A Guy for Christmas - K.C. Wells Page 0,28
called out from the kitchen.
“Yeah, I kinda got that part,” Robin hollered back. He carefully pried Loki’s claws from his jeans and scooped him up into his hands. “Someone really nailed it when they named you, huh?” Then Loki snuggled against him, and Robin’s heart was lost. “Wow. You’re good.” He stroked the warm little body, holding Loki to him as he sat on the couch. Lady stepped delicately onto his lap, turned around a couple of times, then settled, her tail curled around her.
“Hey, Dean? I think I’ve got a new job.”
“What’s that?”
Robin smiled to himself. “Cat tree.”
Dean walked into the room carrying a mug and a glass of juice. His eyes twinkled when he saw Robin. “Aw, look at you.” He placed the glass on the side table at the end of the couch, then stood there, glancing around him.
“I don’t bite,” Robin said with a grin. “And this is a very big couch.”
Dean laughed and sat, leaving a seat cushion between them. “How was work today?”
Robin stared at him. “We’re gonna do small talk?” He put Loki onto the floor.
“You’re right. But we do need to talk.” Dean sighed. “You were also correct, what you said on the phone. I’ve been thinking about you too.”
“Am I going to be happy or sad?” Robin’s heartbeat raced.
“To be honest? I haven’t come to a decision yet.”
Well, it wasn’t the no he’d been dreading, so there was still hope. “Is there anything I can do to help you make your mind up?” Because right then Robin was willing to do anything, within reason. Then he checked himself. “You know what? That came out kinda sleazy. Forget I said it.”
Dean settled back against the cushions. “Can I ask you something? When you worked out that this was what you wanted, and you came over here to lay it all out for me… Had you given any thought to how you wanted this to go? I mean, was it to be a one-time-only thing? Or did you envisage lessons, you know, taking you from Beginners to Advanced level?”
The fact that he smiled when he said it eased Robin’s quaking heart. “Can I be honest?”
“I always appreciate honesty.” Dean’s eyes sparkled. “After the… skiing lesson, that would be a refreshing change.”
“Aw, don’t remind me.” Robin had the feeling Dean was never going to let him forget that. “When I first decided I was gonna ask you, I never saw it going any further than that. I guess I thought you’d never agree to it.”
“Why not?”
God, the room had gotten so much quieter and warmer. “Well… why would you want to… you know… with a guy like me? A guy my age?”
Dean frowned. “Why would I not want that?”
Robin gaped at him. “Because you could have any guy you wanted.”
“And again, I’m flattered.” Dean took a drink from his mug. “What about your parents?”
Christ. Talk about killing the mood. If Robin had had a boner at that point, it would have shriveled to the size of a pea. “What about them?”
“Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that it isn’t a one-time thing. How would you explain to them why you keep coming over here?” Dean’s eyes gleamed. “Or would you simply not tell them?”
Robin hadn’t gotten that far. “I don’t know!” Then he stilled. “I’ve got it. I could tell them I’m taking lessons from you.”
“In what?”
“Painting.” He grinned. “You never know. I might turn out to be a really gifted student.” He shifted closer to Dean, disturbing Lady who jumped down onto the floor.
Dean narrowed his gaze. “Why do I get the feeling we’re not talking about painting?” His lips twitched, however.
“I’m good at following instructions,” Robin said in a low voice. “I bet I’m a fast learner too.” God, this sounded really bad.
Dean chuckled. “You’re certainly fast, that’s for sure.”
He edged closer still. “I’m ready for my first lesson.” Closer. “Wanna tell me what I’m learning today?”
To Robin’s dismay, Dean lurched up from the couch. “Christ. Talk about wearing a guy down.”
Robin was on his feet in a heartbeat. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. This… this is all wrong. It feels cheap.”
Dean faced him, a mere foot separating them. “Stop trying so hard. You don’t need to come up with corny lines.”
“But how else do I get you to want me?” Robin sighed in exasperation. “Other than by wearing you down and tempting the fuck out of you?”
Dean ran his fingers through his hair, and Robin caught his breath at the sexy,