The Christmas Deal

Seth and Logan eyed the near bed uneasily. It was a queen, at least, but still. Seth shifted and cleared his throat. “I’m sure we can get them to bring up a cot.”

Connor looked over his shoulder where he was sprawled on his belly, screwing up his face. “Wouldn’t that seem weird if you guys are supposed to be getting married?”

“Well…” Seth was going to say no one had to know, but considering his luck, Angela herself would be in the hallway as the cot was wheeled in. “Good point.”

Connor glared at Logan. “What, you think it’s catching or something? I’ve slept in the same bed with Jayden. It’s no big deal.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m sure Seth isn’t going to try anything.”

Logan unzipped his leather jacket and opened the mirrored closet in the narrow entryway. “Obviously. It’s fine,” he said gruffly. “Of course we can sleep there.”

It was interesting to Seth that after using the other F-word when they first met, now Connor was implying Logan was the one with homophobic issues. Seth gave the kid the benefit of the doubt that he’d been thoughtless that first night, lashing out blindly. He just wished Connor would stop attacking Logan. He wanted to scold him, but would that be overstepping? Surely it would.

“Better get changed for dinner. It starts early.”

Logan and Connor stared at him. Logan glanced down at his jeans and Henley. “Changed into what?” Alarm creased his handsome face. “Was I supposed to bring something fancy?”

“No, no. I’m sure the dress code is casual.” He was wearing his usual dress shirt and tie with slacks. “I’ll probably be the one overdressed. I should change.”

He bustled around, unzipping his small suitcase and hanging up the clothes he’d brought. Logan sat on the bed and flipped on the TV, going through the channels while Connor was back into a game. Seth had brought a forest-green cashmere sweater that he thought would look good over dark jeans. Yes, that would do nicely.

He almost took the clothes into the bathroom to change but decided that would seem ridiculously prudish and likely strange to Connor. Not that Connor had so much as blinked, entirely engrossed in his game and paying Seth no mind. After taking off his tie, Seth began unbuttoning his shirt.

Logan was watching.

Butterflies flapped in Seth’s stomach. It was from the corner of his eye, but yes, Logan was definitely watching. Seth pretended he hadn’t noticed, trying not to fumble with the buttons. He sucked in and peeled off his shirt, puffing out his chest a bit. Hoping he didn’t look like a fool.

Standing in his boxers, Seth hung up his shirt, looping the tie over the neck of the hanger. He could feel the heat of Logan’s gaze on his bare skin like a caress. Without meaning to, he thought of the night before, being on his hands and knees for Logan, being filled by him.

He remembered the rough caresses of Logan’s hands on his flanks, his hips, his thighs. His…

Cock.

Oh good lord, Seth was getting hard. He bit the inside of his cheek, still facing into the closet. Thinking of his old cat Agatha did the trick, the ache of missing her flushing out the burst of lust. He finished dressing quickly and escaped into the bathroom to splash cold water on his cheeks.

Dinner was a buffet of comfort food—definitely not fancy. Which was actually a relief, and Seth dug into the mac and cheese with gusto. He, Logan, and Connor sat with Jenna, Jun, and the boys, and Jenna kept up most of the dinner conversation.

Matt and Becky were at the next table, and Matt gave Seth a thumbs-up and mouthed, “Caper, caper, caper!” Seth promptly spilled gravy on his sweater and excused himself to the bathroom to blot at it with a paper towel.

When he re-entered the corridor off the hotel restaurant, Jenna was there bouncing a fussy Noah. She groaned. “I just want to eat all the carbs and go to sleep. Kids are exhausting.”

Seth whispered, “Don’t complain about motherhood too loudly with Angela around. Actually, that’s not fair. She had good advice for Logan last night.”

Jenna stepped closer. “How did it go? You barely answered my nosy texts.” Since Friday was her temporary day off from the office, this was the first chance Seth had had to speak with her privately.

He whispered, “Really well, I think? Seemed to, at least. She was all smiles.”

“And Logan performed?”

It was an innocent question, but Seth’s brain immediately supplied the memory of Logan performing extremely admirably in Seth’s bed. The echo of grunts and moans and slapping skin filled his head, and he swore his butt twinged. “Uh-huh!”

Jenna groaned. “Oh no. What did he do? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Nothing!”

“You’re a terrible liar, Seth.”

He rubbed his face. “I know! That’s why I should never have agreed to any of this!” But the thought of not getting to know Logan the past week or two was a gut-punch, shocking in its sudden severity. Seth exhaled shakily. “But I’m glad I did. Logan’s been terrific. Really.”