Page 62 of A Hard Sell

Luka swayed forward. “You’re welcome.”

Then the door slid open and Georgia stuck her head out. “There you guys are! We were looking for you. Ilona and Aleandro want to say a few words before everyone leaves.”

“Okay,” Luka said, straightening up. “Great. Yup. Be right there.”

He looked at Thomas. Thomas was looking back. Georgia stood waiting at the open door. “After you,” he said.

They gathered back with the crowd inside as Ilona and Aleandro thanked them for their work and wished them a happy holiday. Luka’s heart raced as he considered the moment they had had.Almosthad.

The party wrapped up after that, the air filled with wishes for a merry Christmas and happy holidays as people said their goodbyes.

“Well, I’m leaving for my parents’ place in the morning,” Luka said, when he couldn’t avoid saying goodbye to Thomas any longer.

Thomas nodded. “Drive safely.”

“I will.” Then he slipped in for a hug. Thomas tensed for a second, then his arms slid around Luka in return.

It was hard to explain, the dizzying feeling that swept over him as Thomas held him. He was warm, weak, safe and so very turned on all at once.

“Merry Christmas, Thomas,” he scratched out as he pulled away, letting his fingers linger on Thomas’ arm.

“Merry Christmas, Luka.”

It hurt to walk away.

Luka left for Andchester early, bracing himself for four days of invasive questions about his personal life and the high-level acrobatics required to stay out of his mom’s and sister’s sparring. He’d play in the snow with the kids, watch whatever sporting event his dad had on, eat and drink his way through his mom’s stockpile and absolutely, definitely not obsess about Thomas every second.

“Great plan,” he told himself as he drove. “Fuck.”

Chapter Fifteen

You Couldn’t Even Wait Till Breakfast?

Waking up in his parents’ house, in the room he slept in for eighteen years, was always strange. It was a guest room now, his old belongings long gone, but it still had the same feel. The same light creeping in and falling across his pillow. The same air.

Luka rolled over and stretched, listening to see if anyone else was up. When he heard the clink of the coffee pot sliding into its place, he sat up and reached for his new robe. It didn’t smell like Thomas anymore, but putting it on still made him feel closer to that sweet, gorgeous man. He sighed and checked the time.Made it till 6:08 without pining.

“Morning, Dad,” Luka said as he shuffled into the kitchen.

His dad looked up over his reading glasses. “Morning, Luk. Sleep well?”

Luka blew out a breath. Not especially, being haunted by the memory of that hug. “Sure. Fine.”

His dad shook out the paper. Luka looked at him fondly. Oscar still insisted on reading an actual physical newspaper every morning.

Luka went to pull two mugs out of the cupboard, adding milk and sugar to his as the coffee brewed. He poured for the two of them and sat across the table. His dad had been called out last night for a burst pipe and Luka hadn’t had much of a chance to talk to him yet.

“Did you get their water back on okay?”

“Oh, sure.” Oscar shrugged. “Just a small one.”

“Not all plumbers would drop everything to run out for a house call after dinner on December twenty-third.” Oscar owned the business now, but still made house calls in emergencies.

His dad shrugged again. “Part of the job.” He took a gulp of coffee and eyed Luka over the rim. “How are things for you?”

“Good. Work’s been great. Busy.”

“Good to hear.” His dad pursed his lips, obviously debating whether or not to say anything. “Your mother’s got another one for you.”

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