So how was everyone’s Christmas yesterday? We had a flurry of golfing, roller blading, hot wheeling madness here. LOL. My hubby is grinning largely with his engine stand for the new motor he’s “going to build” over the winter, and I am of course all happy-happy with my purty new Kindle Fire. To say the least, it was a great day…and that we spent it with family and friends made it all the better.

So a couple things…the ever-so-handsome Hank Edwards has a steamy little release over at Amazon (yes, it is looking mighty fine on my new eReader). You can go here to download your copy…and you will want your own shiny, new copy…because here’s an excerpt to give you a taste: (from Weston’s Spread)

‎”Just looking for work.” Tucker turned his gaze out over the property surrounding them. “Nice piece of land you got here.”

“Thanks.” Alex looked around as well, thinking of all the work he needed to do that day. “I just inherited it a year ago from my grandfather.”

“Really? Just you or is there a Mrs. Weston?”

“Nope, just me.” Alex looked down at his boots, suddenly shy.

“Lot of land for one man to run,” Tucker stated. “Need some help?”

Alex raised his eyes. “I don’t have any money, Mr. Matthews, so I can’t pay you.”

“I didn’t ask for money. And the name’s Tucker.” He looked up at the house. “Just the one bedroom?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.” Alex took a breath. “If you’re not asking for money, what would you be asking for?”

“Room and board,” Tucker said. “Just need a roof over my head.”

Alex thought the offer over for a few seconds before saying, “Deal. But I’ve only got the one bed.”

“I don’t mind sharing if you don’t.” Tucker’s eyes seemed to pin Alex to the spot as if daring him to mention different sleeping arrangements.

And it only gets hotter from there…trust me. *wink*

And for those of you waiting for Graham’s Gift… IT’S HERE! And you can go HERE to get it! Woohoo!  Want a small excerpt of that? Here you go:

Graham took a deep breath, drawing in the smoky scent of the burning wood. Some people didn’t like that smell, but Graham loved it. Different woods gave off their own distinctive aromas. The oak he was burning now was earthy, clean.

It smelled a lot like Michael.

What the hell am I supposed to do now? With Michael ensconced in his bed, Graham resigned himself to the couch. He stood, pushed the coffee table out of the way and opened the sleeper sofa. He took a blanket, sheets and pillow from the closet to make up his bed for the night. Sliding between the cool slips of cotton, Graham wished for a thousand things to be different…not the least of which was for Michael to be there because he wanted to be.

What would that be like?

Graham closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift as the wind howled outside. Now that he’d seen Michael’s body in the flesh he didn’t have to conjure up maybes and what-ifs. He knew the smooth lines and muscles that made the man. 

And with that…how would you like to win a copy of Graham’s Gift? Let’s see…the first three people to tell me which of my books Graham came from will win their own copy…how’s that?

Now…

On to the final installment of His Holiday…ready?

HIS HOLIDAY, final 

Oh the weather outside is frightful…but the fire is so delightful…

Gave awoke to the low baritone of Bing Crosby coming from the bedside. He opened his eyes and saw the display of Chris’s phone lit up as the tune continued. He debated waking Chris but curiosity won. Gave slid his arm out from under the covers and, leaning against Chris, snagged the phone from the night stand. The display read Leif.

“That better not be my brother.”

Gave held the phone in front of Chris’s nose. “That your brother?”

One eye cracked open for a split second then Chris sighed. “Yes.”

“Well, that’s good.”

“You don’t know him yet.”

Gave chuckled but flipped open the phone to answer the call. He held the receiver to Chris’s ear and bumped him in the rear with his knee. “Wake up and talk to him.”

“What?” The grump in Chris was showing.

A low murmur, just loud enough that Gave knew Leif was talking but not so loud he could discern the words, was greeted by the occasional yes or later answer from Chris. Each one word answer and the growing tension in Chris’s body only served to wind Gave up for a serious let down. He crawled over Chris and headed for the bathroom.

Before he could make it two steps or finish his you’re an idiot self-lecture, a pillow smacked Gave in the back of the head. He picked up the pillow only to get a second one square on the butt. Gave turned on Chris, firing the two pillows one after the other and scoring hits with both. He couldn’t stop the laughter bubbling up inside him, even with the feeling of the end coming quickly.

Chris tossed his phone on the small table as he sat up on the mattress. He clasped his hands around his knees and rocked back and forth for a long second. Finally, he sighed. “So, you want to know about the old man?”

“Only if you want to tell me.”

Chris shook his head. “It won’t work like that, Gave.”

Well, that didn’t sound good. Gave had thought he’d have a little time, maybe one more romp in the sack before Chris kicked him out. He sucked in a breath. It was normally the other way around. His heart raced like a runaway freight train and he needed to sit down.

Gave sank into the chair next to the desk beside the bed. “It won’t work? How do you—”

“No. Gave. You have to want to know. If you don’t…I can’t show you.”

Gave stared at a worn spot in the carpet. Do I want to know Chris’s secrets? What could it be? Wife? Husband? Kids? Does he think I can be happy to be on the side?

“No.”

Gave met Chris’s gaze, smiling at the spit of anger in his blue eyes. “No what?”

“No to all of those things. I shudder at the thought of having a wife. There’s no husband—yet. Kids are a possibility, but not yet either.” Chris shrugged. “Though I don’t want to rule that out. And I would never put you on the side. I’m not wired that way.”

Gave blinked. How had Chris just answered his thoughts like he’d spoken out loud? Gave shook his head and stood, unsure what to do with that. Unsure how it was even possible.

“Gave. We talked to each other in our heads when we were miles apart.”

“That was a dream.”

“No, it wasn’t.”

Chris’s phone began to ring again and he jabbed at the answer button. “I’ll call you back.” Then he hung up and returned his attention to Gave.

Finding himself in front of the mirror hanging over the dresser, Gave ignored Chris. He closed his eyes against the hope he saw in his own face. Do I want to know? “Yes.”

“No—”

“I mean, I want to know. I want this with you.” Gave scrubbed his hands over his face, then back through his hair. “I have no idea how this will work, but I want this—you.”

Warm arms slid around his waist and Chris leaned against his back, smooth skin pressing against him, the scent of candy canes tingling Gave’s nose. “Then it would be easier to show you.”

“Show me?”

“Get dressed. Warm. Need warm clothes.”

The warmth of Chris’s body disappeared, and even as Gave turned, Chris was whirling around the room, opening drawers and closets to get out their warmest apparel.

In a blink, Chris had his jeans, thermal shirt and a blue flannel on. He advanced on Gave with another pair of jeans and similar shirts. Gave narrowed his eyes at Chris. “You had better not think you’re dressing me.”

Chris’s smile lit the room and warmed Gave’s heart. “I’d rather undress you.”

Gave laughed in surprise. “I’ve created a monster.” He waved his hands. “Give me my stuff so I can get dressed.”

Chris tossed them over, then sank down in the chair Gave had abandoned. He propped one elbow on the desk and continued to watch Gave.

“What?” Gave pulled on his pants, then his shirts. “Am I doing it wrong?”

Color bloomed in Chris’s cheeks, turning his cheeks cherry red. “Never.”

The breath caught in Gave’s throat and his cock thickened at the reminder of their night in bed. His gaze dropped to Chris’s groin, gratified at the thick erection evident behind the faded denim. “We could just stay here. I’ll believe whatever you say.”

Chris shifted in his seat, then stood. “No, there will be plenty of time for this after.”

Gave tossed Chris his boots and shoved his feet into his own. “Then let’s go.”

When Gave looked up, Chris was standing next to him with a hand out. “Waiting on you.”

***

For a moment, Chris thought Gave was going to refuse. But he’d slapped his hand into Chris’s and grinned. Chris hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath until it rushed out with relief.

Now they stood with rolling hills of snow on either side of them. Chris had seen his grandpa’s shop a million times, so he knew how impressive it looked at night like this with everything all lit up and sparkling.

He had brought them to this spot on purpose. Better to get the full picture than to wonder.

“I…I…” Gave’s mouth opened and closed repeatedly. Chris couldn’t help but think of one of those toy soldiers where little boys could use the lever to make only the mouth move.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Chris smiled. He loved coming back to visit. It always rejuvenated him.

The sign itself was ornate curves and swirls with a simple cross board that read North Pole in all capitals enclosed in a red frame. Next to that sat one of those old mailboxes made of iron. It was painted red with gold scrolls swirling over the top and along the side. It was just for show, but Grandpa loved it, so it stayed.

“Are we—” Gave lifted a hand and pointed at the main house.

“At the North Pole?” Chris grinned. “Yes, we are.”

“Is that—”

“Santa’s workshop?”

Gave looked at Chris, understanding beginning to dawn on his face. “Are you—”

“No.”

Gave nodded, sighing. “Okay. Okay, I can handle this.” He turned in a circle, snow scrunching under his boots.

“The workshop is my grandfather’s pride and joy. Long ago our ancestor built the first of it.” Chris pointed to a smaller building to the left. “It began as a two-story house with living quarters on the top floor and the toy shop on the first.”

“Wow.”

“Quite a feat back then, I assure you.” Chris motioned toward the main house. It looked spectacular this year. The elves must have really been on a decorating binge.

The clock towers on either side of the front walk were wrapped in red and white lights, striped like candy canes. Each window blinked in harmony with multicolored happiness, and wreaths hung on each of the four doors facing the main porch.

Through the large glass front doors, Chris could see the fifteen-foot pine tree trimmed with the hundreds of handmade ornaments from children all over the world. Santa wouldn’t allow one gift to remain in the box.

“That one has been added over the years as more and more of the family have opted to live here year-round instead of coming home for the Season.”

“Season?”

Gave’s confusion was adorable. Chris slid his arm around Gave’s waist and pulled him close. “The Christmas season, silly. We all come home to help.”

“You didn’t this year.”

Chris sighed when Gave’s arms wrapped around him, warming him from the inside out. “No. I needed to be near you.”

Gave squeezed Chris. “Can we go someplace warm now?”

Chris tipped his head up and winked. He watched as it registered with Gave that they now stood in a large foyer, sans snow gear.

“How do you do that?”

A loud, merry laugh rang through the hallway and Gave stiffened as he tried to pull away. Chris sighed as he let him go. He couldn’t expect things to be perfect overnight. Though he’d hoped.

“Now, young man, don’t let me ruin the moment. You two looked cozy.” An older man came down the wide stairway, his hand skimming the oak banister as he descended.

“I’m sorry—” Gave’s eyes narrowed, then he cocked his head. “I’ve seen you before.”

Gave was sharp as a tack, Chris would give him that. Even if subtlety wasn’t his best suit. But Santa just laughed again. “Yes, you did. And good for you for not letting my grandson get away with not telling you about us.”

Chris groaned. “Come on, Grandpa. You know why I don’t tell people.”

“I do. Usually, I agree. This time I’m glad you made the exception.” Chris’s grandfather tapped Gave on the cheek with one finger. “This one’s a keeper, I can tell.”

Gave shook his head. “You’ve just met me.”

A twinkle lit up Santa’s eyes and a smile curved his lips under his long white beard. “Gaven, I’ve known you your entire life. Always on the good list.”

“I tried.”

Chris slid his hand into Gave’s, needing the connection with him.

Santa smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “You’ll have to be patient with your new man, boy. He might take a bit to realize we will love him because you do.”

Chris grinned at the gasp from Gave. “Gramps, we need to get some rest before the party tonight. Can we get a room?”

“Yours is ready for you, like always.”

“Thanks.” Figuring Gave had had enough for one day, he led the way up the stairs rather than just thinking them into his bedroom.

“Walking? So overrated,” Gave whispered in Chris’s ear.

And Chris took the hint. It was his holiday, after all. “Think we could find a red satin bow around here somewhere?”

The End

Another big thank you to Danny Johns for sending in the prompt that sparked this story. Gave and Chris have been two of my most favorite characters to work with.

So…curious what the others have done to wrap up their stories? Well, don’t stop now…

Lee Brazil – http://leebrazilauthor.blogspot.com/

Havan Fellows – http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/

Hank Edwards – http://hankedwardsbooks.com/blog/

JR Boyd – http://jr-boyd.blogspot.com/

Have a great Monday!

~Em