behind the shed in the corner.
That did it. Robin was not going down without a fight. “Get your ass out from behind there.”
“Sure.” A second later, more snowballs came sailing over the shed roof, landing at Robin’s feet.
“Is that the best you can do?” Robin taunted, grabbing handfuls of snow and compressing them.
“I haven’t even gotten started yet.” Dean emerged from behind the shed, armed with a couple of snowballs, and Robin let loose. He flung his ammunition, aiming for Dean’s head, then launched himself into the air, knocking Dean to the ground. Robin grabbed more snow and shoved it down the front of Dean’s jeans, doing his best to avoid Dean’s hands as he tried to grab hold of Robin. They rolled on the snow, neither of them giving any ground, until their jackets and jeans were wet, and Robin’s icy T-shirt clung to him. He managed to get Dean under him, then sat astride him, pinning his wrists to the ground.
“You give up?”
“Never!” Dean’s eyes gleamed.
Robin laughed. “Oh yeah? And how are you gonna get out of this one?”
Dean shoved at him, and sat upright, locking his arms around Robin’s waist. “By coming up with a better idea.” Then his lips were on Robin’s, and while Robin might have been freezing his ass off, heat raced through him.
“What idea?” Robin murmured against Dean’s lips, before claiming his mouth in a hungry kiss. Suddenly he didn’t want to play out in the snow.
He wanted to play indoors. With a whole lot less clothing.
“You and me…” Dean gave him a long, leisurely kiss. “Taking a bath.”
Okay, that stopped him in his tracks. “Really?”
Dean nodded. “Bubbles, candles, me scrubbing your back…” Another kiss, only this one was sweeter. “And any other bits of you that need a thorough washing.”
Robin was off him and on his feet in a heartbeat. “Last one in gets to sit at the plug end.” Then he ran toward the house, laughing.
His day was looking pretty damn perfect.
This was definitely a first for Dean.
Candles flickered around the edge of the tub and on the windowsill, and the air was filled with the subtle sweet scent of vanilla. His head rested on a folded towel, and Robin’s head lay against his shoulder, his back against Dean’s chest, Dean’s legs on either side of his.
Thank God for a corner tub.
“How long before we begin to prune?” Robin murmured.
Dean let out a happy sigh. “Don’t know. Don’t care.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this content. The water had a silky feel to it, even though the bubbles had all but disappeared. “Remind me to thank Diane when I see her next.”
“Who’s Diane, and what are you thanking her for?”
Dean rubbed Robin’s chest in slow circles, the skin smooth beneath his fingertips. The only body hair Robin possessed was his pubes and on his legs. Dean had nothing against furry guys, but this was heaven. “She’s a friend. She bought me the bubble bath last Christmas.”
“Then yeah, thank her. It feels and smells amazing.” Robin peered over the side of the tub. “Er… don’t look now but we have an audience.”
Dean chuckled. “I think we’re safe. Lady hates the water. And Loki avoids the tub these days. He’s already fallen into it at least four times.” He turned his head and softly kissed Robin’s temple. “Can I ask you something?”
“Ask fast before I fall asleep. This is awesome.”
Dean bestowed another kiss. “What do you want out of life?”
“Ooh, a deep conversation.” Robin inclined his head to peer at Dean. “You always do your deep thinking in the tub?”
“Always. Now answer the question.” Dean had no idea what had prompted it. Maybe it was a desire to know more about his—boyfriend? Lover? Dean didn’t have a word that fully encompassed Robin.
“If I’m totally honest? To do a job I enjoy, and to have enough money and time to do the other things I enjoy.”
“Such as?”
“Canoeing, skiing… You already know I want to do the Classic one day. And then…”
Robin’s abrupt silence intrigued him. “What?”
“I always wanted to try my hand at sailing, but boats cost a small fortune.” Robin sighed. “I had this dream of taking a boat someplace hot and tropical, with crystal clear waters and lush trees. Living on a boat, diving into the ocean every morning for a swim, sunning myself on deck…”
“Sounds idyllic. Can I come too?” Dean teased. “I’ll be your cabin boy.”
Robin laughed, and the happy sound filled Dean with a lightness he’d