Ezra was sayingtouch me, and Mike was still hesitating, because he really didn’t know how to do that. He’d never danced with another man before.
He clearly hesitated too long, because before he knew what was happening, Ezra grabbed him by both of his front belt loops and pulled him in so that their bodies were just brushing against each other. Mike stumbled with the force of it, reaching out to steady himself and finding his hands naturally landing on Ezra’s waist.
A bright grin told him that he’d gottenthatright, at least. Ezra’s hands slid up over the fabric of his too-loose sweater, warm even through the wool and the shirt under it. He inched them all the way up Mike’s chest at what felt like a snail’s pace, leaving a trail of tingling nerve endings in their wake before curling them around the tops of Mike’s shoulders, thumbs resting either side of his neck.
He hadn’t been touched in a while. That wasdefinitelywhy his heart was hammering right now.
Swallowing thickly, Mike followed Ezra as he swayed the two of them, their feet moving just enough to keep them rocking side to side. Rather than being horribly embarrassing or awkward, it was actually kind ofnice.
Mike’s whole world had narrowed down to the way Ezra was stroking his neck with the pad of his thumb, just barely tracing it along the collar of the shirt he was wearing under it.
When he met Ezra’s gaze again, the way he was looking at him hit Mike square in the gut. He’d never been looked at like that before. Like he was the most amazing person in the world, like Ezraadoredhim.
He wasgoodat this.
“Wow,” Mike murmured, surprised at how good this felt. As it turned out, itreallydidn’t matter that Ezra was a man. It only mattered that he was warm, and kind, and close.
“Told you I’d sell it,” Ezra said in response, grinning up at him. There was only a couple of inches between them, but he still felt… smaller, all of a sudden. Less intimidating, maybe, though Mike couldn’t really remember beingintimidatedby Ezra.
More like… afraid he’d be mad. Afraid of disappointing him.
Ezra’s approval meant a lot. It always had.
“I could almost believe it myself,” Mike said. “Everyone’s looking at us.”
“Let ‘em look.” Ezra shrugged. “Better still, give them something to lookat,” he said, glancing above them.
Mistletoe, again.
“I think putting you through kissing meoncewas bad enough,” Mike joked. “Twice would be a little much.”
“You’re not completely repulsive,” Ezra responded. “Kinda cute in the right light, even.”
Cheeks suddenly burning, Mike glanced away, unable to meet Ezra’s eyes. HeknewEzra was teasing him, but…
It was nice.Kinda cutewasn’t exactly compliment of the year, but Ezra letting him know that he’d be okay with it if Mike kissed him again was… information Mike felt the need to file away.
“Might have to save the second one for the actual wedding,” Mike said. “In case there’s more mistletoe.”
“I’m gonna make sure there is.” Ezra beamed, his eyes sparkling playfully.
“Youwould,” Mike responded, a smile spreading over his face at the thought of Ezra giggling as he hung mistletoe off every single available surface.
“I will, just you wait,” Ezra said. “You'llhaveto kiss me again.”
Mike knew he was still teasing, but there was some part of him that didn't hate that idea at all.
Which probably wasn't a good sign.
