Page 55 of Snow Storm

Harley swallowed heavily. “How?”

“It makes me realize that the strength I thought you possessed was underestimated. You gave him far less than he deserved.”

“I don’t think the internet agrees with you,” Harley said miserably.

“Have you checked?”

Harley’s face flushed. “Well, no. I’m terrified to look. I’m just hoping that some other big celebrity does something wild so people will forget about me.”

Claude laughed softly and shook his head. “Maybe that will happen, but from everything Lyric and Aminah have told me, more people are on your side than you think. I’m here for you. You can lay low in my arms, and I will protect you. But I hope you won’t be afraid to step back out into the world when the storm passes.”

Harley bit his lip, then surged up and kissed Claude for millions more than he would ever be worth. “Thank you.”

Claude had no idea what to say to that. He didn’t need thanks. He just needed this. And for the moment—and maybe for a million more—he’d get to keep it.

Chapter 16

Claude

Christmas morning wasthe one morning Claude allowed himself the chance to sleep in. There were no morning tasks for him. No guest complaints or requests. No chores. No buffet to oversee or calls to make.

His usual routine was to lie in bed by himself until his bladder complained. Then he’d get up, have a piss, a shower, some coffee, and eventually make his way to the hotel to say good morning to his little family. In the afternoons, he’d have a Skype with Dorsey and, if he was feeling up for it, say a quick hello to his family before grabbing a plate of food from the kitchen and wallowing in his cabin until the holiday was officially over.

This year was different. He still planned to have a lie-in, except he wouldn’t be alone. And that was the first thought on his mind when he rolled over to find…an empty bed? His heart leapt into his throat, and he sat up faster than his body was ready for. His legs tangled together, and he nearly fell flat on his face as he tried to unwind himself from the sheets.

He managed to land on his hands and knees and crawled his way to the corner of the room where he left his chair. It was an easier transition from the floor since his legs had a little morestrength than the night before, and soon, he was ignoring every bodily function to race through the house in the search for his lover.

Harley was never up before him. He slept poorly, awake late into the wee hours past midnight, and he was always fully unconscious when Claude got up with the sun.

So why was today different? He didn’t think Christmas was a thing for Harley, so had he panicked after last night? He knew sharing the video had been the most vulnerable thing he’d ever done, but he didn’t think it was going to send Harley running.

He came to a halt in the kitchen doorway with Harley there, his arms reaching toward the counter, a guilty look on his face. Claude lifted a brow, and Harley cleared his throat.

“Good morning.”

Claude wheeled fully into the kitchen and realized that Harley was setting something on the counter. It looked like a room service tray. Oh, his sweet, perfect man. “I was going to cook for you.”

“You’ve done enough,” Harley answered. He dropped the tray and came around the counter, and when Claude held out his hands, Harley took them. With the firm grip, Claude stood and took two struggling steps toward his lover. “And we both know I’d make a mess of it if I tried. Aminah said this was the staff gift to the both of us.”

Claude’s heart felt very full. “I see.”

“I, uh…I know you don’t have a tree, but I also stole some garland and a couple of baubles from the lobby,” Harley told him, stepping in close. His grip on Claude’s waist was both comforting and kept him steady. “I put your gift there.”

“Gift? When did you…how did you…?” He’d gotten something for Harley, of course. When he and Charlie had gone for the supply run, he’d picked up a couple of things for him. Butthey were nothing special. He just wanted Harley to feel loved this morning. But how had Harley managed anything?

Harley tipped his chin up the way Claude often did to him and met his gaze. “I didn’t buy you anything, so you might not like it. Uh…it’s just a…it’s a thing. It’s important to me, but it might be silly, and maybe this was a bad idea. We can just?—”

Claude kissed him quiet, and as soon as Harley melted into it, he pulled back. “Whatever it is, I will love it.”

“You say that now?—”

“And I’ll say it when I see it.” He kissed him again. “I have something for you as well.”

Harley looked shocked for a second, then deflated. “When you went into town.”

“It’s not anything important to me. I just didn’t want you to wake up with nothing.”

Harley scoffed. “My brother hid a couple gifts in my suitcase. I won’t be without.”

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