Chapter 14
Parker couldn’t believe it was already Christmas Eve.
He couldn’t believe he was hanging out with someone he’d never even met two weeks ago.
What the hell was wrong with him?
Maybe it was Santa Claus, giving him one hell of a present.
He’d been ready for Sky and Beck to be shocked, like, how dare you meet this business associate friend and jump in bed with him? But they were weirdly cool about it. Happy even. He supposed that ought to make him feel better.
It didn’t matter; this was the most fun he’d had in longer than he could remember.
Heath was the hottest motherfucker he’d ever seen.
“So what do you think?” Heath asked, walking up behind him as he looked out at the Christmas snow. “I want to build a balcony, like a nice-size deck off my bedroom because the view from that room is the best in the house.”
“I think that would rock. Never made something like that, but I love the idea.” And he could help. He could figure it out. He knew how to figure out shit, if he was still here.
“Well, see, but I also really want a garage. An attached one off the kitchen for…obvious reasons.” He gestured to the snow. “But also somewhere to store my tools and maybe have a permanent workbench and everything. I can’t decide which should be the spring project.”
“Well…would the garage help the balcony building more or versy-vicey?” He thought the garage would be less cool, but more useful.
“I don’t think I need a garage to build the balcony.
It’ll be spring and summer and all the construction would be outdoors.
But then, come winter, I’d be back to working indoors, and shoveling snow off our trucks.
” Heath chuckled and slipped an arm around Parker.
“And like this winter, I couldn’t pre-build the decking for the balcony or anything. ” Heath sighed. “What do you think?”
“I think the garage is the smart decision, and the balcony is the yummy decision, but I think either way, it’s going to be good work.”
“And they’ll both happen eventually.” Heath sighed. “It should probably be the garage. I want the balcony, but I need the garage more. Plus, I get to hire someone to level the ground and pour concrete. How cool will that be?”
“Oh, that sounds fun as hell, and I can help. That’ll save you some money.” He wasn’t sure of…well, anything.
“It’ll be great to have help. Fun too. I’m used to doing things by myself, but this is a big project. I was anticipating hiring some people for parts of it, but you’re handy. We could maybe handle it ourselves.”
Heath was either more sure or more optimistic, because Heath didn’t seem to have any doubts as to where he’d be come spring.
“I’m in. I love…being useful.” And he had some savings, so he could help out.
“You don’t have to be yet. It’s Christmas Eve.” Heath pulled out his phone and Nat King Cole started singing over the speakers in the living room. “Can I have this dance?”
“Oh, I would be over the moon, honey.” Parker thought that he was in heaven as he moved into Heath’s arms. He was tall for a bull rider, and Heath made him feel almost small.
“You said you loved to dance.” Heath pulled him in with one arm around his back. “Merry Christmas.”
“I do. Merry Christmas, honey.” He let himself relax as he blew out a soft sigh.
“So, we don’t cook, but it’s Christmas Eve. Should we go pick something up?”
Parker grinned at him, because for once, he had this. “I got supper all figured, believe it or not.”
“What?” Heath beamed at him. “You do?”
“I do.” He had a whole tray that he’d picked up. It had cheeses and sausages, crackers and dips, pickles and olives on one side, chocolates and fruits and teeny tiny cakes on the other. And the board was wood and came with little knives and shit that stuck into the sides.
“You’re sneaky.” Heath danced him in a circle. “I love that. Have you decided what movies we’re watching too?”
“Nope. I mean, I know I said Elf, I thought we could decide that together.” It was going to be an amazing night—and he thought Santa might even come tonight.
“I’m happy you’re here. With me. Happy isn’t even the right word. Grateful maybe.”
“I never even imagined someone like you. My brain isn’t big enough for that, but I’m thankful you’re…here.” Parker was scared to be so happy.
“So tell me about retiring. About bull riding. What did you love about it?” They were still dancing to one Christmas song after another.
“I loved the folks. I used to love dreaming about being amazing, a champ, but I figured out that wasn’t in the cards, so I started focusing on making money.”
Heath gave him a curious look. “But did you love riding?”
“It’s literally my only skill. I liked making a living, having sponsors, but the riding? It stops being fun after the tenth broken bone.”
“I bet. I feel like every time I touch you I find another scar.” Heath touched one on his neck, then leaned in and kissed it.
“I hear that.” Truer words probably had never been spoken, but it was okay. He was a survivor.
“It’s impressive you know. I’m pretty impressed anyway. That’s a lot of pain and recovery and perseverance. Not everyone could do it. In fact, I’d bet very few can.” Heath traced another scar on his chin and kissed that one too.
Being in love was like riding, he was figuring out, except instead of falling and hitting the ground, Heath kept him spinning.
Heath gently untucked his shirt and slid the hand that was leading him up his back, warm fingers splaying over his spine.
“Love.” He blinked up and leaned back all at once, his heart beat speeding just a touch.
“Well, it’s early for dinner yet.” Heath winked at him. “I was thinking I’d check out that reservation.”
“Oh, honey. I’m in. All the way.” He stood on tiptoe and took a hard, hungry kiss. Heath caught his ass with the other hand and tugged him in tight.
“Ever get busy under a Christmas tree? I haven’t.”
“I have to admit, the opportunity has never arisen.” He was not in the least opposed, however.
Heath smiled at him, fingers working on his buttons. “Allow me to make an opportunity, then.”
“Mmhmm…” He was all melted, but he managed to get his fingers working, didn’t he?
“I wonder how many times you’ve visited, and I just never got a chance to meet you? It’s weird right?”
His shirt slid off and Heath shrugged out of his own sweater.
“It is. Because I’ve been here a bunch. From the time Sky came home to the babies.” He reckoned the good Lord was making him wait for the right time.
“I guess that makes more sense. I held down the fort at work during all those big events. We might have run into each other and not even realized—I helped move the kids’ things into the house, delivered meals a couple of times.
” Heath has his jeans loose in seconds, fingers slipping under the denim and cupping his ass.
“I would have remembered you.” His toes curled and his glutes went tight as hell. “I have no doubt.”
“I think I would have remembered you too.” Heath rocked them together, hips bumping. “I couldn’t forget your eyes, your smile.”
“Then we’ve just been orbiting around each other.” He loved that idea, missing each other until it was right.
“Not anymore.” Heath caught his jaw in one hand and kissed him, turning up the heat just that easily.
He pushed Heath’s T-shirt up, fingers dragging on the sweet, fuzzy belly. Yum.
They’d stopped dancing and were just swaying really, and not even to the beat of whatever Heath’s phone was playing. Heath backed him up to the sofa and gave him a playful push to make him sit, then knelt slowly.
He leaned forward and brought their mouths together, the kiss starting soft, but turning into a long, deep connection.
Heath was in no hurry, and they made out like kids on a first date. Just the kiss, nothing handsy. It was higher-level, though, and it felt like they were telling each other things you couldn’t put words to.
He hummed, his eyelids heavy. He’d never made out like this, where they knew they had all the time in the world.
The kiss ended almost gracefully, and Heath had flushed pink, so obvious despite the beard. Heath tugged his slippers off and then went after his jeans, fingers curling into the waistband.
He loved how Heath worked to make the house warm enough for this, warm enough for him.
He never even had to ask. It was just…done.
Heath wiggled the jeans off and set them aside, then pulled the phone from his pocket and set it on the coffee table. It was still beaming music to the speakers, which were cleverly hidden somewhere in the room.
He reached out, stroking one of Heath’s nipples to hardness. He loved how that made his lover gasp and groan.
Heath wasn’t the only one who knew how to light a fire.
“I don’t know why, but that’s so good, babe.” Heath pushed his knees open and slid a hand under his balls, cupping them through his briefs.
“Uh-huh.” He leaned in, lips close to Heath’s ear. “I’ve never felt anything like you make me feel. Ever.”
Heath’s breath caught as he inhaled and he saw the goosebumps rise up on his lover’s arms. “Damn. Me either. You just have my number.”
“Good.” He wasn’t going to bitch about that at all. No way. He nibbled on Heath’s earlobe, humming deep in his chest.
“Mhm. So good.” Heath leaned into the touch a bit and hot fingers slid over his shaft, toward the top of his briefs. “Santa thinks you should take these off.”
He chuckled and nodded. “Never let it be said I want on the naughty list.”
Then he lifted his hips and slid his briefs off, leaving himself bare as the day he was born.
“Mm. Someone’s getting everything they ask for this Christmas.” Heath’s fingers curled firmly around his prick. “Do you have a wish list, babe?”
“I do.” He wanted to stay here, with Heath, build a life.
“I bet it’s pretty close to the same as mine.” Heath kissed him with more heat this time, fingers stroking him.
All he could do was hope so.
He pushed closer, one leg wrapping around Heath and pulling him tighter.
Heath’s kiss slipped over his chin, along his jaw and down over one shoulder to his chest. All the while that hand moved on him, slow and steady, making him buzz.
He rode it, lips parted, his entire focus on Heath’s hand. Nothing had ever—Christ, he wanted this to last forever.
“Can I have a taste, babe?” Heath’s lips traveled across his belly.
He groaned, his lips parted. “God, yes. Please, love. I want.”
Heath didn’t hesitate. A curious tongue dipped right into his slit, and Heath hummed. “Mm. Nice.”
“Uhn.” He meant it too. So fucking amazing.
His cock slid past Heath’s lips, and that was all the coherent thought he had left. Heath licked and sucked and teased him until his toes curled, and he was sucking in breaths.
His entire world was Heath—and he was all in for it. He let himself hump up, cry out and offer himself in the best possible way.
Heath swallowed around him, throat working the head of his prick, fingers digging into his thighs.
“Gonna.” He didn’t want to. He wanted this to last forever.
His body wasn’t listening.
Heath wasn’t either. Heath’s fingers slid back behind his balls, just barely touching, before gliding over his hole.
That was all he needed. His toes curled, his abs went tight, and he shot, his bones rattling with the force of it.
Heath stayed right with him until he relaxed, until he could breathe a little, then knelt up tall again, smiling with well-fucked lips. “Merry Christmas.”
“Mmm…merry Christmas.” He reached for Heath. “What do you need, honey?”
He’d give it over, no question.
Heath climbed up next to him, sitting close, and combed strong but gentle fingers through his hair. “Nothing right now. I’m riding a serious buzz and I love it. I’ll call in my couch sex reservation in a bit.”
“Mmm…” He nuzzled into the touch, his lips parted in pure bliss. “This is the best Christmas Eve ever.”
“I don’t know, there was this one when I was like six, and it had been snowing for days and—ow!” Heath grinned and recoiled playfully, like his little pinch had been a poke with a hot iron. “That hurt!”
“Aw…poor sweet innocent lawyer-jack…” He stroked the offended nipple with his thumb.
“Lawyer-jack?” Heath snorted. “This really is the best Christmas ever. But we have to get up so early tomorrow!”
“Mmhmm…but we can sleep all we want tomorrow evening.”
“True. And then we need to get on the road, huh?”
“Are you sure?” It was a long-assed drive, and Mom was going to be a bitch about things, but damn. He wanted his dog back.
“Are you kidding? We have to go get your best friend from the clutches of a homophobe—I mean your mother.”
“Yes. It’s weird, huh? How you come from somebody that…is so different from you?” And such an asshole.
“I don’t understand it, but then I don’t come from that kind of family. How do you not love your kid more than anything? I hope you know that it’s entirely her, not you.” Heath stroked a hand over his chest, then reached out and grabbed a blanket, spreading it out over them both.
“It is what it is. I can’t change her, and she can’t change me.” He snuggled in, trying not to lose the peace.
“Why would anyone want to?” Heath kissed his forehead. “You’re fucking perfect.”
“Maybe for you, and that’s all I need, right?” He could be crappy for everyone else.
Maybe not the kiddos.
He loved them.
“Can we eat your Christmas Eve meal naked, or should I grab your clothes? We can stick them under here and warm them up.”
“It’s all finger foods. No need to dress.” He hauled his happy ass up and went to the fridge. Two platters and a couple of beers.
It was perfect.
Heath dragged him back under the blanket as soon as he sat down again. Always making sure he was warm. “You snuck all this in here? You’re amazing. Thank you.”
“I wanted us to have something decent with no work.” And it did all looked amazing—colorful, tasty little bites of goodness.
The sun had gone down, and they were sitting in the glow of the Christmas tree lights. Heath slipped out of his jeans, tucked the blanket around them and raised his beer. “You’re right, this is the best Christmas ever.”
“Yeah.” He clinked their bottles together, met Heath’s eyes. “Thank you.”
“Hey, don’t thank me. You brought the cocktail weenies.” Heath waggled his eyebrows and grabbed one.
He had snow, lights, and finger food. Next up, a movie and figuring out the best way to pay Heath back for that wild blow job.
Christmas really couldn’t get any better.