Christmas at Bennett’s (Breakfast at Bennett’s #4.5)

10. Colby

CHAPTER 10

COLBY

Milo looked so good that Colby was loath to leave the house. He could easily spend a lazy Christmas Eve in the house worshiping his boyfriend. But Milo, of course, had other plans.

Their car was stuffed with gifts for Gino, for the girls he used to do drag with. For the women at the shelter and their kids. Milo had been burning the candle at both ends to try and get everything done. Colby had stepped in where he could and done as much as possible to lighten Milo’s load, but his boyfriend had a hard time letting go of control.

Colby admired Milo’s heart and the way that it never seemed too full to add another person, another cause, another task for someone. But Milo had worked himself far too hard this holiday season and Colby was determined to make things a little easier for him. Starting today.

“Where are we going? We were supposed to meet Gino at his place. I have a schedule to keep.” Milo opened his phone and pulled up the timeline he’d carefully created to give him enough time to make all his stops today like some super gay Santa.

“We’re taking a little detour. Trust me.”

Milo let out a breath. “I do trust you. But I have a schedule, Colby. We can’t deviate or I won’t have time to get everything done.”

At a stop sign, Colby took his hand off the wheel and squeezed Milo’s leg. “I promise that everything will work out.”

Milo took another deep breath and held it before he let it rush out of him. “Fine. I trust you.” Milo tucked his phone away and ran his hands up and down his thighs. He spent the next few minutes shifting in his seat.

When he realized where they were going, he shot Colby an incredulous look. “The gym? Colby, I don’t have time—” Milo paused mid-sentence, taking in the number of cars in the parking lot. “Why is it so busy?”

Colby wondered if Milo had clocked the closed sign on the door yet. He pulled into a parking space near the doors and turned the engine off. “Come on.”

“Colby…”

“Just get out of the car, Milo.” Colby grinned and hopped out of the car. He jogged around to the passenger side and pulled the door open for Milo, who seemed to be piecing together Colby’s surprise.

“Come on, they’re waiting.” Colby took Milo’s hand and tugged him inside.

Christmas music played in the background. There was a tree set up in the lobby and a sign directing them to the portion of the gym that was open and free of equipment. Everyone was waiting for Milo and when they walked into the room, they shouted “Merry Christmas!” instead of “Surprise!”

“What is all this?” Milo asked Colby even as Gino showed up wearing an antler headband and a necklace that looked like blinking Christmas lights.

“Colby told us how hard you’ve been working, and how stretched thin you were.” Gino sent Colby an approving smile before he turned back to Milo and arched his eyebrow. “A schedule, Milo. Are you serious?”

“It was efficient.”

“It was insane.” Gino pulled him into a hug.

Milo looked at Colby over Gino’s shoulder. “I can’t believe you did all this.”

“We did all this,” Colby corrected. “Everyone pitched in.”

Gino released Milo, but linked their arms. “The girls from the club picked up the girls from the shelter, and we all met here earlier to decorate. There’s food and music and we’re going to do a gift exchange.”

“That reminds me. I’d better get the stuff out of the car.” Colby pressed a kiss to Milo’s cheek. “I’ll be right back. Go say hello to your adoring fans.”

Colby slipped out of the gym and unlocked the car. He was reaching for the gift bags when he heard his name. He turned to the sight of Milo barreling toward him, a huge smile on his face. Colby opened his arms and Milo crashed into him. The sparkle had returned to his eyes and Colby could tell the pressure was off him now. He seemed lighter already.

“I can’t believe you did all this for me.”

“They all love you,” Colby said. “Not as much as I love you, but they’re close.”

Colby leaned in and captured Milo in a kiss. He’d never get over how soft Milo’s lips were, how good he always smelled, and how lucky he was to have someone so wonderful in his life.

“You are, without a doubt, the best thing to ever happen to me, Colby Bennett.” Milo kissed Colby again, slow and teasing. His tongue dipped into Colby’s mouth only to withdraw as he retreated from the kiss. “I’ll help with the bags.”

Milo ducked into the car and grabbed some of the bags, leaving Colby standing there and willing his dick to go down.

Surrounded by all his friends, Milo was in his element. Instead of rushing around town to see everyone, he was able to mingle and take his time enjoying their company.

Colby stayed by his side for most of it, only stepping away a couple times to bring new appetizers out of the fridge in the staff room. No one seemed to mind that the drinks were all non-alcoholic and everyone seemed to have a good time. Milo, most of all.

He went around and handed out all the gifts he’d bought. Most were little things. He hadn’t wanted to be extravagant, but Colby still thought his boyfriend went a bit overboard.

When all of Milo’s gifts had been handed out, Colby wrapped his arms around him from behind. He nuzzled Milo’s neck and pressed a kiss below his ear.

“There’s one more present to hand out.”

Milo looked around and muttered under his breath, counting off everyone he’d given a present. “They all got their gifts.” Milo sounded perplexed.

“Everyone except for you,” Gino said, pulling a red envelope out of his back pocket. Milo’s name was scrawled across the front in glittering gold calligraphy.

Milo took the envelope and flipped it over. “A real wax seal? Fancy.”

Colby watched Milo carefully pop the seal, managing to do it without breaking the seal itself.

“Everyone chipped in,” Gino explained when Milo pulled out the gift certificate for a day at the local spa. Manicure. Pedicure. Facial. Massage. The works.

“This is too much!” The gift certificate trembled in Milo’s hands. He turned it over, looking at the back, then turned it over again. “I?—”

“We love you, Milo,” Gino said. “Everyone here loves the shit out of you. And we want you to take a day that’s just for you and relax. You do so much for everyone. For the girls at the club and the ones at the shelter. Let us do this for you.”

Milo nodded and tucked the certificate back in the envelope. “Thank you. I don’t actually have words for how much this means to me.”

Milo turned and looked at Colby over his shoulder. “Thank you.”

Colby might have responded, but one of the drag queens came over and put a glittery tiara on Milo’s head, declaring him the queen of the party, the belle of the ball, and whisked him away for a dance.

Colby danced with Gino. And then one of the drag queens. One of the girls who used to live at the shelter had come by and Colby danced with her too. Finally, after several dances, Colby was able to cut in and steal Milo, who draped his arms over Colby’s shoulders.

“I hope you’re not too mad that I derailed your schedule.”

Milo brushed a kiss against Colby’s lips. “Fuck the schedule. This was so much better.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

Milo leaned in closer. “I kind of want to go home now.”

His fingers raked through Colby’s hair, sending shivers down his spine. “I’d really like to be alone with you,” Milo purred.

“Soon. I promise.”

Soon wasn’t soon enough as far as Colby was concerned, but within the hour, the majority of the guests had left and Colby had cleaned up most of the mess. There hadn’t been much. A trash bag of drink cups and disposable plates went to the dumpster out back. Gino stayed to help fold up the tables, but soon it was just Milo and Colby alone in the gym. The music still played softly in the background and the lights Colby had decorated the windows with glittered and sparkled.

“Dance with me?” Milo asked, sliding his arms around Colby’s waist.

Colby was already stepping to the music, a slow sway of hips and a gentle shuffle of feet, like they were in high school at a dance and that was the only thing they knew how to do.

“I thought you wanted to get me alone?” Colby teased, unable to look away from Milo’s eyes. Eyes that twinkled with amusement.

“We are alone.” Milo’s kiss was soft and sweet, just like he was. “Mission accomplished.”

He pressed himself up against Colby and rested his head on Colby’s chest, humming along with the Christmas carol that played. He was quiet for the duration of the song, then shifted to look at him as they kept swaying to a new song.

“I don’t know if I’ve told you lately how much I love you,” Milo said.

“You have, but I won’t ever get tired of hearing it.” Colby grinned at him. His heart full to bursting, his chest felt almost tight with the realization that he’d love Milo forever. That his feelings for Milo had only gotten bigger and deeper over time and would continue to do so.

Colby wanted to take Milo home and take him apart. Strip him bare and kiss every inch of skin. But home felt so far away and Milo was so close to him. Colby buried his face in the curve of Milo’s neck and let his hands slide down Milo’s back. Cupping Milo’s ass, Colby drew him closer.

“What are you doing?” Milo asked, even as he tilted his head to give Colby better access to his neck.

“I’m kissing my boyfriend.” Colby felt Milo’s cock press against his thigh and he pulled Milo still closer, held him tighter and ground against him.

“Feels like you’re doing more than kissing.” Milo’s voice was thick with lust. “Should we be doing that here?”

“Well, let me ask the owner.” Colby paused. “I asked him and he gave me permission to do whatever I want. Maybe not in front of the big windows, though, but the owner has a couch in his office that he said we could use.”

Milo laughed and tried to step back, but Colby followed him and chased his mouth until he captured it. Milo moaned into his mouth, but pulled away again.

“As much as I love the gym, I’d rather be home with you.” Milo leaned in and kissed the corner of Colby’s mouth. “I hope that’s okay.”

“It’s more than okay. Besides, home is wherever you are.” Colby kissed him again, but told his silly dick to stand down. “If you get the car warmed up, I’ll shut everything down and be out in a minute or two.”

Milo kissed him again, looking tired, but happy and far more relaxed than Colby had seen him all month. “I can do that.”

Milo turned and slipped out of the building. Colby took a breath and looked around at the gym. There would still be some tidying up to do on Boxing Day before they opened, but it wasn’t anything that couldn’t wait. Colby turned the lights out, set the alarm, and locked the door. He had full intentions of taking his boyfriend home and finishing what they started.

He hopped in the driver’s seat and noticed Milo staring at him with a sappy expression on his face.

“Merry Christmas, Colby.” Milo leaned across the seat and kissed him, long and far too indecent for a public parking space. When he pulled away, Colby was breathless, but Milo seemed unaffected. “Take me home.”