“Aww… shucks. You’re making me blush.” And Corey was gorgeous with the faint tinge of pink colouring his cheeks. Steve’s gaze dropped to Corey’s mouth as he bit gently on his plump bottom lip.
“I—”
“Ah, there you are, Steve. It’s about time you joined the land of the living. Hurry up and grab some breakfast so we can hit the trails.” Mal moved to the sink and filled a glass from the tap. He chugged back the water before leaving him and Corey alone again.
Corey met his gaze. “I’m sorry about Richard.”
“Thanks, but don’t be. It was messed up at the time but I’m glad I’m where I am now.” And surprisingly, as he said the words and despite the memories, Steve realised it was true. He was in a much better place, with so much to look forward to.
Corey moved from his stool and got out a bowl and spoon. “It’s not much, but how about a bowl of Weet-Bix?”
“Perfect.” Steve couldn’t wipe the smile from his face as Corey fussed over the preparation of the cereal. Not that he had a hope in hell of being more than Corey’s friend—after all, the man could have anyone he wanted. But Steve almost vibrated with happiness like a kid at Christmas.
I can dream, can’t I?
* * *
It ended up being an energetic, action-packed morning. They’d taken out the mountain bikes and explored some of the trails that cut through the dense bush around the house. The narrow trails of hard-packed earth were often steep and littered with sticks and large chunks of stone. It took concentration to avoid the debris and overhanging branches, and Steve’s legs were screaming from the effort of navigating the rough terrain. They hadn’t gone far but it was bloody hard work, and by the time the group had arrived back at the house, they were sore, hot and sweaty.
“I could do with a shower, something to drink and a nap. Not necessarily in that order,” Mal said as he leaned his bike against the wall in the garage. “C’mon, guys, let’s grab a cold one.” He opened the internal door to the house and called out as he left, “And last one upstairs is in charge of lunch.”
The others followed, dumping their bikes and helmets before heading upstairs. No one made an effort to avoid being last. If they felt anything like Steve did, they likely didn’t have the energy to do more than put one foot in front of the other on the stairs. Making lunch would be a small price to pay to avoid the extra exertion of moving at more than a snail’s pace. Steve’s calves pulled as he took the steps one at a time. At the top, he stretched out a leg and winced at the sharp tug in his underused muscle.Jeez, I’m going to hurt tomorrow.
“You going soft on us?” Douglas thumped his back as he pushed past him to get to the kitchen.
“Yeah, maybe.” Steve sighed. “I’m more used to riding on the road, not hightailing it up and down mountains. It’s fucking rough terrain up here. I thought this was supposed to be a holiday.”
“I know what you mean,” Corey groaned. “I’m not used to bike riding at all. My arse is paying the price, not to mention my balls.” Steve couldn’t tear his gaze away from Corey’s butt, which he’d tried not to stare at while they’d been riding. Bloody hard to do when it had been flexing deliciously in front of him for most of the ride. As he watched, Corey quit rubbing his backside and moved his hand to the front, plunging it inside his shorts to rearrange his balls, causing Steve’s mouth to become even drier. “Oh, God, that feels better. If I’m ever doing this again, I’m investing in some of those padded bike shorts. Something with a bit of cushioning.”
“Ha.” Ken snorted. “You two are perfect for each other. Such a pair of wusses. Not like us real men.” Ken stopped next to them and gave his own ample rump a thump. Ken worked out a couple of days a week at the gym but was genetically inclined to carry a bit of extra weight. Combine that with his love of food, and he’d never need to invest in padded pants.
Steve and Corey exchanged a glance, and Corey’s lip curled as he bit back a laugh.
“What?” Ken stood with his hands on his hips and stared at them both. “Don’t you like what you see?”
Mal returned from the kitchen and thrust some bottles of water their way before throwing an arm around Ken’s shoulders. “Don’t you worry about them.Ilike what I see.”
Steve looked between Ken and Mal for a moment, suddenly seeing them in a new light. The funny thing was, Steve knew Maldidlike what he saw. Mal went for big guys like Ken—bears. Solid, muscled, hairy. Why hadn’t Steve ever considered the two of them together before? He hadn’t thought there was anything going on between his friends, but now he wondered if maybe he’d missed something.This weekend has the potential to get very interesting.
Ken chuckled and beamed at Mal’s attention. “I’m glad someone appreciates all the work that’s gone into this awesome body.” Mal gazed at Ken, and the look that passed between them seemed to hold new meaning. But Steve figured he could be reading things into their interactions that just weren’t there. Mal and Ken wandered out to the deck, talking and laughing, leaving Steve and Corey studying their retreating backs.
It seemed Corey shared his thoughts. “You don’t think…,” Corey started and raised a brow.
Steve shook his head. “Nah. Shit… maybe. Wow.”
“You seem surprised.”
“Yeah, well, that’s ’cause I am,” Steve said. “Malcolm’s never said a word before, and we’re pretty close.”
“Sometimes people don’t always let on what they’re feeling,” Corey offered.
“I guess not.”
“Plus sometimes the timing isn’t right. Maybe it hasn’t been right for them until now. Well, I think we’re bound to find out what’s going on between them, if anything, over the next couple of days. Maybe a Christmas love story?” Corey grinned.
“Oh, God. You are a romantic, aren’t you?” Steve rolled his eyes.
“C’mon. Don’t tell me you don’t believe in Christmas miracles?”
