“We’ll keep that in mind.” He cast about for any change of topic. “Santa brought some gifts for you.”
“Me?” Connor looked at the small pile of wrapped presents under the tree. “Really?”
“Really.” Seth had removed the empty boxes Logan had wrapped for Angela’s benefit.
Yawning in his boxer briefs and a tee, Logan shuffled in, passing Seth a mug of fresh coffee. “Merry Christmas. We having turkey for breakfast?”
Seth said, “I was thinking bacon and eggs and home fries cooked in the bacon grease. Save the turkey and stuff for dinner.”
“Mmm. Sounds good.” Logan flicked the collar of Seth’s pajama top and winked. To Connor he said, “Yeah?”
Connor was watching them with an unreadable expression. “Yeah. Cool.” He looked back at the presents.
Seth knelt by the tree. “Here you are. Come on. Don’t be shy.”
Hesitantly, Connor knelt by him, and then Logan did too. Seth passed out the presents, seven of the boxes for Connor. He ripped into the paper of one, pulling out some kind of speaker. “Sweet! It’s the waterproof Bose. This is awesome!”
“Santa knows his stuff,” Seth said. Jenna would definitely be getting a spa day for her help.
Connor was already ripping open another package. “The new Call of Duty!” He shrewdly eyed the remaining boxes, picking up a bigger one and tearing it open. “And the latest Xbox!” His face positively glowed, and Seth and Logan shared a grin.
“Glad you like it,” Logan said.
“I love it! Can we hook it up?”
“Absolutely,” Seth said.
Connor tore into his other gifts, a few more games and a pair of Adidas shoes that he declared “sick,” which Seth took to be a good thing. Connor was readying the Xbox when he said, “Oh, wait. You guys have to open your stuff.”
With wry smiles, Logan and Seth unwrapped their blue tie and black socks, respectively. Connor scowled. “Seriously? That’s it.”
“We’re gonna do better next year,” Logan said.
“Shit, I hope so.” Connor went back to the cables behind the TV. “But thanks. This stuff is awesome. I… I didn’t get you guys anything.”
“That’s okay,” Seth assured him.
Logan said, “How about you not be a little dickhead for the rest of the holidays? We’ll take that.”
After a pause, Connor burst out laughing. “I’ll try my best. Can we make breakfast soon? I’m starving.”
Seth chose the Christmas station on the stereo, and jazzy holiday music filled the main floor. He hummed as he got out the eggs and bacon, Logan insisting he and Connor would do the potatoes.
“I think you’re supposed to cut them the long way,” Logan said.
“Says who?” Connor grumbled.
“I dunno. It looks better like that.”
Connor rolled his eyes. “Since when are you an expert in cooking?”
“Since never. Let’s Google it.”
“Fine. What Google says goes. Deal?”
Logan chuckled. “Deal.”
Seth said, “We have a pretty good track record with deals.” He grinned at Logan, who gave him a wink while Connor tapped his phone.
As Seth peeled off the strips of bacon, he sipped his coffee and hummed along to Sinatra singing about happy golden days, and all their troubles being miles and miles away.
Epilogue
Five Years Later
“Hey!” Logan turned from the pantry and tried to swat away Seth’s hand, but he was too late. “You know you’re not supposed to eat raw batter. It can kill you or some shit.”
Seth sucked the chocolate cake batter off his index finger with a wet pop, making Logan’s dick perk up and giving him all sorts of ideas they didn’t have time for.
Seth said, “The risk of consuming raw eggs has been greatly overstated. They’ll take my cookie dough and cake batter from my cold, dead hands.” With a wink, he scooped up more with his finger. “It’ll be worth it.”
“Okay, but there has to be enough for the cake. And I haven’t had any yet.”
“Ah, the truth comes out! You’re not worried about salmonella—you just want enough left for you to lick the bowl.” He sucked his finger clean.
Logan shrugged, trying not to laugh. “Guilty as charged.”
Sliding an arm around Logan’s waist, warm hand stealing beneath his ratty tee, Seth leaned in. They kissed slowly and deeply, batter still on Seth’s tongue. Logan relaxed into him, chasing the sugar.
When they parted, Seth lowered his voice in the cute way he did sometimes when he jokily faked a come-on. “Let me know when you’re ready to lick the bowl.”
“You know, everyone thinks you’re so innocent, but you’re really…” Logan tried to find the right word.
“A vixen?” Seth waggled his thick eyebrows. There was a bit of gray coming into the hair at his temples, and it was sexy as fuck.
“Sure. We’ll go with that. Because only you would suggest that word. Right, Hercules?” Logan glanced down at their portly tabby cat, who rubbed against their legs, meowing for his snack. Seth had wanted to name him Hercule after some detective, and they’d compromised on Hercules.
Logan’s phone buzzed where it sat on top of the island. “Might be work,” he said as he reached for it. He’d recently been promoted to senior craftsman at Ricci and Sons and was in charge of his own renovation crew. He had to deal with more problems, but it was worth it.
“Oh, it’s Connor.” He tapped the screen with Connor’s picture, a shot from his first day at Harvard several months earlier, exasperation showing in his smile and a few zits still dotting his face. He’d insisted it was no big deal to go to college and there was no reason to take a picture when Logan and Seth dropped him off.
“Hey, Con,” Logan said, putting him on speaker. “Where are you?”
“Just past Auburn, but it’s snowing.” Connor’s voice sounded deeper every time Logan heard it. He was taller than Logan and Seth now, but still a beanpole. “People are driving like they’ve never seen this foreign substance falling from the sky before.” Logan could hear him rolling his eyes, and it made him smile.
Seth snorted. “Sounds about right. Take your time. Be safe. Tell Asher to drive carefully.”
“Yes,” Connor said with a sigh and probably another eye-roll. “He will.”
Seth asked, “You’re sure it’s not out of his way to drop you off?”
“Huh? Yeah, I’m sure.” Then Connor’s voice faded as he talked to someone else—probably his buddy Asher. “I’m coming! Just had to call my dads while I have a good signal. Order me a large fries and a root beer, okay?”
Logan’s chest had gone tight, his breathing shallow as he and Seth stared at each other and then back down at the phone on the island.
“Sorry,” Connor said, talking directly into the phone again. He paused. “You guys still there?”
“Yes!” Logan answered too loudly. He cleared his throat. “Thanks for calling. Drive safe. Doesn’t matter if you’re late, okay?”
“Yeah, but it’ll suck ass to miss Aunt Jenna’s turkey.”
“We’ll wait for you,” Seth said, his voice a little hoarse. “Even if it’s midnight.”
“’K. But it really shouldn’t be past seven. Later!”
Logan jabbed the disconnect button and leaned on the shiny counter, flattening his palms. Seth covered one of Logan’s hands with his own and threaded their fingers together.
Logan met his gaze and muttered, “Fuck. Wow.”
His dads.
“Yeah.” Seth blinked rapidly, tears catching on his lashes. “Wow.”
With a creak, the front door opened. “Ho, ho, ho!” Jun called from beyond the sitting room. Boots stamped the mat, voices and activity filling the air, a cold blast already finding its way toward the kitchen.
They hadn’t even noticed the vehicle pulling up. Logan swallowed the lump in his throat and swiped his thumbs under Seth’s eyes before kissing hi
m soundly.
Seth nodded and gave him a shaky smile before going to greet their family with a hearty, “Merry Christmas!”
Logan scooped up his phone and looked at the home screen picture he’d seen a million times—him and Seth in fancy suits in front of the local Unitarian church, friends and the Derwoods surrounding them, Angela Barker and her family too, Connor giving a genuine smile.
The invites to the Marstons had been returned to sender, and Seth had made peace with not trying to contact them again.
Putting the phone in his pocket, Logan said hello as Pop grumbled by, leaning on his walker and making his way toward the great room and the reclining armchair they’d bought specially for him. Seth followed and sat next to Pop, and Logan listened to the rumble of their voices as Seth asked all the right questions to get him talking.
“Coming through!” Jenna carried the big, shiny silver disposable roast pan, foil covering the mound of the turkey. “Trivets!”
Logan quickly slapped down a couple of the big coaster things on the island. “Yes, ma’am.”
She plonked the turkey on top. “You and Seth have the potatoes and squash done?”
“Shit, were we supposed to do that?”
She paled. “Tell me you’re joking.”
“I’m joking, I’m joking.”
She kissed Logan’s cheek. “You little shit. You’d better go put on some decent clothes.” Then she spotted the cake batter. “Are you just baking the cake now? It has to cool before you ice it!”
“It’ll be fine! It took a little longer than we expected to get the rest of the stuff ready. Chill. Have some wine.”
Noah was racing after his older brother, shouting something. Jun told them to cut it out and sighed heavily. “Maybe Ian can drive home later. I need a drink too.”
“Six more years until he can be our designated driver,” Jenna said, pouring herself a glass of sweet white. “It’ll fly by.”
Seth came back and shooed Jenna and Jun into the great room to relax. The fresh smell of the pine tree wafted with him, and Logan inhaled deeply as he pulled Seth into a hug.
“Mmm.” Seth relaxed against him. “We have got to get that cake in the oven.”
“I know. In a minute.”
Seth leaned their heads together. “I’m officially going with polka dots, by the way.”
“But what colors?”
“Red and green.”
Logan chuckled. “You think I got you holiday polka-dot socks?”
Each year, he bought Seth socks, and Seth got him a tie like the shitty gifts of their first Christmas. Betting on the colors and designs had become a tradition too. He’d actually gone with gray and navy stripes, because as much as Seth liked to joke about bright socks, he’d never wear them. At least not to work.
“Maybe you were feeling wild.” Seth trailed his fingers down Logan’s spine.
“Mmm. We’ll get wild later.”
After a laughing kiss, they went back to work, and a few hours later, their son’s too-deep, grown-up voice called, “I’m home!”
Logan and Seth shared a smile before they went to greet him. They were all home.
THE END
Afterword
Thank you so much for reading The Christmas Deal! I hope Logan and Seth’s story helps you get into a festive mood! I’d be grateful if you could take a few minutes to leave a review on Goodreads, Bookbub, social media, or wherever you like. Just a couple of sentences can really help other readers discover the book. Thank you again.
Wishing you happy holidays and many happily ever afters!
Keira
<3
p.s. Keep reading to check out more sexy and sweet Christmas romances!
Read more holiday romance from Keira Andrews!
To be home for Christmas, they must bridge the distance between them.
Charlie Yates is desperate. It’s almost Christmas and his flight home from college has been delayed. For days. Charlie promised his little sister Ava he’d be home for her first holiday season since going into remission from leukemia. Now he’s stuck on the opposite coast and someone else grabbed the last rental car. Someone he hasn’t even spoken to in four years. Someone who broke his heart.
Gavin Bloomberg’s childhood friendship with Charlie ended overnight after a day of stolen kisses. With years of resentment between them, they don’t want to be in the same room together, let alone a car. But for Ava’s sake, Gavin agrees to share the rental and drive across the country together.
As they face unexpected bumps along the road, can Charlie and Gavin pave the way to a future together?
This gay holiday romance from Keira Andrews features new adult angst, enemies to lovers, steamy first times, and of course a happy ending.
Read now!
Four steamy and sweet MM holiday romances in one sizzling box set!
This gay romance collection from Keira Andrews includes four of her best-selling holiday novellas:
Eight Nights in December—A geek. A virgin. One sexy holiday.
Orphaned Lucas figures spending Hanukkah with his obnoxious roommate’s family in New York City is better than staying alone on campus upstate. He ends up sharing a room again, this time with his roommate’s brother. Geeky photographer Nate isn’t at all what Lucas expects. In fact, he’s incredibly sexy—especially when he invites Lucas into his darkroom…
Features secret trysts, new adult angst, spinning the dreidel, and of course a happy ending.
In Case of Emergency—Former stepbrothers find Christmas romance under the tree.
After years alone, Daniel Diaz is finally ready to shake up his orderly, solitary life. He’s about to leave for a cozy Christmas getaway when he gets the call from the ER that his former stepbrother has been admitted with a concussion and a broken hand—and Cole put him down as his emergency contact. Why the hell would he do that? Daniel barely knows the guy. But Cole has no one else to look after him and strict doctor’s orders not to be left alone. So, fine, Daniel will bring him along on vacation…
Features former stepbrothers reconnecting as adults, sexy hot-tub shenanigans, Christmas feels, and of course a happy ending.
Santa Daddy—Mall Santas aren’t supposed to be hot!
Hunter Adams is still a virgin, can’t find a real job, and has no clue what to do with his life. In desperation, he returns to his humiliating old job as an elf at the Santa’s Village. The Santa on the job is an unexpectedly sexy lumberjack, twice Hunter’s size and age. He’s grumpy and intimidating, but he makes Hunter feel very naughty.When a surprise blizzard traps them alone on Nick’s isolated tree farm, Nick’s daddy instincts kick in…
Features an age gap, steamy mm first times, daddy role-playing and light spanking, and of course a happy ending.
Where the Lovelight Gleams—Will co-stars take their romance offscreen this Christmas?
Actor Ryan Drake is pining. He may get to kiss gorgeous Cary Holloway on the set of their hit sci-fi TV show, but he knows it’ll never happen in real life. Charming Cary has a starlet girlfriend, and despite their sizzling onscreen chemistry, he and Ryan are just friends. Right? Then Cary accepts Ryan’s invite to spend the holiday with his family in Canada. Little does Ryan know, Cary’s coming to terms with his bisexuality and deep attraction to his co-star…
Features delicious pining, sexual awakening, snowball fights, cozy holiday cheer, and of course a happy ending.
Grab these sexy holiday romances now—available together in digital and print for the first
Read now!
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Also by Keira Andrews
Gay Amish Romance Series
A Forbidden Rumspringa
A Clean Break
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A Very English Christmas
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Swept Away (free read!)
Santa Daddy
Honeymoon for One
Valor on the Move
Test of Valor
The Winning Edge
In Case of Emergency
Eight Nights in December
The Next Competitor
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Where the Lovelight Gleams
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About the Author
After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira discovered her voice in gay romance, which has become a passion. She writes contemporary, historical, paranormal, and fantasy fiction, and—although she loves delicious angst along the way—Keira firmly believes in happy endings. For as Oscar Wilde once said, “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”
The Christmas Deal Page 23