Chapter 12

12

BOAZ

T he first thing I noticed as I drifted into consciousness was the solid warmth pressed against my back. Ellery’s arm draped over my waist, his steady breath tickling my neck. I blinked, taking in the cozy atmosphere—the soft flannel sheets, the faint scents of a wood fire and pine, the quiet stillness of the morning.

My heart swelled as I snuggled back against Ellery’s broad chest. This felt so right, so perfect. I’d never woken up feeling so safe and content. Part of me wanted to stay in this moment forever, basking in Ellery’s warmth.

But my restless mind was already kicking into gear, thoughts racing. What time was it? Should I get up and make coffee for him? Oh wait, it was Christmas morning. We hadn’t made any specific plans, but Ellery had told me we’d make it a day to remember.

I’d made him a gift. God, I hoped he liked it. I’d worked hard on it and was quite happy with the result.

Did he have a gift for me? I shouldn’t expect anything. He hadn’t been out on his own to buy anything, and maybe he hadn’t thought of making something himself. Honestly, if he made me pancakes and fucked me real good, I’d be the happiest man on the planet.

I must’ve shifted or made a noise because Ellery stirred behind me. His arm tightened around my waist as he pressed a kiss to my shoulder.

“Mornin’, sweetheart,” he rumbled, voice rough with sleep. “Merry Christmas.”

I rolled over to face him, drinking in the sight of his tousled gray hair and beard. Those blue eyes crinkled as he smiled at me.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” I replied, unable to keep the grin off my face. “Sleep okay?”

“Mmm, better than okay.” Ellery cupped my cheek, thumb stroking my skin. “Waking up next to you is even better though.”

My heart did a backflip. Before I could overthink it, I leaned in and kissed him. Ellery responded, lips moving languidly against mine. His beard tickled my chin as he deepened the kiss, tongue teasing mine.

When we parted, both a little breathless, Ellery chuckled. “Your hair’s a mess,” he said, running his fingers through my curls. “Like you stuck your finger in an electrical socket.”

“Hey, not all of us can wake up looking like rugged lumberjack models.” I poked his chest. “It’s really not fair how sexy your bedhead is.”

“You think I look sexy right now?”

“Uh, duh. Have you seen yourself? I mean, you always look good, but there’s something about you all soft and sleepy that’s really hot.”

Ellery’s low laugh sent shivers down my spine. “Is that so?” His hand slid down to grip my hip, tugging me closer. “What if I told you that you look pretty damn sexy yourself right now?”

My breath caught as desire pooled in my belly. I wanted nothing more than to climb on top of him and pick up where we’d left off last night. “Well, duh, I always look sexy. It’s a curse, really.”

Ellery snorted, giving my ass a playful swat. “And so humble too.”

I yelped, swatting his chest in retaliation. “Hey, you started it with the sexy talk!”

“Guilty as charged.” Ellery’s eyes softened as he brushed a curl from my forehead. “But I meant it. You’re gorgeous, boy.”

My heart stuttered at the tender note in his voice. I wanted to believe so badly that he meant it in the way I needed him to, that he wanted more than a fling. But doubt crept in, whispering that someone like Ellery could never truly want someone like me.

I buried my face in his neck, inhaling his comforting scent. “You’re not so bad yourself, old man.”

Ellery’s chest rumbled with laughter. He kissed the top of my head, arms wrapping around me. We lay there for a few moments, holding each other.

I reluctantly pulled away from Ellery’s warmth, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “Alright, time to face the day. And by ‘face the day,’ I mean stumble to the bathroom and try not to trip over my own feet.”

Ellery chuckled, his voice still husky with sleep. “Careful there, champ. Don’t want to add any more bruises to that pretty skin of yours.”

My cheeks flushed as I remembered the marks he’d left on my body this week. “I don’t mind the bruises you’ve left.”

His eyes darkened. “No?”

I shook my head. “Not even a little bit.”

He caressed my cheek. “Good. Because I like that you can take what I dish out.”

After another lingering kiss, we finally got out of bed. We padded across the cool wooden floor, our bare feet making soft thumping sounds. I couldn’t help but sneak glances at Ellery’s muscled form, barely contained by his thin pajama pants. God, he was gorgeous.

After doing our business in the bathroom—I managed not to combust from the sheer domesticity of brushing our teeth side by side—we made our way downstairs to the living room. I came to a full stop as soon as I saw it.

Everything was decked out in full Christmas splendor. Garlands draped over every surface, twinkling lights wound around the banister, and we even had a little pine tree in the corner of the room, lights and garlands and all. It was like stepping into a Hallmark movie.

“When did you do this?” I asked when I had found my voice again.

“Yesterday, after you went to bed. I had Christmas decorations stashed somewhere and wanted to make it look festive. It’s been a while since I’ve had anyone to celebrate with.”

My heart did a little flip at that. “It looks amazing.”

Ellery took it all in with a critical eye. “Nah, it looks like a bunch of elves threw up in here. Decorating was never my strong suit, but it’s the effort that counts, right?”

It sure was.

I watched, mesmerized, as Ellery’s hands expertly arranged kindling and logs, then started the fire. He was so fucking competent at everything. Was there anything this man couldn’t do?

Well, other than decorating because I had to agree that was not his talent, though I appreciated him trying.

As the fire crackled to life, casting a warm glow across the room, I felt a sudden wave of nervousness wash over me. It was time for the gift exchange, and I was terrified Ellery would hate what I’d made for him.

With trembling hands, I grabbed my iPad. “So, uh, I made you something. I couldn’t have it printed and framed on time, but I also wasn’t sure if you’d like it. If you do, I’ll have it printed and framed for you. It’s not what I usually draw, but…” I shrugged as I handed him the iPad. “I hope you like it?”

Ellery’s eyes widened as he took in the detailed drawing I’d made of his cabin in the snow. I’d tried to capture the magic of that morning after the snowstorm and how the sun had made everything look so cozy, beautiful, and pristine. Smoke drifted from the chimney, and to me, it looked like paradise.

“Boaz,” he said hoarsely, tracing a finger over the lines. “This is…incredible. You caught every detail perfectly. It’s like I can feel the cold of the snow and the coziness of my cabin.”

I fidgeted with my fingers. “You really like it? I wasn’t able to spend as much time on it as I would’ve liked because I wanted to keep it a surprise for you and?—”

Ellery cut me off, pulling me into a fierce kiss that left me breathless. When he pulled back, his eyes were shining with genuine appreciation. “It’s perfect,” he said softly. “Thank you.”

In that moment, looking into Ellery’s eyes, I felt a surge of emotion so strong it almost knocked me off my feet. Panic rose in my chest. I wasn’t merely crushing on Ellery. I was falling in love with him.

Ellery’s lips quirked into a smile, and he reached behind the couch, pulling out a small, intricately wrapped package. “My turn,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.

I tore into the wrapping paper like an overexcited kid, my ADHD brain buzzing with curiosity. As the last of the paper fell away, I gasped. In my hands was a set of exquisitely carved wooden figurines—a family of squirrels.

“Holy shit, Ellery…” I turned one of the figurines over in my palm. The detail was incredible. I could see individual strands of fur, the texture of their bushy tails, and even tiny acorns clutched in their paws. “You made these for me?”

Ellery nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes. “You talked about your squirrel brain, so I wanted to make you something to remember how beautiful and precious squirrels can be…just like you.”

A lump formed in my throat. Jesus, he was gonna make me cry. “This is… They’re amazing. I can’t believe you did this for me.”

Ellery’s hand found mine, squeezing. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his bearded cheek. “Merry Christmas, El.”

“Come on, I’m starving. How about some breakfast?”

I followed him into the kitchen, still cradling the squirrel figurines. The cabin was filled with the scent of pine from the Christmas tree, mingling with the woodsy aroma that seemed to cling to Ellery.

“What’s on the menu, Chef Wolfe?” I asked, perching on a stool at the counter.

Ellery flashed me a grin. “French toast. That okay with you?”

“God, yes. I haven’t had decent French toast since… Well, probably since the last time I visited my dad, actually.”

The sizzle of butter hitting the hot pan filled the air, followed by the rich, sweet smell of vanilla and cinnamon. My stomach growled, and Ellery laughed.

“Sounds like I’d better hurry before you start gnawing on the furniture,” he teased.

I stuck my tongue out at him. “Hey, I’m a growing boy. Need my nutrients and all that.”

Ellery raised an eyebrow. “You’re twenty-nine, Boaz. You’re an adult.”

“So my dad keeps reminding me, but I beg to differ. I don’t feel like a grownup at all.”

“Tell me about him.” Ellery dipped a thick slice of bread into the egg mixture. “Your dad. You two seem close.”

I nodded. “Yeah, we are. He’s… He’s pretty amazing. He and my mom got pregnant with me when they were still in high school, but they became a family and raised me. Except my dad was gay, so they weren’t really happy. He came out when I was fourteen, which was rough at first, but he and my mom are still best friends. Then he went on a trip with Jesse and they visited Uncle Desmond, who lives here, and met Hawk, his boyfriend. Well, his fiancé now. They’re getting married in a few weeks.” A thought occurred to me, and I slapped my forehead. “But you already know that since you were at their bachelor party. Which reminds me, how did you end up there? Is playing Santa a side gig for you?”

Ellery watched me with amusement dancing in his eyes. “One of these days, you’re gonna pass out from a lack of oxygen, boy.”

I ducked my head, embarrassed. “Sorry. ADHD brain, you know how it is. Or, well, you probably don’t since you’re all focused and stuff.”

“No, I don’t know how it is…but I want to understand, okay? So keep explaining it to me if needed. Anyway, you asked about me playing Santa. Your Uncle Jesse approached me after hearing from Desmond that I had been Santa at a party.”

“But I thought you weren’t even living here last year?”

“I wasn’t. I was staying in Skykomish for a few days. The guy who was supposed to play Santa got sick, and they asked if I’d be willing to take his place. It was one of the reasons why I chose Forestville. I loved hanging out with the folks.”

“I still don’t understand why Jesse asked you though.”

Ellery grinned as he flipped the French toast. “He thought I was a stripper Santa.”

My mouth dropped open. “What?”

“Yup. There must’ve been a miscommunication. When he saw me make the rounds at the bachelor party, he approached and asked when I was gonna strip. He was disappointed when he found out I wasn’t going to.”

Oh my god, that was why Jesse had looked so disappointed at the party. “You stripped for me,” I pointed out.

He booped my nose. “You’re special, boy.”

I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond to the unexpected compliment. The kitchen fell silent except for the sizzle of the pan and the soft sounds of our breathing. As I watched Ellery cook, his movements sure and controlled, I felt that same surge of emotion from earlier. I was in so much trouble.

I shook off my reverie and focused on setting the table, trying to ignore the way my hands trembled as I laid out the plates and silverware. As I reached for the syrup, my hand brushed against Ellery’s. A jolt of electricity shot through me, and I nearly dropped the bottle. Ellery caught it smoothly, his fingers lingering on mine for a moment longer than necessary. “Careful there, butterfingers.”

“Hey, I’ll have you know I have very dexterous fingers, thank you very much.”

“Uh-huh,” Ellery said, not bothering to hide his amusement. “I’m sure you’re right.”

We settled into our seats, the scents of cinnamon and butter filling the air. I took a bite of the French toast and moaned. “Holy shit, you really are a wonderful cook.”

He looked pleased. “Thank you. It’s useful skill for impressing cute guys.”

“Is that what you’re doing? Trying to impress me?”

“Is it working?” Ellery asked, his voice low and teasing.

I laughed, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. “It’ll take more than French toast to win me over, mister.”

“Challenge accepted,” Ellery said with a wink, and my stomach did a series of somersaults.

After breakfast, Ellery suggested we move to the living room to play board games. He put on Christmas music and we played checkers for a bit, then Monopoly—though that was not as much fun with two people—and Battleship.

He won every single time, but it didn’t bother me at all. I’d never been good at board games. I didn’t have the patience to work out a strategy. I did whatever felt good in the moment, which made me rely on pure luck—not the best strategy. But I still had fun.

Lunch was a classic club sandwich, and I devoured it. Being with Ellery and eating all his amazing food made me realize how unhealthy my eating habits had become. I already felt stronger after a few days of better eating. Funny what a difference that could make.

After lunch, Ellery suggested we watch a Christmas movie.

“That sounds perfect,” I said. “What’s on the lineup? Please tell me it’s not Hallmark movies. I need copious amounts of alcohol to deal with that much cheese.”

Ellery chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that made my insides warm. “No Hallmark, I promise. I was thinking we’d start with Die Hard .”

I gasped in mock outrage. “Are you one of those ‘ Die Hard is a Christmas movie’ people? I can’t believe it!”

“It takes place on Christmas Eve. There’s a Christmas party. Ergo, Christmas movie.”

I shook my head, laughing. “You’re ridiculous. I love it.”

We settled on the couch, and Ellery pulled a soft, fluffy blanket over us. Without hesitation, I snuggled against his side, relishing the warmth of his body and the subtle scent of pine and woodsmoke that seemed to cling to him.

As John McClane landed in LA and got off the plane, I was only half-watching the screen. My mind was too busy cataloging every point of contact between Ellery and me—the solid press of his thigh against mine, the weight of his arm draped across my shoulders, the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.

It felt so right to be with him, so easy and natural. But even as warmth bloomed in my chest, a nagging doubt crept in. What if this was just a holiday fling for Ellery? What if, tomorrow or the day after, he decided this had been fun but nothing more?

I tried to push the thoughts away, focusing instead on the present moment. On the way Ellery’s fingers absently traced patterns on my arm. On the rumble of laughter I felt vibrate through his chest at the movie’s one-liners.

“You okay?” Ellery’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. “You’re quiet.”

I tilted my head to look up at him, struck again by how handsome he was. “Yeah, I’m good. Just…thinking.”

“Dangerous pastime.”

“I know, right?” I forced a laugh. “My brain never shuts up. It’s exhausting sometimes.”

Ellery’s expression softened. He reached up, brushing a stray curl from my forehead. “Want to talk about it?”

I hesitated, torn between my instinct to deflect with humor and the unexpected urge to bare my soul to this man. “I really like this. Being here with you. I don’t want it to end.”

The tenderness in Ellery’s eyes made my heart skip. Before I could overthink it, I leaned up and pressed my lips to his. It was soft at first, tentative, but as Ellery responded, pulling me closer, the kiss deepened. His tongue teased along my bottom lip and I opened for him eagerly, a small moan escaping me.

My hands found their way into his hair, fingers tangling in the soft strands as our mouths moved together. I shifted, straddling his lap without breaking the kiss.

“Boaz,” Ellery breathed against my lips, his hands running down my sides to grip my hips. “You are so beautiful, boy. So goddamn gorgeous. You take my breath away.”

I flushed at the compliment, grinding against him. “You’re not so bad yourself, handsome.”

His lips trailed along my jaw, down to my neck, where he sucked at my pulse point. I tilted my head, giving him better access as pleasure sparked through me.

“Fuck,” I gasped. “That feels amazing. Don’t stop.”

Ellery’s hands slipped under my shirt, calloused fingers tracing patterns on my skin. “I don’t plan to,” he murmured. “I want to savor every inch of you.”

“What’s stopping you?”