Got Mistletoe? (Mistletoe Madness) (2 page)

Mr. Sexy Guy quickly looked up at Ryan, and when their eyes met, Ryan saw the man’s handsome face flush with embarrassment, obviously from getting caught admiring Ryan’s ass red-handed.

Holy, shit! He really
was
looking at my ass!

Ryan felt his heart beat faster as hope and joy spread through him.

“Here’s the wrapping paper. There’s probably some more in the stockroom if you don’t see any that you like,” Ryan said, as he smiled shyly up at Blake.

Blake glanced past his elf and saw what had to be hundreds of tubes of wrapping paper. Good God, did he say there was more in the stockroom? How much wrapping paper did one store need? Blake returned a smile back to his sweet elf. “If I don’t find something among all of these, I’ll definitely let you know.”

His elf’s smile faded somewhat, but he nodded politely at him. “Okay. My name is Ryan; if there is anything else you need, just let me know.”

Ryan stood there for a moment as if he was waiting for something.

Blake suddenly felt nervous. He didn’t know how to keep his elf with him much longer without making a complete fool of himself.

Say something, idiot! He’s waiting for some kind of response from you!

“Thanks, Ryan. I appreciate all of your help.” Blake managed to croak out. Something flashed in Ryan’s green eyes before he nodded briefly and started to walk away. At that moment, Blake felt like he’d missed an opportunity. Not knowing what else to do, he stood there helplessly, watching Ryan slowly walk away from him.

Stop him, you fool!

Suddenly Blake’s mouth felt like it was full of cotton, and his palms started to sweat. He never was one to take many chances (which was obvious from the astonishingly small amount of boyfriends he had in his life). But for some reason, as he watched Ryan walk down the aisle and out of his life, he felt like he had to stop him or he would be making a huge mistake.

“Ryan!” he managed to croak out.

Ryan stopped and slowly turned around, a hopeful look on his face.

“Um, I could use some help picking some paper out. I’ve never been really handy at wrapping presents and that sort of thing, so I’m not sure how much to buy. Do you mind helping me out?” Blake managed to say, shrugging his shoulders with a nervous smile. Blake’s smile broadened as Ryan grinned and practically ran back over to help.

“Sure! I would love to help you.” Ryan said, moving directly beside Blake. “How many presents do you have to wrap? Are they for adults, or children, or both?”

“Both. I’ve got quite a few to wrap. I’ve got a big family, so I’m sure I’ll need several rolls.” Blake felt a rush of relief flow through him. He’d managed to keep his adorable elf with him for a few minutes longer. Now all he had to do is figure out what to do next.

“Well, there’s always these variety packs that have several rolls in them, but frankly I always like to pick out exactly the paper I want, not just what they think I need,” Ryan said, first pointing out a package of several smaller tubes of wrapping paper all cellophaned together.

“I’ll go with what you recommend. I’m horrible at this stuff. I’ve been teased mercilessly by my family because I always just give the gift in the bag from the store I bought it from,” Blake said, picking up a roll of paper that was decorated with Santa Claus’ face. He felt Ryan gently take the paper from his grasp and put it back in its bin.

“Since you’ve got a reputation of not wrapping gifts for you family and friends, why don’t you surprise them this year and really go all out? You could get some brightly colored paper, and top your presents off with a big gorgeous bow. You could wow your family with the effort it took to wrap each package,” Ryan suggested, grabbing a couple big tubes of metallic paper for Blake’s inspection. As Blake looked from the shiny colored paper and then up at Ryan, he became mesmerized by the animated look on Ryan’s angelic face.

“That’s a wonderful idea, Ryan! Do you think I could actually pull it off?” Blake asked, feeling himself relax under Ryan’s excited gaze. As soon as Blake mentioned his name, Ryan grinned even more and nodded excitedly as if he was pleased that he acknowledged it. “Of course you can do it! It may take some time and effort, but it would be worth it for you to see how thrilled your family will be to see the effort you put out doing it just for them.”

Blake knew his family would be shocked to see their presents in more than a paper bag, but he seriously doubted his ability to wrap a present with any more skill than his two-year-old niece. As he stood there contemplating what to do next, Blake felt Ryan’s gaze sweep over him. Warmth filled his heart as he gazed down into Ryan’s beautiful green eyes.

If anything, he should do it just because Ryan seemed to have faith in his nonexistent wrapping abilities. Blake suddenly pictured Ryan sitting under a brightly lit tree surrounded by mounds of colorful presents. That idea brought a smile to his face.

Ryan’s eyes widened slightly, and he seemed to take a step closer to him. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon filled Blake’s nose. Ryan smelled as wonderful as he looked. Blake resisted the urge to wrap his arms around the colorful man and press his lips against Ryan’s soft full ones. Before he knew it, Blake found himself leaning more towards Ryan just to get a better sniff of his delicious scent.

“What’s your name?” Ryan seemed to lean closer to him too. Blake reached up and flicked one of Ryan’s antlers, causing the bell to jingle. Instead of breaking the spell that had fallen between them, the sound just made them ease that much closer to one another.

“Blake Roberts.” He answered softly, not wanting to break the bubble where only the two of them existed.

“Hi, Blake Roberts, I’m Ryan Jolly. I’m very pleased to meet you.” Ryan was evidently feeling the pull of attraction between them too as he continued to edge into Blake’s personal space. Blake brought his hand from the jingling antler and ran his finger slowly across Ryan’s freckled and slightly flushed cheek. He found himself wanting to kiss and count each one; they were so perfectly portioned on Ryan’s elfin face.

It was as if the outside world didn’t exist and it was just the two of them.

4

“Excuse
me, do you work here?” an agitated voice cut in, breaking the spell that they were in. Ryan closed his eyes as if to get his bearings, then turned and smiled brightly.

“Yes, ma’am, can I help you?” he asked the tall, thin woman who looked like she was on edge of a nervous breakdown.

“I need some advice on an artificial Christmas tree. Can you help me?” She sounded almost frantic.

Ryan looked at Blake and gave him a smile that spoke of apologies and regret. “I’d be glad to help you.” Ryan looked away from Blake and started following the woman toward the Christmas tree display.

As he watched Ryan walk off, Blake felt his heart drop.

Ryan stopped and turned around, meeting Blake’s eyes with his own that was filled with disappointment, and perhaps even remorse. “It was nice to meet you, Blake Roberts. Good luck wrapping your presents. I know they’ll be lovely.” He smiled sadly, and turned back around and walked around the corner and disappeared from Blake’s view. Blake fought the sudden urge to run after him, grab him and never let him go. Instead, he stood there feeling like he just lost out on an opportunity of a lifetime.

“He gets off in less than an hour.”

Blake spun around and came face to face with Ryan’s pretty dance partner. Blake smiled wistfully at her and then looked longingly in the direction that Ryan had walked.

“Am I being that obvious?” Blake asked, even though he already knew the answer to the question as he grinned at her.

 She rolled her eyes and snorted in an unladylike manner. Blake liked her immediately.

“Duh! Now, the question is, are you smart enough to do something about it?” She crossed her arms over her chest, reminding Blake of his older and very bossy sister, whom he adored. He looked at her and nodded. “Good. He takes the bus home from work on the days we’re not working the same shift. Since I’m working late tonight, that’s where he’ll be in about forty-five minutes or so. Hopefully, you’re as smart as I think you are, and you know a good thing when you see it, so you’ll be there waiting for him. If not, then you just missed out on the best thing that could ever happen to you.” She spoke in that matter-of-fact way of hers and walked off, leaving Blake standing there holding several tubes of wrapping paper, with a small smile on his face.

5

Ryan
shivered in the cold December air as he walked briskly to the bus stop. Luckily for him, it was but a few blocks from his job; however, on cold nights like tonight, Ryan wished again that he had enough money saved up for a car. Working in retail, he lived from hand to mouth most weeks, but Ryan liked his job, and he loved working with people. One day, he hoped to move onto bigger and better things, but for right now, it suited him just fine.

As he walked, he shoved his hands in his light jacket to ward off the cold December night. Once again, Ryan’s thoughts returned to the handsome Blake Roberts. He’d felt an instant connection with him that he’d never felt before. As soon as Ryan had finished helping the customer questioning him on everything he knew about artificial trees, Ryan had immediately returned to the where the wrapping paper was, but Blake had already left. Just thinking about those mesmerizing blue eyes and that gorgeous smile gave Ryan the nagging feeling that he’d lost out on something special. Even though they had just met and only spoken a few words to each other, Ryan knew that there was something special about Blake.

“He probably really wasn’t interested in you anyway,” he muttered to himself as he kicked a bottle cap down the street, trying to ignore the ache of loneliness inside him. Sure, he had friends, but his family had been gone a long time, and he really didn’t have anyone to share his life with. Although being alone would bring most people down, most of the time he had a positive attitude and sunny outlook on life. Just not right now.

He vaguely heard the bells off on his antlers jingling with every step he took. He had been planning on taking them off as soon as he got off of work, but since he’d already worn them all day--and met the man of his dreams while wearing them--Ryan didn’t think that it mattered if he continued to wear them until he got home. The soft tinkling of the bells might even lift his spirits again.

Ryan wondered what Blake was doing right now. He pictured Blake wrapping presents in front of a colorful Christmas tree with Christmas carols playing softly in the background. There would be a warm and cozy fire off to the side, putting the room into a soft and romantic glow. Even though his wayward thoughts made him feel a little melancholy, he couldn’t help the smile that came over his face when he suddenly pictured Blake wearing reindeer antlers of his own, large, welcoming arms opened up just for him. Ryan knew that he would fit there perfectly, despite their differences in size, as if Blake’s arms were made just for him. With that thought, Ryan felt a lump form in his throat, because he knew that in reality, that wasn’t ever going to happen.

Ryan tried to shake of the feeling of loneliness as he walked faster to the bus stop. He just needed to get home, bake something, and go to bed. He’d feel better tomorrow.

He sensed more than he heard the motor of a vehicle stop beside him. Ryan glanced over and saw that an old pickup truck had stopped. The passenger window rolled down and Ryan started to walk faster, hoping that this wasn’t some crazy hate crime just waiting to happen. But he slowed down and turned toward the truck when he heard a familiar masculine voice call his name.

He was happily surprised when he saw those beautiful blue eyes that had taken over his thoughts for the past hour. Maybe he had just conjured up Blake with his overactive imagination.

“Ryan? Hi, it’s me, Blake… um… do you want a lift?” That deep masculine voice rolled through Ryan’s soul like sunshine on an otherwise rainy day.

 “Are you sure, Blake? I live on the other side of town…” As much as Ryan hoped Blake didn’t mind, he didn’t want to put the other man out.

“No problem. Hop in,” Blake answered with a relieved tone to his voice. Ryan grinned and got into the truck. It was old, but well-taken care of. Ryan fastened his seatbelt, looked over at Blake, and smiled. “Thanks! This is really nice of you to give me a lift.” His heart beat faster with excitement from getting the chance to be with this quiet sweet man.

“Look, I was about to get something to eat. I haven’t eaten since noon and I’m starving. Would you like to join me? It’ll be my treat,” Blake asked, beginning to drive the truck away from the curb and into traffic.

Ryan had to keep himself from bouncing up and down in the seat from excitement. He smiled at Blake and nodded, causing the bells on his antlers to jingle and fill the cab of the truck with its joyful sound.

“That would be fabulous! Are you sure you don’t mind the company?” he asked, finally removing the headband that was holding the antlers on top if his head. Blake glanced at Ryan as he took off his antlers and grinned before he looked back at the road. “I don’t mind at all. In fact, it would be the best thing that has happened to me today.” Blake kept his eyes glued to the road for fear of Ryan’s reaction to his honest words.

Ryan felt a surge of happiness flow through him, and had to fight the urge to reach over, grab Blake’s hand, and clutch it tightly to him. To distract himself, he fiddled nervously with the zipper of his jacket. “What do you like to eat?” Ryan heard the softly spoken question breaking into the “keep your hands to yourself” lecture he was currently giving himself in his mind.

“I like anything, but my favorite foods are Mexican and Chinese,” Ryan said as zipped and unzipped the opening of his jacket. Blake glanced over at Ryan; his hair was sticking up in every direction possible, making him look young and carefree. His green eyes glittered with some unknown emotion, and his hands seemed to have a mind of their own; they kept fiddling with his jacket zipper. Ryan was a ball of excess energy contained in one cute little package. Blake found him adorable.