by Land, Alexa
“I can’t believe that just happened,” I said. “He’s nothing like I would have expected.”
“Yeah, me neither,” Dmitri murmured. When I turned to look at him, he said, “Not that I knew anything about your situation. But man, how unusual to have a father that looks so young, and so much like you. It’s more like you found a brother.”
“Or a clone,” Jamie said, smiling at me cheerfully.
Vincent pushed off the wall he was leaning against and said, “Come on, let’s go home. No more big surprises are in store for you today, I promise.” It would turn out that he was wrong about that.
*****
When we returned to Vincent’s apartment, I curled up on my favorite spot on the couch and played back over that totally unexpected encounter. My boyfriend could tell I needed some time to myself to work through all that had just happened, so he kissed the top of my head and said, “I’m going to go the gym, then the grocery store. What would you like for dinner?”
“Anything’s fine,” I murmured. As he started to turn away from me, I caught his hand and kissed it. When he looked back at me, I told him, “Thank you again for finding him for me, Vincent.”
“I should have told you I was doing that.”
“I get why you didn’t. You’re right that more disappointment wouldn’t have been a good thing right now.”
After he left, I went out on the balcony and stared idly at the bay, tucking my feet under me on the patio chair. The day was clear and bright, the water a distinctive green-grey. I was totally lost in thought when the buzzer sounded downstairs.
I went to the intercom beside the front door and pressed a button. “Yes?”
“Who’s this?” a deep voice demanded.
That was irritating. “A better question is, who are you?”
“This is Liam Killean, asshole. And you still haven’t answered my question.”
Anger spiked in me, and I snapped, “Stay right there. I want to talk to you.”
Liam was standing outside the glass door with his arms crossed over his chest, glaring at me when I reached the lobby. He was huge. He had to be at least 6’6, his black t-shirt stretched tautly over giant shoulders and biceps, mirrored sunglasses giving him a faux-cop air. He was not going to intimidate me.
I flung the door open and pushed him as hard as I could. Since he wasn’t expecting it, Liam toppled backwards down the two stairs and landed hard on the sidewalk. “What the fuck!” he exclaimed.
I jumped down the stairs and grabbed the front of his shirt, making sure to take hold of as many chest hairs as possible, and twisted. It was gratifying to watch him wince. “Listen up, Liam,” I growled. “Vincent is done with you. The phone calls, threats, and these random visits stop now.”
“Who the fuck are you?” he asked. Surprisingly, he made no effort to get back up.
Vincent answered the question for him, appearing on the sidewalk and exclaiming, “Trevor?”
I glared at Liam, my voice a low growl. “You’re going to stop harassing my boyfriend. You hear me?”
He tried to pull up a bit of bravado and raised his square chin. “Oh yeah? If I don’t, what are you going to do about it?”
I leaned in close, twisting his t-shirt harder, and hissed, “I’m going to fucking kill you.”
He tried to laugh that off. “No you aren’t.”
“You need to understand something, Liam.” I pointed at Vincent and snarled, “That man is mine. And I will do anything to protect the people I love. Anything.”
His expression behind the mirrored shades got a bit panicked as he mumbled, “You’re insane.”
I pushed him back as I let go of his shirt and said, “We’re done here.” I turned and used the key card my boyfriend had given me to let myself back in the lobby, and Vincent hurried to my side. When we reached the elevator, I glanced back through the glass front door. Liam was still sitting on the sidewalk, looking completely stunned.
Once the elevator doors slid shut behind us, Vincent murmured, “I can’t believe what I just witnessed.”
“What are you doing back here?”
“I forgot my gym bag.”
“I see.”
“How did that happen? Liam’s more than twice your size.”
“Well,” I said, “first of all, I was pissed that he showed up unannounced after you told him repeatedly to stop bothering you. I wanted him out of our lives, and I guess he felt my conviction. Secondly, I had a theory. Turns out I was right. Good thing too, because that guy could have punched me into next week.”
“What was your theory?”
“That a lot of doms are just scared, insecure little boys, so terrified of losing their partners that they feel the need to exert insane amounts of control over them.”
“Ah.”
“I figured if I set the right tone with him and let him know he wasn’t in charge from the moment I met him, I’d get through to him.”
“And the death threat?”
“Well, what was I supposed to do with a guy like that, threaten to tell his mom on him? I figured he’d only respond to straight-up crazy.”
We’d reached the apartment, and as the door swung shut behind us, Vincent turned to me and smiled. “That was utterly unexpected. I’m so glad I came back in time to see it.”
I shook out my hands as some of the adrenaline dissipated, and said, “I’m really not a violent person. You know that. But I’m also serious about no one hurting the people I love.”
“I completely understand. Believe me.”
“I know you do,” I said with a smile.
“Hey Trevor, will you do something for me?” Vincent asked.
“Sure. What is it?”
He flashed me a sexy smile as he ran his hand over my hip. “Take me to the bedroom and fuck the hell out of me.”
Lust spiked in me the moment I saw how turned on he was. I pulled him to me and kissed him before murmuring, “I can do that.”
We actually ran to the bedroom and began tearing each other’s clothes off. I pushed Vincent back onto the bed, pulled off his shoes and socks, then quickly shucked his shorts and underwear before reaching for the lube. As I pushed a finger into him he said, “The part where you pointed to me and said I was yours, oh God. That was so erotic that I wanted you to fuck me right there on the sidewalk.”
“You are mine.” I quickly lubed up my hard cock, then climbed on top of him and pushed inside him with one long thrust. When I bottomed out in him, I looked into his eyes and smiled. “And I’m yours, too.”
I knelt between his legs and took him hard and fast, maintaining eye contact, my body slapping against his with each thrust. At the same time, I reached down and stroked his cock, and he grinned and said between gasps, “Don’t finish me off. I have plans for that.” That made me smile, and I slowed my hand on his shaft.
Vincent fumbled for the lube and squirted some on his fingers, then reached behind me as I pumped my cock in and out of his tight little hole. He spread me with one hand as he stuck a finger in me, countering the rhythm of my thrusts so that I was now driving myself onto his finger each time I rocked back.
After just a few minutes of this, I cried out and drove myself into him feverishly, my hands digging into his hips, pulling him onto me. I was deep in him when my orgasm tore from me, cum shooting into his body again and again as he continued to finger me.
I shook from the force of my orgasm, my erratic thrusts slowing and finally stilling. As soon as I stopped moving, Vincent slid his finger from me and rolled us over. My cock was still inside him as his lips found mine in a passionate kiss.
We kissed for a few moments as I caught my breath, and as soon as I’d recovered a bit, he rocked his hips slightly. My cock slid from him, and a moment later the tip of his cock pressed at my opening. He propped himself up on his elbows, his eyes locked with mine as he pushed against me. Finally, my body yielded and his big, hard cock filled me. He didn’t stop until his body was pressed against mine.
He started moving in me when he felt me relax underneath him, muscles yielding, my body accommodating him fully. His thrusts were smooth and gentle at first. He took his cues from me, watching my lust ratchet right back up again, my cock hardening against my belly as he increased his thrusts gradually.
Never once did he break eye contact, the connection between us absolutely intense. I rocked underneath him, grabbing his butt with both hands, trying to pull him into me even deeper. My ragged moans mingled with his, bringing the normally quiet apartment to life.
Vincent yelled as he reached orgasm, pumping in and out of me forcefully. Watching and feeling him cum in me was so incredibly erotic that I came again too, my cock sandwiched between our bodies, my arms and legs wrapping around him instinctively, driven by the need to get as close to him as I possibly could. “Oh fuck,” he ground out, still claiming me over and over with each thrust into me.
His orgasm and mine went on for a long time, so that by the time they ebbed, both of us were shaking a bit. Vincent eased out of me and rolled us onto our sides, cradling me in his arms. We kissed and caressed each other gently while we caught our breath. After a while, he flashed me a glorious, unguarded smile and said, “I love you so much, Trevor.”
“I love you too, Vincent.”
“So move in with me.”
“Okay.”
He looked into my eyes. “Really?”
“Really.”
He smiled again and said, “Well, that was easy. I was sure you’d have some counterarguments about the need to pace ourselves.”
“Nope. I’d love to live with you.”
“Well, while you’re being so agreeable, I have something for you.” He rolled over and took something out of the nightstand, then gathered me in his arms again.
Vincent picked up my right hand and slipped an elegant platinum band onto my ring finger. “This is a promise ring. When you’re ready for it to be something more, we’ll move it to your left hand. For now, this signifies my promise to always love and protect you, and to marry you when the time is right.”
“It’s beautiful,” I murmured, holding my hand up and watching the band sparkle in the sunlight that filtered in between the white curtains.
“It was my dad’s wedding band,” he said softly. “I had it resized earlier this week to fit you.”
I fully understood the enormity of this gift, and I whispered, “Thank you, Vincent. I’ll cherish it, and you, forever.”
He grinned at that and settled in comfortably, his dark eyes sparkling as he said, “Forever sounds just about perfect.”
Epilogue
“So, really? Someone decided Nana should have her own cooking show?” Skye asked, settling in beside me on the bleachers at the back of the big sound stage. In front of us, a lot of people were bustling around getting things ready on a kitchen set that was meant to look like it was in someone’s home.
“Yup, after her video reached a million hits on the internet.” I crossed my legs, and Sam shifted a little in the carrier that was strapped to my chest. I glanced down at him, but the three-month-old was sleeping soundly.
Melody rushed up to us, her young husband in tow. “Oh mah gawd,” she gushed. “You know what this means, don’t you? You’re friends with an actual TV celebrity, Trev!”
“Well, kind of,” I said, gingerly sliding my arms out of the straps on the carrier and handing Sam to his mom. “It’s basic cable and I think it’ll be aired at about eleven o’clock at night, but sure.”
My cousin had decided to stay in San Francisco rather than returning to Arizona, in large part because she wanted me to be involved in Sam’s life. I’d gotten her a job as a hostess during the lunch shift at Nolan’s, and provided free babysitting while she worked. Slater was working on getting his license as a tattoo artist. He was remarkably mature for a nineteen-year-old, and was obviously really trying to be a good husband and father. Their little family was living in my former apartment, with a bit of assistance on the rent from me.
Sure, there were still plenty of pangs of sadness when I was with Sam. I’d fully accepted Melody’s decision though, and really was proud of her for stepping up. She’d matured so much over the last three months. Sometimes it seemed like Melody, Slater, and Sam were all raising each other, and that was kind of awesome.
As for me, I was learning to love my role as godfather and favorite “uncle.” Even if I wasn’t Sam’s parent, I’d always be a part of his life. He’d always know I loved him, and that I was there for him. I took a lot of comfort in that.
Mel and Slater settled in to the left of Skye, and she asked as she put on the baby carrier, “Where’s Vinnie? He’s going to miss it! They probably won’t let him in once they start filming!”
“He went backstage to check on Nana, and probably let himself get roped into helping with a million things.” I grinned as I said that.
Christopher and Kieran came in, followed by a half dozen of Nana’s tiny, white-haired, giant-handbag-wielding girlfriends. “Hi guys,” Christopher said as they took their seats. “Big day for Nana!”
Hunter and Brian hurried in a minute later. Brian was still using a cane for balance, but was steadily gaining confidence with his prostheses. After exchanging greetings and finding some seats, Hunter exclaimed, “I was sure we were going to be late. We were having brunch in Hayes Valley, then couldn’t find a cab.”
“They may not start on time anyway,” Christopher said. “This isn’t going to be broadcast live. Thank God.” He flashed us a huge smile. Then he added, “And you’re not the last ones, people are still filtering in. Case in point.” Dante and Charlie had just rushed through the door. “You’re late!” Christopher called to them.
The couple hurried over to us hand-in-hand, and Christopher and Kieran slid down to make room for them. “Hey. Um, yeah, we couldn’t find parking,” Charlie said, not making eye contact.
“Yeah, right,” Christopher teased, his southern accent seeping out a bit. “Like y’all weren’t gettin’ busy this morning, and then ran out the door at the last possible moment.”
Dante shot him a smile. “Of course we were. Like you newlyweds weren’t!”
“At least we had the sense to stop five minutes sooner than you did,” Christopher told him, which made Dante chuckle.
Charlie scanned the audience as he settled in and picked up his husband’s hand. “This is quite a crowd. Nana knows a lot people.”
“My grandmother’s popular, no doubt about it,” Dante said. Then he turned to me. “Oh hey, Trevor, before I forget, can you come in half an hour early tonight? Remmy found some exotic mushrooms at the farmer’s market this morning, and is all excited about concocting a special appetizer for tonight’s dinner service.”
“Not a problem,” I said.
Dante’s restaurant had opened three weeks ago, to rave reviews. Reservations were already booking out two months in advance. I’d gone in for an interview with Tyler Remmy in August, and was floored when he hired me as his apprentice three minutes after meeting me. I was sure that was mostly thanks to Dante’s influence, though Tyler and I really had a great rapport. The job was challenging and Tyler was fairly demanding. But he was also a great teacher and a creative genius, and every day I learned so much from him. I felt incredibly lucky.
Vincent appeared through a door beside the kitchen set and scanned the crowd. I waved to him, and when he spotted me, his face lit up. “That’s really cute,” Skye said to me as Vincent headed over. “He’s so excited to see you, even though it’s only been twenty minutes. I want a guy that lights up like that when he sees me.”
“I know you’re going to find someone,” I told him. “Speaking of which, are you still doing that online dating thing?”
He rolled his eyes. “Yes. My friend Zandra thinks we should give it six months before we call it quits, so I’m sticking with it for her sake. I’ll spare you the horror stories.”
I slid over to make room for Vincent, and he squeezed in and kissed m
y cheek before greeting our friends. Dante called, “You’re still coming for dinner Saturday, right Vinnie? Mikey will be there, and Johnnie’s driving up from Big Sur. We’re doing a special menu at the restaurant that night.”
“I’ll be there, as long as you promise it isn’t another fun-with-fungus theme,” he replied. To me he said, “What is it with Remmy and mushrooms, anyway?”
I grinned at that. “He’s just going through a phase right now. And you know, most people like mushrooms. They’re not creeped out by them the way you are.”
“Then most people are wrong, because mushrooms are inherently creepy. Have you ever taken the time to really look at one? So gross.”
“Is it the gills? Is that the part you object to?”
He shuddered and said, “Just hearing that is enough to give me the willies.”
Nana burst onto the set with River close behind her. He’d agreed to be her assistant, in exchange for getting to shamelessly plug the catering business on TV. He’d been doing well. Skye stepped in to help him when needed, after I took the full-time job at Dante’s restaurant. River didn’t really need much help, though. He’d come a long way in just a few months.
It took several minutes for the crew to get in place, but eventually they started the cameras. Nana grabbed a huge chef’s hat from under the counter, plunked it down on her head, and introduced herself and River. Then she said, “Today, we’re gonna talk about noodles. And yeah, I know we’re supposed to call it pasta now, but who cares! Now look.” She grabbed a little package from the counter and shook it at the camera. “I went to a farmer’s market today and bought this package of ‘artisan pasta.’ It cost me seven bucks for half a pound. What are you, fucking insane to spend that kind of money on noodles? You know what’s in here? It’s flour and eggs, people!” She reached under the counter, pulled out a big bag, and plopped it down on the counter. A puff of flour jettisoned out the top. “This bag of flour cost about two bucks. You know how much pasta you could make with this?”
She looked at River, and he stammered. “Are you asking me? I don’t know. A lot?”