Cole in His Stocking by Nya Rawlyns

Author:Nya Rawlyns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay Fiction, contemporary gay romance, Gay Romance, holiday romance, romantic comedy, short fiction, short story
Publisher: PubRight
Published: 2014-12-26T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

Is He Listening?

Cole suppressed the urge to gather Jake in his arms and hustle him toward the surprise. But one thing he’d learned was to go slow with Jake, to give him the space he needed to process his feelings. So Cole stepped back and waited while the smaller man continued toward the carriage where the smiling driver held out a hand to help him into the rear seat.

Grinning at Jake’s “no way,” Cole breathed a sigh of relief he’d done at least one thing right that day.

The driver bowed and said, “It’s a mite on the chill side tonight. Sure you want the top down, Mr. O’Neil?”

Cole glanced at Jake, vigorously shaking his head no, and replied, “We’re sure, Sam.”

“Fine, sir. You know where the blankets are.”

Cole waited for the driver to walk around the carriage, removing the chocks and checking the harness on the grey mare contentedly licking up the last bit of grain from her feedbag. When they were ready to move out, Cole climbed on board and slid next to Jake who was vibrating with excitement.

Jake said, “I’ve been here in the city coming three years. I always wanted to do this.” He blushed, his ruddy cheeks turning a deeper shade of crimson in the diffuse glow of the streetlights. “I don’t know what to say.”

Cole wrapped an arm around Jake’s shoulder and pulled him close, tucking the auburn curls under his chin as the carriage jerked forward and entered the stream of traffic. When they turned onto Center Drive, Cole reached down and pulled the heavy wool blanket from its slot under the seat. Awkwardly he tucked it around the man shivering in his arms. Jake wasn’t helping because he had his hands stuffed in Cole’s coat pockets, the fingers fisted in the deep recesses of the down jacket.

“That better?” Jake umphed something into Cole’s chest. He took that as a yes, then asked, “You hungry, you want the sandwich?” hoping the answer was no because he didn’t want to disturb the closeness, the sensation of complete togetherness they’d established in such a short time.

A wave of unease threatened to highjack his contentment. Cole fought it down, determined to make this night special, to make it one they would both remember ... that he would remember.

Jake lifted his head and looked around. There wasn’t much to see on that stretch, other than the fanciful lanterns casting shadows and the occasional glimpse of lights from the skating rink. Their driver, Sam, sat quietly, shoulders hunched, eyes forward. The flaps on his cap were pulled down over his ears, but Cole knew he listened to everything going on around him, keeping tabs on their progress.

They were making an abbreviated loop given the lateness of the hour. As it was, Cole owed Sam more than a thank you for offering to stay late on his behalf. When he’d approached the group of drivers just before they headed out for the evening shift, he’d had to endure curious stares and some sly smiles.

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