by Sue Brown
By the time he was ready for lunch, he had worked up a good appetite. He remembered passing a coffee shop that looked pleasant, and although it was busy, he was able to find a seat with his coffee and a panini.
He had barely sat down when someone spoke.
“Hi. May I join you?”
Noel looked up to see Angel giving him a hesitant smile. “Sure.” He wasn’t unfriendly, more wary.
Angel placed his own drink and food on the table and sat. He smiled across at Noel. “I wasn’t sure if you would tell me to fuck off,” Angel admitted. He kept his voice low but obviously not low enough, because a woman nearby with a small child glared at him. Angel mouthed an apology.
“I thought about it,” Noel admitted. “I worked through it on the slopes.”
“I saw you,” Angel said, “but I left you alone. You looked focused.”
“That was a good idea.” Noel hadn’t noticed Angel at all, he’d been so intent on his run. “I needed to get over myself.”
“You didn’t. I was an ass to you. I got upset with you without asking for an explanation.”
Noel looked at him steadily. “Were you upset you found me holding you or upset I know about the nightmares?”
“Probably a bit of both,” Angel admitted.
“Okay, then. Let’s put it behind us. I know about the nightmares, but I won’t hold you again without you being awake and aware.”
Just like that, the tension was gone and the smile between them was genuine. They ate lunch and talked about the runs they’d completed that morning.
Angel had stuck to the intermediate runs. “You need to watch out for a guy in gray-and-pink stripes. He’s a menace and cuts people off constantly.”
“Perhaps he’s out of his depth on the intermediate slopes?” Noel suggested.
“Maybe, but he’s going to cause an accident if he’s not careful. He should be in the beginner’s class.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen him,” Noel said, “but I wasn’t really paying much attention to anybody else.”
“You’ll know him if you see him. He’s the one cutting in front of you,” Angel said.
Noel nodded. “Warning duly noted.”
Outside on the sidewalk, Angel looked at Noel and bit his lip. “Do you want to spend the afternoon together or would you rather be by yourself?”
Noel hesitated. He had enjoyed pushing himself in the morning, but he also valued Angel’s company, and wanted to get back to the easy friendship that had developed between them.
Angel obviously took his hesitation as a sign that Noel wanted to be alone, because he said, “I’ll see you back at the chalet.”
Without thinking, Noel grabbed his arm and then, when Angel looked down at it, released it instantly as though he’d been stung. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I’d like to ski with you this afternoon.”
“Are you sure?” Angel asked, obviously not convinced.
“I’m sure,” Noel assured him. “If we ski hard enough, I’ll be too tired to deal with the pre-dinner activities they’ve got planned for us.”
Angel chuckled. “What do you think it is? I think karaoke.”
“Uh-huh. If it’s before dinner, no one’s gonna be drunk enough to do karaoke. I’d have to be really drunk to stand up in front of anyone and sing.”
“That’s true.” Angel looked thoughtful. “It’s probably charades or something like that.”
Noel stared at him. “Charades. What is this? Christmas with the aunties?”
Angel grinned at him. “I bet you play charades every Christmas with your aunties.”
Noel gave him a sour look. “My aunties are eighty-five and eighty-seven, and they know every movie, every book, and every film that ever existed, and they will pound your ass into sand. I have never won a game of charades.”
“Wow, they’re that good?” Angel raised an eyebrow.
“They’re more than that good. They’re evil.”
“I’m sure the wise guys can’t live up to evil aunties.”
“Unless it was on car engines,” Noel said. “Then they would be the hands down winners.”
“We’ll have to avoid anything to do with Grease, then,” Angel said.
Noel looked at him blankly.
“Go greased lightning?”
Angel did a weird movement with his arms.
“Oh dear God,” Noel said. “I cannot introduce you to my aunties. They’ll eat you alive.”
Angel beamed at him. “I can’t wait.”
It occurred to Noel as he started the first run that there was an unspoken expectation that they would meet family. He thought about it for a long while as he took a long lazy line down one of the easiest slopes, avoiding a line of beginners. Or maybe he was overthinking what Angel had said. Adam said it was a bad habit of his. But Noel was distracted from his thoughts as Angel made an uncharacteristically sharp turn when someone skied too close to him.
At the bottom, Angel was steaming. “Did you see that idiot?”
“I saw you turn.”
“It was that guy I was telling you about.”
“Are you sure it was the same one?” Noel asked doubtfully. He hadn’t seen anyone behaving erratically.
“I’m sure. How many others have pink stripes?”
“Good point.”
“He’d better not get in my way again or we’re going to have words.”
Noel hid his grin. He was damn sure Angel wouldn’t appreciate Noel’s thought that Angel was like an angry baby cherub. “We’ll avoid him. Don’t let him spoil your fun.”
Angel took a deep breath. “You’re right. It’s just been one of those days. Let’s go again.”
THE AFTERNOON passed without incident, and Angel calmed down enough to enjoy the rest of his skiing. By mutual assent they finished early with the expectation of using the hot tub before dinner. Delicious spicy aromas filled the chalet as they entered.
Angel sniffed appreciatively. “I can’t wait for dinner. Charlie said tacos were on the menu tonight. Maria’s choice.”
Noel had no complaints. Tacos were one of his favorite meals. He licked his lips in anticipation. Then he caught Angel staring wide-eyed at his mouth. Angel tore his gaze away when he realized he’d been caught staring.
“I… uh… hot tub.”
Angel hurried down the corridor, and Noel strolled after him. Angel was cute when he was embarrassed.
Noel gave Maria a wave as he walked past the open door to the great room.
“Everything okay?” she mouthed.
He nodded, and she gave him a thumbs-up. It was nice that people cared enough to worry about them.
The hot tub was empty when they arrived, and they sank into the hot water and grinned at each other because they’d gotten here first. Noel’s inner eight-year-old was never far beneath the surface.
IT WAS charades and silly party games like pin the tail on the donkey. It was stupid and relaxing, and Noel loved every moment. Even when they played spin the bottle and Marv dared him to kiss Maria. Noel looked at Marv, winked, reached over to gently cup Maria’s chin and kissed her… on the cheek. Because he respected a married woman. They still whistled and clapped, and Maria mouthed a thank-you to him afterward.
The tacos were to die for, and they all ate more than they should. Noel felt more relaxed and happier in a room full of strangers than he had for a while, and it was sad to acknowledge that. They laughed and joked with the others, but he was aware of Angel sitting next to him the whole evening.
By the time he reached the bedroom, Noel felt he could cut the tension in the room with a knife. It wasn’t like that morning when they’d been arguing. This was good, almost an expectation of something more, but Noel couldn’t put his finger on what it was. He was sure the feeling was mutual, but he couldn’t read Angel’s mind. They followed the usual routine of getting ready for bed, Angel using the bathroom first. It was strange how familiar it was becoming, even after just three days.
Noel came out
of the bathroom dressed in his sleep shorts as he dried his hair, still too hot to wear his T-shirt. Angel wasn’t in bed this time. He sat cross-legged on top of the covers and looked at Noel expectantly.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said.
Noel’s stomach took a roll. The last time somebody said he’d been thinking, he ended up being dumped. He managed a wan smile. “What were you thinking about?”
“The last few nights you’ve had to wake up when I’ve been screaming.”
“I wouldn’t call it screaming,” Noel objected. Crying, begging, pleading, maybe, but he held that back.
Angel frowned. “You know what I mean.”
Noel shut up. Angel had a speech, and he seemed determined to get it out.
“Charlie says I can sleep in another room if you’d prefer.”
“I thought they didn’t have any additional rooms because they’d been flooded,” Noel said.
Where was this going? Angel hadn’t made any mention of this all day. Why now?
“The room is still being decorated but he said I could use it if I didn’t mind walking around the cans of paint.”
“You’ve just gotten ready for bed,” Noel pointed out.
Angel opened his hand out to show Noel the key. “Charlie said… if there were problems I could move in there tonight. He made the bed up for me.”
Noel flung the towel back into the bathroom, not in the mood to hang it up. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to stay here. With you.”
Angel’s eyes were huge, pleading with Noel to agree, but Noel was still wary, and he admitted to himself, fragile from stresses of the last few days.
“And if you wake up in my arms again? Is that going to freak you out?” he asked.
“No.”
“Are you sure?” Noel needed to know this for certain.
“I freaked because I didn’t know you were there, and because you found out about the nightmares. This time I want to go to sleep with you.” Angel sounded confident, but Noel could see the wariness in his eyes. He was ready for Noel to reject him.
“Okay,” Noel said.
Angel’s eyes narrowed. “Okay, that’s fine or okay, no?”
“Okay, that’s fine. It makes sense to try. If a warm body in the bed calms you down, why not?”
Now that Noel had actually agreed, Angel seemed lost for words. “I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about it.”
“Because of this morning?” Noel asked.
Angel hesitated, then he said, “Also because of Adam. I know you’re missing him.”
“I was with him a long time.” Noel bit his lip. “I’m not going to be sleeping with him again. Anyway, these are… odd circumstances. What happens in the chalet, stays in the chalet?” That was lame, but it was all he could think of. “I’ve gotten used to sleeping with you. It’s okay if you wake me up. If you need a cuddle, just come over and prod me until I wake up. It’s not like we have to get up early or anything.”
The tension seemed to drain out of Angel. “Thank you. I mean it, thank you.”
Noel tugged on his T-shirt and pulled back the covers. “Can we sleep now? I’m exhausted and there’s no way I’m going to be skiing tomorrow if I don’t get some sleep.”
Angel nodded and seemed about to get under the covers when he sprang off the bed and rushed into the bathroom. When he came back he managed to put one knee on the bed before he was off again.
“Not that this isn’t entertaining,” Noel said, “but what are you doing?”
“Phone,” Angel said.
Phone placed on nightstand, Angel finally got into bed. He lay as close to the edge as he could get.
“Come here,” Noel grumbled and tugged him closer.
Angel pushed into the curve of Noel’s body and allowed Noel to spoon around him.
It was different holding him now. Angel had been upset the previous night, and Noel hadn’t paid much attention to the feel of him in his arms. Now he was acutely conscious of Angel’s back and ass pressing against him. He couldn’t help but notice the differences between Angel and Adam.
“Thank you,” Angel whispered.
Noel thought he was asleep. “You’re welcome.”
Angel sighed and pushed back against him, and Noel waited until he was sure Angel was asleep before he relaxed enough to sleep himself.
Chapter 6—Day 3
two days before Christmas Eve
morning
AT SOME point in the night—Noel had no idea of the time—he felt Angel stir and there was a soft whimper. Noel reached out for Angel, who’d gone to the other side of the bed as they slept. He pulled Angel close against him, determined to ward off any bad dreams. It seemed to work and the whimpers faded away into soft sighs as Angel went back to sleep. When he next woke up, it was light outside. Noel smiled up at the ceiling in victory. Yes. It worked. Angel was still asleep in his bed, and as far as Noel was aware, had slept through the night.
It was the perfect opportunity for Noel to study Angel unobserved. He really was angelic—creamy skin, a light spray of freckles, long dark lashes fanning over his cheeks. He lay on his side, facing Noel, his hands under his cheek.
Now I lay me down to sleep.
He was the poster child for angels. Michelangelo would have lapped him up.
“I know you’re staring at me,” Angel murmured.
“Do you mind?”
“No.” Angel yawned and snuggled closer to Noel. “What time is it?”
“Don’t know. Can’t be breakfast time or Charlie would have yelled.” Noel thought about raising his head to look, but Angel hadn’t opened his eyes yet.
“It’s light, though.”
“It is.” Which meant Angel hadn’t spent half the night staring at the ceiling or hiding in the great room.
“The experiment worked.” Angel sounded pleased.
“You started dreaming,” Noel admitted because he couldn’t lie to Angel. “I cuddled you and you went back to sleep.”
Angel stared at him. “I don’t remember anything at all.”
“I’m glad you slept,” Noel said, “and I don’t mind doing it for the rest of the vacation if it helps you get some sleep.”
“I can’t remember the last time someone made me an offer like that.” Angel actually looked as though he were going to cry.
“Well, to be fair, it isn’t every day you meet a man who’s been dumped at the airport and then you end up having to share his bed because people are stupid enough to overbook yours.” Noel grinned at him, and Angel grinned back.
Noel looked at Angel’s mouth—soft, tender and sleepy—and he really wanted to kiss him at that moment.
“You can if you want to,” Angel whispered, obviously guessing Noel’s thoughts.
“Are you sure?”
Angel nodded, and Noel leaned forward to press their lips together.
“Breakfast,” Charlie singsonged outside the door.
Noel wanted to stake him with an icicle at that precise moment.
They stayed, frozen, eyes locked on each other until Charlie yelled, “Breakfast,” again, and Angel sighed and rolled away, calling out that they’d be out soon. Noel flopped down onto his back and cursed that the moment had been lost. Angel padded into the bathroom and left Noel staring up at the ceiling, his body thrumming with thwarted desire and guilt. Just the thought of kissing Angel made him hard. He shouldn’t be feeling like that about another man so soon after Adam. Involuntarily his hand slipped around his shaft and he gave a small moan.
Noel heard Angel moving about in the bathroom and the water being turned on. He wondered if he had time to jack off before Angel finished his shower, but Noel liked to take his time pleasuring himself. Knowing his luck, he’d be just about to blow as Angel walked back into the bedroom. He got out of bed and told his dick it would have to take its turn. Angel appeared a few minutes later, looking happy and relaxed. Noel squinted at him. He had the distinct look of a man who’d just had an
orgasm. Damn, Noel should have gone for it.
“Showering now or later?” Angel asked cheerfully.
“Now,” Noel said as he rushed into the bathroom.
He heard a snicker behind him, but he didn’t care… much. He could be embarrassed after he came. As soon as the water was running, Noel buried his face in his arm and tugged on his cock. No time to draw it out. He thought of Angel there moments before, doing the same thing, thinking about him. That was enough to send him over the edge after only a few strokes. His balls tightened and his cock swelled as white spurts of come fell to his feet, only to be washed down the drain.
He stayed where he was for a few minutes, resting against the tiles, waiting for his breathing to settle. Then he raised his head at the loud rap at the door.
“Noel? Charlie wants to know if you want pancakes and bacon.”
Noel resisted the urge to break into hysterical laughter. If he said he’d rather have sausage, what would the young man say? He managed to call, “Yes, thanks. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Take your time.”
Too late, Noel thought regretfully. He soaped himself, rinsed away the evidence, and stepped out of the shower.
Back in the bedroom, Angel was dressed in a navy hoodie and sweats. He raised an eyebrow as he looked at Noel. “Feeling better?”
“Yes, thanks.” Noel was determined not to blush. “Is breakfast ready?”
“Charlie said not to rush.”
“I’m starving,” Noel confessed.
“Me too.” Angel grinned at him. “I wonder why?”
Noel grunted, refusing to answer that loaded question, and turned away to look in his suitcase. He dressed much the same as Angel, but his hoodie was a faded charcoal and his black sweats washed to a dark gray.
“Ready?” he asked.
Angel put down his phone and nodded. “Yup.” He hopped off the bed and picked up the key. “Next time we do it together,” he said and walked out of the room.
