Wynter

A few girls surrounded me, primping my hair and make up.

Lizabeth runs over to me, looking up at my hair and makeup, making sure it was okay.

"So what's the Plan of action?"

"You sit on Nick's lap and whisper in his ear. That's l it."

"Lizabeth" I huffed, crossing my legs in annoyance.
It sounded like a lot...more intimate if you asked me.

"Wynter it'll be so quick! Remember, your company is on the line!" Lizabeth ran to busy herself with something else, leaving me alone in the make up chair.

"You should be happy. He's the hottest model I've ever worked with" a makeup artist whispered and winked.

I rolled my eyes before standing up from the chair. Of course Nick was good looking. A blind bat could have seen it.
I was more annoyed of the circumstances of the shoot.
I hadn't seen him in 5 months. There was a lot of untapped feelings and unanswered questions. I didn't know if now was the best time to see each other.

I turn my head and watch Nick on the set. He was in a tall red chair with golden accents.

"Wynter! Were ready for you!" Lizabeth waves me over.

"Be cordial"
Cordial"

I take a deep breath in then let it out. I was ready to face him...I think?

Nick sees me walking over and stands from his chair. His eyes scanned my features excitedly; first he stared at my lips then my face.
"Wynter you look beautif—-"

"Easy Santa." I push him back into the chair and sit on his lap. His hands mold around my waist as if on cue. Like we were molded so perfectly.

"The only reason I'm doing this? Is for Lizabeth and the future my company.
Everything that happens now is acting. Don't get any funny ideas." I whispered, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Yes Ms. Ryder." He smirks, his grip tightened just a tad bit.

I roll my eyes and look at myself in the camera receiver as I wait for Antonio, the photographer. There were still a few people on set but not as much as before which put me at as.

I tried to bite my jaw as I saw us in the reflection of the receiver. We were a cute couple I could not lie. Too bad he had to mess it up.

Antonio is Ready! You kids do me well!" The photographer yelled, spinning to the floor. He propped the camera up to his eyes and then,
The cameras flashed!

I tried to not make eye contact with Nick, leaning as far away from him as possible. I didn't know how strong I would be....could be....

"Okay Wynter. Look like your not allergic to him! Closer! Closer! This is Santa! Not Jack Frost!" Antonio yells. Nick chuckles and I giggle just a little. It was just ironic Antonio was unknowingly telling my story.

I push my back against his chest and try to relax a little more. I don't know why but something was stopping me...

"Come on Wynter! Like you like him!!!" Antonio yelled, still clicking away.

"Come on Wyn, listen to the nice camera man" Nick whispered into my ear, I could feel his smile.

"Nope!!" I shot up and start walking away.

"Wyn! Wynter! I was joking!!" He laughs, pulling me back. I snatch my arm away, moving as far away as possible from him.

Lizabeth runs behind me, calling my name.
"Wynter please! Come back! I'll tell Nick to behave. Please we need these photos." She grabbed my shoulders, forcing me to face her.

"Lizabeth I don't think I can do it. Nick and I—-"

"Wynter Lynn Ryder!
I have a deadline to commit to. I don't care if he scratched your car or took your Celine purse and burned it! My repution is on the line! I'm trying to be the best I can be and that entails your support.
This a company expense! So sit your perky little ass in his lap and get these photos!"

My mouth dropped as I heard Lizabeth scolding me. I had never seen her with such a sharp tounge but it was kinda inspiring!
I didn't know she had it in her.
"You think my butt is perky?" I try to lighten the mood but she didn't even crack a smile.

"Take five and let's regroup! Antonio!" Lizabeth shouted, storming over to the photographer.

Ughhh!
I fumed taking a few moments to myself. I pull a red apple from the food table and bite into it.
I mean...Lizabeth wasn't wrong. This was for Nubia Cosmetics. I had to put my feelings aside and take one for telle team.

"Well if it isn't Wynter Ryder! !!!"

"Drew Claus?" I spin around and laugh, seeing his cheery face. "lWhat in the world are you doing here?" I ran over and hugged him. I'm not gonna lie seeing his face made me so happy. He was like your favorite little cousin that you couldn't get enough of.

"I missed you Wyn! How's earth been." He returned my hug. I shrugged, pulling away and looking down. He knew the circumstances surrounding our last departure.

"Look what I got." He tried to change the subject, lifting up two cups of coffee in he purchased instead.

"And since when did you drink Starbucks?" I smirked.

"Oh Lizabeth sent me to get them! She said it was instrumental to the completion of the shoot. I'm kinda important." He lifted his head high, as if he was important.

"Lizabeth sent you? But wait! You and Lizabeth are..." I smiled suspiciously.

"We text here and there. You know" he started turning red. Awww! They were so cute together in the elevator that one time when we snuck back to earth. I'm glad Lizabeth and him were...well I didn't know where they stood but I would support either way.

"I mean..I know you've met but I didn't know you guys liked each other like.."

"Wynter!!!" Lizabeth's tone was sharp.

"She just finished yelling at me! Can you belive it! And I didn't even do anything!" I pouted, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I'm suprised it wasn't sooner" Drew laughed.

"And Thanks for warning me about Nick being here!" I hit him lightly.

"Ouch! He didn't even tell me! I only knew cause Lizabeth begged me to come here. Plus you never return my texts."

Ouch, that last part hurt.
He was right. I loved Drew like a brother but texting him reminded me of Nick and I couldn't ....

"I get it Wyn. I wouldn't text me either. I'm on your side. What Nick did was wrong"

"Drew, you know you're like the best little brother ever." I smiled, staring into his cheerful blue eyes.

"I remind you too much of the him and the Pole. I get it.
Plus. I like meetings in person. It's more authentic." I smile and hugged him again, thanking him for his understanding. I wished him and Lizabeth the best and hoped they worked out.
He really was the best.

"So why did she call you?" We walk side by side towards the wider space.

"Maybe for reinforcements? The Calvary? Here have some coffee." Drew forces a cup into my palm.

I take it from his hand and taste but immediately spit it out "Yuck! What is this Drew"

"Water and whipped cream!" He stood tall, bragging as if he discovered a new secret to the world.

"Drew! Do you know what coffee is?"

"Yes,it's the thick brown stuff but it tasted so bitter so I told them to give me coffee but not make it brown and add extra whipped cream. I like it!" He says.

I looked at him and only felt pity. So Drew was cute but dumb? Lizabeth would have fun with him.

"I'm gonna give this to Lizabeth. She'll love it" he looks at the crowds, searching for her.

"I ...would advise you don't. She wouldn't be so thrilled."

"WYNTER!!!" Lizabeth yelled for me again.

"I'm coming!!!!!"

Drew and I walk towards Lizabeth and see her and the photographer pointing at Nick who was still in the chair.

"Okay Wynter get in his lap."

I look over at Drew and he shrugs. Take one for the team his eyes read.

"Fine" I mumbled. I look over at Nick and frown, begrudgingly walking over to him.

I sit in his lap and take my position.

"Wynter can we talk after this"

"I have meetings booked back to back after this."

"It's 8pm at night."he reminds me.

"Wynter and turn your face over to the camera?
Yea like that! Perfect" Antonio instructs me.
Ready? And go!!"

SNAP
SNAP SNAP
SNAP

"I didn't know they do meetings this late in the day?" He whispers.

"International meetings" I whisper in his ear, "I am a busy girl."

"Are you? From what I've seen" he smiles.

"How do you know Santa?
Are you watching me?" I snapped.

"I know when you've been sleeping
I knew when you're awake🎵" he sings the song lazily.

Ohhh that Nick Claus!

"You have no right! To spy on me!"
I cheese again, pretending to laugh and hold his cheek.

"Beautiful
Sexy
Easy
Breezy
Beautiful
Wonderful!" Antonio yells rapidly.

"I wouldn't have the need to spy if you returned my texts and calls. You wouldn't even text back Drew."

"Kiss him Wynter! On the cheek!" Antonio instructs.
I smile awkwardly but kiss him lightly. He was warm and smelled delicious. I missed his scent.

"Whisper into his ear again! Again! Tell him a naughty little secret! That only you and him share!!! Quick." Antonio flipped to the side, pointing the camera at the center.

I pushed my lips against his ear and whisper "abcd"

"Nah nah! Don't do the abcd trick! A real secret! I want a reaction from Santa! Naughty Santa!"

I think and whisper something vulgar. It was something that night in his room where we made love.

He smirked and looked into my eyes. "That's naughty list material Wyn" He led his palm to my neck gently gripping it.
How dare he

"Ahhh Wynter, you naughty naughty girl!" Antonio yelled, loving every moment of this.

I continued whispering, getting more comfortable. He pushed his palm against my jaw, grabbing me and forcing me to meet his gaze.

I guess we got a little bit more comfortable. I asked him about Rudolph. He said his nose is always red now.
I asked why but he wouldn't tell me.

"Perfect! Perfect!! Yes Nick!"

Antonio takes a break and looks around. "Okay Where's the misetole!"

"Misetole? Lizabeth you said it was only a lap!"

"Just a few more pics Wynter!"

An assistant runs behind us with mistletoe on a string. He hovers it over us and winks.

"Okay now! Kiss!!" Antonio yells.

"No way!" I stand! But Nick pulls me back in his lap.

"Come on. After we do this, you never have to see me again. Let's just get it over with it. I know I'm the last person you want to kiss." He looked defeated as he said the last part.

I'm silent. That was the furthest thing from the truth but I couldn't let him know that.
His lips did look delicious.

"Nick... that's not true..." I push my palm against his chest but he looks away.

"Okay new film! I have 100 frames. Let's do it!" Antonio smiles.
"Now Nick and Wynter.
Pretend there is no camera.
Pretend that it is only you two in the room.
Look into each other's eyes. And think.
Your future...your past...your present."

We tried to read each other thoughts.
I stare into his dark emerald eyes and he looks into mine. It had been 5 months with no contact.

Closer and closer we came until Nick grabs my jaw and kisses me.
We smack.
I couldn't say I hated it.
I enjoyed it.
I missed it.
I craved it
For months my mind had been consumed with thoughts of him.
I was the one who cried myself to sleep. Who replayed the hateful words he had said from the banquet.
Every night I daydreamed about what we could have been if he didn't mess it up.
I had finally gotten over him.
But now?
It was as if all my feelings had shot back into my body.

We kiss. Deeper and deeper, it was going to lethal territory.
Nick pulls my curls away, pushing me to the side of the chair and dipping me down. He wraps my legs around his waist, kissing deeper and deeper.

"Okay guys we got it!" Antonio says. But he was nothing to us. Just a voice.

Our lips were hungry for dominance.
Our spirits itching to intertwine as one.

"Guys we got it!"

"Wynter! Nick!" Lizabeth yells snapping me out my lust filled stupor.

I snap and look around, embarrassed at my lack of self control. I look at the receiver and see our heated embrace before pushing him away.
That was so embarrassing.

"I have to go. Now!" I whisper into his lips before standing up.

"Wyn! Wynter!! Wait!" Nick runs after me. "Wyn I'll erase it from their memories! They won't remember the last 4 minutes." He tries to explain. "I'll erase the photos too. Can we just talk?"

I didn't want to listen to him.
I didn't care.
I gather my bag and zoom out the warehouse, trying to run as far away as possible from Nick Claus.

Author Note:
Nick is an agent of Chaos!
There I said it!