Jersey smiled and pulled out his phone. “I wasn’t sure if you were a hotel, resort, or Airbnb kind of guy, so I took a chance and rented us a little guest house on the beach through Airbnb. It’s about forty-five minutes from town. I’ll set up my nav for you to follow.” Jersey fiddled with his phone and soon enough a woman’s computerized voice told him to turn left. “Is the Airbnb going to be okay with you?” he asked.
“Baby? You could have said we were camping in a cardboard box the whole time and I wouldn’t have cared. Just the fact that we’re in fucking Hawaii at all is so incredibly amazing, I don’t care where we stay. The little guest house sounds perfect for us, though, but thank you for asking. I’ve never traveled like this, without my family. And even when we did travel, we always stayed with family. I’m not really sure what kind of traveler I am, to be honest. But, this place sounds amazing and I’m excited to start figuring out what kinds of things and places we’re going to like together.”
“Good. I didn’t really know what would be good for us either, but I did figure we’d want to be alone.” Travis threw a quick glance Jersey’s way and noticed him looking back at him like a snack he wanted to devour. Travis looked back at the road and unashamedly adjusted himself. Damn. Maybe they would be getting to the sexy times after all. Jersey chuckled but continued on with his explanation. “Breakfast is included and we’ll have the whole guest house to ourselves. From the pictures, the place isn’t much bigger than Josh and Cory’s place so we should be fine for distance. I figured we could swim, if I’m careful, and plan our own activities or just wander around the island—whatever struck our interest at the time. The only catch was that since this was so last minute, I could only get the place for two nights. We have to change places in a couple of days.”
“That sounds perfect, babe. Really. I don’t mind changing places. It’ll be cool to see another spot and do something different.”
“Good,” Jersey replied, but Travis noticed a different tone creep into his voice. He glanced over again, and Jersey looked different as he fiddled with the zipper on his backpack, like he was nervous about what Travis would say. Travis didn’t care where they stayed. As long as he was with his man, nothing else mattered.
He reached over and took Jersey’s hand. Jersey smiled and pressed a kiss to the back of it. Whatever little blip of feeling Jersey’d had just vanished and he started in on a new conversation, describing all the things he’d looked at online about what they could do and places they should visit.
As Travis drove, they made a tentative list of their top priorities to hit, but he was still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that, just that morning, he’d woken up in his new little home with the love of his life, and then, they’d flown over an ocean. Jersey had planned an amazing little get-away for them and surprised him with it. And as he navigated a highway lined with patches of palm trees and volcanic rocks, he was reminded again of how incredible the universe really was.
After stopping for some groceries at a market they’d passed, they pulled up to their new little home-away-from-home. The guest house was small but gorgeous and painted a natural shade of red. The surrounding land was dotted with palm trees and native grasses and the private beach looked to be less than a hundred yards away. Along with the fresh scent of the ocean breeze, Travis noticed a pungent, sweet fragrance of some flower or plant that must have been growing nearby. The humidity and warmth of the sun were just perfect on his skin.
“Damn, babe,” Travis said, coming around the car to wrap his arms around Jersey from behind. They stood together, looking out over the view and Travis placed a series of kisses along Jersey’s neck. “You are incredible, you know that? Next to you, this is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Aww. Sweet talker. You just keep that up and see where it gets you.” Jersey chuckled. “It is pretty amazing, though, huh? Better than the pictures online.” He brought his left hand up and wrapped it around the back of Travis’s neck. “Should we go check out the inside? It’s pretty small, but at least we can bring our bags in and get something to eat. That airplane meal has long since vanished.”
Travis nodded but stayed where he was for several moments, enjoying the feel of his lover under his palms. “I love you. I must be the luckiest man in the world to have you by my side. Thank you for sharing this with me.”
Jersey turned in his arms, and with his heart in his eyes, he placed the most heart-melting kiss on Travis’s lips.
They’d always had great chemistry, but there must have been something about their situation or setting that just set them on fire because Jersey clutched onto Travis’s frame and he lifted his man up, walking them toward the house. The entry was around a small, stacked-rock wall and when Travis set Jersey down on the stoop, he entered some code into the digital keypad and the door lock clicked open. Jersey twisted the knob and hauled Travis inside by the hem of his shirt.
He barely had a moment to see the inside of the room before his shirt was stripped off and his shoes and shorts were removed. Jersey kicked off his own shoes and his shirt and shorts came next. Travis reached for him, and Jersey came immediately into his arms, warm and so fucking loveable that Travis never wanted to let him go.
Their tongues tangled and their bodies pressed together. Travis could feel the bulge of Jersey’s arousal rubbing against his leg and he gripped Jersey’s butt, pressing into him and loving the sounds of pleasure coming from his throat. Together, without any discussion, they moved toward the bed and Travis was shoved down onto his back. Jersey stripped off both of their remaining clothing and then spent the next untold number of minutes thoroughly loving every part of him.
Travis was turned into a writhing pile of melted human by the time Jersey was finished with him.
With energy Travis couldn’t believe he had left, Jersey staggered over and popped open the french doors that led out to the beach, quickly dissipating the aroma of their combined scents. He returned to the bed and snuggled into Travis’s side, where they lay comfortably together, recovering from their extracurricular activities.
Travis carded his fingers through Jersey’s hair and gently ran his left hand up and down his back. The breeze blowing the sheer white curtains by the patio felt amazing on his overheated skin and as they recharged, he finally noticed the room’s decor.
The walls were painted a light green and the table and chairs in the eating area were some kind of wood. There was a small love sofa with an entertainment center between the bed and the kitchen and the only other thing of interest was the glass-walled shower he could see through the open bathroom door.
“You want to grab a quick shower or maybe go for a quick swim?” Travis asked. “I’m a little sweaty and sticky.”
Jersey snickered. “Sticky, huh?”
“Yeah, just a bit. Someone in this room jizzed all over my dick and stomach and then rubbed it in like a mud mask. I can feel my pubes pulling as everything dries.”
Jersey laughed and the sound warmed Travis’s heart. He trailed his finger down Travis’s treasure trail and swirled it around in the dark nest of hair at his groin, further spreading his spunk in his hair. “I like you with my jizz all over you. It’s like I’ve marked you as mine. My lover. My Catalyst. My Travis.”
Travis smiled. “Claiming me via spunk, huh? That’s quite the list you’ve got going there, but I’m most definitely yours, babe. No need to worry about that,” he replied lightly.
Jersey brought his hand up, resting it over Travis’s heart. He lifted his head and looked up at him. “Trav?”
“Yeah, babe?” he asked, smoothing his hand over Jersey’s hair and tucking it behind his ear.
“Can we add one more my to that list?”
Travis tilted his head. “What do you mean, one more my?”
Jersey smiled shyly but didn’t answer. He kissed Travis’s chest and got up to pull on his shorts and shirt. Before Travis knew what was happening, Jersey was out the front door. Moments later he he
ard the car door slam shut and then the keypad beeped and Jersey was back. He silently gathered Travis’s clothes and handed them over, indicating he should put them on. Travis did, and when he looked back up, Jersey was busy putting the food they’d purchased into a small basket. Travis watched as he added some plates and forks, then snagged a blanket off a trunk by the door. He held out his hand for Travis to join him.
He went to him and Jersey pressed up on his tiptoes, placing a soft kiss to his lips. With their fingers laced together, Jersey led him out the open patio doors and down the path toward the beach.
Everything outside seemed softer somehow, warm around the edges, and a lovely pink hue tinted the sky. Travis hadn’t realized how late in the day it had gotten while they’d lounged inside.
They walked out onto the sand and Jersey set the basket down. He let go of Travis’s hand and quickly spread the blanket out.
“Sit with me?” he asked.
Travis smiled and wrapped his arms around his man, pleased with the turn of the evening. “Of course.”
They sat down together and Jersey opened the containers of salads and the bag of rolls. He added some shredded meat to the rolls, creating small sandwiches, then added a bit of everything else and handed the plate to Travis.
“Thank you, love. This is kind of perfect.”
“You’re welcome. And I agree. You are kind of perfect.”
Travis chuckled and Jersey smiled. They tucked into their little meals, enjoying the colors of the sky and the sounds of nature. The breeze that surrounded them blew through Jersey’s hair and Travis found himself mesmerized by the stunning human he was lucky enough to call his boyfriend.
Jersey caught him staring and he reached out to gently caress his lover’s cheek. Jersey leaned into the touch and turned his head to kiss Travis’s palm. He gathered their plates and then stood up, holding out his hand to Travis.
Once he was on his feet, Jersey took his phone out of his pocket and tapped a few things. A soft, slow, jazz melody filled the air and Jersey set his phone on the blanket. He took Travis’s hand and moved them off the blanket, so their feet were in the warm sand.
“I wanna dance with you. Do you wanna dance with me?” Jersey asked softly, lacing their fingers together.
Travis’s heart about skidded to a stop. “Jersey?”
“I asked you that question the first day we actually got to know each other. I liked you then and I love you now. I’ll always want to dance with you, Travis. I’ll always want to hold your hand. I’ll always find comfort in your arms and I hope you’ll always find comfort in mine. You are the most important person in my life. You mean more to me than I can even put into words and you always will.” He squeezed Travis’s fingers, pausing for a moment. “Do you remember the list I made about you in bed earlier? My lover. My Catalyst. My Travis.” Travis nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. Jersey rubbed his thumb over Travis’s and stared into his eyes. “I asked you if we could add one more my to that list. I wanna know if we can we add my husband to that list as well?”
Jersey reached into his pocket and brought out a small black box. Travis’s hand flew up to his mouth and he knew he was going to cry. He could feel the prick of tears already and a lump was quickly forming in his throat, making it difficult to swallow.
Jersey took a step back and sank down onto one knee. He reached for Travis’s hand and placed a kiss to the back of it. “Trav? You are my everything. You’re my rock, my northstar. You are my guiding light and the missing piece of my heart. I will love you endlessly. And I wanted to know… if you would also be my husband. Travis Robert Williams, will you marry me?”
Travis nodded as the first few tears rolled down his cheeks. He cupped Jersey’s cheeks and leaned down. “Yes,” he whispered against Jersey’s lips, then kissed him.
He helped Jersey stand up but they never separated. Jersey wrapped his arms around Travis’s neck, and they kissed for endless minutes, as the ocean waves pulsed in the background.
Jersey finally pulled back and a huge grin lit his face. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Oh my God, I can’t believe you.” Travis laughed while swatting playfully at his man, then picked Jersey up around his waist. He spun them both in circles several times as they laughed and cried, enjoying their special moment. “You planned all this just so you could propose?”
Jersey nodded. “I wanted it to be special for you. I know it’s still early in our relationship but there won’t ever be anyone for me but you. I want to marry you and live with you and start a family with you. I want everything with you, Trav.”
“I want everything with you too, baby. I can’t believe we’re engaged!” Travis shouted.
“Let me put your ring on.” Jersey laughed, fumbling the box a little with his shaky fingers and cast, but he popped the box open and showed Travis his engagement ring. “Since I couldn’t go shopping, I bought it online and had it sent in my grandpa’s name. Do you like it? I didn’t know what size to get or what kind of design or anything, so I just went with simple for now, but try it on and we’ll see if it fits.”
Jersey pulled the ring out and took Travis’s left hand. He pressed a soft kiss to Travis’s lips then slid the ring onto his left ring finger. His hand trembled as he felt the cool metal slide into place.
The ring was a simple gold band and a little loose, but Travis had never treasured anything more in his life. “It’s a little big, but not much. I’ll just have to be careful when I wash my hands and shower.” Travis held out his hand and admired the ring in its new place. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, love. It feels weird to be wearing a ring, but I can’t even imagine taking it off now.”
Jersey took his hand and placed a kiss to the ring on his finger, then laced their fingers together. “It’s not much but there’s another part of your surprise—”
“What do you mean it’s not much? And what do you mean there’s another part of my surprise? Jersey! Holy crap, how can there be more?” Jersey grinned and looked pretty pleased with himself. Travis laughed and pulled his man into his arms. “What did you do?”
“You know how I said we have to move places in a couple of days?”
“Yeah…”
“Well, I may have booked us someplace else...”
Travis eyed him. “Okay? Why are you so hesitant to tell me?”
“Well… I know you already said yes to marrying me, but,” Jersey placed his hands on Travis’s chest and looked up at him, “will you marry me in two days?”
Travis’s jaw dropped. “Two days?”
“Yeah.” Jersey nodded, petting Travis. “I love you, Trav. And I want to join my life to yours. I know I’ve been all over the place with us and our relationship, and even without the Connectivity thing, I knew that I would want you. I know in my soul that you and I are meant to be together. With the Connectivity thing and our Connection, it’s undeniable. I know it’s soon and that I’m asking a lot and our families aren’t here, but I want you to be mine. I want our lives together to start as soon as possible. I even bought us a set of matching wedding rings which is why the engagement ring is so simple. I know you have your own opinion and probably think this is crazy, but it would be so amazing to marry you here, in Hawaii, and have our ceremony just be about the two of us and our love and Connection. We can plan some big party or reception or whatever you want when we get home but—”
Travis smashed his lips to Jersey’s, quieting him instantly. Jersey made a grunt of surprise. “Yes,” Travis said against his lips. “Let’s do it. I want to marry you too. Now. In two days. In two years. Whenever.”
Jersey pulled back. “Really?” he squeaked, gripping the fabric of Travis’s shirt in his excitement.
Travis nodded, squeezing Jersey a little tighter. “Really. I can’t think of a more perfect place than Hawaii to marry the most perfect man I can imagine. Yeah, it’s a little sudden, but so what? It’s our life and our choice, right? I say we go for it; just do it. I want you to
be mine too and I think it sounds awesome. We’re going to have the best memories and we’ll always be thankful for taking the leap.”
“Oh my God!” Jersey shouted excitedly, and his eyes lit up like sparklers. “Really? Are you sure? Oh my God. Are you sure? Cause I don’t want you saying yes just because I want you to. I mean, if you want to, then that’s different, but don’t say it just for me. It is the other part of your surprise, but it’s totally fine if you don’t want to—”
“Jersey.”
“Because I can always cancel. I mean, I’d probably still have to pay for the reservation—-”
“Jersey.”
“And it was totally last minute, but because it was a weekday, they had an opening, and we get two nights for a small honeymoon in this really cool treehouse thing and they’ll take all our pictures—”
“Babe.”
“And we even get a little cake, and oh my God, Travis, we can finally have sex! Like, oh my God, real sex! And it could be so amazing and—”
Travis gathered Jersey’s flailing arms and hugged him to his chest, laughing the whole time.
“Why are you laughing like that?” Jersey asked finally wrapping his arms around Travis’s waist.
“You. You’re just so damn cute. I love it when you get so excited and start rambling on and on.”
Jersey grinned. “I was also thinking…”
“There’s more?” Travis asked a little loudly, his eyebrows in his hairline.
Jersey snickered. “Would you be opposed to changing your last name? I came up with the cutest last name for us,” he gushed, gripping Travis’s shirt in his hands as excitement bubbled out of him.
Catalyst (Connectivity Book 2) Page 27