“It’s amazing.” Levi looked as if he wanted to cry. “Oh, George, thank you.”
George let out a relieved breath. He’d sent pictures of all three of Levi’s cats to an artist who specialized in metal jewelry engraving, and she had cut each cat’s face out of the same piece of metal in a circle, kind of like a wreath. Then she had lightly painted each cat to the correct colors. “You’re welcome. You can actually use it if you want, because she has a guarantee on the work, instead of just keeping it around as a trinket. Unless, uh, you don’t want to run around with three cats on your keys.”
Levi answered that question by dragging him into a long, possessive kiss that seemed to say thank you and many other things at once. “I’ll definitely use it. I want to show it off. This is a lovely gift, thank you so much. Gosh, it makes my gift seem kind of ordinary.”
“Nah. To paraphrase your own words, it’s special because it’s from you. Now gimme.”
“You’re adorable.” Levi handed him the bigger, somewhat noisy box.
George resisted the urge to shake it and simply unwrapped it. His breath caught. It was a Scrabble Onyx Limited Edition board game. The box itself was jet-black with white lettering and it just looked expensive. “Holy shit. Wow.”
“Is it okay?”
“Are you kidding? It’s amazing. I’ve never seen this version in stores.”
“It came out ages ago. I went looking online for fun, interesting Scrabble boards, so I didn’t have to settle for the basic big-box-store sets, and I really liked the look of this one.”
“I think it’s beautiful.” George laughed and kissed Levi’s cheek. “Now I can keep beating your ass at Scrabble.”
“You wish.”
“I don’t wish, I know.” He put the game aside and snuggled in closer for a proper hug. Levi held him close, and George tucked his head under his chin, loving the feel of the man beside him. He’d loved everything about today, and he hoped they kept enjoying themselves right upstairs.
Sporty jumped onto the couch and began to battle the wrapping paper, paws lashing out, teeth gnashing like an animal possessed. She fought it right into George’s lap, where her claws pierced through his jeans. George’s yelp was high pitched enough that it startled a hissing Sporty to the floor.
Levi chuckled. “That’s what you get for clawing him, girl.”
Sporty gave him a betrayed look before flouncing out the cat door.
“You never lack for entertainment with them around, do you?” George asked.
“Never. You should see the epic fights they get into when they’re stuck inside the home during traveling time.”
You should see was a turn of phrase that everyone used when they thought a person should witness an event, so George tried not to read too much into the comment. Into the idea of traveling in this tiny house with Levi and the cats. The idea intrigued him. Seeing the country like he had when he was younger. But this thing between them was still too new to dream that far ahead. “I can’t imagine how crazy it gets,” George said.
“Crap, I’m being rude. Are you thirsty?”
He surprised himself by blurting out, “Not for a drink.”
Levi quirked an eyebrow, his eyes flittering briefly down to George’s lips. “Thirsty for something else?”
“Yes.” George had watched what probably amounted to a full year’s worth of porn, and he’d heard every possible way of someone asking for what he wanted. But for some reason, words failed him. He felt like a foolish kid, which only made his face flame.
“Hey.” Levi squeezed his wrist. “How about we go upstairs and relax on the bed? We can just chill, kiss, whatever, until you’re sure it’s what you want.”
He wanted to say, “I am sure,” but what came out instead was, “Okay.” Maybe initiating it would be easier than asking for it. He did want it but...ugh, why did sex have to be so complicated? “Let’s go upstairs.”
Levi led the way, and George eagerly followed, taking a moment to ogle Levi’s ass during the ascent. He had a perfect ass that bunched and swayed beneath tight denim, and not for the first time, George wondered what it would feel like to be inside Levi. To experience that unique pleasure with someone he truly cared about and trusted.
The familiar, low-ceiling loft quickly filled with all three cats, and George couldn’t help laughing at the way the three furballs started wrestling all over the mattress. “Am I going to have to lock you three out?” Levi asked as he shooed them away. They didn’t go farther than the top of the stairs, as if unsure of what was happening.
“Your cats are voyeurs.”
“They’re clingy.” He pulled his cell out of his pocket. “It’s getting late and too chilly to lock them out, especially if I get distracted and forget to unlock the cat door later.”
George shrugged as he stretched out on the bed. “I don’t mind. I love Ginger, and the trio keeps things interesting.”
Levi’s eyebrows twitched. “They really do. May I join you down there?”
“You better.” He rolled to his right side as Levi slid on the bed facing him. Each of them had a different pillow, and it felt like too far away. But also just right for now. Levi inched closer, and George did the same, hoping Levi made the first move. Except Levi seemed content to wait for George’s signals. Giving George all the power when he was used to having none.
“I’ve never had a Christmas like this,” George whispered.
Levi brushed a knuckle down George’s cheek. “Like what, sweetheart?”
Sweetheart.
“Full of joy and love. Between this morning with Orry and our grandparents, and then dinner at the cabin. Being here with you.” George didn’t want to delve too deeply into the past, but... “Growing up, Christmas was stiff. We had a tree. Stockings. One present each because, as our parents said, they were spending so much money between my skating and Orry’s musical interests. There was just no real joy. Not like today.”
“I’m glad I could help give you a portion of today’s joy. This is the best Christmas I’ve had in a long time, too. For different reasons, but the emotions are similar, I think.” Levi’s eyes went soft lidded. “You were very unexpected, George.”
“You were too. Very unexpected, but in the best way.” George rested a hand on Levi’s shoulder, enjoying the warm contact. “I wanted to get a life so badly but had no idea how to go about it. How to tell my brother who I really am. How to even attempt to take what I want.”
Desire burned in Levi’s eyes. “What do you want?”