Robin joined him, smiling. “I think I know that brochure better than you do. I helped design it.” That earned a chuckle from Dad.
Dean arched his eyebrows. “Okay, but I’d like to give you something to think about.”
My mom beat you to it. Robin didn’t think he could cope with anything else.
Dean addressed his dad. “You haven’t started work on my canoe yet, have you?”
Dad shook his head. “Like I said, after New Year’s.”
“Is it too late to change my order?”
Dad frowned. “You don’t want the RapidFire anymore?”
“No. I was thinking more of this one.” Dean pointed to a photo. “The Ohneka.”
“But… that’s a two-person canoe,” Dad said at last.
Dean smiled. “Yes, yes it is.” He glanced at Robin. “And if it’s ready for Labor Day…”
Robin caught his breath. “The Classic? We’re gonna do the Classic together?”
Dean grinned. “Always said you’re a fast learner.” He took Robin’s hand in his. “Besides, I think my days of canoeing solo are over. I hear it’s more fun with two.” His eyes glittered, and Robin fought hard not to react.
“Come into the office next Monday when we open again,” Dad told him. “We’ll get the paperwork changed.” He gave Robin a grin. “Looks like you get your Christmas wish.”
Robin could’ve told him he’d already gotten his wish—it was sitting beside him.
Robin waited patiently while Dean said his goodbyes. “I’m gonna walk Dean to his car,” he called out as Dean stepped into the hallway to collect his coat.
“Yeah, well, he might never find it—on the driveway.” That was Ryan.
Robin ignored him. He hadn’t had a moment alone with Dean since they’d arrived, and he wanted a chance to talk where they wouldn’t be interrupted.
“I think I can make it to the car without falling on my ass,” Dean assured him. He glanced up to where a bough of mistletoe hung above the front door. Dean grinned. “Hey, look at that.” He crooked his finger. “Come here.”
As if Robin was going to refuse his first kiss under the mistletoe.
He stepped into the circle of Dean’s arms, surrendering to a slow, intimate kiss that made him wish he was going home with Dean.
“We know what you’re do-ing,” Ryan sang from the living room.
“Ryan!” That was Mom.
“And sit down.” That was Dad. “Leave them alone.”
“Aw, Dad.”
“Ignore him, he’s just jealous,” Robin murmured.
“Ignore who?” Dean’s eyes gleamed. “There’s no one here but us.” Another kiss, only this time Robin looped his arms around Dean’s neck, making it last a little longer.
Then he remembered why he’d followed Dean out there in the first place.
“I swear, you addle my brain when you kiss me. I need to talk to you,” Robin said urgently.
Dean took one look at his face and nodded. “Get into the car. We can talk there.”
Robin was all for that.
Once inside, Dean turned on the engine to get the heater working. “Okay, what’s wrong?”
“My mom had a talk with me, and I … I’m a little confused.”
Dean took Robin’s hands in his, warming them. “Tell me what she said.”
Robin repeated the conversation, and Dean listened without interruption. When he was done, Robin sighed. “Now that I come to tell it, I guess it makes more sense.”
“Do you understand what she was trying to tell you?”
Robin thought about it. “Maybe… it all boils down to taking time before making a decision?”
Dean nodded, smiling. “Exactly. She’s not saying, ‘Don’t move in with Dean.’ And to be honest, she probably knows you won’t be home a lot anyhow—you’ll be at my place. Right?”
Robin chuckled. “Yeah.”
“Okay then. What she’s saying is, find out what it means to be responsible for you, before you become a part of… us.”
“Then there’s going to be an us?” Robin already had a fair idea what the answer to that was, but it wouldn’t hurt to hear it confirmed.
“What does your heart tell you?”
Robin laid his head on Dean’s shoulder. “That you make me happy.”
Dean caressed his cheek. “Want to know what my heart says?” He turned his head and their lips met in a soft kiss. “That you are the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Robin swallowed. “The best?”
Dean leaned across and kissed him, slow and sweet. “Undoubtedly,” he murmured against Robin’s lips.
Warmth crept through Robin, kindled by both Dean’s kiss and his words. “Hey, how about that? Our hearts speak the same language.”
Dean chuckled. “Sure they do. It’s called love.” He sat back, holding Robin’s hands.
“Can I ask you something?” Robin locked gazes with him. “Where do you think we’ll be a year from now?”
“Having your family come over to us for our own traditional Christmas Eve meal. And Christmas Day will be ours, just the two of us.” Dean chuckled. “Well, the four of us.”
Robin was touched by the confidence in Dean’s voice. “You really see that happening, don’t you?” Dean’s words registered. “The four of us? Oh—the cats. That’s if you don’t get another kitty.”
Dean laughed. “That’s always a possibility.”
“So you don’t think Lady and Loki will mind having another daddy?”
Dean snorted. “Are you kidding? I can see it now. Lady in your lap, purring up a storm. I go to cuddle her, and she gives me a look that says ‘Excuse me? Busy here.’” He stroked Robin’s hair. “Let’s face it. My cats adore you—just like I do.” He sighed. “So yes, I think you should do what your mom suggests, because we both know it’s not going to change a thing between us. Right?”
He loved how Dean’s words echoed what lay in Robin’s heart. “Right.” He glanced through the windshield to the house across the street, all lit up, and yet another Santa in his sleigh racing across the snow-covered lawn. As Dean pulled him closer for another lingering kiss, Robin sent out a silent message.
Thank you, Santa. I love my present.
The End
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About the author
K.C. Wells lives on an island off the south coast of the UK, surrounded by natural beauty. She writes about men who love men, and can’t even contemplate a life that doesn’t include writing.
The rainbow rose tattoo on her back with the words 'Love is Love' and 'Love Wins' is her way of hoisting a flag. She plans to be writing about men in love - be it sweet and slow, hot or kinky - for a long while to come.
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Other titles by K.C. Wells
Learning to Love
Michael & Sean
Evan & Daniel
Josh & Chris
Final Exa
m
Sensual Bonds
A Bond of Three
A Bond of Truth
Merrychurch Mysteries
Truth Will Out
Roots of Evil
A Novel Murder
Love, Unexpected
Debt
Burden
Dreamspun Desires
The Senator’s Secret
Out of the Shadows
My Fair Brady
Under the Covers
Lions & Tigers & Bears
A Growl, a Roar, and a Purr
Love Lessons Learned
First
Waiting for You
Step by Step
Bromantically Yours
BFF
Collars & Cuffs
An Unlocked Heart
Trusting Thomas
Someone to Keep Me (K.C. Wells & Parker Williams)
A Dance with Domination
Damian’s Discipline (K.C. Wells & Parker Williams)
Make Me Soar
Dom of Ages (K.C. Wells & Parker Williams)
Endings and Beginnings (K.C. Wells & Parker Williams)
Secrets – with Parker Williams
Before You Break
An Unlocked Mind
Threepeat
On the Same Page
Personal
Making it Personal
Personal Changes
More than Personal
Personal Secrets
Strictly Personal
Personal Challenges
Personal – The complete series
Confetti, Cake & Confessions
Connections
Saving Jason
A Christmas Promise
The Law of Miracles
Island Tales
Waiting for a Prince
September’s Tide
Submitting to the Darkness
Island Tales Vol 1 (Books #1 & #2)
Lightning Tales
Teach Me
Trust Me
See Me
Love Me
A Material World
Lace
Satin
Silk
Denim
Southern Boys
Truth & Betrayal
Pride & Protection
Desire & Denial
Kel’s Keeper
Here For You
Sexting The Boss
Gay on a Train
Sunshine & Shadows
Watch and Learn
Double or Nothing
Back from the Edge
Switching it up
Out for You
State of Mind
Anthologies
Fifty Gays of Shade
Winning Will’s Heart
Come, Play
Watch and Learn
Writing as Tantalus
Damon & Pete: Playing with Fire