Jay spun around and cocked his head. “Hey, E-man. Why’s your nose so red?”
Ezra smiled impishly. “I was Santa’s Little Helper last night.”
Jay’s head swiveled back to his best friend, his eyebrows pitched high on his forehead. “I bet you were. Was Roman Santa?”
“Yes, you want to see a picture?”
Jay smiled with absolute glee. “Why yes, Ezra, I wouldloveto see a picture.”
Roman could practically feel the steam puffing out of his nostrils as Ezra darted off to the bedroom to retrieve Roman’s phone. He came back with it already unlocked and handed it over to Jay. Anticipating the hand-off, Roman swept in and snatched it out of his friend’s hand. He scrolled through the pictures in order to find the most innocuous one. In the photograph he chose, Ezra stood with his hands behind his back and glanced off toward the window. The light was soft on his face and his antlers a little skewed on his head. So handsome and completely unaware of how devastating he was. Though with his sexy little poses, he might be catching on. Well, at least you couldn’t see his ass in this one. Roman flashed the screen at Jay for about two seconds before pocketing the phone.
“I like the antlers,” Jay said. “What was the occasion?”
“Anal sex,” Ezra said while at the same time Roman said, “Christmas Eve.”
Jay’s eyebrows crawled even higher on his forehead.
“That’s what I wanted for Christmas,” Ezra explained. “And a blow job.” He looked to Roman as if to remind him.
“I haven’t forgotten,” Roman said with a grin.
“Well, damn, ya’ll should have invited me over last night. I have a lot of Christmas spirit to go round.”
“Jay,” Roman warned. “Some things we like to keep private. Right, Ezra?”
Ezra shrugged. “Jay talks about sex stuff all the time.”
“Sharing is caring,” Jay agreed, unaware that he was courting Roman’s inner dragon. Or maybe he knew exactly what he was doing.
“Ezra, why don’t you grab your stuff?” Roman said. “Don’t forget your warm coat.”
“Okay, be right back.”
Ezra disappeared into his bedroom and Roman turned on Jay with a savage look in his eyes. “Jay, I swear to God…”
“Chill, QB, I’m just busting your balls. I’m not trying to steal your wifey. But damn, you got a visit from a real Christmas angel last night, didn’t you?”
Roman smiled smugly, recalling the moment when he’d first seen Ezra in that outfit. Awestruck, he’d had no idea what to say, only knew that he wanted him more than his next breath. “Yeah, I definitely did.”
Ezra returned with his coat and shoes and gave Roman a hug goodbye. Roman kissed him as well, feeling even more possessive than usual.
“Your nose is still red,” Roman said.
Ezra rubbed it, which only made it worse. “Better?”
“Yeah.”
“You want us to bring you back something?” Ezra asked, always so thoughtful.
“My usual would be fine.” He kissed him once more, reluctant to let him go. Over Ezra’s head he said to Jay, “I’ll text you. Be careful with my boyfriend.”
Jay saluted and offered his bent arm to Ezra like a perfect gentleman, only Roman knew better.
* * *
Over beignets and coffee,Jay asked Ezra’s advice on what to get as a present for the cute yoga instructor at his gym. “I want a gift that says I like you but not too much,” Jay explained.
“Which one is it?” Ezra asked, befuddled. “Do you like-like him or do you only kind of like him?’
