Christmas Delights 3 (37 page)

"All right."  He gave in without a fight; he knew
Gene was being wise.  And he could wait.  He would wait.  "It's a
promise."

Gene tugged his gloves on a little harder, as if expecting
them to have ridden down since he'd put them on, but they hadn't; they'd stayed
in place.  He cast Rex a quick, shy smile.  "Don't make promises you can't
keep."

"I don't," said Rex, leaning nearer and giving him
a feral smile.  "Want to come home with me for some cocoa?"

Gene looked flattered but embarrassed.  "We're still
working together," he reminded Rex, giving him a playful nudge with
red-gloved fingers.

"Oh?  All I said was cocoa.  What were you
thinking?"

"Nothing!"  Gene ducked his head and blushed
harder than ever.

* * * * *

Now the December days counted down toward Christmas. 
Workmen pounded and sawed and hammered even more in earnest.  Everyone rushed
around, painting, hanging curtains, polishing wood, and finishing repairs. 
Gene at last was able to complete the moldings he'd often been unable to work
on earlier.  They came out looking elegant and stylish, more intricate and
beautiful than any Rex had ever seen before.  He wasn't certain how it worked,
but magic was clearly involved in making the delicate work so precise.

He and Gene had less time for coffee now, both consumed with
work and the last minute hurries.

The last few repairs were still taking place as Gene got the
decorators and decorations coordinated.  Floors were being polished even while
a few hammers still rang upstairs.  He had to have the door taken off to bring
the tree in, it was so huge, and workers swarmed around it, affixing blown
glass balls, cheerful ornaments, red velvet ribbons, and tall candles to the
branches.  Sometimes he stood back and surveyed it with satisfaction, but never
for long.  Always he had to hurry on to complete or organize or check on
something else.

The chimneys were finally clean.  The fireplaces had a
strong draw, and now he was able to burn coal in the rooms to keep the workers
warm while they did the fine finishing work.  He'd never have admitted it, but
he was extremely glad that he could finally keep Gene warm.  It meant a great
deal to him, as everything about Gene did lately.

The gasworks and plumbing were all in order, and the kitchen
fully furnished to feed an army.  Rex was ever so proud of the walls Gene had
decorated, and how they seemed to bring spring and summer into the kitchen.  He
hired the cooks and wait staff, and butlers and hat-check girls, and men to
park the carriages that would arrive.  He sent some invitations, hand-delivered
others, and through it all, he kept an eye on Gene whenever he could. 

The memory of the kiss still made him tingle, and even just
catching sight of Gene as they both hurried about their work was enough to
brighten any day.

* * * * *

"I didn't think it would ever be done," admitted
Gene, heaving a sigh and straightening up, putting his hands in the small of
his back. 

"Well, it is.  We did it," said Rex, giving him a
long, warm look.  "Does that mean you don't work for me now?"

He looked away quickly.  "Maybe, ah, maybe after your
party goes off without a hitch.  You'll have paid my family by then.  But we're
still working for you now, at least nominally, in case there are any
last-minute—"

"I could fire Mason and Sons," said Rex in a soft,
rumbling growl, moving closer.

"Don't.  I don't…want my family to be disappointed any
more on my behalf."  He edged away from Rex and looked at him, his
delicate mouth twitching a little, as if he wanted to say something more.  His
eyes said a great deal, even without words: they were full of wistfulness and
warm gratitude.

"All right.  I won't push you.  But just so you know, I
think you're good enough to be in business on your own, not just working as an
odd-jobs man for your family.  The molding work and restoration and ant removal
you do is all pretty impressive.  You don't think much of your talents from
what I can see, and tend to let others overshadow you.  But you're part of the
reason your family's company has such a good reputation.  I think you should
work for yourself, pick your own jobs, and get paid what you're worth."

"What makes you think I'm not paid what I'm worth
now?"  He blushed indignantly, straightening up to his full, slight
height.

"You always wear such raggedy clothes."  Rex
caught his sleeve and held it up, revealing the frayed cuffs of his familiar
red flannel shirt.

Gene blushed.  "It's just for work.  I have some good
clothes for other times."

"Oh?"  He smiled softly.  "Do you have a
suit?"

"Yes, I have a—."  He stopped, and looked at Rex. 
Blinked.

"Will you wear it and come to the Christmas party as my
guest?"

Gene didn't answer, but he nodded: at first hesitantly, and
then harder.

"Good.  Thank you."  Rex moved nearer, wanting to
embrace him—and maybe just share one more little kiss.

But Gene moved away, biting his lip, his eyes alight.  He
shook his head.  "Not yet, Boss.  I still work for you."

Rex gave a frustrated growl.  "Not for much longer, I
hope!"

* * * * *

His family arrived, and he had to put them all up, some in
the building, some who wanted more decadent surroundings and service in rooms
in the surrounding city.  The out-of-town guests started arriving.  This was
going to be a big party, a celebration for the clients who worked with the
family, and an introduction for the ones they wanted to woo. 

Personally he thought it was a bit of a waste of money, but
the financials didn't lie: every time they had a big party like this, they got
more business from it than they did at any other time of year.  And Christmas
was an especially important time socially and financially for the family,
apparently.  He had to admit he'd never understood it perfectly.  But he just
took their word on it and stuck with the things he knew how to do.  Sometimes
he found himself wishing he could find the time to help organize something that
had less to do with the banking business—a charity ball, perhaps.  Maybe
someday…

Christmas arrived, and he was on pins and needles.  Not
about the event; the adrenaline rush of hurrying was pleasant, and everything
was going off without any major hitches. 

No, he was on pins and needles about Gene.  Rex must've
looked at himself in the full-length mirror every time he passed it, trying to
adjust his tuxedo jacket or checking that his hair was in place.  He kept
finding flaws with his appearance and wondering if a beautiful man like Gene could
ever possibly see something worth liking in someone like Rex.  He looked like
he belonged in a factory or a field, not organizing events and dating a
beautiful, elegant man, even if said man did insist on wearing baggy clothes
that still never quite hid his attractiveness.

Rex stood at the entrance, greeting everyone who came,
trying to make them feel welcome and at ease, pointing out where to find
refreshments or seating or dancing.  He greeted every guest like an old friend,
and many of them, the ones who didn't socialize quite as much as his family,
looked so relieved to see a familiar face that they shook his hand with great
warmth. 

Some of the guests were older, and he knew they'd want to
sit down and rest a bit before socializing.  He was leading a Mrs. Zachel
gently toward one of the conveniently placed couches, letting her lean on him,
when he saw Gene.

At first he didn't even recognize the almost sinfully
beautiful, short, slim man standing on the threshold, looking around, quite
lost.  One of the hired butlers reached out to take his coat, and he looked up
quickly at the man, opening his mouth to say, "Yes, thank you." 

It rushed across Rex like a bucket of cold water: Gene.  And
he was even more beautiful than Rex had known.  He'd appreciated the Gene of
flannel shirts and workman boots; this man looked like a prince or a fae,
someone too beautiful to be loved by a mere man.  It made Rex's throat
painfully tight to realize he'd been this beautiful all along.  Rex had been a
fool to think he ever had a chance with him.

Mrs. Zachel glanced up at him with concern.  "Are you
all right, young man?" she asked in her strongly accented voice. 

He nodded and gave her a smile.  "I'm sorry.  I was
just distracted."

"That young man could distract anyone."  She gave
him a wink so quick he wasn't certain if he'd seen it or not.  He got her
seated and comfortable, and talked with her for another few moments, before
heading back to the door, giving Gene time to move away.

His greeting duties soon consumed him, and he lost track of
Gene's whereabouts.  Consequently, he was entirely surprised when a soft voice
spoke by his ear.  "Aren't you going to greet me?"

Rex startled and turned to look down at Gene.  The beautiful
magician, hair neatly combed, tuxedo fitting him perfectly, smiled up at Rex
shyly.  His eyes seemed to glow with warm affection.  "It's good to see
you," he said quietly, putting a hand on Rex's arm.  "You clean up
well."

Rex cleared his throat.  "Look who's talking."

Gene smiled and ducked his head.  "Thanks.  I ought to
admit, this is rented.  I didn't have anything good enough to wear after
all."

"Well, we'll be careful not to spill champagne on
it," promised Rex.  He wasn't nearly so intimidated now they were
talking.   Gene was still the same gentle, unassuming man he knew.  Rex put a
hand on his arm and squeezed gently.  "Let me finish greeting everyone,
and then we'll have some champagne, all right?"

Gene nodded, his eyes warm and bright as he gazed at Rex's
face, as if he saw something there he liked and wanted to keep seeing. 
"Or we could have a coffee."  His mouth quirked in a teasing smile.

"We'll have lots of time for coffee," said Rex
softly.  "As long as you'll give me." 

He still wanted Gene, desperately and for the rest of his
life. 
How can I know that from one kiss?  And is it just because he's so
damned beautiful?  But I don't think so…. 

Maybe he would understand someday.  At present, Gene melted
back into the crowd and left him to finish his task of making everyone feel as
welcome as he could.

* * * * *

"You're very good at this."  Gene held out a glass
of champagne and smiled at him affectionately.  "Do you really just work
for your family?"

"Well, yes, but—"

"I bet you could do it for a business.  You're very
good, you know.  You could become known for organizing parties and events.  You
wouldn't have to ride their coattails.  You might even make more money."  

Rex opened his mouth to say something, then shut it. 

Gene's eyes twinkled up at him.  "Yes?"

He shook his head.  "That's what I was doing to you,
wasn't I?  I'm sorry.  It should be your decision."  He took the glass
carefully. 

Gene shook his head.  "I'm teasing you, but…I meant
what I said—and I think you were right about me, too.  I've been afraid to try
on my own, but…maybe I could do the sort of work that I'm best at, instead of
always feeling like a failed worker at what I'm not skilled at."  He smiled
up at Rex shakily but triumphantly.  "So I'm going to try.  I already told
my father, and…he didn't take it the way I thought he would.  He said, 'good
for you.'  I thought he'd be really mad if I ever left the business, but he
seemed like he didn't mind at all.  So I'm going to focus on moldings and pest
removal.  There are a lot of moldings and pests in the city."  He raised
his own glass and took a delicate sip, watching Rex over the rim.  "How
about you?" he asked.

"Huh?"  He'd gotten distracted watching that
perfect mouth, and had to shake himself out of his reverie.  "What?"

Gene looked a little shy and a little sad now.  "Did
you forget?  You…were flirting with me, and we said…we said when I wasn't
working for you anymore, well, maybe we'd—we'd want to date."  He looked
at Rex sadly, and shook his head.  "You changed your mind, didn't you?  Is
it because I'm not 'manly' enough?  Or did I imagine the whole thing and you
were just being…friendly?  You can tell me; I should know."

Shocked, Rex took his arm and led him out of the way. 
"What are you talking about?  Of course I wasn't just being friendly!  I
kissed you, didn't I?  And no, I didn't change my mind!  I'd love to date you. 
I…I think I've…I've fallen for you.  I just want to spend every minute with
you.  But you're so gorgeous…so perfect.  How could you even look at someone
like me?  And what do you mean you're not manly?  I surely don't see a woman
when I look at you."  He squeezed Gene's arm gently.

"You…think I'm…you really…?"  Gene's gaze
brightened, and he blinked, looking startled but pleased.  His smile grew big. 
"Then…you still really want a relationship with me."

"Yes."  Rex held his arm firmly and nodded. 
"Yes.  Very much.  I don't want to rush or push you, but by hell,
yes."

"Oh."  Gene's eyes looked a little damp. 
"I—thank you."  He took a quick drink of his champagne, as if to
cover his emotion.

"Don't thank me.  Just say you'll consider it!  I know
I'm not terribly attractive, but I care about you a great deal, and I promise
I'll be faithful to you and not push you, about business or anything else. 
You'll be safe with me, and…and you'll have my love, for as long as you want
it.  If you think you can put up with a man like me, you'll make me so very
happy."

Gene laughed a little, almost choking on his drink.  "I
already said yes.  Don't make me cry!  And…and you're not, you know. 
Unattractive.  You're…"  He cleared his throat.  "Very
attractive," he finished awkwardly, trying not to stare at Rex's chest. 
His cheeks were bright red.