Page 4 of Sugar Plum Dreams
"Not your brother."
"Noel is Gen X. Those kids were just built different."
Kristen managed a weak smile, appreciating the warmth and sincerity in Cin's words. She glanced down at her shirt, now soaked and clinging to her skin, a reminder of her breakdown.
"Great, now my shirt is ruined. I don't have time to go home and change before the party."
"Come with me. I have something perfect for you to wear."
3
Cin knew she should not be staring. But they were right there. Kristen’s nipples were staring back at her from beneath her wet blouse.
They were her favorite kind. Bubblicious Bubble Gum. She knew they’d be sweet. How could they not be with this perfect angel looking up at her with trusting eyes?
"Here." Cin pulled off her blazer and draped it around Kristen's shoulders. She hadn't gotten her fill of looking at those pink nipples, but she wasn't going to give anyone else the satisfaction. A growl rose in her throat as Bill, the office leech, walked by. In response to her ire, he tripped over his small feet and ducked into the supply closet.
Kristen didn't notice. She accepted Cin's blazer and hugged it tight to herself. When she took it off, it would smell of her honeyed scent. Cin felt a pull in her core that was all excitement.
Kristen was a people pleaser through and through. And because Cin was in a place of power, Kristen trusted her absolutely. Cin could have her way with this woman with a word.
But she would never do that. More than anything, Cin wanted a woman to want her back. For herself. Not for a novelexperience. Definitely not because she was in a position of power.
“What brought on the anxiety attack?” Cin asked.
Kristen sighed, her chin dipping to her chest. “I have a crush.”
Cin didn’t need to ask who was the object of the crush. There was one Santa every girl had a crush on in the company. Every woman, and a few of the men, wanted to sit on Justin's lap and ask for gifts. Cin couldn't blame them. The guy had a big cock. She knew because she'd taken his measurements. Because she'd taken all of his measurements, she knew the airheaded man didn't measure up. Definitely not for a sweetie like Kristen.
“Justin,” confirmed Kristen. “But he doesn’t even know I exist. Doesn’t even know my name. He looked at my name plate to remember.”
“Then he’s a fool.”
“Or I'm just too plain.”
Wow, Kristen really believed that. This woman with sparkles around her shoulders thought she was a plain Jane. Kristen certainly dressed like it. But even the dowdy clothes couldn't entirely dampen her brightness.
Still, Cin realized that if she couldn’t have Kristen for herself that she wanted Kristen to have what she wanted. Not necessarily Justin. The man was entirely unworthy. But Kristen would have to figure that out for herself.
Cin wanted other people to see what she saw in Kristen. She especially wanted Kristen to see it in herself. So Cin would simply work a little Christmas magic.
“I think you should wear this.”
Cin held up a gown, a masterpiece of shimmering ivory fabric that glowed under the soft lights of the room. The dress flowed like liquid silk, its material catching the light. Delicate, snowflake-like lace trimmed the neckline, dipping just enoughto be elegant but still modest, hinting at the beauty beneath without giving it all away. The bodice was fitted and would gently hug Kristen’s figure. Then taper at the waist to highlight her curves in a way that felt effortlessly graceful.
The sleeves were sheer, a soft, gossamer-like material that would drape over her arms and add an angelic quality, as though she were floating on air. The skirt flared slightly at the hips and would cascade down in soft, flowing layers to give Kristen the appearance of a Christmas angel descended to earth, luminous and pure. The dress would highlight her best features—the graceful line of her neck, the way her waist curved beneath the fitted fabric, the quiet power in her poise. In this dress, everyone would see what Cin saw. But more importantly, Kristen would see it in herself.
Kristen‘s eyes went wide. She reached out as though to touch the gown, then retracted her hands as though it was forbidden fruit. “I could never.”
"It’s perfect for you.” Cin held the gown in front of Kristen's form. The color brought out her eyes. She would truly be the belle of the ball—Cinderella, which would make Cin the fairy godmother. The fairy godmother who wanted to strip her charge bare at midnight.
Cin pressed the dress into Kristen's hands. Then she stepped back and locked the door to her office and show room. She did not want to be disturbed during this transformation.
"I'll just go change in the dressing room."
"No need," said Cin. "I don't have any appointments. No one will disturb you, and I want to see if it needs any alterations."
Like the trusting dove she was, Kristen nodded and began unbuttoning her blouse.