“There are perks to belonging to this family.” Jonathan snickered. “Do you like it? I mean, if it’s too much–”
“No way.” Maddox shook off his initial surprise at the costly gift and put the bracelet on his left wrist. “Do I look owned already?” he joked.
“Hopefully, yes. That was my plan all along, you know?”
“Thank you. It’s really awesome. I bet everyone’s going to envy me, now.”
“I’m happy you like it.”
“And I didn’t get you anything.”
“Really?” Jonathan smirked as he rested his arms on Maddox’s shoulders. “You brought yourself. And you know what I wanted the most for Christmas?”
Maddox groaned and rolled his eyes. “You’re not going to sing that, I hope.”
“We’ve had enough singing, I believe, to last us until next year.” Jonathan stopped for a moment. “I really mean it, Maddox,” he said, this time in a serious tone. “You coming here is the best gift I could hope for.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that, because compared to all this,” Maddox gestured around, “I’m a poor boy.”
“Don’t think that. And it doesn’t matter anyway. If we’re still on with that engagement, you won’t be poor for long.”
They both burst into laughter at the same time. Maddox kissed Jonathan on the lips. “You know what’s overdue?”
“Hmm,” Jonathan barely managed, still leaning in for more kissing.
“That bareback riding,” Maddox said with a sly grin and grabbed Jonathan promptly by his shapely ass.
“Then let’s not keep you waiting,” Jonathan said in a breathless voice.
TBC
Author’s note: To reply to one of the questions in the comments, yes, the identity of the blackmailer will be known by the end of the main storyline. I don’t know how much of a surprise that will be, but I like to think that there will be a certain twist to it all that will make at least a few people go ‘what?’ (imagine a very long ‘a’ sound).