The Geek Who Saved Christmas

by Annabeth Albert

I did love a good plan, and I had the schematics to prove it.

“Watch it.” A voice I knew a little too well had me looking up in the nick of time to avoid crashing into my next-door neighbor. My very hot, very grumpy, very not-into-community-meetings neighbor.

But maybe when one filled out a leather jacket like he did, a personality was strictly optional.

Gideon knew I’d walked rather than drove. He was one of those highly observant folks who probably didn’t mean to be nosy but simply couldn’t help noticing every little detail.

I might be ridiculously out of practice, but I hadn’t forgotten how to put some heat behind my gaze. Not that I had to work that hard with Gideon. For all his fussy ways that got on my nerves, I sure did enjoy looking at him.

Gideon coughed, turning pink. He tugged his coat more securely around him. He didn’t need to worry. His virtue was safe with me. Even if I was the sort to play the hookup game, I wouldn’t fish in the neighborhood pond.

But somehow, all my lectures on his lack of suitability didn’t stop my body from reacting to his blush.

Thanks to those blushes and his nearness, my sex-deprived brain was more than happy to supply a few suggestions involving his ridiculous bow tie hitting the floor.

Lord save us. If I didn’t put a stop to the runaway Gideon express, I was likely to have a lawn full of those inflatable glowing snowpeople with their serial killer grins and silly top hats. “I’m not sure—”

I had waited years for Paul Frost to need something. A cup of sugar. A spare fan. An extra chair. He probably had me beat in the tool department, but I did have a drill I was rather fond of.

“Now, show me to the bedroom!” he demanded.

Fussy might not be my usual taste, but my body sure did like the idea of showing him the finer points of my mattress.

“For additional seasonal decor, I’ll take you to my favorite bargain-hunting secret,” I said as Paul led me upstairs, trying to distract myself from how his jeans pulled against his ass.

Sometimes hoping hurt and rolling with the punches was the only way to avoid hitting the floor.

Hell, forget shirtless pics. All he’d need to do is share snaps of his gleaming hardwoods and DIY prowess, and he’d have an inbox full of dudes ready to play house. But I didn’t want to cross the line into flirting.

Humming softly, he moved on, but I lingered a moment, appreciating the way his bouncy steps showed off his backside. Plain khaki pants, but round, firm, bitable ass. Damn it. He was here to do me a favor, not rev up my body to new levels of awareness. But it was getting harder and harder, literally, to remember that.

Yup. He was such a catch. And him being oblivious somehow made him all the hotter.

It had been thirty-five odd years since anyone had shown this level of concern over my welfare, and that it was him, my grumpiest of neighbors, had my eyes stinging. “Thank you.” I tilted his face up so he’d stop searching me for new wounds. But that brought his face level with mine, his bristly chin in my hands, hazel eyes cloudy with pain like he was the hurt one, mouth parting like he was going to deliver more scolding. And I did the only thing that made sense and slid my mouth over his.

His enthusiasm was maybe the best thing about him, and I hoped he never changed one bossy trait. The world needed more Gideon. And maybe I did too.

“He’s quite the silver-fox hottie,” Lori whispered from our vantage point on the front porch. “Silent type, but nice.” “Lori,” I warned. “What?” She laughed, two-plus decades of friendship earning her more right to tease than most. “I can’t tell you to set some fox traps?” I shrugged. “Maybe I don’t have the right kind of bait.”

He keeps looking all murderous when I touch you.”

“Oh, my knees still work.” Gideon batted his eyes at me, eyelashes almost long enough to brush his glasses lenses. Why had I never noticed exactly how expressive his eyes were before now? “Behave.” I meant me as much as him.

“I have some meat in the fridge. Wait. Do you eat meat?” “Yes, Paul, I eat meat.” I snickered like a twelve-year-old. “That sounds great.”

And like the best gifts, I couldn’t wait to unwrap Paul under that tree. Soon.

“Somehow, I’m not surprised you have a favorite tool.” I shook my head. “I do.” Gideon’s expression turned hot. Possessive. I’d walked right into that one, and hell, charred meat might be a risk I’d have to take, especially when he added, “Now, you can have the top.” “Uh…” “Of the tree, Paul. Of the tree.”

“If you’re asking, I wasn’t kidding the other day. My knees aren’t that creaky yet. And you can top whatever you’d like.”

“You’re cute if you think I can’t be bossy and bottom at the same time.”

“Let’s break in your new table.” Vivid images of how we’d christened the couch danced through my head, and I coughed. “Dinner first.” His laugh was downright wicked.

“No, it can’t.” He tugged me back to the dining room, totally missing my I-want-to-eat-you-alive vibes. “Come on.” “You’re worse than a kid,” I complained. I was still kissing him, but I could give him this first. He was already carrying over the big box that held the Christmas train set. “Guilty.

“I want to show you how good I am on my knees until you scream.” I started to sink down, but he pushed me to sit on the bed.

Some skills got better with age, and I was only too happy to show off everything I knew and some tricks I made up on the spot.

He deserved someone watching out for him, someone to leave a light on, and if he’d let it be me, well, I liked that. It also terrified me. But not enough to dampen how much I wanted to be someone for him.

“Oh, poor baby. You had to deal with people.” I craned my neck so my lips were near his ear. “My turn to warm you up properly tonight.”

“You invited me over to see your new bed and you’re going to feed me? Oh my.” “I plan to make you work it off after,” he said huskily, giving me another quick hard kiss before turning his attention back to the stove.

Paul’s gaze was so hot it was a wonder my vision didn’t steam up. “Tell me the dessert can wait.” “The cake can definitely wait. But I’m bringing it with us.” I grabbed two forks from his silverware drawer. “I have a feeling I’m not going to want to move after.” “I’m planning to make sure of it.” He winked at me before we both headed up the stairs.

“Ooh, it’s so big.” “Flattery gets you everywhere, but I haven’t even undressed yet.” Paul bent to kiss the back of my neck.

“Sadist.” His chuckle was tight, but his hips stayed riveted to the bed even as he complained. “Probably gonna end me for real. Enjoy the cake and take care of Jim for me.”

And in that moment, he was all mine. Guess I found some fox bait. I couldn’t help the little giggle that bubbled up.

“See? It worked out.” Gideon smiled patiently at me as the clerk bustled off to the back again. “And now you totally deserve a cannoli with your dinner.” “A cannoli, huh?” Crisis averted, I could joke again. And after his deft talent for defusing the situation, he was the one who needed a reward, and I fully intended to deliver. “If you’re good.” His eyes sparkled. “I’m very good,” I promised, fully intending to light him up brighter than the square as soon as I could.

“Paul.” The desperate edge to his voice was one more thing pushing me closer. His cock grew stiffer in my mouth, thrusts more purposeful. “Paul.” Him chanting my name was the sexiest fucking thing ever. I retreated enough to suck in a breath. “That’s it. Take my mouth, baby.”

“Gideon,” he whispered desperately against my neck. “You’re going to get me off.” “Yes. Please.” Usually, I’d be the one in control of the pace, and being at his mercy was surprisingly sexy, waiting for him to let go. My cock was desperate for him to speed up his hand, but patience was its own kind of tortuous pleasure. “You too.” And like he’d read my silent pleas, he did increase his rhythm, thrusts harder, hand faster. “Come on.” “That. Like that,” I whispered, my breathing as harsh as his.

I bit the pillow to keep from moaning, but then he guided my head back for a kiss. His hand was hot on my neck. Possessive. Greedy, the way he kissed me deeply while thrusting faster.

“You came to go shopping with me?” I tilted my head, considering this very un-Paul-like development. “I thought I might.” A muscle in his cheek twitched. “Get a head start on next year. You can tell me what all I might need.” “Because you want my help with next Christmas?” “No.” Paul licked his lips as he darted his gaze everywhere but at me. “I mean, yes. Damn it. This is why I’m not good with words. I want you for next Christmas. The help is a bonus.”

But I need you, Gideon. Just you. Even if you wear sweats and hang out on my ugly couch and take a year or two off from decorating.”

“I really did want to save your Christmas.” My mouth twisted as I tried to find the right words. Paul wasn’t the only one who had a hard time speaking up. “But I also kinda wanted in your pants. I think I might have tricked you into keeping me around.” Paul blinked, then blinked again. “Well. Can you keep on tricking me?” “Pardon?” “First, I’m not sure you noticed, but outside of letting you boss me around, I’m a tough guy.” He offered another crooked smile. “Not a pushover. No one’s weaseling their way into my life if I don’t want it. If you trapped me, I wanted to be caught.”

“Making you happy, that’s important. So if bargain hunting makes you happy, let’s go.”

Plus, I didn’t realize how enjoyable your bossiness could be or how much fun I’d have unwrapping you. I definitely underestimated you for far too long. I’m sorry.”

“Keep looking at me like that and you can have whatever you’d like.” My voice was gruff as I swept my hands down his sides. “Be in charge. Or not. Whatever does it for you.”

“You’re plenty hot too. Come here.” Spreading his legs wider, he tilted his ass up, a clear offering. So fucking hot. And such a gift.

“No, I’m not through with you.” Leaving the bed, he hugged me from behind, hindering my ability to get dressed, but that was okay. The warm feeling in my chest was worth it, particularly when he put his lips near my ear. “Not by a long shot.”