Gay Romance Holiday Collection

by Keira Andrews

  The kiss was clumsy—but, oh, the hunger in it fired Nick’s blood. He opened his mouth, urging Hunter’s lips to part so their tongues could meet.

  The sweatshirt bunched up under his hands, and Nick stroked Hunter’s back, stopping at the cotton of his underwear even though he wanted to rip them off, the PJ bottoms sliding low on Hunter’s hips. Ella barked, butting against their legs.

  Moaning as he gasped into Nick’s mouth, Hunter rubbed against him, actual static electricity sparking on the flannel of Nick’s shirt. Hunter yelped and jerked back, laughing. Nick smiled, and they both laughed at Ella by their feet, barking and confused by what exactly her master was doing.

  Nick snapped his fingers and ordered her back to the kitchen. “Bed. Now.” She hesitated, barking softly and looking between Nick and Hunter. Then she obeyed, still tense and giving them a decidedly judgy glare.

  Laughing softly, Hunter ran his palms over Nick’s pecs with awe. “Oh my God, did I really do that? Is this really happening?”

  Nick held Hunter’s waist. “Do you want this to happen?”

  “Yes.” He nodded vigorously, meeting Nick’s eyes.

  “You’re feeling all right?”

  “Uh-huh,” Hunter breathed, his arms snaking around Nick’s waist as he thrust his swelling cock against Nick’s hip. “I could have died out there, and I don’t really know what I’m doing, but I’m positive I want to do this. I need…” He panted softly, licking his lips. “I need to get out of my own way.” He stared up at Nick, his expression open and vulnerable. “Will you help me? Please?”

  Nick slid a hand beneath the sweatshirt, teasing one of Hunter’s nipples. Hunter shivered as Nick circled rhythmically with his thumb. “You need to get out of your own way?”

  Tensing, Hunter dropped his gaze. “That must sound stupid. It’s something my friend Shelby says, and—never mind.”

  There it was, that anxious self-doubt that Nick instinctively wanted to calm. He could practically hear Hunter berating himself, and he wanted to take control and give him the freedom to stop worrying. To help ground him. He pressed his palm over Hunter’s thudding heart.

  Hunter was still doubting and tense. “I need… I don’t know what. I’m such a mess.”

  “Maybe you need a daddy.” As Nick said it, it felt right, and goddamn, he wanted this. More than he’d thought.

  Hunter stared up at him, his eyes widening as he whispered, “What?” He looked truly shocked, his hands jerking on Nick’s waist before dropping, his fingers twisting anxiously.

  Damn it. Nick had gone too far. “Never mind.” He stepped away, though his body protested, his cock demanding friction and his hands eager for more skin. “I need to…” He cast about for tasks. “Stoke the fire and let Ella out.”

  But Hunter reached for him, snagging Nick by his belt. “Wait.” He looked down at his hand, as if surprised to see it grabbing onto the black leather. Brow creasing, he licked his lips. “Did you mean…”

  “It was inappropriate. You’re probably still in shock from the accident.” This was the part when Nick would gently ease Hunter’s fingers from his belt and walk away.

  Any second now.

  Hunter stepped closer, the rug thick beneath their feet. Nick gripped with his toes in his wool socks instead of walking away like he was supposed to.

  Yep. Any second now. Walking away. He’d gone too far.

  “So you did mean like…” Hunter blinked up at him. “Like that?”

  Lust hung thick in the air with the husk of their breathing and a spray of sparks in the fireplace as a log shifted. Nick couldn’t look away from Hunter’s hopeful blue eyes, glowing with such innocence and desire.

  Then Hunter dropped his hand and head, shoulders hunching. He crossed his arms like a shield. “Never mind. I’m an idiot. The cold obviously affected my brain. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

  Sighing in silent relief, Nick took Ella outside, cooled off, and he and Hunter spent the rest of the day with polite distance between them as they watched movies. The next day, Hunter went home, and Nick returned to his solitude, so busy with work he barely had time to think of anything, let alone the narrow escape he’d made from an enticing complication he didn’t need in his life.

  Well.

  That would have been the smart thing to do, but Nick couldn’t bear the defeat in Hunter’s voice—how the tremor returned as he stared at his feet, looking unbearably fragile.

  So instead of walking away, Nick said clearly and confidently, “Yes. That’s what I meant.” When Hunter’s head whipped up, his eyes wide again, Nick held his gaze and asked, “Have you ever had a daddy?”

  Hunter swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “No,” he whispered. “But I want one.”

  Chapter Six

  Oh, how he wanted a daddy.

  Hunter could barely breathe, afraid he’d break the spell if he so much as moved an inch. He stared up at Nick, who watched him with his gray eyes hooded and intense. Unflinching.

  Obviously Hunter had heard the term before—like leather daddies or whatever—but he’d never quite understood until right now that this was what he’d craved for so long. “I don’t… I don’t know what…” Fuck, he wanted to climb the mountain—and the man—but he didn’t know how to start.

  Nick stepped close, brushing a hand over Hunter’s head and sending a sweet shiver down his spine. “It’s all right. I’ll show you.”

  Hunter still wasn’t sure how he’d gotten the nerve to kiss Nick. Another bold impulse seized him at the intense way Nick’s gaze swept down over Hunter’s body with what really, really seemed like desire. The clothes were baggy, and Hunter tugged off the sweatshirt and then the PJs, not even needing to undo the drawstring since they were so big. He worked his feet out of the socks on the rug.

  Now he was standing in his gray boxer briefs, breathing hard. “I know I’m too skinny, and not all buff like—”

  Nick pressed a finger to Hunter’s mouth. “You’re beautiful.” Then he bent and kissed him, and Hunter thought his heart might explode.

  Ella’s barking echoed, and she raced over, circling them in agitation. They broke apart, laughing. Hunter knelt on the rug and petted her. “You’re a real cock-blocker, huh, girl?”

  “Ella,” Nick said. “Time to go out.”

  She leapt to obey, her tail wagging as Nick walked to the front door. A swirl of snow and arctic air blew in, and Hunter wallowed in the warmth of the fire to his right. He’d been cold as hell after his slog down Nick’s incredibly long road, but now a fever sizzled through him. Being touched by those big, calloused hands was everything he’d ever dreamed of.

  It was beyond surreal, kneeling there in his undies on Nick’s rug. How was this actually happening? Nick had been such a dick, hanging up on him, but then he’d seemed concerned and caring, his touch so calming and strong.

  I really hope I’m not actually dead and imagining all this. Although if I am, this must be freaking heaven.

  Still kneeling, he watched Nick walk—no, prowl back to him. Nick’s arms were hairy where he’d rolled up the sleeves of his plaid shirt, and with his full beard and dark, silver-sprinkled hair—not to mention his muscles—he was every inch a man.

  I am getting out of my own way if it kills me.

  Hunter’s throat was dry, and he probably needed more water, but he wasn’t moving. He waited, breathing shallowly, feeling the need to say something. He went with, “It’s not dangerous for her to be out in this weather?”

  “No, she loves the snow. She won’t go far, and she can sniff her way back blindfolded. She’ll play for hours in the barn watching the birds in the rafters if I let her.”

  “Cool. Yeah, that’s…cool.” Oh God, I’m actually going to have sex.

  Nick tilted his head, watching Hunter closely. “Do you really want to do this?”

  Taking a deep breath, Hunter said, “Uh-huh.” The fire warmed his skin, but goosebumps still shivered over him. He tried to joke. “It’s
a little late to back out now.”

  Nick frowned. “It’s never too late to change your mind and say no.”

  “Oh, I know! I didn’t mean…” Shit, he was screwing this up, like usual. He stood and approached Nick. “It was a stupid joke.”

  Not touching him yet even though Hunter was inches away, Nick nodded. “All right. If you ever want to stop for any reason, just say so.”

  “Right. Okay.” God, it was so embarrassing that he was a virgin. Not having done anything kinky or whatever before was one thing, but was Nick really going to want to have sex with someone so clueless?

  Before Hunter could say anything else, Nick leaned closer, running his rough palms down Hunter’s back to the top of his ass. He whispered, his breath a hot gust, “Do you need a daddy, Hunter?”

  Dick hard again in an instant, he clung to Nick’s waist. “Yes.” The sensation of Nick’s flannel shirt against Hunter’s nipples was so sexy, but he was dying to feel that hairy chest.

  “Are you a good boy?”

  Oh my God. Hunter was going to jizz in his underwear. “I try to be.”

  “Hmm. So you’re a bad boy sometimes?”

  Hunter rubbed against him, feeling Nick’s hardness through his work pants and wanting that cock inside him. In his mouth, his ass—Hunter didn’t care. He just wanted to be owned. “I’m so bad sometimes.”

  “Do you need discipline?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Nick slapped Hunter’s ass. Hard. “Good boys answer properly.”

  “Yes.” Hunter nodded, a thrill shooting to his balls at his own words as he added, “Yes, Daddy.”

  With a rumbling groan, Nick kissed him, his tongue surging against Hunter’s. He tasted of orange juice and pine, or maybe that was the scent filling Hunter’s nose as Nick took him in his arms, almost lifting him off his feet. His kiss was commanding, and Hunter whimpered into his mouth, desire burning through him, any hint of chill eradicated.

  Nick’s thick beard was wonderfully rough against Hunter’s face. They kissed until his head spun, his lips tingling, Nick’s tongue exploring and teasing. Hunter clung to him as he gasped for air, spit stringing between their mouths. Nick ran his thumb over Hunter’s lower lip, his flinty eyes dark.

  “I want you naked.”

  Nodding, Hunter shoved down his boxer briefs and kicked them free, his cock springing up. Despite his earlier bravery, he would have agonized over whether or not to take them off, and when. It was a glorious relief to have Nick in charge.

  Nick dropped his gaze over Hunter’s body, and Hunter shifted, wishing he could read Nick’s mind. Was he too skinny? His cock was uncut and fairly long, and he’d always thought it was a decent size? He wished he had more chest hair, though, and—

  “You really are beautiful.” Nick took Hunter’s face in his big hands and kissed him softly. “You don’t have to worry about anything. Do you trust Daddy?”

  “Yes,” he whispered. Maybe it was crazy since they’d just met, but he did trust Nick. He thought of him in that Santa costume and the way he’d been so kind and patient with the children. The sweet way he was with Ella and how he’d taken care of Hunter.

  Nick kissed him again, and Hunter tasted a hint of the salty, wonderfully greasy bacon. Nick had actually cooked for him. Hunter’s mom had worked such long hours, and he and Heather had often made do with sandwiches or whatever. Nick cooking for him had made him feel comforted in a way he couldn’t really explain.

  “You’ll be safe here.”

  Nick’s calm command eased the tension in Hunter. He gasped as Nick tweaked his nipples.

  “On your knees like a good boy.”

  A thrill zinging through him, Hunter did as he was told. Nick towered over him, still in his work pants and plaid shirt, and it made Hunter’s dick throb to be naked at his feet. He didn’t know what to do with his hands, and he fidgeted with his fingers, waiting for Nick to tell him what he should do.

  Nick brushed back Hunter’s hair, which was probably an ugly mess after having a hat on for hours. “Hands behind your back. Don’t move them until I say you can.”

  Hunter clasped his fingers behind him.

  “Very good.” Nick traced Hunter’s lips before pushing his thumb inside.

  Hunter circled it with his tongue and sucked, pride flushing through him when Nick’s nostrils flared with desire.

  “Do you want to suck Daddy’s cock?”

  With his lips still wrapped about Nick’s thumb, Hunter nodded, moaning. God, how he wanted to suck that cock. Nick pulled his thumb free and unbuckled his belt. He eased the leather free of its loops, dropping the belt to the rug with a soft thud. As Hunter watched eagerly, still half-convinced this couldn’t be real, Nick released his erection, his pants hanging open on his hips.

  He was cut, flushed red, and big. His cock was thick, his hairy balls hanging heavy. Throat dry, Hunter waited, his fingers gripping together behind him so he didn’t accidentally reach out to touch. He burned to take that meat in his mouth, bury his face in Nick’s dark pubes, and give himself over to it.

  But Nick didn’t seem to be in any rush. Looking down at Hunter with a little smile, he unbuttoned his plaid shirt, starting at the bottom where his cock poked out. He brushed his fingers over his thick shaft, and Hunter couldn’t have looked away for all the money in the world. He watched each button be loosed, his heart a drum as Nick’s stomach and chest were revealed, hairy and strong and perfect.

  Hunter didn’t even realize he’d moved to take himself in hand, pleasure rippling through him until Nick barked, “No.” He softened his tone as Hunter jerked his hand away from his dick. “No touching yourself unless I give you permission.”

  “I’m sorry, Daddy.” He clasped his hands behind him again. “I didn’t mean to.”

  “I know. That’s a good boy.” Sliding the plaid shirt down his back, he freed his arms and let the flannel fall to the rug. His impressive cock stood, his dark pants still on his hips. He ran his fingertip over Hunter’s mouth. “Don’t move. And especially don’t touch yourself.”

  Hunter bit back a groan of frustration, watching as Nick tossed another few logs on the fire, staying out of spark range on the hearth. Then he went upstairs, and Hunter craned his neck to see, careful not to shift too much.

  Nick disappeared into a bedroom at the end of the exposed hall, and Hunter held his breath, listening. The rug was soft under his knees, and he flattened his feet and sat on them.

  Anticipation zipped through him. Sure, he was nervous, but it was like a puzzle piece had finally slotted into place. With Nick, kissing and touching felt right, like Hunter was made for it. He’d lusted after Nick the moment he saw him half-dressed in that Santa suit, and maybe he should have been afraid to give himself to a virtual stranger, but he wasn’t.

  “Maybe you need a daddy.”

  Balls tingling, Hunter’s hard cock twitched. He clenched his hands behind him. No matter how much he wanted to jerk off, he was going to obey—and that gave him a flush of pleasure all its own. The fire roared to his right, his skin wonderfully warm.

  He ached to be touched and filled, and he definitely was staying the fuck out of his own way for the first time. He wanted this. Needed it. And he trusted Nick to give it to him. He didn’t have to worry. Nick would take care of him.

  John wouldn’t be friends with a serial killer, right?

  He laughed under his breath. His instincts told him he was safe, and he was going to listen to them for once, refusing to let anxiety whirl up like a tornado. Staying in place, he looked around the main floor. The wide window along the side of the house was before him, the round rustic dining table and chairs sitting in the dim light. Through the glass, there was only white, and Hunter couldn’t tell if it was cloudy sky as well as snow.

  To the left, he peered into the kitchen. There was a big island with a couple of stools, and the cupboards were dark wood. The only thing on the counter aside from a coffeemaker and toaster was a mug. Ella’s bowls
were on the floor on the left side of the island, the fridge to the right. There were only a couple of magnets on the fridge, as opposed to the colorful mishmash Hunter’s mom had.

  Nick’s house was neat and orderly, but it did look lived in. The brown leather couch looked soft, the cushions on the right side especially worn, the huge leather ottoman dipping a little on that side. Navy and dark green throw cushions were tossed aside to the left.

  To his right, the massive TV over the fireplace was dark. He peered up at the thick, rustic mantel. There were no stockings hung from it yet, and it made Hunter sad to think that there wouldn’t be. He’d always loved the ritual of decorating with his mom—baking sugar cookies and sipping fresh hot chocolate, listening to her jazzy holiday CDs on the old stereo.

  He peered at the three framed photos on top of the mantel, going up on his knees and squinting. Eric had been handsome—short brown hair with a curl to it, a lock hanging over his forehead. He was laughing, and he looked at Nick with a glowing smile. It was awful to think of him dying in an icy lake, trying to save a doomed boy.

  In the photo with Eric, Nick was smiling too, and he was younger—the silver not highlighting his dark hair yet. There was a lightness in his expression that made Hunter’s heart clench. He wanted to know him. He’d never felt an attraction like this before. He wanted to know everything.

  The floor creaked above, and Hunter jerked back into position, sitting on his heels again, not looking as Nick crossed the hall and slowly descended the stairs. His pulse raced. He wasn’t sure what Nick had done up there. Had he brought something back?

  As Nick stood in front of him again, Hunter stared at his huge cock, mouth dry. It had softened a bit, but was still thick and flushed, jutting out. Hunter thought about leaning forward and licking it…

  “Did you touch yourself?”

  Focusing, Hunter shook his head. “Not even a little.”

  Nick chuckled. “Good boy.”

  He didn’t need to touch himself for another powerful wave of pleasure to roll through him. He watched as Nick eased down his pants and black briefs, stepping out of them and kicking them aside. He stood before Hunter, legs slightly spread, in all his hairy, masculine glory, like a lumberjack god from a wet dream.