It’s Christmas Everywhere But Here by Liam Grey Page B

enough the bags had been stuffed in full. Russ was properly emptying the last bag of groceries when Dave descended the stairs. The dark corduroy pants fit nicely, but the white sweater clinging to Dave’s torso and showing off every line was fucking fantastic. It contrasted with his skin, a darker tan than Russ remembered.
    “You okay?”
    Russ shook his head and tried to remember what the jar in his hand was. He found himself sliding his gaze back to Dave instead of reading the label. “Fine. Why?”
    “I dunno.” Dave sauntered across the kitchen, hips swaying. Russ licked his lips. “Maybe ’cause you’re breathing kinda heavy.”
    Dave was close enough now Russ could smell him. Russ put down the jar, hoping it hit the counter, and grabbed Dave’s hips. The cologne smelled so much better warmed on Dave’s skin. The scent when he sniffed the bottle or sprinkled it on Dave’s pillow was just a hollow mockery of the real thing.
    Russ paused and pulled back. The cologne wasn’t the only thing on Dave’s face.
    “You missed a spot.”
    “Hmm?”
    Russ licked his thumb before using it to scrub at the white crust on Dave’s cheek. Russ gasped when Dave turned his head, teeth closing on Russ’s finger. The bite became a gentle suck until Dave’s lips came free with a pop and a teasing hit of tongue. “I thought you’d licked it all off. So really, you missed a spot.” Dave’s arms closed around his waist, pulling their hips together.
    Russ accepted the kiss without acknowledging his guilt. “I wish we didn’t have to go,” he muttered against Dave’s lips. Russ closed his eyes and inhaled, toes curling from the scent. He released the captive breath reluctantly.
    “Are you sniffing me?”
    “Yes.” Russ stuck his nose by Dave’s neck and took another deep breath. “You smell almost as good as the sex felt.”
    “You missed smelling me.”
    “Yes.”
    Rough fingers caught in Russ’s hair. “I think I missed your snoring.”
    Russ coughed out a laugh. “Dork.”
    “Says the man sniffing me.”
    Russ contented himself with one last deep inhale of Dave’s scent. “We should go. Before they come looking.”
    “Sure.” Dave’s fingers pulled through Russ’s hair. “I’ll help you put those away.”
    They made quick work of the remaining groceries before grabbing coats and shutting off the lights. Russ shoved his wallet in his pocket and held the keys out. “Here.”
    “You drive.” Dave settled his jacket on his shoulders and headed out of the door.
    Russ scowled after him but paused to lock the door before following. Dave always drove. It had taken Russ months to get used to the SUV after his little two-door. Now he swung up into the truck with practiced ease. The truck started, Russ reached over to put his hand on Dave’s knee.
    “David?”
    “Yeah?”
    “Anything you need to talk about? I’ll listen.” Dave’s hand settled on his and wrapped tight. “And if you don’t think I can understand, I’ll drive you to the VA hospital.”
    His hand was pulled up, the palm lovingly kissed. “Thanks, lover. I just….” Russ looked over. Dave was leaning back in the seat, his head rolled to look out the window. “Not sure I should be driving just yet.”
    “Okay.” Russ squeezed the hand holding his.
    Dave turned to smile at him, broad and open and relaxed. “You make me strong, Russell, you know that?”
    “What? Me? You’re the soldier. You’ve done things I can’t even contemplate.” Russ squeezed Dave’s hand, the pounding in his chest sudden and uncertain.
    “You were there for me to come home to.” Dave tugged his hand, and Russ bent over the center console for a kiss. It deepened quickly, and Russ tilted until their foreheads touched.
    “We need to go. Before we’re back upstairs and meeting them for breakfast tomorrow.”
    “Is that a bad thing?”
    “No.” Russ pressed a chaste kiss against Dave’s lips before sitting back in the driver’s seat. “But I’m