Chapter Five

Maci

Marina’s Table was every bit as elegant as its reputation had promised. As soon as we walked through the doors I was grateful that Honey had talked me into wearing my navy-blue wrap dress. Within minutes we were ushered to a table in the back corner of the restaurant. There was a fair amount of other customers at the surrounding tables and I was grateful for the buzz of conversation in the air. It was reassuring somehow. Most of my nerves had faded but as we were seated, they threatened to elbow their way in once again.

Alex spoke with the hostess who seated us and then turned his attention to the menu once she was gone. I studied him over the top of my own menu, wondering what he was thinking as he consulted the leather-backed menu in his large hands.

“What looks good?” I asked.

His dark eyes lifted to mine and a spark sent shivers down to the depths of my belly. There was only one thing that a look like that could mean…and I’d have been lying if I said it wasn’t the same thing I wanted, too.

The mommy bloggers would be horrified. If anyone knew, I’d be a play date pariah. But I didn’t care. I wanted to get good and fucked and Alex knew it.

“I was thinking maybe we should skip to dessert,” he suggested.

I laid down my menu. “Sold!”

The waitress was pissed when she found out we were going to be paring our order back and likely cut her tip money into one quarter of a full meal with free-flowing wine. She offered a too-tight smile and sauntered off in a huff.

She returned minutes later, two white plates on a tray. She laid out the desserts and Alex ordered two cappuccinos. I smiled at him, wondering if he was planning a late night.

It didn’t take long to find out. One minute we were locking eyes over chocolate tortes and the next we were a heaving, hot mess in the back seat of his Buick in a secluded corner of a big box store parking lot. It wasn’t romantic. It was sheer primal delight. It wasn’t the first time I’d had sex in a car, but Alex took it to a whole other level.

Of course, the fact that the Buick was built like an upholstered tank helped.

Straddling Alex in the back seat, riding his cock like it was a damn pogo stick. One of his hands was up the front of my top, dipped into the soft foam cups of my bra, teasing my rock hard nipples. His other was between my legs, stroking my clit with the pad of his thumb every time I rocked forward. Our breathing came in frantic pants as we raced to the finish line. His cock was huge and yet somehow fit me like a glove. It thickened and a groan ripped from his lips. Alex dropped his head back on the seat and gripped my hips, spurring me on. Harder. Faster. More and more.

I cried out as a massive orgasm splintered me in two. Stars burst behind my eyes and Alex’s moan echoed through the car. “Fuck!”

I bit down on my lip and sagged forward as he throbbed and pulsed inside me. “Holy fuck,” I panted against his chest.

All too soon it was that moment. The awkward, post-sex pause.

I started giggling.

Alex gave a bemused laugh as I cracked up. I flapped a hand, desperately willing myself to get my shit together. “Sorry,” I sputtered, shaking my head.

Alex chuckled as I wriggled off his lap. He zipped up and shot me a grin. “Is this some kind of medical disorder? Uncontrollable giggle fits post orgasm?”

“It’s entirely—entirely possible,” I said, gulping for air. “Oh, my, God. I’m sorry. Wow.”

Alex laughed and leaned over to retrieve my panties. He handed me the sopping wet garment and I rolled my eyes. “God, this is embarrassing.”

“Why?” he asked.

I lolled my head over to look at him. “Because you’re so…perfect. Like this sexy as hell, Superman who swooped in and now—well—this.”

Stop. Talking. Now.

I shook my head. “I’m not making any sense. Am I?”

Alex grinned. “Not really, but I like it when you talk crazy.”

The air was thick and smelled like sex. I pushed out of the car and gulped in big gasps of the bitterly cold night air. Alex climbed through the center and got behind the wheel. I brushed my hair out of my face and shimmied back into my ruined panties. They felt terrible but I wasn’t going to stick them in my purse and I didn’t have pockets. Cringing, I pulled open the passenger door and climbed back inside.

“You good?” Alex asked, a hint of teasing still in his voice.

I nodded and he turned over the engine.

Neither of us said much on the way back to my place. He didn’t need to ask for directions, which I decided was endearing not creepy, and in a few minutes time we were idling in the parking space in front of my building. The living room light was on and I frowned, knowing Honey was going to pounce on me for the rundown of the date.

Before I could work out a canned speech, Alex reached over and cupped the side of my face.

“I really like you, Maci,” he said, his thumb sweeping over my cheekbone. “You’re beautiful and funny and have this … this spark that I haven’t seen before.”

I stared at him, unblinking, wondering if it was all some kind of line. I mean, he knew I was totally gonna sleep with him again, one way or the other, didn’t he? Shit, I was getting wet again.

He didn’t wait for me to become cognitive enough to say something—which, was probably for the best because moments like this weren’t really my forte—and instead kissed me softly again. “Goodnight, Maci.”

***

When I peeled my eyes open the next morning I fully expected a throbbing headache to greet me. It had been forever and a day since the last time I’d had more than one cocktail or glass of wine during a night out—those little fuckers cost nine bucks a pop! —and after three, or had it been four, drinks over the course of the night with Alex, I’d been sure I would pay the price in the morning.

But nothing. Not even the slightest edge of a hangover.

That meant that little moment of insanity in the back of Alex’s Buick had been all on me.

Well shit.

It would be easier to face myself in the mirror if I could pawn off my bad decision on the booze. Was it too late to blame it on Alex’s dimple? Yeah. . .I was sure that was what it was.

Damn that dimple.

I smiled to myself as I stretched my arms up over my head, feeling every sore muscle. I couldn’t stay mad. The sex had been the hottest of my life! Although, admittedly I didn’t have all that much to compare it to. Even still… being with Alex was on a whole other level than any of my past three lovers. He just knew things. Every sweet spot, dirty word, and damn, he’d been the perfect fit.

My cheeks flushed and I smashed a pillow over my grinning face. Could I be more like a puppy love-stricken teenager right now? Seriously, check the nightstand, there’s no corsage. Pull it together.

And in case I needed a reminder that I was pushing thirty, not sixteen, my daughter flung the door of my bedroom open and launched herself into my bed. “Mama! You’re awake!”

How did she always know? It’s like somewhere along the way she was implanted with a tracking chip that made her acutely aware of my every move.

“Morning, angel face.” I kissed her cheek as she burrowed into me. She was warm and still smelled like her strawberry shampoo from her bath the night before. “How did you sleep?”

“Good.”

“Did you have fun with Honey?”

She nodded. “She let me have a chocolate Popsicle after dinner!”

I laughed. “Sounds good. Tell you what, let’s get ready and head out early. I want to try and beat the crowds.”

With less than two weeks until Christmas, beating the crowds was a losing battle, but I was prepared to fight. I hadn’t done much of my shopping yet, mostly because my bank account was in desperate need of a paycheck. Which, theoretically had been deposited into my account and would soon evaporate. I’d do my best to shop sales, cobble together some homemade gifts for neighbors and acquaintances, and then use and abuse the hell out of my store discount at Jasper & Benson to buy a few things for my friend’s kids without having to sell an organ on the black market.

“Then we get to go meet Santa!” Alyssa cheered, bouncing up from the bed and racing for the door. “I’ll get the cereal!”

I sighed. “Right. Santa.”

As I pushed out of bed I laughed to myself. Well at least I can get a snapshot with the mystery hottie version of Santa. That would make Honey jealous. Although, after last night, I’d probably find it hard not to compare him to Alex who was leading the race for the hottest man alive.

***

“Mama, come on!” Alyssa tugged on my arm and frantically pointed at Santa’s Winter Workshop. My feet ached, my back hurt, and the last thing I wanted to do was hop in line and stand around for an hour waiting for Santa and then navigating my way out of purchasing a photography package. I’d planned on taking her to see Santa at a different, less amped up mall, where I wouldn’t be assaulted by pushy sales people who would remind me half a dozen times that the photo money went to charity.

I glanced over at Alyssa. Would I be the worst mother in history if I burst the Santa bubble two weeks to Christmas?

Yes, yes, I would.

With a sigh, I relented. “All right, angel, let’s get in line.”

The line snaked around in a partitioned off segmentation that looked like something from the airport security lines. Only the ropes were more festive, red rope with greenery and twinkly lights instead of those weird seatbelt type barriers. Alyssa didn’t seem to mind the line. While other kids in line were crankily pulling on their parents or picking fights with their siblings, Alyssa remained mesmerized by the movie magic quality of it all. Santa sat on a gold throne underneath the eves of the large workshop, flanked by half a dozen elves in green and silver outfits. Piles of wrapped gifts sat underneath massive Christmas trees planted on either side of his throne. The reindeer pen was off to the left. To the right, kids could wander by and watch animatronic elves working to make presents and load the sleigh.

The line trudged forward. I dug through my bag and found a couple of granola bars. I broke off pieces for Alyssa and took every other bite for myself. That should stave off the need for lunch until we got home. With the quote Kyle had given me the day before hovering over my head, I knew that meals out were going to be few and far between for the next couple of months.

“Mama! It’s our turn next!” Alyssa proudly declared when we’d reached the front of the line.

A friendly looking female elf smiled down at Alyssa. “That’s right, sweetheart. And what are you going to ask Santa for?”

Alyssa stepped back, suddenly shy, and shook her head. “It’s a secret, otherwise it won’t come true.”

I smiled at the woman, not bothering to correct Alyssa that was only the rule when it came to blowing out birthday candles. Wasn’t it?

I peeked past the elf’s shoulder, finally close enough to get a peek at hot Santa. I cocked my head slightly. Even with the beard and the bushy white, glue-on eyebrows it was clear that Honey and Angie hadn’t been lying. Warm eyes, firm lips, and those much-discussed sculpted cheekbones peeking out from the top of the itchy-looking faux beard.

He reminded me of someone but looked away before I could fully place his face. I’d probably just seen him wandering the mall when he was off-duty, or maybe he worked as a security guard the other fifty weeks of the year.

Alyssa started chatting away, rattling off the list like a recitation so she wouldn’t forget to ask for anything. Of course, the featured item on her list was that elusive Livia tablet I hadn’t tracked down. At this rate, it was going to take a real Christmas miracle.

When we got to the front of the line, the hot Santa looked up as he said goodbye to a set of twins who’d been adorably balanced one on each knee for a series of photos. His eyes fluttered past mine but then immediately snapped back.

My heart plummeted and crashed with a resounding thud in the pit of my stomach.

Oh my god, I fucked Santa Claus!

In a goddamn Buick!