He didn’t want to stop, but Levi let out a soft protesting noise, and George released his softening cock from his mouth. Sat back and marveled at what he’d done. Sparkling eyes stared at him down the length of Levi’s body, his face red and expression almost dazed. George licked his lips, unsure how he looked or if he’d been as good as—
Levi lunged, knocking George over on his back, mouth covering George’s in the most intense, claiming kiss of his life. Levi’s tongue licked into his mouth as if trying to get his own come back, and George surrendered. The pressure of Levi’s thigh on his groin became too much, and George moaned as he came, coating their bellies and smoothing the way even more. Levi didn’t relent for a long time, but the kisses gradually slowed. Became calmer, more sensual and less frantic. When Levi finally released his mouth, George’s lips felt swollen and he didn’t care.
“Thank you,” Levi panted. “That was the best sex of my life, I mean it, George.”
Levi had never lied to him, so George took the compliment. “I loved everything about it. It’s easy with you, Levi. And we are definitely doing this again.”
“Oh yes, we are.” He nuzzled his nose against George’s. “It’s still early. Do you want to rinse off, make hot chocolate and watch a cheesy Christmas movie?”
“Absolutely.”
They did exactly that, and George couldn’t remember a better, more relaxing—and satiating—Christmas Day ever.
Chapter Twenty
Levi couldn’t remember a better, more relaxing Christmas in his entire adult life. First waking up to find Robin had left him a gift under his paper tree—new running trainers—and then a long run in the crisp winter air. A hearty breakfast with his friends in the guesthouse, eventually followed by an amazing conversation with Robin and Dad to honor Xander. His trip out to get George. Dinner at Mack’s.
The incredible sex he’d shared with George later. George had seemed like a completely different person that night, full of confidence and taking control. Telling Levi what he wanted. Giving Levi so much pleasure he’d lost his mind a little bit. Even such a simple thing as watching It’s A Wonderful Life—because George had never seen it—while drinking cocoa had been everything Levi never knew he needed.
And he wanted to protect it.
He watched George sleep, his face faintly lit by moonlight that filtered through the loft’s various small windows. George looked peaceful, almost like an angel with his shaggy blond hair and strikingly fair skin. They’d gone to bed in their boxers, and Levi marveled at the amount of trust he’d earned with George in only five weeks. He was nothing like the shy, panicked boy he’d first met on Thanksgiving.
George was alive and thriving, and while he recognized that George had done the bulk of the work, Levi loved knowing he’d helped George on his journey. But would their journeys always travel the same path? He hadn’t told George yet, because Levi still wasn’t sure what he thought about it, and he needed to sit on it for a while. There was no hurry for a decision anyway.
After he, Robin and Dad had conference called as a trio, Dad had asked to speak to Levi privately. Robin had headed back to his cabin, leaving Levi alone in the corral. Levi had perched on the set of steps the horsemen used for shorter riders or greenhorns who couldn’t mount on their own.
“What’s up, Dad?” Levi asked. “Everything okay at home?”
“Nothin’s wrong, son, but I’ve come to a decision that I think you deserve to hear first.” Dad’s voice was clear, no hint of worry or stress. “It’s about Lucky’s.”
His heart began thumping against his ribs. “Is the rodeo in trouble? Can I help?”
“No, we’re not in trouble. Far from it. Potter’s already working on a full spring schedule, and we’ve got all our regular summer spots lined up. The business is solid, don’t worry about that.”
“Then what kind of decision?”
“It’s a promise I made to your mother before she passed.”
Levi closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Mom had passed away from ovarian cancer when he was seventeen, and it had been a hard time for their family. He still missed her and hoped she would be proud of the man he’d become. When the land was quiet around him, he liked to think it whispered that she was.
“She always supported the rodeo and you boys being part of it,” Dad continued, “but we did have arguments about it. When she first got sick, I promised her and God that I’d retire early enough that she and I could travel, just the two of us. See the places around the world we never got to see, because I was always too busy with the rodeo.”
“And then she died.”
Dad cleared his throat hard. “Yeah. But the last time she was awake, I told her I’d keep my promise. I told her I would retire when I turned sixty and see the places we talked about.”
“You’re retiring?” He turned sixty next September. Levi was glad to be sitting because his head spun a bit with shock. He never thought his dad would retire, not even after he dislocated his shoulder two years ago. “But what about Lucky’s? You’re the heart of the rodeo.”
“I want Lucky’s to go on, and Willard has offered to buy me out on more than one occasion. Take over when I’m ready to retire.”
Levi nodded even though Dad couldn’t see him. Willard was one of the most senior guys in the rodeo, and he’d been with them since Levi was a child. “I think he’s a good choice. And you could use the money to travel.”
“Yup, I could. But I also invested your mom’s life insurance as a future retirement plan, knowing I couldn’t go on with Lucky’s forever, so I’m covered. It’s not about the money, it’s about family. My father started it, and I’d hate to be the last Peletier to own it. Willard taking over and eventually buying me out is my second choice.” Levi saw the request sailing toward him before Dad lobbed it his way. “I want you to take over running it when I retire, Levi. It was always supposed to be your legacy.”
A reflexive “I don’t want it” died before it passed his lips. Levi had walked away from Lucky’s after Xander died, allowing his grief to carry him far away from his family and into a long year of terrible decisions. Even after he got sober, Levi had never entertained the idea of going back to Lucky’s—at least, not seriously. His wanderlust still existed, and the idea of traveling again...of performing in front of audiences of thousands...
“I have a job here that I love, Dad,” Levi said. “I can’t just leave before the season is over. I can’t do that to Robin and Mack.”
“It wouldn’t happen the day of my birthday, son.” Dad’s tone had changed into something almost hopeful. “I’d stay with Lucky’s until the end of our season, too. This will be my farewell tour, one last visit to places I’ve been traveling to my entire life. Saying goodbye.”