Christmas Tales - Brandon Witt Page 0,46

Philip.

Did you actually just wish me Merry Christmas?

I paused midstride. A snowflake fell on the screen, and I wiped it away.

Did I? I thought back. I think I did. What the fuck?

Nope. Not possible.

I’d just gotten into my car when I got another text.

Yes. You did! You said Merry Christmas! You like Christmas!

Well, that for sure wasn’t true. Philip was an idiot.

Have fun with Santa tonight. You’ll want to wipe off with Purell after. He’s had a busy day.

You’re a bitch.

A second later another text came through.

I love you, Brian. And I want details on how much Daddy Bear stretches you out.

The thought made me start sweating again. I didn’t text back.

* * *

My car was iffy in the snow, so by the time I got home, there was only enough time to set up the graveyard nativity scene and for a shower.

I’d barely started sweating again when the knock came. This time when I opened the door, I couldn’t even see James’s handsome face. It was like a giant poinsettia had come to visit.

“Holy shit. You brought a tree.”

James stepped inside, having to twist to get the bags he was also holding through the door. He grinned at me from behind the deep-red flowers. “No, I didn’t. That’s the point. You don’t want a Christmas tree, so I brought a poinsettia instead. Complete with lights.”

I’d not noticed until he mentioned them, but multicolored lights were strung all throughout the red-and-green foliage. I glanced behind him into the hall. “Is it plugged into an extension cord or something?”

“No, I found lights that are powered by battery packs. Not the best for the environment, but desperate times.” He bumped into the back of a chair. “Brian, can you take this thing from me? I can’t see where to set it down.”

“Oh, sure!” I rushed forward and took the glowing poinsettia. Somewhere in all the bustle, I’d forgotten my manners. I’d also forgotten I was nervous. I placed the plant on the floor near Angel and Spike’s home, but far enough away to keep it out of their reach. The thing came up past my waist. “It’s practically a tree.” I looked over at him, and our eyes met.

“Hey.” His voice was soft. Happy.

“Hey.”

James didn’t bother setting down the bags, but crossed the room and awkwardly threw an arm around me, the bags banging into the back of my knees as he pulled me into a kiss. Some of the fire of those first kisses was already gone, but somehow, this was better. Both a greeting and a claiming.

At last he let me go and stepped back, then slid the bags off his arms and placed them on the floor.

“Geesh, James. We’re ordering in. How much did you bring with you?”

“It’s not as much as it seems. It’s just two things. I put them in separate bags so their bows wouldn’t get smashed. Although I think I might have smashed them in the elevator anyway.”

“Bows?” It took half a second for the meaning to sink in. “Oh no. You didn’t. We didn’t talk about presents. I didn’t know…. Didn’t even think…. I don’t have anything for you.”

He stepped closer, wrapped his arms around me again, and grabbed my ass as he pulled me against his crotch. “Oh yes, you do.”

“You were going to get that either way.”

“Well, maybe I’ll get it twice this way.” He gave a hard squeeze and kissed me. The fire was back in this one. I couldn’t decide which kind I liked better. Luckily I wouldn’t need to.

After he released me once more, he glanced around the room. “Okay, I know you said filming an episode can take several hours and that you have to get it up by nine thirty so people on the East Coast can still watch it while it’s Christmas, but can we take just a couple more minutes?”

My cheeks heated. “Oh shit. I already put everything out on the bed. I’ll go take it back down real quick.”

I started to rush to my bedroom, but James shot out a hand and stopped me. “No. Not for that. When I’m fucking you tonight, it’s going to take a lot longer than the time we have right now, and I don’t want you having to worry about getting done in time so your fifty-thousand fans aren’t disappointed.”

I suddenly was more than okay with disappointing my fans. “Well, I’m sure they won’t all be waiting by their computers tonight. If I’m a little late on this