Read Online The Christmas Wager by Jamie Fessenden - Free Book Online
Authors: Jamie Fessenden
Tags: Romance, Gay, M/M romance, holiday, glbt, dreamspinner press, Novella, Historical--European, jamie fessenden
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walked over to his bed. ―I‘m
bored with cards.‖
The Christmas Wager | Jamie Fessenden
61
Alternative activities flashed through Andrew‘s mind,
proving to him that he‘d had a bit too much to drink himself.
Thank God he wasn‘t more drunk than he was, or he might say
something disastrous.
Thomas sat down on the edge of the mattress and stuck
his foot out. ―Help me with my boots, will you?‖
It wasn‘t a request one gentleman would generally make of
another. But Andrew had spoiled Thomas for years now,
allowing—even encouraging—him to behave inappropriately
when they were alone together. Andrew knew it wasn‘t solely
for Thomas‘s benefit. He liked being relied upon; liked being
asked to do things normally only asked of a personal valet. He
liked the intimacy of it.
He knelt by the bedside, unlaced the boot, and removed it.
Then when Thomas presented him with the other one, he
removed that, as well.
Thomas lay back on the bed, making room for Andrew to
perch beside him. Almost without thinking, the blond reached
out to undo Thomas‘s cravat. The man made no move to stop
him, merely watching him quietly with those soft green eyes.
―Perhaps it‘s time for me to retire,‖ Andrew said reluctantly.
The brandy seemed to be going to his head more than he‘d
realized. He was feeling very warm.
But Thomas lifted a hand and placed it over his, where he
was still holding onto Thomas‘s collar. Those beautiful green
eyes met his, and Andrew‘s breath caught in his throat.
―There‘s never been a friend like you, Andrew,‖ Thomas
said, almost in a whisper.
Perhaps it was the brandy, but Andrew fancied he could
see in those eyes something beyond friendship, an intense
longing equal to his own. He leaned in close, half expecting
Thomas to pull away. But he didn‘t, and in a moment their lips
The Christmas Wager | Jamie Fessenden
62
were touching. For a brief time, Andrew was happier than he‘d
ever thought possible. His heart felt as if all the love he‘d been
keeping in check for years was beginning to pour forth into this
one kiss, and it seemed that he could feel something being
returned by Thomas.
Then the horror of what he was doing suddenly struck him.
He leapt up from the bed. ―Thomas, I… forgive me. I‘m sorry!‖
His friend was staring at him, an expression of shock on
his handsome face.
My God! Andrew thought, I’ve destroyed everything!
―I‘m sorry, Thomas.‖
There was no response apart from Thomas bringing his
hands up to cover his eyes, as if he could no longer bear to
even look at his friend. Unable to stand it any longer, Andrew
turned and fled from the room.
The Christmas Wager | Jamie Fessenden
63
Chapter 11
THOMAS had been surprised by the kiss. He‘d never thought
Andrew capable of doing such a thing. It was as if everything
Thomas thought he‘d known about his friend had suddenly
gone topsy-turvy. Was Andrew a pervert? It was inconceivable.
But what had surprised Thomas more was his own
reaction to it. He‘d kissed women before, and enjoyed it. But it
had never felt so… right. And wonderful; and beautiful.
But it wasn‘t any of those things. It wasn‘t right. It
couldn‘t be beautiful. It was wretched. If it was inconceivable
for Andrew to be a pervert, it was also inconceivable to think
that he might be. Thomas had always thought of himself as a
healthy man—a bit lazy, perhaps, with a touch of hedonism
thrown in. But otherwise a decent sort.
Yet a decent man would feel revulsion at what Andrew had
done, horror, disgust… any number of things. And deep down,
Thomas knew he did not.
What he had felt, at the time, was… love. A love deeper
than anything he‘d ever felt toward a woman, rising up in him,
flooding his entire body, and reaching out to the one person he
truly wanted… to Andrew.
This is madness!
He lay there for a long time, feeling as though everything
familiar had been
bored with cards.‖
The Christmas Wager | Jamie Fessenden
61
Alternative activities flashed through Andrew‘s mind,
proving to him that he‘d had a bit too much to drink himself.
Thank God he wasn‘t more drunk than he was, or he might say
something disastrous.
Thomas sat down on the edge of the mattress and stuck
his foot out. ―Help me with my boots, will you?‖
It wasn‘t a request one gentleman would generally make of
another. But Andrew had spoiled Thomas for years now,
allowing—even encouraging—him to behave inappropriately
when they were alone together. Andrew knew it wasn‘t solely
for Thomas‘s benefit. He liked being relied upon; liked being
asked to do things normally only asked of a personal valet. He
liked the intimacy of it.
He knelt by the bedside, unlaced the boot, and removed it.
Then when Thomas presented him with the other one, he
removed that, as well.
Thomas lay back on the bed, making room for Andrew to
perch beside him. Almost without thinking, the blond reached
out to undo Thomas‘s cravat. The man made no move to stop
him, merely watching him quietly with those soft green eyes.
―Perhaps it‘s time for me to retire,‖ Andrew said reluctantly.
The brandy seemed to be going to his head more than he‘d
realized. He was feeling very warm.
But Thomas lifted a hand and placed it over his, where he
was still holding onto Thomas‘s collar. Those beautiful green
eyes met his, and Andrew‘s breath caught in his throat.
―There‘s never been a friend like you, Andrew,‖ Thomas
said, almost in a whisper.
Perhaps it was the brandy, but Andrew fancied he could
see in those eyes something beyond friendship, an intense
longing equal to his own. He leaned in close, half expecting
Thomas to pull away. But he didn‘t, and in a moment their lips
The Christmas Wager | Jamie Fessenden
62
were touching. For a brief time, Andrew was happier than he‘d
ever thought possible. His heart felt as if all the love he‘d been
keeping in check for years was beginning to pour forth into this
one kiss, and it seemed that he could feel something being
returned by Thomas.
Then the horror of what he was doing suddenly struck him.
He leapt up from the bed. ―Thomas, I… forgive me. I‘m sorry!‖
His friend was staring at him, an expression of shock on
his handsome face.
My God! Andrew thought, I’ve destroyed everything!
―I‘m sorry, Thomas.‖
There was no response apart from Thomas bringing his
hands up to cover his eyes, as if he could no longer bear to
even look at his friend. Unable to stand it any longer, Andrew
turned and fled from the room.
The Christmas Wager | Jamie Fessenden
63
Chapter 11
THOMAS had been surprised by the kiss. He‘d never thought
Andrew capable of doing such a thing. It was as if everything
Thomas thought he‘d known about his friend had suddenly
gone topsy-turvy. Was Andrew a pervert? It was inconceivable.
But what had surprised Thomas more was his own
reaction to it. He‘d kissed women before, and enjoyed it. But it
had never felt so… right. And wonderful; and beautiful.
But it wasn‘t any of those things. It wasn‘t right. It
couldn‘t be beautiful. It was wretched. If it was inconceivable
for Andrew to be a pervert, it was also inconceivable to think
that he might be. Thomas had always thought of himself as a
healthy man—a bit lazy, perhaps, with a touch of hedonism
thrown in. But otherwise a decent sort.
Yet a decent man would feel revulsion at what Andrew had
done, horror, disgust… any number of things. And deep down,
Thomas knew he did not.
What he had felt, at the time, was… love. A love deeper
than anything he‘d ever felt toward a woman, rising up in him,
flooding his entire body, and reaching out to the one person he
truly wanted… to Andrew.
This is madness!
He lay there for a long time, feeling as though everything
familiar had been
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