Page 65 of Touched By Destiny

Gabriel had also been absent. Every year he was invited to take part in all aspects of Christmas—and every other holiday—but he hovered in the background. Less than an hour in, Gabriel had announced there was an issue at one of the casinos and he had to leave. Eric had easily figured out from the skeptical look on his father’s face that Gabriel wasn’t needed, but no one had argued.

After learning about Gabriel’s necromancer and the inspirit’s feelings about what had happened thirty-some years ago, Eric no longer questioned why Gabriel was so reluctant to be part of a family. Samael’s betrayal had cut deep, and Gabriel was afraid to trust. It made his initial reaction to discovering they were soulmates easier to understand. The strong connection had scared Gabriel.

Those devastating weeks no longer mattered. But Eric wondered if Gabriel would ever allow them to move forward. Although Eric was doing his best to be understanding, he hated the secrecy. It wasn’t just that he was lying to his family; their current situation allowed Eric little time with Gabriel. And it was growing tougher not to go with instinct.

When Gabriel was near, Eric wanted to be close to him. They couldn’t touch, and Eric constantly wondered if today was the day he would say something that would give them away. How would Gabriel react if he accidentally slipped and did something telling? Would his fear of the future lead Gabriel to end things again?

Eric wasn’t sure how he’d handle that. He loved Gabriel, but they couldn’t drift forever. What Eric wanted most was a partner to share his life with, and unquestionably, Gabriel was perfect for that role. The problem was, Eric couldn’t stop his frustration with their situation from growing. Blowing out a breath, Eric set it aside.

It was Christmas Eve, and Gabriel was staying at the house for the next two nights. Eric wasn’t sure how his mother talked Gabriel into doing that every year, but it was going to work out wonderfully. After everyone was all tucked into their beds, Eric had every intention of sneaking into Gabriel’s room.

And they were damn well going to make use of lube. Eric was tired of waiting for Gabriel to take him. Tonight he’d demand Gabriel bury his fat cock deep in his ass, and Eric would say a cheerful goodbye to the last vestiges of his virginity. A delightful shiver swept down his spine, and Eric grinned. It was going to be fucking fantastic.

Gathering up the presents he’d waited until the last minute to wrap, Eric left his bedroom and wandered down to the living room. He was bent under the tree, strategically placing his gifts, when the air in the room grew charged. It may have beenhis imagination, but he swore he could always tell the second Gabriel walked in.

Eric straightened, and his mouth curved as he spotted his soulmate. It’d been hard to select a gift for him. There were no gift suggestions on the Internet for a man who was truly your soulmate, but you’d promised not to tell anyone, so instead he was a part-time boyfriend.

“Is there any room left under the tree?” Gabriel asked, strolling over in black slacks and a green sweater that darkened his beautiful eyes.

“I doubt it,” Eric replied. His hands itched to touch Gabriel, and he’d have loved to taste him, but he couldn’t risk it. “It wouldn’t be Christmas if my parents didn’t go completely overboard.”

“At least you’ll have plenty of socks and underwear for the next twelve months.”

Eric laughed and nearly caressed Gabriel’s muscular ass as the inspirit bent to gently place his packages on the growing pile. He fucking loved Gabriel’s body.

“Mom is both practical and indulgent. And Richard is going to bitch if she buys him boxer shorts.”

“That’s because I hardly ever wear them,” Richard said, sailing into the room in a snug red V-neck sweater and velvet jeans with a hint of red and silver embroidery at the pockets. He’d forgone shoes, and Eric grinned at his Santa socks.

“Because you don’t think they’re sexy,” Eric replied.

“They are sexy on the right man,” Richard countered. “I find a thong has more advantages.”

“Advantages?” Gabriel asked, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “What kind of advantages?”

Richard spun in a circle.

“Darling, please, do you see a line?” Then he walked over and slapped Eric on the rump. “Meanwhile, my brother iswearing a handsome pair of gray slacks, and I can literally see the edge of his briefs on each of his pert little ass cheeks. If you don’t want to wear a thong on Christmas Eve, at the least put on some boxer-briefs.”

“Or you could spend a little less time staring at your brother’s ass,” Maribeth remarked as she joined them, wearing a pretty black-and-red plaid dress that brushed her calves.

“But he has such a cute bum,” Richard said, then fixed a coy gaze on Gabriel. “Isn’t that right, Gabriel?”

“No comment,” Gabriel stated without inflection. “I’m going to grab a beer; anyone else want something to drink?”

“David’s making amaretto sours,” Richard replied. “Go check and see if they’re ready.”

Without another word, Gabriel left the living room.

Richardtsked. “What are we going to do about Gabriel?”

“I don’t know, but we can’t talk about it now,” Eric warned his brother.

“Sure we can, we’ve got a few minutes,” Richard said, walking over and squeezing Eric’s arm affectionately. “Baby, it’s been months now. You can’t keep hiding forever. Sooner or later, your soulbinding is going to be complete. People will be able to sense it then.”

“What if your parents have already figured something is going on between you two?” Maribeth asked, keeping her voice soft. “You leave the house every night, and everyone knows you and Gabriel are together for at least part of the evening. They aren’t stupid.”

“And you already told Mom that you’d slept with Gabriel,” Richard pointed out.

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