Tahoe Blue

by Eden French

  Carson grabbed him by the hand and led him to the makeup trailer. “I don’t care. We can skip it.”

  Brand stopped walking and cocked his head to the side. “There’s no way we’re skipping this. It’s too important. I’ll just have to put on my big boy pants and attempt to hold my own among all those gorgeous famous people.”

  Carson took a step toward him and cornered him against the trailer side. “I think what you meant to say is that all those famous people are going to have to try to pretend they’re not jealous that my partner is actually an amazing, sexy paramedic who just doesn’t play one on TV.” His body pressed against Brand’s.

  Brand’s cock hardened as Carson loomed over him, pressing his mouth full on his. His heart raced in his chest, and his stomach muscles clenched. He closed his eyes and had to deliberately push Carson back.

  “Okay, now I totally get it,” he said when he’d caught his breath.

  Carson looked at him, his brows crunched together. “Get what?”

  “Why people love vampires so much. You’re fucking hot.”

  Carson threw his head back and laughed loudly. “Well then, how about if I skip makeup, and we take this back to the apartment?”

  “I’m always down for a little role play,” Brand said as Carson took him by the hand and led him through the lot to the car.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  “You look amazing,” Carson said as Brand straightened his bow tie for the one-thousandth time. A series of chills ran along Carson’s arms. It was taking everything he had in him to not snatch that bow tie from Brand’s neck, tie him up, and have his way with him.

  “I’m so nervous,” Brand replied. “How can you do this all the time? I’m having serious tachycardia.” He pressed his fingers on the pulse point on his wrist.

  Oh my God, he’s adorable.

  Carson came up behind him and ran his hands along the length of Brand’s shoulders. “How is it that you literally put your life on the line daily while saving those in legitimate life and death situations, and an awards show is throwing you off your game?”

  Brand shot him a look in the mirror’s reflection, his piercing green eyes holding Carson still. “This is different. In the field, there’s no time to think. You know what needs to be done, and you do it, at all costs.” He ran his hand through his hair, and Carson’s cock twitched. “But here, I have no idea what to do. I’m… lost. And I don’t want to embarrass you.”

  Carson furrowed his brow. He took Brand by the shoulders and turned him around to face him. “Hey,” he said. “You will never embarrass me. You couldn’t. You are the most important person in my life, and there’s nothing that you can say or do that will make me not feel the way I feel about you. Got it?”

  Brand nodded.

  “Now, as far as what will happen tonight,” he said as he reached up and straightened Brand’s shirt collar, running his hands along his shoulders to smooth out the fabric. “We’ll arrive at the venue. Walk the red carpet. Just stay by my side.”

  “That’ll be all right? Pictures with your boyfriend? That won’t impede on your image.”

  Carson smiled. “We’re a bit past the boyfriend stage, don’t you think? And no, having you by my side is the only thing I care about tonight.” He looked Brand up and down. “Also, I’m pretty sure you’ll improve my image.”

  Brand took a deep breath and stretched his neck from side to side. “Okay, then what?”

  Carson reached down and took Brand’s hands in his. “Then we’ll walk through the press. They’ll ask me some questions. I’ll do three, maybe four stops, and then we can head into the venue lobby for drinks.”

  “Okay. Walk the carpet. Press. Drinks.” Brand’s face paled. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

  He led Brand into the living room and sat him down on the couch. He desperately wanted to comfort his partner, take away any fear, and reassure him that it would all be fine as long as they were together. “Hey, we’ve got this,” he said. “Just like we always do. I need you with me tonight. And I know you’ll be great.” He brought Brand’s hands to his mouth and kissed his knuckles. “As long as we stick together, there’s nothing we can’t do.”

  His phone vibrated, and he picked it up. Swiping the screen, he opened the text and shot back a quick message.

  “Okay, the limo’s here. You ready?”

  Brand swallowed and nodded. “Let’s do this.”

  They stood to leave. As Carson opened the door, he turned towards Brand. “I love you,” he said.

  Brand’s eyes softened, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Damn, he loved that look. And he loved even more that he was the one to bring it out.

  “I love you too,” Brand replied. “I’m ready.”

  They left the apartment, trading the air-conditioned environment for the warm Los Angeles evening. Carson looked back at Brand as they climbed into the black limousine, and emotion welled up in his chest.

  Fear and shame had torn them apart all those years ago. He didn’t understand what it meant to love and be loved, he hadn’t understood that love was stronger than anything else in the world. And he certainly hadn’t appreciated Brand the way he needed to be appreciated. How could he? He had been barely a man.

  Now, he understood that his father’s shame had nothing to do with him and everything to do with hate. And somehow, for reasons still unbeknownst to Carson, he’d been given a second chance with Brand, but hell, who was he to question it? He’d forever be grateful.

  Carson leaned over and took Brand’s hand in his. He pulled out a small box and placed it in his hand. Brand’s eyes widened.

  “I was going to wait until later tonight to do this,” he began. “But—”

  “Yes,” Brand interrupted.

  “I haven’t even asked yet,” he laughed.

  “I don’t care,” Brand said, opening the box and seeing the thick titanium band. “Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes.”

  Carson removed the ring and slipped it on Brand’s finger, his hands trembling. It seemed as if he’d waited his whole life to arrive at this moment, to finally know that he’d spend the rest of his with Brand West.

  And he couldn’t have imagined anything different.

  Epilogue

  Brand rolled over and stretched his body. The morning sun glinted through the crack between the curtains and shot a laser beam of light across the bed. Waking up in their bed still felt like a dream, though it had been four years since the purchase of the cabin went through, renovations were complete, and they’d officially moved in as a married couple.

  The show’s production company wasn’t exactly thrilled by his image shift from single hottie to officially off-the-market, but the loyalty of teenybopper vampire fans proved to be strong. When things got heated, Cynthia had threatened to pull the plug on their contract, and when those whispers of Carson leaving the show leaked, all hell broke loose. Not only were his fans supportive of his new marital status, but he also gained a whole new legion of fans. It was overwhelming, to say the least, but Brand wouldn’t have it any other way. He was proud of Carson and loved all the parts of his life.

  “I was wondering when you’d wake up. I was starting to feel lonely,” Carson teased, his hand running down his side.

  Brand yawned and propped himself up on his elbow to face his husband. “How long have you’ve been awake?”

  “Long enough to know I can’t wait another minute to taste you in my mouth again,” Carson replied.

  “Well, then….” Brand leaned forward until their lips met.

  Carson pressed his body against Brand, their chests touching, and nudged him over until Brand was flat on his back. He kissed him with hard, desperate kisses, kisses that would linger for the next week. Brand fell into Carson’s spell and licked and sucked the lips on his with need. Even first thing in the morning, Carson was delicious.

  Brand brought his hands to his husband’s hips and let his thumbs pass over his pelvic bone. Carson’s erect
ion pressed into his belly, and between that and his own morning arousal, Brand was harder than granite.

  Carson ran his hands over his chest, pinching Brand’s nipples between his fingers. Brand sucked in air through his teeth and arched his back as he lifted his hips and ground his cock against Carson’s body.

  “Fuck, I’m gonna miss you this week,” Carson said between kisses. “It’s a good thing filming is wrapping up for the season. Then I can be up here for a while.”

  Brand squeezed and lifted Carson’s ass, shifting his weight. He grabbed his cock and positioned it at Carson’s opening, letting his pre-cum wet the area. The weeks between shooting were always the hardest, but they’d made it work for the past four years, and Brand was more than willing to keep it up because having Carson full-time in the off-season more than made up for it.

  “It’s just one more week, love.” He kissed Carson’s cheek. “Five days—” His lips brushed the other cheek. “—and you’ll be back—” One last soft kiss on his lips. “—home to me.” He reached over and grabbed the lube making quick work of slathering it over Carson’s puckered flesh and lifting his own hips, he pressed the head of his cock just inside Carson’s luscious ass. The small sound that escaped Carson’s throat triggered Brand’s primitive side. He had to fuck him now.

  Carson closed his eyes and spread his legs wider, straddling Brand. Brand entered Carson with a strong thrust, claiming him entirely. A deep grunt rumbled low in chest as Carson melted onto Brand’s erection, falling forward, his forehead on Brand’s chest. Brand moved his hands from his husband’s hips to his back, holding him in place as he impaled him. In response, Carson grabbed his own cock and began to stroke it in time with Brand’s rhythm.

  Jesus.

  This was not going to last long. Their bodies grew sticky with hot sweat and saliva as their mouths latched on to anything that came near.

  “Harder… fuck, yes, Brand. Fuck me harder.”

  Brand’s dick grew larger and harder inside Carson’s ass, and as it squeezed his shaft tight, Brand shuddered. My God, he was going to come.

  “Shit, Brand, I’m gonna come,” Carson said in between gasps.

  His own cock reacted to the words, and he was nearly there. With two more thrusts, he exploded, emptying his fluid into Carson.

  “Oh, God, you feel so good,” he moaned as he continued to pump himself into his lover.

  Carson was working his cock, and with a few more short passes, he released his orgasm, his cum painting Brand’s chest.

  They collapsed together in the bed and lay still in the afterglow of the orgasm, Brand’s arms wrapped tight around Carson and holding him to his chest. The beating of Carson’s heart as it pounded in his ribcage settled his soul.

  Brand closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. The familiar scent of cedarwood and mint lulled him further into a calm state.

  “I really don’t want to go,” Carson mumbled as he nuzzled into Brand’s chest. “I just want to stay here with you.”

  “I wish you didn’t have to go either.”

  Carson yawned, and Brand felt the sag of the bed as he fell closer to sleep. “I’ll be home soon.”

  “I’ll be counting the days.”

  As Carson fell deeper into slumber, his body relaxed, and his breathing became steady. Brand kissed the top of his head. He brushed all thoughts of his husband leaving out of his mind. He’d deal with that later today. For now, he was content to fall asleep with the man he loved in his arms.

  If you’re looking for more gay romance reads, be sure to check out Natalina Reis’s Lavender Fields. “There is suspense, drama, danger, violence, action, and a wonderful M/M romance.”- Amazon Review

  Also treat yourself to Laura N. Andrews’s Trusting Him… This out and proud event coordinator is about to pursue a man he knows could break his heart. But David Rossi isn’t a man he can stay away from.

  Thanks

  Thanks for reading TAHOE BLUE. I do hope you enjoyed BRAND and CARSON’S story. I appreciate your help in spreading the word, including telling a friend. Before you go, it would mean so much to me if you would take a few minutes to write a review and share how you feel about my story so others may find my work. Reviews really do help readers find books. Please leave a review on your favorite book site.

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  I’d love to hear from you directly, too. Please feel free to email me at edenfrenchwrites@gmail.com or check out my website www.edenfrench.com for updates.

  Acknowledgments

  This book would not be here if it weren’t for the encouragement of Gailan Sabin Gray. Thank you for your input and feedback on the novel when it was in its early stages. I appreciate your time and candor.

  I’d also like to thank Hot Tree Publishing for their belief in this book, and for the love and excitement they hold for this project.

  And finally, a shout out to Carson. You helped me out a long time ago when I was in an uncomfortable situation, and your kindness stuck. I went home and started drafting this book. So yeah, thanks for not letting me crash and burn and for inspiring a set of characters that I absolutely adore.

  About the Author

  Eden French is an American author of erotic queer romance with swoon-worthy heroes and happy ever afters. In addition to writing books that’ll set your blood on fire, she also writes romance stories for an interactive gaming app.

  A hot yoga junkie, she often gets some of her best ideas while in a difficult pose. She’s a relentless daydreamer, chocoholic, and Scotch whiskey aficionado who likes life a bit kinky, and spends as much time as possible playing with the sexy characters in her head.

  A born and raised California girl, she graduated from San Francisco State University with an English lit degree, and has a borderline obsession for Mexican food. Eden currently resides in the quirky Pacific Northwest with her amazing spouse and five… yes, five fur-babies.

  About the Publisher

  Hot Tree Publishing opened its doors in 2015 with an aspiration to bring quality fiction to the world of readers. With the initial focus on romance and a wide spread of romance subgenres, Hot Tree Publishing has since opened their first imprint, Tangled Tree Publishing, specializing in crime, mystery, suspense, and thriller.

  Firmly seated in the industry as a leading editing provider to independent authors and small publishing houses, Hot Tree Publishing is the sister company to Hot Tree Editing, founded in 2012. Having established in-house editing and promotions, plus having a well-respected market presence, Hot Tree Publishing endeavors to be a leader in bringing quality stories to the world of readers.

  Interested in discovering more amazing reads brought to you by Hot Tree Publishing? Head over to the website for information:

  www.hottreepublishing.com

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