Page 26 of Lust

“Darling, you came to the right place. All you need is to prepare yourself with that magical little wand you keep around your neck and then slather on the contents from the tube of fun he gave you, and you’ll be good to go.”

“What would I do without you?” I pat his shoulder, still feeling the heat in my cheeks.

“Um, you’d probably burst like a popped balloon with all this craziness if you didn’t have me to talk to. But seriously, Carol, when do you think this guy’s gonna want to meet? I mean, he must be giving you all this stuff for a reason, and I don’t think that reason has anything to do with taking a walk in the park and holding hands. He wants to F you up, down, and sideways. You have to ditch that husband of yours.”

“I know.” The mention of Brent instantly deflates me. “Maybe Santa just wants to be generous, but he’s not up for anything else. Maybe it’s old Mr. Hansen across the street, and he just likes to watch me through my bedroom window.”

“Well, since you’re leaving the curtains open, he’s getting a show either way, so I’d say he’s enjoying himself. But seriously, Ruby. What are you going to do when Santa wants to take things to the next level?”

“Maybe Santa will whisk my husband off to the North Pole.” I sigh. “Maybe that will be his final gift.”

“A girl can dream.” Manuel squeezes my hand. “Back to work, but let’s practice our song at lunch, okay? We’re gonna win that pickle statue this year if it kills us.”

As I hang discarded garments among the racks, I think about the part of my latest gift that I didn’t share with Manuel. It wasn’t just one plug. It was a whole set. And there was a note:

Use these to train for me

A little bit every day

I can’t wait.

Chapter 11

December 15th

Ruby

TheChristmasparty’sona Saturday, but of course I have to work. By the time I get home, I’m in such a hurry to get ready that I almost forget to check the mail. My hand touches nothing in the mailbox, though. It’s completely empty. I’ve gotten so used to my daily gifts that I reach in again, not believing such emptiness is possible. For a second, I assume it’s Sunday, though that doesn’t explain Santa’s omission. But then, I remember that it’s Saturday, and a ball of dread sinks into my stomach as I drag my feet toward the front door.

Sure enough, a stack of envelopes waits on the kitchen table. Next to them, a necklace sparkles in an open box. Behind that, Brent’s fist grips a can of beer, which he lifts slowly toward his clenched jaw.

“Awesome, the necklace came!” I reach for the box, my heart thundering a million miles an hour.

Brent yanks it out of reach.

“Where did you get this?” he growls.

“Haha.” I force a laugh. “Manuel sent it as a joke thing we did. Part of my costume for tonight.”

“Oh, so your gay friend buys you diamonds now?”

“Diamonds?” Shaking my head, I widen my eyes in feigned innocence. “That’s some fake-ass cubic zirconia. We had a twenty-dollar limit.” I peer more closely at the necklace. “He may have gone a little over.” I shrug.

“So you’re saying Manuel wrote this?” Brent shoves a note across the table.

I’ll watch these diamonds sparkle on your pretty neck tonight,

while I count down the days until you’re wearing my hand.

“Sounds like your so-called friend wants to kill you.” He takes another swig of beer.

Sounds like he wants to fuck me.A rush of excitement floods my core.

And then I swear Brent mumbles the words, “he can join the club,” but he’s talking into his beer can. My pulse pounds loudly in my ears. I tell myself it’s just paranoia, that I didn’t hear what I thought I heard. But my heart still races.

“It’s a running joke I have with Manuel.” I trace a line across my neck and stick out my tongue. Brent doesn’t react, so I reach for the box, surprised when he simply hands it over.

“You and your stupid friend can enjoy your sick joke by yourselves tonight.” He finishes his beer and crushes the can under his fist. “I’m not going to your lame-ass party to watch you and your little work boyfriend tell inside jokes and sing duets.”

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