Page 58 of Snow Storm

Harley sucked in a breath, then surged in and kissed him. It was hot, demanding, and needy. He had Harley pressed against the arm of the sofa, straddling his hips, rocking his half-hard erection against Claude’s hip.

Digging his fingers into Harley’s sides, Claude urged him on. He wanted him to take charge, to give in to the carnal need coursing through his body. But after a moment, Harley went still and pulled back.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

“For what, my darling?” Claude asked with a frown.

“I made a gift exchange dirty,” Harley groaned.

Claude threw his head back and laughed. “Does it look like I have complaints?” He stroked a touch down Harley’s cheek. “You were shamed before, weren’t you? For the things you like? The things you want?”

Harley flushed and looked away. “I’ve never been, like, a kinky guy, but people always assumed I wanted it all tender and soft and slow. Easy. Careful. Like I was fragile.”

“You’re the furthest thing from fragile.”

Harley licked his lips and ducked his head. “Maybe. I guess. I just…I don’t know…I think I wanted to be pushed a little. I wanted to experiment, but people—especially my ex—made me feel like I was weird for wanting to try things. For…for liking it when I was bossed around.”

Claude tipped Harley’s chin up. “I like the way you respond to orders. To praise.”

Harley shuddered as Claude grinned. “I like the way you tell me what to do. It’s not a request, but you make it sound like me doing what you say is a gift.”

“Because it is. You’re a treasure, and your ex is a fool.”

“Yeah, well.” Harley blew out a puff of air. “I’m the bigger fool staying so long, even though I knew deep down what he was up to.”

“The cheating.”

“Fucking our couples therapist,” Harley said.

Claude nearly choked on his own tongue. “I…your therapist?” Dorsey had told him it was someone close to who he was, but that was beyond the pale.

“Yeah,” Harley said with a dark laugh. He nestled against Claude’s chest. “I think it made me feel likeIwas the fucked-up one, you know? Like, if this man who was educated and trained to help couples get closer fell in love with my fiancé while we were trying to strengthen our relationship, it must be me who was the problem.”

“Or he’s an unethicalcouchonwho has no business practicing mental healthcare,” Claude growled.

Harley looked up with a grin. “You’re biased.”

“Yes. But I’m also a realist, and I wouldn’t give up my very long, very comfortable life of emotional and physical celibacy for someone who wasn’t you. Those two deserve each other, and I’m sorry for the pain you went through, but I’m not sorry you’re here.”

He was worried for a moment that was cruel. After all, Harley had been through a lot. Too much, in fact.

But his lover just smiled and took in a breath as he turned his face up and kissed Claude deep and slow.

“I need to unwrap my other present,” Harley murmured as Claude slipped hands down the back of his pajamas.

Claude groaned as he urged Harley to rock against him. “Don’t bother. They’re just fancy pens, and I will buy you a warehouse of them so long as you don’t stop doing this.”

Harley nipped at his chin. “Don’t worry. I won’t. And I don’t need the pens. You getting off on this is incentive enough.”

Chapter 17

Harley

If Harley had been askedwhat he wanted that Christmas, he would have said to stay under the covers with Claude’s naked body pressed against him. He wanted to laze the entire day and night under the tender, impossibly erotic care of that man.

But it was also a holiday, and the staff at the resort were Claude’s family, so without complaint, he showered and dressed in warm clothes, then followed Claude to the dining room. Harley knew there were a couple of other guests at the resort, but they weren’t in the lounge when the two of them made their way in to sit beside the massive tree.

“Am I the only one with a paid room in here?”

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