Ben extends his hand, shaking mine firmly, adding a solid pat to the back. “It’s a pleasure, son.”
There’s so much about them that reminds me about my own parents—their kind openness, their hearty laughter, their genuine love and concern for their son. But, perhaps the most astounding thing about them is their willingness to accept me in their lives just as Dylan has in his.
Dylan and his father walk to the cooler to grab some drinks and his mom pulls me to the side. “I just had to say thank you.” She sits in a chair and prompts me to sit next to her.
“For?” I ask, nervously fidgeting with the grey, plastic tablecloth.
“For making him happy.” Her simple answer speaks volumes. “He deserves to be happy, even though he thought he didn’t for so long. It took him far too long, and he wasted too much time thinking he wasn’t worthy. You’ve shown him all the things he couldn’t see on his own.” Her kind smile is impossible to dismiss, her powerful words, impossible to ignore.
Her eyes travel behind me just as Dylan’s hand claps down on my shoulder. “You two okay?”
Covering his hand with mine and looking up at him, I simply say, “Perfect.”
With lots of good food and company, the party passes by in a blur. Toward the end of the night, Lucy comes out with a huge sheet cake in her hands, and everyone starts in on a chorus of “Happy Birthday” as Dylan stands next to me.
The feeling of warmth that washes over me as I look around the yard is one that I’ve never experienced before. These people, some of who have only recently become important to me, have openly welcomed me into their lives. While I never wanted for a family of my own, I’ve missed it terribly in the last two years. They’ll never be replaced, but with people like this, their absence is a lot less painful.
After I blow out the candles, and everyone’s clapping dies down, Dylan clears his throat, holding his beer up for what I assume is a short speech thanking everyone for coming.
“I’d like to thank everyone for coming.” Totally predictable. I peer over at him, offering him a wry look, which he ignores. “Since I met Conner, my life has been,” he rubs his chin, pretending to be lost in thought, “different,” he settles on. He ignores my playful nudge to the side, barely noticing it at all. “Different in the best of ways.” His blue eyes shimmer, a deep sapphire like the clearest of oceans. “I never knew how empty my life was until Conner revived it. We’re all here today to celebrate this man,” he laces our fingers together at our side, “so I just wanted to take a minute to tell you all not only how much I love him, but how thankful I am every single day for having him in my life.”
“Hear, hear!” Reid calls out as Rachel whistles, sending the rest of the crowd into an uproar of cheers.
I lean in, press a quick kiss to his cheek and whisper, “Thank you, for today and for every day,” in his ear, noticing the slight shiver that my warm breath causes.
The instant we’re through the door of our apartment, Dylan locks me in his grip, bruising my lips in a frantic and heated kiss. “I’ve been waiting to do that all day,” he murmurs against my mouth.
He pushes me back, shoving me up against the door, nearly knocking the wind out of my lungs. With nimble fingers, he unbuttons my shorts and shoves them down to the floor. When he wraps his hand around my instantly hard cock, I attack his mouth with bruising force. He strokes me from root to tip, back and forth, as his tongue slides in and out of my mouth. Capturing his face in my hands, I hold him still and suck his tongue into my mouth, hollowing my cheeks.
As he sinks to his knees, he reaches one hand up my shirt, pinching my nipple. His hot mouth wraps around my cock, forcing me to bow off the door. With his hands on either side of my hips, pressing against the door, it clatters on its hinges behind me as Dylan fucks me with his mouth.
My fingers dive into his hair, holding him in place as I shove every inch into his throat. “Ahhhh . . . Dylan . . .” His tongue swirls around the broad head of my cock, sending waves of pleasure racing over my entire body, drawing my balls tight up against my body. “Fuck,” I growl as he rakes his short nails over them, causing them to tingle even more.
With the sexiest look I’ve ever seen, he reaches up and puts his finger in my mouth, wanting me to suck on it. I match his rhythm, soaking his digit as requested. He drops my dick from his mouth and replaces it with his finger, adding to the moisture gathered there before he pulls me away from the door. His finger sinks into me easily, probing, stretching, fucking me.
The combination of his mouth wrapped tightly around my cock and his finger plunging in and out of my ass, my orgasm rips through me without warning. On a loud roar and final thrust into his mouth, I come, wildly, without any concern for the loud slamming noises my body makes against the door.
Dazed and thoroughly sated, I look down at Dylan licking me clean. “You’re fucking insane at that.” He stands and I rest my forehead against his, my labored breathing the only thing between us.
“Well, then you’re gonna love this.” He lifts a mischievous eyebrow at me, pulling me down the hall to our bedroom. We tumble to the bed—a heap of legs and arms. Our clothes are gone in an instant and Dylan is sprawled out on top of me, our chests pressed together without an inch of space between them. Hooking my leg into the crook of his elbow spreads me wide open. Trailing hot kisses across my neck and chest, the mood shifts. It becomes less frenzied, much slower. There’s an emotional drive motivating every touch, kiss, and lick. I hear a drawer opening, the cap of a bottle unsnap. Kneeling between my legs, Dylan coats himself in lube.
Watching him stroke himself, readying himself to fuck me senseless has a dizzying effect on every part of my strung-tight body.
Based solely on the look on his face, I’m expecting a hard punishing assault, but when he gently spreads me, and eases himself into me, a searing pleasure spreads throughout my body. He presses his body against mine and we’re completely connected. His arms stretch over mine, tangling our fingers together. My legs wrap around his waist, holding him fast to my body. His arms hook under my shoulders, holding me in a tight embrace as he drives into me over and over again. The power in his smooth, gliding motion sends me over the edge of my control. His name falls from my lips over and over against as he buries himself deep inside, getting lost on every single push.
His lips attack my neck, nibbling, biting, licking, kissing. “Want you so bad . . .” he grunts.
“You have me,” I groan. “Forever.”
The day-old stubble scratches deliciously against my skin as he presses his cheek flush against mine. “Love you,” he whispers, his hips moving more erratically, his tell that he won’t be able to hold on much longer.
“Con . . . ahhh . . . oh, God. . . .” he pants breathlessly as he comes.
In a beautiful mess, he tumbles to my side, utterly satisfied, bonelessly replete.
“Did you really mean that?” Dylan asks when his breathing returns to normal, resting his cheek to my chest.
Unable to recall much more than the feeling of him making love to me, my brow furrows in misunderstanding. “Huh?”
“Forever. Did you mean that?” The seriousness of his words can’t be missed. That single word had an impact on him, somewhere deep inside; I can see it in his eyes, hear it in his words. Saying it had the same impact on me.
“I did, and I’ll always mean it.” Cradling his face, I pull it to mine and seal my lips to his.
After he breaks the kiss, he gazes into my eyes. Though those oceanic depths say so much more, three simple words tumble softly from his gorgeous lips. “So do I.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
September 17, 2016
The burnt oranges and vibrant yellows of the autumn skyline is the perfect backdrop for today—a day I never thought would happen. Fidgeting with my tie proves pointless. I’m too nervous to do much of anything today. Maybe nervous isn’t the right word—anxious, excited, elated; those are more appropriate ways to desc
ribe the emotions running through my head as I get ready for my wedding day.
A light tap on the door pulls me from my thoughts and stills my hands. “Come in.”
“They’re just about ready for us.” Conner looks absolutely stunning in his classic black tux. The chocolate brown tie and vest match his warm eyes and perfectly messy hair.
“You look good, real good.” My tongue feels thick in my mouth as I scan him from head to toe.
“So do you. Need help?” he asks, pointing to my untied tie. Before I even nod, he deftly ties it for me, gracefully looping each side over the other, adjusting it carefully at my neck.
“Can you believe this is actually happening?” There’s an awestruck and far-away quality to my question, but there’s also reverence and love.
Conner sits next to me on the edge of the bed as I slide on my dress shoes. “I’ve told you this before, but I knew from the second I saw you that you’d be a part of my life. Thought I might have to take you away from Reid first, but I knew I wanted you in my life.”
“And here we are.” Conner drags my hand into his and we walk over to the large window overlooking the open field where our close friends and family are assembled to watch us exchange our vows. “I really love this place,” I say as I recall the many vacations we’ve taken here in the last year.
Conner chuckles. “Can’t believe you got me to go camping.”
I laugh at him. “I’d hardly call a bed and breakfast camping, but it’s a great compromise.”
Maddy and Reid are huddled in the shade of a large tree. Mom looks up at us, waving wildly and blowing kisses to the sky before tapping the face of her non-existent watch, letting us know it’s time. Scanning the rest of the crown, I can’t help but smile when I see John and Elise mingling with my family. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen them, and that’s been no one’s fault but my own.
Conner and I walk out onto the open field, hand in hand, ready to commit ourselves to one another at the same place where I asked him to marry me. It’s odd how things come full circle, how one person can bring you back to life and make you happier than you’d ever thought possible.
Rachel and the girls took care of the details—flowers, decorations, things like that. And I’m sure it all looks beautiful, but every single detail fades into the background as the music starts, prompting me and Conner to walk down the aisle, together.
We decided on a simple ceremony, needing no more than vows we’d written together to commit ourselves to one another. The justice of the peace addresses the small crowd, welcoming them and thanking them for joining in our celebration.
When she turns to Conner and prompts him to share his vows, he pulls a piece of folded up paper out of his jacket pocket. “Dylan. There was a time, not so long ago, when I’d thought I’d lost everything I had. When everything I thought I’d ever be, faded into the dark. When I was at the most unsure point in my life, starting over with practically nothing, you came into my life.” He clears his throat, washing away the rising emotion I hear building in his words. He joins our hands and continues, “Before all our friends and family, I vow to make your life as bright as you’ve made mine. I promise to love you . . . forever.”
With a shaky hand, he takes the ring from Rachel, who is standing by his side. The cool, silver band fits on my finger as if it’s always belonged there.
“Dylan, please share your vows with Conner,” she prompts as Conner tightens his hold on my hand.
“Conner,” I say, reciting my memorized vows. “Before you came into my life, I was a completely different person. I was angry at the hand the world had dealt me and I didn’t know how to recover. Then I met you and everything changed. You brought me back to life. You woke up my heart and made me realize that all I was doing before you was existing. I vow today and every day, to live with you, to hold you by my side and in my heart. I promise to love you . . . forever.”
Turning to Reid, I take the ring from his hand and he pats my back in congratulations. Looking down at Conner’s matching wedding band settles something in me that I thought would remain in upheaval for as long as I lived.
When the justice of the peace announces us as “Forever joined in life and love,” we seal our vows in a kiss.
As Conner’s lips seal over mine the fissures and cracks that I thought would be permanent on my heart, heal, allowing it to beat once again.
Bonus Scene
Dylan’s POV
“We’re going to climb that?” My incredulous question is met with a less than appreciative look from Conner. My eyes however are glued to the Everest like mountain in front of me.
Adjusting the strap of his backpack, his lips pull into a wry smile. “The deal was,” he declares, snapping the belt of the bag closed around his waist, “that if I went camping with you, you would do whatever I wanted.”
Shaking my head, I laugh, but stare at what Conner told me was “just a hill.” In a few long strides, he’s already ahead of me. Calling after him, I say, “You know, when I said I’d do anything you wanted, I was thinking along the lines of in a bed.”
Stopping in his tracks and spinning on his heel, his eyes roam over me from head to toe. His lips twist into a playful smile as he takes a step closer to me. Dropping a hand softly to my cheek, he pulls my face to his. “Oh believe me, we will make use of that bed,” he utters against my lips. “But, first,” he says with more energy than seductiveness, “we climb.”
The determination in his voice tells me there’s no point in arguing with him. Besides it’s a gorgeous day; it’d be a shame to waste it in bed.
Mostly.
An hour and a few bottles of water later, Conner takes a break, seemingly satisfied with the progress we’ve made. No matter how much I’ve been working out recently, one thing’s for sure: Conner will always be in better shape than I am. The man is a machine—and a mighty fine one to watch all morning long.
“Stop here for lunch?” Squatting next to his bag, Conner pulls out some sandwiches, more water and a large blanket.
Looking out at the view, trees line the horizon and surround a small lake in the distance, I nod my head. “This is perfect,” I agree, helping him spread the blanket.
Neither one of us realize how hungry we are until we take our first bite. Our exertion from the climb makes us eat in silence, but since we pretty much swallow our sandwiches whole, it doesn’t last long.
Watching the sun move behind the clouds, Conner shimmies up under a tree. Resting his arms on bent knees, a happy look of reminiscence plays over his face.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask as I move to sit next to him.
“My dad,” he says wistfully, but no with too much sadness.
“Anything in particular?” Lacing my hand with his, I give it a gentle squeeze of support.
On a deep sigh, he stretches his legs out. “Not really. Just times like these that I miss him.” He turns to me with a look of longing in his eyes.
“What do you mean ‘times like these’?” I twist to him in slight confusion.
“We were always really close. Not that I wasn’t close with my mom, but Dad and I were just different, you know.”
Nodding in understanding, I think about the relationship I have with my own father, how he was and still continues to always be there for me. Not many people are fortunate enough to have that kind of support and my heart hurts that it was taken away from Conner.
“One of my happiest memories with him was not much unlike this one. In scenery at least,” he laughs, popping a quick kiss to my lips. “I was in high school, a junior I think. We went for a run down some nature trail. He was always training with me. He said it kept him young. After a few miles, we sat on a log and talking about the upcoming wrestling season. That man was always my biggest fan,” a soft chuckle bubbles from his chest at the same time a sad smile appears on his face.
“What did you talk about that day?” I ask on a hunch that it was something important.
“That was the day I came out to him.”
From the stories I’ve heard, I know his family was openly supportive, but he’s never been this detailed. “What did he say?”
“He laughed,” Conner waves his hand at me, chasing away my confusion. “Not like that. He was laughing because he already knew. As cliché as it sounds, he told me he’d figured it out when I was twelve or thirteen, but knew that it was something I had to tell him. After that, he told me that he’d always be there for me, no matter what” his hand squeezes mine. The wistful memory quickly changes into one that carries a touch more sadness as he adds, “Just wish his time with me wasn’t cut so short. My dad was a good man and I miss him like crazy, but that was one of my happiest memories. I’d never felt so at peace with the world. I knew that as long as I had my dad on my side, I’d be all right.”
Conner’s eyes meet mine before I lean in to kiss him sweetly. After pulling away, he asks, “So tell me one of your happiest memories.”
Rubbing a hand over my jaw and through my hair, I pretend to have to think about it, which just earns me an elbow jab in the ribs. “Okay, okay,” I choke out through my laughter.
“It was the day Braden was born,” my tone of certainty causes Conner’s face to split into a wide smile.
“Yeah, that little bugger is pretty special huh?”
“I’ll never forget when I was introduced to him for the first time.”
Hearing Maddy and Reid talking quietly inside the room, I knocked on the door softly. Peeking my head into the slightly opened door, I braced myself for the worst. Boobs freaked me out—seeing my would-be-sister-in-law half naked was not something I was really looking forward to.
“Hey,” Reid stepped toward me, waving me into the room. We did the whole half backslap half hug thing, but this one was more meaningful, lasting just a second longer than usual.
“Who would’ve thought? You? A dad?” Clapping a hand on Reid’s shoulder, we walked toward Maddy who was propped up in bed, holding a peacefully-sleeping baby.
The Love Series Complete Box Set Page 139