Page 25 of Naughty-ish

Nick shakes his head, teasing me. “Next gift, I’ll have to make too big to shake.”

I laugh. “You’ve already done plenty.” I lift the box in my hands. “You didn’t need to get me something.” Guilt strikes because I don’t have a gift for him and I’ll need to add to my list: present for Nick.

What could a man like him possibly need or want for Christmas, though?

“I know I didn’t need to. I wanted to.” Nick lifts his glass and hastily finishes his wine before setting the glass on the table. “I’m going to let you decide if you want to open that tonight or some other evening. And on that note, I really should go.”

Oh, how I want to beg him to stay.

He points at the bag with the Zlot 720 before glancing at me. “Bedroom.” He nods at the oversized box in my hand. “Both of these.”

His gift-giving is rather mysterious, but giddiness threatens to erupt. I haven’t received a gift in years. Then again, this could all be some kind of gag.

Nick shows himself to my front door and I follow, still clutching the large box. He crosses the threshold, stepping into the cold night but then turns back around, slipping his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket.

We don’t speak as his eyes pin me in place. Then his gaze scans down my body and he licks his lips before leaning toward me. He reaches over the bulky box between us and brushes my hair around my ear again, running his finger along my jaw before bringing the pad of his thumb to my lower lip.

He shakes his head as though dazed and retreats once more. His voice is soft but rusty. “Night, Holliday.”

“Good night.” My own voice echoes his. Tender. Low.

“I hope so.” He mischievously winks then hops off my stoop.

For a second, I’m frozen in place as heat rushes through my body. Like a kid on Christmas, moving in reverse, I can hardly wait to get upstairs.

+ + +

When I first open the box, I stare down at the light pink tissue paper before hesitantly spreading the sheets apart. A super soft-looking robe in muted pink rests within. Gingerly, I lift the folded item as if it’s fragile and precious instead of cozy and sweet. The item is heavier than a typical robe and I attribute it to the thickness. But as I loosen the intricately folded material bound by the sash, something slips out the bottom of the gift.

The item lands with a soft thud, forcing me to look toward my feet. Something silky and red is wrapped around a heavier item. The delicate fabric could not have made such a thunk. Clutching the robe underneath my arm, I bend and lift the object. Unwrapping the red covering, I discover the material is indeed silky, and see-through. Edged in fluffs of white along the hem with thin spaghetti straps, the translucent negligee leaves nothing to the imagination.

“A Mrs. Claus costume?” The thought makes me blush because my mind quickly imagines Nick in his Santa pants and me in this outfit.

But it’s the solid item in my hand that has my face fire-engine red. The vibrant pink toy is long and hard with lopsided bunny-ears. Cautiously, I press a button at the bottom and feel the vibrator come to life in my palm.

“Oh,” sharply escapes me followed by a giggle, as if I didn’t know what the button would do or what the item is for. I could be offended, but I’m not. It’s been a long time since I’ve owned such a thing and I don’t know why I didn’t consider buying one for myself sooner.

Clutching all three items to my chest, I glance back into the box which has a small white card placed in the bottom. I set everything on the bed and read the message written again in handwriting like the elf sitting on my shelf downstairs wrote it.

Even moms deserve toys. Let this bring you comfort and joy.

If you need instructions, here’s my number.

I stare toward the window although Nick’s house isn’t in sight from my bedroom. What was he thinking giving me these things? And what am I thinking, because I’m contemplating calling him.

I drop the note back into the box and stare down at the items. Gifts given to me by my next-door neighbor, who I don’t really know, but wish I knew better.

Is it appropriate to accept such a gift? More importantly, is it appropriate to give them? Does he think I’m lonely? Does he consider me pathetic? Does he feel sorry for the single mom living next door to him?

As I stare at the items again—a pretty, soft robe; a racy red nighty; and a thick sex toy—I make a decision.

Hastily, I pull off my sweatshirt and remove my bra. Then I lower my leggings and underwear. Slipping into the silky negligee, my skin pebbles at the coolness of the fabric while my nipples turn to icy peaks beneath the slippery material.

I catch a glimpse of myself in the full-length mirror on my closet door. My first reaction is to laugh at the frill of white around my thighs and the flirty material exposing too much of my body.

But upon further reflection, I can’t look away.

My breasts are still plump. My hips curve outward, giving me an hourglass shape. Despite the sheer material, the slivers of stretch marks marring my stomach also brands me as a mother, reminding me I gave my body to bring two beautiful children into this world. True miracles.