More or Less: A Christmas Novella by Abra Pressler

Author:Abra Pressler [Pressler, Abra]
Language: eng
Format: epub

They get home just after eleven. The weather has moved with them, and they are dampened by a spittle of rain as they climb the stairs to the unit above the restaurant. By the time they get changed and into bed, it’s edging closer to midnight.

Anse slips into bed, mentally overtired but physically exhausted. He takes a moment to shoot a message to Daniel, letting him know they’re both home safe before putting his phone on charge.

He hears Luciano rummaging around in the lounge room, so he keeps the lamp on until he’s come to bed.

A moment later, Luciano appears in the doorway, holding a large carboard box wrapped with a white ribbon

‘Is it too late to exchange gifts?’

Anse smiles and rises onto his elbows. ‘Not at all.’

Luciano climbs onto the bed beside him. ‘Merry Christmas, darling.’

Anse takes the small box onto his lap and tugs at the ribbon. It comes undone easily, and he lifts the cardboard lid up to reveal the collar of a fine black robe and a gift voucher to his favourite local bookshop.

He sets the voucher to the side and pulls out the large bathrobe. It’s cottony and thick. ‘Is this a replacement after my old one tore in the wash?’ he asks Luciano.

‘An upgrade,’ he says, snuggling in close.

‘I love it, it’s perfect.’ Anse places the voucher on his bedside table next to his lamp and stack of unread books. ‘This is very thoughtful, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to cull the bookshelf before I buy anything new.’

‘This place is just getting too small for us,’ Luciano notes in the quiet.

Anse looks down at him with tired eyes and a warm smile. ‘Yeah?’

‘Yeah. Maybe a little townhouse close by. A house in the suburbs?’ he stretches, curling his toes like a cat. ‘It’ll suck to have to commute though.’

‘Poor dear,’ Anse replies, trailing his fingers down Luciano’s bare chest. ‘Do you want your present now?’

‘Yes!’ Luciano yelps, rising to his elbows as Anse leans over to get the present from the top of his bedside draw.

He hands Luciano a wrapped box and a card. Out of obligation, Luciano opens the card first.

‘Spa voucher!’ he croons as he slips the card out of the envelope. ‘This place is fancy, too!’

Luciano opens the small box to reveal a candle from a local candlemaker they’d discovered at a handmade market. He brings the candle to his nose to inhale, and Anse can smell the distinct scent of sea-salt and musk.

‘I love it, thank you,’ Luciano says, putting the candle back into the box and corralling his gifts onto his bedside table. Then, he snuggles into Anse’s side. ‘Next time we should get couples massages. That’d be fun.’

Anse runs his fingertips down Luciano’s spine, feeling the ridges and bumps beneath his warm skin. Luciano tips his head up, his chin resting on Anse’s collarbone.

‘I love you.’

Anse leans down to kiss him. ‘Love you too.’

Luciano kisses him with more intensity than he expects, and he feels his body ignite.

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