First Christmas Read online

  What are you doing?

  Ariel stepped forward, a dangerous gleam in her eye.

  “Well... I don't know. It may just cost you.”

  “What?”

  “A kiss, fair maiden, and I shall slay the dragon zipper.”

  Erin burst out laughing as Ariel bent over and rolled her arm in an exaggerated courtly bow.

  A kiss?

  Anxiety and desire warred within her. She wanted to see what it felt like to kiss this girl. To feel her lips against hers and to get to know her better. At the same time, she was terrified. What had happened in her room simply stunned her. But this…this was practically in public.

  “You're insane.”

  “Probably. But you still need me to help you.”

  Erin rolled her eyes. “Please? Just zip up the dress so I can see how it looks.” And see how your hands feel on me. Oh, god.

  “Fine...spoilsport.”

  Ariel stepped into the dressing room, and the jovial teasing changed to hushed trepidation as her fingers brushed the nape of Erin's neck. The warmth that had been pooling between Erin's thighs slicked her pussy lips, and she moaned.

  “Are you all right?” Ariel's voice was hushed. She tugged the zipper up and turned Erin around to face her.

  “Isn't Michelle going to wonder what you're doing in here?” Her heartbeat sounded loud, and she wondered if everyone in the shop could hear.

  “No.”

  “Oh.”

  Ariel leaned forward and brushed her lips against Erin's.

  The sweet peppermint taste of Ariel's lips met her senses, and she was lost. Electric currents zipped along her skin as she tried to get closer. The dress was too much space between them. Erin pressed herself against Ariel and savored the sweet softness of her breasts as they crushed against hers.

  Ariel's fingers tangled in Erin's hair, and she backed her up against the dressing room wall. She broke the kiss and Erin blinked at her, disoriented.

  “Is this what you want?”

  “Yes. Oh yes.”

  “You're so beautiful in that dress.”

  “Right now I'd rather be out of it.”

  “Mmmm. Hang on.” Ariel pressed her lips to Erin's once more, but her hand slid down Erin's hip, tugging up the diaphanous fabric of the skirt.

  Erin's eyes widened as Ariel's soft hands found their way underneath the skirt and a finger slid beneath the sodden silk of her panties.

  “Oh my. You really are wet.”

  “I...” Erin squirmed, a flush working over her cheeks.

  “No.” Ariel said sharply. “Never be ashamed of how your body feels.” Her fingers slid farther beneath the elastic barrier and brushed against Erin's erect clit.

  Erin gave a shuddering breath and closed her eyes. Her body was hot, and her temperature was climbing. The fingers withdrew, and Ariel's hands tugged at the elastic of Erin's panties, guiding them down her hips and letting them fall to the floor.

  “Better.” Ariel's hands slid over Erin's smooth hips, and she crushed Erin to her in a scorching kiss. Her tongue found its way into Erin’s mouth, and Erin moaned at the way her nipples tightened against her bra.

  Ariel's hand slid between Erin's thighs, and she slipped two fingers inside her moist heat.

  Gasping, Erin rested against the dressing room wall.

  “Is this okay?” Ariel’s eyes met Erin's, concern written across her features.

  “Someone might hear us.” Erin gasped. Her body wanted the touch, but the fear of discovery fluttered in the background. If they damaged the dress, there would be hell to pay, too. She couldn't afford to pay it off, and there was no way she could work here on the weekends. Was there?

  Her mind tried to focus, but Ariel's hands were working magic on her body, and it was hard to think straight. She wanted her—now.

  “We have to be careful.” She parted her legs as much as she could while still standing upright. The heels didn’t make it easy. Was this how you had sex with a girl? Erin's mind and body whirled with sensations.

  “Careful is my middle name.” Ariel's lips curved up in a smile, and she gathered Erin to her as she began to thrust her fingers inside her pussy.

  She had never experienced a sensation like this. Not twice in one day. It was as if Ariel knew her. No fumbling movements in the front seat of a car or ham-handed attempts to make her body respond. No. Ariel knew her, and her body was singing.

  Ariel brushed against her aching clit as she slid inside her, and bursts of light exploded behind Erin's eyes. Her legs wobbled and her senses went wild, the orgasm shuddering through her.

  “Oh my god.”

  She’d let herself get carried away in the moment and have sex in public. Like some kind of wanton. Had she lost her ever loving mind?

  “You're welcome.” Ariel pulled away and let the dress fall around Erin's hips once more. Her impish grin was replaced by concern when she took in Erin's expression.

  “Are you all right?”

  “No.” Erin shook her head, running her fingers over her heated face. “I can't believe we just did that.” Was she the kind of woman who made out in random dressing rooms with a girl? A girl she had just met? And twice in one day? The air in the small room suddenly seemed to close in, and Erin had to get some space.

  Everything was happening too fast. She needed to think. To process what had just happened.

  “I'm sorry. I thought you wanted to.” Ariel blinked, her lips parting in surprise.

  “I did.” Erin shook her head. “I do. I... I don't know... I have to go, Ariel. I'm sorry.” Tears stabbed at the corners of her eyes, and she burst from the dressing room, snagging Jace's dress from the seat on her way out.

  “Hey, wait,” Ariel called after her.

  “I need to think about this. I'm sorry.”

  She turned in time to see the dejected expression on Ariel's face, and her heart just broke. It wasn't fair, but what had happened between them was too fast. She had let it all sink in or she was going to go insane. Good little farm girls didn't run off with the female decorator. Jeez. She could just hear her mother now.

  “Tell Michelle I'll bring the dress back in the morning.” Erin fled to her room, forcing herself not to glance behind her.

  ***

  The gala was in full force, and Erin stood with her back to the crowd, staring into the lights of the large Christmas tree in the center of the room. She’d had a lot to think about since she’d bolted from the dress shop.

  Things had happened at lightning speed. That was no lie. Truth was something she valued and this was a hard one. She wanted this. Nothing had made her feel worse than the look on Ariel’s face when she turned away. In fact, she’d dreamt of it, the stark reality of never seeing her again making her queasy.

  No. She was making a choice for her. What she wanted and no one else. And right now she wanted to see what the future might hold with the smoking hot interior designer.

  “Are you going to come and dance, or are you going to mope around all night?” Cara walked up beside her, clad in an ivory ensemble that would make women and men turn their heads. Holly was in tow with a bright-green satin gown that rocked her eyes and curvy figure.

  “I'm fine, you guys. Just waiting for someone.”

  “Oh?” Holly grinned. “Spill!”

  Erin smoothed her hands down the aquamarine gown and turned her head to gaze around the room. She had to talk to Ariel but she hadn’t seen her yet. Nerves twisted her insides into a mass of butterflies but she held her ground.

  “Well...”

  “You aren't still obsessing about Dylan?” Cara narrowed her eyes and frowned.

  “No.” She raised her eyes and smiled as the girl in question came through the door. Erin raised her hand and waved as Ariel rushed through the crowd, her blonde hair in a stylish updo, her figure draped in a gown of sapphire blue. In her hands, she held a small silver box with a bow.

  “Sorry I'm late. Decorator disaster in the upper deck display.”
Ariel gave her a small smile.

  Erin would have killed for them to have a moment alone. She’d over reacted to the force of the feelings within her. She’d hurt Ariel and she never meant to do that. It was time to make it right.

  “I'm glad you’re here.” Erin took Ariel's hand in hers and smiled at her friends over her new lover’s startled face.

  “Erin…I don’t want to intrude.” Ariel tried to pull her hand away but she held firm.

  “You aren’t. I owe you an apology. I’m sorry I ran.”

  “You’re forgiven.” The soft gaze was replaced by an impish grin as Ariel glanced meaningfully at her friends.

  “Holly... Cara. This is Ariel.”

  “Well, I'll be damned.” Holly laughed.

  “It's about time.” Cara smiled as Nolan and Jace came up behind her.

  Ariel handed Erin the box.

  “Should I open it now?”

  “Yep.”

  Erin nibbled on her lip and tugged at the ribbon. It fell away from the small silver box. She lifted the lid and inside was a mermaid ornament, just like the one on the tree.

  “Oh!” With shaking hands, Erin took the mermaid out of the box, and beneath it was a phone number and an email address written on a card with a message.

  Mermaid.

  She wasn't going to lose her after all.

  “Merry Christmas, tourist girl.” Ariel winked. “Now you have no excuse not to call me when you get back to town.”

  “You better believe it.” Erin leaned in as Ariel kissed her, the promise of the future alive in her heart.

  Grab your copy of Sapphic Holiday Cruise and read the entire collecction now!

  Also available to read in Kindle Unlimited.

  Where to Find More of Erzabet Bishop

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  Also By Erzabet Bishop

  Naughty Nights Press

  Westmore Wolves Series

  Wicked for You

  Heart’s Protector

  Burning for You

  Taming the Beast

  Mistletoe Kisses

  Westmore Wolves Collection, Books 1-5

  Beauty and Her Beasts: coming soon

  Shifting Hearts Dating Agency Series

  Hedging Her Bets

  Waking Up Wolf

  Kitten Around

  Shifting Hearts Dating Agency Collection Books 1-3

  Tempting Her Mate: Cider Falls Shifters #1: coming soon

  Shifting Hearts Dating App Series

  Mistle Tie Me: A Shapeshifter Holiday Romance

  Your Wolfish Heart: A Valentine's Day Novella

  coming soon!

  My Wicked Mates Series

  Craving Her Mates

  Surrendering to Her Mate

  Tormenting Her Mate

  My Wicked Mates Series Collection: Books 1-3

  Burning For Her Mates: coming soon

  Claiming Her Mates: coming soon

  Howling For Her Mates: coming soon

  Curse Workers Series

  Sanguine Shadows

  Map of Bones

  (free with newsletter subscription)

  Malediction

  Arcane

  Curse Workers Collection: Books 1-3

  Hex : coming soon

  The Witching Hour Series

  Burning Midnight

  The Gibbous Moon Series

  Bound in Fire

  Snow: A Shapeshifter Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance

  Temptation Resorts Series

  Marnie’s Tale

  Sigil Fire Series

  Sigil Fire

  Written on Skin

  Glitter Lust

  First Christmas: A Sigil Fire Holiday Story

  The Violet Hour: coming soon

  Collections and Anthologies

  Holidays and More:

  A Lesfic Short Story Collection

  Lesfic Tales:

  A Lesfic Short Story Collection

  Sapphic Holiday Cruise:

  A Lesbian Holiday Collection

  Sweet Sensations:

  A Short Story Anthology

  Standalone Short Stories

  The Gingerbread Man: A Holiday Romance

  Root Workers Series

  Bayou Shadows: coming soon

  The Pagans Series

  Beltane Fires

  Samhain Shadows

  Yuletide Temptation

  Etopia Press

  Mallory’s Mark

  Evernight Publishing

  Black Magic Cafe

  Lipstick

  A Red Dress for Christmas

  The Science of Lust

  Decadent Publishing Company

  Club Beam

  Pomegranate

  Audio: Club Beam

  Audio: Pomegranate

  World Weaver Press

  Demons Imps and Incubi

  Bold Strokes

  Men In Love

  Coming Together

  Coming Together: For the Holidays

  Coming Together: Girl on Girl

  Coming Together: Hungry for Love

  Ladylit

  Anything She Wants

  Christmas Kisses

  A Christmas to Remember

  Forbidden Fruit: Stories of Unwise Lesbian Desire

  Cougars: Five Mature Tales of Lesbian Lust

  Summer Love: Stories of Lesbian Holiday Romance

  Bossy: Five Productive Tales of Lesbian Lust

  Opposites Attract: Five Clashing Tales of Lesbian Lust

  Sweat: Five Sporty Tales of Lesbian Lust

  WriteHit.com

  Gratis: New Beginnings

  Gratis: Transformation

  Andrews UK Ltd.

  Smut by the Sea, Volume 2

  Circlet Press

  No Safewords II

  Cleis Press

  The Big Book of Submission 1

  The Big Book of Submission 2

  Dirty Dates

  Hungry for More

  Slave Girls

  Can’t Get Enough

  Bondage Bites

  About The Author

  Erzabet Bishop is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of over forty paranormal and contemporary romance books. She lives in Houston, Texas, and when she isn’t writing about sexy shifters or voluptuous heroines, she enjoys playing in local bookstores and watching movies with her husband and furry kids.