They played a round of golf on a leisurely Saturday afternoon.
They met at the loft for dinner, music, and a few beers.
The only things that changed were the stolen kisses in the restroom of the hockey arena, the quick kisses hidden behind trees on the golf course, and a deeply passionate goodbye kiss at the end of dinner.
Chapter 27
Colton
Colton arms were full of gifts for Dean as he rode the elevator up to the loft. It was two days before Christmas, but he was determined to convince Dean to spend Christmas with him and his family. If he got his way, he'd be leaving the loft this evening with both Dean and his gifts.
Dean had declined to spend Thanksgiving with Colton and his family, opting instead to volunteer at The CC, which Colton greatly admired, even though it saddened him to think of all the holidays Dean spent alone, without friends and family. It was his personal goal to see to it that Dean never spent another holiday alone.
Colton stepped off the elevator and reached for the doorknob, but paused before opening it.
Did he smell cookies baking?
Dean rushed to the door as he entered, wearing a gaudy, delightfully hideous Christmas sweater with ‘Santa loves hisHo’s’ scrawled across the chest. Colton immediately cracked up as his heart fluttered. “Holy shit, that sweater is priceless!”
Dean laughed and gestured toward the kitchen. “Come on in, I’m baking cookies.”
Colton rounded the corner to find Aiden sitting on the sofa, playing with a mini keyboard.
“Aiden, come say hi to Colton,” Dean called.
Aiden looked up from his keyboard, cracked a big, toothy grin, and galloped over to Colton.
“Hi, Mr. Colton!” Aiden threw his arms around Colton’s waist.
Colton shot Dean a look of confusion and disbelief.
“Aiden is staying with me for Christmas.” Dean absolutely glowed with joy. Dean was now officially Aiden’s benefactor, so the shelter had allowed Aiden to stay with him for a few days.
Colton looked around the loft, spotting the giant seven-foot Christmas tree between Dean’s bedroom and the pool table with a mound of gifts underneath. There were candles throughout the living area, a Christmas runner draped across the dining table, a festive holiday centerpiece, and of course, holiday music filling the loft.
Dean had a fire going and three stockings hung on the mantle above the fireplace. Upon closer inspection, Colton noticed the names on the stockings…
Dean Colton Aiden
Colton felt warmth spread across his cheeks, the kind of warmness that only Dean could conjure. “Oh my God. I have a stocking?”
“You do!” Dean grinned, obviously proud of himself as he walked Colton over to the tree to deposit his bag of gifts. “But no peeking.”
Colton felt overwhelmed with emotion. He hadn't been expecting any of this when he walked through Dean’s door.
“I want to kiss your fucking lips off, right now,” he whispered.
Dean winked, poking his belly. “Easy tiger. Soon, I promise.”
“I came here tonight to try and convince you to come home with me, to spend the holiday with my family. You didn’t tell me Aiden was coming for Christmas.” Colton gently elbowed him.
Dean helped Colton unload his bag of gifts, placing them under the tree before turning to Colton with an apologetic look in his eyes.
“I asked two weeks ago. The shelter approved it yesterday. I spent the last twenty-four hours getting the loft ready, and Aiden arrived an hour ago, so it was kinda last minute. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry! I was only concerned you’d be spending Christmas alone. It’s great that you get to spend it with Aiden.”
“I wish I could spend it with you too.” Dean squeezed his arm. “But I’m pretty sure your mother would not be pleased if I kept you away at Christmas.”
