Page 9 of Snow Storm

Always, always alone.

“If I wasn’t so against marriage, I’d propose,” Claude groaned as powerful hands swept along his thighs. His muscles were somewhat atrophied since they weren’t as responsive as they’d been before his accident.

They tended to spasm and seize a lot, so the one indulgence he took besides soaking in the springs was the massages. And Daniel was the best. He wasn’t Swedish, but he could play the part with his massive shoulders and his full head of very blond hair.

He had a smile that had once made Claude’s heart flutter, but it hadn’t been more than a passing crush. Also, Daniel was married to a man in the Marines, and he was very open about how absolutely taken he was.

“If I wasn’t married, I’d say yes. But I don’t date straight guys, and I’m pretty sure you don’t swing my way.”

Claude snorted. “I’m not straight. I swing any way my heart wants.” He wasn’t in the closet. He just wasn’t very open about his preferences, mostly because he had no intention of dating. Ever. “But my heart doesn’t want a marriage.”

Daniel picked up his left foot and began to work the warm, orange-scented oil into the arches of his feet. His legs were still twitching, but a lot less than they had been before. Daniel truly was magic. “Whatdoesit want, hmm?”

“A good cassoulet. The kitchen still can’t get it right, as much as I love them. My favorite cheeses without having to pay so much for the imports. The wine is good here, so I won’t complain about that, but I could use some decent chocolate every now and again. American chocolate always tastes like sour milk.”

Daniel laughed. “Fair. What about your heart though. Because most of those things are your stomach, and trust me when I say the way to a man’s heart is not through the things he puts in his mouth. Well…maybe a few things, but none of them are food.”

Claude flushed as his cheeks turned faintly pink at what Daniel was implying. It had been a long, long time since he’d had anything to whet that appetite, and considering he wasn’t in the business where he could meet singles, he was pretty sure his celibate streak was going to continue.

“I’ve heard red wine is great for the cardiovascular system. Does that count?”

“No!” Daniel smacked him lightly on the calf. “You know that’s not what I meant. I mean your love heart. Not the gross-looking muscle keeping your gorgeous body alive.”

Claude wasn’t used to being complimented on his body. At least not in years. His cheeks went a little warmer. “Yes, yes, I know. But that’s the only heart I’m willing to entertain right now. One divorce is enough.”

Daniel made a sad little noise, but he didn’t push it. Instead, he changed the subject. “Did you decide on the Christmas menu?”

“I’m going traditional for the staff,” Claude told him, then rolled over when Daniel gave him the nonverbal signal. He adjusted his sheet and then held his arms above his head and rested his hands over his hair. “Turkey and ham, stuffing, and there was a request for roasted brussels sprouts. I think Carlo will be taking care of pies. There will be more staff than guests, so I don’t want to go too wild.”

“Maybe we should do one big thing this year,” Daniel suggested. “Have the couple of guests join us in the lounge instead of the private dining rooms?”

“We’ve done it before. They complain that it loses the magic when they see working class amongst them,” Claude said, wrinkling his nose.

Daniel grunted as he worked on Claude’s hips. “People are so gross and weird.”

“Yes, but we don’t have to subject ourselves to it. I’ll have a nice Christmas dinner for them—something plated with a nice pudding after. Aminah is going to light all their fireplaces and set out gift baskets on their beds. It’s enough.” He opened his eyes and looked at his masseur. It was going to be Daniel’s first Christmas with them because it was his first one with his husband deployed. “Is there anything I can do to make it easier for you?”

Daniel smiled softly and shook his head. “Nah. Coop and I have a call planned—if he can swing it. He says most of them will get an hour on video, so I’ll be able to see his face.”

“It must be hard for you both.”

Daniel shrugged as he gave Claude’s hips a pat, then offered his hand to help him sit. He was looser, which was nice, but it also meant weaker, so he had to brace himself on the table to stay upright. “I knew what I was signing up for. I met him when he was on leave.”

Claude wondered how Daniel could trust him. He’d been living in the States long enough to have heard horror stories of the way marriages and relationships broke down when they were parted by service. But maybe Daniel and Cooper were different.

He wanted to believe that. He had to believe in love for someone, at least.

“Thank you for this,” he said as he reached for his boxers and sweats.

Daniel gave him a little salute off his forehead. “I’ve got you, boss. You know that. You want help getting dressed?”

“No. But it’s not very dignified, so if you don’t mind?—”

“Not at all.” Daniel closed the door behind him with a soft click, and Claude got dressed as quickly as his body would allow.

With his legs like jelly, he slid into his wheelchair, and the cushion took the edge off the pressure in his hips. He twisted, making sure his rubber spiked handle covers were in place. He’d bought them years back when he realized total strangers would grab him and push whether he liked it or not.

He used to just stand up and scare the shit out of them, but watching them yank their hands back after being stabbed in the palms was much more fun.

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