“Well… I am a healthy gay man with the hottest thing ever doing the snuggling.”
“Mhm. Put that thought away, healthy gay man. I’m making you wait until after dinner. I want to go explore after we have our cocoa.” He liked making Ryder wait. The little buzz helped the cowboy relax. He liked making himself wait too; it was good for him, to keep Ryder in mind, but not always in bed.
“Sounds good. I’m curious to see everything. It’s…friendly, right? Like for men like us?”
As if he would take Ryder somewhere not friendly. “Men like us—you mean gay couples? It’s friendly. It’s not exclusively for men, but it’s openly welcoming. And it’s not a very big place; it’s not like one of those enormous resorts right? So we’ll see a lot of the same people around.”
“Cool. I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable at all.” Ryder watched out for him so well.
And in return it was his job—his pleasure—to look after Ryder. “I wouldn’t want you to be either, love. This is our holiday.”
“Yes.” Oh, didn’t Charles love that sweet, happy little grin.
He put his mug down. It was sweet and delicious, but very rich. “I think that’s enough of that for me. I don’t want to ruin dinner.”
“It’s super sweet. I would want it in coffee, I think. It would be like a fancy drink.”
“Oh, a mocha. That sounds good. We’ll try that tomorrow afternoon while we’re lounging in front of the fireplace.” He stood and offered Ryder a hand. “Are you done with unpacking? Ready to go look around?”
“I am, and I am!” Ryder took his hand with a grin. “Let’s go explore.”
“I have been told there is a heated outdoor swimming pool, which I think we should try out at some point. We can snowshoe also. Have you ever been snowshoeing?”
“I haven’t, but I love to swim. It’s one of my favorite exercises.”
How did he not know that? “I was thinking more along the float and drink wine lines than exercise, but I am happy to watch you swim.”
There was plenty of room at the lake house for a pool…
“Oh, I can swim and float and… I’ve never floated with wine.”
“I don’t believe I have either, but it sounds lovely, doesn’t it?” He put an arm around Ryder as they left the room. It was dark, so it was hard to see out the windows, but he could tell by the frost and the snow settled on the sills that they were in for a treat in the morning.
“It so does.” Ryder was wide-eyed. “I love to imagine the inner workings of hotels, don’t you? It’s got to be a little like an airport.”
“There is most certainly all manner of prep work and organization going on behind the scenes, but all we see is cocoa and warm fires.”
“Right? All the people who have to work for us to have an amazing time?” Ryder’s eyes crinkled at the edges. “So cool.”
“Could be a good career for you. If you needed a career, which you don’t.” He chuckled. “You’re busy. And taken.”
“I am. And I am, balls to bones.” Ryder gave him a grin.
“So crude, my cowboy lover.” He winked at Ryder. “I think I see a Christmas tree.”
“Oh, are you a multi-colored light person or a designer tree type?”
“Hm. I like both. I appreciate the themed trees that someone has obviously put a great deal of thought into, but I also enjoy the family-type tree with colored lights and silly ornaments collected over the years.” He shrugged. “I’ve never had a tree as an adult, so I think I’d be happy with anything.”
“Well, I think we should start with one ornament, and see what happens, what calls to us, then.”
“I do love how you think. I love that you’re thinking about beginnings and new traditions. We should see if they have something in the gift shop we can take home with us.” He led Ryder into a big open room with couches and several central fireplaces. It had a warm and cozy feel to it despite its size.
“Oh, that would be perfect.” Ryder moved toward the fire, warming his hands.
He slid behind Ryder, ghosting a hand over that tight ass, then wandered over to the enormous Christmas tree, It was real, and it smelled amazing.
The tree was a riot of colors—hung with huge to tiny balls that reflected all the lights. It was absolutely breathtaking.