Chapter Ten #2
Jason’s heartbeat raced. “I’m open to negotiation,” he murmured against David’s lips, before closing his eyes and losing himself in another gentle, sensual kiss.
* * * * * *
David waited at the door to Jason’s apartment, the object in his hand jumping a little.
“Hey, behave,” he whispered to its occupant, hidden by the red blanket that covered it. When the door opened, Jason stood there in socked feet, jeans and a Christmas sweater, complete with antlers on his head.
“Happy holidays!”
David stared. “Okay, where is Jason? What have you done with him?”
Jason gave a mock gasp. “What—you don’t like my antlers?” He grinned. “I wore them all morning at the coffee shop.”
“You did it for a bet, didn’t you?” David said, stepping into the hallway.
Jason laughed. “Well, it got customers to put money in the charity box.” Once the door was firmly closed behind them, he stepped closer and kissed David on the mouth. “Is this where my Christmas officially begins?” he murmured.
David carefully placed his backpack and surprise on the floor, before taking Jason in his arms. “Sounds good to me.” His voice had a husky quality to it.
Inside he was vibrating with anticipation.
The feel of Jason’s firm body against his sent a rush of heat through him, and when Jason fed a soft sigh between his parted lips, David knew they were on the same page.
Maybe we’ve waited long enough.
Then the moment was shattered when a plaintive mewl rose up from the floor.
Jason stiffened. “Er… what was that?”
David released him and stepped back. “That would be your Christmas present.”
Jason’s eyes widened. “You… you bought me a present? But I didn’t—”
David laid his fingers on Jason’s lips. “We can discuss that later. Right now I have someone here who wants to meet you.” Swiftly he removed the red blanket to reveal the pet carrier. He picked it up and handed it to Jason. “Your new roommate.”
Jason stared as a little white paw flexed against the wired cover.
“You… you got me a cat?” His face lit up.
“Oh wow, David, that’s…” He swallowed. “Thank you.” Gingerly he set the carrier down on the hall table and opened one end of it, reaching inside.
“Oh, my God, he—she—whatever—is beautiful!” He straightened, his arms full of a small black and white cat who rubbed its head against his sweater like it knew exactly who its new daddy was.
“It’s a boy,” David told him, unable to tear his gaze away from the look of rapture on Jason’s face. “He’s had all his shots. I got him from an animal shelter. All his brothers and sisters had found homes for Christmas. This little guy was the last one of the litter.”
Jason held up the purring bundle of warm fur and looked it in the face. “Hi, roomie.” His gaze met David’s and he blinked. “He’s perfect.” Jason stared at his surroundings. “Where’s he going to sleep?”
“He can sleep in the carrier until we get time to shop for pet accessories,” David replied practically. “I’ve got some tins of cat food in my bag, so he won’t go hungry.”
Jason snorted. “It’s Christmas. I guarantee that cat will not go hungry in this apartment.
” Carefully he placed the little cat back in its carrier and gazed down at it.
“I do have one question, however. Where is my new roomie going to do his… business? It’s a little late to be out shopping for kitty litter. ”
“Then isn’t it a good thing I thought ahead?” David gave his backpack a shake. “There’s a sack of kitty litter in here, so as long as you have a box or tray to put it in, we’re good to go.”
“Oh, that earns you a kiss.” Jason kissed him loudly on the cheek and then gazed again at the cat. “Do you think he’s hungry?”
David chuckled. “He may not be, but I sure am.” He handed Jason the backpack. “I brought snacks.”
Jason raised his eyebrows. “I see. This is your idea of cooking, huh?”
“We’ve discussed my legendary lack of cooking skills before, right? The cooking comes later—well, the reheating of store bought casserole,” David said with a smile, before stepping closer.
Jason’s pupils enlarged a little. “And what comes first?”
David took his hand and led him into the living room. “Kissing on the couch.”
Jason’s happy sigh told him his plan met with definite approval.
* * * * * *
“Do you want another glass of wine?” Jason called out to David from the kitchen. “I’m just opening a bottle.”
“Yeah, that sounds good,” David called back.
Jason poured out two glasses and put the bottle back into the refrigerator.
The remains of David’s beef stew was already in there in a tight container.
Dinner had been delicious and Jason was looking forward to more cuddling on the couch and maybe a movie.
It had been a blissful afternoon and evening so far.
He’d spent a while with Zero in his lap, stroking and petting his warm, soft fur and being rewarded with purring that sounded like a motorboat engine.
Jason smiled to himself at the memory of David’s expression when he’d announced the name of his new roommate.
“Zero? Okay, why Zero?”
Jason had shrugged and made up a story about always liking the name from The Nightmare Before Christmas, but that wasn’t it at all.
This was the year Zero, the year his life finally clicked into place. And it was all down to David.
Zero was curled up in his carrier and it was time to curl up himself on the couch.
“Oh, I knew there was something I meant to tell you,” he called toward the living room. “Connor came by this morning after you left, and he had news. He’s seen Mike.”
“What? That’s great!” David appeared in the doorway, smiling broadly. “Is he okay?”
Jason nodded. “Apparently they got him into a program in Queens. He has a permanent place to live, and they’re trying to find him a job.” The news had been the perfect start to his day.
David regarded him with a fond glance. “I’m happy for him, but I’m also happy for you too. I know you were concerned about him.”
Jason sighed. “I’m just relieved to know he’s all right.”
David glanced around the kitchen. “Jason, this kitchen is spotless. Now get your ass into the living room.” He grinned. “I have plans.” And with that he turned and walked away, humming to himself.
Plans?
Jason picked up the glasses, walked into the living room—and stopped.
On the rug in front of the fire, David had placed a heap of pillows and cushions, clearly liberated from Jason’s bedroom.
The soft throw that usually covered his bed was spread on top of the rug, higher at one end where David had piled the pillows high.
Candles flickered, casting their light around the room, and in the background Jason heard the familiar strains of carols, playing quietly.
David knelt on the rug, his gaze focused on Jason. He beckoned with his finger. “Come here.”
Jason was not about to refuse.