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  They entered the house. The air smelled of delicious scents. His mother was one of the best chefs in the world and she probably had been cooking for days to make their Thanksgiving meal. After hanging up their coats and scarves, the three of them walked through the house. A huge Christmas tree stood in the parlor waiting to be decorated. The entire family usually got together to do this on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but Kris thought he might have other plans. After all, one of their employees was making their theatrical debut and someone needed to be there to represent. And David said he was like a younger brother to him and had no family to be there cheering him on.

  Their father and Lucas and David’s wives were in the dining room.

  “Where are the kids?” Kris asked after kissing both women on the forehead. David and Kris were the proud parents of fifteen-year-old twin boys. Lucas and Jean didn’t have any kids yet, but they were expecting.

  “They’re with my parents,” Patricia answered.

  “We’re getting them for Christmas,” the proud grandfather said.

  Lucas chucked. “Smart plan. One set of grandparents spoil them for Thanksgiving and the other spoils them for Christmas.”

  Their mother arrived with a cart of food. Kris hopped up to help her.

  “Mama’s boy,” Lucas teased.

  Kris poked his tongue at Lucas.

  “Now Lukie, none of that,” their mother said like she used to do when they were kids.

  “It wouldn’t kill you and David to give your mother a hand,” their father said.

  Both older brothers clapped.

  “Smarties,” their mother said playfully. She placed the turkey at the head of the table for her husband to carve after they said grace. His mother finally got a chance to sit after everyone was served. She sat across the table from him. After twenty years of watching what he ate to look good in his uniform, Kris found that old habits were hard to break. He just took a little of everything as the bowls of food were passed around, and even this he planned to work off when he and Lucas went to the gym.

  “How are you settling in at the store?” his mother asked Kris.

  “I’ve only been there a couple of days, so I’m still getting to know names and the ropes.” He sampled the mashed potatoes. It melted on his tongue. The turkey was moist and he loved her homemade cranberry sauce.

  “What section are you working in?”

  “Toys,” Kris answered. “Lucas showed me how to make displays and signs, and when we return tomorrow, I’m going to train on the register.”

  “I bet it’s a lot different than what you did in the Marine Corps,” Jean said.

  “Yes, I had a cushy desk job, but I still had to do physical training and attend a lot of meetings.”

  “What was your favorite duty station?” his father asked.

  “The last one, Okinawa, Japan. I learned how to scuba dive while I was there.”

  The conversation eventually changed from him to the rest of the family’s business. The twins were on the basketball team and Jean’s pregnancy were entering the second trimester. They mentioned people he didn’t know. Kris had to remember that their lives went on even though he hadn’t been around. His mind drifted back to work. The routine was a lot different than what he was used to. He always thought working in a department store would be easy. In two days, he’d discovered he was wrong. Saturday morning, he was scheduled for an online class in security and theft prevention. There was also an EEO class. He’d taken a lot of them in the Marine Corps, so he knew better than to make unwanted advances on his fellow Marines. But he hadn’t failed to notice that Jessie had not gotten upset the first day they met when he found out that Kris had an erection while holding him. In fact, Jessie had gotten one, too.

  There was pecan pie and coffee for dessert. This was definitely going to hurt his diet, but it was his favorite.

  “Has Jessie returned to work?” his mother asked.

  Kris nearly choked on his pie. The pecan moved down his throat.

  “Yes,” his father answered. “He and two of his friends from the university have been decorating the store for the arrival of Santa Claus tomorrow.”

  Kris looked at Lucas and dared him to say anything. The conversation continued.

  “I expected him this year for dinner. Too bad he’s too busy rehearsing for that part in the musical,” his mother said.

  “Kris is his new supervisor for a couple of weeks,” his father said.

  “You know Jessie?” Kris asked. Everyone in the room nodded. There was something about this entire situation that didn’t seem right to him. He could smell a set up a mile away.

  “He’s a nice young man,” his mother said. “Anderson, get us some tickets for next week’s production.”

  “Okay, dear.”

  After dinner the family went into the parlor to watch a football game on the television. By nine Kris was back in his own apartment in Brooklyn wondering why his family was involved in Jessie James’s life.

  ****

  Besides it being the busiest shopping day of the year, it was also the longest work day, too. Customers were already lined up to get into the store at seven when he, Emmerson and Carl arrived. The store was scheduled to open at eight and close at nine. Mr. Kringle had hired more seasonable cashiers to help out. Today was also a special day because Santa Claus was scheduled to arrive at elven. It was nearly that now. The three of them were in the employees’ locker room changing into their elf costumes. “These stupid tights make my ass look big,” Jessie said aloud.

  “Don’t blame the tights. You do have a big butt,” Carl said as he got into his green ones. Emmerson was already fully dressed in gold and just waiting on them.

  “I do not,” Jessie said, trying to look behind him. The door opened and Kris Kringle walked in and stopped dead in his tracks. Jessie was bare chested and standing there checking out his own butt in the mirror. Kris Kringle stared at him. Jessie did not miss the look of desire in the other man’s eyes. Other men had looked at him like that before. Jessie’s body responded to him with another erection. There was no way to miss it in those tights.

  “Santa has arrived and they’re about to open the door and let the kids in.”

  Jessie quickly put on his shirt to break the trancelike mood Kris was in.

  “Okay,” Carl said. “We’ll be ready shortly.”

  Kris took one last look at Jessie, then he exited the locker room.

  Carl chuckled. “I knew it. He’s interested in Jessie.”

  “I didn’t believe you at first, but I just saw it for myself,” Emmerson said. “The man couldn’t get his gaze off him.”

  “Don’t be crazy. Why would someone like him be interested in someone like me?”

  “Why shouldn’t he be?” Carl asked.

  “Ah, for one thing he’s older than me. He’s also from a rich family, and I’m not. And I’m sure someone who looks like that doesn’t have trouble getting a date.” He finished dressing and checked himself out in the mirror again. Carl was right. He did have a big behind.

  “I think he would be the perfect lover for Jessie too,” Emmerson said. “He needs someone mature to keep him out of trouble and to protect him.”

  “Did you see the muscles under that shirt?” Carl asked Emmerson.

  Emmerson nodded. “A guy that size could keep Jessie satisfied in bed.”

  Jessie couldn’t believe these two were discussing his sex life—or lack of one—like he wasn’t even there. Just because they had lovers didn’t mean they were experts on the subject. “Come on, Santa needs us.” He headed for the door and Carl and Emmerson followed.

  ****

  “What’s wrong with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Lucas said as the two of them stacked dolls on a new display.

  “Worse. I just saw Jessie James in the locker room only wearing a pair of tights.”

  Lucas chuckled wickedly. “How did you manage to do that?”

  “I went into the locker roo
m to tell them about the line of kids and parents in Toyland, and found the elves getting into their costumes. Carl and Emmerson were commenting on Jessie’s shapely posterior and Jessie was trying to look into the mirror to see if it’s true.”

  “Oh, it’s true. I’m straight and even I noticed his trunk junk,” Lucas said.

  Kris chuckled at Lucas trying to be hip. Both of them were kicking forty in the ass and had absolutely nothing in common with the kids from this generation.

  “So, what did you do?”

  “I lifted my gaze like a gentleman, but that’s when it landed on his chest.”

  “Does he have breasts?”

  Kris scowled at him and handed Lucas another doll. “No.”

  “Then I don’t see what the fuss is about. He is a guy, so he has a chest like you and me.”

  “Not, exactly. His is pale with two little dusty pink nipples.”

  Lucas stared down at him. “Is that something you like?”

  Kris nodded. “Tops like their bottoms a certain way. I’m attracted to guys who are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.”

  “You mean the handsome type.”

  “Yes, but more like the androgynous kind.”

  “Pretty boys,” Lucas said.

  “So politically incorrect and rude, but yes. We call them fems.”

  “Ah, I get it. Feminine looking males.”

  Kris nodded.

  “Then why not date a woman?” Lucas asked.

  “It’s not the same thing. Women don’t have….”

  “I got it. You want to go peek into Toyland to see how things are going?”

  “Yes.” He and Lucas finished with the doll display, carted the empty boxes to the warehouse and put them into the compactor. Then they headed to Toyland.

  The lines led from the front door of the store to Toyland in back. Santa had arrived and the elves were doing a skit. There was also a photographer on deck snapping pictures for parents to purchase. The three elves looked totally cute as they frolicked and sang songs. And the kids were having a ball too. There were bags of free popcorn and candy canes for each kid. Kris liked the animated sleigh and reindeer. “Who is Santa?”

  “His name is Boyd Phillips. Pops hired him about ten years ago. He’s sort of a mentor for Jessie.”

  “What’s his job when he’s not sporting the white wig and beard?”

  “He’s a social worker. He and his wife are also foster parents. Jessie lived with them until he turned eighteen.”

  “Oh, Kris said. “So, it was Boyd who got him his first job here?”

  “Yes,” Lucas replied.

  “And Mom knows Jessie?”

  “Yeah, she was working here when Jessie arrived. You know how she is. She tries to include him in family things. He was supposed to eat with us for Thanksgiving this year and help decorate the tree, but he got this Broadway gig.”

  That would explain a lot, and the younger brother statement.

  “Do you think Mom will be okay if I married him?”

  Lucas chuckled. “I think she would be delighted it the two of you did hook up.” They left Toyland. “Was our meeting a plan you guys cooked up?”

  “No,” Lucas answered. “Even we’re not that smart.”

  Santa and the elves finally finished around seven. Carl, Emmerson and Jessie looked worn out.

  “I am so tired,” Carl said. “Those kids have a lot of energy.”

  They had changed out of their costumes and were back in their street clothing.

  “Told you,” Jessie said, yawning.

  “There’s food in the lounge,” Lucas said. “Compliment of Kris.”

  “I’m dieting,” Jessie said.

  “Just buy bigger tights,” Kris said to him.

  “Very funny.”

  “There’s salad,” Lucas said.

  The three of the slowly walked to the employees’ lounge.

  “That was nice of you to buy food for them,” Lucas said to Kris.

  “It’s been a long day and the troops have worked hard.”

  The three workers appeared again later looking fed, but still tired.

  “Do you guys need a ride home?”

  Carl pushed Jessie forward. “He does. I’ll drop Emmerson off.”

  Lucas chuckled sarcastically. “He never knew what hit him. Kris would be happy to take Jessie home. It’s on the way to his place.”

  “Where do you live?” Kris asked Jessie.

  “Brooklyn,” Carl answer for Jessie. “Fifty-three, ten, Twenty-First Avenue.”

  “Don’t give strangers my address, dude,” Jessie argued.

  “He’s not a stranger, he’s Kris Kringle,” Carl argued back. “He won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Come on,” Kris said to Jessie. “You look exhausted, and you have a big day tomorrow.”

  “How do you know that?” Jessie asked.

  “Santa told me.”

  Jessie rolled his eyes but then he obediently followed Kris out of the store and to the employees parking area. They stopped by a blue SUV.

  “This is mine.”

  “Sweet,” Jessie said.

  Kris unlocked the doors with the key. Jessie got into the passenger seat and Kris got in behind the wheels. He started up the engine, turned on the heater and then put on some music.

  “Christmas carols?” Jessie asked.

  “You ought to be used to it, being an elf and all,” Kris teased. “What do you listen to?”

  “Songs from Broadway plays and anything by Beyonce.”

  Kris chuckled. Yes, this guy is gay.

  Jessie fell asleep before they had left the area. Even in slumber he was beautiful. Kris snuck a peek while they stopped for a red light. He didn’t even move. Kris hated to wake him when he finally made it home. It gave him time to look around Jessie’s neighborhood. He lived in a fourplex. It wasn’t the best of places, but Jessie couldn’t be making a fortune as a clerk. Kris reached over to shake him. But first he touched Jessie’s hair. It felt as silky as it looked. He ran the finger down the side of Jessie’s face. The eyelids slid back slowly, revealing sleepy green eyes. “What?”

  “You’re home.”

  Jessie sat up and yawned. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  He got out of the car and walked toward the building. Kris watched him enter. A light came on inside. Jessie lived on the first floor in the apartment on the left. Did he have a lot of possessions? Did he sleep in the nude? Kris drove away once he was sure that Jessie was safe inside and headed for home. On the way he stopped for a grilled chicken salad at the store and then went in to plan for his first Broadway musical.

  Chapter Three

  It was an amazing performance. Kris had no idea Jessie was such a talented actor and singer. The play was exciting and had everyone in the festive mood, including him. He wondered if Jessie liked the flowers, and then noticed the man who’d delivered the flowers to Jessie backstage walking up to him.

  “Mr. James was very happy to receive the bouquet. He would like to thank you personally. Follow me.”

  This one had a swish to his hips. Kris snuck a peek, but he wasn’t really interested. They passed a bunch of people. The star of the show was being interviewed by a group of entertainment reporters. Their gazes met and Jessie smiled at him. A couple of reporters looked in Kris’s direction. “Do you know him?” one of the asked.

  “Yeah, he’s a friend,” Jessie answered.

  The reporter checked Kris out again. “A close friend?”

  “I don’t know yet.”

  Kris tried not to smirk. The interview finally ended. “You look very handsome in a tux.”

  “Thank you. It belongs to the costume-maker. I need to change out of it. Come on.”

  Kris followed him in the dressing room. The flowers were on the table in a vase. There was also a male stylist waiting in the room.

  “Have a seat. I’ll just be a minute.”

  Kris sat down and Jessie dis
appeared behind a screen to change. “Do you like the flowers?”

  “Yes. I was really surprised.”

  “Did you know they were from me?” Kris asked.

  “Yes. You might find it hard to believe, but I don’t know many men who….”

  “Like men.”

  “Yes.” Jessie appeared wearing a suit and carrying a garment bag, a toiletry bag and his coat. He put them down on the sofa next to Kris. The stylist hung up the tuxedo then removed Jessie’s thick stage makeup.

  “Would you like to join me for dinner?” Kris asked as he watched.

  “I don’t know. It might not be appropriate, you being the boss’s son.”

  “Friends can have dinner together,” Kris said.

  “Okay,” Jessie said once the stylist had finished. Jessie thanked the guy. “I’ll see you next week.” He said as he put on his coat.

  They left the dressing room and headed out of the theatre. They had to walk to get where Kris had parked his SUV. Kris was glad he’d also put on his coat before they began the walk. It got pretty cold in Asia in the winter just as it did in New York. Broadway was lit up with lights and Christmas decorations. “Do you like Italian cuisine?”

  “It’s my favorite,” Jessie answered.

  “Mine, too. I know this little place. It serves the best lasagna.”

  “I’m game if you are,” Jessie said.

  “Aren’t you afraid of gaining weight?”

  “Sorry, lasagna takes precedence over common sense.”

  Kris unlocked the SUV and he and Jessie got out of the cold. Kris turned on the heater, then the put on the music. “Beyonce.”