Pucking Wild (Thin Ice #11)

Chapter Six

Tavey: Dad is headed out of town. Everything is quiet here, so I’m headed your way for two weeks.

Hugo: Thank God. I miss you.

Tavey: Same.

Hugo: I have an upcoming game in Toronto and then I’m off for a few days. Maybe I can stay with you?

Tavey: You never have to ask. My bed is yours too.

Tavey: My family throws a huge week-long celebration for Christmas every year. Storm says that’s a light week and will be here for most of it. I know you have your own family, but I’m still hoping you’ll come .

Hugo: My mom goes to her sister’s place in France every other Christmas. This is one of those years, so I’m free.

Tavey: I can’t wait.

Christmas with Tavey’s family was every bit as extravagant as Barrett and Storm’s wedding. People milled around, dressed to the nines and drinking the free booze. Hugo’s gaze kept finding Tavey in the crowd. He was like a diamond, standing out above the rest. His sexy, devilish smile had Hugo fighting back a prideful grin. Each time Tavey’s wicked eyes flashed his way, Hugo fought the urge to climb on the nearest table, point him out, and yell, “ That’s my man.”

A heavy hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed. Hugo turned his head to find Tavey’s dad. “Mr. Cattaneo. How are you?”

“Please. It’s Len, or Dad, if you prefer.”

Hugo couldn’t stop smiling. He genuinely liked Tavey’s family. In theory, he understood they were dangerous. When he was around them, they seemed like such good people. Very family-oriented.

“Come with me. I have something to show you.”

Hugo immediately set his drink aside and followed Len. He headed for the back door and then to the garage. A hint of nervousness set in. He had never truly been alone with Len. If the guy wanted to kill him, the garage seemed like a good place.

Len spoke over his shoulder as they headed inside. “You’ve been dating my son for a while now.” The lights automatically flared to life, shining brightly on his massive car collection.

Even though Hugo wouldn’t call six months a while, he understood it was damn near forever for Tavey and him, since they weren’t the type to date exclusively. “We have,” he agreed in the absence of anything else to say.

Len nodded while keeping his gaze locked on the wide range of vehicles. “I know it’s been hard with your busy schedule and the distance.” He finally met Hugo’s stare. “But I appreciate you not trying to lure my son away. I’ve already lost one son to the U.S. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t blame Storm. In his shoes, I’d never return to this town either. But I’m a father before all things, and I can’t watch a second son move away.”

Fuck. Hugo didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know where they were headed. Even though Hugo hoped they were forever, he had racked his brain a thousand times and hadn’t found their middle ground to deal with the distance.

Since he didn’t know how to respond, Hugo went with a truth he hadn’t shared with anyone. “I love him. He’s worth all the effort to me.”

A smile exploded across Len’s face. “Good. That’s good. I know Christmas isn’t officially until tomorrow, but this is the least disruptive time for me to give you a gift.”

“You don’t need to do that.”

Len made a dismissive gesture. “Nonsense. My son loves you and that means we do too. I recognize the sacrifice you make each time you come here and how difficult it must be to be somewhat trapped here when you visit. So,” he motioned toward a nearby dark blue and brand-new Bronco. “Merry Christmas. It can stay here, and I’ll make sure it’s maintained. That way, when you’re in town, you have a way around. When you finally make the move here, it’ll be yours to take to your new home. Or stay,” Len added. “We have no problem with you two living with us forever. His mother and I have the space and love it when our children are under our roof.”

“This is too much. I couldn’t possibly accept.” Hugo had never been more floored or horrified. No one had given him this expensive of a gift in his entire life. Now it was given to him by a goddamn mafia king. What would happen if his relationship with Tavey failed? Things were getting incredibly real.

Len slapped him across the back. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re one of the family now. My family doesn’t go without.”

Before Hugo had a chance to say anything that might ruin Len’s high opinion of him, Tavey strolled into the garage. “Oh, no. I wasn’t quick enough. That shocked expression means I missed everything.”

Len laughed. “He’ll adjust.” Len squeezed his shoulders. “Tavey has the keys. Take her for a spin. Merry Christmas.”

There were no words.

Len left them alone while Hugo still fought for how to react.

Tavey bumped shoulders with him. “Don’t look like that. Dad will be insulted if you don’t accept his gift.”

Hugo took a deep breath. His mind cleared a hair. “I’d never want to insult your dad. This is just…”

Tavey laughed. “If you plan to stick around, you’d better get used to it. He doesn’t know how to do anything half ass.”

“This makes the weekend away for a wine tasting that I got your parents look like a twenty-five-dollar gift card to a fast-food joint.”

A loud snort escaped Tavey. “When there’s nothing you can’t buy for yourself, it’s the thought and gesture that means the most. He’ll love it because you really thought about that one. You know how much they love a good wine tasting.”

“I love you.” The words just came out. Hugo didn’t try to take them back. He held Tavey’s stare and doubled down. “For real. A lot. You’re all I think about.”

“I know. No one would fight as hard to be with me as you do if they didn’t love me. I hope that makes you realize how much I love you too. Scheming to be with you is ninety-five percent of my day.” Something dark and almost sad passed over Tavey’s features. “There’s something I need to tell you. It’s not fair for you not to know.”

Hugo covered Tavey’s mouth with his, doing his best to steal Tavey’s every thought. He didn’t want confessions. Hugo already knew everything, and none of it mattered. He grabbed Tavey’s ass and hauled him forward, grinding against him. Like always, they were an immediate inferno.

“Fuck. I’ve never wanted so much from life.” Tavey’s confession had Hugo’s heart soaring. He felt the same. Nothing had made him contemplate the future the way Tavey did. He had always lived for the moment. Now all he did was scheme for ways to be right here, doing this.

Hugo backed Tavey against his new SUV. He cupped Tavey’s face so he couldn’t look away. “I know it must seem like all I want is your body with the way I can’t stop touching you. The truth is, I can never get close enough to satisfy this itch in my soul to be with you. Tell me you love me again. ”

“I love you.” He meant it. Love stared at Hugo.

Hugo leaned in and swiped his lips across Tavey’s. “I love you too, so ridiculously much.” He deepened his kiss, keeping things as sweet as possible. Hugo knew he couldn’t have Tavey right that second. A party raged inside and it was too important to Tavey’s dad. But his heart needed a few more minutes of this before returning to reality. He couldn’t get enough.

Christmas morning was a huge thing in his house. Grown or not, all kids were expected to be in their childhood bedrooms—with their spouse, if applicable—and ready for Tavey’s parents to wake them for present time. Along with the now grandkids, they sat around the tree in their pjs, opening gifts and drinking hot cocoa. This was nonnegotiable. An unbreakable tradition. Tavey loved it. Maybe they were a lot of things, but no one could say they didn’t love hard. Nothing mattered more to them than family. Tavey couldn’t stop watching Hugo. He fit in perfectly. It was like he had always been one of them. Tavey fully intended to marry him someday. He just hadn’t quite figured out how to make that work. It hurt his chest to think about being a part-time spouse. The way things stood; he didn’t know how to fix that part.

His parents raved over all their gifts, especially all the handmade things from Allison and Travis’ kids. It was fun having little ones tearing open paper. He hadn’t thought he wanted a family of his own. Every day, the idea grew larger. The youngest baby crawled Hugo’s way and plopped down on his lap. Hugo didn’t complain. He immediately entertained her. Tavey’s heart swelled. Hugo’s gaze moved his way for a moment. They held each other’s stare, and something solidified inside Tavey. He understood the way his family felt about their partners. Tavey had always been confused by their intensity and the way they centered everything around one person. He saw it now. There was no one else. Travis and Allison stood, gathering their kids for breakfast. Everyone headed for the kitchen, happily chatting. Hugo and Tavey never looked away from each other.

“This was amazing,” Hugo said the moment they were alone. “It’s like the perfect Christmas.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever realized how magical this day feels until you spent it with me.” Tavey was never fanciful. In the past, he would’ve laughed at the idea of him saying any such thing. With Hugo, he needed the guy to understand how powerful his presence was in Tavey’s life. He hadn’t known what he had been missing until he found it in Hugo.

“Next year, my mom will be back in the country.”

“Next year, you’ll bring her with you.”

Hugo laughed. His eyes swam with happiness. “You’re so bossy.”

Tavey shrugged. He crawled Hugo’s way. “Do you have a problem with that? If so, I haven’t noticed.”

Hugo never stopped smiling. “Obviously, I don’t.”

Tavey stole a kiss.

“Come on, guys. Travis might steal all the crepes if you don’t hurry. ”

Tavey chuckled against Hugo’s lips at Storm’s interruption and the litany of curse words that flowed from the distance where Travis denied the claim. He stood and pulled Hugo to his feet. “Come on. Storm isn’t joking. Travis will eat everything if we’re not fast enough.”

“I heard that.”

Tavey laughed harder at his twin’s claim. Hugo was part of the family now. This was forever.