RR-CDA (9 page)

“You mean I won’t be able to show you my manliness by chopping down a tree?” Owen’s pout was cute and fleeting. “Fine. We better get looking before any more stragglers show up. So what kind are you looking for?” Owen stepped into him again, bumping their shoulders. “I didn’t even see your living room so I have no idea on size and stuff.”

Cole was thankful for the cold, because the memory of Owen on his knees got him flustered. “I don’t like anything too big.”
Just bartenders.
“Around six feet tall is good.”
And six inches long.

It was strange walking through the sparse rows with Owen. For all the hesitations he’d felt about bringing Steven here, none of those reservations crossed his mind now. Weird.

“Oh, this looks good.” Owen bounded down a row that possessed more stumps than trees. “It’s only a little crooked.”

“That’s . . . pathetic.”

Owen grinned. “It’s a little thin, but nothing that can’t be covered up. How much garland do you have?”

The branches looked as though someone had grabbed hold and yanked half of the needles off. “I don’t think even Charlie Brown would take that one home.”

“Less for you to clean up in the end.” Owen walked around it, peering through the branches. “I’m sure all we need to do is look around and . . . Oh.”

Cole frowned and came over. “Oh what?”

The second he stepped into the space between the trees, Owen pulled him by the shoulders until their chests were flush.
He’s going to kiss me.
His lips parted and his eyes threatened to close, until he realized Owen wasn’t actually looking at him. The next moment he was spun around and facing away from Owen.

“That one.” Owen’s voice was soft in his ear. The nearness made him shiver and he wanted to press his head against the side of Owen’s. “It’s perfect.”

What?

He blinked when he realized that Owen was talking about a tree. “I don’t . . .”

Then he saw it.

Shorter than the one Owen initially identified, this tree was hidden from the path by two crooked ones. If they hadn’t been standing in that exact spot, neither of them could have seen it. The branches were full and the trunk straight, even if it wasn’t overly tall. It would fit flawlessly into the corner of his living room by the window and was just big enough to support all of his decorations. And Owen had found it.

“That really is perfect.”

That was the natural cue for him to step forward and claim his tree. It would mean stepping away from Owen’s body, the solid mass currently pressed to his back. It would also mean moving away from the brush of warm breath against his cheek, leaving behind their little secluded spot that wrapped them in pine scent and sunshine.

“Cole?” He heard Owen swallow.

“Yeah?” What the hell was the matter with him? They were here to get a tree, not rub against one another like two teenagers in heat.

“Is this a rebound thing?”

“I think so.” There was no point in lying to Owen or to himself.

“But once we bring your tree back to your place and put it up, we can have sex? I’m not taking advantage of you, or leading you on?”

“Yes to sex. No to taking advantage.”

“This doesn’t make me an asshole? Because I don’t want you to think of me that way. I also had bowling on my list of things to distract you.”

Cole burst out laughing as he turned. “Bowling?”

Owen shrugged. “I like to bowl. Playing with balls. Sex works too.”

Without caring about who would see, Cole leaned in and placed a soft kiss to Owen’s cold lips. “Let’s get my tree and head back to my place. We can have sex. I want to have sex.”

The look on Owen’s face couldn’t have been any more perfect if he’d been told he’d won the lottery. Given what little about him Cole knew, maybe that’s exactly how it was. Not wanting to stop himself, he leaned in and kissed Owen again. Unlike the brush of cold lips before, he closed his eyes and kissed him deep. They weren’t touching, not really possible given the layers of clothing between them. But Cole felt more from that single connection—more passion,
lust
—than he had in his entire time with Steven.

The brush of Owen’s tongue against his pulled a moan from him. He wrapped his arms around Owen, desperately wanting to feel the weight of him against his chest. The kiss deepened, and his awareness narrowed to the man before him. The quiet strength, the feel that Owen would make everything all right. It didn’t matter that they were practically strangers. This wasn’t about a relationship. It was sex. It was a rebound, but they both had their eyes wide open.

Nothing bad would come from this.

“Oh look, there are some more trees down here.”

Cole pulled back with a gasp. “Shit.”

Owen snatched the marker from his hands and raced over to the tree. “This one’s taken!”

The next moment happened as though the world had hit the slow-motion button. Owen running toward his tree, his arm outstretched as he went. The giggles, then gasps of children as Owen’s boot caught on a tree stump, which sent him flying through the air, head-first into his tree. The soul-crushing sounds of the impact and the cracking of breaking branches.

The whole time Cole could only watch as Owen’s body landed awkwardly on the ground. As suddenly as everything slowed, the world raced forward again, freeing him from his stunned state. “Shit! Owen!”

He raced over to where Owen was, joined by the family of five that had tried to take his tree. The woman nudged her way past her kids and joined Cole on the ground. “I’m a paramedic.”

Owen groaned as a trail of blood dripped down the side of his face. “Tagged it.” Then he smiled at the group staring down at him.

“Hey, what’s your name?” The woman snapped her fingers in front of Owen’s face before pulling a cloth from her pocket and pressing it to his wound. “Pay attention.”

“This is Cole’s tree.”

“Yes, we got that. What’s your name?”

“Owen.”

“Day of the week?”

“Sunday.”

“Month?”

“December.”

“Who’s this?” She poked Cole’s shoulder.

“Cole. I’m his rebound guy.” Owen grinned as the kids giggled.

The woman rolled her eyes. “Good for you. Okay, Owen, you need stitches and should be checked out for a concussion.” She turned to Cole. “He’s probably fine, but I’d let a doctor make that call. Do you need help getting him out of here? I can call an ambulance.”

Any remaining thoughts of hot sex were instantly replaced with route calculations to the nearest hospital. “No, we’ll be fine. I’ll drive him.”

Another pout from Owen. “That means I have to leave my car again.”

“It will survive.”

It took a minute to get him to his feet, but Owen managed and seemed to enjoy using Cole as a crutch. He also wouldn’t go anywhere until the family took their leave and went in search of a different tree. He leaned against Cole and whispered, “I saw the husband eyeing your fir.”

Dear God.
“I don’t think he was going to take it. You’ve already bled all over it.”

“You never know. We need to get this thing cut down and put on your car.”

“The tree can wait. I want a doctor to take a look at you.”

Owen stepped away. “No.”

“What? You need to get to a hospital. Stitches, remember? Concussion?”

Owen shook his head, wincing at the motion. “That can wait. We are going to get this tree cut, on your car, and back to your place. If the bleeding hasn’t stopped by then, I will go to the hospital. But not before. You’ve had too many things happen to you this year. Too many people putting their needs before yours. I’m not going to be another one on that list.” Owen reached out and secured the tag on the tree. “Now let’s bring this baby home.”

Cole wasn’t one to cry. It wasn’t in his DNA, or something. But at some point in Owen’s speech the tears filled his eyes and threatened to fall. No one had done something like this before. His parents relied on him now that they were older. His sister was always after him to help her fix things around her apartment. Hell, even Steven had wanted him to make things better. Cole was the fixer.

For the first time in his life, it was nice to have someone else willing to step into that role.

“Okay.” He turned away so Owen wouldn’t see the unshed tears. “We’ll get the tree and bring it back. But we’ll take your car. I can always get mine later.”

“Deal.” Owen winked at him. “We don’t want to scratch up the Lexus.”

“Always the gentleman. Come on, dumbass, let’s find the lot owner before you pass out from blood loss.”

As they walked toward the office, and despite the bitter wind, warmth bloomed in Cole’s chest. If this was what a rebound romance could do for a person, no wonder people fell hard and fast. Typically they never ended well for either party, so he’d have to be extra careful to keep his emotions in check.

If he knew anything, it was that he’d never survive another broken heart.

It had taken Cole almost the entire trip back to Toronto to convince Owen to stop at the emergency room. Owen didn’t want to admit it, but he probably wouldn’t have gone if left to his own devices. He was stupid and stubborn and hated waiting at the hospital, especially this time of year. Too many flus, colds, and sick kids.

Thankfully, there wasn’t a long wait and they got in quickly. He didn’t appear to have a concussion, but he’d ended up with three stitches that finally stemmed the bleeding. Thank God for that because he didn’t have the stomach for blood. The headache sucked though, and it was only made worse as they wrangled the tree into the elevator of Cole’s building and dragged it down the hallway to his condo.

Still, he felt as though he’d won the day. He’d gotten a sexy scar out of the deal. A dating war wound that he could proudly show off.

Why yes, I did jump in front of a charming family to get a Christmas tree for a brokenhearted man. And I’d do it again! Of course you can totally take me out to dinner.

The thought of getting back out on the dating circuit was less than appealing these days. It was fun with Cole because he knew that the other man wasn’t looking for anything serious. It was a bit of joy to help brighten his holiday and hopefully have some great sex in the meantime. Not that sex was on that afternoon’s agenda, given the throbbing headache, the nasty head wound, and the unsightly bloodstains.

Too bad he’d cockblocked himself because of a fucking tree.

He sighed and looked around Cole’s place as he guarded the tree. Cole had disappeared into a spare room and was rummaging around looking for the tree stand and his decorations.

“I found the box. One second.”

He bit his tongue to stop from making any inappropriate
box
jokes. “All good. I’m just protecting the tree and gawking at your books.”

“Dude, you don’t have to stand there. Sit down and rest. Safe to say you’ve earned the break.”

“I’m fine.” He really wasn’t, but Cole didn’t need any more guilt added on. The ride back had consisted of them making sure the tree didn’t blow off and Cole asking if he was okay. The pain in his head pulsed again. “But I’ll sit if it makes you feel better.”

“It will.”

Well then, if it made
Cole
feel better.

The couch held a number of big cushions that hugged his body as he got comfortable. The backrest was soft and inviting, yielding to his head and neck as he stretched out. Oh this was good, it fit him in a way most furniture didn’t. He’d close his eyes for a moment, just until Cole came out with the things, and then he’d help with the decorations . . .

“Owen?”

He jumped and nearly bashed his face against Cole’s. “Shit. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. You fell asleep.”

Blinking, he looked around and saw that Cole had not only found the box of decorations, but he’d put the tree in the stand and had already strung lights on it. “How long was I out?”

“Half an hour or so.” Cole stepped back, his hands on his hips. “I would have let you sleep longer, but your phone was ringing in your coat. Thought it might be important.”

The only people who normally called his cell number were his parents and Jane from the bar. “I better check that.”

“Stay there, I’ll grab it.” Before he could protest, Cole was already gone.

“The tree looks good.” It was nice to know that his sexual sacrifice had been worth it.

“It’s the best one I’ve ever had. Here you go.”

The message light was flashing, and Jane’s number was in the list. “This is work. I better check it.”

Cole stepped away and continued decorating the tree as Owen typed in his password. The second he heard Jane’s voice he knew there was a problem.

“Hey, boss. Sorry to bug you on your day off but we have a . . . situation. Your dad is here and . . . I can’t get a hold of your mom. If you can come in as soon as you’re able, that would be good. Thanks.”

The message hadn’t finished playing and he was on his feet and moving toward the door.

“Owen?”

He stopped and spun around. “Cole. Damn it. I’m so sorry, but I have to head over to the bar. There’s a problem.”

“Anything I can help with?” Cole still held a small red Christmas bulb in his hand as he closed the distance between them. “You don’t look very steady on your feet and I’m good at dealing with drunks now.”