Quality Control (Peppermint Twist 9)

Quality Control (Peppermint Twist)
Tuesday Morrigan
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Copyright ©2014 Tuesday Morrigan

"Whoa," CJ yelled as he dodged an intoxicated Elf. Without looking, the Elf threw him the finger. Eyes wide, he stared in surprise. "She just gave me the finger," he muttered as he shook his head.

Wizened, with pale blue hair and thick square glasses, Mrs. Greenleaf looked like someone's grandmother. Unfortunately, the elderly Elf acted more like a disobedient teenage niece.

Tonight they were throwing the first of that December's Christmas parties. At any other business, the employees would be lucky to get one extravagant holiday bash at the end of the year, but that wasn't how things were done at Claus, Inc.

Christmas was their specialty. Every year they threw at least two parties. The first Friday of the month they celebrated December and the coming holiday and the ostentatious Christmas Ball. The Boxing Day Ball was at two in the afternoon, long after each and every child, regardless of age, received their gifts. It began with a lavish brunch where they were plied with heavy foods and sweet drinks and strong alcohol and continued from there.

The early December Christmas party was the precursor to that event, and considering just how free some of his employees were acting, CJ wasn't sure he was going to be able to make it the big event. He couldn't imagine what some of his employees would do when they really let themselves go.

The elderly female looked over her shoulder, spotted him and gave him a toothy grin. "Casi darling," she called and blew him a kiss before running over to join the conga line. "Casimir Johan Claus. Get your tight ass over here and join us."

He frowned momentarily at the sound of his full name. "It's CJ, ma'am," he automatically replied, before processing her words. He barely managed to keep from grimacing as his gaze swept over the line of elderly Elves dancing and gyrating to the Latin music pounding on the speakers. "Thanks, Mrs. Greenleaf, but I think I'll stay over here. Feeling a little tired tonight. Don't want to hold up the line."

"Your loss, boy. Could show you a few things," she chortled before she gave him a saucy wink.

"I'm sure you could, ma'am." CJ kept his smile bright even as his stomach rolled at the promise in the widow's voice.

She gave him one long look before clucking her tongue and turning back to the progressing line.

Chuckling, CJ turned his head slowly, taking in the room. Now that he wasn't held beneath Mrs. Greenleaf's gimlet stare, he had to admit the woman was spunky as hell. Amusing when you weren't her target.

A quick glance at the faces around him made him mentally sigh. Most of his employees were watching him warily. CJ wasn't even sure why he came. They didn't want him there. He didn't want to be there, but as a Claus he needed to appear. No matter how much the natives hated his face.

Speaking of hating my face. His gaze caught on a dark-skinned Elf, Maya Lacey. Her coily hair was pulled up into a loose bun. Several locks were released to fall around her heart-shaped face. His gaze swept across her sweet face -- large, dark eyes, wide nose, high cheekbones, and plush mouth. Lower, he took in the beautiful curves of her large breasts, the softness of her belly, the wideness of her hips and thickness of her thighs.

She wore a bright green shimmering dress with a low back. It was the slightest hint of nudity, but it made him hunger for more. Her dark brown skin was a beautiful sharp contrast to the bright fabric and all he wanted to do was peel her out of the garment to reveal inch upon inch of soft skin.

To finish the ensemble she wore dark red and green platform heels that did dangerous things to her legs. She turned slightly and her gaze snagged his. She sent him a little smile and lifted her cup in a salute.

Probably thinking about gutting me with her pumps, he thought savagely as he grit his teeth even as he returned the gesture. From any other person, it might be a nice gesture, but CJ was well aware of how Maya felt about him. The female hated his guts with a passion that reminded him of an ex. He couldn't blame her though.

As far as Maya Lacey was concerned he'd stolen her position.