The Christmas Deal

She crooked her finger and beckoned him closer to her desk. “Don’t worry, I haven’t told anyone.”

Seth resisted the urge to snort in derision. “Thanks.” If everyone didn’t already know about his fake engagement, they would soon.

Becky whispered, “Strong work bagging Jenna’s hot bro. I didn’t even know he was gay!”

He’s not, despite the fact that I sucked his cock last night and then he gave me a hand job. Just thinking the words sent a secret little shiver through him. “Uh, yeah, we just hit it off. Anyway, I should get to it. Have a great day!” He rushed away before Becky could launch into a real cross-examination.

Seth was normally in before Jenna, but he skidded to a stop as he rounded the corner of their pod. She sat at her desk, blotting at her pants above her knee with his Tide pen.

She glanced up, clearly exasperated. “Honestly, how does this baby manage to get spit up on my leg?”

“It’s a talent.” Seth laughed, and it came out too high. Looking at Jenna, strange guilt boiled up in him.

I had your brother in my mouth last night.

Her brows drew together. “Everything okay?”

“Uh-huh! Why wouldn’t it be?” He yanked out his desk chair, the wheels knocking into his foot. He could still feel Jenna’s curious gaze on him.

“Is Logan behaving himself?”

A strangled laugh brayed out as visions of Logan spread-legged—hard and leaking—danced through Seth’s mind. “Uh-huh.”

Jenna groaned. “God, don’t tell me he’s leaving his sweaty gym socks out or farting.”

This time, Seth’s laugh was genuine, and he looked over at Jenna, who was wincing. He lowered his voice. “I assure you he’s being a model guest. No dirty socks or passing gas.”

She laughed and whispered back, “Okay, good. To be fair, I haven’t lived with him since he was a teenage boy, and you know how gross they can be. Not that you were.”

“Of course not.” He lifted his chin haughtily. “I’ve never even broken a sweat.”

“You know, you’re so neat and orderly I can almost believe that.”

Matt’s shaggy head appeared atop the partition. “What are we whispering about?” His eyebrows rose. “Caper?”

“Yes!” Jenna hissed. “Keep your voice down.”

Matt leaned closer and murmured, “Don’t worry. This is all under control.”

“Easy for you to say!” Seth rolled his eyes. “But it should be fine. New furniture’s coming today. We still have time to get everything in place.”

Matt asked, “How’s the boy toy?”

Heat washed through Seth like a tidal wave, and he jerked his eyes to the computer screen, the words jumbled and meaningless. “He’s not my boy toy.”

Matt huffed. “You’d better fake this better for Angela. I’m just saying. What are you going to make her for dinner?”

Dread joined the hot swirl of guilt and embarrassment. “I have no idea.” Seth shook his head, his voice raising. “I have no idea!”

“Shh!” Jenna and Matt hissed in unison.

Matt winked. “I’ll get Becky on the case and find out what Angela’s favorite foods are. Don’t worry, man. You got this.” He pumped his fist and mouthed, “Caper!” before disappearing behind the partition.

Sighing, Seth hoped Matt’s confidence wasn’t grossly misplaced.

As he pulled into the driveway, a fresh layer of snow crunching under the tires, Seth was momentarily puzzled by the warm glow of lights from inside the house and the silhouette of a man on the walkway leading to the front door.

His heart skipped as he blinked at Logan, who paused in his shoveling to give a wave. The garage door stood open, and Seth eased in and killed the engine.

The moon had emerged from behind clouds, and at the end of the driveway, Seth could see that the distant mailbox was crammed full, flyers poking out the end, the flap unable to close now. He should just empty it. He knew what was likely inside, and not looking wouldn’t change a thing.

Yet he turned onto the walkway, breathing through the tightening in his gut and focusing on Logan—which sent a spiral of jittery excitement through him.

We had sex yesterday. Is it going to happen again today? Does he want me the way I want him?

Out loud, Seth said, “You don’t have to shovel. Leave it for me.”

Breath pluming in the cold air, Logan said, “Happy to do it.”

Seth stopped a few feet away on the walkway. He cocked an eyebrow. “Really? Happy?”

Logan chuckled. “Believe it or not, I am. I like working. Feeling useful.” In the yellow glow through the front window, his cheeks were ruddy.

“It’s not too much exertion?” It had honestly been frightening when Logan had been unable to catch his breath that day in the garage.

This was clearly the wrong thing to say, since Logan scowled and muttered, “Nope.”

“Okay. You should wear a hat. You’ll catch a cold.” Great, act like his mother. That’s really sexy. But should he be attempting to be sexy? They were only friends. Barely that—still mostly strangers.