“I don’t know what you did,” Joker said as he wrapped lights around the garland on the lamppost. “But Jack wasn’t an asshole this morning. He was all smiley and in a good mood. He even apologized for being a dick yesterday.”

  Ace snorted. “Duh, what do you think Fitz did?”

  Fitz smacked Ace in the back of the head.

  “Ow! What? You think we didn’t hear what you did?”

  “We talked,” Fitz growled. “And yes, we had sex, but we had a really good talk. He promised to take better care of himself and even talked about making some changes at work so he could work fewer hours.”

  “Really?” King handed Leo one of the wreaths and lifted him like he didn’t weigh a thing so Leo could hang it off the hook on the lamppost. “What kind of changes?”

  “Promoting Maury,” Fitz replied, fixing Leo’s hat when King put him down. “And hiring another person for the team.”

  “Finally,” Joker said, shaking his head. He climbed back down the ladder. “Stubborn asshole.”

  Red nodded. “I’m glad he’s finally listening to reason. We were all real worried.”

  “Well, I need to go. Jack asked me to help him fix the Ice Castle.”

  “He did?” Joker gaped at him. “Seriously? He…asked for help?”

  “Yep.” Fitz kissed Joker’s cheek. “See you later.” He said goodbye and headed for the Ice Castle. Lucky and Mason were heading out, toolboxes in their hands.

  “Guess what?” Lucky asked, waggling his eyebrows.

  Fitz gasped. “You finished fixing the roof?”

  “You betcha,” Mason replied. He threw an arm around Lucky. “Now, if you’ll excuse us. We’re gonna take a little break and…celebrate.”

  Lucky hummed. “Ooh, I like this kind of celebration.”

  Fitz shook his head at them. “Have fun.” He waved them off and searched for his man, finding him inside the storage room. Fitz whistled and catcalled at Jack, who was on all fours looking for something. Jack laughed and sat back on his heels. “That’s a good look for you,” Fitz purred as he came to stand in front of Jack.

  Jack gazed up at him, his gray eyes twinkling. He ran his hands up Fitz’s legs. “Like seeing me on my knees, do you?”

  “Oh yes.”

  Jack stood and drew Fitz against him. “Well then, how about we get this done, and then you tell me what a bad boy I’ve been.” He nipped at Fitz’s neck, making Fitz laugh. He hummed and started unzipping his coat.

  “In that case, let’s get to work.”

  Jack playfully kissed Fitz’s cheek, then pulled back so Fitz could remove his many layers of winter wear.

  “Okay, where do you want me?” Fitz asked, receiving a very heated and naughty look in response. “Work first. I’ll get you on your knees later.”

  Jack groaned. “Not fair.”

  “Think of me as your prize for getting the job done.”

  With a moan, Jack took a step forward and then stopped himself. “No. Nope. Work first. Okay, come here,” he commanded, his voice low and sexy. He crooked his finger, laughing when Fitz crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Well, we’re never going to get anywhere with you talking to me like that.”

  “Like what?” Jack asked, his wicked smile telling Fitz he knew exactly what he was doing. If that’s the way he wanted to play, Fitz could play.

  Fitz sauntered over and stopped in front of Jack. He ran his fingers down Jack’s chest to his tool belt, his fingers brushing the bulge in Jack’s pants. “So, which of these hard tools will I be handling?”

  Jack groaned and dropped his head onto Fitz’s shoulder. “I brought this on myself, didn’t I?”

  “You did.”

  “Okay, focus. Focus, focus, focus.” Jack motioned Fitz over to the wall and an open panel. He handed Fitz a flathead screwdriver. “Okay, see all these screws?”

  Fitz eyed him, and Jack laughed.

  “No, this is not dirty talk. I need you to loosen each one and pull out the wire.”

  “I can’t get electrocuted?” Fitz asked, glaring at the wires in case they got any ideas.

  “The power has been turned off, but see that big one up there? Don’t touch that. Only touch what I tell you, okay?”

  “Okay.” Fitz started with the first screw as Jack went back to the bigger of the panels on his left. He paused and turned. Fitz held up a finger. “If the next words out of your mouth include the word screw, the only tools you’re going to be handling are your own.”

  Jack spun back to face his panel, and Fitz did his best not to laugh. If they were going to get this job done, they couldn’t afford distractions, not when Fitz knew Jack was all his after this. Just the thought sent a shiver through him.

  Nope. Focus. He could do this. How hard could it be? Ugh, hard. He was doomed.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea. It was a good idea in certain ways, but also not a good one because Jack’s pants were uncomfortably tight, and he had to finish installing the new main panel. But how could he when Fitz stood next to him looking so damned good? His long legs were encased in white pants with white, faux-fur-lined boots, and his soft, white fluffy sweater fell just above his gorgeous ass.

  Jack finished installing the new panel on the wall and pulling all the wires through. By this point, he couldn’t take it anymore. Not with Fitz grunting and huffing as he tried to loosen screws, his tongue poking out from between his lips and his hair falling over his face. He stepped up behind Fitz, wrapped his arms around his slender waist, and pressed his hard bulge against Fitz’s ass.

  Fitz groaned. He thrust a finger at the main panel. “Get back to your box.”

  “I can’t. It hurts.” He took Fitz’s free hand and pulled it behind his back so he could feel how hard Jack was.

  “Ooh, you’re playing dirty. Damn it! Jack, we need to finish this.”

  “Baby, I can’t. Not with you looking so good, and—”

  Fitz marched off, and for a moment, Jack worried he’d annoyed his boyfriend until Fitz closed the door to the room and locked it. When he turned, the heat and desire in his eyes took Jack’s breath away.

  “Chair,” Fitz ordered, and Jack’s ass hit the chair so fast he almost toppled over. “Pants.”

  Jack quickly unbuckled his belt and raised up to shove his black jeans to his ankles. He watched Fitz grab an old towel from the table, bringing it over to drop on the floor. Fitz got down on his knees.

  “I thought you wanted to see me on my knees,” Jack murmured, sucking in a sharp breath when he reached into Jack’s boxer briefs and pulled out his rock-hard length. “But this good. So good.”

  “Oh, you on your knees is going to happen,” Fitz promised. “Later, you’re all mine. But first, I need you focused.” He looked up at Jack from behind long lashes and flicked his tongue across the head of Jack’s cock, lapping up the pearl of precome.

  “Fuck.” Jack wanted to close his eyes. His whole body thrummed with need, but he couldn’t take his eyes off his beautiful man. Fitz’s sweeping bangs fell over one eye, his glossy lips wrapped around Jack. How had he gotten so lucky?

  Jack gripped the chair tight as Fitz used his talented mouth to bring him to the edge and push him over until he was screaming Fitz’s name.

  Fitz pulled off Jack and kissed him so he could taste himself on Fitz’s tongue, making Jack moan. Then Fitz pulled back with a self-satisfied smile and flipped his hair back.

  “What about you?” Jack asked, breathless.

  “What do you think the towel was for?” Fitz wiggled his fingers, and Jack groaned. He’d been so mesmerized by Fitz’s beautiful face and his mouth that he hadn’t even noticed Fitz jerking himself off.

  Jack stood and pulled his pants and underwear back up. He caught Fitz’s wrist and pulled him close, kissing him sweetly. How could he have been so foolish as to put his job before this man who loved him so completely?

  “You’re so amazing,” Jack said, nuzzling the side of Fitz’s temple, inhaling Fitz’s scent. He always smelled so damned good.

  “Maybe you just bring out the best in me,” Fitz replied softly.

  Jack shook his head. “Nope, you’re just amazing.”

  Fitz laughed and pulled away to open the door back up. “We don’t need Ace—”

  “Too late,” Ace chirped from the doorway.

  Fitz screeched and punched, catching Ace solidly across in face and sending him reeling back.

  “Son of a nutcracker!” Ace held his cheek, his eyes huge. “What the hell, Fitz?”

  “I’m sorry! I didn’t know it was you!” Fitz smacked Ace on the arm.

  “What was that for? You can’t say you didn’t know it was me that time!”

  “That was for scaring the crap out of me!”

  Ace moved his jaw around. “Damn. When did you learn to punch like that?”

  “Jack’s been teaching me self-defense,” Fitz said, returning to the panel he’d been working on.

  Jack preened proudly. “He’s a natural.”

  “I noticed,” Ace grumbled. “Anyway, before your boyfriend tried to rearrange my face, I came here to let you know that we’re going ice skating tonight after the big Christmas lights unveiling in the town square. I would ask how things are going, but from the noises I heard coming from here, I’m going to say you’re still working on it.”

  Jack snickered and returned to the main panel. “We’ll be finished by tonight.”

  “We will?” Fitz asked, sounding surprised.

  “Yep,” Jack replied, filled with renewed determination. “I’m feeling inspired.”

  “Ah, the magic peen. Does it every time,” Ace said with a sigh.

  Fitz turned, and Ace bolted, calling out over his shoulder. “I regret nothing!”

  “He’s your friend,” Fitz grumbled.

  “Oh, so when he’s being an ass, he’s my friend, but when he’s holding a cute puppy, he’s your friend.”

  Fitz snickered. “Well, obviously. I mean, puppy.”

  They got back to work, and this time, Jack didn’t let himself get distracted, no matter how tempting Fitz was. Jack was ready to get this damned job done so he could spend time with his boyfriend and his family. As the afternoon went on, Jack showed Fitz what to do, and Fitz did it. They took a quick lunch break after Laz dropped off some lunch for them, then got back to work.

  Jack double- and triple-checked everything, then stood back, stunned. “I think we’re finished.”

  “Really?”

  “It all looks good.”

  “Don’t tease me, Jack. Are we really done?” Fitz asked hopefully.

  “Only one way to find out.” Jack sent a message out to Lucky to let him know he was going to turn the power on. When he received confirmation from Lucky that there was no one in the Ice Castle working on anything that might get them hurt by everything coming online, Jack stopped in front of the safety switch panel and took hold of the red lever. “First, we turn on the main power.” Jack pushed the lever up, restoring power to the main and sub-panels. He returned to the main panel and the switch. “Ready?”

  Fitz nodded and crossed the fingers on both hands. Taking a deep breath, Jack flipped the switch, and the lights turned on. Fitz ran over to Jack with a squeal and threw himself into Jack’s arms.

  “You did it!” Fitz kissed Jack soundly. “My hero.”

  Jack shook his head. “We did, and if anyone’s the hero, it’s you. You helped me get it done and without me being a miserable asshole about it.” He hummed against Fitz’s lips. “Maybe you bring out the best in me.”

  “Come on. Let’s get some dinner, then go meet everyone in the town square.”

  They bundled up and headed outside, only to find a big crowd gathered. Everyone cheered and congratulated Jack. He held a hand up.

  “I couldn’t have done it without the help of this amazing, beautiful man.” Jack kissed Fitz’s cheek, and everyone erupted into more cheers. Clara came up to them and gave them each a big hug.

  “Thank you both so much.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “You already did,” Jack promised. “The main street looks fantastic.”

  It was like Christmas had exploded all over town, but in a tasteful, small-town way. All the storefronts and lampposts were decorated with garland, wreaths, and twinkling lights. It looked like something out of one of Colton’s favorite holiday movies. According to Colton, the finishing touches had been added to the market stalls throughout the day, so all that was left was decorating the Ice Castle both inside and out.

  After a quick call to Laz to check on Duchess and ask if he wouldn’t mind bringing her tonight, Fitz took Jack to The Jolly Stag pub, where he’d had dinner the night before, and Fitz was right. The place was impressive.

  “You know,” Jack said. “I’ve been thinking about Winterhaven and how it looks just like it did in the pictures from previous years, but what good will that do if there are no guests besides us? And it’s only two weeks until Christmas.”

  Guests had canceled after being informed of the Ice Castle’s closure due to electrical issues. Even if the town had managed to get some decor, it wouldn’t have helped without their main attraction. No decorations and no Ice Castle meant no Christmas in Winterhaven. Thanks to Colton, they’d managed to get everything they needed.

  Except for the guests.

  “I’ve been thinking about that, too,” Fitz replied. He took a sip of his wine and hummed. “I have an idea.”

  “Oh?”

  “It involves a certain billionaire.”

  “Colton?”

  Fitz shook his head. “Colton is the shipping billionaire. The other billionaire. The people gathering billionaire.”

  “Gio? You think he can do something?”

  “If anyone can bring large groups of people together, it’s him.”

  “Taking a Christmas vacation in a small mountain town isn’t exactly charity work.”

  “I’ll talk to Gio about it tonight. Right now, I have a different challenge on my hands.” He sighed and took another sip of wine.

  “Can I help?” Jack asked.

  “Not unless you know how to get Merry in the same room as Noel without blowing a fuse.”

  “Well, you may have noticed, but I know a thing or two about fuses.” Jack waggled his eyebrows, and Fitz laughed.

  “The only time Merry didn’t run off or fall over was when he first moved in, and Noel was called in to fix his garbage disposal.”

  Jack thanked the waiter for his food and popped a perfectly crisp french fry in his mouth. “I think I have an idea. But it’ll mean asking Ace for help.” He tried not to laugh when Fitz stilled, his glass halfway to his mouth.

  “Is that really our only option?”

  Jack shrugged. “How desperate are you?”

  “Ugh, very.” Fitz swallowed the contents of his glass in three gulps. He put his glass down. “Okay. Do it.”

  “Great. I’ll talk to him about it.”

  They ate dinner, talking and laughing. Jack couldn’t remember the last time they’d gone out to dinner or had a date night. What did it say about how he’d been treating Fitz that he couldn’t remember them spending any time together?

  When dessert came, Jack reached across the table and took Fitz’s hand. “Baby, I am so sorry.”

  Fitz smiled warmly, love in his eyes. “You don’t need to keep apologizing, Jack.”

  “But I do. I took what we had for granted. Took you for granted.”

  Fitz squeezed his hand. “You can make it up to me tonight with a hot cocoa.”

  “Deal.” However, he intended to make it up to Fitz in more significant ways, like making good on his word about working fewer hours.

  They finished dessert and were soon on their way to the market square. Jack had been so busy with the Ice Castle that this was the first he’d seen of it. He hadn’t even known the town had a town square or market. It was decently sized for a town as small as Winterhaven, with dozens of red-roofed wood stalls decorated beautifully.

  Everyone gathered before the small stage at the base of the giant Christmas tree, waiting for the big event. Jack and Fitz joined their family, thanking Laz for bringing Duchess. She was so happy to see them it looked like her poufy tail might fly off her butt. While everyone waited, Jack tugged at Joker’s coat sleeve and pulled him to one side.

  “I’m sorry I was such a dick,” Jack said. “You were right about everything, and I was an ass. I know you were worried.” He smiled wickedly. “Because you love me.”

  Joker snorted. “I tolerate you at best.”

  “I’ll apologize to Gio. He must think I’m such an asshole.” Jack knew his best friend. He would have talked to Gio about what happened, and Jack didn’t blame him.

  “First of all, Gio knows us all very well by now. Secondly, you know he’s more worried about you than whatever you said in the heat of the moment. He’s been worried about you, too.”

  That was true. Gio was such a genuine guy. Sweet, honest, and selfless. Even if, at times, he was about as great at taking care of himself as Jack. At least he had Joker to help him work on it.

  Clara walked onto the stage, and everyone quieted down. “Thank you all so much for joining us tonight for the unveiling. Just a short time ago, our small town had been forced to cancel its most joyous celebration of the year. But thanks to our new friends and all of you, I’m proud to announce the commencement of this year’s Winterhaven holiday season!”

  Everyone cheered and applauded. Clara pulled a two-way radio from her coat pocket and said something. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” burst from the speakers just as the lights turned on all around them. The crowd gasped and cheered. It was incredible.

  Fitz hugged Jack’s arm tightly, his expression one of awe. He leaned in. “Oh, Jack. It’s beautiful!”

  “You helped make this happen,” Jack said, turning to bring Fitz into his arms and kiss him. The night was perfect, with the twinkling stars blanketing the sky almost as bright as the Christmas lights twinkling around them. Snow flurries had started to fall, completing the magical feeling of the holidays in Winterhaven. Then his phone buzzed and rang. Pulling it out, he sighed. “It’s Maury.”