Chapter 4

4

BOAZ

I woke slowly, my body feeling deliciously sore in all the right places. After a big yawn and a languid stretch, I opened my eyes. Where the hell was I?

I blinked. The bed was soft and comfortable, the mattress hugging me like an old friend. The sheets smelled clean but also held a faint scent of smoke from a fire. The quilt covering me looked handmade. It was gorgeous in shades of green, ranging from dark moss green to almost yellow.

Ellery. I was at Ellery’s.

I pushed myself into a sitting position. Sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, casting warm, golden rays onto the wooden floors. Colorful rugs on both sides of the bed promised warmth when you stepped out of bed, and the walls were made of dark, sturdy logs with knots and grooves adding character.

The previous night’s activities flooded back to me in a rush of vivid memories as I stretched again, letting out another yawn, grateful for the pleasant ache in my ass. A satisfied grin spread across my face. God, Ellery knew how to use those strong hands of his. And that glorious cock.

I’d woken in a stranger’s bed before, but I’d never felt this at ease. Was it the Santa suit that made me trust Ellery? I hardly knew anything about him, yet I trusted him.

Faint sounds drifted in from downstairs. Ellery was up already, and considering how cold his side of the bed was, he must’ve been up for a while. Oh well, he could’ve kicked me out if he wanted to, right?

I rolled out of bed, my feet hitting the soft rug next to the bed. The contrast with the warm cocoon of blankets sent a shiver through me.

I padded into the en suite, catching sight of my reflection in the mirror. My curls were a wild mess, and the faint marks on my neck made me smirk. Ellery hadn’t held back. Images of his strong, calloused hands on my body, his firm grip leaving its mark on my skin, sent a shiver down my spine.

After splashing some water on my face and running my fingers through my hair in a futile attempt to tame it, I headed back into the bedroom. My clothes from last night were scattered across the floor, but something else caught my eye.

A folded stack of T-shirts sat on a chair in the corner. I couldn’t resist. Picking up the top one, I brought it to my nose. The scent of pine and something uniquely Ellery filled my senses.

“Perfect,” I murmured, slipping it over my head. The soft fabric settled against my skin, and I reveled in how it hung loosely on my smaller frame. Wearing his clothes felt intimate. Like I belonged here.

My underwear was still on the floor and I bent over to grab it, my ass reminding me of last night’s vigorous activities. Zero fucks given…and zero regrets.

The rich aroma of bacon hit me as I descended the stairs, my sock-clad feet padding softly on the wooden steps. The scent wrapped around me like a warm hug, drawing me deeper into the cabin’s inviting embrace.

“Holy shit, that smells amazing,” I mumbled, my stomach growling in eager anticipation.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, the full scene unfolded before me. Ellery stood at the stove, his broad back to me as he flipped a pancake with practiced ease. Bacon lay sizzling in another pan. The muscles in his arms flexed with each movement, and I took a moment to admire him, remembering how those same arms had held me last night.

The kitchen was bathed in the warm, golden glow of the early morning sun streaming through the windows. A fire crackled in the nearby hearth, adding to the cozy atmosphere. The whole cabin felt alive with warmth and comfort.

“Morning, sunshine,” Ellery’s deep voice rumbled as he glanced over his shoulder, catching me mid-ogle. “Sleep well?”

My cheeks heated, but I grinned anyway. “Like a baby. Your bed is way comfier than mine. I might have to steal it.”

Ellery chuckled. “You’re welcome to try, but you’ll have a hard time getting it down those stairs.”

Hmm, he had a point there.

Ellery turned toward me, and I closed the distance between us in two quick steps, pressing my body against Ellery’s broad chest. My hands found their way to his bearded cheeks as I pulled him down for a slow, thorough kiss.

Ellery responded, his strong arms wrapping around my waist and pulling me closer. His lips were soft but insistent against mine, and I could taste a hint of coffee on his breath. The kiss deepened, and I melted into him, my body remembering every touch from the night before.

When we broke apart, we were both breathless. Ellery’s piercing blue eyes held mine. “Now that’s a way to say good morning,” he rumbled, his voice even deeper than usual.

“Morning.” I grinned, feeling a little lightheaded. “Wanted to make sure you were real and not some incredibly vivid wet dream.”

Ellery chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest and into mine. “Oh, I’m real, all right. And breakfast is almost ready if you can keep your hands to yourself long enough to eat.”

“No promises.” I stepped back reluctantly. “But I suppose I should refuel if we’re going to have a repeat performance of last night.”

Ellery’s eyebrow quirked up at that, a smirk playing on his lips. “Is that so? Well, better eat up then.”

I peered around him at the sizzling pan. “Need any help?”

“Nah, I’ve got it covered.” He slid another perfect golden pancake onto a growing stack. “But you can grab the maple syrup from the fridge.”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me, and made my way to the refrigerator. As I opened the door, I noticed how well-stocked it was. “Damn, you prepared for the apocalypse or something?”

Ellery laughed, a warm, rich sound. “I like to be ready for anything. Never know when you might get snowed in up here.”

“Or when a hot stranger might show up and need feeding?” I grabbed the syrup before kicking the fridge door closed with my foot.

“Something like that,” Ellery agreed, his eyes twinkling as he turned to face me. “And I have to say, you look pretty good in my shirt.”

I preened a little at the compliment, striking a silly pose. “What can I say? I make everything look good.”

“You do, sweetheart. Now park your butt in a chair so we can eat.”

Ellery had a way of saying things that made me want to obey him. The effect he had on me was a little weird, not gonna lie.

I made my way to the rustic wooden table, my stomach growling in anticipation. The spread before me was a breakfast lover’s dream: a towering stack of golden pancakes, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and even a bowl of fresh berries. The aroma of maple syrup and coffee filled the air, mingling with the scent of the wood crackling in the fireplace.

This domestic scene felt so natural, so comfortable, despite the fact that I’d only met Ellery yesterday. I watched as he brought over two steaming mugs of coffee, setting one in front of me before taking the seat across from mine. I’d have to figure out a way to tell him I didn’t drink coffee, but that could wait.

“This looks amazing.” I piled my plate high with pancakes. “I can’t remember the last time I had a real breakfast that didn’t come from a box or a drive-thru window.”

I took a big bite of the pancakes, closing my eyes in bliss as the fluffy texture and sweet maple flavor hit my tongue. “Oh my god, these are incredible,” I mumbled around my mouthful, remembering my manners at the last second and covering my mouth with my hand.

Ellery chuckled. “Glad you approve. It’s been a while since I’ve cooked for anyone but myself.”

“Well, you should do it more often, though I have to warn you. I may have to move in if this is a regular occurrence.”

“Is that a threat or a promise?”

I shrugged. “I’ll leave that to your interpretation.”

He chuckled, then gestured at my coffee. “Do you need sugar or cream?”

“I, erm, don’t drink coffee. It’s like rocket fuel mixed in with my meds. One cup, and I’m bouncing off the walls. Two cups, and I can taste colors.”

Ellery’s eyebrows shot up. “That sounds rather frightening.”

“Yeah, trust me, you do not want to be around me after I’ve had caffeine. It’s not pretty.”

He rose and took away the coffee. “Can I get you anything else? Herbal tea? Milk?”

“I’d love a glass of milk.”

He poured me a glass, then sat down again.

“So, what do you do when you’re not playing Santa or making killer pancakes?” I asked him.

Ellery’s eyes lit up, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I’m a woodworker. Mostly sculptures and figurines, but I dabble in furniture too.”

“No way!” I leaned forward, intrigued. “That’s so cool. Do you have any pieces here?”

He nodded, gesturing toward the living room. “That coffee table out there? Made it myself. And there are a few smaller pieces scattered around. But I have some bigger sculptures in my wood shed out back.”

I twisted in my chair, trying to get a better look at the coffee table. “That’s amazing. I’d love to see more of your work.”

“What about you?” Ellery asked, refilling his own coffee mug. “What keeps you busy?”

“I’m a digital artist,” I said, turning back to face him. “Mostly commissions. Fan art, character designs, that kind of thing.”

Ellery’s eyebrows raised, impressed. “Sounds interesting. How’d you get into that?”

I launched into an explanation, my words tumbling faster than I could control. “Oh man, it’s a long story. Basically, I’ve always loved drawing, right? But traditional media was a nightmare. I’d forget to clean my brushes, or I’d knock over paint water, or I’d lose half my pencils. Then I discovered digital art, and it was like, boom! Perfect fit. No mess, no supplies needed except my laptop or iPad. All I need to do now is remember to charge my iPad.”

As I rambled on about my latest projects, Ellery listened attentively. He asked thoughtful questions, interested in my work. It was…nice. Really nice.

Before I knew it, our plates were empty and the sun had climbed higher in the sky. Reality started to creep in, reminding me I couldn’t stay in this cozy bubble forever.

“I should probably get going,” I said reluctantly, even as every fiber of my being screamed to stay put. “I’m staying in Skykomish for one more night and then I’m heading back to LA.”

Ellery nodded, but I caught a flicker of something in his eyes. Disappointment? “You live in LA?”

“Yeah. I share an apartment with two other guys. It’s not ideal, but it’s all I can afford.”

I felt a pang in my chest. I didn’t want this to end. The thought of going back to my crappy apartment, to my messy life in LA, seemed unbearable. Here, in this warm kitchen with this fascinating man, I felt…seen. Understood.

I wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet. I wanted more time with Ellery, more of him. No, I couldn’t let it end like this. Not yet. My impulsive nature took over, and before I could overthink it, I was on my feet. In three quick strides, I closed the distance between us. Ellery’s eyes widened in surprise as I planted myself firmly on his lap, straddling him.

“Boaz, what are you?—”

I cut him off with a kiss, deep and hungry. “I’m not ready to leave just yet. Got a problem with that, big guy?”

Ellery’s hands found my hips, his grip firm and possessive. “Not a damn problem at all.”

I wiggled my hips, feeling him harden beneath me. “Good, because I’ve got a few more ideas I’d like to explore before I go.”

His blue eyes darkened with desire. “Is that so? Care to share these ideas of yours?”

My hands roamed under his shirt, over his broad chest, fingers tangling in the soft hair there. “Well, for starters, I was thinking about how good I’d look bent over this kitchen table…”