by Lane Hayes
“Thank you.” I reached for the band, then furrowed my brow when he held it over his head.
“Let me do this the right way. I know we’re a done deal, and I’m pretty sure the answer is yes, but I think you should know how much I love you.”
“I do,” I said softly.
“Yes, but…let me say something,” Aaron said, licking his lips and flashing a wobbly smile. “I’m not sure if there was any single moment that I knew you were the one. It was a lot of little moments. Some stand out more than others. Like the time you held my hair back when I got sick from too much tequila. Or when you introduced yourself to my dad as my boyfriend and told him I was important to you. You were so nervous, but you didn’t hesitate.
“You have these bursts of conviction…where you just know who you are and what you want. And when you look at me the way you do, like you can’t believe I’m yours, you should know I feel the same way about you. I want to always be your number one person. I want to take care of you, protect you, and keep you strong. For always. Marry me, Matty.” Aaron held my left hand and slid the platinum band into place. Then he bent to kiss my finger.
My heart was in my throat. Perhaps it was the unexpected sweetness of the gesture, or maybe it was the look of absolute love and adoration in his eyes. Either way, I was humbled. And fuck, I loved him.
I covered his mouth in a searing kiss that left us both breathless. We stared at each other and smiled. “I can’t wait to marry you, baby.”
“Te amo, mi amor.”
“Te amo,” I repeated, caressing his cheek and gazing into his beautiful eyes.
Aaron brushed his nose against mine, then tapped the guitar between us. “Play our song, Matty.”
I strummed a few chords before humming the first few notes of the melody; then I looked at him and began to sing.
“It’s a little bit funny, this feeling inside…”
I missed a couple of chords and I fumbled the lyrics once, but when I reached the last line, “How wonderful life is while you’re in the world,” Aaron threw his arms around my neck and kissed me.
“It’s my favorite.”
“Then it’s yours.”
“Thank you.”
I held his gaze as I set the guitar aside. I was tempted to fill the quiet, but I let it go. I wondered what was going on in his head. I wondered if he thought that song was our beginning and if he’d ever dreamed in a million years he’d ask me to play it for our wedding. Maybe someday I’d ask, but for now, I let the moment be.
8
Better Than Wedding
Part 1-
Planning a wedding was like learning a new language. Venue, invitations, flowers, guest lists, deejay, photographer. The plethora of choices and the countless decisions to be made were overwhelming. At least I thought so. My fiancé didn’t seem fazed in the slightest. Aaron was extremely organized by nature, and he had great taste. I had no doubt our wedding would be beautiful. Whether we’d stick to an agreed budget was another story, but it was only June. We had four months until the big day—plenty of time. I wasn’t sure why he suddenly had a mile-long list of things to discuss, but then again, Aaron was chattier than most people. I could have listened to him all night. As long as he didn’t expect intelligent conversation from me until after the game, it was all good.
“Classic black-and-white tuxedos for sure. Vic tried to talk me into white bow ties for us and black for our groomsmen, but I want the overall feel to be elegant yet simple. That one little detail might throw everything off. What do you think?”
“Sounds good.” I nodded absently and shot him what I hoped passed for an interested look before refocusing my attention on the flat-screen over the fireplace.
Aaron rubbed his foot on my crotch and shifted closer to me on the sofa. “Our first fitting is Saturday morning at ten o’clock. Did I mention we have an appointment to visit two florists and a photographer with Vic too?”
“Hmm. Okay.” I grabbed his foot and massaged his toes but kept my gaze locked on the action unfolding in front of me.
“I think we’ll go with Jay and Peter’s baker, Jean-Luc. He’s doing these incredible cakes that are ten tiers high…or more. It may be a bit tricky to cut into, and I’m worried about the crystal chandelier grazing the top, but I can ask the hotel to move the chandelier for the night. Don’t you think?”
“Sure. Sounds good.” I squeezed his big toe and pumped my fist in the air when LeBron sailed over two opponents to dunk the basketball and gave the Cavs a two-point lead.
“Which part…the oversized cake or relocating a thousand-pound antique light fixture?”
Aaron dropped his foot, set his notebook on the coffee table, and sidled closer. I opened my arms in invitation and pulled him against me, loving the scent of soap on his skin. He’d gone for a run after work, then showered and made dinner. I’d hoped to join him for the run, but I couldn’t get away from my desk in time. After three fourteen-hour-days in a row, I was mentally and physically fried. Kicking back with a beer and watching the game with my man at my side was all I needed.
Actually, dinner would be nice too. I was starving. I pushed Aaron’s dark hair from his eyes and kissed his forehead.
“Both, babe. Is the chili almost ready?”
“Almost.” He slipped his left hand under my T-shirt and ran his fingers down my chest. “We should have the dream wedding we want, right?”
“Mmmhmm. Oh! Damn, did you see that?” I gestured at the TV incredulously.
“No. I missed it,” Aaron huffed, pinching my right nipple. Hard.
“Ow.” I captured his wrist and scowled.
“Sorry.”
He didn’t look particularly contrite, but I let it slide. It was a two-point ball game with twelve seconds left in the fourth quarter. There’d be plenty of time to play later. I brought his hand to my lips and kissed his knuckles. “Behave.”
Aaron purred in response, then climbed onto my lap and flung his arms around my neck.
“I think we should have massive rose-and-orchid arrangements on every table.”
Five seconds left. Tied game. Time-out called by the Cavs.
“Okay.” I lowered his head to my shoulder so I could see the screen. Aaron nuzzled my neck and burrowed closer.
“Let’s have two champagne fountains. One for the front of the ballroom and one for the back. The unicorn ice sculpture can go in the foyer. I definitely want a sit-down dinner. I’m not picky about the menu. I just want to be sure we offer caviar and filet mignon. You like filet mignon, right Matty?”
“Mmm. Yeah, I love it,” I replied distractedly as both teams walked onto the court again.
“Me too.” He licked my earlobe and hummed. “And lobster too. Of course, there’s the age-old question…deejay or band? Let’s see if John Legend is free to play during the dinner. Maybe Cher can handle the reception. You like her, right?”
“Who?”
“Cher.”
“Um…sure. Yes!” I hooted as the Cavs scored in the final second. “For the win, baby!”
I squeezed Aaron’s ass and sealed my mouth over his in what was meant to be a short celebratory kiss, but fuck, he tasted good. Like red wine and cinnamon. I licked his lips in a silent request for entry, then shifted sideways before climbing on top of him. I was glad I’d changed when I got home from work. The thinner fabric of my basketball shorts and his pajama bottoms made for instantly gratifying friction. I sucked on his tongue as I adjusted my hardening shaft alongside his and rocked my hips.
After over four years together, I would have thought some of the intensity between us would have mellowed. But it was stronger than ever. Yeah, I’d had a long day. I was hungry, tired, and my brain was definitely on cruise control, but I wanted him.
Aaron hooked his legs over my ass and arched his back when I slipped my fingers under the elastic of his pajamas. I tilted my chin to deepen the kiss, gliding my tongue over his until we were breathless and gasping for air. He smiled, then op
ened his mouth to speak and—my stomach growled. Aaron chuckled when I lifted my brow. “Are you hungry?”
“Very. Did you say something about filet mignon?”
He rolled his eyes. “No, we’re having chili, remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” I stood, held out my hand, and pulled him against me. “Want some help?”
“I think I can manage. Come eat. Do you want another beer?”
“No, thanks.” I followed him into the kitchen adjacent to the living room and sat on one of the barstools.
Our condo had an open floor plan, so I could watch the game’s highlights on the big screen from my perch. I swiveled in my seat and frowned when I realized he’d turned the TV off. I thought about going back to the living room area for the remote just as he pushed a giant bowl of chili in front of me from across the island.
“Don’t even think about turning the television on,” he reprimanded.
I furrowed my brow but thought better of responding when I heard him mumbling in Spanish. I picked up my spoon instead and studied my hot-tempered Puerto Rican American man for clues. I’d learned over the years that sudden language shifts usually signaled a change in mood. He seemed fine, though. And he looked amazing. I admired the way his plain white T-shirt hugged his toned arms and contrasted with his olive skin. And when he turned around and smiled at me, I swear my heart stopped for a beat. Aaron Mendez was a beautiful man. Inside and out. I was momentarily lost in those hazel eyes and the mischievous smile that probably meant trouble was coming my way, but fuck if I cared. I still couldn’t believe he was mine sometimes.
“Come sit with me.” I patted the barstool next to mine. “Tell me about your day.”
Aaron topped off his wineglass before skirting the island. “It was a basic ho-hum day…meeting after meeting. Nothing exciting. I’m ready for Saturday.”
“What’s Saturday?”
“A no-work day. And we’re meeting with our wedding planner. I was worried his ideas would be too pricey, but Vic will be thrilled when I tell him you agreed to spare no expense on the reception.”
“That doesn’t sound like something I’d say,” I huffed, blowing on a spoonful of chili, then taking a bite. “Mmm. This is delicioso.”
“Gracias. Well, someone who looks and sounds a lot like you just agreed to a unicorn ice sculpture at our reception,” he deadpanned.
I snorted. “Yeah, right. You can’t use anything I say in the last few seconds of a playoff game against me.”
“Does that mean no to two champagne fountains too?” He snickered at my stone-faced expression as he reached for his wine. “Fair enough, but you’d better start weighing in before I’m tempted to do something crazy. This isn’t just my wedding, it’s our wedding.”
I turned to fully face him. “I thought we were set. We have a date, a place, and a minister. We agreed on invitations, and we even talked about our honeymoon. What am I missing?”
“The details, Matty! All the details.” Aaron flashed an incredulous look at me and smacked his hand on the island. “Look, you’re busy at work, and I know the last things you think about are table decor and cake toppers, but I’m busy too and I can’t stop thinking about them. And then my head explodes with more choices like roses or lilies, chocolate ganache or buttercream, and don’t even get me started on the seating arrangements. It’s making me crazy!”
“I can see that.” I chuckled and set my spoon aside, snaking my arm around his waist when he glared at me. “Hey, I’m kidding. Tell me what you want me to do. How about if I choose the flowers?”
“Oh, no. Definitely not. I know you too well, Matty. You’d wait until the last minute, then either ask your secretary or my future monster-in-law to help and there’s no way in hell I’d—”
“Hey. No need to get nasty here.” I threaded my fingers through his and kissed the platinum band on his left ring finger.
“I’m sorry. I know I told you I’d handle things, but you’re kind of strict about the budget.”
“One of us has to be if we want to buy—”
“I know.” Aaron leaned against me and kissed my shoulder. “I think it’s a great idea, but the problem is that you don’t really understand how much things are. You need to be part of some of the major decisions, so you get the picture. I have a proposition to make.”
“Oh, boy. What did you do, and how much is it going to cost?” I asked, slipping his glass from his hand and taking a healthy swig.
“Ha. Ha. I didn’t do anything. Yet. But let’s be real—this whole thing is going to cost a fortune, but it’ll be worth it. I’ve already done the bulk of the research, and Vic is a great resource, but I still think we should have a weekly powwow so I can go over things with you before we meet the wedding planner. So we don’t waste time or veer off course…because yes, Vic really did ask how my fiancé felt about a caviar bar.”
“Oh, my God.” I set the glass down and gulped.
“Don’t worry, Papi. I told him it wasn’t your style. But gosh, I could easily get talked into a champagne fountain. It sounds romantic, doesn’t it?”
“No.”
Aaron snickered at my quick reply and gestured for me to eat. “See the problem? I promise I won’t make any rash decisions, but I need your input on some things if we’re going to make it to the altar without you wringing my neck when I’m ten thousand dollars over—”
“Ten thousand!” My jaw dropped as I widened my eyes comically.
“Calm down. I’m innocent. I’ve been so good it hurts,” he said with a sigh. “But if something is going to hurt, it should be in a good way. And preferably with an orgasm or two. Don’t you agree?” Aaron lowered his hand and rubbed his palm over my half-hard cock.
“Y-yeah.”
“We should have our husband-to-be chats once a week to discuss our plans.”
I lifted my hips slightly and cupped his neck to bring him closer. “Good idea.”
“But you’ll have to give me your undivided attention,” he purred as he pulled at the elastic bands of my shorts and boxer briefs. Then he slipped his fingers under the fabric and grabbed my dick. “I don’t want to compete with basketball, baseball, or anything else. It’ll be a special date. Just me and you.”
“Mmm. Yes.” I licked the corner of his mouth, pulled his pajamas and boxer briefs down, and kneaded his ass.
“We can be flexible about the day and time,” he said in a throaty tone, nipping my jaw as he stroked me from base to tip.
“What about location?” I asked, tracing his crack with my middle finger.
“Yes. Anywhere is fine.” He smeared precum over my cock in a lazy circular motion he knew drove me insane.
I stilled his hand and bit his bottom lip. “I think we should have our first planning date now. In bed.”
Aaron hummed in response, then stood and pulled his T-shirt over his head. He twirled it playfully in one hand before dropping it on the coffee table and turning toward the master bedroom. When he reached the doorway, he pushed his pajama bottoms and briefs over his ass and cast a come-hither look over his shoulder.
“What are you waiting for, Matty?”
Holy fuck, he was beautiful. I gripped my cock and swallowed hard, but I couldn’t speak. And wasn’t that just…weird? We’d been together for years now. I didn’t understand how it was possible that I wanted him more than ever.
My dick had a heartbeat of its own. I felt dizzy as I pushed away from the island and wordlessly moved toward him. He extended his hand and laced his fingers in mine, pulling me into our room. I backed him against the doorjamb and nuzzled his neck, licking a seductive trail along his jaw.
“Fuck, I love you,” I growled. “And I want you so bad it hurts, Aar.”
“Me too. What are you going to do about it?” He threw his arms over my shoulders, stood on his toes, and sealed his mouth over mine.
Our tongues collided, twisting in a sweet frenzy. I yanked him against my chest and ran my fingers through his hair, tilting his c
hin slightly to deepen the connection. I sucked on his tongue and bit his bottom lip, then splayed my hands on his ass and squeezed. He broke for air with a gasp and licked his swollen lips.
He made sure my eyes were on him when he sank to his knees and tugged my basketball shorts and briefs down.
“Suck me, baby. Go on.” I tapped my throbbing cock against his cheek in invitation.
Aaron shivered and closed his eyes for a moment before swallowing me whole. I rested my hands on his head and cautioned myself not to move for a second. He gripped me at the base and fondled my balls while he bobbed his head, sucking and licking me into certain oblivion. I rocked my hips forward and did everything in my power not to give in to the urge to let my hips fly. Aaron wouldn’t mind. He loved it when I lost control, pulling his hair while I fucked his mouth like a man possessed. But I didn’t want to come like that.
“Stop.” I set my hand on his forehead, groaning when he released me with a pop. I pulled him to his feet and crashed my mouth over his. Then I backed up slightly and stuck two fingers in my mouth. “Turn around,” I commanded in a low raspy voice.
Aaron obeyed immediately. He clung to the doorjamb and leaned into my touch.
“What are you going to do, Matty?” he asked, wiggling his hips.
I chuckled softly as I wrapped my left hand around his cock. I massaged his entrance with my free hand and bent to lick the shell of his ear.
“I’m gonna fuck you,” I purred, pushing a saliva-slicked finger inside him.
Aaron groaned, then bucked backward, riding the single digit like a pro. I knew it wouldn’t be long before he begged for more. I added a second finger and upped the tempo, stroking him into a frenzy as I whispered a litany of X-rated promises. Truthfully, dirty talk wasn’t my forte. I wanted every nasty thing he was willing to do, but verbalizing it always made me blush. Tonight I was too strung out to overthink. His unfettered fluidity as he gyrated and whispered my name over and over gave me a heady sense of power. I added the tip of a third finger and bit his shoulder. My dick ached with need. It wouldn’t take much; the right amount of friction would send me over the edge, I mused, grinding my thick shaft against his side.