Seven
The two men emerged from the restaurant. Micah buttoned his overcoat and pulled on his gloves. Mark tended to his own jacket, seeming to be in no rush to part ways with Micah.
“Would you like to take a walk with me?” Micah asked. Once the date was over, all he had was an empty apartment waiting for him. He didn’t want to be alone tonight but wasn’t sure how to ask Mark to spend the night with him without it sounding cheap and tawdry. Although he was sexually attracted to Mark, he wouldn’t mind if the two of them simply talked all night, without having sex.
“Yeah.” Mark smiled. “I’d like that.”
The early December evening was crisp with the promise of new snow. Micah’s thoughts jumped back to the previous Christmas in Nick and Wendy’s little hometown. The newly fallen snow had left the air extra-crisp and pure, and lent the night a magical aura.
Twelve months later, and Micah continued to suffer a twinge of disappointment and sense of foolishness over the encounter with Ben. By now, he understood that it wasn’tBenthat had been so special that night—but Micah’s own hope and belief that something special was about to happen. And in a sense, it had—when he met Salvador. Had he been given the chance to go back and have his magic moment with Ben and forgo all that had happened with the old man—he wouldn’t have done so, wouldn’t have changed a thing.
No matter what happens with my kids…I’ll always think of you as my Christmas miracle.
There was no way Micah would willingly take back Salvador’s miracle.
You are a treasure, Micah Rose—and someone as special as you deserves the best love out there.
Micah looked at Mark as they walked down the sidewalk, bodies nearly touching. Maybe Mark Stein wasn’t the best love forhim, but there was no denying the man would besomeone’sbest love—someone more deserving than Jeff—thegreatestlove of their life. He smiled when Mark glanced his way. “I’m glad we had this date.”
“You are?” He squinted. “Why?”
Micah hesitated then took hold of Mark’s hand and threaded their fingers. The other man looked a bit startled but didn’t retract. “Because I am thoroughly enjoying your company. The few dates I’ve been on over the course of this last year, they haven’t been nearly as pleasant as this one. Maybe we’re not soulmates, but I could most certainly see us becoming very good friends.”
“I can see that.” Mark squeezed his hand. “Maybe even…” His words wavered, and he glanced away. Micah couldn’t be sure if the light flush in his cheeks was from the cold air—or if the man wasblushing.The latter made Micah smile.How adorable.
“Even…what?” Micah’s smile stretched.
“Nothing,” Mark mumbled with a quiet laugh.
“Tell me.”
With the flush holding in his cheeks, Micah suspected his unspoken thought may have been of a sexual nature. Micah’s body tingled with a gentle warmth.
Micah paused, drawing Mark to a standstill. “Are you suggesting maybe we could be friends…withbenefits?”
Mark swallowed. “Do you think that might be an option?”
“Absolutely.” Micah shivered at the prospect. If he couldn’t have his true love—this was the next best thing. He truly liked Mark and maybe in some ways theydidconnect. It was easy to imagine bringing him home for the holidays and having a wonderful, fulfilling time. Nick and Wendyalreadythought he was worthy of Micah—obviously.
“I have an idea,” Mark spoke up, disrupting Micah’s thoughts.
“What’s that?”
Mark tentatively grasped Micah’s other hand, hesitated, then stepped closer until their faces were just inches apart. “How about we make another pact?”
“I’m intrigued.” Micah smiled. “What kind of pact?”
“If we’re both still free on New Year’s Eve…” Mark inched closer. “…we bring in the New Year together.”
Micah’s body responded to the proposal in a very positive manner. “Short of a Christmas miracle,” he whispered and laid a light kiss on Mark’s chilled lips, “I’m positive I’ll be free.”
Mark smiled, growing a bit bolder as he gently tugged Micah’s lower lip. “Don’t discount Christmas miracles. It is a magical time of the year.”
Quivering from head to toe, Micah slowly drew the man up against him and engaged him in a deeper kiss. Mark whimpered, and his warm tongue ventured inside Micah’s mouth. “Mmm…”Micah moaned and gently sucked the appendage, mutually heightening their arousal. “Who needs magic?” he panted softly against Mark’s lips. “When we have this?”
A light shudder swept through Mark. He nuzzled Micah’s neck and whispered in his ear, “I want to be with you tonight, Micah.” He trembled. “Do you want to be with me?”
Micah swallowed thickly. “Verymuch so.”
