Page 56 of Dragged Home for Christmas
His relaxed attitude wasn’t all to do with feeling at ease. Elliott kept hoping the sight of him would stir something in the artist.
He certainly stirs something in me.
In fact, something was stirring that very second.
Elliott went to stand in front of the easel, and he caught his breath. “That’s… that’s how you see me?”
“Why? What’s wrong with it?” Concern laced Stephan’s voice.
Elliott jerked his head to stare at him. “Oh, there’snothing wrong with it. You just made me look so…”
“So what?”
He smiled. “Beautiful.”
Stephan shuddered out a sigh. “You had me worried for a minute.” He gazed at the canvas. “But youare, you know.” When Elliott gave him an inquiring glance, Stephan returned his smile. “Beautiful.”
“Funny.” Elliott’s heart thumped. “I think the same thing every time I look at you.”
Stephan’s eyes widened. “Really?”
He chuckled. “Do you haveanyidea what you do to me?” Before Stephan could answer, Elliott seized every ounce of courage he possessed, wrapped his fingers around Stephan’s wrist, and guided his hand to Elliott’s burgeoning erection. “That’swhat you do to me,” he whispered.
A heartbeat later, Stephan curled his fingers around Elliott’s stiffening cock and gave it a slow pull, then let go. “I know what I’dliketo do to you,” he croaked.
Elliott grinned. “Does it involve you losing your clothes?”
“It might.” Stephan pointed to the day bed in the corner of the studio. “It might also involve that.”
Better and better.
“You haven’t noticed yet, have you?” Stephan rolled his eyes. “I thought you were more observant than that.”
“Noticed what?”
Stephan pointed upward, Elliott followed the movement—and laughed.
“Mistletoe? And how many men have sat under it, waiting to be kissed?”
“Only you.” Stephan smiled. “So does that mean you want to be kissed?”
Elliott looped his arms around Stephan’s neck andmoved closer. “What do you think?” Their lips met, and Elliott was aware of body heat and hardness. “Can I be practical for a second? Do you have any preferences as to who does what?”
Stephan’s eyes twinkled. “None whatsoever. I’m very… versatile.”
Elliott leaped up, locking his arms and wrapping his legs around Stephan. “Best news I’ve heard in a long time.”
Chapter 18
Wednesday, December 11
Two Weeks Until Christmas
Anthony opened his eyes as the last notes faded away. “Have I told you how much I love your playing?”
Phil chuckled as he closed the key lid. “You might have mentioned it, once or twice.” He patted the piano bench. “But that’s enough practicing for now. Come sit here. I want to talk to you.”
He got up from his seat on Phil’s couch and sauntered over to the piano. “Uh-oh. This sounds serious.” Not that he had any objections to sitting so close to Phil.
