“Do you want to stay in this position or switch around?” Silver slid his warm hands up Anthony’s spine, molten heat against Anthony’s cooler temperature.
“Hmm?” Anthony opened his eyes. Joining with Silver had sunk him into a world of sensation. His senses overwhelmed, Anthony moaned and wiggled on Silver’s hard shaft.
“Keep that up and I’ll come before you can decide what position you want me in,” Silver warned, gasping when Anthony flexed his hips.
“It’s been too long.” He couldn’t stop the whine from escaping. This was what he had been missing the past few days. Not only sex but this closeness between them. Damn he had missed Silver. Even as they had slept beside each other, they had been too far apart.
“It has.” Silver grabbed Anthony’s hips and flipped them.
Anthony’s back hit the leather couch, and he arched a little, pushing Silver farther in. “Yesss, right there,” he hissed, angling for Silver to hit that spot. That very spot, once more. A needy grunt burst from him and another as Silver found his rhythm of sliding in and out. Of hitting the perfect position. Anthony might have magic, but sex with Silver had an enchantment of its own. He clawed at Silver’s back, pulling him closer as heat built between them. A bead of sweat dripped from Silver’s brow to Anthony’s shoulder.
A rough kiss between gasps pushed Anthony over the top and he came in a rush of seed and passion. Silver bit Anthony’s shoulder before filling him. He slid out seconds before he collapsed on Anthony, pressing him into the couch cushions.
Anthony winced but didn’t complain. He swept magic through them, cleaning and cooling them off. “I can’t breathe,” he said when it was apparent Silver wasn’t going to ease off.
“Sorry.” Silver moved to the side, pulling Anthony with him in a tight hug.
Anthony still couldn’t breathe, but at least he wasn’t being completely squished.
“Love you,” he whispered because words after sex should be soft, especially with a shifter with super hearing.
“Always,” Silver agreed.
“I’m going to have to hold interviews?”
Anthony looked up from his papers to give Dare his attention. “What are you talking about?”
Dare moved from the doorway of Anthony’s downtown office to take the seat across from him. “I called all the agencies and they claim there aren’t any Santas left.”
“You could always steal a mall Santa.” Anthony bit his lip to hide his grin at Dare’s expression. The tiger shifter’s frustrated huff made it worthwhile. A small petty part of his soul hoped they didn’t find someone. Then he wouldn’t have to go through with this farce.
“I don’t think a Christmas abduction is the way to go.” Dare growled, frustration evident on his face.
“Well, if you do dig one up, I have a set designed for him. It even has a play area to keep the kids entertained instead of waiting in line.” Even if Dare didn’t pull this off, Anthony could probably sell the model to a few department chains. He might not support the Santa idea, but he’d be damned if his hotel had a shoddy Santaland.
“I appreciate that, Anthony. I know you don’t really get the Santa thing, and maybe we’re being a bit ridiculous.” Dare fiddled with his fingers, his usual happy expression missing. “I just think Trin should have more childhood experiences.”
“Trin isn’t like other people.” Anthony didn’t know how to convey that being a creation of a god wasn’t the same as being a regular child. “I see where you are coming from and I’ve agreed to the Santa thing. You focus on finding someone to play the part and I’ll get everything else ready.”
“If it comes down to the wire, I can step up and play Santa,” Dare said.
“Only if you have a good excuse ready for Trin. Even with a fake beard, he’s going to know it’s you. You’ve babysat him enough times that he will recognize your scent and so will any of the pack.”
“That’s true.” Dare pouted, his lower lip sliding out like a kid denied a treat.
Anthony dipped his head and flicked through some papers to hide his smile. “Did you come all the way here to try to convince me you would make a good Santa?”
“Maybe?” Dare didn’t sound convinced of his own words.
Anthony put down his papers and gave Dare all of his attention. “What’s going on?”
“Do you think Steven and I would make good parents?”
Anthony didn’t rush his response. He could tell from Dare’s expression that his answer was important to him. “I think anyone can be a good parent if they give their kid a lot of love and understanding. You might think my father is a bastard, but I never wondered if I was loved. Are you thinking of adopting?”
Dare sighed. “I don’t know. Just, with all the kids lately, I’ve really been thinking about fatherhood. I’d really like kids, but Steven…”
“Talk to him. It’s important you are both on the same page. If you do decide to adopt, both of you need to agree on it together.”
“Yes. You’re right.” Dare stood up. “I’m going to go talk to Steven.”
Anthony checked the time on his phone. “I thought he was on the night shift. Isn’t he asleep?”
Dare deflated. “Yeah. Maybe I should hold off until after the holidays anyway. I don’t want him to feel pressured.”
“Come on. It’s time for lunch. Let’s go get a bite and you can tell me all about your sudden wish for parenthood and all about Santa. I still don’t understand the appeal.”
It took until after grilled sandwiches and fries before Dare spilled out his heart.
“I just want a little tyke of my own,” Dare bemoaned.
“How about you and Steven borrow Trin for a week and let me know how it goes.” Anthony offered a wicked smile. “I’ll tell Trin it’s like going off to camp.”
Dare laughed. “I don’t think Silver would agree to that.”
“Maybe not. I could sell it as doing it for a good cause, especially if you are in the same building as us.” Silver’s alpha protectiveness worked overtime when it came to their son.
“I’m not sure we could even get an agency to let us adopt a child.”
“There are shifter agencies. I heard one of the pack members talking about it once. I don’t remember who.” Anthony wrinkled his nose as he tried to recall the conversation he’d overheard several months ago.
“I’ll ask around. Someone will know.”
Anthony nodded. That was how the pack worked. Collective knowledge passed around faster than a wildfire.
“You’ve been friends with Steven for a while. Did he ever mention kids to you?”
“No.”
Dare pressed his face into his hands.
“On the other hand, he hasn’t ever said anything negative about kids either. Has he said anything to you about the ones you babysit?”
“No. He just rolls his eyes when I say where I’m going.”
“Then we’re back to you having a solid conversation with your mate and finding out his opinion.”