The Christmas Deal

He poured another mug of coffee and held it out, and Seth forced his feet to move. “Thanks!” His tone was still too cheery. Their fingers brushed, and the instinct to kiss Logan swelled. Uh, no. He’s not your boyfriend. No sleepy-sweet morning kisses. Seth drank a mouthful of coffee even though it was too hot.

Stop looking at his chest.

Logan laughed uneasily and crossed his arms. “Scars are ugly, I know.”

“Huh?” Seth blinked up at him, then back at his chest. He realized there were marks snaking through the dark hair on Logan’s sternum. He’d been too distracted by the reddish discs of Logan’s tight nipples to even notice. “Oh! No, not ugly at all. I didn’t notice them.”

He forced his gaze away, wincing at his false tone. He really hadn’t noticed, but Logan would think he was lying, not ogling his nipples. It was still dark outside, and in the window’s reflection over the kitchen sink, he could see Logan’s broad back, which wasn’t any less distracting.

Seth asked, “What are you up to today?”

Logan nodded toward the sink. “I’ll put up the backsplash tiles and grout it all.”

“Oh! Right.” Seth had chosen the pale blue glass tiles so long ago he’d almost forgotten about them. “Hope I still like them.”

“It’ll look good.” Logan scratched his chest, the sound of his nails on his hairy flesh drawing Seth’s attention despite himself. His pecs were wonderfully furry. Not too much, not too little. Just right.

You’re not Goldilocks. Stop it.

“Great! Thanks. Did you have breakfast? There are eggs in the fridge. Please help yourself.”

“Cool. Um, thanks.” Logan turned and opened the fridge, poking around the shelves.

Seth went to the pantry and blindly reached for something. Casual. Be casual. He blinked at what he was holding—baking soda. Quickly putting it back, he picked up a box of gingersnaps and read the nutritional info. From the corner of his eye, he could see Logan leaning against the island again, the fridge door closing with a soft thwack.

After a moment, Seth could sense Logan’s gaze on him. His neck went hot, and he imagined he could feel Logan’s eyes roaming over his body. Which was ridiculous! So Seth glanced over, telling himself Logan would definitely not be looking at him.

But he was.

And when their eyes met, they both startled and turned away, Logan returning to the fridge as Seth came out of the pantry and grabbed his coffee and gulped.

Seth cleared his throat. Casual. This wasn’t a big deal. Logan bent over the crisper drawer, the track pants stretching over his rear. Seth’s balls tightened, desire coiling deep in his belly as he imagined pushing inside Logan’s body.

“Okay, I’d better get on the road. Have a great day!” Seth ran for it. He could buy breakfast. And lunch.

“Hey, are we cool?” Logan asked as he turned from the fridge.

Seth stopped and faced him. “Hmm?” His heart drummed. “Uh-huh. Great. Thanks again for helping me…get over the hump. So to speak.”

Logan smirked. “Anytime.” He sipped his coffee. “Well… Have a good day at work.”

“Yes! I will. Thanks. Uh, you too!” Seth gave a wave because he was a complete dork. He escaped to jam on his boots, throw on his coat, and slip his way to the driveway through the fresh snow. He turned on the SUV’s engine in the garage and waited a minute while it warmed.

The guy who mowed his grass also came in winter to plow the long driveway, and it was freshly cleared. Seth threw down salt on the pathway so Logan wouldn’t slip and got on the road, his pulse racing for a good few miles.

A peppy Kelly Clarkson Christmas song played on the radio, and for once, Seth didn’t turn the channel. Instead, he upped the volume with the button on the steering wheel, pressing with his thumb.

His mind wandered to Logan—and masturbating in the shower. A thrill shot through him at the memory of the stretch of his lips around Logan’s shaft, and then bringing himself off this morning.

“It’s okay,” he said aloud, interrupting Kelly. “I had casual sex, and this morning I…jerked off, and it’s all okay. I’m allowed. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

The plows and salters had been out, and the drive into work was smooth. Especially since Seth spent it grinning to himself, thinking about seeing Logan again that night. Wondering if they’d get off again.

“Casual sex is awesome.” He repeated his new mantra, tapping the wheel as another pop holiday song came on.

He was still grinning when he pushed open the glass door to the office. Becky gasped excitedly when she saw him, practically bouncing in her chair behind reception, her red hair swirling in waves.

She exclaimed, “Seth Marston, you sly devil! It’s always the quiet ones.”

Seth’s grin froze as he jolted to a stop. Matt had said he’d contain the rumors at work, but it was Tuesday, and apparently the containment could only last so long. “Uh…”