"You probably think I'm too old for you."
I paused to consider. The fact was: he was too old for me. He was more than twice my age. I had dated men a little older than me, but I usually stuck with men under thirty. There was also the fact that Aaron was the Santa Claus at the mall where I manage a department store, and while he looked decidedly different, and more attractive, when he was out of his costume, I still couldn't bring myself to go on a date with Santa.
"A little yes. I mean, you could be my dad."
The instant I said it, I knew I had hurt his feelings. He laughed, a sad kind of resigned laugh, but I knew he got my point. "I'm not, though, am I?" His voice was low and husky. Something in my stomach flipped, and the thought crossed my mind that his voice probably sounded like that when he woke up in the morning.
"No, you're not. But you know, I just can't imagine dating Santa."
"Well, that's that then. I'll just admire you from afar," he said and offered another unconvincing laugh. I watched as he put his beard and hat back on and began to walk away. He was an attractive man, who easily could have passed for forty instead of over fifty; he was in great shape, made me laugh everyday when we took our evening break together, and had a great way with the kids at the mall. I enjoyed flirting with him in a casual way, but, still, he wasn't my type, so I dismissed the idea and went back to working on my merchandising plan.
* * *
Christmas Eve is always the worst day at the mall. Well, except for maybe the day after Christmas, which is the one day a year when I reconsider having a job in retail. I had let most of the staff go at noon while I finished out the day; I was the only manager without family, and while I hated to be there so late on Christmas Eve, I knew my employees with kids deserved to be home more than I did.
As I locked the door to the store office, I heard footsteps behind me. I turned and saw Aaron, dressed in his street clothes, walking toward me. He looked determined, serious, very much unlike the usual smiling face I saw during his shifts as Santa. I realized that I didn't know if he had family, if he was irritated to be at work instead of with his kids, or maybe even his grandkids. I smiled as he approached, but his demeanor didn't change, and I immediately wondered what must be wrong to set his jaw so seriously.
I watched him approach until he was only inches from where I stood in front of my door, the keys still dangling in the lock. "Merry Christmas," he said softly, a rough edge to his voice. And then suddenly he was kissing me with such force, such power, that he pinned my body between him and the door.
At first, I didn't respond, too confused, too surprised, to react. And then his mouth changed, softened, and I felt myself go limp. It had been a long time since anyone had kissed me that way. Intent on pushing him away, I lifted my arms and put them on his shoulders, but his mouth continued to explore mine, and without being conscious of what I was doing, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer to me.
He moved his face back enough to look at me, his eyes dark and hard. "I'm teaching you a lesson tonight. For your Christmas present." And then he kissed me again. His words echoed in my head, and this time when I put my hands against his shoulders, I did push him away.
"What are you talking about? You're teaching me a lesson? I don't like the way that sounds."
"Too bad."
"Aaron? You're a little scary right now."
"Am I?" He said, smiling a wicked grin. His hand trailed along my side, down my ribs, and I felt goose bumps raise beneath his hand.
"Yes, you are. Please move so I can go home."
"I don't think so. I have to give you your present."
"No. No, you don't."
"Oh, but I do. You think I'm old, a jolly Santa Claus. I'm going to show you that there's more to me."
"I know you're more than that, but I'm not interested. I've told you."
"But I don't believe you."
"That's pretty arrogant."
"It's the truth. You want me. You've just been talking yourself out of it because you're afraid of how it would look."
"That's bullshit."
"Is it?" he asked, the wicked grin returning. He shifted away from me a few inches. His hand gripped my arm, while his other hand slid up between my legs and beneath my skirt. Before I could move to block him, I felt a finger pull aside my thong and push into my pussy.
"Just as I expected. You're wet."
I was embarrassed by my body's betrayal. "So, that doesn't mean anything. I'm not interested in you."
He removed his finger and brought it to his mouth. Just when I thought he would lick the juices from his finger, he hesitated and then brought the finger to my lips. I could smell my scent on him as he gently rubbed the moisture onto my bottom lip.
He leaned toward me and kissed me again, sucking the lip he had just touched into his mouth. I fought back a moan. His gall was offensive, but it aroused me. I struggled, half-heartedly, to get away, but his hands held me in place against the door.
"I'm going to show you what it's like to fuck a man with experience. Then you can tell me if you're interested." He whispered in my ear.
I tried to push him away. "I'm not having sex with you."