“Dashing through the snow, on a one horse open sleigh . . . blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, laughing all the way!” Cayden King paused as he realized that he didn’t really know the words to the song. Shrugging, he glanced around the living room.

“It’s perfect,” he said with a smile. Turning, he walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator and glanced at the bottle of wine that Gage had given to him. Smiling, he closed the refrigerator door and stepped back. “Everything is just perfect.”

He glanced down at his watch. “He’s going to be here any minute,” Cayden said to himself as he stepped out of the kitchen. At first he was nervous and couldn’t bring himself to pick up the phone. Then, after he finally worked up the courage, he dialed the number and, after a few moments of awkward conversation, invited Dominick Perrotti over to his place.

When he hung up with Dominick, he realized that his place was a mess, so he ran around like a crazy person cleaning it. But now everything was perfect, everything but Dominick’s presence. Cayden glanced at his watch again and sighed. “Where is he?” He asked aloud.

A knick at the door caused his heart to race and he rushed over to open it. Pulling the door open, Cayden smiled, but when he saw Devon James standing there, the smile faded. “Devon,” he said, “this isn’t a good time . . .”

Ignoring him, Devon stepped into his apartment and sighed as she crossed over to the living room and sat down on the couch. “I need to talk,” Devon said as she sunk into the cushions and pouted. “This time last year me and Julia made plans to go to Cancun for Christmas this year and now I’m stuck in New York with no place to go and Julia is dead. Life sucks,” she concluded.

Cayden glanced at his watch again, realizing that Dominick would be dropping by at any minute. He felt torn between feeling sympathetic for Devon and wanting her gone. With a sigh, he sat down beside her. He felt like he was being selfish for wanting her gone. He could see that she was really upset and he wanted to console her.

“You know, even though Julia is gone, you’re still here, Devon. You and Julia made a lot of plans, I think you need to go out and do them, for you and for Julia. She’s not really gone,” he explained, “her spirit is still here, with you. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you take Julia with you.”

“You know what?” Devon said as she sat forward. “You’re right. It’s Christmas Eve and I’m sitting here like some fool,” she said as she glanced around Cayden’s apartment. “I should go out and have fun, for me and for Julia,” she said as she stood up.

“That’s the spirit,” Cayden smiled as he glanced at his watch.

“Come with me,” Devon said as she turned to him. “We’ll have a good time.”

“Oh,” Cayden said as he stood up from the couch. “I kinda have plans already.”

“You? Have plans?” Devon questioned with disbelief.

“Hey, it can happen,” Cayden responded. “Why don’t you call that naked guy I saw in your apartment the other day?” He questioned. “He looked like he likes to have a lot of fun.”

Devon started laughing as she headed for the door. “Shut up,” she said as she rolled her eyes. “I don’t think I’ll be seeing him again,” she explained.

“Why not? He was hot,” Cayden admitted.

“He sucked my toes,” Devon explained matter-of-factly.

“So? What’s wrong with that?” Cayden questioned.

“Feet are nasty,” Devon responded. “Any man who sticks a toe in his mouth is sick.”

“You have serious emotional problems,” Cayden noted.

“Don’t we all,” Devon sighed as she reached for the door, then paused. “Are you sure you won’t come with me?”

“I’m expecting someone,” Cayden responded playfully.

“Okay,” Devon said with a nod, “I see what’s going on. You want to kick me out so that I don’t see who you’re going to spend the night with, right? You make me so proud,” she laughed.

“Shut up,” Cayden smiled as he checked his watch again.

“Call me later, I want details,” Devon said as she opened the door. Standing in the hall, Gage Matthews shook his head and sighed and walked right into Cayden’s apartment and sat down on the couch.

Smiling, Devon glanced at Cayden and shook her head. “Good luck,” she said as she stepped into the hall.

Cayden King sighed and glanced at his watch as he closed the door. “Gage,” he said, “what’s up? This really isn’t a good time.”

“It’s Christmas Eve!” Gage replied.

“I’m aware of that,” Cayden responded.

“I don’t have plans,” Gage explained. “Imagine that, Gage Matthews doesn’t have plans for Christmas Eve!” He threw his hands up in the air in disbelief. “So, I was thinking, since I don’t have plans and I know you don’t have plans, maybe we could just hang out.”

Slightly offended, Cayden cocked his head to the side curiously. “What makes you think that I don’t have any plans?” He questioned.

“You never have plans,” Gage answered.

“Well, it just so happens that I do have plans, I’m going to have a guest. In fact,” he said as he checked his watch, “he should be here any minute now and you need to be gone before he gets here.”

“Oh,” Gage said with a smile, “Is Detective Skubisz coming over to serve and protect you?” He laughed. “You’re gonna play cops and robbers with a married guy? Isn’t that a little too risqué for you?”

“I’m not going to play cops and robbers with Szymon,” Cayden explained, his face going red with embarrassment.

“Hey,” Gage said as he stood up from the couch, “if you wanna play hide the nightstick with Nancy Drew, it’s your business.”

“I didn’t invite Szymon over here,” Cayden sighed.

“Okay, now I’m curious,” Gage commented. “If it’s not Szymon, then who is it? Wait a second, you met some random guy and you invited him here, didn’t you? You slut!”

“I’m not a slut!” Cayden retorted, finding the idea of Gage calling him that ridiculous. He laughed and shook his head. “It’s just a friend,” he explained. “We’re just gonna talk, maybe watch a movie.”

“Yeah, sure,” Gage said with a smile as he nodded his head. “Just talk . . . maybe watch a movie. So where does the butt sex come into play?”

“What butt sex?” Cayden questioned with a laugh.

“Come on Cayden, I mean really. I can see it all over your face. You expect to get laid tonight.”

“I don’t expect to get laid,” Cayden said. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Sure it is,” Gage smiled as he headed for the door. “But you tell me how ridiculous that is when you're riding the pony tonight,” he teased.

Cayden reached for a pillow on the sofa and threw it at Gage. “Shut up!” He laughed. “Get out.”

Gage dodged the pillow and laughed as he shook his butt. “Give it to me baby,” he teased.

“Get out!” Cayden said, bursting into laughter.

“I’m right,” Gage said as he pointed at him. “You’re a slut.” Turning, he opened the door and stepped out into the hall, closing the door behind him. “Cayden’s gonna get ass-banged!” Gage yelled as he started down the hall.

Rolling his eyes, Cayden smiled and sat down on the couch and shook his head.

He checked his watch again to make sure that it wasn’t broken. Sighing, Cayden glanced at the door. “Where is he?” Cayden questioned as he got up from the couch and crossed over to the pillow on the floor. Picking it up, he fluffed it a bit then placed it on the couch. As he turned to his bedroom, he heard a sound on the fire escape that startled him.

Slowly, Cayden crossed over to the window and peered outside to see Jesse Martinez and Kathryn Hayes standing there with wineglasses and a bottle of wine. Reaching forward, Cayden opened the window.

“Cayden,” Kathryn laughed. “Come out and join us in a drink,” she invited.

“No thanks,” Cayden responded. “Are you guys going to be out here for much longer?” He questioned. He didn’t really want them there where Dominick showed up and was hoping that they’d be gone soon.

“We’re just having a drink and then we’re headed into the city to find something fun to do,” Jesse explained. “You should come with us, I mean, since you don’t have any plans.”

“Why does everyone think that I don’t have plans?” Cayden grumbled. “I do have plans, in fact.”

“Sorry,” Jesse mumbled. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“I’m not offended,” Cayden sighed. “I’m just annoyed.”

“Why?” Kathryn questioned after taking a sip from her glass.

“Because I’m nervous,” Cayden admitted. “He’s late and now I’m starting to think that he’s not coming at all.”

“Of course he’s coming,” Kathryn responded. “Why wouldn’t he?”

“Because he found something better,” Cayden replied.

“That’s ridiculous. Whoever this guy is, if he chose someone else over you, then he’s an idiot,” Kathryn said as she poured another glass of wine for Jesse.

“Yeah,” Jesse said after taking a swig. “That guy must be a real loser if he’s not into you. You’re a catch,” he explained as he took another sip. “Oh wow . . .” Jesse noted after a pause, “that sounded really gay . . . I think I’m done drinking,” he added as he set his glass down on the windowsill and backed away from it.

Kathryn laughed and shook her head. “I’m sure he’s just running late. It’s Christmas Eve, there’s probably tons of traffic and the subway has to be swamped,” she explained.

“That’s true,” Cayden agreed.

“Just relax. Have a drink,” Kathryn said as she handed him her glass.

Cayden reached for the glass. “Thanks, I think I really do need this,” he said before knocking back the glass in one shot. He handed it to Kathryn and she smiled.

“You’re welcome,” she said as she took the glass.

“You really shouldn’t have done that,” Jesse said, his speech slightly slurred as a smile came to his face. “That wine made me gay . . . it’s gonna turn you straight.”

Cayden glanced at Kathryn and they both laughed. “I think you need to keep an eye on him,” Cayden said.

“Oh, don’t worry,” Kathryn responded, “he’s in good hands.”

As he closed the window and pulled the curtains closed, Cayden heard a knock at the door. Sighing, he stormed over to the door in frustration. “When is this madness going to stop?” He asked himself as he threw open the door and yelled. “What now?!”

Standing there, Dominick Perrotti had a confused expression on his face. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “Is this a bad time?”

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” Cayden apologized as he invited Dominick into his apartment. “I thought you were someone else.”

“No worries,” Dominick said as Cayden closed the door. “I bought you a gift,” he said as he handed Cayden a small box.

Cayden glanced down at the box and smiled. “A gift? For me?” He said as he reached over and accepted the box. “Thank you, but you really shouldn’t have gotten me anything.”

“It’s more for me,” Dominick explained. “Open it.”

Cayden smiled and removed the top of the box and peered inside. “What is it?” He questioned as he glanced up at Dominick.

Reaching into the box, Dominick pulled out the gift. “It’s mistletoe,” he explained as he held it up. “I really enjoyed kissing you the other night, so I figured I should come up with an excuse to do it again,” he explained as Cayden smiled at him.

“So,” Dominick said softly, “if I hold it up here,” he said as he held it above Cayden’s head. “Then I have to kiss you on the lips. . .” Slowly, Dominick leaned forward and pressed his lips against Cayden’s.

A moment later, Dominick pulled away and took a step back. “And,” he continued, “if I hold it here,” he said as he let it hover above Cayden’s crotch, “then I have to kiss you down here.” Dominick slowly got down on his knees and Cayden’s eyes widened as he felt Dominick tug at his belt.

“Whoa,” he said as he took a step back.

“What’s wrong?” Dominick questioned.

“Nothing . . . would you like a drink?” Cayden questioned as he headed for the kitchen, “I’m thirsty.” He opened the refrigerator and pulled out the bottle of wine quickly. Popping it open, he searched for a glass and when he didn’t find one, he shrugged and lifted the bottle to his lips, nervously guzzling down the wine.

Dominick smiled as he crossed over to Cayden and reached for the bottle. Lifting it to his own lips, he took a sip. “Relax,” he said softly as he set the bottle down on the counter and slowly crouched down onto his knees again.

Cayden looked down nervously as Dominick undid his belt. Glancing around the kitchen, he panicked as the realization of what was happening began to set in. Catching a glimpse of the wine bottle, Cayden grabbed it and chugged it down as Dominick Perrotti slowly pulled down his zipper.

“Oh my God,” Cayden said to himself as he felt Dominick’s hand encircle him. Suddenly, Cayden felt himself lost in the moment. It felt great.

Glancing up at Cayden, Dominick smiled. “Merry Christmas,” he said softly, before lunging forward.

With his eyes closed, Cayden gasped. He had never before experienced anything such as what he was experiencing at that very moment. Every part of his body tingled with pleasure and he glanced down in disbelief as he took in the sight of what Dominick Perrotti was doing to him.

“Oh my God,” he said to himself, “I am a slut! I’m standing in my kitchen getting a blow job!” He could feel the excitement building within him, reaching new depths of pleasure. He gasped. “D . . . Dominick,” he stuttered as he braced himself.

Closing his eyes, he heard a knock at the door that surprised him. “Oh shit!” He gasped, unable to contain himself. “Oh my God. Oh shit . . . oh shit . . . oh . . . shit!” Cayden fell against the counter, gasping for air with a thousand points of pleasure tingling throughout his body.

A second knock at the door brought him back to his senses. “Oh my God,” he said as he leaned forward and reached for his zipper as he cringed with embarrassment as if he had been caught by his parents doing something naughty.

“What’s wrong?” Dominick questioned as he stood up and spit into the sink, reaching up to wipe his mouth.

“There’s someone at the door,” Cayden responded quietly.

“So open it,” Dominick explained.

“Okay,” Cayden said with a nod as he turned to exit the kitchen, but paused. “I’m sorry,” he said to Dominick, “I didn’t mean to . . . you know . . . without warning you . . .”

“It’s cool,” Dominick replied.

“Okay,” Cayden said nervously as he heard another knock at the door. Glancing out of the peek hole, he paused. “Oh crap.”

“Who is it?” Dominick questioned.

“It’s Elijah,” Cayden said.

“What should I do?”

“Answer it,” Dominick said with a shrug. The idea of Elijah walking in on them actually turned Dominick on. He wanted to see Elijah’s face when he realized that he had gotten to Cayden first. Victory was going to be sweet.

Cayden unlocked the door and pulled it open. “Elijah,” he said nervously. “Hey, what’s up?” He tried his best to appear casual but failed miserably. Instead, he looked over-animated and probably came across as being drunk or on drugs.

“Oh good, you’re home,” Elijah said as he stepped into the apartment.

Cayden nearly freaked. It was stupid, but he thought that if Elijah saw Dominick, he would instantly know what happened. However, much to Cayden’s relief, Dominick wasn’t in the living room. Slowly, Cayden closed the door and glanced around for Dominick. Maybe he went into the bedroom.

“Listen, I’m sorry about the way I acted the other night. I hope you didn’t get the impression that I was blowing you off or anything.”

“Blowing me?” Cayden questioned nervously. “No one was blowing me! I mean . . . I didn’t get the impression that you were blowing me off,” he corrected.

“I was actually there to meet someone,” Elijah explained.

“Yeah, I saw him,” Cayden responded. “He was pretty hot. It’s cool though, I figured you were on a date with that guy.”

“What?! Oh, you saw him? I’m not dating him, he’s my brother,” Elijah explained.

“He’s your brother?” Cayden questioned, feeling completely stupid.

“Yes, and trust me, Isaiah’s as straight as they come. Even if he were gay, I’m not into incest,” Elijah laughed. “The real reason I came here was because I wanted to tell you something about Dominick . . .”

“Cayden,” Dominick Perrotti said as he stepped out of the bedroom wearing only his boxers with the mistletoe hooked into the top of the waistband in the front. “The mistletoe’s all set for you,” he explained with a smile. He wanted to stop Elijah from saying anything that would ruin his chances of scoring with Cayden.

“Oh wow,” Elijah said as he glanced away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize . . .”

“Elijah,” Dominick said, feigning surprise. “What are you doing here?” He questioned.

“Not playing mistletoe games, obviously,” Elijah retorted.

“It’s fun, you should try it,” Dominick smiled.

Cayden glanced at both of them, slightly embarrassed. “Um . . .”

“I’m sorry,” Elijah said to Cayden as he walked toward the door. “I shouldn’t have come.” He opened the door and turned back as he glanced at Cayden. “Be careful,” he said to Cayden as he shot a glance at Dominick before closing the door behind him.

“I’m so sorry,” Cayden said as he glanced at Dominick, “people have been dropping by all day. I hope you didn’t get embarrassed or anything.”

“It’s fine,” Dominick said with a smile as he crossed over toward Cayden and reached for his hand. “Come with me,” he said as he cocked his head in the direction of the bedroom. “I want to show you something.”

“Okay,” Cayden said softly as he allowed Dominick to lead him to the bedroom. Letting go of Cayden’s hand, Dominick removed the mistletoe from his waistband and let his boxers drop to the ground. Crawling onto the bed, he sat against the headboard and placed the mistletoe just above his penis.

Cayden’s eyes widened in shock. “Oh my God,” he said softly.

“That’s what everyone says,” Dominick explained. “Take off your clothes,” he said as he motioned to Cayden.

Pausing, Cayden nodded and unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it off. He fumbled with his jeans until they were off. Slipping his hands underneath the waistband of his briefs, he slide them down his legs and stepped out of them. Standing in front of Dominick, completely naked, Cayden could feel the hair on the back of his neck stand in anticipation.

“Now come over here,” Dominick said softly as he reached down and held himself. Cayden crawled onto the bed in front of Dominick and eyed him carefully. Dominick smiled. “What are you waiting for?” He questioned.

“I . . . I don’t know how,” Cayden explained, slightly embarrassed.

“It’s easy,” Dominick assured him. “Just open your mouth.”

“Like this?” Cayden questioned.

“Yeah,” Dominick smiled as he placed his hand on the back of Cayden’s head and closed his eyes as he pushed Cayden’s head down. “Just like that . . .”

“I’m sorry . . . I’m SORRY . . . no, you idiot,” Szymon Skubisz said to himself as he paced in the hall outside of Cayden’s apartment, trying to figure out what he would say. “I should have told you about Andrea and Sammy. It was stupid of me to hide that from you . . .”

He shook his head and glanced down at the bouquet of flowers that he was holding as he tried to think of what to say to Cayden. “I have a lot of secrets . . . no, that makes me sound like I’m hiding things from him. God, this is difficult,” he gasped as he stopped and shook his head once more.

Down the hall, the door to Mrs. Mulberry’s apartment opened and the women stepped outside and glanced at Szymon. “Who the hell are you talking to?” She questioned as she regarded him curiously.

“I’m sorry,” Szymon responded. “I was talking to myself.”

Mrs. Mulberry cocked an eyebrow. “Are you crazy?” She asked.

“Crazy in love maybe,” Szymon explained with a sigh.

With a nod, Mrs. Mulberry smiled. “Well, the way I see it, you have two options, Detective. Number one, you can stand in the hall and have a conversation with yourself and annoy the hell out of me, or number two, you can just knock on the door and tell him how you really feel.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Szymon admitted.

Mrs. Mulberry rolled her eyes. “You fags and your drama,” she said, shaking her head as she stepped back into her apartment and slammed the door shut.

Szymon paused for a moment, then stepped over to Cayden’s door and knocked on it softly. He waited for a moment, then knocked again.

When the front door opened, Szymon’s smile turned into a frown. Dominick Perrotti stood in the doorway completely naked. “What’s up?” He asked as he regarded Szymon curiously. He wasn’t in the mood for anymore interruptions and figured that answering the door that way would make whoever it was go away.

“Um . . .” Szymon mumbled, slightly confused.

“Who’s at the door?” Cayden snickered as he stepped forward wrapped in a bed sheet. He had a smile on his face but when he saw Szymon, he froze in place, unable to move.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you,” Szymon apologized as his hand went limp and the bouquet of flowers fell from his grasp. Turning, Szymon shook his head and walked down the corridor to the elevator.

Smiling, Dominick reached down and picked up the bouquet of flowers and shut the door. “Well, that takes care of that,” he said as he chucked the flowers on a nearby table. Walking over to Cayden, he tore the bed sheet from his naked body and pulled him into an embrace, kissing him on the neck. “Let’s do it again,” Dominick said as he began to lead Cayden into the bedroom.

Before stepping into the bedroom, Cayden glanced at the roses on the table and caught one last glimpse of what could have been before Dominick Perrotti shut the bedroom door.

As he lay on his stomach, his hands grasping the bed sheets so hard that his knuckles turned white, Cayden groaned. On top of him, Dominick gasped in his ear. “You’re so hot,” he whispered as he bucked his hips back and forth. “God . . . you’re so tight.”

“It hurts,” Cayden said softly as he winced. He pictured Szymon’s face when he saw the two of them naked in the living room. He couldn’t get the image of Szymon’s pain out of his head. “Dominick . . . it hurts,” he said again.

“Just relax,” Dominick explained. “I’m almost done.”

“Shit,” Cayden groaned. “It fucking hurts.”

Dominick Perrotti seemed oblivious to Cayden’s cries as he continued to rock his hips back and forth. He was lost in the moment. “Just fucking relax,” Dominick swore at him. “Push back on it. God you’re so fucking hot! Get up on your knees!” He demanded and he reached down and lifted Cayden’s backside.

Cayden obliged, but the pain increased when Dominick began a full on assault, ramming his hips forward. Cayden’s eyes wanted to pop out of his head. “Dominick!” He cried. “It hurts! Take it out!”

Kneeling on the bed, Cayden shut his eyes. This wasn’t what he had in mind. Dominick told him that he would be gentle. He said that he would make Cayden feel good. Nothing about this felt good to Cayden, nothing at all.

“I’m almost there . . .” Dominick gasped. “I’m almost there . . . oh shit!” He cried as he pulled out and tore off the condom. “Fuck!”

As Dominick began to reach his orgasm, Cayden sighed with relief as he lay back down on his stomach, but his relief was short-lived. Suddenly, his door was pushed open and his mother and father jumped into the bedroom with big smiles on their faces.

“Surprise!”

“Merry Christmas!” They shouted.

Victoria King’s eyes went wide with horror at the sight of her son lying on his stomach with a naked man on top of him.

“Holy shit!” Dominick Perrotti yelled at the intrusion. Unable to contain himself any longer, he exploded.