Thankfully, the cold air put a damper on his erection so Micah wasn’t completely mortified when Damon helped haul him out of the water. Despite Damon’s earlier teasing, Micah wasn’t actually body shy, but anyone would feel inferior next to a near-naked Damon.

The hike back to the house was dark, the stars twinkling madly in the sky. The sight drew Micah’s admiration, but it wasn’t enough to completely take his mind off how much colder it felt outside with damp underwear and wet hair. Micah couldn’t seem to stop shivering, and Damon frowned at the way he continued to shake even after they were inside the warm house.

“There’s a bathroom attached to our room. You shower first while I get a fire stoked.”

Micah wasn’t about to argue with that plan. After indulging in a hot shower and throwing on a pair of pjs – fleece pajama bottoms and an oversized Mets t-shirt – he felt much better. True to his word, Damon had gotten a fire going in the meantime. While Damon went to grab a shower for himself, Micah took his phone from his bag and curled up on the couch in front of the wood fireplace, figuring he’d better text Tessa and give her an update.

Physically safe, but on the verge of emotional catastrophe.

He didn’t get a response before the din of running water coming from the bathroom quieted and Damon returned to the room. He was dressed casually, in a pair of comfy-looking sweats and a plain white t-shirt, sleeves tight around his biceps. His damp hair stuck to his forehead, and Micah spotted a little bead of water dripping down the side of his neck, where it disappeared into the collar of his shirt.

Micah was so busy trying not to swallow his tongue that he forgot to hide the phone.

“I see you’re still using that decrepit, old thing.”

Micah quickly tucked the phone away under his thighs, smiling sheepishly. “Yeah, sorry.”

Damon shrugged. “I said you could.” He tilted his head to the side. “But that does remind me. I have something for you.”

Before Micah could ask what that meant, Damon was unzipping a compartment of his luggage and pulling out a present. It was rectangular, and fairly small, pristinely wrapped in gold wrapping paper with a festive bow on top. Damon all but thrust it into his hands.

“If it’s another phone…”

Damon shook his head. “It’s not. Besides, why would I give you another one when you hardly use the iPhone I already gave you?”

Micah chewed his bottom lip. “I have something for you too,” he admitted before pushing himself off the couch and digging through his own bag to pull out the gift he’d gotten Damon.