Dear Santa

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm

“PLEASE, Uncle Mike, you’ve got to help me write a letter to Santa. There’s less than a month ’til Christmas and I’m behind shed-sked-shed-u-al.” “Schedule?” Mike drawled, precocious six-year-old nephew.

smiling

down

at

his

“That’s the word! Now how do I start off a letter?” “How about ‘Dear Santa,’ Bobby?” Mike suggested. “That’s good. That’s good!” Bobby exclaimed, taking up his pencil and carefully printing it on his paper. Mike smiled as he watched his nephew concentrate on writing the perfect letter to Santa. He looked adorable with his tongue peeking out the corner of his mouth as he slowly shaped each letter. It was good to see the boy in high spirits. Mike thought that his nephew would never smile again after losing his parents nearly a year ago. For that matter, Mike thought he would never smile again either. He had been exceptionally close to his twin sister, Michelle, and her husband, Robert. Their deaths had left him nearly as devastated as his nephew. Bobby had retreated into himself, remaining mute for weeks afterward. 2

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Mike had put away his own pain as he helped his nephew fight his way through the grief. Michelle and Robert had named him godfather and guardian of Bobby in their will. Robert’s family had not accepted their son’s wishes and a nasty custody battle had ensued, complete with attacks on Mike’s sexual preference. They’d even gone so far as to bribe his lover at the time into making up allegations of child molestation. Thankfully, the attempt to assassinate his character had been very transparent and the judge had not only cleared him of all charges but awarded him custody of Bobby. Still, he had been left with scars that seemed to have cut right into his soul. It was no wonder that last Christmas had been a disaster. Thankfully, this year was going to be different. Bobby had come alive over the summer, thanks to a friend he had met in the park. Unfortunately, Mike had little time to spend with Bobby and his friend. He was working a nine-to-five job plus any overtime he could get to pay the exorbitant lawyer bills after the custody fight. So, Bobby had a part-time nanny who kept watch over him while his uncle was at work. Rachel had been a godsend. She was a psych major, working on her dissertation. She not only helped Bobby through the rough times, but made a mean macaroni and cheese. Mike didn’t know what he would do without her. She spoke often of Bobby’s friend, Veronica, as did Bobby. He knew that Veronica loved ice cream, hated cake, and lived 3

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm with her father in a brownstone a few blocks from the park. Bobby never spoke about Veronica’s mother, and he assumed that she was not in the picture. However, Bobby had begged him for days to invite Veronica and her dad over for Christmas dinner and he’d finally agreed. Bobby was over the moon. They’d gone down to the card store and picked out the invitations. Bobby had made one for Veronica and her father, Lucas Townsend. He’d also made one for Rachel. Even Mike had received one. Now Bobby was writing a letter to Santa asking for the perfect gift. It had to be just right, enough to impress Veronica but something that they could share. He wanted the latest video game console, and Mike had no idea how he was going to get one for him. He was barely scraping by as it was and had managed to put away about a hundred dollars in the months since last December. He doubted he’d be able to put another couple of hundred aside by Christmas, and felt terrible at the thought of disappointing Bobby. As expected, Bobby asked for the video game in his best manuscript and then paused to study his handiwork with a frown. “What’s wrong, Bobby?” Mike asked. “I need to think about this for a little bit before I send it to Santa,” he replied broodingly. “I think I’ll go to bed now and finish it tomorrow.”

4

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm “All right then, in you go,” Mike said, pulling back the bedcovers so that his nephew could scrabble underneath them. He tucked him in with a kiss. “Good night, Uncle Mike,” Bobby said with a gappedtooth smile. “Good night, Bobby.” before turning off the light.

Mike gave him another kiss

He made sure that the nightlight was on before leaving. Mike puttered around the small apartment at loose ends before reluctantly retiring to his own lonely room. Mike looked at the California king bed and sighed; just looking at it made him depressed. He had bought it after Christopher had complained of feeling claustrophobic in his old bed. The bed was a reminder of Christopher’s betrayal and he wished that he could afford to get rid of it. He had been humiliated when police had cuffed him in the courtroom after Christopher had tearfully revealed how he’d found pictures of naked little boys in sexually explicit positions on his computer. He had actually apologized, saying that he had to tell the truth for Bobby’s sake. It took less than a day for Mike’s lawyers to find the money trail from the Thirskes to Christopher and wrangle a confession out of him. Christopher had been furious when confronted, blaming Mike for his actions, saying that everything had been perfect between them until he’d brought the little ankle-biter into their lives. Christopher had gone on to revile him further as the police dragged him away, 5

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm lambasting him for his lack of skill and passion in bed and shredding Mike’s illusions of love. Nearly a year later, Mike was still unable to bring himself to date. Yet as afraid as he was of entanglement, Mike was still terribly lonely. Most of Mike’s friends had deserted him, either believing Christopher’s lies or distancing themselves due to fear of persecution by association. He hated his life with its big empty bed. He’d lost his sister, his best friend, and his love in a very short time frame, leaving him utterly bereft. He had no one, and after what Christopher had done, felt as though he never would again.

Dear Santa, Veronica and I were going to ask for a pony and a Wii, but we got to talking and decided that we want to ask for something more important. Her daddy and my uncle are sad and we want them to be happy. Can you please find someone for them? We know it wont be easy, they are momosexyoualls. That means that they want husbands instead of wifes, which my mommy said was okay before she went to heaven. I love my uncle and I know that bad things happened because of me. Please help him. Sincerely, Bobby Thirske and Veronica Townsend

6

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm LUCAS Townsend read and reread the letter to Santa Claus that his daughter had asked him to mail. It felt as though he’d been punched in the stomach. He had tried to be so careful about his relationships, afraid of exposing his daughter to the terrible ridicule to which those with his sexual preference and the people who loved them were subjected. He had always known that he preferred men, but he had tried to deny it. He had played sports, married the head cheerleader, got a top exec job, and fathered a beautiful little girl. But one can only live a lie for so long. After Veronica’s birth, he had been unable to fulfill his husbandly duties with his wife. Cynthia had been supportive at first. However, she had quickly turned disparaging as his lack of interest tore her self-esteem to shreds, turning her into a spiteful razortongued bitch. They had fought constantly. It had gotten to the point that he hated going home and the sound of her voice had made him ill. During that time, he had tried to remain faithful, but Cynthia’s attacks wore him down until all he wanted was for somebody to treat him like a human being. On a business trip, he had found solace with another exec from Tokyo and knew that he could not go back to the life he had been leading. He returned home and gave his wife what she had deserved—honesty. Cynthia had not taken it well. Until that moment he had no idea that she was a raging homophobe. She had walked out on him and their daughter, screaming that she wanted no part of a hell-bent and AIDS7

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm riddled relationship. By morning, the divorce papers had been filed, and aside from a lump sum in compensation for his deception, she had let him keep everything. Her sudden departure had hurt Veronica. She never understood why her mommy had left so abruptly and it had devastated her. He had never been able to explain it to her satisfaction, especially with the venom his ex-wife spewed. She had called Veronica everything from the “Devil’s child” to an “AIDS baby.” The judge had little problem giving Lucas full custody and denying Cynthia visitation until she got counseling. Lucas had hoped that he had managed to keep his daughter oblivious to all of it. This letter had made it obvious that he had failed in some way, and he did not know what to do. Unlike her mother, he had raised Veronica to be tolerant, and while it was evident that she had taken his lessons to heart, he was unsure how much of her mother’s invective had been forced upon her or might hurt her in the future. Then, there was Bobby’s uncle, a man he knew intimately from his many conversations with the young boy. Mike was Bobby’s hero. To Bobby the man was ten feet tall. He knew that Mike had fought to keep the boy and had suffered for it. According to Bobby, his grandparents had even had Mike arrested to keep them apart. He also had no problem with discussing his uncle’s sex life or lack of one. Nor did Bobby mind letting everyone 8

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm know that Mike was a “momo-sex-you-all,” which meant that he liked boys. Lucas had learned all of this before meeting the man and it had made him curious about the uncle’s looks. He knew that Bobby and his uncle went to Trevatorie every Sunday to watch vintage movies. It was a weekly ritual that both of them treasured. Lucas had arranged for them to meet at a matinee of Star Rangers one Sunday. However, before the meeting, Lucas could not resist asking Bobby about Mike’s looks. Bobby had said that he and his uncle looked alike. At the old-fashioned movie house, Lucas had his curiosity satisfied, and a new desire kindled. His first sight of Mike had stopped him in his tracks. Mike was gorgeous, possessed of a rare delicate beauty that made him look almost androgynous. The Japanese had raised such looks to an art form. He was shorter than Lucas had expected, about five-foot-six or -seven, making him just the right size to fit under the shoulder of Lucas’s six-one frame. Mike’s hair was cut short but had just enough wave to hint at its curly nature. Like Bobby, he had the best dimpled smile. Thinking of that smile made Lucas remember the perfect cupid bow of Mike’s lips. Mike had a mouth made for doing naughty things. He would probably be one of those guys who loved kissing, putting everything he had into it. Lucas loved a good kisser and an impromptu fantasy sprang into his head. Lucas could feel Mike’s lips on his, kissing him hungrily as he 9

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm imagined dragging the slighter man onto his lap. It was so hot that he found his jeans feeling a little tight. Shifting uncomfortably, he tried to think of other things to regain his control. So many times Lucas’s hunger would urge him to pursue Mike. Thankfully, his cooler head prevailed. A relationship with him would be disastrous. Since the divorce, he had consciously chosen not to pursue any relationships for fear of further damaging his daughter. However, Lucas had been far from celibate. Lucas was a handsome man, still fit and trim from his days of track and baseball. His dark hair had a hint of red in it and he paid a pretty penny to have it styled in a careless windswept look that managed to make him seem trustworthy but with a hint of a capability for wickedness. He’d been graced with green eyes as part of the legacy that came with the bit of red in his hair. Years of torture in the form of braces had left him with a straight, white smile. He knew that he was appealing to others and enjoyed the occasional prowl for entertainment. He was circumspect, seeking comfort only during business trips and with carefully selected partners. He practiced safe sex and was tested regularly to make sure that he did not bring any STDs home. He was pleased to be able to say that he never allowed any part of his diversions to come home with him. He had kept all hints of it from his daughter.

10

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm However, being single was growing old. He missed family life. Being able to come home from work to converse with someone who understood what he was talking about was sorely missed. As was falling asleep with someone he truly cared about. He wanted a real relationship. He wanted to be married again, but this time without living the lie of being straight. He just had no idea how to look for a partner. Up until his divorce he had assiduously avoided anything that hinted at being gay. Coming out had not automatically come with a handbook on living an alternative lifestyle. He had found the hook-up spots easily enough. Those places were packed from wall to wall with men on the prowl. However, finding men looking for something meaningful was a whole other kettle of fish. Dating was hard when you had to worry about a small kid. Most men, straight or gay, would not consider getting involved with anyone who had a child. Testing the waters, he’d gone to a few gay dating events he’d found on the internet. He had many a nibble until they learned of his daughter, then they would quickly swim away. He could have kept quiet about Veronica, but had promised himself that he would never again base a relationship on deception. It was obvious that Bobby’s uncle was in the same predicament and he had often thought of attempting a relationship with Mike. He was stopped each time by fears of the repercussions that would inevitably occur from a bad end. Both Veronica and Bobby had been lonely children, made introverts through personal tragedies. Their friendship 11

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm had helped each child heal and blossom. Lucas could not in good conscience do anything that would jeopardize it, which is why he was fighting his attraction for Mike. Still, there was nothing that said they could not be friends. In fact, as close as their respective little ones were, they should be friends. He could at least make an effort to toward that. Maybe they could get together for Thanksgiving. “Daddy, I’m home!” his daughter called out as she walked into the house. “I’m in the kitchen!” he called back. Veronica came skipping back, her strawberry-blonde curls bouncing around her heart-shaped face. He was going to have to buy a shotgun to keep the boys away when she got older, he thought wryly, and put it on his to-do list as she threw her arms around him. She clambered into her father’s lap and gave him a big kiss. “So, how was school today?” “It was great. Mrs. Willoughby brought her hamster and we all got to pet it. Bobby was scared but he held it anyway.” “Were you scared, too?” “Maybe a little,” Veronica confessed, wrinkling her nose. He knew that she worked hard at seeming fearless and hated to admit that she ever experienced the emotion. It 12

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm was one of the many defenses she had developed after her mother’s departure. Changing the subject, he asked, “So did Bobby say what they are doing next week for Thanksgiving?” “They’re going to cook everything themselves: turkey and candied yams and stuffing and gravy. Bobby said that he’s going to help his uncle cook,” Veronica said, sounding envious. “Oh, we could try to make dinner ourselves,” Lucas offered. “Really, Daddy?! I would love to, especially after the way Bobby was teasing me at school. Can I go call him?” “Sure, pumpkin, after you do your homework.”

“SO why do you keep the photo albums in the vault, Uncle Mike?” piped a curious voice from behind the slight man. “Because they are my most precious possessions,” Mike answered, clicking home the last number on the dial and pulling the heavy fireproof door open. “I keep them in here so that if there’s a fire or something they will be okay and we’ll always be able to look at our family.” “Oh. Can I see the one when you don’t have no teeth?” Bobby asked as he followed his uncle over to the couch. 13

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm “I’m sure you will,” Mike answered as he sat down. He watched Bobby scramble up to sit next to him. Placing the heavy binder on both of their laps, Mike began going through the pages slowly, telling a story abut each picture. It was Thanksgiving and Bobby was full of questions that night. It was his idea to look at the pictures while the turkey was browning. With just the two of them, they had gotten the smallest bird they could find and spent most of the morning cooking. Bobby was very proud that he had helped make their big dinner. He actually could not wait to sit down to it, and had been excited since Mike told him that he would be helping to make it. Mike had thought that by including him in the preparation, it would lessen some of the grief Bobby might experience from celebrating his first Thanksgiving without his parents. Mike had been right. Bobby had jumped at the chance of being grown-up enough to cook and had been a great helper. The smells coming from the kitchen were mouthwatering. It would not be long before they were stuffing themselves like pigs at the table. “Do you think that Veronica and her dad are gonna make dinner as good as ours?” Bobby had asked earlier, his chest puffed out with pride. “Who can say, but Mr. Townsend does not look like a cook to me. Come on. I think we have just enough time to finish the whole photo album before dinner’s ready.” Mike redirected his nephew’s attention and they continued their long walk down memory lane, much to Bobby’s delight. 14

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Bobby was exclaiming over his favorite picture when the timer went off. Mike got up to check the turkey. Seeing that the thermometer had popped out and that it was a nice golden brown, he turned off the stove and told Bobby to set the table while he put the food in serving dishes. It was only the two of them, but Mike had every intention of observing all of the traditions. Mike had to stop a few times to show Bobby what to do, but it really did not take long for everything to be ready. They were just sitting down to say a prayer when an alarm started blaring throughout the building. Pale-faced, Bobby turned toward his uncle, ready to panic. “Go put on some shoes and a jacket and hurry up,” Mike ordered firmly. Bobby hurried to comply while Mike did the same thing, pausing to scoop up the photo albums just in case. They hurried outside to mingle with a bunch of neighbors who were wondering what was happening. After a few uneventful minutes, some were even ready to head back inside to finish their dinners, when the window just above his apartment exploded and flames started licking up the building. At the same time, two big red fire engines roared up the street, screeching to a stop in front of the building. In minutes, they’d swarmed the building like ants at a picnic. It was controlled chaos as men and women in firefighter suits set about putting out the fire and making sure that all of the residents were safe. The building’s 15

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm superintendent was there being questioned by a fire marshal while officers herded everyone to safety across the street. Mike felt something lodge painfully in his throat as hundreds of gallons of water were pumped into his apartment and the one above him in an effort to put out the blaze. He overheard the firefighters as they worked and knew that his place would not be safe, let alone habitable, for quite some time. With the exception of his photo albums, he had just lost his home and everything he owned, and he had a little one to take care of. He had no idea what he was going to do next, where they were going to live. And…oh God, Christmas! By the time he rented a hotel room and bought them the bare minimum of clothing, there would not be any money left over for presents. The thought of not even being able to provide a normal Christmas for his nephew broke him like nothing else had been able to since Michelle’s death, especially when he realized that his cell phone and wallet were still in his apartment. Still, he could not fall apart, not with Bobby standing right next to him. Mike looked down at the serious-faced little boy and sighed. Bobby had put on the first jacket he saw, the thin one from when they went to see Star Rangers. He was virtually unprotected from the elements and it was starting to show in his pale face. Mike had to get him somewhere warm, and quickly, and he could only think of one place within walking distance.

16

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Turning away from the personal disaster, he picked up Bobby and sandwiched the photo albums between them. Bobby held the heavy books with his little arms as best he could and looked up at his uncle, his eyes wide with trepidation. “Where are we going, Uncle?” Bobby asked softly, his voice shaking with anxiety. Mike studied his nephew’s tear-bright eyes and thought about the only thing that would bring him comfort right now. Putting on a bright smile that he willed to reach his eyes, he mustered up his most cheerful voice and answered. “Veronica’s. I figure that her dad won’t turn such lovable hobos away on Thanksgiving.” “No, he wouldn’t. Mister Townsend is a nice man. He might even share his turkey with us.” Bobby smiled in relief at the plan and his uncle’s optimism. Then, he wrinkled his nose and added, “I hope he can cook.” Bobby’s words startled a bit of laughter out of Mike and he answered with a chuckle. “Me, too.” Snow had started to fall as they walked, covering the pair until they were a wet and bedraggled lot by the time they reached their destination. Tiredly, Mike trudged up the stairs and rang the doorbell. He did not have to wait long before Lucas answered the door, the surprise on his face quickly turning to concern upon seeing the state his two visitors were in. 17

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm “What happened?” Lucas asked, stepping back and waving them inside. “Our building caught on fire,” Mike said simply. His eyes were starting to take on a glassy look, common to those who have survived a trauma or catastrophe. Lucas recognized the look and sprang into action. Calling for Veronica, he sent her for towels as he hustled the pair up to the spare bedroom with orders to strip out of their wet things while he gathered dry clothes. By then, Bobby was chattering from being wet and cold. Mike put him in a hot shower immediately in hopes of staving off a chill. Gratefully, Mike took the towels from Veronica and dried himself off as best he could. Lucas had scrounged around and found a T-shirt and some gray sweats that did not look too girly for Bobby, which he placed in the bathroom for the boy to wear after his shower. He’d also grabbed sweats and a T-shirt for Mike. Shooing Veronica out of the door, he ordered Mike to strip once more and leaned against the door to make sure that the beautiful man complied this time. With numb fingers, Mike peeled the wet clothes from his body, oblivious to the heat his half-clothed state was generating in Lucas. Lucas watched Mike strip and fought to turn his thoughts to a more platonic nature, but it was a fruitless battle. It was easy to see with his clothes plastered to him that Mike had a great body, fit and trim with lean, hard

18

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm muscles. He had turned his back in self-conscious modesty, which Lucas found extremely appealing. As he watched Mike skim his pants down his hips to reveal a round, golden butt tight enough to bounce a quarter off of, Lucas had to stifle a groan of utter appreciation. After the movies, Lucas had fantasized about Mike several times. Yet the reality of seeing him partially unclothed truly outstripped all of his lascivious dreams. Mike was incredible and Lucas was going to have a very hard time going to sleep tonight. Once he was dry and in borrowed super-baggy clothes, he was able to put on a better face for his nephew. Mike turned to face Lucas with a brave smile. “I need to say thank you and that I am sorry for coming here. I just did not know where else to go. I grabbed my photo albums, but not my wallet or my phone. By the time I thought about them it was too late.” “Hey,” Lucas said quickly. “It’s no problem. I would think you’d do the same for me and Veronica if the situation was reversed.” Mike bit his lip and nodded in agreement. Looking up, he caught Lucas in an adorable smile that made his eyes sparkle wickedly. He knew that his rescuer was up to some deviltry. “Besides, I hope you can cook better than me. I downloaded a bunch of recipes from the Net, but I can’t say 19

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm that I’m doing a good job,” Lucas said, confirming Mike’s suspicions. Mike grinned back at his host. “Lucky for you that Bobby and I are old hands in the kitchen. I guess we won’t be beholden for our supper after all. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll cook if you let us crash here tonight. My place should be okay by tomorrow for me to at least grab my wallet and maybe even some clothes.” “A deal’s not necessary; you’re welcome to stay as long as you need. I know that Veronica would love having you here and I would not mind the company either,” Lucas said magnanimously. Mike nodded and headed to the kitchen, grateful that Lucas had found a way to make him feel better after barging in on a family holiday. He found that Lucas had not been kidding. He was in way over his head, improvising whenever he did not understand the instruction. Mike was able to put everything to rights relatively quickly, especially when Bobby and Veronica came down to lend a hand. Lucas had to admit that it smelled good in the house, like Thanksgiving, and that he was a little guilty of being happy that Mike’s misfortune had brought them to his door. He enjoyed watching Mike bustle around his big kitted-out kitchen and the smiles that the gorgeous man was bringing to his daughter as he showed her the basics of cooking.

20

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Mike glanced up to see Lucas watching from the doorway and was struck with just how handsome Veronica’s father was. His mind flashed back to the first time they had met. He had been scrutinizing the crowd closely, looking for Veronica’s red-kissed golden curls when his gaze snagged on a tall man in well-worn jeans and a cotton T-shirt that lovingly clung to him, showing off an exquisitely tight body. Mike had felt as though someone had punched him in the solar plexus. Mike could not breathe; the man was just so gorgeous that it literally took his breath away. He was tall, wideshouldered and narrow-hipped, and moved like a born athlete. His ruffled hair shone with hints of red underneath the bright sunlight. Mike’s eyes settled on the yummy man’s lips. They looked soft and were a shade of pink that begged to be kissed. Mike was glad that the stranger did not wear any glasses because it allowed him to see a set of crystal-green eyes that were unparalleled by anything he had ever seen before. They were eyes that he could get lost in, Mike thought with a soft sigh to himself. Then the stranger smiled and Mike was forced to put his jacket in front of him to hide any embarrassing development. That thousand-watt smile lit up his face and turned him into a rare beauty that was seen only on the covers of magazines. Mike was so wrapped up in ogling the stranger that he actually missed Bobby’s exclamation. He was jumping up and down, enthusiastically pulling on his uncle’s arms and screaming, “She’s here! She’s here!” 21

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Mike looked down at his nephew and was a little slow in following the pointing finger. It was not until the incredibly handsome man stepped up to them that Mike realized who Bobby was talking about. He had no idea how he missed the cute little girl with the strawberry-blonde curls clinging to the hand of the man of his fantasies. But there she was, cute as a daisy in a denim jumper and hot-pink sneakers. He felt like a pervert, ogling her father with her standing right there. That sense of guilt made Mike snap out of his reverie. He covered up his embarrassment by quickly putting Lucas to work. Lucas found himself getting down the good china and cleaning it up before setting the table. He loved the fact that Mike had automatically included him in the moment. Cynthia had been just the opposite. He had not been allowed in the kitchen when she was working, and neither had Veronica. She would whip up gourmet concoctions that, while haute cuisine, were barely palatable to him, and then spend the rest of the evening whining about all the work she had done. This was the first time in a long time that Lucas had felt comfortable in the room. It was what he had wanted to accomplish when he decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner on his own. In hindsight, it might have been more prudent to start off with something a lot less complicated. However, he was grateful for whatever fate had intervened and sent him Mike and Bobby. He actually felt as if he were a part of a family again. 22

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Dinner was ready a few hours later, almost past the kids’ bedtime. Lucas had not bought a full turkey, just a breast, and it cooked rather quickly. In the meantime, Mike had made cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, and candied yams to go along with the main course. Everyone admitted that it tasted heavenly and they all ate hungrily. By the time they had finished and the dishes had been carried to the kitchen, Veronica and Bobby were visibly drooping. The two men carried their respective charges up to Veronica’s room where two twin beds were waiting. The kids were asleep minutes after being tucked in. That left Mike and Lucas with some time on their hands to be together. At first, they were comfortable with each other. Cleaning up after the meal provided a sort of emotional barrier between the two men. However, when they sat down in the living room to share a bottle of wine, things got a little sketchy. Each man was uncomfortably aware of the other and they both were fighting their mutual attraction with everything they had. It was easier for Mike to think of something else aside from his attraction to the handsome executive. Unfortunately, he had a lot of other things to worry about and inevitably his mind turned toward the events that had brought him to Lucas’s door tonight. His worries started to pile up on him and after the second glass fat tears started rolling down his cheeks, unbidden.

23

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Lucas made a rough sound and pulled Mike close, nearly onto his lap in an effort to comfort him. Mike cried on the man’s broad shoulder, until he was spent. Feeling drained, he tried to apologize for his meltdown. “Man, I am sorry for having a mental breakdown on you. It’s just that I don’t know what to do. I was barely scraping by as it is working overtime and now I have to try to find a new place to live, and buy new clothes. Heck, Christmas is around the corner and I won’t be able to afford to get Bobby any gifts. And that kid deserves a decent Christmas.” “Hey, no sweat,” Lucas said softly, his hands rubbing soft circles on Mike’s back. “You can stay here until you get back on your feet. I’ve got the room and Lord knows that Veronica and I are pretty lonely. Besides, you can cook. That is a treasure beyond measure to me right now.” “Are you sure?” Mike asked hesitantly, not wanting to impose. “Yeah, I’m sure. Tonight was great. It actually felt a little homey, which has been missing from this house for a long time. Bobby can stay in the same room as Veronica or he can stay in the spare room with you. Either way, it’s not a problem. Besides, it would be really nice to have another adult in the house to talk to at night.” It was easy to see that Lucas was being sincere in his wish for them to stay, making the tight feeling in Mike’s chest loosen somewhat. It was being replaced with the 24

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm lighter feeling of hope, and he had to admit that he loved Lucas’s house. Living here would feel as though he was on vacation. However, he still had his pride. “All right. I’ll stay, but I’m paying you rent and I’ll pull my share when it comes to the housework.” “Tell you what: if you cook, I’ll get the rest.” “Really? How are you with laundry?” Mike asked, suspiciously. After his foray into cooking, it was easy for Mike to see that Lucas did not have much in the way of domestic skills. Lucas grimaced, unwittingly confirming Mike’s assessment. “I have a cleaning service that comes in once a week and does that along with the heavy-duty stuff.” Mike just laughed and shook his head. It must be nice to be able to afford that kind of help. He had been cooking and doing his own laundry since he turned fourteen. His mom had insisted that both he and his sister knew how to take care of themselves. Now he was grateful for her foresight. Trying to learn how to keep house while adjusting to having guardianship over a child would have been a real disaster. He could see how Lucas was struggling and was happy to lend a hand.

MIKE and Bobby’s move in was painless; in no time, the housemates had settled into a very comfortable routine. For Lucas, having Mike at the house was pure pleasure. When 25

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm he got home everyone was gathered in the kitchen doing homework or helping out. He was able to put his things down and slide right into the routine. He’d get a kiss from Veronica and then Bobby, tickle the pair a bit before sitting down to help them with their studies. It was the homey feeling he had craved when he married Cynthia. After homework was done, they’d eat and talk about their day. Mike and Lucas would spend the time praising the kids for their achievements. Both Veronica and Bobby seemed to be blooming under the shared parenting. Sometimes they would go for a walk after dinner; other times they would play board games or watch movies until bedtime. Then, together, Mike and Lucas would tuck the kids into bed. Once the kids were in bed, Lucas and Mike would spend some time together. On rare occasions, Mike would invite his two best friends over, which was a special treat all in itself. Lucas was still barely out of the closet. He was not exactly hiding that he was gay, just trying to be discreet about it for his daughter’s sake. He also was ignorant of the cultural experiences available to those of his preference, for the most part. Aside from a few Internet searches and forays on business trips he never really explored it either. Being able to talk with others about his interests so openly was quite refreshing. Mike had great friends. They had wicked senses of humor and took on life with an irreverence that was super appealing. Lucas spent the nights that they visited in stitches over their antics. 26

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Sean and Taylor, Mike’s best friends, were mischief incarnate. They were also from the Carousel, where Mike used to perform. Sean put on a slutty girl-next-door Britney Spears that often brought the house down. Taylor was a smash hit as Judy Garland; he was incredible to see on stage. Lucas got to see them both perform after admitting that he had never been to a show. They had been so outraged that they had insisted on getting him tickets ASAP. Lucas had been blown away and intrigued as he sat next to Mike at the show. On nights like this, though, Sean and Taylor would regale him of stories of how Mike could bring down the house with one of his hip-shaking performances. It made Lucas long to get him on stage. It did not help that it was a topic of conversation every time the two characters came over because they were trying to get him to come back to Carousel. They knew how much Mike was hurting for money and felt that it was the answer to his problems. Mike was reluctant to return to stardom. He did not want to give the Thirskes any ammunition to use against him. He also wanted to keep his Sunday tradition of going to the movies with Bobby. It was guaranteed quality time and he felt that it was something Bobby desperately needed. Mike knew from experience that after a night of performing plus travel and wind-down time he would be hitting the sack around dawn and not crawling out of it until late afternoon. That would leave Bobby to his own devices for most of Sunday, which Mike found unacceptable.

27

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Lucas understood Mike’s continued refusal, but understanding did not stop him from longing for it, especially when Mike helped them rehearse. Lucas was sitting in his big living room with most of his furniture pushed aside watching Sean and Taylor prepare for a show. They had come asking for help polishing their holiday routines. Mike was standing with them, his arms over his head and hips cocked to the side, showing Taylor how to beef up one of the steps. He looked good and Lucas was finding it harder and harder to keep his feelings for Mike platonic. Lucas itched to pull him into his arms and kiss those invitingly soft coral lips. It was quickly becoming an obsession and Lucas was going to have to do something about it or go crazy. Glancing out of the window, Lucas froze as an idea burst into his head. The Nortons had put up their Christmas decorations complete with mistletoe over the front door. Maybe there was a way to satisfy his craving without jeopardizing their relationship. He left Mike and his friends to their own devices to hurry down to the basement and unearth the Christmas decorations that had been packed away since Cynthia had left. Just as he remembered, they were all artificial, fussy, and monochromatic beige. And they were all wrong! He wanted a real home, not a showroom. Having Mike 28

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm there had given him the boot in the butt he had needed to go out and get what he wanted. He went to bed with a long todo list, but fell asleep with a smile on his face. Lucas woke up bright and early and started putting his plans into action. He let Mike know that he would pick the kids up from school and take them with him on some errands. Mike did not bat an eye at this and told them to have fun. He had to work late and was relieved that he did not have to worry about Bobby. Mike walked the kids to school and hurried off to work. He thought nothing more about Lucas’s errands until he got home just after the start of primetime. Surprisingly enough, no one was gathered around Lucas’s big-screen TV. Instead, they were gathered in the corner decorating a huge pine tree. Christmas music was blaring from the high-tech stereo and two little elves and one big elf were prancing about stringing up ornaments. Mike found his first real smile of the day at the sight. “I see that you all have been very busy today,” Mike said by way of greeting. “Uncle Mike!” Bobby cried, running to give him a hug. He was bubbling over and started chattering like a magpie. “You should have been with us. Uncle Lucas took us shopping for Christmas stuff. We got a tree and then we went to get a carload of Christmas decorations. We got ornaments for the tree and wreaths and stockings and candles and—and everything. It was so much fun. He even let me get a Navitivy scene just like Mommy used to have 29

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm before I broke it.” Mike smiled at Bobby’s mispronunciation and ruffled his nephew’s hair. He was grateful to Lucas for giving Bobby such a happy memory. When they sat down for dinner, Mike was able to express it to Lucas while the children were distracted. “Thank you so much for this. Bobby has not said anything, but I know how much he was looking forward to Christmas before the fire. It’s been killing me that I’m unable to give him one that he deserves.” Lucas nodded, swallowing a mouthful before answering. “I did this more for me than anyone else, at least at first. I want a real family with family memories and I realized that if I wanted it then I would have to make it happen. While we were shopping, I could see how much it meant to Veronica and Bobby, and I was happy to do it for them.” Lucas would have said more but the children had turned their attention to Mike and Lucas. They were being watched with curious faces. Mike smiled down the table at the two little ones and encouraged them to speak about their day. Without hesitation, Bobby and Veronica launched into a blow-by-blow account of every second, albeit in a confusingly disordered manner. Lucas and Mike laughed uproariously as they tried to follow it. The good humor continued through dinner, until it was bedtime. It took three stories before the youngsters 30

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm were drooping enough for sleep to overtake them. Mike sat in the dark room for a few minutes after he was sure that they were asleep, before numbly getting up and wandering about the house, eventually coming to stand before the tree. Looking at the tree, Mike felt the numbness recede under the crushing weight of depression. He hated that he had been unable to give Bobby the Christmas he deserved and that they were living virtually on the charity of Lucas. He hated that he was unable to give Bobby the only present he had asked for. The child had experienced so much pain and disappointment in his life that he should at least be able to get what he wanted at Christmastime. Tomorrow, he would call Tripp at the Carousel and see if he could do some moonlighting. One night would be enough to ensure a bountiful Christmas. He turned away from the Christmas tree, resolve lightening his mood somewhat, only to bump into Lucas, who had been standing in the shadow of the doorway. “Are you all right?” Lucas asked, his voice filled with concern. “Yeah, I think that I am,” Mike said, summoning up a smile. “Good. You were looking pretty pensive,” Lucas said probingly. “I was. Mostly about my financial situation, but I think I might have a handle on it at least for Christmas,” Mike replied. “I’m going to see if I can get a spot at Carousel 31

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm for their holiday spectacular. I should make enough to pay for all the toys he wanted and maybe a little extra.” “I’ll get the nanny to stay late Saturday night. I really want to see you perform,” Lucas promised, an odd glow in the depths of his green eyes. Mike wrinkled his nose and said, “I don’t think that I want you to see me. I’ll have a hard time facing you the morning after.” Lucas chuckled, before saying, “Oh no you don’t; I’ve been dying to see you perform since the first night you brought those two degenerates home.” Mike and Lucas shared another laugh before heading off to their respective beds.

SATURDAY night, two nights before Christmas, and Lucas still did not know what to get his daughter. As he sat waiting for the show to start, Lucas tried to think of what Veronica might want. Aside from what she and Bobby had asked Santa for, she had been extremely tight-lipped about her holiday wishes. He tried thinking of the commercials they had seen while watching TV and Veronica’s reactions to them. He wished he had paid more attention, because nothing came to mind. Music started blaring, signaling the beginning of the show, and Lucas’s thoughts shifted abruptly. It was the big Christmas production and the place was packed. It was a 32

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm three-hour extravaganza featuring some returning acts, like Mike’s, intermixed with holiday numbers. Mike had been going to the club straight from work to get as much practice in as he could. Lucas had not really seen him for the past ten nights, leaving a lot of lonely time to reflect on how much Mike and Bobby had changed his life in the few weeks that they had been living with him. Despite the nagging desire for Mike, Lucas felt extremely comfortable with him and had no wish for anything to change. In fact, he had decided that he would like to make this arrangement more permanent. He was worried how Mike would take it. He understood that the slighter man had his pride and Lucas knew that he had to be careful of it. Lucas had to admit that the Carousel put on a quality show, but he paid only cursory attention to the acts. He was wound up tight, impatient to see Mike perform. It seemed as though he had been waiting for it forever. He took a quick sip of his drink and sighed as another spectacular number sashayed off the stage. Lucas sat up straighter as a familiar Latin beat filled the club. His heart hammered as he thought, This is it! As if on cue an announcer’s voice introduced Mikii Salazar as Shakira. The curtains opened and a bejeweled and bedecked Mike swayed out to the beat. Lucas’s jaw dropped. Mike could easily be mistaken for the real thing. He was gorgeous, in a diaphanous genie outfit that left little to 33

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm the imagination. Lucas could not believe how feminine Mike looked in it. The top was a brocaded vest studded with gemstones and embroidered with metallic threads. It closed by a single gold loop that left a lot of imaginary cleavage, to Lucas’s delight. Mike wore pants that had a large girdle with a V whose point kept his secret charms from the audience. The girdle matched the vest and had an added surprise. When Mike turned, it stopped at his waist so that aside from a gold lamé thong, his behind could be clearly seen through the sheer fabric. Again, Lucas had to admit that Mike had a great set of buns. Then Lucas’s brain shut down as Mike began shaking his hips, banging them to the pulsating beat. Mike was incredibly skilled as he moved his hips, making everyone in the audience wonder just what it would feel like to have those hips moving underneath them in bed. Lucas was no exception and his arousal rose painfully behind his fly as it demanded attention. Mike danced the song out, those amazing hips moving untiringly as he lip-synched to a medley of Shakira’s hits. When he finished, everyone including Lucas came to their feet in a standing ovation. All Mike could do was stand there, stunned for a few seconds before bowing in appreciation. He hurried off the stage, his eyes suspiciously bright. The announcer thanked the audience on Mikii’s behalf, before promising that they would see “her” again later 34

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm tonight. Lucas only hoped that he would be able to return to some semblance of normalcy before that happened. Thankfully, Mikii’s return was at the end of the show as the cast sent the audience off Hawaiian style. Mikii was the center of attention as he moved into the traditional hula dance, “Mele Kalikimaka.” He was wearing a long hula skirt and two coconuts. It was a super-seductive display of skin that sent Lucas’s mind scattering to the four corners again. Once again, Mike stole the show as his hips swayed seductively to the island music. The song started off traditional, with a guy in a tux and Santa hat crooning like Bing Crosby and Mike gracefully punctuating the lyrics with his body. Then suddenly there was a quick fast beat that had Mike dropping his hips. Bang! Bang! Bang! And the music changed to something more akin to a festive luau. Others joined him as the music began to blend with other island beats until it became one great party. People were pulled on stage to dance with their favorite impersonators. Taylor grabbed Lucas and playfully pulled him on stage. He danced with Judy Garland until Shakira came up behind him and put “her” arms around him. Lucas smiled and turned to Shakira, laughing as Mike tried to steer Lucas’s hips to match his own.

“YOU were incredible last night,” Lucas enthused. “I have two left feet but you danced as if you were born to it. Where did you learn how to hula like that?” 35

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm “Hawaii. We lived there my last few years of high school. My sister went to classes and would come home and teach me what she had learned. It’s why I was such a good study in belly-dancing and impersonating Shakira.” Mike watched the scenery speed by as they headed to Mega Toy Mart. They were heading to pick up last-minute toys for Santa to put under the tree. Mike was ecstatic. Not only had he made a big chunk of money performing but the guys backstage had taken up a collection as a fire fund and refused to take no for an answer. He cried like an idiot on Taylor, then Sean, and then Lucas, and much to his chagrin, he had loved the feel of being held by the handsome businessman. After the show, they had hurried home, talking about gifts for the kids. Neither had gotten gifts for their respective little ones yet and so they had decided to go shopping after the nanny returned from visiting her family and the kids had gone to bed Christmas Eve. It had been a struggle getting them to go to bed, but firm reminders that Santa did not come until after children were fast asleep did the trick. Now, they were speeding through the night, the car filled with a warm companionship that both men treasured. Lucas drove competently, despite the fact that his thoughts were completely focused on the man beside him. Last night, as he lay in that big lonely bed, Lucas could not sleep. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Mike. However, one thing was extremely clear by morning; he wanted Mike to become a permanent part of his life, and not just as a 36

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm roommate. In the space of a few weeks, Mike had changed his life, given to him what he had been craving when he had married Cynthia. Now, Lucas realized that there was only one thing that made a home—love—and he would have to find out if Mike possessed it. Pulling into a lucky spot close to the big store, Lucas parked the car and put his mind toward making his daughter’s Christmas memorable. Mike and he hurried into the store, combing the aisles for the best gifts. Once again, Lucas was grateful for Mike’s presence. He still had no idea what to buy his daughter. He was utterly baffled by the girly stuff. Mike came to his rescue, plucking several boxes from the aisles that he guaranteed would make Veronica squeal the next morning. There were dolls of all sizes: baby dolls, dress-up dolls, fashion dolls, and the accessories to go with them. Then there were books and stuffed animals and all sorts of things to spark Veronica’s imagination. But the real gift was every My Little Pony toy the store had. Mike also grabbed a couple of board games as general gifts. Then, he turned his attention toward finding stuff for Bobby. Luckily, the store had the video game system in stock with a bunch of games to go with it. Mike scooped them up with a hoot, feeling as though he was on a shopping spree. When they were done, they headed back to the house. 37

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Sneaking in like thieves, they hurried to set everything up around the tree and put tags from Mike, Lucas, or Santa on every gift. It was a few hours later, somewhere around midnight, when they finally finished and flopped down on the couch in front of the fire. Sipping mugs of spiked eggnog, they laughed at each other’s milky yellow mustaches. “I can’t wait until next Christmas. Maybe we should get one of those big blow-up snowmen for outside,” Mike said. His enthusiasm made him speak without really considering what he said. When Lucas did not reply after a few minutes, Mike turned to look and found Lucas wearing the most peculiar smile on his face. It was hopeful yet tentative, and Mike did not have a clue what that smile meant. “What is it?” Mike asked, self-consciously rubbing his hands together. “I want—no, I need you—to tell me the truth,” Lucas entreated. There was an intensity to his green eyes that was nothing short of beguiling. “Do you really want to leave once your apartment is ready?” Mike paused, not sure how to answer. He had never expected to come to love living with Lucas. He was incredibly comfortable with the handsome blond man. Mike also loved Lucas’s house, especially the big, family-oriented kitchen where they had all spent countless hours together as a family. Nor had he thought he would lose his heart to 38

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Lucas’s daughter. Bobby was incredibly happy here. He had gained a backyard and a full-time playmate because of the move. Yet, Mike was fearful of wearing out their welcome, or worse, acting upon the attraction to Lucas that he could not seem to escape. When it went bad, then he and Bobby would be out on the curb and Bobby would be without his best friend. He refused to allow his selfish need to harm his nephew in any way, which left him in a quandary as to how to answer. “Lucas, I love your house. It’s a dream. And I feel like Veronica is my own flesh and blood. I also know that Bobby is happy here,” Mike started temporizing. “But?” Lucas asked the inevitable question. “But, I worry about what will happen when it’s too much of a good thing. Eventually, we are going to get tired of being under each other and you are going to want your house back. Then, we’ll have to go through the hell of explaining to the kids why they can’t be together anymore, which they won’t understand. I would rather not put them through that,” Mike answered, being partially honest. Lucas looked at Mike, considering him, before giving him an understanding nod, but he kept his thoughts silent. His roommate was running scared and hiding behind the children. Lucas was not going to let him get away with that for long. Unsure what to do next, Mike decided that it was 39

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm probably time to go to bed. He stood and bid Lucas good night before hurrying off. Lucas stood up silently behind him but waited until Mike was under the archway before speaking. “Hold up, Mike,” he ordered, and then walked over to him with determination. Mike paused, turning around to see what Lucas wanted. He watched Lucas’s long legs eat up the distance between them and in the back of his mind, a stray thought alluded to the idea that he was caught in a spider’s web. There was just something so predatory in the determined way that Lucas moved toward him that made Mike nervous. He was so distracted that when Lucas finally spoke, he missed what was said. “What?” Mike asked as if coming out of a fog. “I said ‘mistletoe,’” Lucas repeated, pointing upward. Lucas watched him look up, and then snatched Mike to him before the slighter man could really register what the words and the odd bundle of green leaves meant, and kissed Mike. Lucas poured everything he had into that kiss. The weeks of wanting and the months of yearning had built up into something extremely volatile. Mike felt the heat in Lucas’s kiss all the way down to his toes, making them curl. If there was any protest, then those soft, sweet lips scorched it out of Mike’s brain and had Mike pressing his body into Lucas, begging for more. He wanted to moan but his mouth was too busy for any sound 40

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm to come out. Instead, he kissed Lucas back with an equal passion. As if they were connected mentally, both men sent their shirts flying, needing to feel the connection of skin against skin. When Mike felt Lucas’s hair-roughened chest against his own smoother torso, he shuddered and gasped. His nipples peaked instantly, flooding his body with an arousal that would not be denied. Pulling back, he licked and nibbled around the hard pectoral in front of him until he found a dusky, flat nipple wreathed in a light halo of hair. Lucas groaned in response. His pants felt as if they were two sizes too small in the groin area and the small part of his mind that was able to think said that they had to go. Without breaking contact, Lucas unfastened his jeans and pushed them down his legs in a rough impatient gesture, taking his snug briefs with the denim. He kicked the pants away as he grabbed Mike and half-carried, half-dragged him to the couch. Lucas dropped Mike on his back and then came down heavily between his legs, pinning the smaller man without hesitation. Lucas’s arousal was cradled in the valley of Mike’s pelvis. Mike could feel it rubbing against his own stiff member through the jeans he was wearing. Mike arched and bumped against him, wanting to be free of the heavy material himself. Lucas seemed to understand what Mike needed. He reached between them, opened the fly and fished out Mike’s cock. Mike arched into the big rough hand encircling him, 41

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm loving being touched so intimately by this dream of a man. He loved it so much that a clear drop of pleasure slid down Lucas’s knuckles as he stroked the hard meat. Mike was surprisingly gifted for his stature and incredibly responsive. Lucas had to taste him. Sliding down on the couch until his face was level with Mike’s need, Lucas took the wide head into his mouth, lapping at the tip and taking his first taste. Mike nearly came off of the couch. His other lovers had never done this for him and it both elated and humbled him that Lucas would give him such an intimate caress. Restlessly, he kicked off his pants as he allowed himself to be carried away on waves of ecstasy. But he could only take just a few minutes of the pleasure before it quickly grew to be too much. “Lucas, no, please,” he pleaded incoherently, unable to control his body. “It’s okay; just let it happen,” Lucas whispered encouragingly before returning to driving the small man wild with his mouth. Carefully, Lucas coaxed the seed from Mike’s arousal, wanting to get him through the first pleasure so that they would have plenty of time to enjoy each other. A few offhanded comments during one of Sean and Taylor’s visits had led Lucas to believe that Mike had been shortchanged in bed and had never really enjoyed having sex. Lucas wanted to change that for him. 42

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm So, even after Mike’s release, Lucas laved him with his mouth until Mike was hard and needing again. Building his lover’s passion back to a consuming inferno, Lucas pressed his finger to Mike’s rear entrance, gently probing. Mike tensed up immediately, expecting pain. Lucas countered Mike’s automatic response by giving the staff in his mouth a hard sucking pull. Mike bucked in surprise, stifling a scream as Lucas took most of him in his moist, silken heat. Mike was completely unaware that he had relaxed enough for his lover to ease his finger in to the second knuckle. But his pleasure seemed to come back threefold from it. Mike bucked and rocked, taking more of that invading finger without realizing it as Lucas continued to bedevil him with his mouth. In fact, Mike was so far gone that the addition of a second and then third finger stretching him did not register except for the rapture that they were causing deep within him. Lucas made a grab for his pants and fished out the condom in his wallet. He wanted it more for the lubrication than worries over catching a disease. A part of him said that he should wait. Mike deserved candlelight and flowers and proper lube, not a fast tumble on the couch, but Lucas was afraid that if he gave Mike even a second to think about what was happening, it would be the end of getting him in bed. Flicking his tongue underneath the crown of Mike’s need, Lucas rolled on the condom with practiced ease. When he was ready, he moved back up Mike’s body and took his smaller hand in his larger one. Lucas’s bright green eyes held Mike captive as he slowly joined them. Mike’s mouth 43

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm opened in a surprised “oh” as he felt a large blunt tip thrusting into the tight ring, but before he could tense up, Lucas started kissing him hungrily again, transporting Mike to another place where pain did not exist. Lucas kept Mike distracted with his kiss, thrusting his tongue into the hot moist cavern in the manner that he would be pumping his hips into the smaller man as soon as Mike’s body learned to accommodate Lucas’s thick girth. Mike seemed unaware or uncaring that he was being stretched by Lucas’s thick cock. Mike could only moan and gasp into Lucas’s mouth as he was taken. It was the first time that being taken afforded him any pleasure and he was completely lost to it. When he felt Lucas hit the bottom, he gave a guttural moan before his hips began rocking, silently telling Lucas that he did not need any time to adjust to Lucas’s size. Lucas obliged him, starting off with slow hip-rolling thrusts designed to give them both the utmost of pleasure. Mike loved it so much that he had to grab one of the throw pillows to scream into, so as not to wake the kids. He had to bite down on it, when Lucas’s thrusts began to build in speed, his body completely on board for this ride. To Mike, this was utter bliss, and it amazed him that he could actually enjoy being bedded. Christopher had once called him frigid and Mike had feared that his ex-lover had been right. Now he knew that it had not been him, but his lovers who did not know how to fuck. It made him positively euphoric on so many levels and no matter what happened 44

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm after tonight, Mike would never regret giving himself to Lucas. Lucas tangled his fingers with Mike’s as he gazed upon his beautiful face. He saw the look of wonder in his eyes and knew that they would always treasure this night. He was sure that this was more than a hook-up. At that moment, he knew that he loved Mike, deeply, desperately, and never wanted to let him go. Lucas drew out their pleasure as long as he could, savoring being connected to his beloved. However, some things cannot be denied, and their bodies’ needs peaked and washed over them in hot, rolling waves. They held on to each other as their bodies shuddered together, feeding on each other’s pleasure, until they collapsed on their sides, spent. Returning from paradise took several minutes, and several minutes more before they could speak. Lucas started it off, with a hoarse whisper. “Thank you, Mike. I know that you don’t want to stay but I would appreciate it if you allowed me to start seeing you.” “I never said that I did not want to live here. I was just afraid of wearing out my welcome. I knew that we could not be together but I at least hoped to remain friends.” “And now?” Lucas asked. “We’re way past the just-friends stage and I don’t do friends with benefits,” Mike said. 45

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Lucas chuckled at Mike’s words before growing serious again. “Look, there’s something I have wanted to tell you for a while now. I want to make our living arrangements permanent. I love having you and Bobby here and I don’t believe that will ever change.” “What happens if we break up?” “We’re grown-ups and neither of us is petty enough to hurt the children to get back at each other,” Lucas replied with heartfelt certainty. Mike nodded, agreeing with Lucas completely. Neither of them were vindictive people. It was very likely that they would be able to keep the kids out of it if there were problems. “All right,” Mike said with a firm nod. “I’ll stay.” Lucas smiled but searched his lover’s eyes looking for any signs of problems. Then with a wry sigh to himself, he admitted that if he wanted Mike to open up to him then he would have to open up to Mike. “Mike, I need to say this too,” Lucas started, sitting up and taking his lover’s hands. “I’ve felt this way for a while but I did not know how to tell you. I love you and I want to make a life with you. I know this is pretty sudden. I don’t expect for you to return my feelings yet. I just want you to give me a chance.” Lucas was close to pleading, which Mike found painful to see, especially when he felt the same way. Placing a finger 46

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm to Lucas’s lips, Mike silenced his love tenderly. “Hush, Lucas. I want to stay. Though, I would rather stay in your room than sneak around after the kids go to sleep like we’re doing something wrong. And just in case you have not figured it out, I love you, too. I have never gone all the way with anyone without knowing them for a year or more. It’s how I knew you were the one.” “I’m sorry that I did not wait to get you into a proper bed before taking you. You deserve much better than that. I promise that it will be better next time.” “Really? You can make that better? If so, I might just die from the sex, because you are amazing. And if you’re ready for the next time, we can go right up to your bed and give it another whirl.” Lucas agreed by picking Mike up and carrying him to his room. They made love again and again until they fell asleep in each other’s arms, though they both had the presence of mind to put some boxer shorts on just in case the kids came bursting in that morning.

“VERONICA, wake up!” Bobby exclaimed, hopping onto his best friend’s bed excitedly. “What is it, Bobby?” she asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. “He came. He came and he gave us our wish.” Bobby 47

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm tried not to shout, but he was so happy. “Come on, Ronni! You’ve got to see.” Bobby virtually dragged his best friend down the hall to her father’s room. The door was halfway open but it was clear that Veronica’s father and Bobby’s uncle were holding each other fast asleep in bed together. Easing back down the hall, the two children went to the kitchen to pour themselves cereal and talk, which is where their respective parents found them a little bit later. “Hey guys, don’t you want to see what Santa brought you?” Mike asked with a concerned frown. “We already got what we wanted,” Bobby said with a delighted grin. Mike looked at him in puzzlement, but before he could ask what his nephew meant, Lucas chimed in, “Well, let’s go see what else he brought you.” Lucas snatched his daughter up and then Bobby before carrying them both into the other room like sacks of potatoes. Sensing that Lucas knew something he wasn’t telling, Mike gave his lover a questioning look. Lucas mouthed that he would tell him later before setting the children down before the tree and mountains of presents. Lucas and Mike watched as Veronica and Bobby attacked the gifts with zeal. Soon the room was filled with sounds of ripping paper punctuated by excited squeals. 48

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm Really good presents got a happy dance, hugs and kisses. There were a lot of those given out before the morning was over, especially when they were told that Mike and Bobby would be living there permanently.

Dear Santa, Thank you for last Christmas. My Uncle Mike and Uncle Lucas are very happy, now. But Sean and Taylor, they’re our pretend uncles, asked me to ask you if you could find somebody to love them, too. So, if you could please help them, they would really like it. Oh and could you get me the Star Rangers Battle Limited Edition and Veronica wants a pony. Thank you in advance, Bobby Thirske and Veronica Townsend

49

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm

JAELYN STORM has been a writing enthusiast and a

bibliophile for nearly as long as she can remember. She started writing gay erotica in high school; though, she will admit that it she was not very good at it back then. She lives in Chicago with her husband, whom she adores. She likes anime and manga, thinks yaoi is divine, and is a sci-fi buff. She is the perfect mate for her closet nerd of a husband and they can be found haunting all types of ‘nerdy’ conventions.

50

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm

Other titles from Jaelyn…

51

Dear Santa / Jaelyn Storm

©Copyright Jaelyn Storm, 2008 Published by Dreamspinner Press 4760 Preston Road Suite 244-149 Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Cover Art by Dan Skinner/Cerberus Inc. [email protected] Cover Design by Mara McKennen This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press at: 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ Released in the United States of America December, 2008

52