Page 32 of Salvaging Christmas


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“Do you think you should drive back tonight? The snow looks really heavy and you’ve been drinking.”

Trevor had been serious but turned to see Rudy grinning into the fire.

“Have you been keeping score?”

“No—I… Of course not. I—what I mean is,” said Trevor, tripping over his words to explain himself, “you know this area better than anyone, but I’d imagine the roads can be treacherous in the dark, even without the snow. I’d never forgive myself if—”

“You may be right. I can always bed down here on the sofa.”

“Oh,” said Trevor and quickly turned away. “Of course. Or you could have your old room, if you want?”

“With you in it?” asked Rudy quickly.

At first Trevor wasn’t sure how to respond, until the words slipped out.

“If—um—only if you want.”

“Of course I want.”

Trevor breathed a huge sigh of relief and smiled into the fire.

“In the bedroom with me, then,” he said and turned to witness Rudy’s smile become a full-blown grin. Of course, his smart mouth had to kick in before he could stop it. “But with you next to me, I’m not sure how much sleeping there’ll be.”

When Rudy’s head swung Trevor’s way, his smile dissolved and his expression morphed into a look of pure, wanton need. He stood abruptly, went over to Trevor, took the beer from him and placed the bottle on a surface before pulling him up from his seat.

“It was all for you tonight, Trev,” said Rudy, brushing Trevor’s cheek with his free hand. “Chatting with your friends and getting them to talk to each other. Something I’ve been told I’m pretty good at. But I need you to know that I did it for you.”

Trevor’s heartbeat sped up at the simple touch.

“Thank you.”

He knew he ought to say more, but his brain couldn’t find anything else to add.

“Come on. I can feel the bedroom calling,” said Rudy. And this time, all the way to the bedroom, he never once let go of Trevor’s hand.

But as soon as they reached the cool room, the atmosphere became less certain. After taking turns to use the bathroom, both stood fully clothed on either side of the bed, Rudy appearing as nervous as Trevor.

“Do you notice how the air in the room’s cold, but the floor’s still warm,” said Trevor, in bare feet, scraping around for things to say.

“Underfloor heating,” said Rudy, nodding nervously. “I told you. The water pipes run under the floor. Keeps the room warmer than most even after the cooker’s no longer running.”

Trevor began to remove his sweater but then stopped.

“Are you okay on that side of the bed? I mean, which side do you prefer?”

“I’m good. This is the side I’d normally sleep on.”

“Fine, then.”

“Or is this the side you prefer?”

“This side’s fine for me.”

Once again they both stood there, staring at the duvet cover.

“We don’t need to do anything, if you’d rather not,” said Trevor.

“You don’t want to?” asked Rudy, his face falling.