Nolan pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. “Yes. I’ve got this. You go relax and pick out our show for tonight.”
Sky grunted and allowed Nolan to help him to his feet. He shuffled off to the living room, with the creepy tree moving with him.
He flopped on the sofa and glared at the tree that stuck its roots into the pan. However, it did not plug its lights in. It actually felt like the tree was glaring at him. Maybe it did feel like another tree had invaded its territory and it was only defending itself. Possibly even protecting them.
If that was true, Sky had likely hurt its feelings by shouting and swinging the spoon at it.
“I’m sorry I brought another tree into your territory without telling you first,” Sky grumbled.
The silence stretched, broken by the sounds of Nolan carrying the remains of his fake tree out the back door. A moment later, the tree chirped softly. Was that an apology, too?
A soft scrape whispered through the room, followed by the lights on the tree blinking on.
Chapter 5
December 15
Christmas shopping was done, and Sky swore he ached all the way to the bottom of his soul. In past years, he’d completed most of his shopping online and simply waited for things to be delivered. This year, after the insanity created by the fae, he’d decided he would focus on shopping as much as possible in the local small shops and businesses in the hope of helping his community get on its feet again.
But that meant a lot of walking. A lot of driving. And a lot of actually dealing with people in person.
He was exhausted.
Of course, his sweet, precious boyfriend was the hardest to buy for. It didn’t matter that Nolan claimed he was the easiest and had even supplied Sky with a Christmas list. Sky refused to spend his entire budget for Nolan on books and socks.
Nolan was worth the effort, though.
Especially when his big hands gripped Sky’s shoulders and squeezed the tight muscles, massaging away the day’s tension. A low moan escaped Sky, and he melted right there in the middle of the bedroom.
“Just think—you’re done. All done,” Nolan whispered as he continued to massage his shoulders.
“Yeah, but I’ve gotta finish wrapping.”
“You’ve got more than a week to do that. There’s no rush. And you don’t even have to wrap what you bought me.”
Sky gasped and turned to face his insane boyfriend. “Of course I have to wrap everything, you heathen!”
Nolan grinned at him, but Sky’s heart still ached for him. Nolan didn’t have a warm, loving family. His older brother was a total douchebag and was now permanently out of Nolan’s life. Sky might not have had his parents, but he’d had a grandmother who’d loved and doted on him for most of his life. Hell, she was still around after death to check on him and coddle him with more love.
As an introvert, Nolan had only one close friend—Jennifer. Nolan’s life wasn’t filled with the usual Christmas traditions and cheery memories, so Sky was determined to give him all those things now. Especially beautifully wrapped, thoughtfully purchased gifts.
Aside from all the Christmas gifts, there were still the parties to consider. There had been his witch coven pre-Christmas BL holiday show-watching party that had involved a lot of mulled wine and desserts. It had been even earlier this year so they could include Moon before his big move to China with his vampire boyfriend and his new clan. There had been a few visits from the underworld minions as well.
There was one big pre-Christmas event left—the winter solstice party at Maddox’s house. After that, he just had to plan for Christmas Day cuddles, gifts, and food with his adorable boyfriend.
Of course, that plan now included a creepy tree. That thing was keeping life interesting.
Sky wrapped his arms behind Nolan’s neck and stepped into him. He only had to tip his head up toward Nolan, and his lover was bending to meet him for a sweet kiss. Sky immediately tightened his hold on Nolan and rose on his toes, deepening the kiss to something hotter and needier. Nolan’s hand slipped down his back, molding Sky to his longer body and moving to cup his ass.
That was one of the things that he loved about Nolan. While the man didn’t have a single scrap of magic to call his own, he was practically a psychic at reading Sky. With a tiny nudge, they were on the same page.
Of course, that page usually looked like something pulled out of an erotica novel, but they were healthy young men. It was natural that Sky was horny for his boyfriend all the fucking time.
“I thought you were tired,” Nolan murmured as he lifted his lips to nibble along Sky’s neck.
“Kissing you has miraculous, rejuvenating powers,” Sky groaned. God, Nolan always went for that spot right behind his ear that curled his damn toes and scrambled his brain.
“You mean you’re horny, and you want to get railed,” Nolan whispered.
