Falling for the Christmas Thief

“Get out! You are a grown woman now, you can find your own way to survive.” The distant memory crashed Callie's heart as she sat on the bus stop with heavy luggage beside her. Her step mother had finally made good of her promise, chasing her out of the house once she turned 21. Her dad died the year before, leaving her in the hands of her stepmom. Fresh pain stubbed her heart like a knife when she heard Christmas carols not far from where she sat. Even though most of her mother's memory had faded, she still remembered her sweet voice when she sang jingle bells to her every Christmas. But at least she had her dad. This Christmas was different, she was homeless and all alone. She wrapped the heavy trench tighter around her thin frame wishing she had more time to spend with her mum before the cancer took her away, she was only five at her passing. “I miss you mum.” A cold breath escaped her mouth. She took off her glove and wiped away the stubborn tear that stung her eyes. “I miss you guys.” She sniffed softly dabbing at her eyes. “Alright Callie, sitting here crying won't do, you have to survive now.” She sighed heavily, dialling Rossy’s number in her cellphone. Rossy was like a sister to her. She had run away from her own abusive step parents when she turned eighteen. She worked and lived at the exclusive strip club owned by none other than the cold and detached billionaire, Sebastian Vettel, who ruled Los Angeles. She always assured Callie of a spot if she ever needed it. Callie had always refused, saying she was not cut out for such a job, unlike Rossy she was shy and introverted. But tonight she had no choice. Either freeze to death or reach out to the one person she knew and trusted. “Rossy?” Callie breathed heavily into the receiver, rings of cold air rising from her mouth. “Callie are you okay?” Rossy’s high pitched voice rose above the noisy background. “No…Carlotta kicked me out, I don't know where to go.” She swallowed hard, biting her lower lip hard to prevent herself from crying. “Oh girl...I'm about to go on stage now…” the speaker went silent for a while. “Where are you? I can send someone to pick you up.” “Oh no!..don't send anybody.” Callie shut down the idea nervously. “Just… tell me where the club is, I'll find a way to get there.” “Are you sure?...it's not a big deal Callie… Sam can pick you up, I'm dating him.” Rossy prompted, the noise muffling her high pitched voice. Callie weighed the option, Rossy's dating life wasn't exactly as grounded. The men in her life came and went with the seasons, each depicting varying kinds of weird behaviors. “I'm sure. Just tell me where you are.” Callie insisted, her plump lips trembling.from the cold. Her plan was simple, get to Rossy, ask her for money, enough to transport her to where her grandparents lived. She was heavily relying on luck, to find their exact address, she only knew that they lived in New York. The journey to the club was the shortest drive Callie had ever experienced, she dreaded going in there. She squirmed, imagining naked men and women rubbing bodies together. She wondered how she would fit in such a place, she had never even had s*x! She tried to block her thoughts by concentrating on the Christmas trees lined up on every street they bypassed. Her heart sank in envy as she watched girls her own age laughing heartily to people she assumed were their loving families. She closed her eyes and imagined herself in their place. Only brought back to reality by the loud honks of the bus to signal the end of the journey. Her heavy bag tightly clutched in her hands she dragged herself inside the club, one of the heavyweight bouncers assessed her suspiciously before stepping up to stop her. “This is an exclusive club.” The man looked at her simple jeans and white T-shirt in disdaid. “Uhm..eer…” Callie stammered, her teeth sinking deeply into her lower lip. “Callieeeeeee!!!!” Rossy screeched, running to her rescue. She threw her hands around her, “Oh girl, I've missed you!” She turned her attention to the huge bulky man. “I'm with her, Tom. Why don't you hold on to this, Sam will come pick it up.” Rossy held Callie's hand leading her into the dimly lit club. Callie gawked at everything as she timidly followed Rossy around. The seductive soft low lighting with colored LED strips in different shades. Her eyes shifted to the luxurious plush leather couches in darker areas, her gaze caught a couple busy getting it on on the couch, she looked away quickly, her cheeks a deep shade of red in shame. Rossy led her to the well lit bar with an array of top shelf liquors, signature cocktails and champagne. “Rossy… I really don't want to drink..” Callie shifted uneasily, refusing to sit down as she glanced in embarrassment at the bare chested man in tight leather briefs coming their way. “Come on! Relax Callie. Loosen up a little, it's Christmas.” Rossy nudged, pushing her on one of the high stools. “One signature cocktail for my sister Jake…make it two!” Rossy giggled brushing her hands on Jake's abs seductively. “You got it Rosey!” Jake winked. “Rossy… I just need some money…” Callie started, her pounding heart in sync with the heavy beats in the background. “I got you Callie. Trust me… I'm just happy to see you, it gets very lonely here.” Rossy glanced down a flush of pain and something more in her eyes. “I'm sorry Rossy. I was so engrossed in my problems I forgot to ask all about you.” Callie looked down her fingernails guiltily. "Alright... We can have a drink, but just one, then I really have to go Rossy, this is really not my place." Callie's eyes wandered around timidly. “You are here now, that Carlotta would not even let us meet…ah! Here they are… one for you and for me but you have to drink in one go.” Rossy nudged a hesitant Callie. She had, had alcohol twice, she hated it. Now she had the freedom to drink as she pleased yet she still looked over her shoulder fearful of Carlotta’s looming critic. That's when she caught his deep blue eyes locked on hers. Roaming on her body hidden beneath her jeans and T-shirt. Callie looked away quickly, grabbing Rossy's arm. “Who is he?” She squirmed. Rossy turned around to check the man seated alone, at a corner table, her eyes drifting from his sleek black half buttoned shirt, to his chiseled jawline and finally his familiar piercing deep blue eyes. Rossy flinched, turning around at a lightning speed. “Oh God! That's Sebastian. Don't look. He's ruthless. He might throw us out just looking for him. He owns the club.” Rossy gulped a shot of tequila. The girls chatted and drank for hours, reminiscing about their high school days and how life turned upside down on them. Callie didn't know what it was, but she suddenly felt lighter and bolder. She leaned on Rossy giggling playfully.. “I don't usually…do this but…I find that Sebastian guy, really sexy!” “Callie, you are..so.. drunk.” Rossy pinched Callie's cheeks smiling widely. “I like this version…of you better.” “Yeah!?” A hiccup escaped Callie's lips. “I'm gonna go… and talk...to him!” She pushed off her stool, struggling to stand on her feet. “That's a… terrible idea…” Rossy shook her head, holding on to her friend weakly. Callie was stumbling towards Sebastian. Sebastian Vettel reached out and firmly pulled the stumbling woman into his thick, solid laps. The sweet scent of delicate blossoms, youthful and inviting wafted to Sebastian's nose as he rocked the giggling woman. He had been watching her, since she stepped into his club. It might have been the whiskey in his head, but she was like a clueless deer, in a jungle full of dangerous predators. He instinctively felt drawn to her timidity and wanted to protect her. His curiosity grew into amusement as he watched her gulp shot after shot of tequila. A quiet anger seethed in him, at how reckless she was, in drinking at a strange place with a friend that didn't seem sober enough to take care of her. He took a mental note to scold her later, when she was sober. He felt relieved when she rose and started making her way to him, like an oblivious little deer walking into a lion's trap. “You are so handsome!” The woman giggled, fidgeting on his laps. His thighs were spread radiating confidence and subtle hint of power barely contained in the thin fabric of his trousers. “Sit still.” His voice reverberated deeply within his chest, his eyes gleaming with something dark as he lowered his gaze to Callie's plump inviting lips. Callie bit her lower lip, her eyes hungrily roaming on Sebastian's own lips. “Stop.” Sebastian's tone was a low growl as he shifted Callie’s position with one hand. Barely breathing, Callie couldn't control the burning desire, she suddenly felt, gazing at that man. She gasped at his deep voice and squirmed when she felt a large bulge beneath her. All she wanted was to taste those lips. Her vision blury, she leaned in, her fingers softly caressing that chiseled chin. She yearned for a man's touch, wanted to know what it felt like to be owned and taken. Her lips tentatively brushed his, teasing him. It was Christmas afterall. She would enjoy, as long as it lasted. Without warning, Sebastian took Callie's lips in his. His grip tightening on her slender waist, as he deepened the kiss. Standing up, he lifted Callie, over his shoulder and left towards his private suite. “Where… where… are we going?” Callie swallowed hard, embarassed at how she was carried, her mind raced, wondering if she had gone too far. “You'll find out soon enough little rabbit.” Sebastian smiled dangerously. His intoxicated eyes glimmering with hunger for the oblivious little rabbit.