Blue-Eyed Soul (21 page)

Aleks was lost, and he didn't even try to hold back as he thrust hard a few more times before he came, too, Remey's muscles clenching tightly around him. After a few long moments, they both sagged, gasping. Remey exhaled heavily, tugging Aleks down against him. Aleks went. He didn't care they were both hot and sweaty and would both end up sticky. He wanted Remey as close as he could get him, for as long as possible. Maybe even forever, if he could get away with it.

"Thank you so much for having me again. I swear, I've never been fed so much for free since I moved here." Remey laughed as he hugged Jess goodbye.

Aleks zipped up Willow's coat, being careful not to pinch her skin since she was limp as a dishrag and sound asleep. "Allison will kill us all if you go back to L.A. and have put on twenty pounds," he teased.

Jess scoffed. "As if skinny mini here couldn't afford a few extra." She kissed Remey's cheek, then squeezed past them to peek out of the front door window. "Oh dear... Stevan, it's coming down out there."

Aleks's brows knit and he cradled Willow gently as he turned and looked. It had been lightly snowing when they'd arrived, with talk of heavier overnight, but it wasn't supposed to get bad for another few hours. "Shoot. Looks like the storm hit early."

Stevan waved his hand. "Alright then, everybody through the kitchen to the garage. I'll drive you guys back over to Aleks's place. Aleks, you can make sure Remey gets home safe, I'm sure."

His brother's teasing tone told him Stevan considered the care of Remey to be Aleks's responsibility now. And to be honest, Aleks had begun to feel the same way. Over the last week-and-a-half, he and Remey had spent more and more time together, dinners and trips to the ice skating rink with Willow, even a night spent baking cookies for the holiday bake sale at the school. Remey had teased him mercilessly about being a PTA Mom, until Aleks had pointed out Remey was baking, too, so what did that make him?

"Of course I can." Aleks smiled down at Remey, then nodded to him to follow his brother. "Right behind you." He glanced over his shoulder at Jess, who was beaming at him. He rolled his eyes and laughed. "'Night, Jess." She was such a romantic.

Once in the garage, Remey helped him buckle Willow into the car seat Stevan kept for her, then climbed in beside her as Aleks and Stevan slid into the front seat.

"Holy crap, it's a blizzard," Remey muttered as Stevan backed out of the garage. Aleks glanced back at him, his lips in a half-smile.

"Your Southern's showing. But this
is
worse than the weathermen were predicting. Still, it ought to clear up by tomorrow. It's not a Snowmageddon storm or anything."

Remey nodded as he peered out the window. " Good thing the concert's indoors."

When Stevan pulled into Aleks's driveway a minute later, Aleks climbed out and came around as Remey was easing Willow out of the car seat. It was sweet how she nestled against Remey's chest, her little face turned into his coat to block herself from the cold.

"I've got her; you get the door."

Aleks nodded. "Thanks, Stevan. Get home and stay warm," he called over his shoulder as he and Remey hurried up the walk to the porch. He unlocked the door and ushered the two of them in, then glanced out at the street where Remey's car sat, covered in snow. He couldn't tell if Remey had gotten the snow tires already or not.

Aleks ducked inside and closed the door behind them, taking Willow from Remey's arms. "Help me unbundle her?" he asked, and Remey nodded, kneeling to pull off Willow's boots. "Did you get the snow tires put on your car yet?"

Remey bit his lip and shook his head as he met Aleks's eyes in the dim hall light, dropping Willow's boots on the mat by the door. "Not yet, no. I have an appointment on Monday."

Aleks frowned. "Shoot, um... okay, hang on. Let me get her tucked in and we'll figure something out. Stay right here."

Remey nodded and Aleks made his way upstairs to Willow's bedroom. It took a little wrangling to get an unconscious three-year-old into pajamas, but finally she was bundled under her Dora covers, and Aleks flicked on her nightlight before ducking out of the room. He paused in the hall to ramp up the heat a little more.

When he came down the stairs, Remey was peering out the front windows in the living room, looking worried. He glanced over at Aleks as he strode in. "Does it look like it's coming down heavier since we got here?"

Aleks came up behind Remey and reached around him to tug aside the curtain sheer. "Maybe a little. Okay, well, do you have snow chains, at least? I could pull your car into the garage and get them put on."

Remey gave him a sheepish look. "I didn't think the bad snow hit until after the New Year."

Aleks looked down at him, not saying anything, then smiled and shook his head. "California boy, I swear." He shrugged, letting the curtain fall back into place. There was only one solution, and even though it was a first, Aleks found he wasn't as anxious about it as he'd thought he would be. "So you'll spend the night."

Remey blinked, turning to meet Aleks's eyes. "Are you serious? I mean, I could probably manage... you don't have to..." He broke off as Aleks shook his head.

"Don't be silly. You've probably never driven in snow like this, you don't have snow tires or chains, and you're nervous as heck about even the idea of driving. No, you'll stay here." Aleks smiled. "I don't have pajamas that'd fit your tiny self, but I can't say I'd mind seeing you wearing one of my shirts. Also, the spare room has all the paintings in it. So you'll have to bunk with me." He couldn't hold back the grin.

Remey laughed and tipped his head up to brush a quick kiss across Aleks's lips, unbuttoning his coat. "Terrible. Threaten me with a good time, Aleksander. Thank you. I was pretty nervous about the idea of driving."

Aleks nodded as they both stripped out of their coats and scarves, then went to hang them on the rack by the door. "I know. The plow crews are good about getting out early, especially with the festival going on. You'll be able to swing home tomorrow with no problem to get ready for the concert and everything. Come on... kick your shoes off. I think this calls for some hot chocolate."

Remey followed Aleks to the kitchen, perching on a stool at the island and meeting his eyes as he poured milk into a saucepan to heat. "Should I try to clear out in the morning before Willow wakes up? I can set my alarm early. I'm sure they plow early enough I could take off."

Aleks thought about it as he stirred the milk, making sure it didn't scald. Part of him said yes--to wake up and have Remey there could be confusing for Willow.

On the other hand, he'd kind of come to terms with how he was feeling and where he was hoping all this between them was leading, and if he was going to try with Remey, then that included Willow. She had a say, too, and while he knew she adored Remey, he wasn't sure how she would handle him encroaching on their home territory. After all, she'd never had to share Aleks before with anyone. So this was a test for her, and an important one.

He shook his head, adding cocoa and sugar into the pan to let it froth up. "No." He glanced over his shoulder and met Remey's eyes in the dim light from the overhead stovetop light. "I think it's time Willow starts getting used to you being around more. If you want her to."

Remey smiled, relaxing as he propped his elbows on the island and his feet on the rungs of the stool. "I do want her to."

Aleks shot him a small smile, tipping his head toward the cabinets. "Want to get mugs? We can take these in the living room, or in the den if you want to watch TV or a movie. I might have some DVDs not Disney or Dora."

Remey shook his head and grinned as he reached up to get a pair of mugs, setting them on the counter by the stove. "No, I'm not much of a TV person. I'd rather be with you, unless you have work to do or something, in which case, I have my notebook out in the car, since I was working on a song this afternoon before I came over."

Aleks shook his head. "No, I don't have work. There're no classes tomorrow; all the schools close on the Friday during the festival. Besides, I don't give homework usually. Come on... we can sit on the couch and I'll make sure to keep you warm."

Remey laughed as Aleks poured the mugs of hot chocolate, then wrapping his hands around his. "See, you've got it now--the reason why I hang all over you all the time. It has nothing to do with your amazing body and everything to do with your furnace qualities," he teased, blowing on the surface of the cocoa before taking a small sip.

Aleks smiled, following Remey into the living room where they sat on the couch, Remey tucked right up against Aleks's side, legs curled up under him. "I feel used. You're trying to steal my warmth."

Remey laughed and sipped his hot chocolate. "I don't know... maybe if you keep the cocoa coming, I might not take
all
your warmth."

Aleks scoffed. "Please, little thing like you?"

"You wait. My toes become ice cubes, as you are
so
going to find out tonight."

Aleks smiled. Yeah, he was. He was going to find out if Remey liked the left or the right side of the bed. If he slept on his side or his back. If he snored or not. All the beginnings of little things people in a... relationship should know.
A relationship.
It's what this was now, what it maybe had been for a while already.

He'd never been so glad for a snowstorm before.

* * * *

"So, I learned a few things last night," Aleks murmured in his ear, and Remey smiled, turning to face him, his hands tucked under his cheek. Aleks's alarm had gone off a few minutes earlier, and he'd hit the snooze button so they could spend a few more minutes curled in bed together.

"Like what?"

"Like you're a blanket-stealer," Aleks teased, his eyes still a little hazy with sleep, and Remey flushed, pushing at his chest under the pile of blankets they shared.

"I blame it entirely on the winters here. I've never stolen blankets before... that I know of anyway. What else did you learn?"

Aleks smiled, reaching up to trace Remey's cheek. "You're a snuggler. And also you're one of those people who falls asleep instantly and makes everyone else hate them. And now, I'm learning your bed-head is epic." Remey stuck out his tongue, and Aleks laughed and leaned in to press a quick kiss to his lips. "I think it's adorable, though. Willow's going to be up any second, so if you want to get dressed, go ahead."

Remey nodded, bracing himself as he pushed the covers off, reaching for his jeans. "God, it's cold. But at least it's not snowing." The morning sun was spilling in through the curtains, lighting up the bedroom, and Remey turned to face Aleks, his breath catching a little as he pulled his jeans on. Aleks was sitting up in bed, the white sheet pooled at his waist, his hair in a rumpled braid and his cheeks shadowed with stubble. Heart thumping, Remey thought it might be the most gorgeous sight he'd ever seen.

Aleks smiled at him and shifted over to Remey's side of the bed--oh, he liked the way that sounded--and held out his hand, kneeling on the mattress facing him. "C'mere."

Remey laughed, glancing at the bedroom door, then back at him. "Now, I don't know..."

Aleks made a mock fierce face at him. "Get over here."

Remey flushed and sighed, then came closer. "It is so not my fault if the baby walks in on something right now."

Aleks caught Remey's wrist and tugged him closer, arms sliding around him. "She won't. Give me a kiss. I can't not kiss you when you're standing there looking so fucking cute."

Remey smiled and leaned in, skimming his lips against Aleks's. "For the record, if you're going to
have
to kiss me every time I look cute, we might have a problem. I've been told I can be pretty freaking cute pretty often."

Aleks stole a deeper kiss before letting him go. "I wouldn't call it a problem." He slid out of bed and grabbed his pajama top and tugged his robe on after. Remey sighed.
Such a shame to cover up all that gorgeousness.

Remey shivered again. "Have I mentioned it's freaking cold?" Maybe if he dropped enough hints Aleks would drag him back into bed.

"You can use my spare robe. It'll take the heater a bit to catch up."

Darn, so much for his plan.

Remey smiled, sitting down on the edge of the bed to pull his socks on as Aleks got a second robe from a hook on the back of the door, passing it to him. He bundled into it, tying the warm flannel closed over Aleks's t-shirt and his own jeans. Remey grinned at Aleks, rubbing his cheek along the collar.

"Mmm, smells like you. I might have to steal it."

Aleks laughed and opened the bedroom door, shaking his head. "Oh, no, you don't. I can't exactly take one of yours in trade. You can go ahead down and get a cup of coffee while I wake Miss Willow. Coffee maker is on a timer. And nudge the heat up a little bit when you pass the thermostat. She hates cold mornings, too."

Remey nodded and pushed up on tiptoe to press a quick kiss to Aleks's cheek, padding downstairs in the oversized robe. In the kitchen, he rubbed his eyes against the light glaring in through the windows before peering out. It looked like a good eight inches of snow had fallen since last night, soft, fluffy and sparkling white. Sure enough, he could hear the faint sounds of plows clearing the streets.

After pouring two mugs of coffee, he added milk and sugar to his, then perched on one of the stools. He heard Aleks's footsteps overheard, then the bright, cheerful sound of Willow's voice, and his stomach flipped a little.
Oh, boy.
He hoped she didn't freak out and feel like Remey was invading her space.

His nerves didn't stop him from inwardly giggling at the conversation he overheard as they came down the stairs, though.

"An' I want juice an' flipjacks, Aleks... Daddy, and I want choc'late milk, 'kay, please? Is no school, Daddy?"

The sound of Aleks's chuckle drifted in, and Remey swore his heart got bigger every second. He loved them both so fucking much.

"No school today for either of us. We have a visitor for breakfast, though, so maybe you should ask him what he wants?"