Patchouli For Christmas by Bren Christopher Page A

hardly a scratch, but they…”
    Michael stilled. “I didn’t know you were in the car. Oh, Jude.”
    He hugged Jude until he finally lifted his head to look at him with a smile. A small, sad smile, but still a smile.
    Michael had a sudden realization. “Hey, maybe that’s why you—” Then he bit his lip and cursed himself. Why did every stray thought have to pop right out of his mouth?
    But Jude nodded. “The therapist told me all about survivor’s guilt and trying to atone.” He looked away as he added in a low voice, “And I know in my head it wasn’t my fault, but I don’t always feel it.”
    Michael didn’t know what he could possibly say that would help with that kind of sadness. So he didn’t say anything. Instead, he wrapped his legs around Jude and pulled him closer. His action might be inappropriate considering their topic of conversation, but heat had been pooling in his lower belly since Jude first stretched out on top of him. He thrust upward a little.
    Inappropriate or not, Jude seemed to feel the same. He rocked his pelvis against Michael’s and ground their hardening cocks together. Michael lifted his knees and gripped Jude with his thighs in an attempt to bring them even closer. Then he twisted his fingers through Jude’s hair and pulled him in for a kiss.
    Michael shifted uncomfortably. He broke the kiss and reached down to unzip his pants, while Jude immediately started nuzzling his neck.
    Michael freed himself with a sigh of relief. Since his hand was in the neighborhood anyway, he thought Jude might appreciate the same consideration, so he hooked Jude’s waistband and pushed the sweatpants down around his thighs. This conveniently bared his bottom so Michael could fondle it with one hand while reaching in between them to grip their cocks in the other hand. He squeezed the shafts together and began a long stroking motion.
    Jude never stopped kissing his neck, although he did shift a little to give Michael room to reach between them.
    Jude moved his mouth to Michael’s shoulder and bit him gently through the white undershirt. “You’re so beautiful. Sometimes I think I could eat you right up.”
    “But you don’t eat meat.”
    “Funny guy. I could do without your horrible sense of humor.”
    “Then why are you smiling?”
    “You have my dick in your hand.”
    “Do I? I hadn’t noticed.”
    “Asshole.” Jude bit his shoulder a little harder and then sucked up a mark on his neck.
    Was that supposed to be punishment? The sensations shot a jolt of pure heat down Michael’s spine. He arched up with a gasp and heard Jude’s answering groan as he thrust more vigorously into Michael’s hand.
    Michael used his thumb to gather the now pouring precum and spread it for lubricant. Jude’s mouth landed forcefully on his, and they rocked together in earnest as they explored every inch of each other’s mouths with their tongues.
    Pressure moved down Michael’s body and landed in his balls. They drew tight with the need to explode. Michael strengthened his grip until their bodies twisted frantically and their slick cocks thrust hard together into his hand.
    “So close,” he groaned into Jude’s mouth. Jude grunted an incoherent answer. Then his grunt turned into a loud moan, and Michael felt Jude’s dick spasm as warm liquid spilled over his hand.
    Jude’s ecstasy pushed Michael into his own orgasm. His back arched again as long, slow waves of pleasure rocked him and his fluid spurted to mingle with Jude’s.
    Michael’s arms fell to his sides, lifeless. “Jesus.”
    “Yeah.” Jude’s body was just as limp as Michael’s. He felt like a lead weight on top of Michael’s chest, making it a little difficult to recover his breath. But Michael didn’t have the energy—or the desire—to push him off.
    Especially when Jude started trailing little kisses up his neck to end at his mouth. But the kiss only lasted a moment. Jude pulled back a little to look down into Michael’s face.