Home for Christmas

by Sarah Hadley Brook

  Kris just stared out the window.

  “Karen still out with Chase? I thought he was coming to the house.”

  “He is, but they went to his place for a little while.”

  McDonald’s was open. Neither had a big appetite, so they decided to split an order of ten-piece McNuggets and fries.

  Once they’d nearly finished, Joe aimed the car toward the Plaza and turned up the music. Joe ate some more fries while he tried to figure out what to say. Finally, he turned down the radio and jumped in.

  “So, Danny and I talked.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Joe saw Kris stiffen.

  “I want you to know that I didn’t invite him.”

  “Are you guys back together?”

  Joe almost slammed on the brakes, the question surprising him. “Hell no!” He looked at Kris. “I was worried you’d thought I’d invited him. But no. No. No, we are not back together. He actually wanted to start up again, but I knew, with one glance, I never wanted to see him again.”

  Kris faced him. “Really?”

  “He even admitted cheating on me! Well, he claimed it wasn’t ‘cheating’ since we weren’t ‘exclusive.’ Which is wrong, because we were.”

  “What an ass!”

  Joe laughed. “I know, right? What the hell did I ever see in him?”

  Kris took a bite of a nugget.

  “The thing is, when I found out he was getting married—which he didn’t, by the way—it hit me hard. I thought that meant I wasn’t good enough for him. He’d told me he didn’t want a relationship, but he apparently did with someone else. Someone better than me, I thought.”

  Kris shook his head. “He’s the one not good enough for you.”

  Joe smiled. “I was dealing with hurt, but it wasn’t because I wanted him back. It was more that I felt unworthy. So my head got all screwed up.” He glanced at Kris. “But my head is clear now. I know what I want and who I want. But now”—he took a deep, shaky breath—”it’s all up to you. What do you want, Kris?”

  Kris squeezed Joe’s thigh. “You. I just want you. But I didn’t want to be the consolation prize.”

  Joe covered Kris’s hand with his own. “You could never be second to anyone.”

  They neared the Plaza as darkness began to fall. When they drove over a hill, Kris gasped, bringing a smile to Joe’s face. Seeing the Plaza lit up for the first time had to be amazing. He couldn’t even remember when he’d first seen it, because while growing up, visits to the Plaza had been a yearly tradition.

  “It’s beautiful,” Kris whispered.

  Joe agreed wholeheartedly. He couldn’t wait to share this moment with Kris.

  Chapter 10

  By the time they found a parking space, the sun had completely set and the lights shone bright against the dark sky.

  Joe and Kris walked together on the sidewalk as they took in the beauty all around them. Joe grasped Kris’s hand and held his breath. When Kris twined their fingers together and squeezed, Joe exhaled.

  “I’m so glad you brought me here,” Kris whispered.

  Finding fewer sightseers surprised Joe, but he assumed most people were home with their families. They strolled along, hand-in-hand, as they window-shopped and took in the sights.

  When they’d covered nearly the whole area, small snowflakes began to fall. Kris laughed and wiped the snow from Joe’s hair.

  Joe cupped his cheeks and smiled. “You’re gorgeous,” he whispered before brushing his lips against Kris’s.

  As the kiss deepened, Kris whimpered in the back of his throat and the sound shot straight to Joe’s cock. His arms encircled Kris’s waist and he pulled him close as their tongues slid together.

  Snow fell around them and Joe knew they needed to head home, but he didn’t want to let Kris go. When Kris shivered in his arms, though, he pulled back reluctantly.

  “Let’s get out of the snow.”

  Joe took his hand, and they grinned at each other before running along the sidewalk, giggling like kids. By the time they arrived at the car, the snow had started coming down harder and their hair dripped with melting flakes.

  Joe turned on the heat and they leaned into each other as they waited for the car to warm up.

  “You’re so sexy,” Kris whispered, his breath hot against Joe’s ear.

  Joe trembled and kissed Kris’s cheek. “Do you know how hard it’s been for me to be around you and not touch you? And when Gavin flirted with you, it nearly killed me.”

  Kris’s eyes twinkled. “I was hoping it would drive you crazy. It was all part of my evil plan.”

  Joe’s eyebrows rose. “Your evil plan?”

  “To drive you into my arms.” He laughed. “Looks like it worked.”

  Joe laughed with him. He felt so free—so happy.

  For Joe, the drive home felt nothing like the drive to the Plaza. It seemed as if a dam had broken and their insecurities and confusion over their feelings had been swept away. They couldn’t stop talking.

  The closer they got to home, the heavier the snow fell. When the Acura slid as Joe turned a corner, Kris clutched his arm.

  “We’re fine. It’s getting slick, but we’re only about three blocks from the house.”

  Kris let go. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have grabbed your arm.”

  “Kris, you can grab my arm—or any other part of my body—anytime you want,” Joe said, his voice a teasing lilt. Without even looking, Joe knew Kris was blushing, and for some reason, that made him shiver. He wanted to hold the man again.

  “I’m sure my mom will want us to watch another movie. It’s kind of a tradition on Christmas Eve.”

  “Sounds fun.”

  “Well, only if you like musicals. Really old musicals. We either watch White Christmas or Holiday Inn. Actually, we’ve watched both some years.”

  “I haven’t seen either,” Kris admitted.

  The car only slid once more before Joe pulled into the driveway. He pointed to a vehicle parked before the house. “Looks like Chase is here, too.”

  Kris frowned as he climbed out of the Acura.

  “Chase really is a nice guy,” Joe reminded him as they ran to the door.

  Kris shrugged. “Sorry. She just falls easily and I don’t want her to get hurt.”

  They stomped their feet on the porch before entering the house.

  His mom ran into the entryway. “Oh, my God, honey! I was so worried. Why didn’t you answer my calls?”

  Joe slipped his phone out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. “I’m sorry, Mom. I had it on SILENT.”

  She took their jackets and hung them on the coatrack to dry before they followed her into the living room.

  “How are the roads?” Michael asked.

  “It’s just starting to get slick. We slid a couple of times.”

  “That’s it,” his mom announced. “Chase, you’re staying. I am not sending you out in this.”

  Chase sat at the end of the sofa, Karen cuddled up at his side. “I’ll text my dad and see if he’s okay with it.”

  Joe took a seat at the opposite end of the sofa, and to his surprise, Kris sat right next to him. Kris’s lips curved into a smile but he didn’t look at Joe. Their thighs pressed together, and Joe saw his mom glance at Michael, who smiled and shrugged.

  “Would anyone like some hot cocoa?” she asked. “We’re just getting ready to watch White Christmas.”

  Everyone wanted some, so she went into the kitchen. Michael followed, leaving the young people alone.

  “What’s going on over here?” Karen asked, pointing at them.

  Joe draped his arm around Kris’s shoulders and slid closer. Kris smiled at his sister and rested his head on Joe’s shoulder. Joe’s heart raced at the thought that everyone would know they were together. Would his mom and stepdad have an issue with it?

  He didn’t have to wait long. When his mom and Michael returned, she glanced between Joe and Kris as she handed them their cocoa.

  “Anything you
want to share?” she asked, a smile playing on her lips.

  Michael cleared his throat as he handed mugs to Karen and Chase. “Honey…”

  Joe smiled. Good for Michael.

  His mom waved her hand in the air. “Fine. I’m just the mother. Why tell me anything?”

  Joe rolled his eyes and Kris chuckled.

  “Let’s just start the movie,” Michael announced as he sat in the love seat and patted the cushion next to him. Joe’s mom cuddled with him, Michael’s arm around her.

  “They look happy,” Kris murmured. “I’m so glad my uncle met her. He’s always been alone and he’s such a good man.”

  “I’m realizing that. I still feel guilty for being upset about their marriage at first.”

  Kris squeezed his thigh as the opening credits for White Christmas began. “It’s understandable. It’s been just you and her for years.”

  A lump formed in Joe’s throat. His mom had always been there for him, putting him first in everything. He blinked back tears. She deserved this happiness, just as much as Michael.

  “You okay?” Kris whispered.

  Joe only nodded, afraid speaking would trigger his tears.

  Joe had trouble concentrating on the film because Kris’s thigh kept pressing against his, and the heat sent tingles through his body. Their nearness drove him to distraction. When Kris rested his head on Joe’s shoulder, Joe’s heart did a somersault. He tried to breathe evenly, but Kris looked up at him.

  “What’s wrong?” he whispered.

  Joe scanned the room, finding everyone else paying attention to the movie. The expression in Kris’s eyes shot straight to his heart. “I can’t concentrate with you so close. I can’t even believe you feel the same way I do.” His voice hitched, so he took a deep breath. “You’re amazing, Kris.”

  Kris licked his lips. “I’m glad you like being close because I plan on being even closer later tonight.” Kris winked. “I have to give you your Christmas present, Joey.”

  Joey. Wow. Completely different hearing it from Kris’s lips. His cock thickened against his fly. “I take it this present is not something you can give me tomorrow morning in front of everyone?”

  “Definitely not.”

  After that, Joe could barely sit still. His leg kept jiggling against the couch.

  “Hey, man,” Chase said. “You’re shaking us.”

  “Sorry,” he muttered and held down his leg. Unfortunately, Kris tried to help and gripped his thigh, which only shot heat to his dick. “Stop that,” he whispered.

  Kris pulled away his hand, but smiled wickedly. “Did I do something wrong?”

  Lust roared through Joe. “You’re playing a dangerous game, baby.”

  Kris gasped, his cheeks pinking. “You called me ‘baby.’”

  Joe hadn’t realized he’d done that. “You like it?”

  Kris looked away. “Definitely.”

  God, he couldn’t wait to see if Kris’s blush traveled everywhere on his skin. He tightened his arm around Kris’s shoulders and fought the urge to kiss him because he knew he couldn’t stop with just one chaste kiss.

  “Watch the movie, baby,” he whispered.

  Kris settled in and smiled.

  Joe tried to watch Bing Crosby sing his duet with Danny Kaye, but his body wouldn’t stop reacting to the man in his arms. He sensed it would be a long evening.

  Chapter 11

  By the time Joe finally escaped to his room, his cock was throbbing almost painfully. Kris had promised to come see him after everyone had gone to bed, but who knew when that would be? Damn, the way he felt, he’d probably lose his mind the instant Kris touched him.

  He decided a cold shower might help. He grabbed a clean pair of boxers before heading to the bathroom, but changed his mind about the cold shower by the time he closed the bathroom door. He just wanted to get clean and climb into bed to wait for Kris.

  He stripped and turned on the water. He smile as thoughts of Kris filled his mind. He couldn’t believe how this Christmas break had changed his life. Something about Kris just did it for him. They could be incredible together—in and out of bed.

  Joe washed and rinsed and tried to keep from stroking his dick. He wondered what Kris had planned. But Joe want this to be more than a quick fuck. Hell, he wanted to claim him. He wanted to taste and touch every inch of Kris.

  Shit. His dick throbbed again.

  He finished up and dried off before sliding on the boxers, then toweled his hair to keep from dripping. He chuckled. If his mom saw him going to bed with damp hair, she’d have a fit. His mom still saw him as a young boy. But Michael didn’t. Joe appreciated how Michael had stepped in several times so she didn’t baby him too much.

  Regardless, he’d talk to her about Kris when they had time alone, but with everything still so new, he wasn’t ready to share a lot yet.

  Joe strode to his room and checked his phone. Nothing from Kris. Maybe he’d fallen asleep—it had been a pretty emotional day.

  He settled into bed, then turned off his lamp. Apart from the glowing stars on the ceiling, the room went dark. Joe waited for Kris, but after a while, he figured he’d been right, that the man had fallen asleep. Disappointed, he closed his eyes and gave in to his own exhaustion.

  * * * *

  Something rattled, waking Joe. He sat up, and in the glow of the ceiling stars, saw Kris by the door, sliding off his boxers.

  Joe couldn’t breathe as he stared at the lithe and toned body. Pale skin as far as the eye could see. His gaze traveled down Kris’s chest to the light happy trail ending at his cock, hard and jutting out from his groin.

  He cleared his throat. “I thought maybe you had fallen asleep. Do you want to—”

  Kris ran to the bed and slipped under the covers.

  “I take it that’s a ‘yes.’” Joe lay next to him, on their sides, face to face. “I missed you.”

  Kris pressed his hands to Joe’s breastbone, absently running his fingers through the chest hair. “I wanted to come earlier, but Karen kept walking by my door while sneaking downstairs to see Chase.”

  Joe brushed his lips against Kris’s and pulled him closer. “I’m glad you finally got here.”

  “Me, too, but you’re a little overdressed.” Kris tugging at Joe’s waistband.

  Joe wasted no time in wiggling out of them. If Kris wanted him naked, then by God, he would be naked! He pulled Kris into his arms, the sensation of skin-on-skin almost more than he could handle. Kris trembled in his arms.

  “We don’t need to do anything you don’t want to do.”

  Kris’s lips curved into a slow smile. “Are you kidding? This is like a dream. Remember, I’ve had a crush on you for so long.”

  The admission shot straight to Joe’s ego and his chest puffed out. It was hard not to feel sexy when the most beautiful man he’d ever met lay in his arms, wanting him. He licked a slow, hot stripe up Kris’s neck and loved the whimpering coming from his throat.

  He kissed along his jawline until he nipped at his earlobe. Kris moved restlessly, his hands tracing Joe’s back. “I…really like you, Joe.”

  Joe felt Kris’s vulnerability coming through and pulled back to look at him. The wide-eyed and blushing man biting his lower lip was gorgeous. But it was his heart that Joe saw shining through. That was what had pulled Joe to him all those weeks ago and fueled the need to make Kris his.

  “How did I not see you on campus? How could I not have taken one look at you and realized we were supposed to be together?”

  Kris swallowed. “It wasn’t our time yet.” His hot breath glided across Joe’s skin.

  “It is now. And I don’t plan on letting go.”

  Kris kissed him hard. Joe cupped the back of Kris’s head, the taste of him like a drug. The more he nibbled, the more he needed. Desire stormed through him and he rolled Kris onto his back, their tongues sliding together in a heated dance.

  Sensations swirled through Joe and his ability to think slipped away. Other senses
overwhelmed him. The musky and clean smell of Kris’s skin. The feel of his hard cock pressing against Joe’s abdomen.

  He placed hot kisses down Kris’s neck, nipping at the curve, then licking. Nipping again. Joe wanted to taste every inch of him. He swiped a hard nipple with his tongue.

  Kris’s hips flexed and he gasped.

  Sensitive. Joe bit lightly and Kris slid his hands into Joe’s hair. Joe made sure to give the other nipple the same treatment before he kissed his way to the lean, taut belly, following the dusting of hair until the swollen head of Kris’s cock lay before him.

  “So beautiful.” Joe licked the bead of liquid from the crown, and the flavor of Kris exploded on his tongue. Bitter, but sweet, too. Needing more, he wrapped his lips around the head, letting it glide over his tongue.

  “Fuck!”

  Joe took even more of him into his mouth, going all the way down.

  “Shit,” Kris whispered harshly, his hands gripping the sheets. “So fucking good. Wet. Hot.”

  Joe slid him in and out of his mouth. Long, slow slides across his tongue, letting the engorged head hit the back of his throat. He’d happily do this every day of his life if Kris let him. But he wanted more, so he pulled off.

  “You taste incredible.” He crawled on top of Kris, stopping when their cocks touched. He rolled to his side, pulling Kris with him, then wrapped his hand around both cocks and nearly came at the sight of them sliding together.

  “God, Joe,” Kris gasped.

  “You like that, baby?”

  Kris trembled. “Mm-hmm.”

  Joe wanted to be inside of Kris more than anything, but he didn’t want to rush him. And this felt too good to stop. “Want me to keep doing this, baby?”

  Kris pinned Joe with his gaze and moved his body against his. “If you stop, I may scream.”

  Joe twisted his hand over the cockheads and swiped at the liquid with his thumb, using it to lubricate. It became hard to keep them in his grasp, but he refused to stop with the feeling almost indescribable, so amazing. Kris wrapped his hand around them, too, and they stroked together.

  “You’re so sexy,” Kris whispered before moaning and letting his eyes flutter closed. “God, I couldn’t resist you if I tried.”