Welcome to Day 9 of the Rainbow Advent Calendar!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. I’m excited to share my FREE story with all of you! You can read it right here on my blog down below or you can CLICK HERE to download a free .epub from BookFunnel.
If you’re familiar with Cade and Toby from An Endless Sea of Stars, great! If not, don’t worry! Their holiday story, “Starships and Snowflakes” can be read as a standalone Christmas tale.
BLURB: How do you celebrate Christmas on a starship thousands of light years from Earth? Create a cosmic winter wonderland, of course!
It’s the first Christmas away from family and friends for the crew of Genesis and everyone, Commander Tobias Dekker in particular, is feeling homesick. With no habitable planets in sight for holiday shore leave, Captain Caden Flynn decides to create Christmas inside the ship instead. And if he can’t bring Toby to his family, he’ll bring Toby’s family to him with a gift from the heart.
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Keep reading or CLICK HERE for your .epub download!
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Rainbow Advent Calendar Story Masterlist: http://alexjane.info/rainbow-advent-calendar-2022/
Rainbow Advent Calendar Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RainbowAdventCalendar
STARSHIPS AND SNOWFLAKES
CHAPTER ONE
Captain Caden Flynn strode along the corridors of C deck, making his way back to his quarters, silently cursing Commodore Sheppard. Occasionally those at the Intergalactic Exploration Alliance headquarters forgot what time it was aboard Genesis, and he and Commander Tobias Dekker had been in bed—though most certainly not sleeping—when Cade was summoned to his ready room to take Sheppard’s call. For what turned out to be a trivial matter, further annoying Cade. It was hard enough lately for his and Toby’s schedules to be in sync, and now he’d lost precious time that could have been better spent wrapped around Toby’s warm body.
Expecting to find his young Chief Engineer in bed where he’d left him, Cade was instead surprised to find Toby dressed in his black boxer briefs, standing in front of the window, watching the stars streak by. Cade could instantly sense by Toby’s closed-off expression that something was wrong.
Concerned, he walked over and laid a hand gently on Toby’s arm. “Hey, what is it?” he asked quietly.
Toby shrugged, sadness in his expressive blue eyes. “Got a letter from my parents earlier today and finally remembered to read it. Just…feelin’ homesick,” he sighed. “Been a year now since I’ve seen ‘em. We left Earth weeks ahead of schedule. I never got a chance to go back to Florida to say goodbye to them in person. And…Christmas is next week.”
Cade’s heart gave a twinge and he pulled Toby into an embrace, feeling the other man’s arms wind around him in return. He and Toby had been together for five years. He knew how close Toby was to his family and how special Christmas was to them. He’d been invited more than once to the Dekker household over the years to celebrate.
Cade turned his head and kissed the side of Toby’s neck. “I’m sorry. I know how much you miss them.”
Toby stepped back slightly. “It’s not just me, though. Lots of folks missin’ their family this time of year. Everyone’s a bit down.”
Cade nodded. He’d noticed that, too. It hadn’t been an easy year in general for the crew of Genesis. Earth’s very first intergalactic voyage was proving to be both rewarding and dangerous. They were still trying to find their footing in the vast regions of space beyond their own Milky Way, and the brave men and women who had eagerly signed up for the three-year mission were constantly on their toes, having to adapt to what could be rapidly changing situations. They all deserved a much-needed break to celebrate Christmas.
The only problem was, according to the Malorian star charts, they were still a week and a half out from their next destination, with no habitable planets along their flight path that they could stop at for some shore leave. The morale of his crew was important to Cade, though.
“I’ll think of something to bring the holidays to everyone,” Cade promised, combing his fingers through Toby’s short, blonde hair.
Toby brightened slightly. “Yeah?”
Cade nodded. “Absolutely. But for now…” He pulled down the zipper of his dark green uniform jumpsuit and gave Toby a wink. “Would you like to unwrap one of your gifts early?”
That brought out a full-fledged smile and a playful leer from Toby. His warm, southern drawl washed over Cade. “Well, I have been a good boy…”
Naked minutes later, spread out underneath Toby, he showed Cade just how good he was.
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True to his word, Cade set about formulating a plan to bring the holidays to Genesis, and it wasn’t long before it all came together in his mind. Now to make it a reality. He had a meeting with the senior members of each department, plus his bridge crew, Doctor Maddox and Chef, where he outlined Operation: Christmas.
He welcomed input from everyone, and a lively brainstorming session took place, with pleased smiles from all around the table at Cade’s idea. After more than an hour, tasks were assigned to each department. With only four days until Christmas Eve, there was an incredible amount of work to do, but everyone was eager to get started, to inform the rest of their staff.
Toby lingered after everyone left and took Cade into his arms. His expression was one of happiness and gratitude. “Thank you for comin’ up with this.”
“It’s the least I can do. Everyone deserves a break, a little fun and relaxation,” Cade replied.
“You coulda just had Chef make a big dinner. Not all this.” Toby dipped his head down. “I think Santa’s gonna be very good to you this year,” he whispered before expressing his thanks with a kiss.
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The entire ship became a beehive of activity the following morning. It pleased Cade to see his crew in such good spirits. Smiles and laughter abounded wherever he went. There was no shortage of volunteers to help clear out the largest cargo bay and Chef found himself with more helpers than he knew what to do with in the kitchen.
Toby’s engineering team had the heaviest workload, but his staff seemed to relish the task of creating a cosmic winter wonderland. The quartermaster had his hands full, too—the ship’s fabricator was working overtime, churning out all matter of red, white and green fabrics, along with Santa hats and stockings. The hydroponics crew was gathering greenery and fashioning replicas of sprigs of mistletoe and boughs of holly. The medical and science teams were creating various decorations, and the armory was apparently on painting duty.
Cade was quickly banished from the area surrounding the cargo bay, the crew wanting to surprise him with their efforts on Christmas Eve. Toby took delight in dropping hints as to what was going on.
“All the trees are lookin’ good!”
“Made a bunch of Christmas cookie cutters for Chef today.”
“Wait till you see the snowflakes!”
“Is a 12-foot candy cane too big?”
Well, whenever Cade got to see him, that is. All of Toby’s free time was spent working on Operation: Christmas. But his engineer was in a good mood, and that’s what was important to Cade. And he used his own free time to work on Toby’s gift. There were no shopping malls in space, and it had been quite some time since they’d been to a planet with any type of trading bazaar. And when they had been, a Christmas gift hadn’t been something Cade had even thought of. Without anything physical to give Toby, this gift would have to be one from the heart.
And he knew exactly what it would be.
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On the afternoon of December 22nd, Cade entered his quarters and found Toby asleep, still wearing his uniform and boots. Cade attempted to turn around and leave quietly, so that Toby could get some much-needed rest, but Toby stirred at the sound of the door closing.
Cade knelt down next to the bed as Toby’s eyes fluttered open. “Go back to sleep,” he said quietly, brushing his fingers over Toby’s short hair.
Toby tugged on Cade’s sleeve. “Rather snuggle with you for a bit,” he mumbled sleepily.
Cade gave him a soft smile and climbed into bed beside him. Toby immediately turned and wrapped his arms around Cade, burying his head in the crook of Cade’s neck, sighing contentedly. Cade rubbed his hand slowly up and down Toby’s back.
“You’ve been burning the midnight oil. I feel bad that no one will let me pitch in and help.”
Toby shook his head. “This is our gift to you in thanks for comin’ up with the idea in the first place. And the work’s been worth it. It’s gonna look amazin’.” He yawned. “Know of a good recipe for eggnog?”
Cade chuckled. “No, but I’ve got the Kentucky bourbon we can spike it with.”
A soft snore was his only reply.
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Toby informed him on December 23rd that Cargo Bay 3 was off limits to him now as well.
Cade’s brow furrowed. “What? Why?”
Toby held up his hand. “No questions.”
“But—”
Then Toby used his mouth to ensure Cade’s was too busy to ask anything else.
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The excitement was palpable on December 24th, everyone looking forward to the celebration that afternoon. The crew’s happiness was infectious, and Cade was insanely curious as to what he could find in the cargo bay. Both cargo bays.
Toby found him changing into his civvies after going off duty, leaving Jen’issa in charge on the bridge. The Malorian was more than happy to remain there instead of fraternizing with the crew for a holiday she did not understand everyone’s enthusiasm for.
The brown-furred, cat-like, young female was the only alien on board the Earth vessel, installed as the ship’s Communications Officer as a compromise between the IEA and the Malorian High Council.
Cade had initially bristled at the intrusion, having had enough of the Malorian’s “advisors” overseeing Earth’s fledgling space exploration program since his late father had designed the StarDrive engine when Cade was just a child.
But, as Commodore Sheppard had repeatedly pointed out to Cade, the Malorian’s had been the very first species to make contact with Earth, imparting their knowledge of intergalactic space travel. And it was the Malorian’s star charts Genesis was using on their very first mission here. So Cade needed to play nice with the staid, aloof Jen’issa.
Toby was already dressed in his casual clothes, a jacket, and wearing a Santa hat when he let himself in to Cade’s quarters. Cade laughed and shook his head. Then wondered what Toby would look like wearing that hat…and nothing else.
Cade shrugged on his shirt, buttoning it up, not missing Toby’s heated gaze at his bare chest. Cade got the distinct feeling they’d be leaving the celebration early.
“Ready for a little winter wonderland fun?” Toby grinned.
“Having been kept in the dark about this for days, you could say so,” Cade replied with a smile.
Toby opened Cade’s closet and handed him his cold weather jacket. “Here. You’re gonna need this.”
Cade’s eyebrows rose. “Why? Has the party been moved outside?” he joked.
Toby just continued grinning. “You’ll see.”
“What—”
Toby laughed. “Look at you! You’re like a little kid, wantin’ to open up one of his presents early.” He stepped close, his voice low. “You can unwrap me later.” He kissed Cade teasingly and stepped back. “Let’s go!”
Cade put his jacket on and followed Toby down the corridor, passing more than one of his crew wearing a Santa hat and greeting him with a smile. They made their way to the turbo lift, which took them down to the cargo bay level. Toby ushered him out with a sweep of his arm, just as a mouth-watering aroma filled Cade’s nose.
Cade stepped out, his eyes widening in surprise. Chef had clearly outdone himself. Laid out on long tables leading up to the cargo bay door was a Christmas feast to end all Christmas feasts.
There was turkey, ham and prime rib, stuffing and sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, fresh baked rolls, salad, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, cheesy au gratin potatoes, cinnamon apples and sweets like pumpkin pie, pecan pie, fruitcake and bread pudding.
“Wow,” Cade breathed.
“Wait till you see the Christmas morning breakfast buffet Chef has planned, too,” Toby smiled. “But for now, eat up, Captain!”
Cade didn’t have to be told twice. He got in line at the end of the buffet with several of the crew and piled his plate high, listening to the Christmas music being played softly in the corridor and the happy voices of the men and women around him.
When he reached the end of the buffet, he realized there was nowhere to sit down and eat. He turned to Toby, who had an amused expression on his face.
“This way,” the engineer said, and walked over to the door to Cargo Bay 1.
He opened it with a flourish, stuck his head inside, shouted, “Look who I found!” and stepped aside to let Cade enter.
“Merry Christmas, Captain!”
At least twenty-five of his crew greeted him enthusiastically in chorus with smiles and applause and Cade nearly dropped his plate at the sight before him. Toby hadn’t been kidding when he asked if Cade was ready for a winter wonderland. It was…magical.
The temperature inside had been lowered considerably, to what felt like just above freezing, and there was snow on the floor and piled up in drifts along the walls. There was even a snowman in one corner. Christmas music played over the comm system and the movie It’s A Wonderful Life was being projected on one of the walls.
The entire bay had been decorated within an inch of its life. There were stockings hung on the walls with the names of all 82 crew members along with paper chains and greenery. Huge, iridescent, glittering snowflakes hung suspended from the ceiling.
The crowning centerpiece were the three “trees” toward the back. The biggest had to be over fifteen feet tall, the other two on either side around ten feet tall. They were constructed of twisted pieces of metal made to resemble a trunk and branches, covered in green and brown fabric and paint. Each had a shining star on top and all were decorated with strings of popcorn and cranberries as garland, and strands of glittering, twinkling white lights, along with all manner of found objects from around the ship to serve as ornaments.
Shipping containers had been wrapped in colorful fabric and topped with bows to make giant presents, along with huge red and white candy canes made out of some sort of tubing. A side table held cups and serving bowls of eggnog and what looked like mulled wine alongside coffee and hot chocolate.
Several “fire pits” had been set up throughout the bay, ringed with smaller shipping boxes with cushions on top to serve as seats, and fake rocks made out of what appeared to be styrofoam with a portable heater in the center to serve as the “fire”. Some of the crew were sitting around them, enjoying their dinner and each other’s company. Others were admiring the trees and a few were exchanging presents.
Before Cade could even form words, it started to snow. He looked up in surprise as flakes floated down from two large blowers mounted near the ceiling. He was utterly stunned at what his crew had accomplished in less than a week. Especially Toby’s engineering team, who he knew had to be responsible for making it snow indoors and creating those massive trees and snowflakes. Operation: Christmas was most certainly a rousing success.
Toby leaned in. “Do you have any idea how much ice we had to shave down to make all this snow?”
Cade smiled and shook his head. “This is…incredible.”
Several of his appreciative crew came over to him, including Sandburg, Kelly, Romanov, Nguyen, Valdez and Shaw. They thanked him for green-lighting the celebration and wished him happy holidays and he in turned thanked them for their hard work, taking his idea and running with it, far exceeding his expectations.
“Captain! Over here!”
Cade turned at the voice of Lieutenant Mayko Takomi, his Armory officer, and saw his bridge crew sitting around one of the fire pits. Mayko and Ensign Eddie Guzman, Genesis’ helmsman, were wearing Santa hats and Lieutenant Ian Fitzroy, his Science Officer, a Christmas crown. Mayko beckoned Cade over and he and Toby sat down with them.
“Merry Christmas, everyone,” Cade greeted them.
“Happy Christmas, sir,” Ian smiled at him.
“Can I get you and the Commander something to drink?” Eddie asked.
“We’ll have some of that mulled wine, Eddie, thanks,” Toby answered for them.
Cade tucked into his dinner with gusto along with everyone else. Easy, relaxed conversation flowed between them all as they ate, all of them filled with the holiday spirit.
A ripple of laughter suddenly spread throughout the cargo bay and Cade looked around to see what had caught his crew’s interest. And there, walking through the door was Santa Claus himself, bearing a huge plate of cookies. Cade squinted and then laughed himself when he realized it was Chef behind the beard.
Santa made his way around with the cookies and Cade selected a gingerbread man. Nostalgia swept over him as he looked down at the treat.
“You okay?” Toby asked.
Cade nodded and cleared his throat. “Yeah.” He held up the cookie. “This just reminds me of my mother.”
“How so, sir?” Mayko asked, taking a bite of her own star-shaped cookie.
“When I was a kid,” Cade started, “My mother would make gingerbread cookies every Christmas Eve. The whole house was filled with the smell.” Cade smiled at the memory. “She let me help mix the dough and decorate them. Needless to say, the kitchen was a mess by the time we were done.” Everyone laughed at the mental image as Cade continued.
“Then my mother, father and I would go out for dinner and on the way back my father would take us around the neighborhood to look at all of the decorated houses. We’d get back home and sit down on the floor next to the tree and have gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate,” Cade finished, an image of his departed parents filling his mind.
“What a lovely tradition,” Mayko smiled softly.
“What about the rest of you?” Cade asked. “Did you have any family traditions when you were young?”
“Board games,” Mayko replied with a grin.
“Board games?” Eddie asked.
Mayko nodded. “My family loves them. Between myself, my two brothers and sister and my parents, at least two of us would get a new one for Christmas and we’d all sit around after breakfast in our pajamas playing them for hours.”
Toby spoke up. “You know, I’ve got a Go board in my quarters. We should play sometime.”
Mayko brightened. “I’d like that, Commander.”
“What about you, Eddie?” Cade asked. “How do space scamps celebrate the holidays?”
The youngest of his bridge crew, Eddie had been born and raised on Serenity, the NASA base on Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, where his parents both worked as astronomers.
Eddie grinned. “My father would always make sure to book the three of us on a shuttle back to Earth at the beginning of December so that we could all shop for gifts and everything we’d need for Christmas dinner. We’d get a real tree, too, and bring it back with us to decorate. I looked forward to it every year.”
“That’s great,” Cade smiled.
“I only wish we’d thought to make it snow inside the base like this!” Eddie laughed and everyone joined in.
“How do you celebrate Christmas in England, Ian?” Toby asked and Cade noticed Ian looked decidedly uncomfortable at the question.
The science officer cleared his throat. “My father…didn’t really have much use for holidays,” he started. “But my mother did her best to give my sister and I a good Christmas,” Ian continued. “She cooked a goose, we had Christmas crackers and crowns and she’d take us to a panto.”
“A what?” Toby laughed.
“A pantomime,” Ian explained. “It’s a play traditionally put on at Christmas. It’s usually loud and rather raucous, with audience participation.”
Toby nodded, smirking. “Sounds like my kind of entertainment.”
“And you, Commander?” Ian asked. “How do you southerners do Christmas?”
“The Dekker family is quite musically inclined,” Toby said. “My younger sister Amanda plays the piano, my older sister Chloe plays the violin and my older brother Ken and my father play the guitar. And my mom…she’s got the voice of an angel. We’d put up the tree on Christmas Eve and then after dinner we’d all go out caroling. The whole neighborhood looked forward to us comin’ around. I have the best memories of singing with my family, folks smilin’ and clappin’ and giving me and Ken and Chloe and Amanda cookies and candy canes. Then we’d go home and we’d each get to open one gift.”
Cade heard the wistfulness in Toby’s voice, knew how much he was missing his family. And he was hoping later, back in his quarters, he could bring them to Toby.
“We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas…”
Mayko started singing and the rest of the bridge crew joined in, followed quickly by everyone else around them, their joyful voices filling the cargo bay. Everyone clapped when the song ended and Cade leaned in to Toby.
“You wouldn’t happen to have your holo-cam on you, would you?”
“Actually, I do. I was takin’ pictures in here before everyone came in. Why?”
Cade held out his hand for the camera but didn’t answer. Toby placed it in his palm and Cade stood and walked over to the comm panel on the wall next to the door.
“Flynn to Jen’issa.”
“Yes, Captain?”
“Can you come down to Cargo Bay 1 for a moment?”
“On my way.”
Cade walked into the middle of the bay and clapped his hands, getting everyone’s attention, realizing there were even more crew members in there now.
“Can I get everyone to assemble in front of the trees, please? I’d like to get a photo and send a Christmas card from all of us to Alliance command,” he smiled.
Everyone grinned and nodded and when they were all gathered together, Cade addressed his crew.
“I know we’ve all been away from home and family for a long time now. And I know this mission hasn’t been easy. But I couldn’t be prouder of every single one of you with how you’ve performed in challenging circumstances.” Cade took a breath and squared his shoulders. “There is no finer crew in the IEA. This Christmas celebration is the least I could do for all of you to show my thanks for a job well done. Happy holidays, everyone.”
“Happy Holidays!” the cheer went up.
Jen’issa walked in then and Cade went over to her.
“Would you mind taking a photo of all of us?”
She looked around disinterestedly. “Of course.”
Cade handed her the camera and took his place next to Toby, who slid his arm around Cade’s waist.
“Everyone say Merry Christmas!” Toby said.
“Merry Christmas!”
Jen’issa took several photos and Cade walked back over to her.
“Thank you,” he said.
“How is your celebration proceeding?” she asked.
“Very well. Thank you for taking the time to put together the duty roster so everyone in the crew has a chance to participate.”
She inclined her head in response. “If there’s nothing else?”
Cade grinned and shook his head slightly. “That’ll be all,” he replied and Jen’issa took her leave.
Cade took a few steps away from the door and Toby came up to him, leaning in close.
“What do you say we get outta here? There’s a gift in Cargo Bay 3 with your name on it.”
Cade shivered, not from the cold, but at the tone of Toby’s low voice. “What are we waiting for?”
Toby grinned and led the way to the door, which he opened, but then stopped with one foot in the cargo bay and one out in the corridor. He smirked at Cade and then looked pointedly upward.
Suspended above the doorway was a sprig of “mistletoe” the hydroponics team had put together. Cade had seen it earlier but noticed no one from the crew was partaking in the tradition. Toby, however, had no qualms about it, taking Cade into his arms for a long kiss.
There was hooting and applause from the crew when they parted, and Cade felt his face heat. His relationship with Toby was no secret, but he wasn’t used to such public displays of affection. Toby took a humorous bow and Cade tugged on his sleeve, pulling him out of the cargo bay.
Toby laughed and gave Cade’s hand a squeeze and led them down the corridor past Cargo Bay 2 to number 3. He opened the door and Cade was hit with a wave of heat as he stepped inside.
He unzipped his jacket. “Little warm in there, don’t you think?”
Toby just winked at him and took his hand. The shipping containers in here were stacked high, some of the overflow from emptying out Cargo Bay 1. Toby took him deeper into the bay, through a narrow opening between the boxes. Then he stepped out into a wide, open space and stopped dead in his tracks, struck speechless for the second time that day. His jaw dropped open, his eyes widening in surprise at what was in front of him.
“You’ve been sayin’ you wished we had a pool on board,” Toby grinned. “So I made one for ya.”
“Toby…” Cade breathed, as his gaze took in the rectangular tank the engineer had created.
It had to be around six feet deep, six feet wide and twenty feet long. Cade’s aqua ball bobbed jauntily in the middle and there was even a net at the far end. And past that was another, smaller section where the water was swirling and bubbling.
“Hot tub,” Toby said with another wink.
“This is…amazing. I don’t even know what to say.”
“Well, don’t get too excited. It’s only temporary. We can have another swim tomorrow, but then I’ll have to drain and disassemble it.”
Cade knew it wasn’t feasible to have a pool on the ship, especially if the grav plating should fail, but he was a tad disappointed, nevertheless.
“But, now that I know how to make one, I can always put it back up again for special occasions,” Toby placated him.
Cade brightened at the prospect and Toby pulled him in for a kiss. Water had played a big part in their relationship from the very beginning, when they first met in Florida. That was a magical summer. Toby had been Cade’s scuba diving instructor, and they had spent countless hours under the water and out on Toby’s boat, talking endlessly, getting to know one another. In return, Cade taught Toby all about aqua ball, and why he was so passionate about the sport.
But most importantly, being in the water would always remind Cade of falling in love with Toby, of getting the younger man to open up his heart and take a chance on them. It still amazed him, even after all these years, that Toby was his. He was ten years younger than Cade, handsome, funny, and had a brilliant mind. Toby could have anyone he wanted. Yet he chose Cade. His love and devotion was a gift that Cade would treasure forever.
When they moved apart, Toby plucked off his Santa hat and began undressing and Cade followed suit. He stripped down to his dark blue boxer briefs, but Toby began to tug his down and off.
“Toby!” Cade exclaimed, realizing the younger man was getting completely naked.
Toby laughed and took off his underwear. “Don’t worry. Mayko put out a security memo, tellin’ everyone Cargo Bay 3 was strictly off-limits until further notice.” He stepped up in front of Cade. “No one’s comin’ in here,” he promised, sliding his hands slowly down past Cade’s waistband and pushed the briefs off Cade’s hips to puddle on the floor.
Toby then wrapped him in his embrace and they kissed for a long minute, heat pooling in Cade’s groin. Toby gave him a smirk when he moved back.
“Last one in’s a rotten egg!”
Then he jogged over to the steps leading up to the pool, climbed them and splashed down into the water with a laugh. Cade joined him a minute later, but climbed down the steps into the water more sedately.
He sighed as he was surrounded by the warm water and completely submerged himself. He pushed off, swimming to one end and back, doing laps while Toby watched, smiling, sitting on the steps. It felt fabulous to swim for the first time in a year, and skinny-dipping, no less.
He grabbed the aqua ball and swam back to Toby. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Toby’s eyes lit up. “Oh, it’s on!”
They reverted to children, their laughter bright, echoing off the walls as each took control over the ball and tried to score a goal, water sloshing over the sides of the pool. It was both playful and sensual as they stole kisses and touches, their naked bodies pressing and sliding against one another, teasing each other, filling Cade’s head with visions of making love to Toby in the water.
He was half hard with the thought when Toby lunged for him and the ball. Cade dropped the ball and caught Toby in his arms, their mouths meeting a moment later. They swallowed down each other’s quiet moans as the kiss deepened, as hands roamed over slick, wet skin. Cade felt Toby’s hardening cock nudge his own just as Toby pulled back.
“What do you say we move this party to the hot tub?”
“I think that sounds like a very good idea.”
The hot tub wasn’t as deep as the pool, with a thick rubber mat on the bottom, allowing them to sit comfortably, with the water coming up to just under their shoulders.
Cade sank down into the bubbling, swirling water and leaned in to touch his forehead to Toby’s. “Thank you for this,” he said sincerely.
Toby smiled. “You’re welcome. And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy comin’ up with a gift for a man who basically has everything, including a starship.”
Cade chuckled but then turned serious. “I don’t need anything, Toby. Just you being here is enough.” He cupped the side of Toby’s face. “You nearly died a few months ago. When I opened the door of the escape pod and saw you lying there so still…I thought I’d lost you…” he trailed off as his voice broke.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay. I’m here,” Toby soothed, taking Cade’s hand in his.
Cade swallowed. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’ll never have to find out,” Toby vowed and sealed his promise with a kiss.
Things quickly grew as heated between them as the water surrounding them. Toby groaned, tipping his head back as Cade kissed his way down his neck.
“Make love to me, Cade…”
Arousal surged through Cade at Toby’s plea, and he drew them up onto their knees, wrapping his arms around Toby, claiming his mouth again. As their tongues tangled, their lower bodies moved, cocks rubbing together until they were fully erect.
Toby reached a hand below the surface to curl it around Cade’s cock as he nipped at his bottom lip. He stroked Cade firmly. “Want this…”
Cade’s cock throbbed in Toby’s grasp, at the desire in those two words. He kissed Toby hard, tongue plunging in, then out, simulating was he was about to do. Toby groaned into the kiss and Cade shifted them, turning them so that Toby now faced the side of the hot tub, leaning over, his hands grasping the top ledge.
Toby spread his legs wide, tilted his hips, pushing his ass out toward Cade, looking over his shoulder, eyes hooded. “Need you,” he breathed hard.
Cade molded his body over Toby’s, sliding his cock between Toby’s ass, pressing against his full balls. One of his hands snaked around to grasp the younger man’s cock to give it a quick, sharp stroke.
“Cade…” Toby groaned, his head dropping down, ass pushing back against Cade’s groin.
“I’ve got you,” Cade whispered gruffly, desire surging through him at the thought of being inside Toby. He pressed a finger against Toby’s entrance but the engineer shook his head, glancing back at Cade.
“Don’t need it…just you…in me…now…”
Cade nodded and replaced his finger with the swollen head of his cock, rubbing it against the small, puckered muscle, teasing them both before pressing forward.
The water made for an easy entrance, Cade’s cock gliding inside Toby’s body until he was buried to the hilt, hands flexing on the other man’s hips. Cade tossed his head back with a moan at the intimate connection just as Toby did the same. Cade held still for the span of several heartbeats, enjoying the feel of Toby’s body stretching around him, pulling him in.
He drew Toby up, his back pressed to Cade’s front, arms encircling his chest and waist, holding Toby close. “Feel so good,” he murmured as he shifted his hips backward, withdrawing nearly all the way before pushing his cock back in smoothly.
“Yes…” Toby ground out, one hand reaching back to cup Cade’s ass, holding on tightly.
What was it about making love in the water that was so…arousing, so sensual…as it moved around them, between them, heightening the experience with small waves and pulses as it caressed their naked skin, driving Cade’s desire higher as he moved in and out of Toby, over and over.
Their soft, panting breaths mingled, bodies straining against each other as they strove for completion. Cade buried his head against the side of Toby’s neck as he felt his balls draw up, heat pooling in his belly just as he sensed a tremor race through his lover.
“Oh God…Cade…”
Cade reached down between Toby’s legs and curled his palm around his rock hard cock, stroking fast. He pressed his mouth against Toby’s ear. “Let me feel you come…”
And Toby did, shouting out as his cock throbbed under the water, such a different sensation for Cade, feeling each pulse as if in slow motion as Toby ejaculated thick streams that swirled away.
Toby’s body convulsed around Cade’s cock as he climaxed, pulling Cade’s own from him with a low groan. He pushed in deep one last time and let the wave crest and sweep him away, filling Toby with his release.
Cade sagged against Toby, kissing the side of his neck softly as their breathing slowed and the tremors subsided. Cade slipped regretfully from Toby’s body and Toby turned in his arms, their mouths meeting for a long, slow kiss.
A smile crossed Cade’s face when they parted. “I couldn’t have asked for a better present.”
Toby’s blue eyes were playful. “Me or the pool?” he teased.
Cade laughed, gave him a wink and another kiss. “I think we’re beginning to wrinkle. What do you say we move this party to my quarters?” He ran a hand down Toby’s back. “There just might be a gift there with your name on it.”
Toby was out of the hot tub in a flash.
“Now who’s the little kid?” Cade joked as Toby tossed him one of the towels that he’d thoughtfully left there for them ahead of time.
CHAPTER TWO
It wasn’t long before they were mostly dry, redressed, and on C deck at Cade’s quarters. It was then that Cade got butterflies in his stomach, wondering how his gift to Toby would go over with the young engineer. Would it help with his homesickness or make it worse?
Their bodies were still a bit damp, and now so were their clothes, so they undressed back down to their briefs, tossing their clothes and towels in a pile on the floor, to be dealt with later, Toby’s Santa hat now laying on Cade’s desk.
Cade drew Toby to him for a slow kiss, enjoying the press of Toby’s body against his, his bare skin, his heat. When they parted with a soft sigh, Cade guided Toby over to the corner of the bed so that he was sitting facing Cade’s computer station on his desk.
“Ready for your gift?”
Toby’s face was full of curiosity. “Like you have to ask?” he grinned.
Cade walked over to his computer and queued up the video, then moved to sit behind Toby. The younger man leaned back against him and Cade wrapped his arms loosely around his waist.
The video message began and Toby’s family appeared on the screen, standing around the piano in their living room. Cade felt Toby pull in a surprised breath.
“Hi, Toby!” Amanda smiled and waved from her seat on the bench in front of the piano keys.
“Hello, son,” his father grinned.
“How’s it goin’, little brother?” Ken smiled.
“Hey, you!” Chloe piped up.
“Cade called and said you were feeling a bit homesick,” his mother said. “We miss you, too, sweetheart.”
Toby swallowed hard, grasping one of Cade’s hands and giving it a squeeze.
“But we couldn’t be prouder of you,” his father continued. “And we can’t wait to see you again.”
“Christmas just isn’t the same without you,” Chloe said.
“So we thought we’d bring a little Christmas to you,” his mother smiled, then glanced at the rest of the family. “Ready?”
They all nodded and Amanda rested her fingers on the piano keys. A moment later she began to play and the entire family started to sing O Come All Ye Faithful, which Cade knew was Toby’s favorite song.
Toby gave a little gasp, his body shook against Cade’s and Cade held him close, resting his head against Toby’s as his family sang to him. The song ended and Silent Night began, showcasing his mother’s beautiful voice. Cade heard Toby’s hitching breaths and knew he was crying, a lump forming in Cade’s throat at his emotional response. His family was all smiles when the song ended.
“We miss you, Toby!”
“Stay safe, son.”
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
All of the Dekker’s waved and the message ended.
Toby turned to Cade and straddled his waist, tear tracks on his face. “Cade…” He reached for him and Cade held him close.
“Toby, I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I never meant for this to make you sad.”
But Toby shook his head. “No, thank you. Thank you for bringin’ my family to me.” He cupped the side of Cade’s face, his voice just above a whisper. “You always know exactly what I need. God, I love you…”
Toby closed the small distance between them, the kiss chaste at first, just a soft, warm press of their lips for a long moment. Then they opened for each other and their quiet sighs mingled as the kiss deepened.
Their mouths moved together, hands roamed over broad, bare backs, and heat built between them. Kissing Toby had become Cade’s addiction years and years ago and he never, ever wanted to be cured. Because he couldn’t get enough. Because each kiss was different, a reflection of the younger man’s emotions at that moment.
And right now Toby’s kiss slowly grew more insistent and sensual. Cade could feel the growing evidence of his arousal pressing against his own. And Cade willingly, eagerly, gave himself over to his young lover, letting Toby take command.
He knew Toby sensed the moment he surrendered himself, and he lowered Cade down upon the bed, covering his body with his own, never breaking their kiss. Cade reveled in the feel of Toby’s hard, muscular body and warm, soft skin. His hands drifted down to the swell of Toby’s ass, pressing Toby more firmly against him. Toby made a low noise into the kiss and rolled his hips, pulling a quick intake of breath from Cade.
Toby eased back from the kiss, his lips pink and wet, his face flushed, his blue eyes wide and dark, his full erection pushing against the fabric of his briefs. The blood in Cade’s veins thrummed with arousal at the sight Toby presented, knew he was a mirror image.
Toby moved off of Cade to stand at the end of the bed, catching the waistband of Cade’s underwear as he went, peeling them down and off. His gaze roved over Cade’s naked body spread out before him as he slowly pushed down his own briefs.
He held his hand out to Cade. “C’mere,” he breathed, and Cade shivered from the hunger in his voice.
He took Toby’s hand and the younger man guided him back up to sitting as he dropped to his knees in front of Cade. Never breaking his gaze, Toby spread Cade’s legs wide and moved between them. His tongue darted out to wet his lips and Cade’s full, hard cock throbbed in anticipation.
A moment later Cade’s gasp bounced off the walls as Toby’s hot, wet mouth closed around his erection. Cade groaned, his head tipping back, eyes closing, his hand coming to rest on the back of Toby’s head as the younger man took him as far back into his throat as he could.
“Toby…” Cade exhaled, feeling himself release a burst of precum.
Toby hummed in response and Cade shivered again, the sensation reverberating around his sensitive cock. Toby pulled back then, until he could lick and suck at the swollen head of Cade’s erection. Cade’s fingers flexed against Toby’s short hair as his talented tongue coaxed more clear fluid from the tip, pushing against the bundle of nerves until Cade gasped again.
Toby sank back down onto Cade’s cock, setting up a rhythm, bobbing his head, sucking hard, tongue swirling around the head.
“Oh god, so good…” Cade moaned, trying to thrust into Toby’s mouth.
But Toby held him still with one hand on his hip, while his other curled around Cade’s shaft, stroking in tandem with his sucking.
The dual sensation shot straight down to Cade’s heavy balls. “Yes…” he groaned, the first stirrings of his orgasm tingling the base of his spine.
Toby hollowed his cheeks and Cade looked down, watching with erotic fascination as his cock slid in and out of Toby’s mouth. The sight was nearly Cade’s breaking point and his cock swelled. Cade closed his eyes, waiting for the rush of release…which never came.
Toby abruptly pulled off, Cade’s cock slipping wetly from between his lips and Cade’s eyes opened as he made a sound of frustration and confusion.
Toby swallowed and shook his head, his voice low and hoarse. “No…not until I’m in you.”
A tremor ran through Cade’s entire body and he pulled in a breath as Toby crawled up onto the bed over him, heat blazing from his blue eyes as Cade pushed himself up into the center of the bed.
Toby sank down onto Cade, claiming his mouth for a hard, deep kiss, ratcheting Cade’s arousal even higher. Cade spread his legs wide, bending them at the knee, fitting Toby between them. Toby ground down against him, pushing his cock against Cade’s, creating delicious friction.
Toby broke the kiss, mouthing wetly at the sensitive spot next to Cade’s ear and Cade groaned, clutching at the younger man’s back. He felt Toby smile against his skin, pleased at Cade’s reaction, then his mouth moved lower, down across Cade’s collarbone, then lower still.
Cade hissed as Toby’s tongue swiped over one of his flat nipples, laving it until it was a pebble-hard, aching peak. He sucked on it then, drawing a moan from Cade as he tugged gently on it with his teeth, the bolt of pleasure releasing a stream of precum from his cock as Toby’s fingers rolled his other nipple between them.
“Toby…please…” he begged, breathing hard, Toby driving him out of his mind with need and want.
Toby finally took pity on him and rose up and Cade’s hand groped under the pillow for the tube they always kept there. His fingers closed around it and he pressed it into Toby’s hand.
Toby smirked as he coated his fingers. “Eager much?” he teased.
Cade arched an eyebrow and reached out to wrap his hand around Toby’s hard cock, giving it a firm stroke, pulling a gasp from the younger man.
“Looks like I’m not the only one.”
Toby’s eyes darkened as he leaned back over Cade, one hand braced next to Cade’s shoulder, the other drifting down between Cade’s legs.
“Then what we we waitin’ for?” he growled.
Then it was Cade’s turn to gasp as one of Toby’s long fingers rubbed against his puckered muscle and then slipped inside him. Cade’s eyes closed, his mouth falling open with a long exhale as Toby stretched him slow and careful with one finger, then two. When Toby pressed deep, finding his hidden spot, Cade shuddered and reached for him.
“Need you inside me…now…”
Toby didn’t have to be told twice. He kissed Cade hard and fast and reached for the tube again, but Cade was quicker. He spread the semi-thick lube on his palm and curled it around Toby’s straining erection, slicking it up himself, teasing Toby with his long, slow strokes until the younger man had to pull away from the stimulation.
And then that slick cock was at Cade’s entrance, rubbing, teasing in return for a moment before Toby pressed forward slowly, gently. Cade felt his body open for Toby and their low moans mingled as the swollen head breached him, as Toby filled him completely.
They paused then, bodies pressed together, feeling each other’s soft breaths, gazing steadily at each other, soaking in their intimate connection. A surge of emotion flooded through Cade and he swallowed hard against the constriction in his throat.
He reached up and rubbed his thumb against Toby’s cheekbone. “I love you. I don’t tell you that enough,” he whispered.
Toby smiled at him tenderly. “You don’t have to say it. I know you do by the things you do. Like that video message.” He leaned down even closer. “Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Like this…”
And he began to move. Twin groans echoed as Toby shifted his hips back, his cock nearly slipping all the way out of Cade until just the head caught on the puckered muscle and he pushed back in, in one smooth motion.
Their bodies rocked together slowly, their mouths meeting again and again. They had made love countless times over the years, but to Cade every time felt like the first time, as they were never able to get enough of one another.
And tonight was no exception. Cade fell into the sensations Toby was creating inside him—so full and complete, the two of them joined as one.
He lost track of time as Toby rolled his hips over and over, drawing out their pleasure as long as possible, Cade’s body stretching around his long, thick length. Their panting breaths filled the air as their arousal climbed higher and higher.
“You feel so good, Cade…” Toby breathed.
“Don’t stop…” Cade pleaded, hands clutching at Toby’s back. He lifted his legs, wrapping them around Toby’s trim waist, changing the angle of penetration. “Go deeper…”
Toby made a noise from low in his chest and thrust harder, pushing in even further. Cade’s mouth fell open with a sharp gasp, his head pushing back into the pillow as Toby found his hidden spot.
“There!” he ground out, arching his back, trying to pull Toby impossibly closer.
The drag of Toby’s cock set every nerve ending in his body on fire. He never wanted the sensation to end, but his cock ached and throbbed and the urge to come flared sharp and bright, low in his belly.
He moaned harshly, unable to stop his impending climax. “Toby…so close…”
“I’ve got you…I’ve got you…” Toby whispered hoarsely.
And Cade knew he did. Now and forever.
Safe in Toby’s arms, Cade let go. He came with a shout, his body shaking, his cock jerking, painting his chest and Toby’s with the thick streams of his release. His climax was still racing through him when Toby found his own completion a moment later. He gave a sharp cry of Cade’s name as his cock pulsed over and over, spilling himself deep within Cade. Cade groaned as Toby filled him with slick, wet heat, the younger man sinking down onto him. They held one another close for long minutes until their bodies stopped trembling and their breathing slowed.
Toby raised his head and they kissed gently, languidly, until Toby’s softening cock slipped from Cade’s body. Toby shifted to lay on his side next to Cade, their legs tangled together, hands smoothing over bare skin. Cade’s smile was wide and warm.
“What?” Toby grinned in return.
Cade ran his fingers through Toby’s hair. “You just…make me happy.”
Toby’s expression softened and he linked his hand with Cade’s. “You make me happy, too. I know I’m far from home, but there’s no place I’d rather be, than out here with you.”
Cade’s heart swelled with love and he raised their hands to kiss Toby’s, then twisted away from him slightly to retrieve something from the drawer of his bedside table. He may have asked the hydroponics staff to make him up a sprig of “mistletoe” for his own personal use.
Toby chuckled when he saw the piece of greenery that Cade held over their heads.
“You romantic, you.”
“What can I say? You bring it out in me,” Cade smiled again and leaned in close.
Their kiss was slow and tender and they rested their foreheads together when they gradually let it end.
“Merry Christmas, Toby.”
“Merry Christmas, Cade.”
“Toby…?”
“Hmmm?”
“Can you put the Santa hat on?”
THE END
Rainbow Advent Calendar Story Masterlist: http://alexjane.info/rainbow-advent-calendar-2022/
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Want to know all about the magical summer when Cade and Toby first met, how their relationship began? Then pick up a copy of An Endless Sea of Stars today!
BLURB: The year is 2121. While Earth has conquered exploration of the Milky Way, we have yet to develop an interstellar engine to take us beyond our own galaxy. Thus the Intergalactic Exploration Alliance and the Gemini Project were formed.
Lieutenant Tobias Dekker is fresh out of the IEA academy and determined to be assigned to the Gemini engineering team. Putting career above all else. He knows from experience that relationships have no place in the Alliance. Commander Caden Flynn is equally determined to see the Gemini prototype take flight to uncharted space. The engine is his late father’s design and he wants nothing more than to be the test pilot that breaks the next light speed barrier.
Two men dreaming of a sea of stars find that it’s instead an ocean here on Earth that brings them together. Can Cade convince Toby to open up his heart and take a chance on love and explore the universe with him, side by side?
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Looking for some holiday reads instead? I’ve got you covered!
NEW RELEASE! – Christmas Together
BLURB: Snowflakes and spies and mistletoe, oh my!
It’s been five months since British Intelligence agents Liam Bancroft and Colin Mason found the courage to weather the emotional storm of painful, long-buried secrets and confess their love for one another.
As their first Christmas together approaches, they want nothing more than to return to the idyllic English countryside and the cottage that has come to mean so much to them.
But the road there is fraught with obstacles. They must navigate the aftermath of finally revealing their relationship to family and the intelligence service, and an undercover operation that puts Liam’s life in jeopardy.
Will it take a Christmas miracle to bring Colin and Liam together for the holiday?
(This novel is a sequel to Stronger Together – Partners: Book 1 – but can be read as a standalone holiday book)
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BLURB: In war-torn Afghanistan, all Captain Oliver Macintosh and Captain Brendan Clarke want for Christmas is each other. But will either of them have the courage to take the first step before it’s too late and they run out of second chances?
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BLURB: A great introduction to Connor and Shawn and the world of Shadow Unit!
With memories of the past coloring their present, Sergeants Connor Finley and Shawn Weller use an unexpected 24 hours together in an isolated cabin on Christmas to help one another make peace with their ghosts and look toward the future together.
(Set between Broken Soldier and Rogue Soldier but can be read as a standalone)
SHADOW UNIT SERIES: Broken Soldier (Book 1), Snowbound Soldiers (Book 1.5), Rogue Soldier (Book 2), Hunted Soldier (Book 3), Dying Soldier (Book 4)
All Shadow Unit books available for direct purchase or read with KINDLE UNLIMITED!
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Jamie Lynn Miller 