“It misses us. Maybe we should let it sleep in here with us.”
“Are you shitting me? Are you going to let it in the bed? Maybe snuggle between us?” Nolan’s voice grew higher and higher in pitch with each question.
“No, you’re being ridiculous. It can sleep in the corner.”
Silence reigned on Nolan’s side of the room. He glanced over to find Nolan staring at him as if he’d lost his mind. So, he stuck out his tongue at his boyfriend before digging around under the sheets for his underwear. He slipped them on as he climbed out of the bed.
As soon as he opened the door, the little tree scuttled across the room. It moved to the far corner, where it was out of the way, and settled in the same way it did in the living room.
“Do you think I should bring up the pan of water?” Sky mused.
“No. If it wants a drink of water, it can go downstairs for it.”
That was probably true. Sky returned to the bed and flipped off the light. Yet, when he rolled toward Nolan, it was to find that his amorous boyfriend was now lying on his side, facing away from him while wrapped up in a blanket burrito.
“Hey, sexy pants,” Sky teased, trying to find a spot in the blankets to get at Nolan.
“Nope.”
“What?”
“Nope.”
Sky gasped and sat up. “You mean, nope to sex? Are you shitting me?”
Nolan twisted slightly so that Sky could make out his face in the darkness. “I’m not into having something watching us while we have sex. I’m happy to try a lot of kinky stuff with you, baby, but exhibitionism isn’t one of my things.”
“But it’s a tree!”
“A sentient tree. I’d be the same way if we had a cat or dog.”
“But it’s a tree!” Sky repeated.
Nolan said nothing as he rolled onto his side again, his blanket tight around him.
Sky glared at where the tree was now happily settled for the night. Did it know what it was doing to his sex life? Was this an evil tree?
Regardless, he wasn’t getting laid tonight. He couldn’t believe his luck.
Cockblocked by a fucking Christmas tree.
Chapter 6
December 16
Sky waited for the perfect moment. He’d just finished getting the coffee brewing and fresh water for the tree. The needy imp was in its usual spot with its roots in the water. It had even plugged its lights back in.
Overhead, he heard the soft telltale squeak of the shower being turned off. Biting his bottom lip, Sky walked casually but somewhat briskly down the hall and up the stairs. As soon as he reached the second floor, he darted into the bathroom and locked the door behind him.
A cloud of steam hit him in the face, along with the rich, woodsy scent of Nolan’s body wash. It was wonderful, but it was even better when he was nuzzling Nolan’s warm skin, peppering his man with kisses.
“Hey. What’s up?” Nolan asked, sounding surprised since Sky always got up earlier and took the first shower.
Sky said nothing as he grabbed the wicker dirty clothes hamper and shoved it against the door.
“Are we under attack?” Nolan joked, but there was a hint of worry in his eye, because it wouldn’t have been a complete shock in this household.
Sky spun to face Nolan and released a happy sigh as he dragged his gaze slowly down Nolan’s naked body. His pale skin was flushed from the hot shower and glistened with drops of water even as he dried himself with a fluffy yellow towel.
