by Amanda Young
However, now was not the time to dwell on things he couldn't change. He was trying his very best not to hold Declan's job against him. It wasn't his fault he'd been forced to do less-than-favorable things to survive. Killian couldn't say what he would have done in the same situation.
He glanced up in time to see Declan breeze through the door. The fine locks of his lover's platinum hair were windblown into spiky peaks and valleys, his cheeks pinkened from the brisk wind. He wore a bright blue jacket that brought out the color of his eyes and skintight jeans that hugged his long, athletic legs.
Killian had never seen anyone more attractive. His smile spread farther as his lover approached the booth. "Hey."
Declan slid into the booth across from Killian. "Hey, yourself, handsome. Thanks for meeting me here on such short notice."
"It wasn't any trouble. I'm glad you called."
The waitress arrived and interrupted him before he could ask why Declan had wanted to meet. A woman with hair the color of steel wool pulled back into a tight bun at her nape and a large, round face marred with wrinkles briskly took their order and then left them to their own devices.
"So," Killian began. "What's up? I thought you were supposed to be on duty today."
"I am… Well, I was. Things have been really slow this week, so I slipped out for lunch."
"All right."
Declan reached across the table and covered Killian's hand with his own. "I really wanted to talk to you, and I didn't want to wait until this weekend."
Killian chuckled, although it sounded as forced as it felt. "That sounds ominous."
"No, not really. I've been doing some thinking about what you said."
Killian forced himself to take a breath. "And?"
"I want to give it a try—living together."
"You do?"
Declan smiled. "Yes."
"That's great." Their gazes met and locked. Declan's expression was so soft and tender, it took all of Killian's willpower not to lean across the table and kiss him senseless. He didn't know what his own mug looked like, but it felt big and dopey. He didn't care. "I can't wait to get you moved in. I miss you when you're not around."
"I miss you too." Declan rubbed his thumb over Killian's knuckles. "There's just one thing… I'd like to hang on to my apartment for a while. It isn't that I don't trust you, but I don't want to be caught in a bad place if you decide you hate living with me."
Killian threaded his fingers through Declan's. "That'll never happen. I love having you around."
"You say that now, but you never know what might happen down the road."
The waitress chose that moment to deliver their meals. She set Declan's BLT and fries down in front of Killian, and Killian's cheeseburger in front of Declan. Unlike their meals, she got their drink orders right.
The men traded plates and then dug into their food, eating silently for a few minutes. Surprisingly, although the service wasn't the greatest, the diner's burgers were quite good. The meat practically melted in his mouth and the tomatoes were ripe and juicy.
Between bites, Killian said, "This is good. How's yours?"
"It's fine." Declan sipped his iced tea. "The seasoned fries are really good here."
"Oh yeah?" Killian snagged one of Declan's fries and popped it in his mouth. "You're right. They're great. Crispy."
Declan laughed and pretended to hide his plate behind his arm. "Get your own, fry thief."
"But they might not be as good as yours," Killian teased.
"All right." Declan reached across the table and snatched one of the pickles off Killian's plate. "I'll share my fries, if you share your pickles."
"You can have my pickle anytime you want it."
Declan snorted. "Oh, that was terrible."
"I know." Killian winked. "I couldn't help myself."
Declan appeared pensive as he nibbled a fry. "What do you think about my moving in? Do you want to do it while I'm off later this week or wait?"
"As soon as possible works for me, but I'll go along with whatever you want. It isn't like you don't spend most of your downtime at my place anyway."
"It isn't like I have very much to move. Just some clothes and stuff. After I finish off my shift, I could go home, get my stuff, and meet you at your place around the same time you get in from work."
Killian squeezed Declan's hand. "That sounds good to me. Really good. But are you sure you don't need any help getting your things?"
"Nah, I'll take care of it."
"Take care of what?" a new voice asked.
Killian turned his head and goggled at Cash. "What are you doing here?"
"What?" Cash said. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your little friend?"
"Um…" Killian shot a sympathetic look at his lover. "This is Declan. Declan, this is Cash."
"Hi." Cash thrust his hand forward. "Nice to meet you."
"You too." Declan slid his palm out from underneath Killian's and shook Cash's hand.
Cash wiped his hand on his pants and slid into the booth next to Killian, forcing Killian up against the window. "So, how long has this been going on? I didn't know you had it in you, Killian, you old dog."
Declan's attention shifted from Cash to Killian. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, you know… I mentioned the whorehouse to Killian months ago, but I didn't know he'd take it upon himself to rent a little action."
"I-I'm not sure what you mean. Declan and I are d-d-dating." Heat exploded up Killian's neck and blossomed over his face. This situation was a train wreck waiting to happen unless he did something to fix it really quick. He didn't want to think about how Cash recognized Declan as being someone from Chicken Ranch, but it didn't take a genius to figure out that two plus two equaled four.
"Hey, man, it's all right. You don't need to play dumb with me. I've been out to the country more than once since I mentioned it to you. I can't say that I've sampled this sweet little piece, but I can rectify that right quick." Cash stood and leaned across the booth. "How much do you charge for a little bump and grind, sugar?"
The heat of embarrassment Killian felt disappeared, replaced by pure, unadulterated rage. Before he could consider his actions, Killian thrust his hands out and shoved Cash out of the booth.
The other man hit the ground on his side and quickly rolled to his feet while the few other people in the diner looked on. "What the fuck, man? If you wanted him all to yourself, all you had to do is say so. We're buds, aren't we?"
"No," Killian said quietly. "I don't think we are." He turned his attention to his lover, who he only then realized hadn't said a single word to defend himself. "Are you ready to go, love?"
"Yeah." Declan nodded. His straight white upper teeth sank into the blushing flesh of his bottom lip as he scooted toward the end of the booth. Unable to miss the nervous glance Declan shot Cash's way, Killian held out his hand. "Come on. Let's get out of here."
"All right." Declan took Killian's hand and stepped around Cash.
Killian was chagrined to find Declan's gaze didn't lift high enough to meet his own. Was Declan pissed at his outburst? He'd never gotten physically violent with anyone in his life, but he couldn't sit by and listen to Cash accost the man he loved. He wouldn't stand for it. Surely Declan wouldn't believe Killian would turn that anger on him?
"You don't want to do this, Killian." Cash wiped imagined dirt off the seat of his designer slacks. "We've been friends for far too long to let a used-up piece of ass come between us."
Killian forced his hands to relax and shot a withering look toward Cash. "If you'd like to keep all those pretty caps you had put on your front teeth, I suggest you watch how you refer to the man I love. As far as what you and I used to be to each other, you can consider that past tense. I don't associate with jackasses."
Killian ignored Declan's soft gasp in favor of watching Cash storm out of the diner. He wasn't sorry to see the other man go. Their friendship had run its course; he just wished he would have ended the association lo
ng ago. Maybe if he had, he would have saved Declan the discomfiture of meeting the other man.
It wasn't until after he'd paid for their meal and led them outside that Declan finally spoke. "I'm sorry for causing you problems, Killian. Maybe we should rethink me moving in with you."
"What?" Killian exclaimed, flabbergasted. "No. I'm sorry for what I said and did in there, but you have to know I would never lay a finger on you in anger. I'd just as soon cut my own hand off first."
"It's not that." Declan leaned against the rust bucket he called a car.
"What it is then?" Killian's fingers itched to soothe away the worry lines crossing Declan's forehead. He wanted nothing more than to take his lover in his arms and comfort him, but his feet stayed rooted to the gravel below. Declan was giving off a strong vibe that practically shouted, Back off.
"I don't want to come between you and your friends. That guy in there isn't the only one who's going to look down on you for dating a whore."
"That's bullshit, Declan. What you do for a living is irrelevant. Any person who looks down on me for finally finding someone to love isn't worth having as a friend. I apologize for the scene I made in the diner, but I'm not going to let you use it as an excuse to end things between us. If you don't want to be with me, then say so. Otherwise, I'm going to assume nothing has changed between us. I still want you to move in; nothing would please me more."
Declan fidgeted, kicking at the gravel. "Things have changed."
"Oh." Killian felt the color leech out of his world. Cash's foul mouth and Killian's own outburst had obviously killed any prayer of a relationship with Declan. What the hell am I going to do now? He had to think of some way to mend fences with Declan. The thought of never seeing the younger man again twisted something dark and nasty deep within Killian's chest.
"What you said in there… Did you mean it?"
"Oh." Realization dawned on Killian and restored his hope that he'd misread the situation. "Oh. Yes! Every syllable."
"Say it again." Declan grabbed hold of Killian's blazer, twisted his fingers around the lapel, and pulled him forward. "Say it to me this time."
Killian stared down at his lover, taken by the tiny ember of optimism burning in the china blue depths of Declan's eyes. He cupped the shorter man's cheek, brushing Declan's hair away from his face, and rubbed his thumb over the plump flesh of Declan's lower lip. He held Declan's gaze, staring into his lover's expressive eyes. "I love you, Declan. I think I have for a while now; I just didn't want to say the words and scare you off. These last few months we've spent together have been the happiest of my life."
"Mine too."
Killian couldn't resist the soft, beguiling smile curving Declan's luscious lips. Furthermore, he didn't want to try. Closing the distance between them, he bent and covered Declan's mouth with his own. Declan's lips parted beneath Killian's and moved in response to the gentle rhythm Killian craved. The slick touch of Declan's tongue dragged a groan out of the depths of his soul and filled the shared space of their mouths with the flavor of pleasure. Killian wasn't sure what he would have done if he'd lost this connection, but he was damn thankful he didn't have to worry about it.
Declan loves me.
Wait…
Declan didn't actually say the words. Shit.
Slowly dragging his mouth away from Declan's, Killian said, "Um, is there anything you want to tell me?"
"I don't know. What else did you have in mind?" Declan pressed a quick peck of a kiss against Killian's lips.
Killian groaned and chased Declan's lips, kissing him back. "You are an evil, evil man."
"I am not." All signs of teasing fled as Declan's expression sobered. "What I am is head over heels in love with you."
"Head over heels, huh?"
Declan playfully punched Killian's shoulder. "You're ruining the moment."
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about it; we'll have a lifetime of special moments."
Declan grinned and hugged Killian tight. "I'm counting on it."
Epilogue
Eighteen months later
Surrounded by Declan's friends, both from school and work, Killian sat amid a huge crowd at the local civic center and impatiently waited to hear his lover's name announced over the loudspeakers.
Killian rose to his feet when the first last name starting with an M was called. He got his camera ready, the zoom in full gear, and pointed it at the stage. The speaker called, "Mayo, Declan," and everyone around him soared to their feet, shouting Declan's name and waving like idiots.
Killian shot one picture after another, wanting to immortalize this moment for his sentimental lover. Seeing his lover was difficult from where they sat in the nosebleed section, but he knew well how handsome Declan looked in his cap and gown, having put it to good use playing dress-up the night before. The very thought of Declan bent over the foot of the bed, his bright blue gown pulled up around his narrow hips while Killian pounded into him from behind was enough to rouse Killian's cock.
He pushed the image away before he got a full-fledged hard-on and embarrassed himself. Through the camera lens, Killian watched his lover accept his degree and walk across the opposite podium. As soon as Declan descended the steps and disappeared from view, Killian began making his way toward the parking lot. He felt a little bad for not staying through the whole ceremony, but he couldn't wait another second to give his lover a congratulatory kiss. It would probably be the only moment they got to themselves for the rest of the night.
A huge party was planned for that evening. Graves had offered to shut down Chicken Ranch for the night and throw a bash to celebrate Declan's graduation. Quite frankly, Killian thought it was the least the man could do after everything Declan had done to lend a hand after Colt had quit and left Graves hanging in the breeze. Not long after Declan moved in with Killian, Declan had quit working as a rent boy and assumed a position as an assistant to Graves and an all-around gofer. Despite the steep pay decrease, Declan seemed happy with the job change. Killian was thrilled.
Now that he had his degree, there was no telling what he would do. Although they talked about his options often, Declan still wasn't sure whether he wanted to leave his friends and strike out doing something new. Killian suspected Graves's offer of a raise and better hours would sway Declan into staying. With the assurance that Declan would never go back to hooking, Killian didn't much care what his lover did for a living, as long as Declan was happy.
Killian burst through the auditorium doors and out onto the asphalt parking lot. Sunshine warmed his shoulders as he jogged across the lot toward his Hummer. With any luck, he'd beat Declan there and be able to retrieve the present he'd hidden from his lover for the last month.
After much consideration, and no little worry, Killian had gone with his gut feeling and bought Declan a beautiful platinum Claddagh ring. The symbolism behind the ring signified everything he held dear in their relationship. The hands denoted friendship and togetherness, while the heart stood for love and the crown represented loyalty. He only hoped Declan didn't find the overture too saccharine-sweet.
As it turned out, luck was with Killian. He not only had time to retrieve the ring but was innocently standing beside the Hummer for several minutes before Declan appeared. A huge smile graced his lover's face as he approached. "Did you see? Can you believe it?"
Killian laughed. "I did, and I can."
Declan threw himself into Killian's open arms. "I didn't think today would ever get here."
"I never doubted you for a minute."
"Oh yeah? How about when we got into that huge argument over my apartment?"
"Nope. Not even then." Killian kept quiet about how ridiculous it would have been to quit school in an effort to keep paying rent on an apartment Declan didn't even live in. He was just thankful Declan had finally put a little faith in Killian and gotten rid of the hovel before it broke him. An apartment was a damn expensive security blanket.
"Liar." Declan was still grinning as he caught Kill
ian's lips and kissed him hard enough to scandalize the little old ladies exiting the building.
Killian wouldn't have even noticed if one of the women hadn't shrieked as if they were fucking on the middle of the stage inside. He reluctantly pulled out of the kiss and stared down at his lover, at the man he could happily spend the rest of his life waking up beside. Contrary to Declan's fears, Killian found the younger man's idiosyncrasies adorable—even the snuffling noise he made in his sleep and the way he drooled on the pillows.
"I have something for you."
Declan's smile spread farther. "What is it?"
Killian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black velvet jeweler's box. He held his breath as Declan took the box and peered inside. "If you don't like it—"
"Hush." Declan pulled out the ring and slid it on his finger. "I love it."
"Really?"
"Yes, really." Declan hugged Killian tight. "Do you know what the Claddagh stands for?"
"Of course I do: friendship, love, and loyalty. I'd say that sums up my feelings about you pretty well."
Declan nodded. "Now all we have to do is get you one."
"All in good time." Killian hoped that one day, when it was legally recognized, they would upgrade to wedding rings. He'd love nothing more than to call Declan his husband. But that was a conversation for another day.
Declan squeezed Killian tight and then released him. "Now, what say you take me home before all the others catch on to my escape plans and come kidnap me? I'm looking forward to serious loving before the party tonight."
"Oh yeah? Just who did you have in mind for that pleasurable task?"
Declan rolled his eyes. "Who do you think?"
"The mailman?" Killian teased.
"No."
"The milkman?"
"Well, he is kind of hot." Declan laughed and swatted Killian on the ass. "Take me home, you big goof. If you're really lucky, I might even keep my gown on."