Page 7 of Sugar Plum Dreams
Kristen blinked, feeling the first flicker of disappointment. “Kristen.”
"Nice to meet you, Kirsten."
Kristen's smile faltered at the mispronunciation of her name more than the fact he still didn't remember her after working together for a year. And the even more pressing fact that he'd spoken to her barely an hour ago.
“I barely made it to the party. Just got out of the gym before I came here."
He flexed his muscles. Which were quite impressive, Kristen had to admit. He glanced over at the food on the table. Kristen opened her mouth to ask if he wanted a plate; a plate which she would've happily made for him. But Justin shook his head as though he'd anticipated her question.
"Not gonna eat any of this trash. High protein diet, you know? It’s killer. I can’t touch any of that stuff they've got on the table,” he said, gesturing to the food. “Too many carbs. Would ruin my body.”
Kristen’s smile faltered, but she tried to stay engaged. “Oh, well, there’s?—”
“Yeah, it’s brutal staying in shape like this,” Justin continued. “You wouldn’t believe how many reps I’ve been doing lately. And after the holidays? I’m out of here. Gotta get away. I hate Christmas, honestly. But you can’t beat playing Santa. Single moms are practically lining up to give me their numbers when I’m in that suit.” He laughed, like it was the best joke in the world. “It’s the easiest game in the world, you know?”
Kristen’s excitement began to drain, the crush she had once harbored for Justin slowly smothered by his endless talk of himself. She tried to find a moment to interject, but he barely paused to breathe, much less listen.
“So anyway, what’s your number?” Justin asked casually, as if it was a foregone conclusion she’d hand it over. “By the way, what’s your name again?”
5
Cin stood near the doorway of the conference room. Kristen had outdone herself with the office holiday party. The place shimmered with festive cheer. Twinkle lights lined the ceiling, casting golden light that reflected off the tinsel draped across the walls and furniture. Everything sparkled, from the red and gold garlands to the oversized ornaments hanging from the two Christmas trees stationed at either end of the room.
At the center of the room, a table was laden with an array of festive drinks and finger foods. On every platter were miniature holly leaves or candy canes for decoration. Holiday music played beneath the chatter of the people milling about.
It was a perfect holiday scene. Cin stayed near the doorway, hesitant to venture farther in. Instead, she watched from a distance, her eyes occasionally straying to Kristen, glowing in her ivory dress. She probably looked as green as the Grinch as she watched Justin undress Kristen with his eyes.
Kristen's posture was slightly tense as Justin leaned in closer. His loud voice carried across the room, making innuendo after cheap line. Cin wanted more than anything to swoop in and steal her Christmas angel away.
She didn't. Not when it looked like Kristen was getting exactly what she wanted. That didn't stop Cin's protective instincts.
Kristen was the most interesting person Cin had met in a long time, though Kristen herself probably wouldn’t believe it. She didn’t talk much, but Cin had always been fascinated by the quiet ways Kristen worked. How she anticipated everyone’s needs before they even voiced them. Always a step ahead. Her desk proclaimed this loudly. She had pens neatly lined up in a perfect row, each color-coded for a different person in the office. Cin's color was always red.
It wasn’t just Kristen’s organization that intrigued Cin, but the little habits she had. The way she’d pause and carefully consider everything before speaking. Or the way she’d tilt her head slightly when thinking deeply. Kristen saw details that others overlooked. Cin admired that quiet precision. She doubted Justin would ever take the time to notice those things—how effortlessly Kristen held the office together, how much thought she put into everything. But Cin saw it, and that made Kristen all the more captivating.
Cin's fingers drummed against the side of the doorframe, the sound barely audible over the festivities. She felt a mix of frustration and longing. Frustration that Kristen was stuck talking to someone like Justin and longing because she wished she could be the one having a conversation with Kristen. A real conversation, where they could talk about more than work and holiday schedules.
The light caught Kristen's hair as she turned slightly. There were honey golden strands in her brown tresses. Cin's mind wandered back to the moment in the bathroom, to the feel of Kristen's hand in hers, the trust and vulnerability Kristen had shown. That had been a glimpse beyond the shy exterior, a glimpse of the woman Cin found so captivating.
Cin's mind then went to the sultry heat between Kristen's thighs. The softness of her folds as Cin had pressed her Benwa balls into her. Cin swore she’d heard the balls humming inside Kristen. Cin warred with whether or not to ask for them back. She wanted Kristen to keep them, but only after Cin had licked them clean of her essence.
"Hey, baby sis." Noel's arms came around her from behind, pulling her into a tight hug.
There was nothing like a big brotherly hug to dampen a girl's erotic dreams. "Hey, bro. Hi, Mindy."
Noel's new girlfriend entered the room behind him. Mindy's face radiated joy and love. Noel's arms left his sister and wrapped around Mindy's waist. The two moved together like they were in their own little world. Cin felt a pang of envy mixed with happiness for her brother.
"Happy holidays, Cin," said Mindy. "What are you doing for Christmas this year?"
Cin shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "No plans, really. Just taking it easy, I guess."
Mindy's eyes widened in disbelief. "No plans? Then you're coming over to our place."
Their place. Her brother and Mindy had only been dating a few days, and they were already anour. They were making their relationship public. Cin couldn't remember the last time she'd brought anyone home for the holidays. She had never had a home that had become anour place.
Cin shook her head, her smile wavering. "Thanks, but I don't want to intrude. You two should enjoy your first Christmas together without me tagging along."
"Don't be stupid, Cinnabun. We'd love to have you."