Page 46 of Unwrap Him

When we walk back through the front door, together, I’ve never been happier to be home.

I managed to get Jesse’s car unstuck from the snowbank and drove it back, following him as he drove my SUV. The kid was scared, and I don’t blame him one bit. He drove five miles per hour the whole way, and I just sat in his car right behind him, inhaling deep breaths of his scent as it surrounded me.

I won’t lie and say I’m at ease in what’s happening. I’m still nervous, about all of this. But one thing became abundantly clear when I realized that he’d left without a word.

I can’t live without him.

Maybe it was never romantic before this crazy holiday changed everything. Actually, I’m certain it wasn’t, at least not for me. And I’m happy about that. It makes me feel like less of a creep, and more like a man who’s been swept up in an unexpected love.

So falling in love with your adopted son isn’t normal… But what has normal ever done for me anyway?

It kept me alive with blinders on, with an unknown treasure hidden inside me, waiting to be discovered.

I’m not sure what this means for my sexuality, but if the only man I’m attracted to is Jesse, then I’m totally fine with that. He’s gorgeous and smart and talented. Certainly more grounded than I was at eighteen.

And where we’ll go from here is still vastly up in the air. But I have to give in to this. Because if the alternative is losing him, then I’ll do everything in my power to fight it.

I’ll carry the weight of the world to keep him happy. That I can do.

We strip out of our wet boots and coats at the door, and I take Jesse by the hand, bringing him to the living room. He stands in front of the fireplace warming his hands while I throw a couple of logs on. I can’t read his face, but he seems lost in his own thoughts, and it reminds me of the scare he just faced.

Jesse lost his parents to an accident, and it shaped him. The tragedy of it made him who he is, for better or worse. Though I’d say better, because he’s fucking strong. I gave him the best childhood I possibly could, and I know I did well for the kid. But he doesn’t need me…

Regardless of what he thinks, his love for me, he doesn’t need anyone. I respect that immensely. I’d like to think I’m the same, but I’m not sure if it’s true.

Because I definitely need him.

Jesse’s face tilts up to mine and I can’t stop myself. I grab him and haul him into my arms, hugging him tight, hand sliding up to cup his head, the other resting on his lower back. He melts into me and we just sway for many minutes by the fire.

He’s not shivering anymore. I think he’s warm and content. I hope he is…

After a while, he pulls back and gazes up at me, lashes fluttering as he says, “Sit. Please.”

I’m confounded by his soft command, and I nod, releasing him and plopping down onto the loveseat. Jesse wanders over to the Christmas tree and bends to rustle something from underneath. He comes back to me with a small gift box, wrapped in sparkly paper with a red bow on top.

“In all the excitement, I never got to give you your gift,” he says, handing it to me.

I take it with a cock of my brow. “Excitement… That’s an understatement if I’ve ever heard one.”

Jesse rolls his eyes, a smirk covering his plush lips. “Just shut up and open it.”

A chuckle bubbles from my throat as I examine the box in my hands. I’m vibrating in anticipation…

What kind of gift could he have picked out for me?

Glancing up at him, I pat the seat next to me. His grin widens and he slinks onto the loveseat, nestling up to my side. I can’t resist pressing a kiss in his silky hair before slowly unwrapping my Christmas present.

Removing the top from the gift box, I blink. Airline tickets…

I peer at him, and he bites his lip. Taking them out, I read the destination.

“St. Barth…” I murmur, my fingers trailing the tickets.

Jesse leans in, pointing to the travel date. “For New Year’s.” I peer down at him, and he mumbles, “Surprise,” chewing nervously on his lower lip. “Is that okay? It’s only a week, and I know you have time off… I just figured you could use a vacation. I mean, we both could, I guess…”

I cut off his rambles with my lips, kissing him softly, though I’ve surprised him enough that he gasps into my mouth. I have no idea why his timidity turns me on, why the idea that he was nervous about this gift has my heart thudding aggressively in my chest. But it does and I have to force myself to stop mauling him.

“Baby… this is so thoughtful,” I whisper, fingertips trailing his sharp jaw. “Thank you so much. This is the best gift ever. Well, second best…”

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