by Andi James
“Chelsea,” he hissed as he practically ran to her side.
“Oh, hey, Aiden.” She looked at the bartender. “This is Aiden.”
The bartender gave Aiden a grin. “Hey, way to go there, kid. Took you long enough.”
Aiden returned the smile, then faltered. “Wait, do I know you?”
“This is Shannon,” Chelsea said with a wink, “and we’ve talked all about you.”
“And Liam,” Shannon added. “I can’t believe it took you so long to get together.”
“Is this really happening?”
“Ugh, I know!” Chelsea leaned in closer to Shannon. “Ever since his first date he’s been all, Liam is so amazing, and I’m so glad Liam was there… I’m like, why are you so obsessed with this guy?” She leaned closer. “Then I met him, and I get it. He’s like, super fucking hot.”
“You knew?” Aiden screeched. “This whole time, you knew I liked him?”
Chelsea looked at him like he was two Christmas cookies short of a dozen. “Of course I knew.”
“But, I didn’t even know!”
“Right? It was very sad to watch… but also funny.” Chelsea exchanged a glance with Shannon. “I know everything.”
Aiden was dumbfounded. “Why didn’t you say anything? Why did you keep setting me up on dates with random people?”
“Aiden, I’m not the type of person to meddle…”
Aiden had never before in his life been literally speechless.
“I was really bummed to cancel his date with you last night. He was pretty sad about it.”
"Oh my god.” Aiden’s brain was spinning. “Let me just make sure I have this right. You knew my date last night was with Liam?”
“Yes.”
“And you knew that I liked Liam?”
“Correct.”
“And you canceled it anyway?”
“I asked if you were sure you wanted to cancel like twice.” Chelsea finished the rest of her drink. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. It all worked out. This was way more romantic anyway.”
Shannon nodded.
“I knew you two had to figure this out on your own. I just put you in the same place at the same time.”
“No one thought it would take ten dates though,” Shannon added.
“Twelve,” Chelsea corrected.
“Damn. What the hell were you waiting for?”
Shannon and Chelsea looked at him expectantly.
“I was… We said…” Aiden sputtered. “Look, it’s complicated, okay?”
Chelsea raised an eyebrow at Shannon, who laughed. “Okay, Avril. Was there something I could help you with?” Chelsea’s voice was full of laughter. She knew exactly what Aiden wanted.
He leaned in close, lowering his voice. “Can I use your room?”
Chelsea feigned shock. “My what?”
Aiden sighed. “Can I borrow your hotel room?”
“My room? But Aiden…” She widened her eyes at him. “You couldn’t possibly mean the room I was ridiculous for getting, even though I knew my best friend and his love interest were finally going on a date after pretending they weren’t obsessed with each other for weeks, could you? The room I made sure I had in case they wanted to be alone together?”
Shannon couldn’t hold in his laughter.
“You don’t want my ridiculous room, right? Because that would be…”
“Ridiculous?” Shannon offered.
“Oh my god, Chelsea. I’m sorry,” Aiden exploded. “I’m sorry I said you were ridiculous. I’m sorry I gave you a hard time about the room.” He sighed. “And I’m sorry I don’t tell you often enough how lucky I am to have you as a friend.”
Chelsea winked at him and pulled a hotel key card from her purse. She slipped the card into Aiden’s hand as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, darling.”
Aiden clutched the key in his hand and turned to kiss her back. “Thank you, Chels. Merry Christmas.”
She pulled away. “I love you, even when you’re a pain in my ass. Now, go get your guy.”
Aiden gave her and Shannon one last smile before he fled, almost sprinting back to Liam, thinking about how different his life would be without his best friend.
Then Chelsea yelled from behind him, “I put condoms and lube under all of the pillows! Be safe!” and Aiden wondered how different his life would be if he went to jail for murdering her.
That Liam and Aiden managed to make it up to the hotel room with their clothes still on was somewhat of a Christmas miracle.
They’d been alone in the elevator when Liam had pressed Aiden against the wall and thoroughly ravaged his mouth, then they’d fumbled their way down the hall as they’d continued kissing and groping.
It had been an exercise in patience to get the room key in its slot. Liam had pressed up behind Aiden, his erection obvious as he’d placed kisses on the nape of Aiden’s neck.
But as Aiden toed off his shoes and shed his tuxedo jacket, nerves started swirling with the anticipation in his chest. He hadn’t had sex since his breakup, and it had been years since he’d been with anyone but Justin. He was incredibly turned on, and he’d quickly decided seeing Liam’s eyes full of lust was one of his new favorite things… but he didn’t want their first time together to be over in two minutes, like he was fearing it would be.
Liam must have sensed something. He stepped up to Aiden and gave him a soft kiss as he unraveled Aiden’s bowtie.
“This tux looks incredible on you.” His voice was soft, and he started unbuttoning Aiden’s shirt. “But you know what?”
Aiden ran his hands up Liam’s stomach to his chest. He had already taken off his jacket and tie, and Aiden began working on his shirt. “What?”
Liam unbuttoned Aiden’s pants and pulled down the zipper. His hand brushing over Aiden’s dick made Aiden inhale sharply. “It’s going to look even better on the floor.”
Aiden stopped working on Liam’s buttons and stared at him. “Did you just…”
Liam tugged Aiden’s shirt out from his pants and finished undoing it, then slid it off Aiden’s shoulders. “Are you a parking ticket?” Liam looked Aiden up and down and whistled. “Because you have fine written all over you.”
As corny as the lines were, Aiden found himself blushing.
“Liam. Are you really…”
“If I could rearrange the alphabet—”
“Oh my god.” Aiden laughed. “No.”
Liam pushed Aiden’s pants off his hips, and Aiden stepped out of them.
“Was your father a thief? ’Cause—”
“Please stop. Please.”
Liam winked at him. “Maybe you should make me.”
Aiden shoved a laughing Liam until he fell back on the king-size bed in the center of the room, then climbed on top of him and narrowed his eyes.
“Careful what you ask for.”
Aiden attacked Liam’s mouth, pushing his tongue inside and sliding it around Liam’s. He let all of his weight rest on Liam, loving how solid he felt underneath him.
He couldn’t get over how the night had turned out. Hours earlier, he’d never imagined Liam showing up, or that they’d end up in a hotel room. That he hadn’t lost his chance with Liam. That he’d be so comfortable going from nerves to laughter to making out in the span of ten minutes.
Actually, that wasn’t true. Liam had always been so easy to be around. Nothing about him ever felt forced or awkward. It made sense that would carry over to the bedroom, Aiden decided.
Aiden groaned into Liam’s mouth when Liam cupped his butt cheeks and pulled him closer, grinding their erections together. He got lost in the sensations of the friction on his dick and Liam’s hands caressing his bare skin, not caring at all that Liam was still mostly clothed.
That didn’t last long anyway. Somehow, as they kissed and touched and rolled around on the bed, Liam’s shirt and pants ended up on the floor. Aiden reveled in the feel of Liam’s strong chest pressed against his, the way it
was covered in a soft mat of hair that tapered down to a trail along his stomach. His breath hitched in his throat when he finally got a glimpse of the tattoos adorning so much of Liam’s beautiful body. He wanted to study each one, trace the lines under his fingertips, but Liam shifted against him, and Aiden decided it could wait.
Liam arranged himself on top of Aiden, and Aiden wrapped his legs around his waist, keeping him close. Liam broke off their kiss and pulled back a few inches, giving Aiden a soft smile. “I want to make you feel good.”
“You are.”
“More than once.”
That sounded perfect to Aiden. “Yes please.”
Aiden lifted his chin to capture Liam’s lips again. He let out an almost embarrassing moan when Liam slipped his hand into Aiden’s briefs and grasped his cock, then did it again when Liam pushed his own briefs down and took both of their dicks in his fist.
With the way Liam was stroking them together and working his hips, Aiden knew he was going to come quickly. He no longer cared, especially since it sounded like they had the whole night ahead of them still.
Liam moved his head and started kissing along Aiden’s jaw, over to his neck.
Aiden squeezed his eyes shut. He was right on the verge. “Liam…”
“Me too,” Liam said in a low voice near his ear.
A couple more strokes, and Aiden groaned when Liam gently bit his shoulder as he came. Feeling the hot liquid coat his dick was more than Aiden could handle, and his orgasm raced through him, covering them both in more sticky fluid.
Liam collapsed on Aiden, his heavy breathing against his neck making Aiden shudder.
“Damn.”
“Yeah,” Aiden agreed. “Have I mentioned yet how glad I am you showed up tonight?”
Liam chuckled. “Me too.” He pushed himself up on one elbow and showed his cum-covered hand to Aiden. “Quick clean up, maybe?”
Aiden chuckled. “Good call.”
They untangled themselves and got out of bed, Aiden trailing behind Liam and appreciating the view as they headed into the bathroom.
Aiden glanced in the mirror above the sink while he wiped off his abdomen, still almost unable to believe he was there with Liam. Then something caught his attention.
“Hey, I’ve been wanting to ask you. What’s the Princess Peach tattoo about?” Aiden ran an appreciate eye over all the ink on Liam’s arms and chest. “And the others? I think stories are in order.”
Liam finished drying off his hands and turned to Aiden with a smile on his face. “It could take days to explain all of my tats. Weeks, even.”
Aiden brought his hand up and traced a sparrow on Liam’s pec. He looked up and stared into Liam’s eyes. “Months is fine too.”
Liam wrapped his arms around Aiden and pulled him close. “Agreed,” he whispered, right before he kissed Aiden.
Epilogue
One year later
Aiden hurried along the slushy street, cursing himself for not leaving the office earlier. He was supposed to meet Liam at the bar ten minutes ago. Since he’d made partner, Aiden had been putting in more time at work, trying to adjust to his new role. He’d promised Liam he’d make it to date night, and even though he was running late, the idea of seeing Liam’s bright smile only made Aiden walk faster.
Aiden turned the corner, then stopped in his tracks, blinking rapidly. He had to make sure he was seeing things right.
Two of the guys from last year’s dating marathon, Drew and Eli, were standing outside Sidewalk’s End, hand in hand.
Aiden had seen Drew a few times during the past year because he stopped in the bar every so often, and they’d always made time to chat. Aiden enjoyed catching up with Drew. A year later, he was just as effortlessly handsome as ever, but Aiden couldn’t think of a single regret… except maybe not asking Liam out the first night they’d met.
Each time Aiden had seen Drew, he’d been alone, so Aiden couldn’t hide his shock at seeing Eli on his arm.
"Um, hey." Aiden walked over and gave a small wave.
Drew smiled at him and extended his arms for a hug. "Wow. Hi, Aiden. I haven’t seen you in months. New job keeping you busy?”
Aiden returned the quick squeeze. “You have no idea.”
Drew flashed him a smile, then wrapped his arm around Eli. “I think you two have met before?"
Aiden let out a high-pitched laugh. "Yeah, when I was a horrible date."
Eli smiled and waved his hand through the air. "Don't even worry about it. It was forever ago."
Aiden grinned. “Well, this is interesting. Is it new?”
"Eli and I met through the app and have been dating for about two months." Drew looked at Eli and smiled. "And your name might have come up when we were trading dating stories."
Aiden groaned. "Oh my god. Not my proudest moment." He looked at Eli. “I really am sorry. When you and I went out, I was kind of… sorting out my feelings for someone else.”
“You don’t say?” Eli grinned.
“Hmm… If only someone had encouraged you to do that.” Drew chuckled.
Aiden shrugged guiltily. “Sometimes it takes me a while to catch on to things.”
Drew gestured at the bar. "But hey, it all worked out, didn't it?"
At that moment, Liam came out of the bar, bundled in his leather bomber jacket and long fleece scarf, and Aiden couldn’t have kept the smile off his face for all the money in the world.
"Yeah, it definitely all worked out." Aiden leaned in to give Liam a quick kiss.
“Are you ready, babe?” Liam asked, but Aiden didn’t miss the once-over he gave Drew.
"Don't let us keep you," Eli said. "We're just waiting for some friends."
Drew took Eli’s hands between his, rubbing quickly in a sweet effort to warm them.
Aiden leaned closer to Eli and spoke in a quiet tone. “Of all my dates, you definitely snagged the best one.”
Well, second best. He cast a quick glance at Liam.
“I know,” Eli said dreamily. “Drew told me about your date with Wyatt.” Eli shuddered.
Aiden laughed. “To be fair, he did give me some tips on taking killer selfies.”
They both chuckled. Aiden wished Eli and Drew happy holidays as Liam led him away, taking Aiden’s gloved hand in his.
“Was that who I think it was?” Liam asked in a low voice.
Aiden couldn’t help smiling and hoping Drew and Eli were even a tenth as happy as he and Liam were. “Just the Ghosts of Christmas Dates Past.”
After they’d walked a few blocks, Aiden laughed as the bright lights of the Christmas tree lot came into view. “So this is our secret romantic date?”
Liam’s eyes twinkled. “I can’t think of anywhere more romantic than the place I started to fall in love with you.”
Aiden leaned in and gave Liam a gentle kiss. “I love you.”
“I know.” Liam winked.
Aiden turned to enter the lot when Liam stopped him with a hand on his arm. “Hang on.” He swung his backpack around and unzipped the top, pulling out two travel mugs and handing one to Aiden.
Aiden flipped the top and took a drink, the spiked hot cocoa so good he didn’t even care that it was the same temperature as lava.
“Leave it to the bartender to remember the drinks.” Aiden grinned and took another sip, almost groaning at the chocolaty goodness.
“Occupational benefit.”
Aiden was wondering if his heart could be any more full of Liam when his boyfriend interrupted his thoughts.
“I brought one more thing.” He pulled out a small pink and blue bike helmet and held it out to Aiden. “Safety first.”
Aiden groaned through a laugh. “I’m never going to live that down, am I?”
“You mean that first-degree assault with a deadly wreath?” Liam’s eyes were full of mischief. “Nope.”
Aiden sighed.
Liam grinned as he put the helmet back into his bag, zipped it, and shouldered it again before taking Aiden’
s hand. They wandered the small aisles together, browsing the greenery. Liam teasingly disagreed with Aiden at every turn.
“What about this one? It’s so tall and regal.”
Liam exaggeratedly examined the tree Aiden was pointing to. “But is it too regal?”
Aiden rolled his eyes and took another sip from his mug.
“This is like a king-tree,” Liam continued, “and it feels like my place is more of a duke-tree kind of space. Maybe a count-tree.”
“Well, I’m not sure you have too many options at this point, seeing as it’s two days before Christmas.” Aiden gestured to a few scrawny trees propped up against a fence. “You might have to settle for like… Lord Scragglebrush over there.”
Liam snorted.
“Why did you wait so long to get your tree?”
Liam shrugged. “You’ve been working so hard lately. We haven’t had much of a chance to do these things.”
“I’m sorry, babe.” Aiden looped his arm into Liam’s and rested his head on his shoulder. “It’s just for a few more weeks.”
“I know.” Liam tightened his hold on Aiden’s arm.
“But I know how much you love trees. I’m sad you’re just now getting one. Why didn’t you go without me?”
Liam pulled away and gave Aiden a look that made his heart flip-flop. He smiled at Aiden and took his hot chocolate, setting it and Liam’s on the ground, then took both of Aiden's hands in his.
“Liam? What’s going on?”
"One year ago today, I was hoping to go on my first date with you. I had witnessed you deal with one bad date after another, and the entire time, I kept thinking, 'I just need one night with this guy, one date to show him how special he is, how someone could be interested in something real with him.'"
Liam took a deep breath, making Aiden realize he'd been holding his. He inhaled too. Any stress he’d felt earlier faded away with Liam’s words and was replaced by a warm, fuzzy feeling.
"I thought you were so cute and charming from the very first night you sat at my bar thinking you were having a business meeting. After a while, I realized I was starting to get worried you would connect with someone who wasn't me. But every time I worked up the courage to ask you out, I got interrupted. Finally, I decided I had to make it happen somehow, so I contacted Chelsea through the app."