Page 73 of The Christmas Accomplice

Chapter 20

Welton couldn’t quite grasp that he had been at Snowcapped for one week. It seemed like a month had passed, at least. And it also seemed he had known Reece for much longer, as if they’d spent several Christmases together and not just this one.

Christmas morning, Reece woke him with a kiss and the press of his hard-on against Welton’s ass. They made love, and this time Reece was on top, staring into Welton’s eyes as his thrusts slowly built in speed, bringing them both to gasping completion.

After cleaning up, Reece made a pot of coffee, and they sat close on the sofa under a comfortable throw, sharing Christmas memories. At one point, Reece frowned and leaned forward to squint at his Christmas tree.

“What’s that?” Reece said.

“What’s what?” Welton looked over, expecting to see some kind of previously unnoticed design flaw. Possibly a large spider.

“There’s a gift under my tree.”

Reece slid out from under the throw and fetched the small package, neatly wrapped with paper depicting cartoon snowmen speeding downhill on sleds and topped by a shiny red bow.

“What?” Welton frowned, anxious and nervous. “I didn’t get you anything.”

“Yes, you did.” Reece gave him a quick kiss, his lips tasting like coffee. “You’re the best gift I’ve ever received.”

“Well, fine.” No one had ever told Welton he was a gift, and he didn’t know how to respond, so he busied himself by unwrapping the present. It was a ceramic ornament in the shape of two men on a toboggan, both holding on to different colored stocking caps as if speeding down a hill. Each of their names was neatly painted along the bottom, along with the year.

Welton clutched the ornament to his chest in both hands and stared at the Christmas tree in the corner which was now blurred through his tears.

“Welton?” Reece said in a gentle tone. “You all right?”

Welton nodded and lifted a shoulder as he tipped his head to dab away the tears. “I am.” He finally looked up and smiled. “I love it. It’s the best gift ever.”

Reece had Christmas day off, but he suggested they go to the resort for some fun. Welton was intrigued what Reece would consider fun, but he soon found himself standing in line at the toboggan run. The snow clouds had cleared out overnight, leaving nearly a foot of fresh snow behind. The lines for the ski lifts and the top of the runs were long, but people talked and laughed while they waited. Skiers and boarders dotted the slopes, leaving clouds of snow in their wakes that glittered in the bright winter sunlight.

After the fifth time down the toboggan run, Welton’s pants were soaked from melted snow, so they went by his cabin for him to change. It was empty, but he could tell Dean had spent the night there, and from the number of wet towels clumped on the floor, he hadn’t been alone. With the place to themselves, Welton gave Reece a slow, sensuous blow job. Once he’d come in a gasping finish, Reece promptly returned the favor, and afterward they held each other in bed.

“I just thought of something,” Welton said.

Reece kissed the side of his head. “What’s that?”

“Dean probably had sex on these sheets last night.”

They both scrambled up out of bed and shuddered, then laughed at themselves. After a shared shower, they dressed and headed to the restaurant for lunch where Welton finally cashed in his free appetizer coupon. Reece had been right: the mozzarella sticks were the best. They stopped by to see Nick working the desk. She was working with another woman who smiled as she looked at Welton.

“Is this the hot gay nerd traveling on his own?”

“Um, what?” Welton said.

“Ursula, this is Welton,” Reece said. “Welton, this is my co-worker, Ursula.”

She reached across the desk to shake Welton’s hand. “I’m more like his love advisor.”

A guest approached and Ursula turned her attention to him.

Nick couldn’t seem to stop smiling as she looked between them, and Reece finally said, “What is with that silly smile?”

“Just mirroring the two of you,” she said. “You both look so happy and relaxed.”

Reece leaned over the desk to give her a hug, then they turned away and saw Edward waving to Reece from the hallway to the business offices.

“Looks like Edward needs me.” Reece looked at Welton. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all. I’ll wait here. Go talk to him.”