Clover took a drink. “Holy shit. That’s delicious.” He set the cup aside. “You move the chest. I’ll open the box.”
“Sounds good.” Saint passed him the pocketknife he had held on to for just this purpose after changing.
Together, they got to work. They worked so seamlessly together, it was like they had done this every year for years. He didn’t remember half of what they talked about. It was mostly chatting about their lives and laughing. So much laughing. That was the one thing Saint couldn’t get past. He wanted this to be his life. He was too old to join the dating world. The last thing Saint wanted to do was try to keep up with some club hopper who would want an open relationship. Saint just wanted this. A comfortable life with someone who made everything brighter. Something real and built on friendship.
“Well. There’s nothing left but the mistletoe.” Clover turned in a circle. “Where should we hang it?”
There was already a small hook where he used to have a hanging plant. Instead of answering, Saint lifted Clover over his head.
A loud laugh burst from Clover. It died when he obviously spotted the hook. “Oh. That’s perfect.”
Saint couldn’t think. He hadn’t really considered his actions until he realized how close Clover’s dick was to his face. It got a little harder to breathe.
“There.”
Saint slowly lowered Clover, letting his body slide down Saint’s body. The air in the room changed. When Clover was on his feet, his arms were still around Saint’s neck. They didn’t look away from each other.
Saint broke first. “Someone needs to break it in.” He didn’t think. Saint touched his lips to Clover’s. He honestly thought if he ever threw away all good sense and did this, he would probably end up ripping off Clover’s clothes. Instead, the kiss was slow and sexy. Saint held Clover like he was every bit as precious as he was. They equally kept their hands respectful. Saint still lost his entire soul. By the time Saint pulled away, he couldn’t catch his breath, and his dick was beyond hard. It was begging. Clover didn’t open his eyes right away, nor did he step out of Saint’s hold. When his eyes opened, he looked sultry and kind of like he was lost in the passion.
“I think the mistletoe works.”
Saint smiled so hard, his face hurt at Clover’s claim. “It seems so.”
Clover visibly swallowed. “I guess I should get to bed.”
Saint nodded. “That’s probably for the best.”
Even though it killed him, Saint let his arms drop. They shared another longing glance before Clover walked away.
Chapter Five
Sainthadbarelyslept.Unfortunately, running an office didn’t care if he was tired. He dragged himself from bed and got in the shower. The hot water didn’t clear his mind. In fact, the temperature made his eyelids heavier. Then it hit Saint. Clover was still here. The faster he got ready, the quicker he would see him. Saint ended up rushing through the motions and tossing on some clothes. He knew it had been snowing, so he dressed appropriately. It was supposed to have snowed all night and would continue for the next three days. But this was Washington and part of life. They all just got on with it.
He found Clover already at the kitchen table with a cream cheese bagel and coffee. “Hey.”
Clover’s chipper greeting weakened Saint’s knees. He had panicked all night that things would be weird now.
Clover motioned toward the counter. “I heard you rustling around, so I made you coffee and a bagel too.”
Saint eyed the breakfast Clover had put together. By sight alone, it looked as if his coffee was the right color. He took a sip to be sure so he wouldn’t have to backtrack from the table if it wasn’t right. It was perfect. Clover had doctored it exactly the way Saint liked it.
“I’m always blown away by how you take care of me. You even got my coffee right.”
Clover smiled as he watched Saint carry his breakfast to the table. “We’ve spent a lot of time together the last few days. You always order your coffee the same.”
Saint held up his cream cheese-slathered bagel. “This is great too. How did you know this is how I like my bagels?”
Clover chuckled. “You bought bagels and cream cheese. I just put two and two together. You’re also just like me when it comes to excess of everything flavorful. So I risked that you like a lot of cream cheese.”
Saint shook his head. Every day, he got a little more addicted. “Watch out. I might have to keep you.”
Clover laughed, but he didn’t say no.
Saint couldn’t stop reading into every tiny detail. He couldn’t shake the feeling they had known each other in another life.
They sat in companionable silence. Saint fully recognized they dragged their feet a bit. A few minutes late wouldn’t matter. Once they were finally ready to head out the door, they both stamped into winter boots.
Saint opened the door. He froze. The bright white snow combined with the sun beating on it to blind him. Also, it was all the way to his stomach and shaped the outline of the door.
