them on?”

But then again as before, something darker, something steely and firm lingered and glinted just beneath the surface of him. And again, as before, I saw it flash momentarily as his eyes captured my own. The shiver returned, slithering up my spine, making my heart flip.

“Oh, I- I probably shouldn’t.”

“Oh I don’t mean right here ! C'mon, give a guy a little credit in the class department.” He rolled his eyes at me. “I meant see how they fit.”

My cheeks burned, and I quickly took a large gulp of what was really more brandy than cocoa in my mug.

He nodded towards the bathroom and I bit my lip. Taking a deep breath, I took another big swig from my mug and stood, holding the box.

“Give me five minutes.”

* * *

I n the bathroom , I gasped at my reflection in the mirror.

Holy shit I look hot.

The lingerie fit me like a glove, hugging every curve and line of my skin as if they were tailored to me. I blushed at how utterly sheer and transparent the whole set was. My nipples were hard in the cool of the bathroom, and clearly visible through the bra. Dropping my gaze, I bit at my lip as I realized I could see every detail of my pussy beneath the thong panties.

This outfit was straight up scandalous; the naughtiest thing I’d ever had on my body.

I let my fingers trail my body, feeling the brandy course through me. No one had ever bought me lingerie before. The fact that it was Jon made it seem even naughtier a purchase - somehow more taboo. I imaged him seeing me wearing this and felt a warm ache in my core at the thought. A naughty thought crossed my mind.

Instead of changing back, I simply put my skirt and shirt back on, balling my panties and tights up in a ball and sticking them in the lingerie box.

I felt wickedly naughty with the feel of the sheer material against my skin instead of the cotton of my normal panties. Feeling my pulse race, I finished the rest of my mug, reached for the door, and stepped back out.