Free Home for Christmas by Nicki Bennett Page B

him for years, leaving him free to play along the Riverwalk several times a week and donate whatever he took in to a variety of local charities. Connell had asked once whether he’d ever wanted to make his living as a musician, but Spence shook his head. “I play at the restaurant once in a while when friends want to jam, but it isn’t about money. It’s about sharing the music.”
    “Why didn’t you take one of them up on their invitation?” Connell asked, though he suspected he knew the answer.
    Spence shrugged awkwardly. “Being around other people wasn’t very appealing when I couldn’t be with the one I really wanted, you know?”
    Connell framed Spence’s face with his hands, kissing him gently. “I do know. I was miserable even though I was with my mum and sis. It took Kate to make me realize that where I really wanted to be was here, with you.”
    “I’m glad you came,” Spence said, his hands finding their natural resting place on Connell’s hips.
    “When your card arrived, it made me miss you so much,” Connell admitted. “I couldn’t even open it. I just stood there holding it, wishing I could be with you, until Kate asked me what there was in the Christmas post to make me look like I’d just lost my best friend.” He nuzzled his head against Spence’s shoulder, turning to press a kiss against the light stubble of his lover’s chin. “When I told her, she dragged me to the computer and helped me to book myself onto the next flight to the States.”
    “You didn’t open the card?” Spence repeated, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile.
    “I was afraid I’d lose it if I did. I saved it to open when we were together.”
    Spence grinned. “Why don’t we get comfortable, and then you can open it,” he suggested. Gently unwinding the colorful scarf from around Connell’s neck, he pressed a kiss into the base of his throat before unzipping the leather jacket. “Nice scarf.”
    “Christmas present from Kate.” Connell was busily working Spence from his own jacket while trying to keep him in his arms at the same time. “Though I told her I didn’t need to advertise anymore. I’ve already found the only man I want.” Giving up on getting Spence out of his coat with only one hand, he pulled his lover’s head forward into a deep kiss, sating himself momentarily on the taste of his musician’s talented mouth before reluctantly stepping back long enough for them to both shrug out of their jackets.
    “Why don’t you go sit by the tree?” Spence suggested, taking the coats to hang in the entryway closet. “I’ll open some wine and be right with you.”
    Connell pulled a pair of overstuffed pillows and a soft, fluffy afghan that looked hand knitted from the couch and arranged them on the floor in front of the tree. The tiny lights blurred with the more distant lights from the river as he gazed out the window, his senses already tingling with awareness of the man he heard moving around in the kitchen, humming softly. Then a hand touched his shoulder, and Spence was kneeling beside him, holding out a glass of wine. The lights’ reflection sparkled in the crystal as Spence touched their glasses, making them clink softly. “To spending Christmas together.”
    “Together,” Connell echoed, sipping the rich red Merlot. Setting the glass aside, he leaned forward to taste Spence’s lips, the wine even more potent when sipped from his lover’s mouth. Spence moaned and deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping out to tangle with Connell’s until they were both breathless.
    Clutching Spence’s shoulder to pull him closer, Connell dipped his head for another kiss, one hand moving to the buttons of Spence’s shirt. Sliding the first circlet free of its placket, his fingers slipped under the fabric, coasting over the light hair that dusted his lover’s chest. When the questing fingers found a peaked nipple, Spence gasped and broke the kiss, sitting back on his heels.
    “Why don’t