She shakes her head and her curls bounce. "No, not tonight. Seary puts on a big Christmas production so I’m off for the next few nights.”
“Oh really?" I grin bigger. “I’m getting off at midnight tonight. Maybe we can grab a bite and catch up?"
She grins too. "You still love pizza?"
"It’s my favorite food. Shall we meet up at Blake’s?"
She grins as she bends over to pick up her shopping bags, giving me another eyeful and ensuring my dick stays hard.
“I’ll see you there at midnight.” She winks as she walks by. “Don’t be late.”
I watch her disappear into the crowd. When she is out of sight, I look down at Batman.
“Was she smokin’ hot or what?”
He wags his tail.
Chapter Four
Laura
“Merry Christmas to you too.” I smile at the Santa holding the door open as I exit Caesar’s Palace cutting my window shopping short. I’ve got to get home and tidy up my apartment before I bring Zane back tonight. If … I scold myself. If I bring him back tonight. He has a lot of explaining to do.
But my heart is light as a feather, and I practically dance back to my car. I can’t believe my luck. Honestly, of all the people to run into … Zane!
And he is a cop here in Vegas! Which means he’s clean, straight, and sober! YES!
And since we know each other, there is only catching up. No need to grill him to find out if he’s a pervert. I twirl around, unlock my car, toss in my bags, and climb behind the wheel.
At home, I unpack my new items. Try them on and adjust them to fix. Just in case, Zane proves he is worthy of being shown a really good time. I also download the video that was shot at Been Jammin’ of my sexy Santa pole routine this week and sync it with my smart TV.
Next, I change the cotton sheets on my bed for red satin, and lay my white rabbit fur blanket on it. Then I place scented candles around the bedroom. It looks very romantic and festive.
In the kitchen, I bring two bottles of champagne from my wine room, tie red ribbons around them, and set them in the cooler to chill. I take my Waterford Crystal Flutes and tie the same red ribbons around them.
Next, I prepare the fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate I bought myself for Christmas, along with some chocolate covered cherries, and place them on a decorative platter.
After I have gotten everything ready, I have just enough time to soak in a nice hot scented Epsom salt bath before I have to dress to meet Zane for pizza.
Easing down into the fragrant water, I let the heat relax my tight muscles and the scent sends my mind floating free on Zane.
Seeing him today was such a wonderful shock. He was my first love, but he was more than a crush. He was my best friend and the one person who I let in. No one else has ever come close to touching my soul on the same level. We were just kids, but we had something special. I know I felt it again when I saw him today, and even though he didn’t recognize me, he felt our chemistry too. His hard-on made that crystal clear.
I wonder what he’s been up to all these years.
What if he is married? It wouldn’t be the first time, a married man tried to step out on his wife with me. But it would be the first time, he wouldn’t be rejected without any consideration. If Zane turns out to be a cheater, it would be such a disappointment. But I have to be honest with myself. It would not mean an instant rejection. Maybe he is unhappy and needing an excuse to get out of a bad relationship.
Jesus, I hope he is not married. After seeing him again, my heart needs closure, and my body needs it too.
I turn the jacuzzi jets on and clear away all negative thoughts, letting the soft water caress me.
Zane
When our shift is up, Batman and I head back to the station. As soon as we enter the locker room, Mark hits me up. "Zane, Carla insists you come over for Christmas dinner.”
I laugh and shake my head as we walk over to my locker. “She’s persistent.”
He chuckles. “She can’t stand the thought that you spend Christmas alone."
I grin at him. “I have Batman.”
He wags his tail and stretches out on the floor.
“You know what she means.” He raises his eyebrows at me and I see her expression on his face. They have been married so long they are really becoming one.
I open my locker and take out my street clothes, and begin to strip. “I appreciate the invitation, but I don’t intend to spend Christmas alone with just the dog this year."
"You got plans?" Mike asks, surprised.
"I got a plan." I wink and give him a head nod.
He grins back. “Spill it, man!”
“I’ve got a hot date with a hot chick tonight.” My grin splits my face and I can’t hide how stoked I am about the very real possibility that I’ll hook up with the gorgeous woman from my past.
"How did you manage to score a woman on Christmas Eve?”
“What can I say, the dog’s a real chick magnet." I lean down and pat his side. "You’re a good boy.” Not wanting to admit the Faces of the Force calendar has made us local celebrities.
I guess, lucky dog is an appropriate comment then.”
I chuckle with him as I pull on my jeans. “I guess it is.”
“So, what’s the plan?” He persists.
“I’m meeting a drop-dead gorgeous dancer from Been Jammin’ at Blake’s for pizza, and I’m going to convince her I got her Christmas present right here." I grab my package and swag it.
He laughs, as I pull my tee shirt on. “Well, if you need us to dog sit while you two unwrap your Christmas present, Batman is welcome to hang at our house. Carla and the kids would love to have at least him.”
I close my locker and Batman stands. “Thanks, Brother. I’ll let you know."
He nods watching me put my Converse high tops on. “We’ll be up. Carla won’t let me go to bed. She doesn’t want us to miss the kids reactions when they discover what Santa brought. Just drop him off. You don’t have to come in.”
I nod. “You’re a good man.”
He winks. “I want ALL the details!”
I laugh with him, then ask Batman, “Ready, boy?”
He trots to the door and I follow him out.
Chapter Five
Zane
When Batman and I arrive at Blake’s, I park under the one streetlight in the parking lot. It hasn’t changed much in the ten years since high school. It is still the local teen hang out, and Batman and I frequent it as part of the department’s public relations.
I picked Blake’s because this mystery girl is a local and Blake will surely recognize her. I can get him to give up her identity without her ever knowing I didn’t remember who she was.
I chuckle as I unbuckle and exit the truck. “Batman, I’m a slick dude.”
Reaching back in, I take my gun, then stuff it in the back of my pants and pull my shirt over it. I don’t like to wear the shoulder harness on dates. It’s a big distraction to chicks. They either love it, or they hate it, but either way, they keep looking at it.
When I open the rear cab door, I hook Batman’s leash on his collar and I tell him as he jumps down. “Don’t go hogging all her attention, okay?”