Author's Note: This is my Christmas story that I elected not to enter into the Literotica's Holidays contest. I hope that you enjoy it because If you do, there is a series yet to come. Let me know. Cheers!
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"Cissy! Hey, Cissy!"
I look over my shoulder for the source of the familiar voice in the bustling crowd of the shopping mall. A broad smile graced my lips as I spotted a tall, tousled-haired blond with bright blue eyes hurriedly making his way to me through the crowded shopping mall. Turning and waving back, my heartbeat throbbed a bit faster as I found myself eagerly moving towards him. Duncan somehow had an uncanny knack of brightening my spirits, making me laugh and forget my troubles and worries which was something I needed desperately.
We met years ago when his daughters and my son were taking swimming lessons at the local YMCA. My name is Cecilia but Duncan thinks that's too formal and has taken to calling me Cissy whenever we're together. Since our respective spouses couldn't be bothered with such mundane aquatic activity support, we were drawn together as the designated parental towel holders for our kids. Meeting each weekend, we chatted easily by the poolside to pass the time and quickly became acquaintances and then more.
For some strange reason, I didn't think it strange when Duncan evolved into my best friend who was always there for me regardless of what was happening in my life. This became amply apparent when my husband, Derek, suddenly bought a home in the suburbs and by moving, forced me to quit my clerical position.
"God, Duncan," I exclaimed in exasperation at the poolside when shortly after Derek had dropped his bombshell on me, "You'd think that Derek would have at least consulted me before signing the papers for the new house. Now, besides having to pack up the household, move, and enrol my son in a new school, I have to look for another job since my current one is too far away. What the hell am I going to do?"
Although Duncan looked thoughtfully at me as if pondering my dilemma, I didn't know until he later shared was that he could think about was, "Shit, I love Cissy's sparkling almond-shaped eyes and her lovely face. For a slender Japanese-American woman, she becomes more and more enticing with each passing weekend. She's so passionate. I wonder if she would be willing..."
"Cissy, this is going to sound strange and I won't be offended if you say no, but how would you like to work for me? As you know, I just was selected as a Dean at my college and the secretary who was there for the longest time has decided that it was time to retire with the regime change. I can select my own private secretary and from what I know about you, you possess the necessary skills and abilities to do the job. What do you say?"
For me, it was a no-brainer since the offered job was closer to home, with better pay and fringe benefits, and was made easier because I knew and got along with Duncan. Through his shared insights and suggestions, he subtly saved me from learning through trial and error, and my acceptance by the campus community and immersion into the general College environment came effortlessly.
Our obvious relationship might have become rumor-fodder if it wasn't for our kids and especially spouses who made it readily clear when visiting that Duncan and I were just long-time family friends. As our friendship and our smooth working relationship became an accepted fact, people paid little attention to our personal interactions at work.
I found myself looking forward to Duncan's inquires as to how I was doing, and our late-afternoon discussions about the day and what was to come in the next day gradually morphed into a continuation of our former poolside conversations about the similar problems of family life and teenage kids. Before long we were each other's confidantes, sharing our marital problems and the intimate details of our spousal dissatisfaction.
"As you might have guessed, Megan is a hardcore career woman who lives and breathes the banking world," Duncan confided in an after-work talk. " With the exception of having to give birth to our twin girls, Megan's sole focus is on the wheeling-and-dealing of high finance. Hmmph, she is able to so by saddling me the same familial demands that leave you ragged, exhausted, and depressed. You would think at my age and as a key college administrator, I wouldn't find myself being pressed into a "Mister-Mom" -- but I am. Huh, is cohabitation and once-in-a-blue-moon sex really worth it?"
"Ha, I have you beat, Duncan! Derek is as equally neglectful of me as Megan is of you. While he isn't into work as Megan, he is always willing to "hang out" with his friends in sporting, drinking, gambling, and especially hunting events -- none of which involved me. His continual absence from home has forced me to fend for myself and my son when it comes to a range of familial and household needs.
"However, when Derek is at home, he expects to be treated like a king with me as his personal serving wench. He had no qualms demanding that I satisfy his physical urges and then promptly ignored me once he has relieved himself...if you know what I mean?" I had to quickly bite my tongue when it dawned on me that I found myself hoping that Derek could be more like Duncan. Recently when my husband boringly labored between my thighs that I wondered with it would feel like if Duncan was there.
"Hi there, good looking!" immediately brought me out of my fanciful musings and back into the present day world and the bustling shopping mall that surrounded us. "We've got to stop meeting like this or people might start talking," joked Duncan as he normally did. It seemed second-nature when I nonchalantly folded into his friendly embrace and gave him a casual peck on the cheek.
"God, how I never get tired of hugging Duncan," I sighed to myself as I felt his body against mine. "I shouldn't be saying this, but he makes my heart skip a beat and my panties get damp especially when I subtly press against him and feel a goddamn trouser-bump -- something I haven't evoked in a long time.
"What are you saying, Cissy? Duncan's ten years older than you, more mature, and more settled than you. What would he see in a thirty-five-year-old married mother with one teenage son? Still, for a white guy, Duncan is sure hot! But, he's only a friend...albeit a good one...and sad to say, probably not even interested in me."
Unbeknownst to me, I was wrong. As he would later share when we recalled this turning point in our lives, Duncan felt similar urges. As I pressed myself against him, all he could think about was, "Shit! Cissy's eyes always have this sultry glow in them when she sees me. And although she's not the bustiest, I can't help but get turned on when rubs herself against me. How I would love to hold her curved hips, squeeze her tight buns, and spread her nice slender legs? Hmmm, maybe it's my imagination but is Cissy clutching me a bit longer than usual?"
"Am I glad to see that I ain't the only who is behind the eight-ball," quipped Duncan as they reluctantly let go of each other, "when it comes to last-minute shopping. I'm happy that I'm not the only frantic idiot in this crowded mall. Where's the family?"
When I slipped from his embrace with downcast eyes, Duncan wondered aloud, "Hmmm, let me guess. Derek has 'bagged' again and left you to get the last-minute Christmas presents. Ouch, did I hit the nail on the head? And he took Tyler, your son, with him too? Double ouch!"
I must have given Duncan one hell of a despondent look for he put his arm around my waist to pulled me to him as he continued his insightful observations, "Let me guess. What's the most absurd thing Derek could do at this time of year? Don't tell me he's actually fulfilling his ultimate fantasy? Deer hunting -- 'Rudolph-shooting' -- I believe is how he referred to it -- the week before Christmas -- with Tyler for a little father-and-son bonding? Shit, Cissy, what? Did I guess right? Damn, that's cruel..."
As I sniffled softly into his shoulder, Duncan whispered, "Hey, hey, cheer up. You're not alone in the lonely hearts club. Megan unexpectedly took the girls to visit her mom for the Holidays. Yep, she had me dropped them off the airport, and didn't even mention to me about me joining them later -- but to be honest with you, whether I show or not doesn't really matter to her. I mean I only have to do all of the Christmas shopping and delivery for our friends, clean the house, and wash the dirty laundry. Yep, just call me 'Cinder-fella.'"
Despite myself, I had to chuckle at Duncan's pun and playful slap his chest. "Well, Duncan, you know that they say that misery loves company. So, it's just you and me. It's good to see you, Duncan. It's been kind of rough during the Winter break, and I have exactly been 'ho-ho-ho' if you know what I mean. I thought of calling you but -- well, I didn't want to disturb your Holidays."
"Cissy, don't you know by now that you can disturb me anytime you want to. You are a welcomed 'distraction' from my thankless, miserable servitude." When his blue humor brought a wide smile to my lips, Duncan prattled on, "So, my dear, I let me help you with your shit-load of presents since my arms are free having just dumped my packages in my car. Which one is mine? What? I'm your last one and you still haven't gotten it? Aah, what a coincidence, you're my last present too. I saved you for the last because I wanted to get you something special."
"Duncan, you don't have to get me anything. I mean your friendship and being there when I need you are all I need," I softly chided. "But I was doing the same thing -- saving you for the last -- the best for last.