Chapter Fifteen
“I’m gonna step outside for some air, Dad.” Robin made sure his phone was in his jeans pocket.
“Sure, because it’s so hot in here, right?” Dad’s eyes were bright with amusement. “Don’t be too long. I’m expecting a new delivery of timber, and I want you to check it over before we sign for it. After all, that’s what you’ll have to do when it’s your business.”
Robin nodded. “Sure.” He loved how his dad was giving him more responsibility. What he hated was that right then it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep his mind on the job.
His head was full of Dean.
Of course, it had been that way since Sunday.
So many memories filled his thoughts, each one better than the previous: decorating the tree; putting up the lights; wrestling a large inflatable Santa onto Dean’s front lawn; and squeezing him into the bright red sleigh with two inflatable reindeer lined up in front of it.
And then there were the more intimate memories.
Robin kept playing that first encounter on a loop inside his head, recalling the feeling of Dean’s cock inside him, the awed way Dean had looked at him as Robin rode him, and the groans that had fallen from Dean’s lips as Robin worshipped Dean’s gorgeous dick with his mouth.
Robin was amazed he’d gotten any work done the last two days.
He stepped out into the cold and shivered, pulling his coat around him. He walked toward the pond at the back of the boatyard, got his phone from his pocket, and sent a text to Dean.
It’s lunchtime, right?
Seconds later, the phone rang. “Yeah, that much hasn’t changed since you were here. You taking a break?”
Robin pulled his coat even tighter. “Would it be really corny of me if I said I wanted to hear your voice?”
Dean’s voice was warm. “Not corny at all. Actually, I was going to call you tonight.”
Robin grinned. “One of those calls?”
A snort filled his ears. “Get your mind out of the gutter, dirty boy. I was wondering if you’d like to help me make cookies this weekend.”
Okay, he hadn’t expected that. “Really?”
“Hey, this is a big deal. I was going to make Christmas cookies for the teachers this Saturday. There’s a competition—well, not really a competition. Every year we make cookies for each other, but what it boils down to is whose cookies are the most popular.”
“And you thought I might be your secret weapon? How do you know if I’m any good at baking?”
“Oh, I’ll bake them,” Dean assured him. “Where you come in, is helping me decide how to decorate them. I thought that might be right up your street.”
That sounded like it could be a lot of fun. “I might be up for that.”
“I also had another idea.”
Robin glanced toward the boatyard, making sure his dad was nowhere in sight. “Does it involve smearing cookie dough on my nipples and my dick, and you licking it off?” he whispered.
There was a pause. “You are a wicked man. I’m sitting here in my classroom with a hard-on. And that is plain wrong.”
Robin burst out laughing. “What was your idea?”
“Saturday morning, would you like to go skiing?” Another pause. “I thought it would be good for the pair of us to hit the slopes again. It wouldn’t be like the last time.”
Robin considered the idea. There would be no subterfuge, no playacting, simply the two of them pitting themselves against the slopes, pushing each other, and enjoying the hell out of it. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”
“Excellent. So, a morning of skiing and an afternoon baking cookies. Sounds like a perfect day.”
Robin chuckled. “No, for it to be perfect, there’d have to be some naked time in there as well.” When Dean fell silent, he added, “Hey, you said I was to voice my needs, right? Well, this is me voicing them.”
“Did you forget the part where I said I’m in my classroom? I’m ending this call now.” He paused. “I’ll call you tonight, okay?”
“Okay.” It was time to go indoors anyway. Robin’s nuts were about to freeze. “Later.”
“I look forward to that.” In the background, a bell rang.
Robin grinned. “I’d stay behind your desk if I were you, when your students walk in.”
“You are evil personified.” Dean disconnected the call.
Robin was still chuckling to himself when he got back inside. He walked through the empty office and into the area where he worked on the boats. Dad was looking closely at the gunwale he’d been working on that morning.
“Hey. Is anything wrong?”
Dad glanced across at him. “I was only checking it.”
Robin stared at him. “You haven’t done that for a while.” Unease trickled through him.
“Yeah, well, up till now I haven’t needed to.” Dad straightened. “I don’t know where your head is right now, but I don’t think it’s on your work.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that gunwale,” Robin remonstrated.
“Apart from the fact that it’s taken you longer than usual to make it,” Dad fired back at him. He gazed intently Robin. “Is there something you want to talk about?”
Not with you. “Not really.” His stomach clenched.
Dad pushed out a heavy sigh. “You don’t think your old man can relate, is that it?”
“Excuse me?”
“I remember being your age, you know. It feels like your hormones won’t quit.”
Robin did not want to be having this conversation. “Dad…”
His dad waved a hand. “It’s okay, I get it. I wouldn’t have wanted to talk with my dad either about… you know. And it doesn’t matter that you’re gay. The process is still the same, right?”
“Process?” Robin felt like he wanted to throw up. Please tell me he’s not talking about sex. That would really have been a first.
“Being interested in someone, being attracted, those first steps…”
Robin was almost giddy with relief. “Oh. Yeah. Right.” If only you knew, Dad.
“I just want you to know… If you do need to talk, I’m here for you.”
Robin forced a smile. “Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.” Not that he had any intention of discussing anything to do with Dean with his dad.
“Then I’ll let you get back to work. I’ll give you a shout when the timber delivery gets here.” Dad disappeared into the office.
Robin pulled his phone from his pocket, until he remembered Dean had a class. There was no way he was going to make it to Saturday without seeing Dean. He composed a text.
Can I come over tonight?
He didn’t expect a reply. He’d have to wait until school was out for that.
Robin suspected his day was going to crawl by.
Robin had a feeling he’d broken his personal best for the fastest shower ever, except he’d taken longer than usual to make sure certain parts were really clean. Not that he was visiting Dean with the express purpose of sex, but hey, being prepared was never a bad thing, right?
Mom arched her eyebrows when he appeared at the dinner table. “Someone looks smart. Going someplace?”
Robin glanced at his black jeans and cream sweater.
He hadn’t thought he’d gone to all that much trouble.
“Yeah, I thought I’d go out for a while.
” He overrode the temptation to tell her he was going to Ben’s.
Robin had a feeling no good would come of repeating the lie too often, and he couldn’t account for it.
His mom wouldn’t know who Ben was even if he rode his bike over her foot.
Mom nodded, and Robin held his breath, waiting for the inevitable question.
When it didn’t come, he heaved an internal sigh of relief, and proceeded to eat his chicken and dumplings.
Dad had the TV on and was watching the news while he ate, despite Mom muttering about setting a bad example.
Robin was happy not to be the focus of attention.
The meal over, he cleared away the dishes and loaded them into the dishwasher without being asked.
Then he kissed his mom’s cheek, grabbed his boots and coat, and got out of the house as fast as he could.
He pedaled through the snowy streets, taking extra care where he knew there were potholes.
The last thing he wanted was to come off his bike and break something.
Dean’s decorations looked wonderful. Blue icicle lights hung above the second-floor windows, and Santa’s sleigh was now festooned with strings of colorful lights. The sight filled him with joy, and he gazed at Santa’s rosy cheeks and twinkling eyes.
You did good, Santa.
Dean had to be the best Christmas present.
Robin leaned his bike against the house, and then rang the doorbell. Seconds later, Dean opened the door, and Robin fought hard not to stare.
“Wow. You look good.” Dean wore a dark blue suit, with a white shirt and deep red tie. “I don’t ever remember seeing you dressed like this in school.” Robin’s drool would have decorated the hallway.
Dean laughed. “As if. I had a meeting. I’ve only just walked in myself. Have you eaten?” He stood aside for Robin to enter.
“Yes, thank you.” Robin took off his boots, and before he’d had chance to hang up his coat, Loki was there, charging at him like a little furry cannonball. “Hey, trouble!” Robin picked him up and stroked him, while Loki batted at his neck. “Claws in, kitty!”
“I think he missed you. And yes, those claws may be tiny but they’re sharp. You should see my calves.” Dean looked him up and down. “Black and cream is a good combo for you.” He headed for the kitchen. “You don’t mind if I eat, do you? I’m starving. Plus, I need to grab a shower.”
Robin had a brainwave. “Hey. Go take your shower. I’ll make you some dinner.”
Dean paused at the kitchen door, his eyebrows quirked. “You’re going to cook for me?”
Robin chuckled. “No, but I can heat up the mac and cheese I know you’ve got in the freezer.”
“That sounds perfect.” Dean walked over to him. “I think we’ve forgotten something,” he said with a smile.
Robin knew what was coming and hastily put Loki down. His pulse quickened as Dean cupped his cheek and kissed him softly on the lips.
Dean could’ve kissed Robin all day long and Robin would’ve never tired of it.
The intimate moment was ruined when Dean’s stomach gave a loud gurgle, and Dean flushed. Robin laughed. “Go shower. By the time you’re dry, I’ll have food waiting for you.”