Her Christmas Love: A Feel Good Christmas Romance Read online

  HER CHRISTMAS LOVE

  A FEEL GOOD CHRISTMAS ROMANCE

  EMILY HAYES

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  Also by Emily Hayes

  1

  Would you let me call you my girl, my girlfriend, my girlfriend? I can give you the life you deserve, just say the word and I got and more…

  It was Saturday night at Lix and resident DJ Collette was spinning her EDM remix of the song “Girl” by The Internet.

  Even while trying to remain stoic, Mickey caught herself subconsciously bobbing her head to the bouncy beats of the infectious track.

  Tonight was Mickey’s fourth shift as the General Manager at L.A.’s hottest erotic club for gay women, and she was fitting into her new role nicely. After weeks of training by owner Kelly Quinn, Mickey finally felt confident in her position since transitioning from being the club’s head of security for almost fifteen years. While Mickey was extremely familiar with both the regular clientele and the club’s physical interior, the G.M. title came with a new set of responsibilities that required some adjusting.

  Still, when Quinn had offered Mickey the chance to advance within the business, Mickey fully embraced the opportunity without question. She had been a part of Lix since she was twenty-two years old, and her place of employment was like a second home; the staff doubling as

  her family. More than anything, she was determined to impress Quinn and to carry the torch in her absence.

  Mickey was very proud to be a part of an establishment that was a rite of passage for so many people in Los Angeles, and she took her employment seriously. Lix provided an exciting atmosphere for lesbian and queer women,

  celebrating

  sexual

  exploration

  and

  safe,

  consensual forms of BDSM play. For Mickey, this liberated environment was crucial in supporting her sexual orientation and acceptance in her lesbian identity.

  Originally from Jamaica, Mickey was no stranger to the discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ people who lived in her hometown of Port Antonio. Throughout the past nineteen years, Mickey had since become an American citizen and a long-time resident of L.A. Still, she never forgot her roots and the struggles of her community. For Mickey, Lix represented hope and empowerment, which resonated with her personally and professionally.

  From her managerial post, Mickey continued to survey the sexy crowd of female bodies as she tucked a loose dreadlock behind her ear. Beads of sweat were forming like tiny pearls on her forehead as the music pounded through the speakers. Wow, the crowd is hype tonight! It’s not even midnight yet, and the dance floor is packed. I’d better check in with Chelsea to see how she is handling the bar.

  Putting a meaty finger to her walkie-talkie, she pushed down on a button to buzz the head bartender. Chelsea had also received a promotion from Quinn, and between their shared responsibilities, the two of them made a great team.

  Together, they ran the show at Lix, and their communication was seamlessly in sync.

  Mickey spoke loudly into the two-way radio, finding it hard to hear herself over the loud music. “Hey, Chelsea!

  How are things for you over by the head bar?” Static then filtered through, followed by Chelsea’s voice, which crackled over the speaker.

  “All good, Captain! Lucky and the new trainee seems to be doing well. Things are under control. How are you?”

  Chelsea replied.

  Mickey put the walkie-talkie close to her mouth. “So far everything is cool over by the dance floor. I’m gonna check out the playrooms in a second. Over and out.”

  Feeling pleased to hear that the bar was running smoothly, Mickey sauntered from the dance area, making her way down the corridor. Standing at six feet tall and over 250 pounds, Mickey was aware of her commanding presence, which was further accentuated by her butch presentation. Many of the Lix regulars were familiar with her, but every so often, Mickey would catch a younger, newer guest checking her out until they noticed the tiny Lix logo imprinted on Mickey’s black golf shirt.

  Even though Mickey was a long-time employee, she turned the head of many a femme customer. And while she always remained professional—even slightly aloof—she secretly loved the attention. Still, Mickey preferred to maintain certain boundaries when it came to customer-employee relations. Mickey had seen enough drama during her time at Lix to know that crossing certain lines would mean future headaches and heartbreaks, and she didn’t have time for either. Plus, in keeping her emotional distance, she could preserve her Top identity.

  It’s not as though Mickey had never dabbled in the perks offered at Lix; after all, she was only human. Working in a nightclub had its advantages, and at times, it was challenging not to be tempted. Over fifteen years, Mickey had succumbed to some of the sexual advances from women, although never while on shift.

  Like many other staff—including, the owner, Quinn—

  Mickey had allowed her ego to be seduced, and she had indulged in occasional play. However, Mickey was a giver, and she wished to remain as such. In assuming a Top position, Mickey could indulge in carnal desires without

  making herself vulnerable. She knew she had a wall when it came to receiving pleasure. Rather than let down her guard, Mickey chose to play it safe; her body and feelings were off the table.

  Mickey’s approach to intimacy did not only stem from professionalism. In certain ways, she was quite inhibited when it came to her sexual gratification. She had always known that she desired women; she was enamored by their curves and craved to touch their soft flesh. The scent of their bodies intoxicated her, and she found herself mesmerized by the way women moved, smiled, and danced.

  But at the same time, Mickey was detached from her own body. She couldn’t think of anything more vulnerable than having an orgasm, and she was determined to keep such private moments to herself, often literally.

  Mickey found it ironic and almost comical that while she was constantly surrounded by sexual freedom and orgasmic cries, she was, at the same time, disconnected from the liberation. She often equated her job satisfaction and authoritative demeanor to the fact that she remained offside, and for the most part, this arrangement suited her well. Mickey was also aware of the power dynamics between an employee and a customer, and she always wanted to remain respectful towards the guests at Lix.

  Still, every once in a while, Mickey found herself curious about rapture. She could recall a few live scenes between women in the throes of passion that left her feeling a bit envious. Part of her wanted to bellow with abandon and to allow her body to be overcome with ecstasy. And while she was careful to hide her longing, she desired a lover with whom she could become free. But for now, business was business, and Mickey was determined to focus on her responsibilities.

  Mickey approached The Crossroad, which was the name of the dungeon space at Lix, to ensure that the guests were behaving in respectful and consensual ways. Even though

  the dungeon welcomed kink and BDSM activities, there was still protocol in place, and it was Mickey’s job to check to see if everyone was playing by the r
ules.

  Mickey positioned her large body towards one corner of the door frame to allow other women to pass through. She kept her gaze straight ahead, but from her peripheral vision, she noticed a few guests giving her the once-over.

  Mickey kept her mouth neutral, although her dimples hinted at the desire to smile. With laser-beam focus, she assessed the room.

  There was a trio of bodies gathered around the St.

  Angela Cross. Two of the women were Black, and the third person appeared to be Asian. Seeing queer women of color always warmed Mickey’s heart. As a Black stud herself, Mickey sometimes felt like a minority inside a minority. It was her personal opinion that a place like Lix was of particular importance to non-white women whose traditional cultures were not accepting of their sexual orientation. Internally, she cheered these women on as they decided what they were going to do next.

  Upon closer observation, the two Black women appeared to be a couple who had invited a third to join them. The couple whispered among themselves and smiled at the Asian woman who stood facing them. The three of them chatted inaudibly, exchanging friendly hand gestures. One of the partners spoke, and the Asian woman nodded. Good, Mickey thought to herself. It looks like they were discussing a scene and everyone seems cool. This was something Mickey trained herself to look for; consensual play at Lix was non-negotiable.

  The couple then arranged the third body on the cross, spreading the women’s slender, milky-white legs and arms so that she stood like a starfish. One partner knelt in front of the women’s wide legs while the other partner stood a few steps away to observe. The kneeling partner turned her head, giving her girlfriend a coy smile and a wink before

  positioning her face back into the crotch of the woman who was spread on the cross.

  Mickey allowed herself a few more seconds to observe (for “work reasons” she justified to herself). She took in the expressions of bliss as the couple took turns eating the pussy of the woman who was splayed against the cross.

  Well, isn’t that nice! she thought, amused by the scene, a couple who likes to share punani between them. While none of these actions were new or shocking to Mickey, she still managed to get a kick out of watching lesbian couples, in particular, who played with other guests.

  Sometimes Mickey wondered if she could ever share another woman with a partner during sex. Mickey had only been in one threesome in her life, but she had held a service Top position, which allowed her freedom from jealously (or badmind as was the term in Patois) and reservation that made her most comfortable. However, deep within the recesses of her mind, Mickey knew that a threesome with a girlfriend would be on her bucket-list.

  Satisfied that the guests in the dungeon were behaving, Mickey then poked her head inside the Grand Ballroom, a big playroom that was situated across the hall. Unlike the Crossroad, the Grand Ballroom was reserved more for vanilla sex than kink. Often, the giant bed was host to orgies or various configurations of sexy bodies. And while most of the sexual escapades were less hardcore, the room still needed supervision from time to time.

  “Hey, Mickey! How’s it going?” Mickey turned around to see Fran and Terry, a delightful couple who had been coming to Lix for years. They had also become good friends of Lauren, who was Quinn’s partner. Fran and Terry had attended Quinn and Lauren’s collaring ceremony a few months back, and Mickey thoroughly enjoyed their warm and inviting energy.

  “Hey, ladies!” Mickey smiled brightly at the duo.

  “Everything alright? Having a good time?”

  “We were just coming in from the pool deck.” Terry motioned back towards the door that led out to the outdoor patio. “Gosh, it sure is getting cool outside, especially when the sun goes down at night.”

  Fran remarked to her partner, “Well, it is late November.”

  “The temperature is supposed to drop ten degrees tonight,” Mickey replied. She added in a playful tone, “But I am sure you two lovebirds will find a way to stay warm, yeah?”

  Fran threw her arm around Terry’s waist, squeezing her in close. “Oh, I am sure we could think of more than a few, right love?” Terry grinned as Fran nuzzled her neck.

  Suddenly, a thought occurred to Terry. “Hey Mickey, is Lix going to have its annual Christmas Eve bash again this year? With Quinn stepping away, I wasn’t sure what management had planned?”

  Mickey nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, most definitely; it’s one of our best parties of the year!” She added reassuringly, “Don’t worry, Chelsea and I will make sure that Lix continues with the Christmas tradition.”

  Fran and Terry smiled brightly. “Yay, that is so exciting!

  We love that event. And I know that you and Chelsea will do an amazing job.”

  Terry turned to Fran with seductive eyes. “Let’s grab a drink and heat things up on the dance floor.” Terry then put a hand on Mickey’s forearm. “We’ll let you continue with the rest of your night.” Fran chimed in, “It’s always so great to see you, Mickey!”

  Mickey waved as Fran and Terry made their way in the opposite direction towards the bar. They are so cute together. I wonder what it must be like to be so in love after so many years of being together. Mickey was a bit surprised to find herself longing with envy. For the most part, her exposure to happy couples was as common as drinking water. Generally, she felt impervious to their

  relationship joy, but as of only recently, Mickey was noticing a growing need for companionship.

  Turning her attention to the Grand Ballroom, she noticed that aside from one couple on the bed, the room was empty. That’s strange, although the night is young. I guess most people are still on the dance floor, working up the desire and courage to come in here.

  From the way the bodies were positioned, she only saw their lower half, and she noticed how their caramel-colored legs were entwined with one another. The duo was wrapped in a tight embrace and seemed oblivious to anything else in the room. Feeling as though her presence was unnecessary, Mickey turned to leave, but before she exited the room, she caught a better glimpse of the couple, which was reflected in the mirrors that covered the wall.

  Within seconds of seeing the jawline and the braided hairstyle of one of the women, Mickey instantly recognized one of the guests as her ex-girlfriend Thandie. Turning her head, she quickly moved away from the doorframe.

  Fuck! Are you kidding me?! Mickey felt her face grow hot with emotion as her heart pounded in her chest. While Mickey and Thandie had broken up a few months earlier, she felt a sharp sting in seeing Thandie with another woman. Are you actually going to bring a date to my place of work? How disrespectful.

  Mickey knew that controlling her emotions and managing her anger were crucial to her role at Lix, so she didn't dare say anything. Still, the feeling of hurt and betrayal swelled inside of her. In an effort to calm herself, Mickey lumbered outside to the pool area. The patio needed a check anyway, and Mickey knew that the fresh air would soothe her pain.

  She approached the exit, and politely held open the door as a few customers came in from being outside. She then crossed over to the outdoor area, taking in the serenity of the night sky and the still pool's calming water. It was too

  chilly to swim this evening, and aside from a smattering of lounging bodies, the patio was quiet.

  As she surveyed the grounds, Mickey maintained a posture of authority, but inside she was breaking. While the relationship between her and Thandie had been more casual in nature, Mickey didn't like the idea of someone from her personal life crossing over into her work environment. But at the same time, she was also aware that this type of drama was difficult to avoid, given her place of employment.

  Taking a few deep breaths, Mickey managed to reason with herself. I guess if I were single and looking to hook up, I'd be at Lix too. She then furrowed her brow, as a thought occurred to her. So, where does that leave me? Where do I go, as someone who is single? I don't want to hook up with anyone here, but it would be nice to meet someone.

  The wheels
continued to turn in Mickey's brain as a revelation came to her. She suddenly realized that she wasn't jealous of Thandie as much as she was actually just lonely and desired a relationship. But how? Where? With who?

  Mickey pondered the questions as they formed shape within her consciousness. How does a butch dyke like me meet women away outside my industry? As she continued to ruminate, she also remembered that Christmas was only a month away. She allowed herself to gaze off for a moment before returning her focus to the present moment. Man, it would be so cool if the Universe granted me a girlfriend as a Christmas present.

  Mickey then shook her head and chuckled under her breath. Stop being so soft, Mickey. Miracles are for TV and the movies. Gathering her composure, she turned to head back inside to complete the rest of her checks inside the bustling club.

  2

  “Bye, girl, have a good night!” Katrina waved back at her co-workers before heading out the door. It was 3:00 am, and she had just finished her bartending shift at Minx, a popular gentlemen’s club located on the Sunset Strip.

  After standing for nine hours in six-inch stilettos, she couldn’t wait to plop down into her car and switch back into her comfy sandals. Even though it was late, Katrina didn’t mind the drive. Traffic would be minimal, and it would give her a chance to decompress after a long evening. But most of all, Katrina wanted to come home to her kiss her sleeping son, Jackson, on the cheek.

  Upon locating her car, Katrina slid into the front seat and kicked off her heels. “Ah, that feels good,” she said aloud. Her feet dug around the bottom until her toes located a well-worn pair of flip flops. Even though the Minx dress code demanded them, Katrina was never a fan of high heel shoes; she always kept a more comfortable pair of kicks waiting for her when she was finished with work.

  As she drove down the Strip, her mind began to unravel as she felt her body relax into the driver's seat. Katrina had only been working at Minx for a month, and for the first few weeks, she found it hard to adjust to the late hours. It

  was a big change from her day job as a receptionist at a plastic surgery clinic, but since the office had cut her hours, Katrina needed a way to make extra money and fast; being a single mom did not afford her the luxury of time.