A Sugar Daddy for Winter (Sugar Daddies)

by Charity Parkerson

  Ivan shrugged. “Maybe you should follow the clues.”

  A smile exploded across Winter’s face. He couldn’t help it. Winter couldn’t believe Ivan had done this. He peeled the note from the bell. “You must kiss if you find yourself beneath me.” Winter scanned the room. Mistletoe hung from a nearby doorway. So too did another note. Winter pushed to his feet and retrieved the next clue. “I keep eggnog fresh and cool.” He headed for the fridge and found the next clue. “I have sturdy walls, but I’m much too small for anyone to live inside me.” Winter moved back to living room and spotted a gingerbread house on a sideboard table. The next clue was tucked beneath the corner of the house. Winter gingerly pried it out, trying not to destroy the icing. “Go back to start and open me again.”

  Winter turned around and found Ivan innocently eating as if he hadn’t sent Winter on the most pointless treasure hunt of all time. The box sat on the ottoman at Ivan’s elbow. It was closed again. Winter pursed his lips and rejoined Ivan on the floor. He reached for the box.

  Ivan set his hand on the gift, stopping Winter. “Before you open it, I have something kind of crazy to ask you.”

  A surprise laugh burst from Winter. “Crazier than this trip?”

  Ivan cocked his head to one side, as if thinking that one over. “Okay. It’s possible you won’t think it’s that farfetched, but I still need to ask you something before you open this box so you won’t get the wrong impression.”

  Winter’s curiosity was at an all-time high. “Okay.”

  “If you could afford it, would you stay here with me for a while?”

  Winter didn’t need to think about it. “Yes.” Fuck, at this point, he might stay here forever if Ivan asked.

  With a sharp nod, Ivan lifted his hand. Winter grabbed the box and removed the lid. There was another scrap of paper inside. Winter swallowed a groan before it escaped. He thought this was the end of the hunt and he would finally know where this game was headed. He unfolded the paper. His brain froze. It was a check for fifty thousand dollars. Before he could recover from his shock and tear up the check, Ivan chimed in, “Will you stay here with me for a while?”

  Goddamn it. He had fallen right into Ivan’s trap. Winter re-folded the check and put it back inside the box. He was torn. On one hand, he didn’t want to accept Ivan’s money because he knew he would always feel like Ivan had bought him. On the other hand, Ivan had been unknowingly paying Winter’s rent for the past two years with his unnecessarily large tip each night. So how was this different?

  Ivan took his hand and pulled Winter’s gaze his way. His heart was in his eyes and Winter couldn’t look away. Ivan immediately got to the heart of the matter. “I’m not trying to buy you. That’s why I asked before you saw the check if you would stay. I know that I am much older than you and therefore much more financially stable.” Winter fought a sarcastic burst of laughter. Age had nothing to do with how far apart they were financially. Thankfully, Ivan kept talking and saved Winter from saying as much. “I am afraid you won’t give me a real chance because you can’t afford to stay here for long.” Ivan admitting to even an ounce of fear had Winter’s annoyance melting away. He found himself listening for real and genuinely considering Ivan’s proposition. “Like I said, this isn’t me trying to buy you. I just don’t want money to be the reason you refuse when I ask you to stay for a while. It is beautiful here and I never get to stay as long as I would like. This year, I’m free to do so and I would like for you to be here with me. If you say you don’t feel like there is something between us and it’s all me, then I understand. But I think we are starting something, and I want to keep going.”

  Winter had never been more blown away in his life. Every time he thought there was nothing else Ivan could do to shock him, Ivan took things to a whole new level. The thing was, Ivan was right. There was something here. Winter would never forgive himself if he didn’t find out what. “Okay.”

  Ivan blinked. A small smile touched his lips and disappeared, as if he feared to hope. “Are you being serious?”

  Winter nodded. “Truthfully, you’ve already been paying my rent with your crazy tipping for the past two years. I can choose to think of this check as an advance on the next two years and...” Winter swallowed. Ivan’s eyes were beautiful. He was distracting, and—damn it—he belonged to Winter. “I want this.” The confession came out in a whisper. Winter couldn’t deny his heart the opportunity to have more of Ivan. Ivan looked every bit as moved as he leaned Winter’s way. Their foreheads met, and they didn’t move. For a long moment, they sat like that—foreheads touching and soaking up the moment. They had something. It felt real. Winter couldn’t walk away from this. Ivan had him snagged.

  Winter’s nose was red, and his teeth wouldn’t stop chattering. Ivan couldn’t look away. He felt like a kid again. They had built a snowman, which had deteriorated into a snowball fight and ended in them making out in the snow. Inside the mudroom at the back door, Ivan helped peel away Winter’s wet clothing. He hung each piece of outwear on a different hook to dry. The rest of Winter’s clothes—mainly his socks and shirt, Ivan tossed toward the laundry room. He would worry about them later. Right now, he had to get Winter warm.

  “Snow doesn’t look as cold on TV.”

  Ivan couldn’t resist Winter’s smile. He kissed the tip of Winter’s red nose. “You’re adorable. How about a hot shower?”

  “Are you joining me?”

  As if Ivan would say no to that. “Absolutely.”

  A sweet-looking smile touched Winter’s lips. He took Ivan’s hand and headed for the stairs. Ivan couldn’t look anywhere else other than at Winter as Winter led him upstairs and inside the bedroom. Winter still visibly shook. Ivan couldn’t have that.

  “I’ll get the shower started. You need to get warm.” Ivan rushed inside the bathroom, determined to keep Winter safe from the cold.

  He turned the steam feature on, hoping to warm Winter as quickly as possible. He turned to find Winter completely nude and waiting. He looked nervous, as if unaccustomed to having anyone stare at his naked body in the broad daylight. Ivan couldn’t have that. He needed to make them even. Ivan peeled off his shirt before stripping away the rest of his clothing. Without looking Winter’s way, he stepped inside the shower. Once inside, with hot water hitting him from every direction, Ivan held his hand out to Winter. When Winter set his hand in Ivan’s, Ivan closed his fingers around it and tugged. He held Winter’s stare. As much as he wanted to drop his gaze and eye Winter’s body like a pervert, Winter’s comfort was more important. He dragged Winter closer and blindly squirted some body wash in his hand before going to work, washing Winter’s skin. When he felt Winter relax, Ivan stole his chance to inspect Winter’s nude form. He was beautiful. Pale and firm. Winter made Ivan’s mouth water. Last night, he had enjoyed sucking Winter’s dick more than he dared to admit. Winter made him feel powerful. Desired. Ivan had been so busy amassing a fortune for the last fifteen years that he hadn’t bothered trying to build a personal life. Then he had crossed the street for a drink. Nothing had been the same since he set eyes on Winter.

  “I can’t recall a time when I have felt so free.”

  Winter’s gaze shot to his at the confession, as if he never expected Ivan to make such an admission. He made Ivan want to give him all the words.

  Ivan backed Winter against the wall between shower heads. “I want to savor every moment. This isn’t about sex.” Even as Ivan made the claim, he cupped Winter’s cock and stroked. A gasp reverberated from the shower walls, caressing Ivan’s ears. He needed more. Winter went hard in Ivan’s hand. Ivan dropped his gaze to watch it happen. His dick craved attention as he stared at Winter’s. Ivan shifted his hold so he could rub their erections together before stroking.

  “Oh god.”

  Winter’s whisper could barely be heard over the water, but Ivan heard. His desire grew. He loved knowing he could please Winter with such a simple act.

  “Let me watch you come, Winter. I�
��ve fantasized about you for so long. Don’t let me suffer another night without knowing how your cock looks when I’ve pushed you over the edge.”

  Winter’s fingers dug into Ivan’s shoulders. His hips thrust. Ivan’s breath burst from his lips. They looked amazing together. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from their dicks moving against each other as he pumped and thrust. His muscles tensed and relaxed as he fought the urge to blow. Winter’s hold tightened on his shoulders. His stomach caved as he strained against Ivan. Ivan held his breath. He didn’t dare blink. Cum shot from Winter’s cock and a pant burst from Ivan. The sight sent him over the edge. Ivan leaned into Winter and claimed his lips as he pumped faster, stealing every pulse of pleasure.

  As their tongues met and curled, stroking each other, Ivan filed the sensation away as another cherished memory. He had been deprived of human touch for so long that every brush of Winter’s fingertips felt like a treasure. Every second that passed, his obsession grew into something more. Something darker. Winter belonged to him. Ivan didn’t know how to let him go.

  Four

  A month alone with Winter hadn’t lightened Ivan’s touch at all. In fact, he was always half a second away from biting like a rabid dog every time anyone flirted with Winter. It turned out that everyone hit on Winter. Women. Men. It didn’t matter. Everyone gravitated toward him. Waiters tried giving Winter their number. Cashiers gave him discounts. Fuck, Ivan had called for a cable repairman when they had lost all but two networks, and after fifteen minutes of talking to Winter, Ivan had ended up with a free premium package. He had no goddamn clue what was happening. Obviously, Ivan had always known Winter’s worth. He just hadn’t expected to have the flames of jealousy constantly fanned.

  Tonight was no different. Ivan had been biting his tongue all through their nice candlelight dinner while their waiter pretended Ivan didn’t exist. Ivan eyed the too-pretty blond who wouldn’t stop hovering over Winter, even after Ivan paid the bill.

  “I have one final question before I leave you alone.”

  Winter’s chest expanded as if he was tired of the guy’s constant presence. “Sure. What’s up?”

  The blond went down on his haunches beside Winter’s seat. “What are you doing tonight after you finish dinner with your dad?”

  Ivan’s temper snapped. He snagged Winter’s chair and towed it closer, nearly dumping Winter from his seat in the process. His heart skipped a beat in fear as Winter flailed for half a second before righting himself. Winter laughed as he smacked his hands down on the table, making silverware rattle and heads turn their way in his attempt to stop himself from spilling into the floor. “I think that’s Ivan’s way of telling you he’s most definitely not my dad and he doesn’t appreciate your question.”

  For a full ten seconds, the guy looked between them in horror before visibly rearranging his features. “I’m so sorry. It just did not occur to me... I’ll leave you alone now.”

  Ivan wished he felt better once they were alone. He felt like an ass. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  Winter chuckled while rubbing Ivan’s thigh beneath the table. “Shush, Daddy. He was being rude as hell. I kind of like when you go all caveman.”

  Oddly, Ivan’s stomach muscles tightened at Winter calling him Daddy, even though he knew it was a joke. “Damn. You are a tease.”

  As Ivan looked on, Winter bit his bottom lip and stared at Ivan’s mouth. Ivan’s cock stirred. He had to tear his gaze away. Winter made Ivan want to take him to bed and never leave. He could happily spend the rest of his life making love to Winter. Unfortunately, Ivan didn’t think he was what was best for Winter. He was so much older than Winter and he always felt as desperate as he obviously looked. Ivan had been the brooding type his entire life, but Winter made him twice as moody and possessive. Even now, he wanted to demand Winter do something extreme to prove he wanted Ivan more than the pretty blond.

  Winter’s hand moved higher beneath the table. Ivan set his hand over Winter’s, stopping him from going any farther. God knew he wanted Winter to touch him in this badly lit restaurant with candles flickering all around them. Ivan had already embarrassed Winter once tonight. Maybe it was time he faced the truth. Ivan was that middle-aged guy, pretending he could keep someone like Winter. It was time for them to get back to reality. They had to go home.

  Ivan and Winter fell into this amazing pattern. They ate breakfast together, watched TV, went for walks, and made lunch side by side. Sometimes, they stayed up late getting plastered. Ivan talked a lot more when he had too much alcohol in his system, and Winter loved hearing stories about his life. In truth, that was Winter’s favorite part. They just talked. Each and every day, whether they sat by the fireplace or spent time in town, they had lengthy discussions about everything. Winter told Ivan all about feeling like he didn’t fit in anywhere and being more alone with friends than when he was alone. Ivan talked about being the personal lawyer of a man who owned countless casinos and hotels along the west coast. He also talked about how he struggled to connect with people because he had been raised very differently from anyone in the U.S. His parents had been hardened by a tough life and hadn’t shown much love to each other or their children. Ivan claimed he hadn’t understood what it meant to want something softer until he had crossed the street and met Winter. Apparently, Winter’s quiet nature gave him peace and comfort. They were a perfect fit.

  Winter had gotten lucky in more ways than he ever imagined since leaving with Ivan. Silver Taproom had agreed to hold his position until he returned. It seemed he had been a stellar employee, and even if they had to rehire him, he would have a job when he went home. Since he paid all his bills online, including his rent, there were no problems there. Winter settled in and found himself wishing every day that they could stay forever. Unfortunately, Winter couldn’t avoid the truth forever. Their time was coming to a close. Ivan became a little more withdrawn every day. They couldn’t avoid the topic indefinitely.

  Winter stared at Ivan’s profile while Ivan drove. They had spent the day in town, shopping before having a candlelit dinner at a restaurant with a gorgeous view. The entire time Winter ate, he kept expecting Ivan’s next words would be goodbye. It had felt like a sendoff dinner, as if Ivan tried ending things on a good note. Winter felt certain, if they hadn’t been plagued by a rude waiter, Ivan would have already dumped him. There was a pit in Winter’s stomach. He knew the worst was coming. Pressure grew in the car each passing second, making Winter want to scream to break the tension. He couldn’t take it anymore. Winter decided it was better to know.

  “When do you have to go back to work?”

  Ivan quickly glanced his way before going back to focusing on the road as he drove. “I haven’t wanted to say anything and ruin our time together, but I’ll have to get back soon. Truthfully, I should have returned a few days ago, but I haven’t wanted to leave.”

  That confession might have taken out Winter’s knees if he had been standing. Ivan had only asked him to stay with him in Aspen. When they were back in Malibu, they would likely go their separate ways. Winter lived in constant fear of that outcome. The past month in Aspen had been amazing. Winter needed to see the time he had been given as a blessing. The tension in the car told the truth, though. They were over. He found himself rambling with no point, hoping to hide the way his hands suddenly shook. “It’s okay. I figured the time to get back must be coming soon. It’s not like we can stay here forever. This has been amazing, though. I’ve loved this. I’ve...” Winter made himself stop talking before he admitted that he loved Ivan.

  Ivan took his hand. “I know. I’m not ready to leave either.”

  Winter pasted on a smile he didn’t feel. “It’s okay.” He didn’t know why he kept saying that. It wasn’t okay. “You have a life and career in Malibu.” Unlike Winter. Winter didn’t really have anything to go home to. The idea of returning to sleeping alone and living in silence brought tears to his eyes. Winter looked away and focused on the passing scenery. He wo
uldn’t likely see snow again. This entire trip had merely been a fantasy. He wouldn’t forget this perfect month in a winter wonderland with Ivan. Ivan had given him a chance to dream. For a solid month, he had given Winter a family again. He would hold the memories tight for the rest of his life. Winter would be okay. It wasn’t like he had any other choice.

  They had always been temporary. Ivan realized that now. Falling in love with Winter had given Ivan clarity. He wanted better for Winter than a life with an old man. Winter’s silence since learning they had to go home was sitting on Ivan’s throat, choking him. When Ivan invited Winter to Aspen, he had genuinely hoped he would get to keep Winter forever. He had a million things he wanted to say to Winter. They all sounded ridiculous in his head. At the end of the day, Winter was still fifteen years younger than him. After a solid month of living together day in and day out, waking up together and falling asleep at each other’s side, Ivan was one hundred percent in love with Winter. That meant he had to let Winter get back to people his own age.

  Ivan, knowing that he would have to let Winter go, didn’t make their last night together any easier. He couldn’t stop touching Winter every chance he could. Ivan stole every kiss he could get. They barely spoke the entire night, and when they went to bed, Ivan didn’t try for more than holding Winter. He clasped Winter so tightly against him, he didn’t know how Winter breathed. Even when tears soaked his chest, Ivan didn’t loosen his grip. He knew he would fall apart if he did.

  They packed in silence and flew home without exchanging a single word. It wasn’t until Ivan walked Winter to his front door that Ivan risked meeting Winter’s gaze for longer than half a second. The breath stuttered from his lungs as their gazes met. Winter looked like Ivan had broken him.