Calling Mrs Claus Read online

  Lina snickers, “I can’t help it, I needed to get your attention, you were just staring into the distance.”

  “I was not staring into the distance, I was staring at…” She clears her throat, “You’re right, I was staring into the distance, now back to work.”

  She picks up the box and walks past Lina as dignified as she can muster with her red cheeks giving her away.

  “Wait! I wanted to talk to you. I am leaving now.”

  For the second time in minutes, Ann drops the box, “You’re leaving? Why?”

  Lina smiles, steps closer to Ann running her thumb across Ann’s cheek, “I have to start work, I have something in my mind, and I need to start.”

  Ann clears her throat, running her fingers through her hair, “Oh, yes, of course, I understand.”

  Lina smiles softly leans in and kisses her tenderly on the lips, “It’s the only reason I’m leaving, I will be back tomorrow with my sketchpad and can trace things out. Will you come by later and I will cook for us?”

  Ann smiles bigger, “I would love that. I won’t be finished here until seven.”

  Lina hugs her close, “It’s perfect, just come on over when you’re ready.”

  They kiss once more before Lina leaves the floor, looking back over her shoulder every few seconds. Ann is grinning and when Lina is out of sight she sighs contentedly, “What the hell is happening with me? That woman has turned my head and I don’t understand how she has done it so quickly.”

  “You’re falling for her.”

  “Jesus!”

  She spins around holding her chest, breathing hard, after dropping the box yet again, “What the hell is going on? Is everyone tiptoeing around today? Why is everyone out to scare me to death today?”

  Olivia chuckles, “No one is trying to kill you, you are just in a love haze and don’t hear when someone calls your name.”

  Ann is still breathing heavily, “You called me?”

  “I did, but when you didn’t answer I just came on over. Only when I was close enough did I realise you were talking to yourself.”

  Ann blushes again, “I’m sorry I didn’t hear you, do you need me for something?”

  “Not at all, I was coming to tell you that I can give you a hand up here for a little while, everything is under control downstairs.”

  Ann is grateful for the help, “Oh, well okay, thanks, there is plenty to do and my other helper bailed when she got inspiration.”

  Olivia nods, “I saw her leaving, she had a huge smile on her face and gave me a salute. She seems like a really nice person.”

  “She is, seeing her look around a room like this and even though it is in a mess right now she got inspired and was making notes on her phone in such a flurry. It was so beautiful to see how her mind works.”

  “Are you afraid of your feelings for her?”

  Ann cocks her head to the side thinking about the question, “I know my feelings are there and when she is around, she does something to me that I can’t explain. My stomach does somersaults, she can be such an ass but even then, she has this cute smirk and it makes me melt. No one has made me feel so much in such a short space of time and that scares me, yes. I haven’t dated that much since you know who and she has definitely left a scar on me. I want to open up and explore what we have, and I don’t want my past to stand in my way. I really like her.”

  Olivia smiles brightly, “You know when you came back after meeting her the first time. I never thought there was a person on this earth that could piss you off like that. The way she fired you up and even though she had said no to you, you were hooked on her not just for her talent but for who she is. You were pissed that she said no to the project, but you had this admiration for her that was on a different level. It was what Sophie had said about Lina after that meeting too. She told me that Lina was in the same mood as you, but she was impressed that you didn’t let her get away with her flippant remarks that most would have. You challenged her and that was something she isn’t used to. She challenges you too, in more ways than just on this project. She is challenging you to open your heart again and she knows that to be compatible you have to have that spark of challenge. Neither one of you can be with someone that just says yes or agrees all the time.”

  Ann is not used to being read and shuffles from foot to foot, “Anyway, enough private talk, there is work to be done. Come on let’s get this cleared or we won’t hear the end of it if Lina comes back to paint or whatever it is, she wants to create.”

  Olivia nods, “Okay, let’s get it done and just for the record, I think you both are a really cute couple. I want this to work out for you, you deserve happiness and I think she can make you happy.”

  Ann smiles softly, “I think she can too, and I want to be the one to make her happy.”

  Olivia claps her hands triumphantly, “This is so exciting, I’m so happy for you.”

  Ann laughs, “You already said that. It’s really early so who knows.”

  “I know, but I really am. That is true, but this is a positive, fiery and passionate start.”

  “We have only kissed.”

  Olivia smirks, “That maybe so, but if you could see what I see in your eyes right now, it won’t be long until that changes.”

  Ann blushes and busies herself with another box, “Do some work, these won’t move on their own.”

  “Yes boss, you’ve got it.”

  Chapter 12

  For the first time when Lina is working, she watches the time. Her sketches are drawn up and when she is back in the store, she’ll be able to get the scale correct. Lina looks up at the clock again and decides that today's work is completed. She heads into the house to start cooking and get ready for Ann to arrive.

  “What the hell should I cook?”

  She looks in her fridge and pantry reaches for some ingredients and starts to cook. She is smiling to herself as she does, surprised again at how light she feels, the excited feeling in her stomach. She shakes her head freeing her from overthinking everything. Once the meal is prepared, she jumps in the shower and spends an inordinate amount of time choosing what to wear. Finally settling on jeans and a sweater, she goes back downstairs just as Ann rings the bell. Her face lights up in the biggest smile humanly possible that is until she sees Ann’s.

  “Hi, how was the rest of your day?”

  Ann leans in and kisses Lina before answering, “Boring, I have moved all the boxes from one section so you should have enough space to start measuring. How have you been doing?”

  “I have a few sketches drawn for you to take a look at later but first I want you to rest relax and enjoy the meal I have cooked for you.”

  Ann grins, “I feel like you are spoiling me.”

  Lina smiles placing her arm around Ann’s shoulders, “I like to make you feel good and honestly seeing that smile of yours is worth it all.”

  Ann blushes and leans in and kisses Lina sweetly. “What is on the menu?”

  “Oh, I didn’t cook, I just went and bought fries for us.”

  She looks at the shocked look on Ann’s face and starts to laugh, “I’m joking, I made us meatballs in a tomato sauce with pasta. I have something special for dessert then.”

  Ann licks her lips, “Sounds delicious, I’m hungry already.”

  “Let’s eat and then I will show you the sketches I have and get your thoughts.”

  She leads her into the dining room after hanging up her coat, pulls out her chair for her. Ann smiles and takes her seat, “If it tastes as good as it smells, I’m in for a real treat.”

  Lina plates up the food and sits opposite her, she pours a glass of Cava for the two of them. She raises a glass, “Here’s to a great working relationship and to us, a new beginning. I look forward to what we will achieve together.”

  Ann smiles, “That was a great toast and I look forward to it all too.”

  They enjoy their meal recounting what they did during the day. They laughed and flirted and held hands whenever p
ossible. The atmosphere enhanced with some romantic music playing in the background. Lina smiles and stands up holding out her hand, “Dance with me.”

  Ann is surprised and cocks her head to the side, “Really?”

  Lina rolls her eyes, “No, I’m just standing here with my hand out for no reason. Of course, dance with me, please?”

  Ann is pleasantly surprised, takes her hand and they both move to the beat of the music. Both are enjoying the closeness and the feel of the other in their arms. Ann leans her head on Lina’s shoulder breathing in her scent, she closes her eyes and loses herself in the moment. “This is really nice, Lina, I’m having such a nice evening.”

  Lina smiles and kisses Ann’s head, “I’m having a really nice evening too. I love holding you in my arms. I haven’t danced with a woman in a long time.”

  When Lina looks into Ann’s eyes, she leans just a fraction, kisses her sweetly. Ann reaches behind Lina’s head and pulls her closer. Ann moans at the feel of Lina’s lips so soft that she could quite easily get lost in them. Lina opens her mouth in invitation and Ann doesn’t hesitate her tongue delves into Lina’s mouth and starts a slow sensual tango with Lina’s tongue. Ann pulls her impossibly closer against her body as the kiss deepens. Her fingers move through Lina’s hair as Lina’s hands slowly roam up and down Ann’s back. There is a moan but neither can tell for sure who made it. They break the kiss for the need of air but stay in each other’s arms. Lina looks at Ann and smiles, “Wow, you are an amazing kisser.”

  Ann’s eyes have darkened, she bites her lip, “Do you really want dessert, or would you rather have something else instead?”

  Lina can hear the real question and grins, “Let me lead the way.”

  Ann kisses her again more intensely than she thought she could. Lina smiles into the kiss and picks Ann up effortlessly and carries her to the bedroom. They get to the door and their mouths are once again hungry for each other. Lina opens the door and is pushed through by Ann. Lina turns around grinning, “Are you a little eager?”

  Ann’s hand goes to the zip on Lina’s jeans, “You have no idea how much I want you, how hot I am for you.”

  She pushes the jeans off Lina’s hips and rips her sweater over her head. Lina’s brain kicks into gear and steps out of the jeans and reaches for Ann’s hips pulling her close unzipping Ann’s skirt. She kisses Ann’s neck as she slowly opens her blouse painfully slow hearing Ann groan. They are both in their underwear in seconds taking a moment to appreciate the other’s body before they tangle together and fall on to the bed. Ann gets on top of Lina holding her hands to the side of her head before leaning in to kiss again. Ann dominates the kiss and surprising herself Lina willingly submits to her. Ann’s mouth moves down her body and quickly opens the bra paying close attention to her breasts. She swirls her tongue around the already hardened nipple before sucking it into her mouth and flicking it with her tongue. Lina’s back arches as Lina’s hand moves into Ann’s hair holding her as close to her chest as she can. Ann loves the response and looks at Lina with darkened eyes and a soft smile on her lips, she moves to the other nipple and pays it the same attention. She licks and kisses down Lina’s stomach tracking her nails down Lina’s sides as she goes. She gets between Lina’s legs kissing her inner thigh and then delves in. She snakes her tongue inside of Lina who bucks in response and moans loudly. Ann’s tongue lights up every nerve ending making Lina moan out her name repeatedly. She adds two fingers inside as her tongue attacks Lina’s clit. Lina is moving in time with each thrust her body is in overload, getting close. Ann can tell that Lina is ready to come and thrusts faster and deeper, her tongue going faster. Lina’s body starts convulsing with the force of the orgasm ripping through Lina’s body as she screams out Ann’s name. Ann doesn’t stop, not getting enough of Lina and is gifted with a second orgasm which quickly follows the first. Lina is doubled over with the force of it and flops back onto the bed. She pulls Ann up and kisses her hard. Lina looks into Ann’s eyes and can see the proud triumphant look in them. Lina chuckles, “This look, I have not seen before, and I really like it. I have, however, waited long enough. I want to taste and touch you.”

  She reverses their positions and looks down into Ann’s eyes. She sees a need and a want there and feels an overwhelming need to please her.

  “I need you, Lina, please, don’t make me wait any longer.”

  Lina grins hovers over her kissing every inch of her body. She feasts on her nipples, biting and sucking making Ann’s back arch. Lina moves to the other nipple giving it the same treatment. She licks and kisses her way down, savouring how her body responds to each touch and kiss. She stops just before Ann’s centre her lips are shining with tiny pearls of the sweetest honeydew. Lina looks up into Ann’s eyes and licks her lips. Ann groans and pushes her head gently between her legs. “Please, sweetheart.”

  The term of endearment is not lost on Lina, she smiles before sucking each lip into her mouth taking the juice off them. She opens her up running her tongue up the length of her before going inside. She teases Ann, flicking her clit with her tongue back and forth before sucking it into her mouth. Ann’s legs start to quiver a sign of how close she is. Lina slides three fingers inside starting to thrust. Her moans start to get louder her hands are tighter in Lina’s hair pushing her further into her. Lina moans at Ann’s taste, so sweet and delicious. Ann comes hard, her body, as if electrocuted jumps with delight, “Don’t stop, it feels so good.”

  Lina keeps going pushing her higher, pushing her towards a second release, feeling her tighten around her fingers. Again, her clit is hard on Lina’s tongue before her body spasms with her second release. Lina keeps going until Ann’s body settles, she gently comes out of her and kisses up her body. She kisses her on the lips tenderly and holds her close in her arms. Ann is breathing hard but is completely sated.

  Ann, gently caresses Lina’s cheek, “Now that’s what I call dessert.”

  Lina laughs kissing her again. They both cuddle together enjoying the feeling of being together and enjoying what they had shared. The real dessert long forgotten, the only thing they want, they have. As they drift off to sleep, both have demons that try to upset the happiness they feel but when they reach for each other, they feel stronger. This is a new sensation for both of them and with what they shared they know, they want to try and make this work. Ann whispers in Lina’s ear, “This scares me, I haven’t been so open with another woman in quite a while.”

  Lina pulls her tighter into her body, “I feel the same way, all I know is that I want to figure this out with you. You have turned my world upside down and my head is full of thoughts of you. I haven’t been so overcome with someone, ever. You think you’re scared, I have no clue what I’m doing, and I don’t want to mess this up. I haven’t felt this light or happy.”

  Ann breathes out the breath that she was holding and smiles softly, “Then we do it all together, step by step and day by day. How bad can it be?”

  Lina looks at her incredulous, laughing, “We could make each other insane.”

  “Us? Nah, well maybe just a little but we won’t be able to say that it will be boring.”

  They both laugh, cuddle close together and drift off into a peaceful night’s sleep.

  Chapter 13

  Ann’s phone starts to ring, and she groans snuggling closer to the warmth of the body next to her. She kisses the breast that she is laying on, smiling when Lina runs her fingers through her hair. “Are you going to answer that phone of yours?”

  “I don’t want to.”

  Lina chuckles, “Please answer it, that ringtone is horrible.”

  Ann lifts her head in shock, “That ringtone is efficient, and I can hear it.”

  “Yeah, so efficient that you ignore the damn thing.”

  Ann tuts and reaches across Lina and answers the phone, “Hello, what?” She jumps up and looks around for the clock, “I will be there in twenty minutes, cover for me Olivia, please?”

  She hangs up th
e phone and flops back in the bed, “I’m late, for the first time in my career and that is all your fault.”

  Lina laughs and pulls her into her body, “I didn’t hear you complaining last night.”

  “Why would I complain? It was an amazing night and if I didn’t have to leave for work, we would be going for it again.”

  She sucks one of Lina’s nipples into her mouth twirling her tongue around it and then gets up and heads to the bathroom. Lina groans, “You can’t do that to me and then leave!”

  Ann pops her head around the door, “Sorry, darling, I’m needed at work.”

  “I need you too!” Lina pouts making Ann laugh, “Come on then, you can join me in the shower.”

  She barely has the words out before Lina is up and rushing towards her. She squeals like a child but enjoys a longer shower than she had intended. Leaving Lina, behind was harder than she imagined. Getting into her car she smiles tenderly at Lina, who is standing at the door to watch her leave.

  “I can’t believe that I have just slept with her after one date and to stay the night. I feel so good and so happy. This isn’t me, I’m not used to feeling this way, it’s been so long and to feel alive again is something I didn’t think would happen again.”

  She reaches the store and finally finds a parking spot after driving around for the last fifteen minutes, swearing at the atrocious parking of some of the cars. She rushes inside and bangs into Olivia. “Oh damn, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.”