Page 18 of All The Happily Ever Afters

Her tight, faded jeans fit her figure just right and make my dick hard as a fucking rock. They leave nothing to the imagination, and I can just picture how the curve of her ass would feel in my hands. I don’t know how it’s possible that I ever looked at her with anything other than lust; she’s fucking gorgeous.

Her white tanktop is low enough that a bit of cleavage is showing, but the red cardigan she has partially buttoned up over it makes her look a bit more modest. I crave more. I wanna see more of that sun-kissed skin. Every inch.

She’s always popping that bubble gum, blowing big, round, cherry-red bubbles at the checkout counter.Pop!

It’s like she knows she’s tempting me with her sweet innocent glances. I don’t even know what she’s still doing here; she’s better than this.

She’s got her degree in social work, and I know she doesn’t want to work here at the toy store forever. This was a side job for money while she was at the university. She shouldn’t be here.

I clear my throat as the front doors open and an older lady walks out, clutching her cardigan.

Cary’s a distraction. And she’s sure as fuck too good for a man like me.

I thought she’d be gone by now. In the weeks I’ve been staking this place out, I never thought she’d still be here. But Christmas is around the corner, and she’s not showing any signs of leaving or even putting in her notice.

That’s a big fucking problem for me. I’m stealing every fucking dime in this place on Christmas Eve. She can’t be here, but she’s scheduled to be the one closing. All alone, too. I can’t pull a gun out and point it at my cherry. The thought of putting fear into those innocent baby blues breaks my heart.

But I’m not the villain here; Jimmy Morose, the owner, is a greedy thief. He’s practically the fucking Grinch. All the money that was supposed to go to the orphanage, he’s already stolen. I’m getting it back though, and that means emptying these tills at midnight on Christmas Eve. It’s the perfect time, right when the annual Christmas Eve parade will be happening and the police will all be there on the other side of town. It’s then, or never.

But Cherry’s going to be here… A grin slips into place. I could just steal her, too.

CARY ANN

He’s here again, and he still hasn’t bought a damn thing. Not that a man like him looks like he needs anything in this toy store. I think he’s just coming to check me out. Or at least I thought he was. But he hasn’t said a damn word to me. Maybe I’m just vain or getting carried away with the thoughts I used to have of him.

Vinny’s a bad boy… or badman,I should say.

I knew him growing up, and lusted after his I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude. He wore his leather jacket and rode that motorcycle everywhere. I wanted to be on the back of that bike. I wanted him to take me away. I shake off the thoughts and swallow down my childhood fantasies.

I was just a silly little girl. My parents would never have allowed it, and he was a few years older anyway. He wasn’t interested in a girl like me. Besides, I’m better for it now. I have my degree in social work, and I’ve already nailed down the job of my dreams. I’m going to be making the world a better place.

I’m not saying Vinny would’ve held me back, but I’m damn proud that I was able to focus on school and my career.

And to be wise enough to know what’s been going on around here.

Now Vinny’s back, and he’s tempting me. But judging by the puppy dog look on his face, I’m tempting him just as much.

My heart beats just a little faster, and my blood heats with lust.Pop!I blow out a bubble and hide my smile when I see him shake his head and smirk at me. My cheeks heat with a blush as I lower my head out of shyness and ring up the remote control car for the mom that's checking out.

“But I want it!” her little boy screams from the seat in his cart, and his loud shriek brings me back to the present.

He’s a cute little guy in a snowman sweatshirt, jeans and little boots that look like they could take on a blizzard. But his high-pitched yells and him kicking the cart are driving me crazy. And giving me a headache.

“You want to just hand it to him, or do you want it in a bag?” I ask the mom. I feel bad that she’s got two kids out here this late at night. That’s gotta be a handful and even worse since they’re obviously tired. She looks worn the fuck out. Her hair’s pulled back into a ponytail and the little infant in her arms is trying to yank on her earring, which is a miniature Christmas ornament. I wince. That looks like it hurts.

The woman leans her head down so her baby isn't tugging on the earring, seething through her clenched teeth; the pain is evident on her face as she pries the little fingers off of the dangling jewelry. The little girl squeals with delight in her mama’s arms and the woman gives the baby a small smile, but switches her to the other hip.

I don’t know what good that’s gonna do, since the little girl just focuses on that side's earring now.

“No thanks, can you bag it please?” she answers with a forced smile and leans forward to talk to the boy in the cart. “You have to wait, little man.” Good for her for at least holding it together.

The boy comically crosses his arms across his chest with a pout, and I have to stifle my laughter as I ring her up.

Once she’s done, the store’s basically empty. And it’s only a few minutes before close. Thank God. I’m spent. I’m ready to get out of here and grateful that so many people are shopping online. I yawn and cover my mouth, then look back to where Vinny was standing. He’s gone, and the sight of the empty aisle makes a frown touch my lips. I don't know why, but I just want him to say hi. To just acknowledge my presence. He never did growing up, but I never talked to him either. I didn’t have the courage back then. Now though… I need to suck it up and let him know I’m interested. I can do that. I should’ve already.

He’s been in here three times this week, and he’s never bought a damn thing. The knowledge makes my stomach twist in knots.

He’s up to no good. I hate that I think that. That’s what everyone said when he was growing up. They pretend like they don’t know why he ended up doing shady things when they never even gave him a chance at anything else. From what I know, he’s a good man now. He’s got his life together. And I hate that I think anything negative about him at all. But why the hell does he keep coming in here?

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