The temperature in the kitchen had increased by many degrees and not all of them were caused by the cooker.

Seb’s back was to the counter, the edge digging into his waist. He had a smudge of cranberry chutney on his nose. Jamie was only a step away from him, their eyes locked on each other. They were both breathing more shallowly than earlier in the evening. When Seb lifted a hand to wipe away the chutney, Jamie grasped his wrist, not harshly, but the grip was firm.

"I'll do that." With his free hand, he wiped the chutney gently off Seb’s nose. Then his fingertip continued to trail down Seb’s cheek, under his jaw and then along the lines of his throat.

Seb groaned aloud, a soft growling sound from the back of his throat. His head went back, baring his neck, and he swallowed heavily.

Jamie dropped his hand, leaning in closer. "I mean . . . I want . . ."

"What?" Seb's voice was just a whisper. "Say it."

"I want you." Jamie's murmur breathed heat and sweet excitement into Seb's ear. He sounded both shocked and thrilled, but then hadn’t that been his permanent state, ever since he put an arm around Seb’s waist and pulled him in for a proper, non-cranberry caress?

Seb bit back a gasp. His body shivered. "How long, Jamie?" His words were hoarse.

Jamie watched the movement of Seb's mouth, the drop of sweat on his upper lip. He thought he could watch it for hours. He’d never imagined quite how fascinating this vibrant man could be! "What do you mean?"

"How long have you wanted me?"

Jamie smiled. That was an easy question. "For always, for too long. Have I said the wrong thing again?" He realized he didn't care anymore. He knew he spoke honestly and with care, the same as always. It was just that he was finding new words and new expressions now—and Seb was listening to him too. "We’ve never talked about these things; never stopped arguing long enough to discover an alternative way of communicating. Do you find it offensive?"

"Offensive?" Seb's laugh was a little shaky. "I've wanted you since you first turned those icy eyes on me and told me to shut the hell up."

Jamie frowned. "Those have never been my words."

Seb grinned at the narrow wrinkle of concern on Jamie’s forehead. He had a mad, bad and reckless urge to put his lips to it and kiss it away. Damned guy was too literal! He was too pale, too, and it made the flush on his cheeks stand out more boldly. But Jamie was strong enough to press back against Seb’s torso when they shifted around, and it felt like both of them took their turn struggling for dominance. He was also intuitive enough to know that if his fingertips brushed at the crease of Seb’s jeans, just underneath his left buttock, Seb would be tempted to whimper and roll over, playing dead like the best kind of obedient pet.

How does he know me so well? Seb grinned at such a wild and happy thought, and just kept grinning. Jamie felt good under his grasp and tasty on his lips. When and how had he deserved this Christmas present?