After turning off his Jeep, Jake grabbed the strap of his school satchel. He opened his door and slid from the vehicle. As Jake closed the door, he slung the bag over his shoulder. Jingling the keys in his right hand, he hurried to the door, a spring in his step.
Not only couldn’t he wait to see Devon—even after almost three years, his love for the amazing man still seemed to be growing—but he loved the holidays. They were planning to trim the Christmas tree that evening. As Jake opened the man-sized garage door that led into the laundry room, he could already hear the carols filling the house.
Jake grinned, enjoying the soothing tones of Elvis Presley singing about being blue for Christmas. Shaking his head, he chuckled under his breath. Learning Devon had a secret infatuation with The King had been a surprise, but since Jake enjoyed most of his music, he didn’t mind.
After toeing off his sneakers, Jake removed his coat, hat, and gloves, hanging them up to dry. He hummed along with the song as he exited the room and entered the kitchen. Setting his bag on the counter, he rummaged through it until he found the plastic container that had held his lunch sandwich. That he opened, rinsed in the sink, then placed into the dishwasher. After rinsing the plastic baggy he’d used for his dill spear, he placed it upside-down in the drain rack to dry.
Jake glanced around, surprised to see that Devon hadn’t appeared, yet. “Devon?” he called, picking up his bag and heading through the dining room and toward the stairs.
He’d just placed his foot on the first step when he heard Devon holler back, “That you, Jake?”
But that wasn’t why Jake had paused. Cocking his head, he stared at the baby gate spread across the open French doors that led to Devon’s home office. Scratching his head, Jake set his satchel on the steps, then headed that way.
Reaching the blocked off room, Jake couldn’t help the way his jaw sagged open in shock. His lover’s desk had been pushed to one side, and all the books that had been on the bottom three shelves had been piled upon it. There were newspapers spread out on the floor as well as a kiddie pool in the corner. Towels curved around the exterior of the plastic, water-filled item, probably to offer extra stability as well as to soak up spilled water.
However, Jake’s gaze remained riveted on the animal placidly eating from a doggie-style bowl full of what appeared to be spinach and lettuce.
“Devon?” Jake shouted, confusion mixing with alarm. “Why is there a goose in your office?”
God, what a weird thing to ask.
Jake heard Devon’s slow, slightly awkward gait as his lover descended the stairs. His man had been in a car accident years before they’d met, and his knee and thigh were heavily scarred. While it limited Devon’s mobility at times, Jake never found the man lacking in any way.
Still, Jake couldn’t seem to pull his attention away from the goose. When he’d hollered, the animal’s head had jerked up. It began honking and heading toward Jake, so he backed up a few steps.
He didn’t know how long a goose’s reach was, or if it was strong enough to get through the gate. Hell, for all Jake knew it could fly over the barrier. After all, it was a bird.
“Hi, hon,” Devon greeted, wrapping his arms around Jake from behind. He dipped his head and nuzzled Jake’s neck with his soft goatee hair. “Welcome home.”
Jake tipped his head to the side, giving Devon more room. Resting his hands over his dark-skinned lover’s strong forearms, he hummed appreciatively. As much as he loved the feel of Devon’s facial hair teasing along his neck, even that couldn’t distract Jake.
“Hi, Devon. Thanks.” Then Jake returned to his original inquiry. “Why is there a goose in your office?”
Devon chuckled, the sound deep and husky in a way that caused Jake’s balls to tingle and his blood to flow south.
Damn, my man does it for me.
“Well, I want to cook a nice goose dinner for you, your fathers, and my family, but I couldn’t find it at any of the local stores,” Devon told him, his voice low, almost wary as he whispered the words into Jake’s ear. “When I looked online, all the reputable sites were already sold out or wouldn’t get it here by the twenty-third.”
“So... you bought a live one from somewhere?” Jake knew he sounded incredulous, but he couldn’t help it.
Devon rubbed his hands up and down Jake’s stomach. “Yeah. I found a place an hour north that had a couple left and drove up there after work.” Teasing his lips along the sensitive bit of flesh beneath Jake’s ear, he crooned, “We only have to keep it in here for a couple of days. I’d originally planned to keep it outside, but then the snowstorm rolled in.” Hugging Jake tight to his chest, Devon purred, “Please don’t be mad, baby.”
Jake groaned as he sagged in Devon’s embrace. As odd as finding a goose in Devon’s office was, he couldn’t gather any ire. His amazing man was just too sweet for words, trying to plan something special.
“Not upset,” Jake assured as he turned in Devon’s hold. He lifted his arms and wound them around his lover’s neck. Rocking his hips, Jake offered stimulus to his quickly hardening dick. Meeting Devon’s concern-filled, deep-brown eyes, Jake smiled at his man. “Just a little unexpected.”
Devon’s expression betrayed his relief. “Thanks, Jake.”
Without waiting for another word, Devon tightened his arms, dipped his head, and sealed his lips over Jake’s.
About the Author
Charlie started writing fantasy when she was eight, and after stumbling onto her first erotic romance at age nineteen, she realized her true calling. She now focuses on writing gay erotic romance, normally of the paranormal variety, with heroes of all kinds. With the help and support of her husband, Charlie finally fulfilled one of her life-long goals... move to acreage with her horses. You can often find her curled up with her laptop and a cup of tea or glass of wine, creating her next adventure. Charlie enjoys exploring the mountains of her new Oregon home on horseback, 4-wheeler, or motorcycle.
She can be reached at [email protected]
Or visit her at www.charlie-richards.com
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
You may also enjoy the following from eXtasy Books Inc:
About the Author
The Drum Major’s Passion Page 8
