“I think they’ve seen naked men before, and you are wearing a sweater.”
Mason glared at him, though he wasn’t being serious. His mind was catching up and, if it hadn’t been for bearded superman over there, he’d be dead. “What’s your name?”
The guy narrowed his eyes. “I told you.”
He had?“Are you sure?”
Mason’s heart skipped a beat as the man smiled at him. It was the first time he’d seen him smile, and it took ten years off him. Mason didn’t mind those ten years being there, he’d always liked his men older than himself, not that he was shopping for a new man, but the smile transformed him. He groaned as he remembered telling the guy he wouldn’t be sleeping with him.
“Otho, my name is Otho, and this is my house.”
“I’m not in a relationship.” Mason shook his head. God, could he still blame having taken a dip in the river for saying stupid things?
Otho kept still, his lashes lowering in a slow blink. “Okay.”
“I was. My boyfriend…and I’ll shut up now.” Mason flung an arm over his face. Stupid, so stupid
The low chuckle wrapped around him like an extra blanket and he wished Otho would hold him again. Those warm hands kneading his muscles was just what he needed. He peeked up at Otho—tall and strong, not at all like Joel. There was something genuine about him, something…trustworthy, something that almost had Mason begging him to come back to bed.
“The paramedics said to give you something hot to drink, not coffee.”
“I could’ve used some coffee. I was chatting to a blue-haired woman, drinking more whiskey than I’ve had in ten years, combined, and went for a walk. Coffee would be superb now.”
Otho chuckled again. “So you’ve met Joslyn.”
Joslyn?Oh, God, please don’t say Otho was dating the bartender. He closed his eyes, trying to remember if he’d said something embarrassing while at the bar.
“How about some hot chocolate?”
Mason risked a glance at Otho. “That would be lovely, thank you. Will you…erm…come back to bed after?”
“Still freezing?”
Yeah, let’s go with that. He was freezing, but…“Sure.”
Otho grinned and shook his head. “One hot chocolate coming up.”
* * * *
Otho went for the kitchen to prepare the hot chocolate but stopped on the way to turn on the Christmas tree lights. The scent of pine was strong in the living room and he filled his lungs. He loved Christmas, hated to spend it alone, but loved Christmas. The fire in the wood-burning stove had burned out a long time ago and he lit it again.
Looking around, he sighed. The crackle from the fire warmed his heart, and he turned on the TV and grinned when The Muppet Christmas Carolcame on.
Heating the chocolate, he took out two cups and prepared a plate with gingerbread cookies and Peppermint Oreo Fudge.
“Mason?” He went into the bedroom, noticing Mason shaking more now than when he’d left.
“Yeah?”
“Are you okay?” Otho frowned. Perhaps they should go to the hospital.
“A bit cold, but other than that, sure.”
“You want to watch some TV?”
“Do I have to move to get to the TV?”
Otho grinned. “Sorry.”
Mason sighed but nodded, and Otho grabbed the pajama bottoms still resting on the bedside table. “Here, put these on.”
Mason pulled off the cover and shivered as he sat but didn’t move further. “I changed my mind. I don’t want to move.”
“It’s warmer in the living room.” Otho shook out the pajama bottoms and tried not to look at Mason as he guided his feet through the legs. When he woke this morning, he hadn’t thought he’d end up face to groin with a man before the day was over—not that he was complaining. He hadn’t written a Christmas list, but if he had, it might’ve been on the top of the list.
“Like what you see?”
Otho yanked his head away as Mason’s voice penetrated the fog in his brain.
“It’s a nice cock.”
Mason spluttered, stared, and spluttered some more. There was a second of silence before Mason chuckled. “Pervert.”
Otho’s chest filled with warmth and he grinned. Mason, on the other hand, was frowning.
“Ready to get up?” Otho stood and waited for Mason to do the same.
“I can manage. You can go ahead.” He nodded toward the door, his hand resting on his thighs, shielding his groin. Was he embarrassed?Otho turned and walked toward the living room. He’d only managed a couple of steps before Mason cursed and Otho whirled around. Seeing Mason about to faceplant into the floor, Otho jumped back and grabbed him before it was too late. The pajama bottoms were pulled up, but Otho guessed Mason had lost his balance somewhere in the process of getting there.