A Guy for Christmas - K.C. Wells Page 0,83

that idea. And on Christmas Day, we all get up as soon as Ryan does, because… hello, big kid. Then we help Mom make breakfast. She has Christmas carols playing all morning.”

“I like the sound of that,” Dean murmured.

“And in the afternoon we watch Christmas movies, usually our favorites, and that lasts pretty much all day.” He swallowed hard. “Except… it won’t ever be like that again.”

“Hey.” Dean’s voice was soft. “You don’t know that.”

Robin huffed. “Yeah, I do. This feels like the day I discovered Santa wasn’t real.”

Dean gave a gasp of mock horror. “He’s not?” Robin couldn’t help laughing at that. Dean leaned in conspiratorially. “I wouldn’t say that if I were you. You might offend him.”

Robin bit his lip. “You believe in… Santa Claus?” Okay, this was adorable.

Dean smiled. “How else do you think you ended up with me? You think it was by chance I walked into the boatyard?” He kissed Robin lightly on the lips. “You’re everything I ever wanted. You’re beautiful, smart, romantic…”

“Romantic? What gave me away?”

Dean chuckled. “I think it was the candle on the table when you made me dinner that evening. But more than that, it told me something vital.”

“What was that?” Robin wondered how revealing reheated mac and cheese could be.

Dean locked gazes with him. “I wanted to know if there was more to us than sex. I got my answer.”

“I could’ve told you that. You only had to ask.”

“Yes, but I’m a guy. That would have been too easy.” Dean covered Robin’s hand with his. “You said you didn’t want to think about all this. So can I make a suggestion?”

“If it’ll get my mind off my dad, I’ll go for anything.”

Dean squeezed his hand. “Let’s get out of here. You need fresh air, exercise… all good things for breathing life into you.” He smiled. “We were going to go skiing, remember?”

It was on the tip of Robin’s tongue to say he was in no mood to hit the slopes when he realized Dean was right. It was exactly what he needed. Sitting around worrying accomplished nothing.

“I think that’s a great idea.” He gazed into Dean’s eyes. “How? How can you get me the way you do, after knowing me such a short time?”

Dean laughed. “Remember what I said about us being more than chance? Now do you believe me?”

“Santa again, huh?” Robin sighed. A cute idea. Now, if Santa could get his dad to come around, Robin really would believe in miracles.

Dean lay in bed, disturbed now and again by the sound of late-night traffic. Not that he’d been sleeping anyway. His thoughts were of Robin on the other side of the wall.

This is killing him.

Robin had put on a brave face that afternoon, and they’d had a fantastic time. He marveled at Robin’s skill and speed on skis, and they’d both laughed at Robin’s idiotic notion that he could ever pass himself off as a beginner.

Except it had been Ryan’s idiotic notion.

However, once they got back to Dean’s place, Dean could see the strain in Robin’s face. If there had been any way Dean could’ve taken this away from him, he’d have jumped at it.

The door opened, and Dean turned to look. Robin stood in the doorway, back-lit by the lamp on the landing, wearing nothing but his briefs.

“Are you okay?” Dean sat up in bed.

“Yeah. Well… no.” Robin walked over to him. “My bed’s kinda big without you.”

Dean switched on the bedside light. “You wanted to sleep there, remember? You needed space.” And respecting Robin’s wishes had been tough, but Dean had done it.

“And now I need you.”

Dean didn’t hesitate. He threw back the comforter. “Get in.”

Robin climbed into the bed, and Dean drew him close, his arms around Robin’s slim frame. They lay in silence, Dean content to have him there. Where he belongs. He hoped Robin felt the same way.

“You weren’t the only one, you know,” Robin said after a few minutes.

“Hmm?”

“You said earlier today something about wanting to know if there was more to us than sex. I wanted to know too.”

Something clicked into place. “Last night… you sleeping in my guest room… was that some kind of test?”

Robin sighed. “Yeah, but not for you. I was the one who passed with flying colors.”

“I don’t understand.”

Robin stroked Dean’s chest. “I needed a breather, time to think. But I also had to see if I could spend a night without running to you. And before you say anything, I knew you’d be there for