Ivan glanced over his shoulder as he led Winter inside the bedroom. “Yes. I hired a lady to ready the place for us. She was nice enough to stock the pantry and run all my errands for me, so we’re not trapped without food and whatnot.” Ivan parked their suitcases near a gigantic and cozy-looking bed before focusing on Winter. “I wanted your first Christmas with me to be perfect.”
His first. Winter’s brain latched on to those words and his heart tried skipping a beat. He knew Ivan didn’t really mean it. Winter couldn’t think of a way to respond. Ivan didn’t force him to think of something to say.
“What do you want to do first?”
It was already almost midnight. That had nothing to do with why Winter didn’t bother trying to delay the inevitable. He wanted Ivan. “We should go to bed. Don’t you think?”
Ivan’s mouth lifted in one corner. He sat on the edge of the bed and pointed at the floor between his feet. “Come here.”
That hard Russian accent, Winter couldn’t disobey it. He immediately moved to stand between Ivan’s knees.
“You are exquisite.” All Winter could do was fight a blush and stand there in silence as Ivan’s hands found Winter’s hips. He squeezed. “I’ve had you many times in my mind.”
Winter’s knees weakened. He shifted closer, hoping to hide how unsteady he had become.
Ivan wasn’t finished. “You’ve had me in several ways too.”
Oh, goddamn. He was perfect for Winter. Winter’s lust loosened his lips. “Which version of me blew you away the most?”
Even though Winter felt certain Ivan knew what he meant, Ivan didn’t give him what he wanted. “This version right here. I wish to have the real you.”
This time, Winter was the one who smirked. He had never been this turned on or wanted anyone this much. They were nearly a thousand miles from anyone Winter knew. He could be anyone this weekend. Do anything. “Take off your shirt.”
Ivan immediately did as told.
Winter wanted more. He felt powerful as he watched Ivan obey. His soft sweater disappeared, leaving a solid and slightly hairy chest for Winter to enjoy. Winter’s hunger rose. “I want you on your back, undoing those pants.”
Light blue eyes stared at him with hunger as Ivan eased onto his back and reached for the button on his dark jeans. Winter’s gaze slid down Ivan’s body and latched on to Ivan’s hands. He watched as Ivan undid the button and slid down his zipper. Winter’s mouth watered. His bravery grew.
“Take your dick out.”
Without an ounce of hesitation, Ivan lifted his hips and slid his pants down, setting his erection free. Like all of Ivan, it was sexy.
Winter swore his stomach growled. Ivan had a pretty body—like a runner. He was trim and toned. The guy was always well-groomed. He smelled good. Ivan screamed money and refinement. He was so far above Winter that Winter didn’t understand why Ivan had noticed him, but he had. Now Winter planned to keep his attention. Winter reached over his head and grabbed the back of his shirt. He tugged it up and over his head in one quick motion. Winter held on to it as he crawled onto the bed and straddled Ivan’s body.
“I wish I had asked for your number,” Winter confessed as he claimed Ivan’s mouth. This kiss differed from the last. It was carnal. Winter wanted there to be no misunderstandings. He was about to fuck Ivan. But first, he wanted to taste Ivan’s cock. He nipped and sucked at Ivan’s lips and curled his tongue around Ivan’s. Winter massaged every place he could reach until he had Ivan panting. He moved lower, kissing Ivan’s jaw before moving to his throat and then his chest. Winter spent a moment savoring Ivan’s hardened nipples before slipping lower. He licked his way down Ivan’s stomach until he reached Ivan’s crown. Winter stared up the line of Ivan’s body and held the man’s stare as he gripped Ivan’s shaft and sucked the tip of his dick.
Ivan’s eyes looked crazed. “More.”
Winter fought a smile. Ivan was still trying to be in charge, even though he wasn’t in that moment. Winter intentionally didn’t take Ivan any deeper into his mouth, but he sucked harder. Ivan dropped his head and gasped. Winter stroked upward, meeting his mouth. He took Ivan a little deeper. Ivan scratched at the blankets beneath him until he white-knuckled a handful, holding tight. Winter noticed every detail of the way Ivan fought to keep himself restrained. Winter wanted to watch him lose control. He didn’t want an obedient Ivan. He wanted the Ivan who had demanded Winter stand between his knees. The one who had told Winter to be ready to leave in two hours, expecting obedience. Winter intentionally refused to suck more than two inches of Ivan’s cock. He watched Ivan struggle and waited. He realized something a half second before aggravation had Ivan exploding into action; he knew Ivan. Maybe they didn’t talk, but they spent every night in each other’s company. Winter obsessed constantly about Ivan and had stalked Ivan’s life, searching his details online and watching him from the window of the bar each time he left his office. He knew what Ivan drove, his favorite color and suit. Winter knew Ivan would not relinquish control for long just to please a teasing boy.
Ivan jackknifed from the bed and Winter found himself staring at the ceiling with no clue how it happened. He didn’t have long to think about it before his dick was in Ivan’s mouth. Ivan had flipped Winter onto his back and de-pantsed him so quickly that Winter hadn’t had time to catch his breath. It was his turn to grab the blankets and hold on. Unlike Winter, Ivan didn’t tease. He swallowed Winter’s dick over and over, sucking hard and blowing Winter’s mind. Ivan played with Winter’s balls and fingered his asshole, stretching him. Winter couldn’t do anything but take it. He was turned on past the point of insanity. His hips rolled and thrust upward, trying desperately to race toward release. Then Ivan curled two fingers upward inside him and pressed as his throat tightened around Winter’s cock. The air left Winter’s lungs. His entire body jerked and then shook as waves of pleasure pulsed through him. Ivan didn’t stop sucking. He forced Winter to ride out every aftershock.
While Winter still gasped for air, he watched Ivan finish stripping before rolling a condom down his length. He coated the condom in lube as he held Winter’s stare. “I can tell you like to tease and play,” Ivan said as he crawled between Winter’s thighs and spread them wide. He lubed Winter’s asshole. “Maybe one day I’ll have the patience for that. Tonight, I don’t. I’ve wanted you for too long.” That was all the warning Winter got before Ivan shoved his way in. Thankfully, he was still floating in the clouds from his orgasm. Otherwise, it might have hurt. Ivan showed him no mercy. He thrust hard, slamming inside Winter, but he hit at the perfect angle. A moan slipped from Winter. He couldn’t be passive. Winter snagged the back of Ivan’s neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Their lips and tongues stroked and clung. Winter actively worked at blowing Ivan’s mind the way Ivan had done for him. He wanted to watch Ivan come unglued. Ivan felt damn good inside him. Winter let him know it.
He tore his mouth away and moaned. “That’s it, gorgeous. Fuck me. Goddamn, you feel amazing inside me. It’s like you were made for me.”
Ivan grabbed Winter’s jaw and held tight, forcing Winter to meet his gaze. He looked almost frightening as he stared down at Winter. “This isn’t just a fling.” Winter blinked at Ivan’s intensity. Ivan’s hard expression never wavered. “You belong to me.”
Winter had never met anyone as severe as Ivan. He didn’t how to react. They didn’t feel like a fling in that moment. A warmth spread through Winter’s chest. He belonged to Ivan. The backs of his eyes stung. He had been tossed away so easily by his family. For years, he had been alone and unwanted. Abandoned. He felt... something.
“Say you’re mine, Winter. I need to know you understand that.”
With his throat swollen with emotion and his eyes filled with tears, Winter choked out the words. “I’m yours.”
As Ivan claimed his mouth and cried out his pleasure around their entwined tongues, Winter held on for dear life. Logically, he knew Ivan had only been caught up in the moment. Ivan didn’
t know how his actions made Winter feel like he wouldn’t be alone again. He recognized all that on an intellectual level, but his heart didn’t. Winter’s heart felt full and hopeful. His emotions were all over the place as Ivan’s kiss turned sweet and loving. The terror struck last, making Winter’s arms tighten their hold on Ivan. He didn’t want to go back to being alone. Winter wanted to cling to the fantasy life Ivan painted. He needed Ivan’s possessiveness to be real. Winter wanted to be Ivan’s man. He prayed it could be true.
Three
Ivan had always been an early riser. It didn’t matter how late he stayed up; he couldn’t sleep past six-thirty. Since Winter worked nights, Ivan imagined he probably slept late. That was fine. The extra time gave Ivan a chance to watch Winter sleep. He was always peaceful. In fact, that was one of the many reasons Ivan looked forward to seeing him each day. Ivan felt like he could breathe when he was with Winter.
He couldn’t stop thinking about last night. Not the sex part, which had been off the charts with Winter teasing him into becoming controlling. Ivan couldn’t stop thinking about the way Winter had looked at him when Ivan had staked his claim. Winter needed him. He hadn’t made the choice to come here with Ivan on a whim. Winter wanted a life with Ivan, too. They were equally alone in the world. Ivan would make him happy. Keep him safe. He would also spoil the fuck out of Winter. Christmas was a good day to start.
Ivan rolled from bed and padded down the stairs. While Winter slept, Ivan made breakfast. It was a wild assortment of fruit, yogurt, donuts, eggs, and bacon. He had no clue what Winter liked. Ivan also made hot chocolate. At the last second, he added a candy cane to the drink for some holiday spirit. A smile touched his lips. This was the first Christmas in more years than he could count that he actually looked forward to the day. Before he could grab the tray of food, Winter’s arms encircled him. Ivan’s eyes fell closed as Winter’s lips brushed his nape.
“You ruined my surprise.” Even to Ivan’s ears, he sounded breathless.
Winter’s lips moved to Ivan’s ear. “I could get back in bed and let you pretend to wake me.”
Ivan wanted to get back in bed, but for a different reason. But his heart needed him to spoil Winter outside the bedroom. Winter made that choice a hard one with the way he kept kissing Ivan’s ear. He forced his jaw to unclench. Fuck, Ivan had never wanted anyone as much in his life. Winter was a sickness for him.
“You’re already up. We should go ahead and eat so you can open your presents.”
Winter went still. “I have presents?”
Ivan glanced over his shoulder. “Of course. It’s Christmas.”
Winter’s grip loosened and Ivan turned in his hold. He looked shell-shocked. Once Winter had Ivan’s full attention, he stole Ivan’s heart. “I can’t think of a single thing to say that’s powerful enough for how I feel right now. You make me wish I had more to offer.”
Ivan didn’t know how to explain that Winter’s presence was worth more than all the money in the world. He tried. “For most of my adult life, I could afford to do and buy anything I want. Yet, I have not felt the way I do with you. You have everything to offer me.” Before he made a bigger fool of himself, Ivan grabbed the tray of food and headed for the living room. “Come on. You can open presents while we eat. I wish to watch.” He didn’t look behind him until he reached the coffee table sized ottoman near the tree. Ivan set the tray on top and turned Winter’s way. Winter was gone. A shot of panic ran through Ivan. He lived in constant fear that his intensity would drive Winter away. Therefore, he never spoke. It seemed he was right to be afraid. Winter had run when Ivan wasn’t looking. The air left Ivan’s lungs when Winter reappeared. In the kitchen, Ivan hadn’t noticed they matched. They both wore plaid pajama pants and nothing more. That realization melted Ivan’s heart. He was so goddamn happy being here with Winter. Ivan was so lost in his feelings that it took him a moment to notice Winter carried brightly wrapped presents.
Winter set the boxes under the tree. “I only had a couple hours’ notice, but I managed to snag a few things for you before we left yesterday.”
Speechless didn’t cover Ivan’s feelings as he stared at the boxes Winter added beneath the tree. The only gift he got for Christmas each year came from his boss in the form of a huge bonus. This was different. It was as if they were having a real Christmas—like a tiny family. There was an unfamiliar pressure in Ivan’s chest. He couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
Winter hadn’t stopped smiling. “One more thing.” He moved to Ivan’s side. “We have to have a Christmas morning picture.” He shuffled Ivan in front of the tree so it would be directly behind them in the picture. Winter held out his phone and snapped several pictures of them together. At the last moment, Winter turned his head and pressed his lips to Ivan’s cheek and took one more picture. It already felt like the perfect day, and they hadn’t really gotten started yet. Winter handed him the phone and Ivan looked through the pictures while Winter settled on the floor next to the ottoman to eat. In every image, Ivan looked severe while Winter looked happy. The final image of Winter kissing Ivan was different. Ivan’s eyes were closed. He looked like a man in love. Ivan quickly sent the picture to himself in a text before joining Winter on the floor.
“I didn’t know what you like to eat, so I put together a little of everything.”
With a forkful of eggs halfway to his mouth, Winter chuckled. “I love everything. Thank you.”
Ivan popped a piece of bacon in his mouth and leaned over to snag a gift for Winter. “You should start opening these.”
Winter ate a pineapple chunk before tearing into the first gift. Ivan ate while he watched. The first gift was a thick winter coat. Winter held it against his chest and flashed Ivan a bright smile. “Thank you. I didn’t realize until we were leaving last night that I don’t own more than a thin jacket.”
Ivan nodded. “Yes. I thought of that too. Most of us in Malibu are unaccustomed to this level of cold. I wanted you to be prepared for your first snow adventure.” Ivan went back to eating while Winter opened boxes of thick gloves and a scarf.
With more boxes to go, Winter looked his way. “Why am I the only one opening gifts? You should take a turn.”
Ivan couldn’t argue. He simply hadn’t wanted to miss watching Winter open each gift. Ivan snagged the pile of gifts Winter had added. He fought a wave of emotion as he opened the first present. It didn’t matter what was inside. This was the best day of his life. It was a bottle of vodka.
Winter laughed. “I had to buy what I could in a short time. Since you drink a glass of that brand every night, I figured I couldn’t go wrong.”
Ivan’s cheeks ached from smiling as he set the bottle aside. “Thank you. That’s amazing. We’ll need that to get warm again after we make us a snowman later.”
Winter’s gaze moved to the window. Longing etched his features. “I’ve always wanted to try that.”
“Get dressed and we will.”
Sexy blue eyes swung back Ivan’s way. Winter shook his head. “Not yet. I haven’t finished soaking up this part yet.”
Ivan got it. They were exactly alike. Deprived of everything that everyone else took for granted. Ivan nodded toward the gifts. “Let’s finish, then.”
They took turns. Winter got a box of candy. Ivan opened a laptop. His mind froze. It was an extremely expensive laptop. Obviously, Ivan wasn’t hurting for any such thing, but coming from Winter, who didn’t have this kind of money to be spending, Ivan didn’t know what to think. His gaze moved to Winter.
Winter flashed him a sweet smile. “I told you I always save money all year to buy myself one expensive gift. That’s what I bought for myself this year. As I packed last night, I decided I would rather give it to you.”
Ivan had no words, but he had questions. “Why would you do that?”
Winter’s smile turned sad. “This trip and everything you’ve done.” Winter motioned at their surroundings. “This is worth more than money and it’s definite
ly worth more than I can do for you. That laptop is literally the best I could do for you, and I wanted to give you the best.”
Ivan set the gift aside and shifted to his knees. He closed the distance between them and stole Winter’s kiss. When they got back home, Ivan would make sure Winter got an even nicer computer. No doubt Winter had saved his money all year because he needed the gift that he had chosen for himself. Ivan wouldn’t let Winter go without anything he needed.
Their kiss turned heated way faster than Ivan anticipated. He found himself slowing, forcibly controlling his emotions when he didn’t want to do any such thing. Winter made him want too hard. He made Ivan crave a life like this one. Ivan already knew he wouldn’t let Winter get away. This wasn’t a fantasy holiday that would be a moment cut from time and never repeated. Something had been building between them for the past two years. They were fanning the flames of that ember, becoming an inferno. There was no going back now. They were meant to be.
Winter fought a wave of disappointment when Ivan pulled away. He couldn’t explain the feelings in his chest. It was like he was in a dream and didn’t want to wake up. Winter worried that everything would go back to the way it had been when they got back to Malibu. He would serve Ivan a single drink every night. They would never speak as they pretended this never happened. He had to force that ugly thought from his head to keep from ruining the moment. Winter was good at finding the darkness among a thousand silver linings.
Ivan handed him a final gift. “Don’t forget this one. It was a tiny box wrapped in silver paper with a shiny silver ribbon tied around it.
Winter tugged the bow loose and unwrapped the box. He lifted the small lid. There was a tiny folded paper inside. He pulled it out, set the box aside, unfolded it, and read aloud. “I jingle when you shake me.” Winter’s confusion had him tossing a quick glance around. He spotted a bell on the tree that had a small sliver of paper taped to it. “No.” His gaze shot to Ivan’s smiling face. Ivan looked like a naughty kid. “Is this a treasure hunt?”
A Sugar Daddy for Winter (Sugar Daddies) Page 2