Santa Baby
I live for feedback nikkie.silk@outlook.com
It was the last Friday night before Christmas, and the pub was packed with office workers intent on celebrating the Christmas spirit by drinking as much as they could before closing time. Slade were belting out `Merry Xmas Everybody' over the speakers and the whole pub was raucously joining in with the chorus. People were kissing under pieces of plastic mistletoe and more than one office romance would begin, and probably end, that evening.
The group that had grabbed a table to the side of the bar were typical of the customers in the pub. People from one of the companies in the neighbouring office block, they were doing what all such groups do; telling dirty stories that are nowadays banned in the office, flirting with each other, complaining about their boss, and grumbling about their salaries. The ringleader was a large man; just the wrong side of 30, hair beginning to grey at the temples, carrying a bit more weight than he should, but with a seemingly inexhaustible fund of jokes. The table was rocking with laughter after one of his stories, when he announced he had to go to the toilet.
Just going to take the weight off my mind,' he yelled, and fought his way through the crowd to the toilet. By the time he emerged, Chris Rea was singing Driving Home For Christmas' and he felt a pang as he remembered he wouldn't be driving home for Christmas this year, following the death of his widowed mother earlier in the year. He reached the table just as Wham started singing `Last Christmas', and he felt another small stab of regret as he remembered that last Christmas, he and Adele were still together.
`Time for another one, what's left in the kitty?' he asked. He gathered up the remaining notes and coins from the glass which had held the money they had all chipped in, and headed for the bar. Elbowing his way to the front, he found himself next to a girl who seemed to be having a hard time getting the barman's attention. He looked at her from the side and he thought she looked nice; shoulder length blonde hair, pretty face, turned up nose, and bright red lips.
He said to her, `You have to grab their attention somehow, they won't notice you otherwise.'
She turned to him and said, `What did you say? The music is so loud.' He was startled by her piercing blue eyes.
He bent his head closer to her just as `Do They Know It's Christmas' started up.
`I said, you have to ..., never mind, can I buy you a drink?'
She shook her head, `No, it's OK, I can get my own, thanks.'
He waved at one of the harassed barmen and shouted, `Three lagers, two Guinness, two bitter, two white wines.'
The barman started to pour the beers, and the man turned to the girl, `I'm in the chair now, what would you like?'
She hesitated and then said, `OK, a white wine please, but I'll give you the money.'
Make that three white wines, mate.' he yelled at the barman, who nodded. He turned back to the girl and grinned, Sorry love, your money's no good here.'
No, please let me pay.' she said over Tina Turner growling Merry Christmas Baby.'
`What's your name?' he asked her.
`Chrissy.'
Luke,' he said, Pleased to meet you Chrissy.'
The barman had finished the order and found him a tray to carry the drinks on. He gave her one of the glasses of white wine and said, `Merry Christmas, Chrissy.'
`You too, Luke, won't you let me pay for my drink?'
`Nah, it's on us, by the way, you've got lovely eyes.'
She went pink and ducked her head away. Luke smiled to himself and thought, just my luck; somewhere else, some other time, I would have asked her out. He watched as Chrissy moved away from the bar and he lost sight of her in the crowd. He managed to carry the tray back to the table without spilling too much, and everybody grabbed their drinks and sang along with the Jackson 5's `Santa Claus is Comin' To Town.'
Over at the bar, a barman rang a bell and yelled, `Last orders, if you please.'
Luke looked at his watch and decided it was time to get going. He had ordered a minicab for 11 o'clock and he didn't want to miss it. Shaking hands with the guys, and kissing the girls on the cheek, he yelled `Merry Christmas' to everyone, and pushed through the crowd to the door. He was surprised to see that snow had started to fall whilst they had been in the pub. He was glad he had booked a minicab for tonight, as it would be impossible to find a taxi now. Pulling his coat tight around him, he looked around for his cab and spotted it across the road. He ran over to it and gratefully jumped into the back seat.
As the cab began to move away, he spotted a girl trying to hail a taxi and he thought he recognised her. He asked the driver to stop and yelled Chrissy, is that you?' through the open window, it's me, Luke, where are you going?'
She turned and recognised him, `I'm getting a taxi.'
`You'll be lucky tonight, at this time and with the snow. Where are you heading?'
She looked around, hoping a taxi would materialise out of the snow.
`I'm going to Twickenham.'
`Hey, I'm going to Kingston, let me give you a lift, it's right on the way.'
She looked around one more time and the snow was coming down harder.
The driver said, `I've got to go now, I have another fare to pick up soon.'
Just give me a minute, will you?' Luke said. Come on, Chrissy, you're freezing out there. Let me give you a lift.'
She did feel cold, and it was clear the snow was getting much heavier.
`OK, that's so kind of you. Thank you.'
Luke leaned over and opened the other passenger door and Chrissy climbed inside, carrying what looked like a duffel bag with her.
She gave the driver her address, and he said to Luke, `That will cost you extra.'
`It's OK, don't worry, let's go.'
Chrissy turned to Luke and said, `Let me give you some money for the cab, please?'
`It's on expenses tonight, so don't worry.'
`Thank you. Luke, wasn't it?'
`Yep, Luke the Duke, that's me.'
He stuck his hand out and Chrissy leaned over to shake it. She thought how small and light her hand felt in Luke's massive paw. She had noticed how large he was in the pub, but here in the back seat of the cab, wrapped up in his coat, he reminded her of a big brown bear. Elton John's `Step Into Christmas', was playing softly on the radio and with the snow outside, it did feel to her like that. She was grateful for the lift as she didn't know how she would have got home otherwise. The weather forecast had been completely wrong as usual, claiming that London wouldn't get any snow.
`So, Chrissy, what were you doing at the pub tonight?'
`Oh, I had arranged to meet a girlfriend there, but she didn't turn up, something else came up,' she said. She wasn't going to tell him the truth, of course.
`That's a shame, Chrissy, what do you do?'
`I'm an actress, well, a wannabe actress to be honest. I'm taking acting and dancing classes right now, and go for some auditions, but maybe, one day, I'll be a proper actress. I do pub work to pay my way.' She thought, well the last bit is sort of true.
`That sounds great. Me, I dance like an ox. Some people say I act like an ox, too.'
She laughed, `That's not true.'
`What? That I don't dance like an ox, or don't act like one?'
She looked at him more closely and she thought he looked pretty good. He was a bit older than guys she normally liked and could do with losing a few pounds, but he was good looking in a slightly crumpled way. She had already seen there was no ring in his finger, and he had a slightly lonely air about himself, but she had him pegged as a genuine guy.
`Neither, I would say. I know plenty of big blokes who are light on their feet, and I don't think you look like an ox either.'
`Good answer, Chrissy.'
Bing Crosby began to croon White Christmas' in the background as Chrissy spoke, What took you to the pub, Luke?'
`Christmas drinks with the guys from work. We're in the office block behind the pub. It's a regional office for an indian telecoms company. Pretty boring really.'
Chrissy said, Oh, I love India.' She giggled, Well, I love Bollywood, to be honest. The dancing, the songs, the colours, it's wonderful.'
Luke smiled at the enthusiasm, `Have you ever been there? To India. I mean.'
`No, but I would love to, it's a dream of mine.'
`I've been to Delhi, and Mumbai a couple of times with work. It's so different from here, I like it, I must admit.'
Chrissy looked out of the window and recognised they were close to her street.
`Here is just fine, driver.' she said and he began to slow down.
`Chrissy, I know this sounds corny, but can I get your phone number? I mean, we might go for a drink sometime?'
Chrissy froze, she didn't want to brush the guy off, he was nice and had given her the lift home, so she rattled off a number and said, `Thanks again, Luke, for the lift, it was really nice of you.' On an impulse, she leant across and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
`Bye, Luke,' she said, pulled her duffel out of the cab and quickly vanished into the snow and darkness.
Luke settled back in the seat and smiled, at least he had got her phone number. The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl sang `Fairytale Of New York' to him all the way home.
Luke woke late the next morning, but it was Saturday so, who cared? He had the predictable hangover and bad stomach, which he self medicated with aspirin and a bacon sandwich. He groaned to himself when he remembered he had the rugby club Christmas Gentlemen's Evening to attend later on. He knew it would be a heavy session and he wondered if it was still worth going. He had played for the club until a couple of seasons ago, when a dislocated shoulder needed surgery and the surgeon convinced him he should finally give up. That was when he started to put on some weight, and he realised he would have to do something about it soon.
He went to watch them a few times, but it was playing, not watching, that interested him. He always bought a ticket for the Christmas event, primarily to keep in touch with people he'd played with. It was always a sadly predictable affair; black tie, men only, a three course dinner - probably steak and chips, a couple of blue comedians, strippers and some kind of novelty act. Everyone would get supremely drunk and declare it a great night. For the first time Luke wondered if he was really up for it. He decided to wait until later to make up his mind.
Chrissy woke early; she had a class to go in the morning, and a lunchtime audition. She would then have time to get ready for the show tonight. She thought back to last night and how nice Luke had been to offer her the lift. A lot of people wouldn't have bothered to do that. He was good looking and even if the offer of a drink had been clumsy, she had known far worse approaches. She wondered if she had been right to give him the number, but it was too late now to undo anything. She spent a long time to get ready, and as she headed off, she asked herself if she had the energy to do the class, the audition and then the show tonight. She decided to make her mind up later on, after the audition.
Luke had written Chrissy's number down as soon as he got home. He had a knack for remembering numbers so he knew he would keep it in his head for a while, but didn't trust his memory to last until the next day. He thought, should I call her? Is it too pushy to ring straight away? Would she think I was desperate? He picked up and put down the phone several times before he finally decided to call. He heard the dialling tone and then, `The number you have dialled is not recognised...' He must have misdialed, he thought. He tried again, and got the same message. He knew he had remembered the number correctly, and so, when it happened for a third time, he realised she had given him a fake number.
His face burned at how stupid he had been. How could he have been so dumb to believe she would have given him her real number. She had played him after he had given her the lift, what a cow. In frustration, he tore up the slip of paper with the number on and, he decided to go tonight and get steamed and forget last night's embarrassment.
Chrissy got home from the audition feeling exhausted. It hadn't gone well, and she had nearly thumped the pig of a casting director when he called her too scraggy for the part. She dumped her bag on the sofa and slammed her fist into the arm. Not for the first time she thought she should give it all up, go home to Norfolk and give her family the pleasure of saying I told you so.' She wearily got up, looked at her reflection in the mirror, and said out loud, Fuck you all, I'm not going to be beaten.' She would do the show tonight, because that's what you needed to do when this business knocked you down, you got straight back up, so it could knock you down one more time.
Luke dragged his tux out of the wardrobe. He hadn't worn it for a few months and it was a little tighter than he remembered. He could still fit into it though, and damn it if he didn't still look good in it. He called a cab and then made himself a gin and tonic to while away the time until the cab arrived.
Chrissy did her makeup carefully. It was for the show, so everything was a bit more dramatic than usual. She sighed as she thought that it wouldn't really matter because nobody would be looking at her makeup anyway. She dressed in her usual casual clothes, put her show outfit in her duffel and headed out the door to get her cab.
Luke arrived at the club just in time to have a beer before the dinner and immediately bumped into a group of his ex teammates. He decided he was glad he had come, it was good to catch up and have some beers with the guys. The dinner was what he had predicted, steak and chips, but it was served rare, as he liked it, so it wasn't all bad. The entertainment started with a comedian who Luke had seen once or twice on TV, but the material tonight would never have been shown on TV, post watershed or not. The audience was roaring though, and he finished to a standing ovation. A pair of strippers were next, and it was traditional for the youngest first team player there to be part of the entertainment. He wasn't keen but to back out would have meant a lot of ribbing and worse from the other players. The girls had his clothes off fast and the lad gamely played his part and left the stage with his hands over his groin to loud applause.
The MC walked onto the stage and asked for quiet. Please put your hands together for an amazing act, Miss Santa.' The sound of Eartha Kitt singing Santa Baby' came from the speakers and and a girl in a red Father Christmas outfit danced onto the stage. She began to dance and writhe around an imaginary pole on stage and began to take off the suit bit by bit. So far so ordinary, Luke thought. One of Luke's old teammates came up behind him and whispered if he was interested in a game in a couple of weeks time. Luke said, thanks but no thanks, to him and so when he turned back, the girl was down to her scarlet knickers and was facing away from the audience. On the very last beat of Santa Baby she turned round and whipped off her knickers, to reveal what was obviously a penis. There was a howl of disbelief and good natured laughter from the audience as they realised what it was. Luke laughed too, and then as he looked at the girl's face and saw a pair of piercing blue eyes, he realised with a jolt that hit him like an electric shock, that it was Chrissy.
Chrissy stood there smiling as the laughter and applause washed over her. She was glad it had gone well, as these evenings could go one way or the other. There had been nights when the crowd had turned ugly when they realised what she was. She didn't like doing these shows, but together with the drag nights she did in pubs, would pay enough for her acting classes and the rent on her small flat. She casually scanned the facts in the audience and then with a start recognised someone, `Shit, that's Luke from last night. Fuck, it can't be.' But she knew it was, she couldn't mistake him, it was really Luke, and by the look on his face, he had recognised her too.
Her heart rate jumped and she told herself to calm down, so what if he did recognise her? That was just a coincidence, no harm done, we'll never meet again, so there's nothing to worry about. She gathered up her gear and walked off the stage. If the reaction from the crowd was good, she would stay and mingle afterwards to try to get some tips. If it wasn't good she would shoot off straight away. Tonight, the reaction had been so good she decided to stay. If she met Luke, that would be OK, she guessed he wouldn't cause a fuss here. She put her knickers and heels back on, tucked herself and waited for the acts to finish. When it was over, the strippers and her would circulate amongst the audience at the bar and often enough, notes would be pushed into the top of their knickers. The strippers would always get more, but she got a surprising amount as well on a good night.
She knew she would get touched up as well, but again, not as badly as the strippers. She smiled as she thought her breasts were as good as the strippers, and in the case of some of the older girls, a good deal better. She was doing well tonight, five pound notes and even a twenty from some guy who was so drunk, he probably thought it was a fiver. She was about to go when she heard a voice from behind her, `Hello Chrissy, or is it Miss Santa?
She turned slowly, expecting to get some abuse, but she was surprised to see Luke with a broad smile on his face. She realised how big he was when she had to crick her neck to look up at his face. She also thought the tux he was wearing made him look good enough to to eat, and there was a lot to eat.
`Er, Hi, Luke, nice to see you.' she could see a couple of guys looking curiously at Luke as he spoke to her.
`It's good to see you too, Chrissy, although I didn't think we would meet again quite so soon.'
`No, me neither.' she said, nervously.
`Nice trick with the phone number, though, had me fooled.'
`Yeah, well, I'm sorry about that, but you know... there was something you didn't know about me and I thought it was for the best.'
Luke smiled and Chrissy thought he had a nice smile. In the background, Brenda Lee was `Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree.'
`Yes, I for sure didn't know that you were an exotic actress and dancer.'
`No, that's not what I mea...'
He grinned and she realised he was teasing her.
`Look Luke, if you don't mind, I'd like to get dressed and get on my way, it was nice to see you.'
`The thing is, Chrissy, I would still like to have that drink with you sometime, if that's possible.'
`What? Are you taking the piss?' she said angrily.
`No. I'm not joking. Just meet me for a drink. Nothing more, I promise. You choose the place and time.'
`Why?'
`To tell you the truth, I'm not sure myself. I would just like to get to know you a little.'
`And if I don't want to?'
`It's your choice, Chrissy. I would be sad if you didn't, but if that's what you want.'
Luke turned to go. Chrissy grabbed him by the arm, took a deep breath and said, `Wait, I didn't say no. How about one o'clock tomorrow, the Anglers, by Teddington Lock.'
`OK. I know it, one o'clock tomorrow, see you then.'
Luke turned and went back to the bar, to be questioned closely by the guys there. Chrissy wondered how he would deal with that. She also wondered why she had said yes to meeting him. She liked him, that's for sure and he was very good looking she had decided; but why did he want to meet her? To get his own back? Maybe he wouldn't show tomorrow and be at home having a good laugh at her. Maybe that's what he was telling his mates now, how he was getting his own back on her for the trick she had played on him. Somehow, she didn't believe it, or want to believe it, perhaps. Somewhere behind her, Elvis was kicking off 'Blue Christmas'.
The snow hadn't cleared by the next morning, and Luke decided to walk to the pub. He lived on the opposite bank of the river, but he would take the footbridge across to the pub. It was one of those clean, clear, ice blue skies you get in winter sometimes, and it reminded him of Chrissy's eyes. He arrived at the pub ten minutes early and managed to grab a small table just off the bar as someone left. Kanye West was singing about `Christmas in Harlem' as he bought himself a beer and sat down to wait. He felt nervous and told himself she would probably not turn up. He had bought a newspaper on the way and he scanned it as he waited. He checked his watch at ten past one and he thought, she's not coming, just as he spotted her looking around in the bar.
Chrissy,' he called, over here.'
Chrissy heard him call her name from across the bar and he was waving a newspaper at her. God, he was big, you couldn't really miss him anywhere. He looked as if he was going to shake her hand but then pulled out the chair for to sit down. She stood on tiptoe, kissed his cheek and he looked embarrassed.
`What would like to drink, Chrissy?'
She asked for a white wine which he brought back from the bar with another beer for himself.
`I'm glad you came.' he said.
Chrissy took a sip of her wine and said, `Are you? Why? I still don't understand why you wanted to meet me at all, especially after last night.'
`Does there have to be a reason? I liked you, and that's why I asked you out for a drink.'
`Luke, listen, I have had some really bad experiences with men. Some can't handle what I am, some think they can and they can't, and some are just too keen on what I am. Either way it doesn't make for such a great relationship. That's why I ask the question.'
Luke took a long drink of his beer before speaking.
`Chrissy, I can understand that, but I can't prove or disprove my intentions. Why don't we start again, just two people meeting for a drink? See where that takes us?'
Chrissy looked at him and tried to read his face. She thought she was good at working out people from their body language, but this time she didn't know what to think. Luke seemed open and nothing about him screamed weirdo, but she knew that was no guarantee. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
`OK, Luke, that sounds good. Now, I am going to buy you a drink this time. Same again?'
Luke nodded and she went to get their drinks. It gave him a chance to think about what she had said. Why was he doing this? On Friday night he liked her enough to ask her out, but she turned him down. He thought he now understood why, and he didn't mind that so much. Sure, he had been stunned to see her last night, but after the initial shock died away, he was fascinated by her. He didn't fully understand why, but that's how it was.
Chrissy returned from the bar and they said, Cheers,' and clinked glasses. Frank Sinatra was singing I'll be Home for Christmas' and Luke again felt a sting as he remembered he wouldn't be going home this year.
`What will you do for Christmas, Chrissy? God, that's not too easy to say after a couple of pints.'
She laughed and thought that he made her smile easily. He had that huge body, yet he was sweet and kind, and sort of gentle too. Nat King Cole's `The Christmas Song' had started and his voice made her think of melting chocolate.
`Yeah, I had a crush on Chrissy Tiegen, the American model, and liked the name.'
`It's not your real name, then?'
`Well, I was born Christopher, so, it wasn't a great stretch to use Chrissy as my stage name.'
`Chrissy's nice, but what will you do for Christmas?'
`Not much, my family are in Norfolk and I'm working Christmas eve, so I won't be going up there. For the best really, they are still not that keen on this.' She gestured down her body, and Luke thought for the first time how difficult it must have been for her.
`How about you, Luke? How will you spend Christmas?'
He paused, unsure about how much he wanted to share with her, and then decided to just tell her anyway.
`We used to spend Christmas with my mum, but she died earlier this year. My dad died a long while ago, so I won't be going there this year.'
You said, we', Luke. Are you married?' She was wary again.
`Sorry, slip of the tongue. Divorced, also earlier this year. She ran off with her personal trainer. It's been a hell of a year, all things considered.' He thought that was close enough to the truth for the time being.
`That's awful, Luke. I'm sorry to hear that.' Do you have any kids?'
`No, so that made the breakup easier.'
A silence followed between them, each unsure where to go next.
Luke asked, `Why are you working Christmas Eve?'
`Got to pay for the rent and classes, they don't come cheap. It's a drag show, I do those as well as things like last night. Different crowd, it's party night at one of the gay clubs in town.'
Chrissy began to feel more comfortable with Luke, despite her misgivings. He listened and didn't interrupt, was interested in her and didn't spend the entire time talking about him. She still couldn't work him out, but she felt it was OK so far.
`Do you have acting work lined up?' he asked.
I was up for a part yesterday,' she said, but the casting director was a pig, told me I was scraggy.'
Luke laughed.
`What's funny,' she demanded, her hackles rising.
`I'm sorry, but from what I saw last night, scraggy is the last word I would have chosen to describe you. You are gorgeous.'
She sat back and wondered what to make of that. Was this where it all went weird?
Seeing the look on her face, Luke said, `I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have said that. I apologise if I upset you.'
It was her turn to smile, `Luke, no girl gets upset if a guy calls her gorgeous, trust me.'
They both smiled at each other.
`Have you eaten yet, Chrissy? If you haven't, we could go get something?'
She hesitated and then said. `No, I haven't. It would be nice to eat something. But do you have the time?'
He grinned, `Christmas holiday started yesterday, no more work until the new year.'
`You're lucky.'
They walked past the church, looking beautiful in the soft light cast by the falling snow, and up to the high street. She looked into one of the shop windows and saw their reflections, him so large and her so small. She thought they looked odd, but somehow sweet together. The snow was falling harder, and she wished she had worn something warmer. He noticed and said, `You're shivering, here, take this.' Shrugging off his coat, and over her protests, he wrapped her inside it. It swamped her, but she felt the warmth from his body and it felt nice to be looked after by somebody.
They quickly ducked into a restaurant, found a table and Chrissy laughed about wearing his coat. `I felt like a baby wrapped up inside it, it was nice of you, thank you.'
Luke smiled, it had been a while since he could look after someone like that, and it made him feel good. They quickly ordered and a silence descended, but a more comfortable one this time. Dean Martin was singing `Let It Snow' as they looked outside, and the snow was still falling heavily.
Chrissy broke the silence by asking, `What took you to the do last night? Do you play rugby?'
No, I'm not really big enough,' he said straight faced, and then grinned. She laughed too, as he went on, Yes, I played at school and then for the club until my shoulder told me I should quit a couple of years ago.'
She asked where he was from, and he told her about his childhood in Yorkshire; public school, University, the army and then into business. He told her about meeting Adele, and how they had drifted apart and then the shock of her leaving him. He felt alright telling Chrissy this, and he realised how long it had been since he had told anyone about himself in such a way.
Jose Feliciano began to wish everyone `Feliz Navidad' as Luke asked her where she came from. Chrissy thought, OK, he asked, why not. She told him about Norfolk, her struggle with her identity, the bullying, the abuse, the number of times she was expelled from school.
The food arrived and Luke ordered a bottle of white wine to go with it. She suddenly felt she needed to tell him everything and it all tumbled out in a flurry of words. How acting had given her an escape from it all and how she finally realised that she wanted to be a girl.
She paused to sip her wine but really to see how he was reacting to her story. He didn't seem to be alarmed by what she was saying, so she plunged on. She told him about the struggles with her family and how she finally left home and came down to London. The sessions with doctors and counsellors, the hormones and the boob job she had done in Thailand. The depressions and the suicide of a close TG friend, the bit parts in TV commercials and a walk on part in a soap that kept her interest in acting alive. The drag shows and hen parties which kept her afloat so she could do her classes and auditions. The abuse and a bad beating she had from a guy who hadn't realised she was TG. She finished just as Sinead O'Connor was singing `Silent Night' and Chrissy felt tears pricking her eyes as that ethereal voice seemed to reach inside her.
She felt Luke pick up her hand, and she didn't take it away. His hand swamped hers and she liked that feeling as she blinked back her tears.
`I'm sorry, I don't do this all the time', she said.
`It's alright, I don't mind,' he said, and he noticed she let him keep hold of her hand. They had finished the food and coffees by this time and he realised the staff were looking to clear away.
Luke took a deep breath and said, `Chrissy, look no pressure, but I live just across the river. We could go back there if you like. If you don't, I understand.'
She looked at him, bit her lip and said, `OK.'
They walked across the footbridge and along the river bank towards Kingston. He had insisted she wear his coat, and she reluctantly accepted as it was snowing hard. She couldn't believe he wasn't feeling the cold, but it didn't seem to worry him. He zipped up his fleece and insisted he was fine. Somewhere he slipped his arm around her, and she let him pull her close to him. She looked up at his face and he was smiling, even as the snow piled up on his head. They came to a row of houses facing the river and he said, `We're here.' He unlocked the door of the first house in the row, and she hesitated on the threshold as she debated whether to cut and run. Instead, she walked in and Luke took the coat from her and hung it up in the hallway.
He showed her into a lounge that had a view out over the river, which you could barely see through the snow. Luke asked her what she wanted to drink, and said he would have a brandy to help him warm up. She said `Yes, I'd like one too,' even though she didn't normally drink brandy.
There was a fire already made up with logs which he lit, and the room was soon full of the smell and sounds of the fire. He brought the brandies and came to stand next to her at the window as they watched the snow drifting down. It was getting dark and soonshe couldn't see anything except the snow. Chrissy noticed an iPod sitting on a dock and she pressed play, and laughed as `Santa Baby' boomed out from the speakers.
Did you set that up, Luke?' she said, still laughing. I'm not doing a repeat performance,' and she giggled.
Luke loved the sound of her giggle and he wanted to hear that time and time again if he could. He knew that if this was going to go anywhere she would need to know the truth. He touched her glass with his and took a sip of the brandy, which was smooth to the tongue and then fired up in his throat, and the warmth began to spread throughout his body. Chrissy took a sip and coughed as it burned her throat.
Oh my God,' she gasped, as she saw him laughing. She hit him on the arm, Don't laugh at me you monster, I wasn't expecting that.'
Just as John Lennon and Yoko launched into `Happy Xmas' her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw it was her agent. What the hell was she calling her for on a Sunday? She said to Luke that she should really answer this. He turned down the music and tried not to listen as Chrissy answered the call. He watched her as she listened and a look of disbelief on her face was replaced with a broad smile. Luke's heart leapt as he watched the joy on her face, and he knew he was falling for her.
She turned to him, her eyes gleaming and her hand up to her mouth.
`I told you about the audition yesterday, the one with the pig of a casting director? That was my agent, apparently the director fired the casting guy and wants me for the part. Rehearsals start the first week of January.'
Luke jumped up and said, `That's brilliant news, well done, Chrissy.'
Without thinking about it she grabbed him for a hug, and pulled him close to her. His arms went round her, tentatively at first, and then he held her tight. She looked up at him and she put her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.
Luke was surprised when she kissed him and for a moment he hesitated, but then began to kiss her back and it went on and on. Their tongues fought each other,and Luke felt her arms tight around his neck. Chrissy broke off and said, `I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that.'
She sat down on the sofa and Luke sat next to her.
I'm not sorry,' he said, I enjoyed it.'
She looked at him, unwilling to believe him.
He took her hand and said, `There's something you need to know before we go any further.'
Her heart sank, `What? You're still married?'
No, definitely not,' he said, I'm divorced alright. It's just that the reason for the divorce isn't as simple as I told you.'
He paused and looked away, `I had begun to lose my attraction for Adele, and I wasn't sure why. I met someone at work, and we both felt something for each other. One thing led to another, when, one afternoon, Adele came home unexpectedly and found us in bed together. There was a terrible scene, and she walked out on me. She did hook up with her trainer, but that was later.'
Chrissy sat back and said, `OK, that's sad, but it happens all the time, why is it a big deal?'
Luke looked away again, `Well, it wasn't a female colleague, it was a man I was in bed with.'
Chrissy stared at him, `You're gay?'
He went pink and said, `Really, I don't know. I guess I am if I end up in bed with another man.'
Her hand went to her mouth, `Oh Luke, you are priceless.'
`What do you mean?' he was completely confused.
`Do you still fancy women?'
`Sometimes, I guess. I fancied you at the pub, alright.'
She smiled, `OK let's leave me out of it for a moment. Are you still with this guy?'
`No. He split up with me after Adele found us. I can't say I blame him. It was all a bit OTT, let's say.'
`And have you met anyone else?'
`I've had a couple of brief experiences, but that's all.' He was embarrassed to be saying this to her.
`And are you still attracted to me?'
Oh, yes.' he looked at her now, willing her to believe him. I couldn't believe it when I saw you at the show, I was blown away by you. I would have done anything to meet you again.'
Chrissy took his hand and stroked it, `Luke, thank you for telling me this, it explains why you still wanted me to meet me today, but apart from that it doesn't make any difference to me.'
He looked away again, `OK. I'll call a taxi.'
Why, where are you going?' She leant forward and kissed him, I like you, Luke and I don't want to go anywhere if you don't want me to.'
He looked at her as if he couldn't believe her. `Really?'
`Really, now where were we?' She kissed him again, and she felt his arms go around her and let him pull her close.
They kissed for what seemed an age and then Chrissy took off her top, and guided his hands to her breasts. She felt his huge hands explore them with a gentleness that was almost magical from such a big man. She stopped him and slowly unbuttoned his shirt and kissed her way down his chest. She could feel his cock growing through his trousers and she unzipped him and took it out. It was big, but she thought I can manage that and she took into her mouth and began to lick and suck.
Luke looked down and saw her lips open and then close around his cock and he almost couldn't believe what was happening to him. Chrissy was bringing him to the edge and he knew it wouldn't be long. He put his hand down on her head and said, `Wait, let's go to the bedroom.'
He stood up and picked Chrissy up with ease and with her arms around his neck, he carried her giggling and laughing up to the bedroom. She jumped out of his arms and stood in front of him, her bare breasts heaving as she regained her breath. He smiled, dropped to his knees and looked up at her to see her biting her lip. He slipped his hands down to her ankles and slid them slowly up her legs and under her skirt.
She felt his hands slip under her skirt, and she closed her eyes as she felt her skirt ride up over her thighs, when he paused and bent forward to kiss the top of her legs. She shivered at the touch of his lips on her skin, and she felt her cock begin to swell at the thought of what was to come. She put her hands gently on his head as he hooked his thumbs into the sides of her knickers and slowly pulled them down. He kissed her tummy and then her cock was free. She looked down again and watched as he leant forward to kiss the tip and she felt the thrill of that kiss run through her body.
Luke could see her cock bulging inside her knickers, then it was free of the constraint and stood out from her groin. He smiled to himself as he thought this was what he wanted since he saw her act at the club. Her cock looked as beautiful as it did last night, straight and rigid, and he ached to take it and taste it inside his mouth. He kissed the tip, and felt Chrissy shiver as his lips touched it. He licked the head a couple of times and then opened his lips and slid it inside. Above his head he heard her moan, and she gently touched the tip of his head with her hands, encouraging him. He bathed her cock with his mouth; he was not yet that experienced, but he knew the basics and what he liked for himself.
Chrissy felt his mouth engulf her and she let him lick and tongue his way up and down her cock. She could feel his lack of confidence but he was doing a more than adequate job, and she felt her climax beginning to build. She was beginning to lose it and she now wanted him inside her, needed to feel his cock penetrate her and to cum inside her. She pulled out of his mouth and he looked up, afraid that he might have done something wrong. She pulled him up and said. `I want you to fuck me, now. Please Luke, please.' She pulled her skirt off and threw her knickers somewhere. He was struggling with his trousers and she knocked his hands out of the way, undid his belt and pulled them down to his ankles.
He heard her say she wanted him to fuck her and he thought, `Oh my God, it's really going to happen.'
`Have you got any lube?' she asked, her throat thick with desire.
`Oh, yes, hang on,' he said and she giggled.
`I'm not going anywhere, Luke.'
He found the lube and quickly smeared some on his cock and Chrissy grabbed it and did the same for her hole. She picked up a pillow and with her legs over the edge of the bed she slid it under her bum and pulled her legs up with her arms. Luke looked at her for a moment, said, `You're beautiful,' and positioned himself so that his cock was just at her hole.
`Please, please. do me now.' she begged him.
He moved forwards and his cock tapped at the edge of her hole and he pushed gently at first and then harder and with a rush he was inside, and she moaned loudly as his cock penetrated her. He started to push in and out, leant forward with his hands on the bed next to her so he could kiss her. He was now shoving his cock in hard, and she was moving back to meet his thrusts. In between the kissing, she was moaning and she bit his lip at one point and he felt it bleed. He was thrusting as hard as he could and he could feel his climax was close. Picking up the pace even more his balls were slapping into her as he thrust harder and harder.
She was being ridden harder than she could ever remember, and his big frame covered her as he shoved ever harder inside her. She could feel his cock sliding in and out and she reached down,grabbed her own and began to stroke it as he pushed into her. She felt him tense and she knew he was close. She moved her hand faster and faster as she brought herself to the edge.
With a roar Luke came inside her. and with a moan Chrissy came as well, her cum landing on her breasts as she could feel him pumping his inside her. They moved with each other for a few minutes until they were both spent and Luke pulled out. Chrissy rolled onto the bed and pulled Luke down with her. He brushed away some hair from her face and kissed her, his lips gently sliding over hers. They lay there for a few minutes, just smiling and grinning at each other.
Chrissy raised herself up onto one elbow, looked down at Luke and said, `Well, I think I know what we're both doing for Christmas this year.'
She fell on top of Luke and they kissed, and from somewhere they could hear Mariah Carey singing `All I want For Christmas Is You.'
The play that Chrissy had auditioned for was a success and transferred to the West End. She is now 'considering' offers as they say in her business, and a Hollywood studio is talking to her as well. We are still together, getting married in the autumn when Chrissy can spare some time. The honeymoon will be in India.
Christmas music isn't so bad, after all
The End