Simple Gifts - Andrew Grey

sighs of passion filled the room. Eli began begging and pleading, but Geoff kept him on the edge, wanting it to build.
    “I need….”
“I know what you need, and you’ll get it, but first I want to love 9
Simple Gifts * Andrew Grey
    you.” He couldn’t see Eli’s face, but he imagined his eyes half closed and clouded with passion, his mouth open in an expression of awed ecstasy. He’d seen it before and he hoped he was making Eli feel that way again.

    “Yes, love me the way I love you.” Eli’s voice was raspy and hoarse as he gasped for breath.
    Those simple words almost broke Geoff’s tenuous hold, but he managed to keep himself under control. Pulling back, he shifted on the bed, bringing their lips together, kissing his lover with everything he had, pouring all the love and care he felt for this incredible man into that simple declaration of complete, soul-bound love.
    Eli’s arms wrapped around his neck and his legs encircled his waist, cocooning him in his lover’s undying love. Geoff could feel Eli’s lips pounding against his, the kiss almost bruising from Eli’s intensity.

    Geoff ran his hands down Eli’s hips, fingers sliding over the firm butt to tease the small pucker of skin. He felt, rather than heard, Eli sigh against his lips as he teased a finger inside. The excitement ratcheted up, and it felt to Geoff as though Eli’s body was trying to pull him deeper.
    Geoff slicked himself quickly and pressed past his lover’s entrance, Eli’s body practically pulling him the rest of the way. They shared their breath as Geoff and Eli began to move together, their bodies knowing instinctively what the other wanted and needed. No words were spoken, but the sounds they made were like a concerto of loving passion. The pleasure built until neither could contain it any longer, and Geoff cried out as he filled his lover, while Eli climaxed between them.
    They couldn’t move—were afraid to move. Geoff didn’t want to break the physical connection between them, but slowly their bodies 10 Simple Gifts * Andrew Grey
    separated them and he rested back on the mattress, pulling Eli close as they shared gentle, loving kisses. It didn’t take long for Geoff to hear Eli’s breathing even out and he knew his incredible lover was asleep, finally relaxed, the conflict within at bay for a while. But Geoff lay awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering how he could help. “Maybe that’s what I can get you.” Now he just had to figure out how to do what Eli needed.
    Eli rolled over, mumbling something in response before falling back to sleep. This time, Geoff’s mind quieted, and he, too, nodded off. * * *
    GEOFF woke to a silent, still house. The clock on the nightstand read two-thirteen. Eli was sound asleep as Geoff slowly got out of bed and put on his robe, slipping out of the room and down the stairs. The tree stood dark against the window, now decorated for Christmas day, the presents under its branches ready for morning. He only glanced at the tree before heading to his office and pulling Eli’s present out from under his desk.
    Removing it from the box, Geoff carried it to the living room and set it near the tree, next to the small stack of presents for Eli’s family.
    Geoff knew which packages those were—each was a small box wrapped in plain paper. Eli had made each of the gifts, and Geoff didn’t know what some of them were. But he knew they were very personal for the recipient, and he hadn’t wanted to pry.
Opening his gift to Eli, he placed all of the small, plain packages inside, and then closed it up again. Then he walked up the stairs and back to their room, climbing under the covers without waking Eli and falling back to sleep.
    11

    Simple Gifts * Andrew Grey
    * * *
THE bed shifted and Geoff woke to find Eli climbing out from under the covers. “Merry Christmas!” Eli leaned over and kissed him good morning. Geoff returned the kiss and yawned before pulling a willing Eli back into bed. “Merry Christmas!”
    Eli giggled as Geoff playfully groped him. “The animals need to be fed, regardless that it’s Christmas,” Eli protested, but made no effort to get away from Geoff’s embrace.

    “I know.” Geoff sucked gently at the base of Eli’s neck before loosing his grip and climbing from beneath the blankets. “The guys should be here soon to feed the cattle. I’ll make sure the horses are set if you’ll feed the dogs and get breakfast ready.”

    “Deal.” Eli padded to