A Holiday to Remember Read online

  A Holiday to Remember

  Copyright (c) 2016 by Felice Stevens

  Copy Edited by Flat Earth Editing

  All rights reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Felice Stevens at www.felicestevens.com.

  Published in the United States of America

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  This is a 6600 word short story, originally published in Felice Steven’s newsletter.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER

  THE END

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  A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER

  “How many friends are you having at your party?”

  Certain he must have misheard her, Marcus gazed down at Lillie walking at his side, her coal-black curls bouncing around her shoulders.

  “Only ten.”

  He stopped so abruptly, she let go of his hand and kept walking without him. Afraid she might get lost in the crowds milling about on Broadway, Marcus called out to her.

  “Lillie! Wait a sec.” He hurried over to her and once again grabbed her hand. Always annoyingly crowded on a regular Saturday afternoon, the city held little appeal for him, especially midtown. Now with the holidays approaching and the store windows decorated, the sidewalks were wall-to-wall people. “There are too many people and I don’t want to lose you.”

  “I wasn’t going anywhere.” But she sidled closer and held his hand a bit tighter and Marcus’s heart did that funny squeeze in his chest. The one that made it impossible for him to imagine his life without Tyler and Lillie in it any longer. In the beginning it scared him to death, but now, waking up every morning with Tyler so warm and so real next to him, he knew he couldn’t live any other way. The emotion both amazed and terrified him.

  “Now tell me again. I’m having ten five-year-old girls invade my apartment for a sleepover? Did I hear you right?”

  “Don’t worry. Grandma Cheryl is coming over and we’re going to have a beauty party.” Having Zach’s mother to keep watch helped his stress level a bit, but he still got hives just thinking about it. She gave him a sunny smile he couldn’t help returning. “We’re going to paint our nails. You can too if you want to.”

  “Uh, thanks, but been there, done that, sweetheart. I’m good for now.”

  They stopped in front of Macy’s and admired the windows. Marcus placed her on his shoulders and walked her up and down so she could see the different scenes. With longing he thought of Tyler, wishing he could be with him, knowing it would be hours before his Saturday morning lessons were finished. Damn. he couldn’t even text Zach; he and Sam were in Florida with Sam’s mother this week and wouldn’t be coming back until right before New Year’s Eve. And Julian had deserted him as well, giving Nick a surprise Christmas present: a trip to Italy to show him where he’d lived and studied design when they’d been separated.

  Shifting Lillie on his shoulders so she could get a better view, Marcus wondered how he, out of all his friends, had ended up Mr. Domestic, with a child.

  “Marcus?”

  “Yes, sweetie?”

  “I’m hungry. Can I get a pretzel?”

  “You bet.”

  He picked her up off his shoulders and snuggled her close, delighting in her explosion of giggles. In times like these Marcus didn’t give a fuck what anyone else thought; not his staff at Sparks who loved to tease him about being a family man, or the men who tried to get into his pants and called him a loser when he brushed them off. None of them knew the completeness Tyler brought to him, how he’d helped him through the darkness when he still believed himself inadequate. Falling in love with Tyler had given him a life he hadn’t known existed. A full life, one of joyful thrills and everyday experiences that became new and fresh when shared with Ty. Because a life without love, Marcus had learned this past year, wasn’t a life lived at all.

  They picked up their pretzels from the cart on the corner of 34th St. and Broadway, and Marcus also got a bag of the smoky-sweet roasted chestnuts.

  “Marcus?”

  “Yes, Lillie-bug? You’re full of questions today, aren’t you?” He gazed at her as she ate a pretzel almost as big as the circumference of her face.

  “Why aren’t you and Uncle Ty getting married?”

  Shocked into silence for a moment, Marcus gave a weak laugh. “Uh, I don’t know. I’m not sure we need to. We’re happy like this.” Hopefully that would be a good enough answer. Because in truth, sometimes Marcus wondered if Tyler wanted to get married but, too afraid to bring up the subject himself, Marcus let it slide. Marriage had never been a goal for him, especially after his miserable childhood. But Ty was different. Tyler was a man worth keeping. Forever.

  “But I want daddies. I don’t wanna call you Uncle Marcus and Uncle Ty forever. You’re not like my other uncles.”

  There went that word again. Forever. But it didn’t make his skin crawl like it did in his youth. It sat well with him and sometimes without Tyler knowing, Marcus thought about buying a beach house for them out on Long Island, near Zach and Julian’s houses. Putting down roots with Tyler didn’t scare him.

  “Maybe one day, who knows?”

  “I know Uncle Ty wants to. I heard him talking to Austin at the dance studio.”

  That kid again? He knew Austin had a crush on Ty but thought he’d scared him straight. “What did he say?”

  “Austin asked if you and Uncle Ty were ever gonna get married and Uncle Ty looked sad and said he’d like to but he didn’t think you’d ever want to. And Austin said that wasn’t fair.”

  Not fair. He’d like to show that kid what not fair looked like. Marcus had visions of Austin sailing out into the back alley behind the dance studio with the print of Marcus’s foot on his ass.

  “Don’t worry, honey. I’m not going anywhere. Ever.” He chucked her under the chin. “Promise.”

  Her dubious return smile indicated she didn’t believe him, but luckily she ended that conversation. They walked along the street, swinging their hands when she stopped in front of a children’s boutique. “Can we stop here? I wanna get a party dress.”

  Wincing at the prospect of the time spent inside with screaming children, Marcus looked into Lillie’s big blue eyes and as usual his resistance crumbled. “Okay. But we can’t stay too long. We have to pick up Uncle Ty at the dance studio then go home and get the apartment ready for your friends.”

  He’d hoped to be able to sneak away for a surprise weekend with only him and Ty sometime this month, but with their babysitter busy, they didn’t trust someone they didn’t know to watch Lillie for a whole weekend. Even Micah and Josh had plans, something about taking their grandmothers away. Recalling the early days of their relationship when Tyler still worked at Sparks and the spectacular sex they’d had in his office, Marcus longed to be alone with Tyler that way again, if only for a stolen weekend. Tonight he’d make sure to sneak in some quality time with Ty after the girls went to sleep.

  While waiting for Lillie to decide which dress she wanted, Marcus saw some costume jewelry in the showcase by the register. An idea popped into his head and he had the salesperson put aside a few additional things to purchase. One hour and several party dresses later, since Lillie couldn’t make up her mind and Marcus was rapidly losing his, he and Lillie were on their way back home. He’d texted Ty to let him know they were dropping stuff off at home before picking him up, but hadn’t heard back from him. The poor guy had been running in
opposite directions teaching at public schools, getting his dance studio off the ground and somehow, rehearsing for the Off-Broadway show Rapunzel, where he played the prince. That was another reason he wanted to take Tyler away. The man needed to slow down and Marcus knew a weekend alone, where they wouldn’t even get out of bed if he had anything to say about it, would be the cure. With those plans thwarted for this weekend at least, the best he could do was a nice bubble bath, a sexy massage and a whole lot of lovemaking.

  The cab pulled up in front of his building and after paying the driver, Marcus took the bags out of the trunk and lugged them through the lobby and inside the elevator. Lillie’s excited chatter washed over him and he longingly thought of his bed and a stiff drink, not necessarily in that order. His phone buzzed with a text from Tyler.

  “See you soon.”

  Not soon enough. Marcus unlocked the door to the apartment and dropped the bags. There, with a big grin on his face stood Tyler, with not only their babysitter, Angela, but Micah and Josh’s sitter, Faith as well.

  “Ty? What’s going on? Why is everyone here? What are you doing home? What’s wrong?”

  “Uncle Marcus, you’re funny. That’s like a thousand questions.” Lillie giggled, but for once he didn’t pay attention. His concentration remained solely on Tyler.

  “Do you have something to tell me?”

  The glint in Tyler’s eyes signaled whatever he was about to say, Marcus was going to like it. A lot.

  “Change of plans.” Tyler walked over to him and slid his hand around the nape of his neck. And at his touch, everyone else faded to black.

  “What do you mean? Lillie said she’s got ten friends coming for a sleepover.”

  Tyler kissed his cheek. “She is. Only it’s not here. She’s having her party at a sleepover in the American Girl Store. The producer of the show I’m working on arranged it for me. We’ll take Lillie there and then Angela, Faith and Cheryl will stay with them the whole night. Believe me, we’re neither needed nor wanted.”

  Heat rolled through him. “So,” he said, sliding his arms around Tyler’s waist. “We have the night all to ourselves?” Visions of him and Tyler naked in bed played through his mind and from Tyler’s answering grin, Marcus knew his thoughts ran along the same track.

  “It’s only appropriate, don’t you think? It’s our anniversary. One year since Lillie and I moved in and you told me you loved me.”

  “Yeah? Only a year? It feels like forever.”

  “I’m not sure how to take that. Good or bad?” But Marcus knew Tyler joked with him from the way he nestled in Marcus’s arms, molding that lithe muscular body to his.

  “I feel as though I’ve loved you forever,” said Marcus in a voice meant only for Tyler. “And tonight I’m going to show you.”

  “Hold that thought for an hour or so.” Tyler kissed his lips.

  Marcus didn’t care who saw; he needed Tyler. Taking Tyler’s face between the palms of his hands he ran his nose down his cheek, nuzzling close, breathing in his familiar scent. He brushed his lips gently across Tyler’s, hearing his breath quicken, feeling him tremble.

  “One hour is my limit,” he murmured into Tyler’s ear. “I’ve been a nice boy all morning, and now I’m ready to be very, very naughty.”

  Tyler shook with laughter in his arms. “I’m counting on it.”

  * * * *

  “Lillie looked happy don’t you think?” Tyler unwound his scarf and unzipped his jacket. After teaching all morning, it felt good to be home and alone with Marcus. They hadn’t been alone in a very long time.

  “She couldn’t get rid of us fast enough.” Marcus stretched out on the sofa and held his hand out. “Come here and lie next to me. I’d feel insulted at being dumped so easily except for one thing.”

  An ache of longing rolled through Tyler and after toeing off his sneakers he walked over to Marcus. How different life can be from one year to the next. Tyler marveled at the changes of the past year and what Marcus had brought him. A sense of home. Someone to trust. Most of all, love.

  “What’s that?” Lacing his fingers with Marcus, he knelt at his side, staring at the face of the man he loved waking up to each morning. Every day with Marcus had proven more special than the one before. Those who thought they knew Marcus Feldman and believed he couldn’t be faithful had no clue who he truly was. A sweet, warm and outrageously generous man. And now that Marcus had given his heart to Tyler, it belonged to him, and Tyler had no intention of ever letting it go.

  “I’m hoping I’ll get a private show. With you no longer working at the club and having your own studio to practice at, I rarely get to see you dance anymore.” A hungry expression darkened those marvelous, violet eyes, unfurling an answering pulse of need within Tyler. “I miss seeing you move.”

  “Oh yeah? You want me to dance for you, huh?”

  Marcus answered with a quirk of a dark brow and Tyler thought hard for a moment before striding over to the sound system. He searched for a moment then hit the button. A pulsating beat filled the apartment and he spun around, hips already rolling. He walked back over to Marcus and slowly unzipped his hooded sweatshirt, and smoothed his hands all over his body, teasing Marcus. Fire burned in Marcus’s avid gaze, spurring Tyler on and he tossed the sweatshirt over his shoulder and ran his hand over his stomach, lifting up the thin white T-shirt to expose his bare skin.

  “Like what you see?” How he managed to keep his voice steady when every nerve ending sizzled in his body, Tyler had no clue.

  Marcus sat up and swung his feet to the floor, spreading his legs wide. A lazy grin teased his lips. “I’d like it better if I could touch.”

  A sliding step took Tyler closer and he leaned in, rocking his pelvis in front of Marcus’s face. There was no hiding his erect cock, rising up thick and strong under his sweatpants. Marcus reached out to grab at his hips but Tyler spun away. Half the fun was the chase and Tyler planned on having quite a bit of fun tonight.

  “Get back over here.” That sensual growl in Marcus’s voice sent a shiver down Tyler’s spine but he kept just out of reach. In one swift move, he dragged the T-shirt up and over his chest and flung it to the floor, all the while pumping his hips to the beat. He turned to give Marcus a view of his ass while he shimmied down low to the ground then back up and around to face him once again. Tyler splayed a hand across his naked stomach while he cupped his crotch and again sank down to the floor then back up again.

  “Uh uh,” said Tyler shaking his head. Without taking his eyes off of Marcus he hooked his fingers into the sides of his sweatpants and drew them down, taking his briefs with them until he stood fully naked before Marcus. Tyler planted his feet wide and swayed from side to side, his heavy cock leaking from the head. He stroked himself, humming to the music, undulating his hips, eyes half-lidded, heavy with the lust building within his body. He wanted Marcus and stretched out his hand to him as he danced.

  Marcus stood and rapidly shed his own clothes until he too stood naked. Their hands touched and Tyler wound his arms around Marcus’s neck, pressing their erect cocks together, the tantalizing friction sending frissons of excitement through him. Marcus trailed a hand down the curve of his spine to the top of his ass and Tyler spun away to drape himself over Marcus’s back. He pressed kisses down his torso, licking at the smooth skin until he reached the shadowed cleft of his ass. Marcus spread his legs wide in a silent invitation.

  “I need you, please. I’ve missed you lately.” Marcus’s whisper warmed his heart. He sensed something different tonight about Marcus; a desperation to connect beyond the physical level. Every night, Marcus said how much he wanted him, but Tyler didn’t often hear how much Marcus needed him. He led Marcus back to the sofa and sat him down but remained standing.

  “You’ve got me. In our bed, and when you’re inside me. With you and beside you. Every day I find myself falling more in love with you, more than I thought possible and I wonder how I got so lucky.” Tyler crouched to his knees, gazing do
wn at Marcus, loving him so much his heart hurt, suddenly shy that he’d come on too hard, too strong. Even after a year, he wasn’t quite sure how Marcus would react.

  “That’s funny, because I feel like the lucky one.”

  Brushing back the sleek dark hair that fell over Marcus’s eyes, Tyler wished he could always see the Marcus who lay beneath him: eyes bright with passion, a smile on his lips and a smooth brow free of pain.

  “You do?”

  Marcus pulled him so close their foreheads touched and their breaths mingled together. “Where would I be without you? Alone even if I was with someone. Unloved no matter the lies spoken to get into my bed. Unnecessary...useless. Nothing mattered until you showed me the way back to life.”

  Overcome, Tyler brushed his lips across Marcus’s, too shaken to speak. He laced their fingers together, hands tight in a lovers’ knot while he trailed kisses down Marcus’s jawline, and sucked at his neck until he writhed beneath him on the sofa. With every kiss and touch, Tyler took Marcus apart inch by inch. He swirled his tongue around Marcus’s pointed nipples, then licked a hot wet path down his abdomen until he reached his beautiful stiff dick and lapped at the silky liquid gleaming at the tip.

  With Marcus’s sighs of pleasure echoing in the air, Tyler let go of Marcus’s hands to hold his legs apart. He dipped low to take Marcus’s cock deep down his throat, flattening his tongue as he sucked down his shaft. The heady scent of Marcus filled him and he swirled his tongue around the head, licking and lapping up Marcus’s juices. He couldn’t get enough of this man. And as he swallowed his cock, he slid a finger, wet from his mouth and Marcus’s pre-come, into Marcus’s hole, feeling the velvety wet heat suck him tight.

  “Oh fuck, yeah,” said Marcus, panting out his pleasure, opening his legs further apart.

  “Love you, the way you taste and feel in my mouth.” Tyler sank another finger deep inside Marcus. “Feel good now?”

  “Oh baby, always. Only with you.”

  No more talking. With one hand pistoning in and out of Marcus’s hole, his fingers tapping his gland, Tyler resumed sucking Marcus’s cock until he began to shake and tremble beneath him. With a howl, Marcus came hard, spilling hot and heavy down Tyler’s throat. He took it all and when Marcus finally lay still, his body twitching only slightly, Tyler released him and sat back on his heels, loving the blissed-out expression on his face.