Marshmallows and the Snow [Sweet Snacks: 1] (4 page)

Aleks punched the steering wheel as pictures of Ruben with other guys invaded his mind. Shit! He realized he was always moving too fast when he met a new guy. And Ruben was no different. Aleks had to stop this. He’d been hurt so much in the past and he wasn’t fond of feeling lonely again as soon as Ruben said goodbye to him.

So, he concentrated on shopping for the groceries before he drove over to the hotel. Fortunately, the receptionist was an old friend.

“
Halla
Maike, everything okay?” A bright smile spread over his face as he greeted the pretty, blonde woman.

“Aleks! It’s been a while since I last saw you. I’m fine, and you? Still living in that little cabin of yours?” she shot back and gave him a flirty smile.

Aleks laughed and shook his head. “Quit it, girl. You know you have the wrong equipment. And I’m fine. But... I have a favor to ask.”

Maike rolled her eyes and huffed. “Of course you do. I should so give you the cold shoulder after your equipment comment.” When Aleks leaned over the counter, batting his lashes, she threw her hands in the air with a deep sigh. “Oh, fine! What do you need?”

“A friend of mine is a guest at the hotel. The thing is, he’s staying with his friend but they had an ugly fight. I offered the guy to stay with me for the last five days of his vacation, but his clothes are still upstairs in his room.” Maike’s blonde eyebrows had climbed higher and higher during his speech and now she pursed her lips.

“So, you want me to let you into the room, so you can pack up your friend’s stuff, right? You know it’s against the hotel’s policy.”

“I have Ruben’s key.” He pumped his hand in the air and twirled the key around his index finger. “I’m merely asking you to come up with me in case the other guy is upstairs. If I go up into his room alone, chances are I’ll break the bastard’s nose. And an injured guest bleeding all over the floor wouldn’t be good for the hotel, right?”

His friend huffed again, but then snatched the key from Aleks’ fingers. “Fine! I’ll help you because you’re my friend and I don’t want you arrested for punching someone. What’s wrong with you?” She walked around the counter, with Aleks hurrying after her. “You’re always a bit grumpy and rough, but never in danger of hurting somebody.”

They walked over to the elevators and after a pointed look from Maike, Aleks sighed deeply. “The guy cheated on my friend, okay? Ruben is devastated and...”

“Oh God! Aleks, not again!” Maike groaned. “Didn’t you learn anything the last time? What was his name? That glacier guy from Canada who had you all hot and bothered and head over heels while he was busy with his oh-so important research?”

“Kenneth,” Aleks muttered under his breath. “It happened three years ago, by the way. I’m not going to make the same mistake.”

Maike snorted as they made their way up. “Right. You’ve got little hearts in your eyes, my friend. And you’re blushing. Please, just be careful, okay? Kenneth stayed for half a year and you couldn’t convince him to stay with you. How will you convince someone to fall in love with you in five days?”

Aleks glowered and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I’m not trying to make him fall in love with me. Ruben is only a friend.” If he acted defiant enough, maybe he could convince her—and himself—that it was the truth.

“Oh boy.” Maike shook her head with a sad smile and together they entered Ruben’s room.

Turned out Toby wasn’t in his room. Good for him. Although Maike could be a spitfire, she stood five-feet-five. No match for a raging, jealous meteorologist trying to defend his new friend’s honor. Or virtue? Whatever. The absence of the cheating prick, who would win a free ticket to explore the next crevasse should Aleks ever have the pleasure to meet him, had made packing Ruben’s clothes so much easier.

Back at his house, Aleks parked the SUV, grabbed the groceries and made his way up the few steps. Before he could knock, the door was yanked open, and the sight greeting him took his breath away.

Ruben had plundered his wardrobe. And holy fucking shit, he looked more edible than the vanilla-caramel ice-cream Aleks had bought.

He was clad in one of Aleks’ pajama bottoms, with the legs rolled up to accommodate his shorter legs. Thick, woolen socks kept his little feet warm. What caught Aleks’ attention first and foremost was the shirt. Ruben had donned on the matching pajama shirt. Instead of letting the ends hang lose, he’d knotted them in the front. His efforts resulted in a pale strip of naked belly between the hem of the knotted shirt and the waistband of the pants.

That creamy skin alone was enough to make him drool. Ruben’s bellybutton—his pierced bellybutton—was the icing on the cake. It was a barbell with a clear crystal at the lower end. Aleks desperately wanted to explore it. How had he missed that when he’d undressed Ruben yesterday?

Ruben cleared his throat and Aleks’ gaze snapped up, noticing the knowing glint in those deer-brown eyes. Damn, the little guy knew what he did to the letter. He wanted to seduce Aleks. And God help them both because he was more than ready to let the man have his way.

“See something you want?” The brat grinned in faked innocence, jutting his hip to the right in a smooth move. To cool him down, Aleks pressed the bag containing the ice-cream into Ruben’s arms. He squeaked when the cold bag touched his bare skin and he accusingly squinted at Aleks.

“You can bring the food into the kitchen and start unpacking, darling. I’ll go back and fetch your clothes. Not that you need them, as far as I’m concerned.” Letting his gaze travel up and down the willingly offered body in front of him, Aleks leered. “You look perfect wearing mine.” Before he did anything he’d regret later, he turned and strode to the car again.

Damn! The cold air hitting his head felt good. He needed a few moments to catch his breath or he’d go back inside, place Ruben on the kitchen counter and unwrap him like a present on Christmas. That guy would be the death of him. Aleks feared he’d already lost the battle of trying to keep his distance.

Day Three

Ruben stood in the kitchen as he dried the breakfast dishes and looked out the window. The landscape was picturesque, with snow covering the ground and the branches of the trees. It looked like someone had powdered everything with sugar. Now Ruben wasn’t freezing, he could actually see the beauty around him.

His old friend the owl sat in a tree nearby, ogling Aleks. The man was dressed in a thick woolen pullover, warm pants, boots, work gloves and a beanie. Armed with yet another axe, he was busy chopping wood. What was it with the man and deadly weapons? He always looked fucking gorgeous with them. Manly. The kind of guy who worked hard the whole day, returned at nightfall, threw his man over his shoulder and ravaged him in front of a crackling fire.

Ruben moaned and palmed the growing erection in his pants. He admired the man’s strength while Aleks swung the axe over his head and let it fall back to split the wood. The muscles working in his arms and his back, clearly visible under his pullover, were drool-worthy.

Ruben wanted to find out how Aleks looked under his clothes. How those muscles would feel under his fingers while they bunched and corded. It didn’t have to be sexual. No. He’d settle for simply stroking this naked skin, maybe massaging the kinks out of Aleks’ shoulders later. Ruben longed for tenderness. Nearness. Cuddling. Was that asking too much?

Maybe. After all, he’d had some time to think and understood it wasn’t entirely fair to seduce Aleks and leave him in four, no, three days. His tight time frame left him with one possible option. He had to convince Aleks to let him stay in Norway with him. Ruben didn’t even consider the other option. Namely to leave the man alone. Uh-uh. So not going to happen. He was falling hard for the reclusive Norwegian and wanted to know where the attraction could lead them.

Ruben was independent. He could work from everywhere. So, why not work from a remote meteorological station in Norway, in the middle of nowhere? Okay, not nowhere. The town nearby where Aleks bought stuff, groceries and such, and where Ruben’s hotel was located had looked very nice. It wasn’t impossible for him to leave London and move in with the man of his dreams.

He wasn’t a social person. He had a few, not very close friends. Question was would Aleks want him as a boyfriend or partner? For... always? Was Ruben ready for always? Sure, he was nineteen. Way too young to make such an important decision, most people would think. But he’d always been someone who made quick decisions and went after the things he wanted the most. Even though he was just nineteen he already had landed the job he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Next, he’d chase the man he wanted for the rest of his life.

He’d asked his foster-mother once when she’d known she’d marry her future husband. And Ruben had been surprised when she’d told him she realized it immediately after looking into his eyes for the first time. And after five minutes, she’d been sure.

When Ruben had asked his foster-father, he’d answered precisely the same. Love at first sight was possible. It was merely a question of persistence and faith if this love would grow into a relationship with the chance to last.

Determined to show Aleks what he wanted, Ruben slipped into his warm jacket, placed the knitted cap on his curls and left the cabin to join the man. Sneaking closer step for step, Ruben bent down, scooped up a hand full of snow and formed it into a tight ball. He carefully approached, waited till Aleks laid the axe down and reached for the next piece of wood. He didn’t want to hurt the man.

Ruben hauled, threw the snowball, and hit Aleks’ shoulder from behind. The man froze, then slowly turned and gave his best impression of a growly bear. Ruben giggled and stumbled backward. When Aleks gave chase, he turned and ran in earnest.

“You little shit!” Aleks yelled but the joy was more than obvious in his voice.

A snowball hitting his ass had Ruben squealing in delight. This was fun! Aleks chased him but let Ruben slip away again and again. Probably to prolong the whole game. Eventually, two strong arms wrapped around him and they fell into the snow, laughing and breathing hard.

Aleks rolled them around till he was lying on top. Ruben opened his legs so he could cradle the man’s hips and held onto his broad shoulders.

Glacier eyes gazed at him, warmer than Ruben had ever seen them before. Aleks raised his hand and gently brushed some wet curls off his face, then tapped the tip of Ruben’s nose. Ruben crossed his eyes, wriggled his nose and giggled again.

Aleks joined in, shaking his head. When he cupped Ruben’s face, everything stilled.

“You’re the sweetest thing since the invention of hot chocolate with marshmallows, Ruben.” Aleks’ whispered words created moist little clouds between them. “And much more addicting, I fear,” he added before he slowly, so slowly, lowered his head.

Their lips touched for the very first time and Ruben was in heaven. Nothing registered but those soft yet strong lips caressing his. Not the cold of the snow seeping through his clothes, not the shu-huu of his owl. His whole world consisted of Aleks and their kiss. It started sweet and gentle but soon developed into much more. Aleks’ tongue probed, Ruben’s lips gave way and then they were sucking, licking and biting. Little, needy whimpers, Ruben’s, and deep, hungry moans, Aleks’, filled the air around them.

A hand sneaked under his cap, grabbed his curls and tilted his head back. Ruben gasped for breath when their lips parted but didn’t have much time to complain. Because Aleks licked a line up his neck and lightly bit into the side of his neck. The little sting felt wonderful and it fueled Ruben’s desire like gasoline being poured over a burning match.

“Aleks! Yes,” Ruben hissed when his soon-to-be lover rubbed the bulge in his pants between his legs. Unfortunately, his voice snapped Aleks out of his lust-induced haze. He blinked his glassy eyes, pushing up onto his hands. Not good!

“No, don’t go, please. Aleks, I...” Ruben was silenced with another tender kiss. Oh.

“I’m not going anywhere,
engel.
If you’re sure you want this...” Aleks looked uncertain for a moment. Vulnerable. Ohhh! He was afraid, right? Afraid to get hurt, maybe?

“Aleks, please, trust me. I want this. I want it with you. Only you,” he whispered right before he kissed those delicious lips. Aleks’ stubble was scratchy—a new sensation for Ruben because he’d never kissed a man with a beard before.

“No intercourse, Ruben.” Aleks panted between kisses. “You’re not ready for that. Hell, I’m not ready for that!”

Ruben nodded and nibbled along the man’s jawline. “I see. That’s okay. I want you close. Touching, cuddling. Okay?”

“More than okay.” Aleks wound his arms around Ruben’s back. “Hold on.” With a smooth move, he stood up, with Ruben wrapped around him baby monkey style.

“Wow, you’re strong.” Ruben’s eyes rounded in awe.

Aleks snorted as he made his way into the cabin. “Well, it’s easy to seem strong when the guy you’re carrying is a feather.”

“Feather? Hey, I’m not that... oh, fine. I’m a bit on the skinny side. Does... does it bother you?” he asked carefully, looking at Aleks through his black lashes.

The man gave him a tender smile and shook his head. In the living room, he lowered them both onto the huge fur in front of the fireplace and proceeded to peel Ruben out of his clothes.

“You’re not skinny, you’re lean.” Ruben shivered when Aleks revealed more and more of his body. “Beautiful. Cute as hell. I understand most guys hate it when you call them cute—” Ruben quickly cut him off with a kiss.

“Not me. I like it. Very much. And I love what you’re doing to me.” Ruben moaned because Aleks’ hands had sneaked under the layers of his clothes and touched his naked skin. His miraculously warm hands! God, this man was perfect. A nimble finger found his piercing, playing with it.

“It’s so sexy,” Aleks whispered. “Do you have more of them?”

Ruben blushed and stuttered. “I-I’m sure y-you’ll see soon enough.” Then he worked Aleks’ shirt open. The man needed to be more naked and Ruben was desperate to find out what was hidden beneath those flannel shirts.