by Megan Slayer
“Surprise.” Colt laughed and stood. Wyatt darted past Ashley and hugged him. Colt winked. “Ash?”
No freaking way. No wonder he hadn’t been able to get a hold of Colt. He bit back a grin. What a way to get ready for Christmas.
Colt tipped his head and watched Ashley. He’d gambled a lot on this surprise and the other ones he had planned. “Ash?” He’d pissed off his boyfriend and possibly caused a rift in their relationship. Damn it.
Tyus swatted Wyatt on the arm. “Come over to the front. Dad said we can ride the horses later.”
Colt settled on the bench and patted the plank of wood beside him. “Afraid I’ll bite?”
“I know you won’t.” Ashley crossed the wagon and sat next to Colt. “I didn’t think you’d be here. You were working late.”
He shrugged and draped his arm around Ashley. He kissed Ashley’s temple. “I wanted to surprise you.” He held his lover tightly. “I should’ve told you, but Wyatt and I have been working on this for a week now. I gave him the money this morning and told him to get it out before you left. He didn’t have it at school or anything. I know I pissed you off, but we couldn’t tell the truth or we’d have spoiled the surprise.”
“You had me worried.” Ashley leaned into him. “I’m definitely surprised.”
“I’m glad, even though you looked like you were going to kick my ass.” He laughed and relaxed. The first surprise had gone well. “Your Christmas cheer has been at an all-time low.”
“I’m stressed at school, and you’re never around,” Ashley said.
Snow fell around them as the wagon lurched forward. Colt had expected Ashley to mention his absence. His heart ached, but after losing a cook and two waitresses, he’d had to stay late to make up for the holes in his staff. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ve got you right now. We’ll make it work.” Ashley patted Colt’s thigh. “Are we really getting two trees? And where is your car?”
“I parked by the house,” Colt said. “I worked it out with the Sturgills. The only way I could be here without you seeing me was to park up there. They were cool, and when I mentioned I was buying two trees and a half-dozen wreaths, they were extra cool about it.”
“Where are we putting all those wreaths?” Ashley stared at him. “Colt?”
“I wanted two for the house and four for the diner.” He laughed again. “I know you’re going to be mad, but you’re so cute when you’re angry with me.”
“I’m not angry, just overwhelmed.” Ashley sighed. “Do you know what you’re looking for?”
“I told Wyatt to keep an eye out for what we need at the house since he’s sitting up front with Tyus.” Colt squeezed Ashley. He’d planned so much for this week and wanted everything to go well, but the law of averages wasn’t on his side. “I had another server, the third, quit today.”
“What for?”
“She wasn’t getting the hours she wanted when she wanted and quit to work at the truck stop.” Colt focused on the ride. “I’ve got a couple of applicants, so I’m hoping I can fill the slot after Christmas.”
“You’re going to wait that long?” Ashley tensed. “Should I come help? I can have Mom keep Wyatt at the house.”
“We’ll figure something out, but you don’t have to.” If Ashley showed up, that would help his plan out a bit. “What about tomorrow?”
“When?” Ashley asked. “What time?”
“Six to close.” He measured his breaths. The first step in his next surprise was in place. Good.
“I’ll call Mom when we get home,” Ashley said. “I’m sure she’ll help.”
“Later.” He focused on the ambience of the moment. The snow glistened in the waning sunlight. “I love the bells. We need bells.”
“Huh?”
“Bells for the wreaths.” He had no idea what he wanted to add, but he couldn’t stop talking. God. He’d never been this nervous. “I talked to Matt today.” Oh…he had to shut up. Matt wasn’t a bad topic, but why couldn’t he enjoy the moment?
“How is he?” Ashley patted Colt’s thigh. “Still doing well?”
“He is. Aiden asked him to marry him. Did it at the hospital in the ER. Said that’s where they’d gotten close and that’s where he had to ask. I’m glad. They’re good for each other.” Would Ashley think he and Colt were good for each other? Enough to maybe get married?
“Good for them.” Ashley lurched forward as the wagon stopped. “Looks like we’re supposed to hunt here.”
“Yeah.” He followed Ashley off the wagon and waited for Wyatt to finish talking to Tyus. Colt grabbed a saw. “As for Matt’s sobriety, it isn’t in question. Aiden’s making sure there isn’t temptation.” He wanted Ashley to ask him about the engagement, but Ashley wasn’t big on marriage. Once he and Colt were together, Ashley had told him that was enough. “You’re not jealous that they’re engaged and we’re not?” Oh, boy, was he leading.
“No. I’m good with the way things are.” Ashley stepped away from the path and waved as the wagon started forward. “I’m proud of Matt and glad he and Aiden are making it permanent.” He chased after Wyatt. “Wait.”
Well…shit. Ashley didn’t seem to care. What the hell? He groaned. He’d thought maybe Ashley would at least say he wanted to get married, too. Maybe get angry or blush… Something. Christ, he wanted to get a rise out of Ashley so the man would show some emotion and finally tell Colt what was on his mind.
As the wagon continued away, Tyus ran to the back of the flatbed portion. “You got the tags? Bring the ones you cut to the edge of the path, tag them and we’ll be back in fifteen minutes.” He gave Colt the thumbs-up as the wagon departed.
“Thanks!” Don’t give away my plan, kid. He tucked the saw under his arm. Now they had to find a tree…no, two trees. Him and his big mouth…
“Colt.” Wyatt danced around a tree that wasn’t much better than his height. “We need this one at the diner. It’s great.”
Colt trudged through the thin layer of snow and deeper one of mud. For the first time since he’d formulated this idea, he wished he’d worn boots. He made his way over to the tree. “What do you think, Ash?”
“I like it.” Ashley stuffed his hands into his pockets. “It’ll be good at the diner, like Wyatt said. Not too big, but visible.”
“Great.” Shit. They had to cut the thing down. Give him a huge dinner order and he was fine. Hacking a tree down? Not so much. Okay…he could do this. He knelt in the muck and pushed the branches out of the way. Colt started cutting and, within minutes, the tree toppled over.
Wyatt tugged on the tree. “We need to move it out there.”
“And someone should watch it.” Ashley glanced around. “I guess there isn’t really anyone out here, but still. I can wait.”
“It’ll be fine.” Wyatt stomped in the snow. “We put it by the road like they said and tag it. Then we pick the other one.”
“I’ve got the tags.” Colt wrapped the strip of plastic around the trunk of the tree, then dragged the tree to the path. He stood upright and wiped his hands on his pantlegs. “Next!” Colt stretched his back. Ashley had better find the other tree. He’d come through and marked the one he thought they’d want. “What do you guys think? Is there another one around here?”
“This one.” Ashley folded his arms. “I like another one a little better, but it’s a display model. I feel bad for wanting it. I’d rather take the one that’s available for sale. It’s pretty, too, and symmetrical. I don’t know, but I like it just as much.” He strolled around Colt’s tree. “This decorated one is nice too. It’s festive.”
“Oh?” Festive? Ashley was supposed to pick it. Colt had come out earlier and decorated the damn thing with ribbon, red glass ornament balls and candy canes just to entice Ashley into liking the tree.
“I want this one.” Wyatt yanked on the branch. He knocked one of the bows off the tree. “Sorry. I broke it.” He handed Ashley the bow. “Dad?”
Ashley sighed. “Wyatt. Don’t
grab stuff.”
“I wasn’t trying to mess it up.” Wyatt shrugged. “Look, there’s a note.”
“Oh?” Colt asked. Did he sound too over-the-top? “What’s it say?”
Ashley frowned. “It’s not for us.”
“Yeah, it is, Dad.” Wyatt fluttered the piece of paper and bow. “See? Ash. Who else around here is named Ash? Colt calls you that.”
Thanks, Wyatt. He fought the urge to roll his eyes. So much for a surprise.
“Col?” Ashley unfolded the note. “What’s this?” he asked. “The note here says, ‘It’s been a rough time lately. In the next four days, look for four more surprises to show you how much I love you. This tree symbolizes our putting down roots and branching out.’” He met Colt’s gaze. “You picked this tree for us?”
“Yeah.” He grinned. “It’s the first gift.”
Wyatt groaned and made a gaggy face. “Love. Yuck.”
Colton nabbed Wyatt as he strolled past and hugged him. “You’ll understand soon enough.”
Ashley petted the tree. His eyes shimmered. “I love it. I love the one I picked too. Is that bad? It’s bad.”
“Nah. Just help me cut them both down.” Colt knelt in the muck and sawed his tree down. “Hold the trunk.”
“Where are we going to put another tree?” Ashley asked. “We don’t really need two.”
“Well, I paid for this one already and gave Wyatt the cash for two trees, so we’re going to end up with three.” He finished slicing through the trunk. “We’ll put one in the foyer.” He liked both trees, and if they added to the fun of Ashley’s holiday, then he wanted all three. “Okay, help me carry this one to the path with the other, and we’ll work on the third one.”
“I hear bells,” Wyatt shouted. “Here come the horses!”
Colt made quick work of cutting down the third tree. Ashley returned with Tyus’ dad. “I got help,” Ashley said. “He’s got tags.”
Colt dragged the third tree to the path and, with help, hefted the two bigger trees onto the back of the wagon. He plunked the third one on top, then followed Ashley up the steps. He sagged onto the seat and draped his arm around Ashley. Wyatt bounced up to where Tyus sat.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Ashley shook his head, then kissed Colt’s cheek. “I love it, though. We’ll have to buy extra ornaments. We don’t have enough.” He snuggled up to Colt. “Oh well.”
Colt rode the rest of the way to the barn in silence. He had so many other things he wanted to say to Ashley but not yet. He wanted to be alone with Ashley. Wyatt might be up with his friend near the front of the wagon, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t listening. The wagon stopped and pitched Ashley and Colt forward a bit. Colt stood first, then tugged Ashley to his feet. “Go ahead and pay for them. Tell the girl I paid for the one with the bows. She’ll understand. I’ll tie them onto the cars.”
Wyatt jumped off the wagon. “Can we get a pizza?”
“Sounds good.” Colt nodded. “Why don’t you order a couple online and pick them up on the way home?” He squeezed Ashley’s ass. “We’ll eat while these dry out in the garage. Then we can decorate when we’re done.” He kept Ashley closer and dropped his voice to a whisper. “Once we’re in bed, I’ll decorate you.”
Ashley shivered. “Yes.”
Colt kissed his boyfriend and sighed. God, he loved this man.
* * * *
Three hours later, Colt stood with Ashley in the living room. They’d put Wyatt to bed for the night and the dogs were snuggled up with him.
Colt sipped his wine and stared at the tree. The warm light from the tiny bulbs cast a soft glow across the room. He wished the snow were falling.
“You picked out a pretty tree.” Ashley bumped shoulders with Colt. “I love it.”
“I like the one you selected too.” He draped his arm around Ashley. “It’ll be even better once we decorate it.” He paused. “Come upstairs with me.”
“You haven’t finished your wine.” Ashley gulped his. “I can’t waste it.”
Colt finished the rest of his, then placed the glass on the end table. “Now?”
“Okay.” Ashley scooped up both glasses. “You know better than to leave these out. If the dogs don’t knock them over, Wyatt will.” He carried the stemware to the kitchen, then stopped in the doorway. “Now I’m ready.”
Colt waited until he and Ashley were upstairs and the door to the bedroom closed before he spoke…just in case Wyatt wasn’t totally asleep. “I’ve wanted this all day.”
“Have you?” Ashley kissed him. “I have too.” He feathered his lips across Colt’s. “I loved the surprise. It almost makes up for missing you.”
“I know and I’m sorry.” He unbuttoned Ashley’s pants. “I wish I didn’t have to be away so much.” He pushed the denim down Ashley’s thighs. His underwear went with the tight jeans, exposing Ashley’s cock.
“But you are.” Ashley swayed with Colt and rubbed his newly freed dick against the bulge in Colt’s pants.
Colt held Ashley tightly and mashed his mouth on Ashley’s, then swallowed his moan. Ashley shoved Colt’s shirt out of the way and scraped his nails over Colt’s chest. The sting ricocheted within Colt.
“Ash,” Colt murmured.
“Yeah?”
“Want to be inside you.” Colt pulled away from Ashley long enough to strip his shirt, then remove Ashley’s. “Turn around.”
Ashley stepped out of the tangle of his underwear and pants, then crawled onto the bed. He wiggled his ass, enticing Colt.
“God, you’re a tease.” He swatted Ashley’s rump. “Love it.” He finished undressing, then retrieved the lube. Passion filled his veins and his cock throbbed. He dribbled lube down the crack of Ashley’s ass. Colt embraced the power in him but also moved with tenderness. The only way this would work would be for him to go slow-ish with his lover. He squeezed Ashley’s ass cheeks. “Love your butt.”
“You love tunneling it.”
“I do.” Jesus. He’d said those two words a lot. He slid his middle finger into Ashley’s hole, opening and stretching him.
“Holy fuck,” Ashley murmured. He arched his back and groaned. “Fuck yes.”
Colt added another finger, then scissored them within Ashley. He flattened his palm on Ashley’s lower back. “Good?”
Ashley trembled. “Uh-huh.” He grabbed the sheets. Goosebumps spread across his back. He shivered and pushed against Colt. “Oh, God. Fuck me. I need you.”
“I know you do.” He curled his finger and massaged Ashley’s prostate. When Ashley whimpered, he did the move again. Ashley shuddered. Colt grinned. Now Ashley was ready. He withdrew his digits. “Want me?”
“I said I did,” Ashley bit out. “Now.”
He lined his dick up with Ashley’s hole and pushed until he was balls-deep in his lover. He paused. The tightness never failed to turn him on. He wrapped one arm around Ashley’s torso and smoothed his free hand across Ashley’s throat, tugging him flush against his chest. “Love you.”
“Yeah.” Ashley reached back to grab Colt’s hip. “Do it. Please? Move.”
He kissed the spot on Ashley’s neck at the base and hummed. He normally didn’t leave marks on Ashley because he didn’t want anyone at the school to question him. But now? He wasn’t at the school for two weeks. Colt could do whatever he wanted. He rocked his hips and bit into Ashley’s shoulder.
Ashley tensed, then shuddered again. He bucked against Colt. “Damn, I’ve missed this. Missed you.”
Colt broke the suction and admired the redness on Ashley’s pale skin. So pretty. He slid his hands to Ashley’s hips and gave in to his desire. He pushed to the hilt, then withdrew most of the way out before going back in again. Within seconds, he’d created a steady rhythm. He wriggled his hips to touch Ashley everywhere from within. “Mine,” he murmured. “All mine.”
“You’re so…demanding.” Ashley met Colt thrust for thrust. He mashed his face into the bedding to muffle his moans. He tensed again.
“Feels good.”
At least that was what Colt thought Ashley had said. Colt dug his fingers into Ashley’s sides and increased his speed. His movements turned feral. Hell, yes, Ashley belonged to him. Ashley was in his soul. The climax deep within him welled to the surface. His nerve endings were on fire. He couldn’t hold back. “Ash.”
“Oh my…” The rest of whatever he’d said got lost in the blankets.
Colt’s resistance went to hell. He slammed deep into Ashley. His knees weakened as he came. He filled Ashley with cum, then sagged against his back. He kissed between Ashley’s shoulder blades. “Want to come?” He hadn’t forgotten Ashley hadn’t orgasmed.
“Uh-huh.” Ashley closed his eyes. “Need to.” He trembled. “Now.”
“I can’t deny you.” He pulled out and collapsed on the bed, then rolled onto his back. He patted his belly. “Come here. I want to watch.”
“Demanding, like I said.” He struggled onto Colt’s thighs. His nipples beaded and his chest heaved. He situated Colt’s dick between his legs, then grasped his own cock. He stroked and gritted his teeth. “Won’t be…”
“Long?” Colt caressed Ashley’s thighs. “Yeah. Do it. Come on me.”
Ashley tipped his head back. His skin flushed and he panted. He stroked faster. “Colt.” He curled forward. A ribbon of cum darted across Colt’s belly.
Warmth seeped into Colt’s soul. He could watch Ashley finish all day and night long.
Ashley panted again and wobbled. Colt tugged him to his chest. Cum smeared between their bodies, but he didn’t care. Colt held Ashley as he came down from the orgasm. They’d decorated each other for Christmas.
“You know how to release the tension.” Ashley snuggled in Colt’s arms. “I’m freezing.”
“It’s chilly in here.” He pulled a blanket over their bodies. “Want me to clean us up?”
Ashley shrugged. “I’m about to fall asleep.”
“Give me five.” He left Ashley long enough to grab a washcloth from the bathroom. He wiped the cum from his chest, then turned the cloth on Ashley. His lover chuckled, then burrowed deeper under the covers when Colt had finished.
