Sweet Anticipation Page 5

  Victoria began to fuss, and Annalise took her to get her fed while Gregory helped Rhys get out the last of the food as the ladies began to arrive.

  Cynthia squealed a little and was all smiles when she saw the room, and purposely gave Gregory a hug. “I love the tree,” she whispered to him, and if Annalise had been there at that moment, he’d have flashed her a smirk. Instead, he hugged Cynthia a little tighter.

  “I’m glad.” Gregory introduced her to Marcus. “He’ll be taking care of service tonight.”

  “You aren’t staying?” She half pouted.

  “Nope. You’re getting married soon, and I have my own new man to spend some time with. I’m sure Annalise and Marcus can handle anything from here.” His heart rate already sped up at the thought of some alone time with Rhys. “You have a good time, and I’ll see you at the wedding, I’m sure.” He kissed her cheek and went into the kitchen, where Rhys was packing up his things.

  “I went over everything with Marcus, and he will handle it from here. The dishes and everything belong to the hall, and I have all my tools packed up. So I think you and I can hit the road.” Rhys’s smile was wickedly delightful and sent all kinds of blush-worthy thoughts racing through his mind.

  “Thank you both,” Annalise said as she came into the kitchen with Victoria sleeping on her shoulder. “Greggy, you did an amazing job. You too, Rhys. I know a lot of this—”

  “It was Gregory,” Rhys said quickly, interrupting her. “I guided him and helped, but he was determined to make this nice, and he put in the time to get it done.” Rhys once again slipped an arm around Gregory’s waist, standing next to him. It was amazing how much taller Gregory stood with Rhys next to him, knowing he had support and someone to watch his back. “He deserves most of the credit.”

  More voices drifted in from the other room, and Annalise went to greet them as Gregory and Rhys went out the back door and to their cars. “I’ll meet you at the house?” Rhys asked.

  “Yes.” Gregory got in his car and drove the couple of miles back to Rhys’s home, parked behind him on the street, and went inside, where he found Rhys putting his tools away in the kitchen.

  “Were the baguettes really just a joke item your brother-in-law added to the list?” Rhys asked as he turned out the kitchen lights when he was done.

  “I guess so. I thought Annalise was going to pop a gasket, but she came around, and Cynthia liked them.” The hilarity of the whole thing was almost too much. “I have to admit, making them was one of the best activities we did.”

  Rhys came closer. “What was the best one?” he asked, his voice a little deeper and rougher. Gregory came closer, giving him his answer in the form of a kiss, which Rhys returned with energy and gusto. “I think we should take this upstairs.” When Gregory nodded, Rhys took him by the hand to lead him up the stairs. “You’re shaking.”

  “I guess I’m a little nervous,” Gregory admitted once they reached the landing.

  Rhys tugged him into his arms. “Why? This isn’t the first time you and I have done this.” He nuzzled a little closer. “Remember the night alone in your dorm room? You had that loft setup. It was like we were in our own little cave, and—”

  “Yeah, I do. Things changed a week after that.”

  Rhys held him tighter. “I know, and that was my fault. But we’re both older now, and we aren’t stupid college kids. I know what I want.” He gently guided Gregory’s gaze upward. “I want you.” Rhys captured his lips, and Gregory gasped at the ferocity, holding Rhys just as intensely. Rhys guided him out of the hall and into a warm bedroom with a huge bed.

  “Oh my,” Gregory said. The bedroom was luxurious, with thick bedding, and when Rhys gentled him down onto the mattress, its softness wrapped around him and he whimpered.

  “Decadent, isn’t it?” Rhys whispered in his ear.

  “Uh-huh,” Gregory moaned, and further discussion was cut off by Rhys’s lips. There was something familiar about being with Rhys, but exciting too, like discovering a toy that you’d lost and never thought you’d see again, and suddenly it was there and you really missed it. Only in this case, the toy got better… oh so much, eye-rollingly, knowing-just-where-to-touch better. “I think I know what I want for Christmas this year.” He groaned loudly when Rhys gave him his present early.

  Epilogue

  RHYS SMILED, nestled in a leather chair in Annalise’s family room, with two boys sitting at his feet while he read them The Night Before Christmas.

  “Boys, you’ve heard that story so many times already,” Annalise said.

  “He does good voices,” Kevin, the younger of the two boys, said before turning back to Rhys.

  Gregory held Victoria, sitting on the side of the sofa closest to him, with the Christmas tree twinkling. The wrapping paper had been cleaned up, the opened presents still under the tree. Rhys had been a little surprised that Gregory had invited him for Christmas, but maybe he shouldn’t have been. They had been spending a lot of time together since the party. In fact, things between them had been going really well. So maybe his surprise was just his own jitteriness coming forward. And he’d been shocked that there were so many presents. Gregory’s gift of an antique cake stand had been particularly thoughtful. But most of all, he’d been surprised at how welcoming and kind the entire family had been for him, and for his and Gregory’s relationship.

  Rhys went back to reading the story as the scent of a heavenly Christmas dinner wafted in from the other room. “Are you sure you don’t need help from either of us?” Rhys asked once he had finished the story and the boys’ attention had turned to the gifts they’d gotten.

  “We’re doing fine,” Hanna, Jonathan’s mother, said when she came in. “Dinner will be on the table in half an hour.”

  “All right,” Gregory said, making no move to get up with Victoria asleep in his arms. He had been a regular baby hog all day.

  “Do you want me to take her?” Rhys asked, and Gregory got up and carefully transferred her over. She didn’t wake and slept on his shoulder. Rhys’s mother chose that moment to call, and Gregory handed him his phone.

  “Merry Christmas, Mom,” he said quietly. “You aren’t going to believe this, but I’m holding a baby. Gregory’s niece, Victoria. I sent you pictures a few days go.”

  His mom chuckled. “I know you did. You’re like a proud uncle.”

  The truth was that Annalise had asked the boys to call him Uncle Rhys, and that had nearly left him in tears. Yeah, it was too soon, but being a part of a family was something he hadn’t realized he’d wanted until the possibility had landed in his lap.

  “I think so.” He chatted with her, wishing both her and his dad a wonderful Christmas. “By the way, I wanted to tell you that when I come to visit next week, I hope you don’t mind—”

  “You’re bringing Gregory?” his mother asked with undisguised delight.

  “Yes. They gave him the time off, and we were able to get a ticket.” He was so happy, he could bust.

  “Well, that’s the best Christmas present you could give us. You know we only want you to be happy, and we’ve been worried with you there all alone. We’ll have gifts for both of you when you get here, so leave room in your luggage.” His mother always went overboard.

  “We will.” Rhys looked up as Annalise came in and gently lifted Victoria. “It looks like it’s time for dinner. I’ll talk to you in a few days, and we can finalize details.” He told his mom he loved her and ended the call, then joined the others in the dining room. He sat next to Gregory as Jonathan brought in the platter of roast beef and set it on the table before sitting down. Annalise took her seat with an approving smile.

  Gregory stood and gently clinked his glass. “This year has been very special. We welcome two new additions to our table this year. Little Victoria, the biggest Christmas surprise for all of us—”

  “And Uncle Rhys, who reads really good,” James interrupted, sharing a grin with Kevin.

  “Yes. And there’s one last surpri
se for all of you. The cake that Rhys and I brought, well, I baked it. He did the construction and decorating, but I baked it.” Gregory grinned. “It’s been a holiday season of firsts for all of us… including some interesting bread baking. But what makes it all special is that we can be here… together.” Gregory took Rhys’s hand and squeezed it gently.

  “Does this mean that you are going to host the next holiday dinner?” Annalise asked.

  Gregory turned to Rhys and then back to his sister. “How about we do it together? That’s what family is about, helping each other and learning new things.”

  “Like baking bread shaped like penises,” Kevin added, and every adult in the room turned to him. Both boys put hands over their mouths and giggled. “We seen them when Mama brought ’em home.” No secrets in this house, that was for sure.

  “Now, boys, settle down,” Jonathan said, trying to be stern and failing miserably as Gregory took his seat once again.

  “But, Dad. Can we make penis bread sometime?” James asked, and each of his parents looked heavenward for guidance.

  “Uncle Rhys will show you how when you’re older,” Gregory whispered, and then held up his glass. “To getting the best Christmas presents ever this year.”

  The family turned to where little Victoria’s carrier lay in its stand, her lips moving as she slept, but Gregory turned to him, his eyes filled with wonder and, dare he think it, love.

  “Yup,” Kevin agreed.

  Rhys had a pretty good idea what Kevin was thankful for, and James too, for that matter: their little sister. But what Rhys was thankful for, and the best Christmas gift he would ever receive, sat right next to him, watching him as though he hung the moon. This was definitely a merry Christmas.

  ANDREW GREY is the author of more than one hundred works of Contemporary Gay Romantic fiction. After twenty-seven years in corporate America, he has now settled down in Central Pennsylvania with his husband, Dominic, and his laptop. An interesting ménage. Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He is a recipient of the RWA Centennial Award, has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and now writes full-time. Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing). He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

  Email: andrewgrey@comcast.net

  Website: www.andrewgreybooks.com

  By Andrew Grey

  Accompanied by a Waltz

  All for You

  Between Loathing and Love

  Borrowed Heart

  Buried Passions

  Chasing the Dream

  Crossing Divides

  Dominant Chord

  Dutch Treat

  Eastern Cowboy

  Heartward

  In Search of a Story

  New Tricks

  Noble Intentions

  North to the Future

  One Good Deed

  On Shaky Ground

  The Playmaker

  Pulling Strings

  Rebound

  Reunited

  Running to You

  Saving Faithless Creek

  Shared Revelations

  Survive and Conquer

  Three Fates

  To Have, Hold, and Let Go

  Turning the Page

  Twice Baked

  Unfamiliar Waters

  Whipped Cream

  ART

  Legal Artistry • Artistic Appeal

  Artistic Pursuits • Legal Tender

  BOTTLED UP

  The Best Revenge • Bottled Up

  Uncorked • An Unexpected Vintage

  BRONCO’S BOYS

  Inside Out • Upside Down

  Backward • Round and Round

  Over and Back

  THE BULLRIDERS

  A Wild Ride • A Daring Ride • A Courageous Ride

  BY FIRE

  Redemption by Fire • Strengthened by Fire

  Burnished by Fire • Heat Under Fire

  CARLISLE COPS

  Fire and Water • Fire and Ice • Fire and Rain

  Fire and Snow • Fire and Hail • Fire and Fog

  CARLISLE DEPUTIES

  Fire and Flint • Fire and Granite

  Fire and Agate • Fire and Obsidian

  CHEMISTRY

  Organic Chemistry • Biochemistry • Electrochemistry

  Chemistry Anthology

  DREAMSPUN DESIRES

  #4 – The Lone Rancher

  #28 – Poppy’s Secret

  #60 – The Best Worst Honeymoon Ever

  EYES OF LOVE

  Eyes Only for Me • Eyes Only for You

  FOREVER YOURS

  Can’t Live Without You • Never Let You Go

  GOOD FIGHT

  The Good Fight • The Fight Within

  The Fight for Identity • Takoda and Horse

  HEARTS ENTWINED

  Heart Unseen • Heart Unheard

  Heart Untouched • Heart Unbroken

  HOLIDAY STORIES

  Copping a Sweetest Day Feel • Cruise for Christmas

  A Lion in Tails • Mariah the Christmas Moose

  A Present in Swaddling Clothes

  Simple Gifts • Snowbound in Nowhere

  Sweet Anticipation • Stardust

  LAS VEGAS ESCORTS

  The Price • The Gift

  LOVE MEANS…

  Love Means… No Shame • Love Means… Courage

  Love Means… No Boundaries • Love Means… Freedom

  Love Means … No Fear • Love Means… Healing

  Love Means… Family • Love Means… Renewal

  Love Means… No Limits • Love Means… Patience

  Love Means… Endurance

  LOVE’S CHARTER

  Setting the Hook • Ebb and Flow

  PLANTING DREAMS

  Planting His Dream • Growing His Dream

  REKINDLED FLAME

  Rekindled Flame • Cleansing Flame

  Smoldering Flame

  SENSES

  Love Comes Silently • Love Comes in Darkness

  Love Comes Home • Love Comes Around

  Love Comes Unheard • Love Comes to Light

  SEVEN DAYS

  Seven Days • Unconditional Love

  STORIES FROM THE RANGE

  A Shared Range • A Troubled Range • An Unsettled Range

  A Foreign Range • An Isolated Range

  A Volatile Range • A Chaotic Range

  STRANDED

  Stranded • Taken

  TALES FROM KANSAS

  Dumped in Oz • Stuck in Oz • Trapped in Oz

  TALES FROM ST. GILES

  Taming the Beast • Redeeming the Stepbrother

  TASTE OF LOVE

  A Taste of Love • A Serving of Love

  A Helping of Love • A Slice of Love

  WITHOUT BORDERS

  A Heart Without Borders • A Spirit Without Borders

  WORK OUT

  Spot Me • Pump Me Up • Core Training

  Crunch Time • Positive Resistance

  Personal Training • Cardio Conditioning

  Work Me Out Anthology

  Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  Published by

  DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Sweet Anticipation

/>   © 2019 Andrew Grey

  Cover Art

  © 2019 Brooke Albrecht

  http://brookealbrechtstudio.com

  Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

  All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-64405-766-7

  Digital eBook published December 2019

  v. 1.0

  Printed in the United States of America