“That sounds enticing. I do love… coffee,” Hunter said, his voice sending a shiver down Aaron’s spine. He pulled away and met Aaron’s gaze. “If you give me a few minutes, I think we can get out of here.”
“That I can do.”
Hunter whipped a program out of his pocket, together with a pen. He started scribbling on the bidding list. “I’ll drop this in and meet you at the coat check in a few minutes?”
“Sounds a plan.”
While Hunter dropped his bid to the organizers at the front of the hall, Aaron found Garrett and told him he was leaving.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he said with a wink.
Aaron chuckled. “Thanks for your support, man. You’re a good friend.”
Garrett rolled his eyes. “Ew. Getting all Christmas mushy on me. Go get your man.” He gave Aaron a parting pat on the back.
Aaron had a smile on his face as he left the dance.Leaving a dance before the dancing part even starts.He snorted. Maybe he and Hunter could have their own private dance at home?
As he headed back to the entrance, he saw Hunter talking to his mom and changed direction. They were engrossed in conversation, so Aaron hung back, reluctant to interrupt, but he couldn’t help overhearing the tail end of their conversation.
Melody stepped closer to Hunter. “You really like him?”
Hunter nodded. “I do, Mom. More than like him. If you want to be part of my life, then you need to accept who I love and welcome him into our family. If not, I’ll make my own family.”
Holy shit!Hunter was choosing him!
Hunter’s words to his mother cemented Aaron’s feelings. He couldn’t ask for anything more.
He stepped up to the two of them and placed a hand on Hunter’s arm. “Let’s go home.”
13
Aaron’s home was exactly what Hunter expected—a small house on the edge of town with a cottagey feel. He’d decorated for Christmas—it was Aaron, how could he not?—but the decorations weren’t a coordinated fashion statement, they were the embodiment of the Christmas spirit, meant to be cheerful and festive, right down to the stockings hanging from the mantle that looked like they’d seen better days. He’d ask Aaron about them one day, but not tonight. Tonight he had other things on his mind.
“Do you want hot chocolate?” Aaron asked. “I could light the fire.”
Hunter’s gaze drifted to the colorful rug in front of the hearth. He could imagine Aaron spread out in front of the flames. He swallowed heavily, hoping that’s where this was headed. He hated the doubts, but it was still so new, and he wanted to tread carefully, not wanting to risk the fragile relationship. They both been so stupid as kids and had cleared the air, but he had no doubt there was a long way to go. It was worth it.So worth it.
But the look in Aaron’s eyes told him that his doubts were unfounded, that he wanted this as much as Hunter did. “Hot chocolate would be nice, but don’t go to any trouble, because I know something I want more.”
“You do?” Aaron raised a brow.
Hunter beckoned to him. “Come here, and I’ll show you.”
Aaron stepped into his arms, immediately raising his face for a kiss. Their mouths met, but there was no gentleness about the kiss. This wasn’t an exploration to see where things went. This was just a taste of things to come, and Hunter had waited long enough, too long to draw out the foreplay. He was going to show Aaron how much he meant to him by worshiping his body and convincing him that he was all Hunter needed.
Aaron groaned, a deep, sexy sound that went straight to Hunter’s cock. His blood was on fire, his body singing, and the need to get more of Aaron was overwhelming. He broke the kiss, Aaron chasing his mouth. He put a finger to Aaron’s lips. “Can we take this to the bedroom?” he whispered.
“We can take this anywhere you damn well want. Just take me.”
Hot damn.Hunter’s knees nearly went from under him.
He pulled Aaron down the hall to where he assumed the bedrooms were. Aaron helped by dragging him into a doorway. Hunter didn’t pause to take in the décor, just focused on the bed. He started to take off Aaron’s bow tie at the same time as Aaron tried to work his buttons. It was a mess of scrabbling fingers and laughter, so they separated, and each started removing his own clothes as quickly as he could. Hunter tossed his tie, shirt, and belt to the floor and undid his black trousers. He pulled them down, falling onto the bed as the legs became stuck on his shoes.
“Jesus Christ.” He laughed as he bounced on the mattress, then reached to yank his shoes, socks, and finally, pants off.
Once he was naked—thank you to the powers that be that I’m naked on a bed with Aaron—he crawled up the bed and looked at Aaron.
Oh my God. He was gorgeous. All hard planes and sleek muscle, with a generous smattering of hair across his chest narrowing into a treasure trail that lead to a magnificent cock. His twenty-four-year-old body was so different to the body he had at eighteen, a body Hunter still remembered because it featured in his dreams. Back then he’d been slimmer and relatively smooth—Hunter liked this version just as much, if not better.
