Free Marshmallows and the Snow [Sweet Snacks: 1] by Liza Kay

camping and hunting. The tourists annoyed him more than anything else. They were yet another reminder of the man he missed so much. The man who was miles away.
    He huffed. At least he had enough wood for the next winter. Never before had the stack been bigger. Aleks always chopped wood when he was in a bad mood. Given that Ruben wasn’t with him, he went out to chop wood plenty. It was a good way to lose the calories he consumed when eating his bad-mood-ice-cream.
    Olga flapped and shu-huued again. She was antsy today. Usually, she sat on a branch and merely stared at him till he gave in and fetched her a treat from the kitchen. Spoiled bird. But she was Ruben’s, so he didn’t have the heart to deny her anything. Today though, she acted restless. The reason was her secret. Maybe she’d eaten an old mouse.
    Eighty fucking days! The first two weeks had been pure hell, but he’d hoped it’d be better after some time. Bad mistake. Every week pushed him closer to the edge of losing his shit. Without Ruben, everything seemed dull. Lifeless. Aleks knew he had to get a grip soon or he’d end up a lonely, fat, wood-chopping creep talking to an owl the whole time. Hooray!
    The sound of an approaching car pulled him out of his gloomy thoughts. Who could that be? Aleks checked his watch and frowned. It was too early for Maike to come around. She was still busy at the hotel. But who else would come to visit him? A hunter maybe? Tourists? God, he hoped not!
    It was an SUV, which wasn’t odd. In the woods, you needed a big car with four-wheel drive. The sun hitting the windshield made it impossible for Aleks to see who sat behind the wheel. Just to be on the safe side, he grabbed the shotgun leaning beside him, and laid it across his legs.
    Then the car stopped, the door swung open and... Aleks gasped. No, that couldn’t be true! Was he dreaming? Would he wake up, lonely lying in his bed and clutching a pillow to his chest like so many nights before? He stood on wobbly legs, still clutching the shotgun, and stared.
    “So... will you greet me with your shotgun every time I come home? Or is it an honor you reserve for special occasions?” the apparition asked with a sexy little smirk.
    Aleks shook his head in wonder. “No. Not for special occasions. It’s for special people,” he choked out and securely sat the gun aside. In the next second he found himself with two arms full of quirky, squealing little Brit.
    “Right answer!” Ruben peppered kiss after hungry kiss on Aleks’ lips. “I’d hate to be one of many.”
    “Engel, you’ll never be one of many. You’re the one and only. Always.” With that, he scooped Ruben up, placed his hands under the tight bum he adored so much, and carried the man into their cabin. Ruben giggled and wriggled, pushing his hardening erection against Aleks’ stomach.
    “Sounds wonderful, love. God, I missed you so damn much!” Ruben murmured against his neck while licking him. “Every day away from you was pure hell! I’m so sorry it took so long to sort everything out, Aleks.”
    Aleks kicked the bedroom door shut behind them and lowered his precious cargo onto the soft sheets. “It’s okay, engel. I missed you, too. Like crazy! But you’re here now and we’re together.” He brushed some wayward curls off his lover’s face and couldn’t take his eyes off those adorable features. God, Ruben was pretty. Prettier than eighty days ago. His hair was a tad longer after their weeks of separation and made his eyes appear huge. “I’m surprised though. I thought you’d arrive in two weeks!”
    Ruben giggled and worked the buttons on Aleks’ flannel shirt. “Oh, I can go and stay at the hotel for fourteen days if you don’t want me with you,” he teased while easing one of his slender hands under the fabric. Curious fingers carded through the curls on his chest and pinched a nipple. Aleks grunted and placed his heavier body on top of Ruben’s, pinning him to the mattress so he