But Jamie brushed Luc’s hand off and crossed his legs over his offending member, settling back in his seat. “Just for that ‘never,’ I’m gonna say…no.”
He wasn’t exactly sure which one of them he was punishing with his refusal, but Jamie was afraid if he let Luc get his greedy paws on him, Jamie would end up giving in and allow for a detour, and derail all their plans.
He wasn’t going to let Luc wheedle his way out of this, not even with sex.
Luc scowled at the road. “It better not be the thought of a Christmas orgy that has you so worked up.”
“Just you, Monster Daddy.” Jamie turned to the window, hiding his smirk.You and that delectable, muscled ass.
It wasSoren who answered Danny’s door, looking ridiculously elegant in a sleek red suit, his pale chest bare underneath. He grinned sharply as ever at Jamie in greeting, before turning to call back into the house, “Did somebody order an Arizonan gutter punk with a side of psychopath?”
“Hilarious,” Jamie deadpanned.
That shark’s grin only widened. “I thought so. Lovely to see you, Jamie.” Soren reached forward, fingering the fabric of Jamie’s black silk top. “This shirt. Luc choose it for you?” he asked, as if Luc wasn’t standing directly behind Jamie.
Jamie could feel how annoyed it was making Luc to be so blatantly ignored. But it was also kind of funny, so he didn’t make any attempt to remedy the situation. “He did. I tried to go for a bright-red number instead. You know, with the hair?” He pointed at his green locks. “Festive as fuck. But he said it would be tacky.”
Soren released his hold on Jamie’s shirt, sighing dramatically. “Ugh, I hate to agree with the bastard”—an answering growl from Luc—“but he’s right. And the black suits you. You look almost as good as little old me.” He stepped away from the doorway, making room for Jamie to enter. “I suppose you can come in.” But then he paused, briefly blocking their way and raising a questioning brow at Jamie. “You’re sure you don’t want to leave him at the door?”
Jamie laughed—he couldn’t help it, Soren was just sonaughty—moving forward. As Soren raised his cheek so Jamie could kiss it in passing, Jamie took the opportunity to whisper, “You’re pushing your luck, you know that?”
But Soren only giggled lightly, clearly delighted with himself for riling Luc up, even as Luc glowered at him, passing through the door.
Maybe Jamie would get to top Luc on this visit after all.
They followed Soren further into the house, and for a moment—just the briefest moment, really—Jamie felt unaccountably…nervous. He’d been there before, several times now, but this wasChristmas. And all of them were like this little family, of sorts. And Luc had kind of maybe ruined some of their lives a bit.
So who was Jamie to force his way into their celebration?
Before Jamie could truly panic over it, he felt the comforting warmth of Luc’s broad palm against the back of his neck, and the whisper of Luc’s warm breath against his ear. “Say the word and I whisk you away to a hotel.”
But then Danny appeared, bounding down the stairs, looking so undeniably pleased to see them, his cheeks flushed with happiness, and Jamie was wrapped immediately into an enthusiastic hug. “You made it!”
“Of course we did.” Jamie stepped back as Danny gave Luc a little nod of acknowledgment—not exactly an enthusiastic hug, but still a step up from Soren’s he-doesn’t-exist playacting. “The place looks amazing.”
It really did, in an over-the-top kind of way. There was a massive tree in the corner of the living room, adorned so thoroughly it looked at risk of toppling over. A cozy little fire was crackling away in the grate, and there was a strange mishmash of homemade decorations mixed in with what looked like family heirlooms. Antique nutcrackers draped in paper snowflakes.
“Danny and Jay have been decorating all week,” Soren declared, waltzing over to the couch, where he dropped into Gabe’s waiting lap. Jamie gave a cheery salute to Soren’s muscular mate, sighing a little at the predictable glare Gabe shot Luc’s way.
There was another moment of silence as they all took in the decorations, but before Jamie could feel awkward again, Jay appeared from around the corner, Ferdy at his heels. “Jamie! Lucien!”
He stopped in front of them both, waving enthusiastically and looking…hopeful?
Oh, right.
“I believe I have something for you, courtesy of Izzy.” Jamie dug into his messenger bag and pulled out the sacred gift he’d been entrusted with.
“Yes!” Jay jumped onto his toes in his excitement at the sight of the Vero Mango pops before lowering to his heels and looking chagrined. “She texted me and told me to act surprised, but I’m not very good at pretending.”
Jamie tossed the bag at him. “No worries, little guy. She said I should time you this go-around.”
Jay, who already had one of the pops unwrapped and stuffed into his mouth, cocked his head in question, but Jamie didn’t explain any further. He already knew the bag would be demolished within the hour. What was the point of timing?
“Are we ready for eggnog, then?” Roman’s deep voice sounded out from the kitchen, and then he was there, icy blue eyes engaged in a momentary standoff with Luc as they both stared at each other, Luc’s hand tightening briefly against Jamie’s neck. Jamie prepared to make a joke, to smooth the transition (every damn time, with these two), but then felt the tug of Luc digging into his satchel with his free hand.
Luc displayed the bottle of wine he’d extracted, waving it at Roman. “Southern Arizona claims to have similar soil to Bordeaux. They’re very proud of their wines. It’s supposed to be more than palatable.”
Holy shit.
