A Bookworm for Christmas (Gay Romance)

by Trina Solet

  Miles looked into his eyes as he stood up. "I know."

  "I guess it was meant to be," Gavin said and beamed at Miles. "OK. We can go now."

  "We aren't going anywhere fancy, are we?" Miles asked a little apprehensively as they stepped out the door and Gavin locked up.

  "I wouldn't do that to you," Gavin said. When they got into the elevator, he took Miles' hand in his.

  Chapter 12

  The restaurant Gavin chose for their first date was a place he had never been to – Lou's Tavern and Grill.

  "This place," Miles said as they pulled up in front. He laughed and clapped his hands. "I'm going to bet that you never took anyone here before."

  "You would be right." Gavin had passed by many times and Benji was a big fan of the main feature of Lou's, from the outside anyway. Two halves of a classic, red Mustang were sticking out on either side of the building. The wall around them was made to look like the car had crashed through and somehow come out the other end.

  "The physics of it makes no sense, but I don't suppose it bothers you," Gavin said as they got out of the car.

  "Not even a little bit," Miles said with a grin. "I always wanted to come here. And you know I'm half expecting to find the other half of both of those cars inside. It could be like a really cool booth."

  There were no cars inside the restaurant, but there were plenty of them in the vintage advertisements and movie posters plastered to the walls. The posters weren't framed and carefully arranged but stuck to the walls every which way, all crowded together and overlapping here and there. That was in keeping with the lively, casual atmosphere of the place.

  "We have to bring Benji here," Miles said and Gavin looked over at him. It warmed his heart the way Miles thought of his son, considered what he might like without any apparent effort. It came naturally to him.

  "I don't think he'll forgive us if we don't," Gavin told him.

  Once they were seated, Miles looked at the menu eagerly. "They have lots of things on skewers. You have brought me to the right place."

  Miles ordered pork and vegetable skewers and Gavin ordered shrimp and vegetable tempura, fully expecting Miles to steal them off his plate. Once the food arrived, Miles stopped eating long enough to ask, "We aren't just supposed to eat, right? We need to do small talk, chit chat, ask each other what we do for a living, that kind of thing?"

  "You already know what I do. You could ask me why I wanted to own a bookstore if you want," Gavin suggested. It was a standard question he got to answer on dates.

  "Is it because you like books?" Miles deadpanned.

  "So you figured out my secret."

  "OK, I'll bite. So what made you actually take the plunge into the book business?" Miles asked, playing along, but also waiting for Gavin to answer like he was really interested.

  "First off, the money was there. My grandfather had left me money in a trust, it paid for my college, but I didn't get the rest of the money until I turned twenty-five. A few weeks after my twenty-fifth birthday, the Bookworm was put up for sale. I would pass by, go in, tempted but unsure. At the time, I had a corporate job and a corporate boyfriend. Neither one made me happy. After Quinn and I broke up, I decided I should at least have a job that made me happy and arranged to buy the bookstore. That's my story."

  "That's interesting, but I'm fixated on this Quinn character," Miles told him with a sharp look in his eyes.

  Gavin chuckled. "I told you, corporate – suit, tie, impeccably groomed and nice enough to be with."

  "Ouch. Deadly. I hope you never describe me like that," Miles said as he reached over to grab a shrimp from Gavin's plate and dip it in the hot mustard sauce.

  "Impeccably groomed?" Gavin teased him.

  "Yeah. Not likely. I mean nice enough."

  "I already have a tag reserved for you – Spectacular in bed," Gavin whispered as he leaned forward so Miles could hear but no one else would.

  Miles blushed and had trouble swallowing. "I guess I have something to live up to," he gulped and stared at Gavin wide-eyed.

  Gavin laughed and squeezed his hand. It wasn't often that he got the better of him, much less so easily.

  When they were done with dinner, Gavin took them on a drive to Blue Spruce Lake. He parked in front of the very impressive Arcadia Hotel. Miles whistled as they got out of the car and he had a look at its huge balconies and beautiful holiday lighting display.

  Though he seemed to like what he saw, he turned to Gavin worriedly. "Are we going in there?"

  "We can if you want," Gavin offered. "But I thought we could walk around the lake. They have lighted paths and the view of the hotel from the other side of the lake is beautiful."

  Gavin had guessed that would be more to Miles' liking that knocking around in a ritzy hotel. They both looked toward the calm water of the lake where the lights of the hotel were reflected on one side and the dark forest on the other. The lake was fairly small and only rowboats and small motorboats could be seen bobbing against the hotel dock. They headed away from the hotel, stepping onto the wooden planks that made up the paths around the lake.

  It was a tranquil walk with many opportunities to duck into deep shadows of trees and kiss and fondle each other. The pine scent was all around. The music from a party at the hotel carried faintly over the water, while closer to them, the waves of the lake splashed softly. With Miles in his arms, Gavin had never been happier.

  "You managed a perfect date," Miles praised him.

  "It's not over yet."

  "Damn right. I'll never let it be over. That's why it's perfect," Miles told him and kissed him passionately.

  Before driving back, they went to the hotel bar for drinks. Miles was a little intimidated by the elegant surroundings and also the guests from the party were constantly dropping in, all dressed to the nines. But then Miles had to get something non-alcoholic to drink and that put him at ease. Gavin asked him about that.

  "It reminds me of high school, going to 7-Eleven and paying a guy to buy me a case of beer so I could go to a party in someone's basement and look cool," he explained with a grin as they sat at one of the small, intimate tables. "The cooler full of ice and beer cans was set up on the washer or the dryer, as were the chips, still in the bags so they were always spilling. Christmas decorations were packed away and piled up in one corner of the basement. Two dismantled cribs, a playpen and a twin stroller were in the other corner. The five-year-old twins were sitting at the top of the stairs in their pajamas and spying on us. Their brother would yell at them to go to bed, but they would just sneak back. Now that was a party."

  Gavin couldn't help but laugh at that. "Sounds like a blast. And it isn't that far from what it will be like to date me," he predicted.

  "Then I'm your guy," Miles said and reached for Gavin's hand where it rested on the table. Gavin held his hand, but what was happening under the table wasn't quite so sweet. Miles' other hand was busy inching up Gavin's thigh, making him gulp before he stopped him.

  "We better go before we end up checking in," Gavin said and stood up hurriedly.

  On the drive back, there was more of the same from Miles. His restless hands were a serious challenge to Gavin's concentration, but he didn't tell him to stop even as he risked driving into the bushes. He wanted those strong fingers squeezing his thigh, soft lips in the crook of his neck, teeth at his earlobe, a lick along his clenched jaw, and whispered promises in his ear.

  "Is this the part of the date where we go back to your place?" Miles asked as his fingers traced a path from his knee to his crotch.

  "If we make it that far," Gavin said in a husky voice.

  "I guess I did a number on you," Miles said smugly then leaned in to nibble on Gavin's ear.

  "Yes. The constant groping has had a slight effect," Gavin said sarcastically.

  Chapter 13

  Miles had never been on a formal date, just casual hanging out that never led to anything real. Now that he had a taste of dating, he saw what he was missing. He l
oved the feeling that Gavin had set aside this time just for him, devoted himself only to him for the evening.

  It was a good feeling that focused Miles' attention on a man who was already an obsession. In a way it was too much for Miles to take. It overwhelmed him. So much time alone with him had Miles all revved up, dying for him.

  Though Miles was nervous about what was going to happen next, he still couldn't keep his hands off Gavin. He wanted to dig under his clothes, strip him naked and devour him. Gavin was beautiful and tonight he was all his.

  They made it up to Gavin's apartment breathless, stumbling inside, kissing. Their tongues glided over each other until both he and Gavin were breathless and beyond aroused, and they had barely gotten through the door. That's why they didn't get any further than the couch.

  Still kissing, they fell into it. There was an urgency to the way they grappled with each other's jackets then threw them aside with impatience before attacking each other again. Gavin got on top and Miles hooked his legs around him.

  Miles didn't know when or how, but somehow while he was manhandled Gavin, he had managed to get all the buttons of his shirt undone. To make some room between them, Miles pushed him off a little. Grabbing the collar of Gavin's unbuttoned shirt, he yanked it off his shoulders and down his arms while his eyes roamed Gavin's perfect chest.

  As soon as Gavin was out of it, Miles dropped the shirt to the floor unceremoniously. He wanted his hands free so he could grope him. His hands spread over Gavin's pecs, teased his nipples, raked over the muscles of his arms. Then his hands moved down to undo his fly.

  He had Gavin's erection cupped in his hand even before he freed it. It was hard and thick in his hand. God he wanted it, even more so once it stood revealed. Miles was mesmerized. He almost forgot to get Gavin's pants all the way off. But he got to that soon enough and Gavin was kneeling naked in front of him. Miles had to touch him as urgently as if his life depended on it.

  Running his hand over his thighs then back over his ass, Miles was admiring him, wanting him. The play of Gavin's muscles under his skin was a riveting sight, the heat under his exploring fingers burning him. Gavin's skin hot under his lips, Miles kissed him then bit him lightly like he was truly driven not just to taste him but to devour him, consume everything that made him wonderful.

  Suddenly Gavin stopped him. Miles looked at him questioningly but when Gavin started pulling off his clothes, he understood. It was only fair and incredibly arousing to be stripped bare by rough, demanding hands while Gavin's mouth was at his throat kissing a path down to his chest.

  Now naked as well, Miles pressed himself against him with no space between them, skin on skin. Their mouths met and Miles kissed Gavin hard, digging his fingers through his dark hair to deepen the kiss until he drowned in this man. Gavin's hand wrapping around Miles' hard cock gently at first then harder making Miles thrust into it as he kissed and groped Gavin mercilessly.

  They were grinding and groping each other as they kissed until Gavin's couch couldn't hold them any more. Rolling off the couch to the floor with grunts and curses, they ended up with Miles on top and Gavin panting under him. Miles sat up straddling his thighs and looked down at Gavin with naked admiration.

  Miles couldn't wait any more. The sight of Gavin, his hard cock, his beautiful body, it was too much. "Fuck me already," he demanded.

  "Alright," Gavin said, his voice thick. He pointed to a drawer and Miles got condoms and lube and set them on the coffee table, all without breaking eye contact with Gavin.

  As the reality of the situation hit him, Miles gulped, but this was no time to get scared. He wanted this. He wanted Gavin more than anything. If he backed out now, he would never forgive himself.

  Miles pretended that his legs didn't go weak, that his heartbeat didn't speed up out of control and that he didn't have to force himself to take each breath. He didn't want Gavin to know that he had never done this before.

  Gavin's long, muscular legs under his groping hands, Miles moved up until he was straddling him higher. Rising to grab the bottle of lube, Gavin looked into Miles' eyes and reached behind him. Miles felt him press a finger to his hole. The sensation had him reeling. Miles dropped forward, boneless for a second then tensing as Gavin's lubed finger pushed in.

  "First time," he whispered against Gavin's chest as he felt a second finger join the first and penetrate him even deeper. Gavin stopped. For a while all Miles heard was the sound of their ragged breaths as he squeezed his eyes shut. "You better not change your mind," he warned Gavin in a gravelly voice. Miles was ready to get seriously pissed off if Gavin backed out now. He opened his eyes and raised his head so he could glare at Gavin, only to find him glaring right back at him.

  "You should have told me," Gavin said.

  "Don't care. Get on with it," Miles told him, acting defiant but really scared that he might stop.

  As if in answer, Gavin pressed in deeper. With his other hand, he raised Miles' face to him and kissed him hungrily. Fumbling with the condom, Miles couldn't believe how long he had waited and longed to have Gavin inside him. Gavin grabbed hold of his shaking hands and took the condom from him to roll it on himself.

  "I might be a little nervous," Miles admitted.

  "Me too," Gavin said but Miles saw no sign of it.

  Guided by Gavin's strong hands on his hips, Miles moved into position. He lowered his weight slowly, teasing himself with the feel of Gavin's hard cock at his entrance. Then he pushed down and gasped as Gavin's cock threatened to split him open.

  "Slow down," Gavin ordered him.

  "You are not the boss of me," Miles grunted but he did as he was told.

  Letting his body sheath Gavin's cock one excruciating inch at a time, he moaned and threw his head back. The feeling was incredible, full and painful and wonderful. He couldn't stop until Gavin was all the way inside him. Then he had to drop his head forward to look at him and tell him, "You feel amazing."

  Gavin shook his head as his chest rose and felt with heaving breaths. "No. You do." He pushed his hands up Miles' abs to his chest and then down over his thighs.

  Miles started moving again. Each time he rose, he felt like he was being pulled inside out, and in the next second he would ache to have Gavin deep inside him again. Lifting himself up then impaling himself on Gavin's cock again and again set off a quiver in his muscles as his whole body burned for release.

  Miles was now bringing his body down hard, driven by an insane need to come and even more to make Gavin come. Gavin called his name and cursed. Thrusting up into him while Miles drove himself down to meet him with equal force, Gavin threatened to push him right over the edge.

  His moans rose louder, longer as pleasure consumed him, but he wanted to come with Gavin. That's why Miles rode him harder and faster until he had him coming. Gavin surged up into him, his whole body tight and unyielding as he came with a growl. Hit by a tidal wave of pleasure, Miles was coming too, calling Gavin's name until he slumped down spent, caught in Gavin's strong arms as they both breathed hard.

  Barely conscious as he rested on Gavin's heaving chest, Miles raised his head with effort. He had to look into Gavin's beautiful blue eyes, and then he had to kiss him. Aftershocks of pleasure slowly subsiding, he still clung to Gavin like he was his only lifeline.

  Lazy movements under him brought him out of his freefall into slumber. With a jolt of regret, Miles remembered that he couldn't stay. Even so, this night was everything he had ever dreamed of.

  Miles turned, to nestle his face in the crook of Gavin's neck. When he saw him reach for his phone on the coffee table, he got it for him and handed it over.

  "Almost time to go get Benji?"

  "Yeah," Gavin confirmed and then texted with his friend.

  "They are still at the mall. I'm going to meet them there. Would you like to come with me so you can meet Bruce?" Gavin eyed him like he already knew the answer.

  "Yes, I would."

  "Good. Benji would be disappointed if he didn't
get to see you. He thinks it's selfish of me to keep you all to myself since you were buddies with him first," Gavin said and smiled.

  "So father and son are both jealous," Miles accused him.

  "And why are you dying to meet Bruce exactly?" Gavin accused him right back.

  "All three of us then."

  Remembering Darren and what prompted Gavin to ask him out on a date, Miles shook his head. Gavin had no reason to be jealous of anyone in the world. Even when he was only a dream to Miles, his focus stayed firmly on Gavin. He wasn't Miles' goal. He never thought he would have him. He was just a sweet dream he didn't want to relinquish because even as his yearning for Gavin seemed hopeless and impossible, it sustained him. Through the most difficult time in his life, Gavin had been there as his pillar of support even if he didn't know it.

  It was close to closing time at the mall, but the place still looked festive, all lit up for the holidays. Bruce's text messages led the two of them to a shoe store. Bruce was somewhere in a line of about half a dozen people while Benji and another little boy were waiting nearby. The other boy was a little older and taller than Benji, with a head of curly hair and big eyes. Miles could guess that he was Bruce's kid even before Benji introduced him and Miles eagerly.

  "That's Miles," Benji said as the kids ran over to him and Gavin. "This is my friend Marvin."

  "Marvin. Marv for short, right?" Miles said as he shook hands with the little boy.

  "Marv?" Benji said and looked at his friend questioningly.

  "At school, some kids call me Marv," Marvin said.

  "Me too! I want to call you Marv," Benji said and Marvin said it was OK. "Marv's dad has a store too, but it's not for books. It's for furniture. Sometimes we play in the store."

  "Do you get to jump on the beds?" Miles asked.

  "Not allowed," Benji said as they both shook their heads and looked mournful about it.

  "Too bad," Miles told them.

  "Yeah, we have a strict 'You break it. You bought it' policy," a very hunky guy said as he came over to join them.