“You? Nervous? I can’t picture it,” Michael said as he opened his door without waiting for Gavin.
Gavin jumped out after him. Maybe Michael wouldn’t always let him play the gentleman, but that didn’t mean he would let Michael walk to the door without holding his hand. The sensation of Michael’s palm pressed against his was one the things he’d missed the most this past week. Gavin shook his head at the thought. He couldn’t believe it had only been a week since Michael’s birthday. It had been the longest goddamn week of his life. As they walked hand in hand to the front door, Gavin tried calculating how many seconds there were in a week, because he’d damned sure felt every single one go by. He unlocked the door and waved Michael inside ahead of him. The moment he stepped through the door, Gavin’s feet froze to the floor. His gaze moved around the room before landing on Michael. Michael chewed his bottom lip and stared at Gavin looking more frightened than Gavin had ever seen him.
“Your stuff is here,” Gavin said for lack of anything else. Truly, he didn’t know how else to react.
Michael nodded. “Not all of it. The movers only had so much time, and we haven’t really talked about whose furniture we’d use… or if we’d use furniture at all,” Michael finished lamely. “But I needed to make a point,” Michael said, coming back to life, as if he realized he wasn’t making the most of the moment. “You see, you think I don’t know you, but I do. I might’ve been a weird kid, but this weird kid somehow snagged you,” Michael said, sounding determined and proud. “You cheated your way through calculus, and no one noticed when you took art as an elective, but I did. I noticed all those things. Maybe you kissed Marshall, but you’re mine. You’ve always belonged to me. In the past six years, I don’t know how many other men you’ve met, and I don’t want to know. All I do know is—in the past six years, I’ve only dated one person and I canceled more dates with him than I went on, because I knew you’d be back. Don’t ask me how I knew, but I did, because I fucking know you. I know you’re dark and obsessive and when you care, you do it with everything. Even if I didn’t admit it to myself, I knew you’d find your way back, because you are mine and I am yours. If you think moving my furniture in unannounced is insane, walk away from me again, and I’ll show you crazy.”
Gavin couldn’t breathe past the love choking him. There were too many thoughts running through his mind at once. They’d both shown just how far they’d go tonight. He hated to up the game by tackling Michael to the floor and fucking the man until he couldn’t walk. Gavin tried taking a few breaths instead. He cast a desperate look around the room, trying to focus on anything other than his need to claim the other half of himself. His gaze landed on the wall above the sofa. The two paintings he’d given Michael hung there.
“I had a few others framed for the bedroom,” Michael said, sounding entirely too calm for a man who was about to get fucked hard. “I should admit, I also stole the sketch book from the car and had those framed for your studio.”
Gavin closed the front door.
“Of course, I don’t know if those are up yet. Like I said, there wasn’t much time.”
Gavin toed off his shoes.
“If you don’t want me here, I’ll move everything out,” Michael said, still rambling.
“Shut up, Michael.”
“Okay.” Michael pressed his lips together, as if emphasizing his point. He lasted all of ten seconds. “Just let me say one more thing—I just want to be with you. If you want to live together or not. If you want to get married or—”
“Shut up, Michael,” Gavin repeated.
Michael went back to pressing his lips together.
“We’re getting married on Monday.” Michael opened his mouth, as if to interrupt, but Gavin held up his hand, stopping him. “It’s not your turn to speak,” Gavin reminded him. “You spoke your piece already. First thing Monday morning, we’re getting married. I have to be honest, I don’t really know the laws about waiting periods or whatnot, but it’s happening even if we have to catch a flight to somewhere else. I should’ve run away with you when you made the suggestion years ago, but I didn’t. But now, this back and forth is over, you understand?”
Michael didn’t respond.
“I’m not hearing anything reassuring from you,” Gavin said, feeling his temper slip.
“You told me to shut up,” Michael reminded him. “More than once, actually.”
It was getting harder by the minute to keep from smiling or tossing Michael to the floor. “You can speak as long you’re telling me what I want to hear.”
“Monday morning works for me.”
“We’re keeping the bean bag for my studio, so you can play games while I paint.”
Michael visibly fought back a smile. “I say we buy more than one. We need one for our bedroom.”
Gavin had to clench his fists behind this back to stop himself from reaching out for Michael, but he wasn’t finished yet. “Speaking of gaming, you’ll also reactivate your account. I can’t believe you’d delete all your hard work just to avoid speaking to me.”
“I didn’t delete my account,” Michael said. He pulled his phone from his pocket. “I changed my username. Come see,” he said, motioning Gavin closer. He handed his phone to Gavin. “See? That’s me now.”
Gavin stared at Michael’s new username. He tried not to smile, but he couldn’t stop himself. “Propertyof#1HatTrick,” Gavin read aloud.
“It was a moment of weakness and wishful thinking.”
He couldn’t take it any longer. Gavin handed the device back to Michael before digging the ring box from his pocket. He dropped to one knee because he’d promised himself he would. Because Michael deserved to be asked properly no matter how many times he’d already accepted. He stared up into the face of the man who’d stolen his heart years ago and never let it go. “Michael Vaughn Frost, you’re the only man I’ve ever loved and I can’t live without you. Would you do me the honor of marrying me?”
In spite of already agreeing, Michael visibly swallowed, as if this was the first he’d heard of the idea. He didn’t look at the ring. His gaze never wavered from Gavin’s. When Michael answered, his voice broke. “A million times if you’d let me.”
Gavin shifted to his feet and calmly slipped the ring onto Michael’s finger. He wanted to celebrate and scream his triumph at the top of his lungs. Instead, he slowly drew Michael closer while holding the man’s gaze. All his plans to win Michael had finally come to fruition. If Michael had any idea how long Gavin had that ring, he’d run for his life.
“I need to marry you fast, before you realize how insane I am over you,” Gavin admitted before he could stop himself.
Michael’s mouth turned up in the corners and a wicked glint entered his eyes as he encircled Gavin’s neck. “You weren’t listening earlier. I know exactly how crazy you are for me, and I love it. How could anyone else ever be enough after you? No one else would go as far to be with me. Give me all your insanity. I want it.”
Something inside Gavin snapped. He snatched Michael off his feet and slung him over his shoulder. Peals of laughter reverberated off the walls of his house, making it feel like a home for the first time ever. Gavin headed for the bedroom. Michael felt up his ass as Gavin made his way down the hall. A laugh caught in his throat.
“Damn, I love your ass. Are you wearing underwear?” Michael asked. He tugged at the waistband of Gavin’s jeans, as if trying to check for himself.
Gavin laughed harder. Michael always knew how to calm his most intense moments of obsession when his mind threatened to boil over. Inside the bedroom, he set Michael on his feet, ensuring the man’s body slid down his so Michael could feel how hard Gavin was for him. “I should’ve spent every day telling you how much I love you.”
Michael toyed with Gavin’s t-shirt. “You’ve shown me and that’s better.” As Michael made the claim, he shoved Gavin’s shirt up until Gavin raised his arms. When Gavin’s eyes were covered by the material and he couldn’t see, Michael ca
ptured his lips just as he’d done in Shreveport. Gavin froze, savoring the moment. He took his time tossing the shirt aside. If Michael wanted to be in control, Gavin didn’t have a problem with that. He stood still, waiting to see what Michael would do next. Michael’s hands slid down his chest and stomach, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind. Each breath Gavin took came harder than the last. Michael’s gaze never left his. He looked so damn serious and intense, Gavin couldn’t look away even if he wanted.
He popped the button on Gavin’s jeans. “You know I wouldn’t have let you walk away from me, right?”
Gavin didn’t respond. His throat wouldn’t work. Looking at Michael now was like looking in mirror. It was the first time he’d noticed Michael looked at him with the same insane glint.
Michael slid Gavin’s zipper down. “I’ll never let you go.”
If Gavin had ever been more turned on, he couldn’t remember it. In fact, he worried he might blow in his jeans before Michael could set his erection free. Then, Michael’s hand dipped inside Gavin’s underwear. A pant escaped Gavin with enough force it made his chest ache. Michael cupped his cock and stroked. Gavin had to lock his knees to keep from going down. He didn’t even blink as he stared at Michael. The man’s lips were slightly parted and his eyes looked unfocused. A flush rode high on his cheeks. As Gavin looked on, white teeth sank into Michael’s bottom lip. Gavin snapped. His mouth collided with Michael’s hard enough he tasted blood. He tore at Michael’s clothes. Something ripped. He didn’t care. Whatever it was, he’d replace it. Michael would never want for a thing as long as Gavin lived.
Air left his lungs on a whoosh as his back hit the mattress. Gavin stared up at the ceiling. It took him a moment to realize Michael had shoved him down. He didn’t have time to adjust to his new circumstances before Michael straddled his hips. Reality was blurred. Clothes disappeared and lube coated his naked cock. Before he had time to mentally prepare, Michael’s hot asshole engulfed him. A shout escaped him. Michael’s mouth covered his, swallowing the sound. He might’ve been embarrassed by the lightning fast orgasm if Michael’s cum wasn’t coating his stomach and chest. He didn’t know what happened. It was if they exploded into some sort of pleasure-filled inferno. Gavin couldn’t catch his breath. His body jerked with each wave of ecstasy. It was like little tiny bolts of electricity on his dick. Pulse after pulse of pleasure rocked him, and then Michael lifted, impaling himself on Gavin’s cock once more and another orgasm slammed into him, shocking him. He’d never had multiple orgasms in his life. He thought they were a myth. With his head thrown back, Gavin gasped for air. He’d never been more scared of having a heart attack.
In his fear, he cried out for Michael. “Michael.” Even he heard the pleading in his voice. Michael’s mouth covered his with the lightest of pressure. Everything righted itself and slowed. He took his first steady breath. Michael’s tongue brushed his. Gavin took another breath. His fingers dug into Michael’s back, anchoring him to reality. “I love you,” Gavin whispered as he changed angles and deepened their kiss. He couldn’t say it enough to soothe his heart.
Michael shifted positions and cuddled as close to Gavin as possible. “I love you too, baby. Could we stay right here where you can hold me for the rest of the night?”
He hadn’t even needed to ask. Gavin wasn’t sure he’d ever move again. He had the love of his life in his arms. Gavin didn’t need anything else to survive.
Chapter Ten
A seventy-two-hour waiting period required by the state of Louisiana had Michael and Gavin getting married on the beach in Key West. For as long as Michael lived, he knew he’d never forget the way Gavin stared at him as he repeated his wedding vows. He didn’t know how he’d missed the pride in the man’s eyes, as if Michael was the greatest thing in Gavin’s life. Michael’s chest hadn’t stopped aching since. A new weight of responsibility bore down on him, making it hard for him to breathe. He didn’t regret marrying Gavin. That was the best decision of his life. He was afraid of himself. Coach was due to arrive any minute, and Michael was ready to crawl out of his fucking skin. Gavin had spent years hiding his real self because of his father and although Gavin never talked about it, Michael got the impression Coach wasn’t handling having a gay son well. Michael was scared he might beat the shit out of the man if he said the wrong thing. He might be a little guy, but he had protective rage on his side. Coach might’ve given Gavin life, but that life now belonged to Michael. No one hurt his husband. The only thing currently saving Coach from Michael’s wrath was Gavin’s confession. Coach was the only person in Gavin’s family still speaking to him since coming out. Michael’s heart broke every time he thought about it.
Michael made one more pass through the house, ensuring it was clean enough for visitors. They’d stayed at Gavin’s for two weeks before Mara had shown up with a brightly wrapped wedding present—the deed to the rental house where Michael had been living. They were still moving things around, trying to decide where everything would go. Gavin’s house was now empty and on the market. Between the money from the sale of his house and the money Gavin made from working on the movie set, he had the funds for his art studio. Gavin hadn’t decided yet when he’d get started. For now, they were enjoying their newlywed status.
The doorbell rang, and Michael’s heart raced up into this throat. He shot a glance Gavin’s way. He looked fine—like it was any other day. Michael moved to answer. When the door swung wide, he blinked in surprise at the crowd of people on the other side. Mara had one arm linked through Coach’s while Coach stared down at her with stars in his eyes. Cal stood at their backs with a baby carrier linked over each arm.
Mara’s eyes and smile were bright. “Look who I ran into in the drive. He was nice enough to walk me to the door.”
Michael checked Cal’s reaction. A small smile hovered on the man’s lips, as if unsurprised by anything when it came to Mara. “Coach has always been a gentleman,” Michael said as he stepped back, making room for their visitors to come through the door.
Coach’s gaze never left Mara as they filed inside. “You never told me your husband was friends with this lovely woman,” Coach said when Michael closed the door behind him.
“Michael is more than a friend,” Mara said, her smile somehow managing to become even brighter. “I couldn’t survive without him. He’s like family. I’m thrilled he’s married your son. They’re perfect for each other.”
Coach nodded, as if every word coming from Mara was gospel. “I completely agree. This is the first chance I’ve had to visit since they ran away to get married, screwing me out of being part of the wedding,” Coach said, flashing his first disapproving glance their way. He immediately went back to staring at Mara as he led her to the couch. She didn’t release his arm until she got settled.
Mara released an irritated-sounding sigh. “I wasn’t thrilled about that either, especially since I was pregnant at the time and couldn’t travel. Otherwise, I would’ve tracked them down and invited myself.”
Coach filled the empty spot beside her as if Mara’s husband wasn’t there. Cal shot Michael an amused glance. Michael relieved him of one of the baby carriers. He moved the blanket covering it aside to see which baby he held. Bright gray eyes stared out at him. Michael barely stopped himself from gushing. He’d never spent much time around babies until Mara had given birth. Now he had a hard time staying away from the pair. Michael tuned out the rest of the room as he unbuckled Lucas. The boys were identical in almost every way, but Michael could tell them apart. Lucas had a small birthmark on his chin. Logan didn’t. It wasn’t until he settled the tiny warmth against his chest and leaned back in the chair to cuddle with the bundle that he noticed how quiet the room was. He tore his gaze away from Lucas long enough to look up. Every eye was focused upon him. He got the feeling he’d missed something important while he’d been focused on one half of his greatest baby loves.
“What?”
“You look like you need a baby in your arms,” Gavin said,
making Michael’s heart turn over in his chest. He sounded like he enjoyed the thought.
“I’ve always wanted grandkids,” Coach said, adding his thoughts.
They hadn’t talked about a family. Now that Michael had the idea in his head, it felt right. His throat swelled as he stared at his husband. Was this the same person who’d shattered him into a million pieces once upon a time? Michael couldn’t remember the pain anymore. Gavin had filled him with so much beauty and light Michael couldn’t see anything else. Their life would be amazing because he knew Gavin wouldn’t allow it to be any other way.
“See,” Mara said, dragging Michael’s attention away from the greatest love of his life. “It’s like I said outside, they look at each other like no one else exists. I’ve never seen two people more meant for each other.”
“I see that,” Coach said, sounding thoughtful.
Michael’s gaze slid back Gavin’s way. One day soon, he’d have to find a way to thank Mara for being the most amazing person on the planet. Right now, Michael couldn’t see anything other than the happily ever after sitting across from him.
The End.
Keep an eye out for the next Hard Hit book, Bang.
Charity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.
*Seven-time Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2015 Passionate Plume Award Finalist
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
Connect with her online:
--Join my street team: facebook.com/TeamCharityParkerson
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--Website: charityparkerson.com
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