Recipe for Love
Page 10
Bo laughed and shrugged. “Never underestimate the power of a baby, dude.”
“Joey’s addicted to Jay’s singing,” Rance added. “I told him I was going to record him to play for Joey when he gets fussy. Now that you’re taking all Jay’s free time, Joey’s having withdrawals.”
Erico had caught bits and pieces of Jay’s singing voice, but he’d never actually heard him sing a song. He walked towards the corner of the room where Jay was sitting on the floor. Joey was between Jay’s legs resting against his stomach as Jay played patty cake with Gracie.
Erico stood over the threesome and crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re going to wrinkle your suit.”
Jay glanced up at Erico and smiled. “I don’t mind.”
“We’re playing,” Gracie informed Erico with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
“I see that, but maybe I want to play with Jay for a while.”
Jay finished his game of patty cake and leant over to give Gracie a kiss. “I’ll find you again later.”
Gracie wrinkled her nose at Erico before flouncing off towards Tyler and Hearn. Jay hoisted Joey to his chest and stood. The baby started to fuss and Jay began rubbing Joey’s back. “It’s okay, little guy.”
Jay began walking in circles, trying to calm Joey down.
Erico leant against the wall as Jay began a soft lullaby. Within moments, Joey was sound asleep with his head on Jay’s shoulder.
“Why don’t you ever sing me to sleep?” Erico asked.
Jay chuckled. “Because I have better ways of putting you to sleep.” As Jay passed Erico, he reached out and brushed a hand over the front of Erico’s slacks. “Right?”
Erico nodded. “Can’t argue with that.”
* * * *
With Erico’s arms wrapped around him, Jay sighed. “This has been one of the best nights of my life. Thank you.”
Erico continued to lead Jay around the dance floor as he kissed him. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Jay leant in and gave Erico a soft kiss. “I love you,” he whispered against Erico’s lips.
Erico closed the distance and thrust his tongue deep into Jay’s mouth. Jay couldn’t help but moan when he felt Erico’s hardened cock grind against him.
Breaking the kiss, Erico pulled back enough to stare into Jay’s eyes. “I love you more than anything in the world.”
“Even more than The Canoe?” Jay tried to tease.
“Way more. Since our first kiss, I’ve come to understand what’s really important in my life. Cooking feeds my creative side, but being with you feeds my soul.”
“Nate told me people have been giving you a hard time.” Jay allowed his fingers to play with the curls at the base of Erico’s neck.
“They have, but you’re worth it,” Erico stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
Jay noticed Nate and Rio dancing cheek-to-cheek. He thought about what Nate had told him earlier in the evening and smiled. Now that he’d told Erico he loved him, it was time to deal with all his protectors in town.
Jay stopped dancing. “Would you mind if we take a breather? There’s something I need to take care of.”
“No, baby, that’s fine.” Erico led Jay off the dance floor. “Would you like a glass of punch or an ice water?”
“Sure. Water sounds great,” Jay told Erico. He gave his lover a brief kiss before breaking away and weaving through the crowded ballroom.
He made his way to the bandstand where Trick Allen and his band, The Cowboys, had just ended a song and were evidently getting ready to take a break. He waited for Trick to notice him and waved him off to the side.
“Hey, Jay,” Trick greeted.
“Hi, Mr. Allen,” Jay returned.
“Trick.”
Jay nodded. “Trick. I was wondering if it would be possible for you to dedicate a song for me?”
“Sure. What’s the occasion?” Trick asked.
Jay gestured to the room. “I thought it might be the easiest way to let all my friends know how in love I am, and that I’m a big boy and can take care of myself.”
Trick smiled. “Any song in particular?”
“There’s a song I sing in the shower when I’m alone and thinking about Erico, but it’s by Ann Murray, so I’m not sure if you can do it.”
Trick winked. “I know which song you’re talking about, and yeah, I can do it.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Trick!”
Jay smiled and nodded. “Sorry. Trick.”
* * * *
“Lost him again, I see,” Asa chuckled.
Erico’s gaze swept the crowd looking for his lover. “Yep. He said he had something important to take care of, but Bo and Rance aren’t even here anymore, so I know it’s not Joey.”
“Speak of the devil,” Asa laughed as Jay took his seat beside Erico.
Erico wrapped his arm around Jay’s shoulders and pulled him into a kiss. “I was starting to worry you’d left me.”
Jay shook his head. “I’ll never do that.”
Erico stared into Jay’s eyes. God, I’m a love-sick fool. “I hope not.”
Jay stood and grabbed Erico’s hand. “The band is coming back. Dance with me?”
“Of course.” Erico followed Jay to the floor, his arm wrapped securely around his lover’s waist.
“This next song goes out to Erico from Jay. Jay also wants everyone to know he appreciates your protectiveness, but he can take things from here,” Trick announced before starting the song, Can I Have This Dance.
Erico pulled Jay as close as he could and kissed him. No one had ever done anything so special for him. “I love you.”
“Love you. Now let me sing to you.” Jay rested his chin on Erico’s shoulder and softly sang the lyrics to him.
When Jay got to the part where he asked if Erico would be his partner every night, Erico closed his eyes. Loving Jay was a dream come true, one he hoped to never wake up from. He knew they still had a long way to go in their relationship, but Erico was looking forward to building a future with the man in his arms.
A hand on his back startled Erico. He’d been so lost in love he’d blocked out the entire room except for the man in his arms. Erico glanced over his shoulder to see Ethan.
“I just wanted to thank you for giving Jay everything he deserves,” Ethan said.
Erico knew how hard the admission was for Ethan considering the animosity the younger man had carried towards him for so long. He nodded and smiled. “Thanks. That means the world to us.”
Jay broke away from Erico long enough to give Ethan a friendly hug. “Love you.”
Ethan kissed Jay on the cheek. “Love you back. Always will.”
Once Ethan walked off, Erico pulled Jay, once again, against his chest. “Are you sure there was never anything romantic between the two of you?”
Jay grinned and shook his head before kissing Erico. Erico opened immediately and sucked Jay’s tongue inside. The song ended and they finally broke their kiss. Jay stood still and stared into Erico’s eyes. “There’s someone for everyone. Ethan just hasn’t figured that out yet, but he will some day.”
“I’m so lucky to have found you,” Erico said, as they walked back to their table.
“I’m the lucky one,” Jay countered.
When they returned to their table, Leo was telling Mario and Asa a story. Erico didn’t know the new assistant fire chief well, but he knew he’d quickly become one of Mario’s closest friends.
“Quite a declaration,” Mario broke from his conversation to tell Jay.
Jay shrugged and leant against Erico. “I’m happy. I thought it was time to let everyone know it.”
Erico noticed Leo’s gaze settle on the several empty champagne glasses in front of them.
“You’re not going to need rescuing later, are you?” Leo asked.
“Nope.” Erico kissed Jay’s temple. “I’ve already been rescued.”
About the Author
An avid reader for years, one day C
arol Lynne decided to write her own brand of erotic romance. Carol juggles between being a full-time mother and a full-time writer. These days, you can usually find Carol either cleaning jelly out of the carpet or nestled in her favourite chair writing steamy love scenes.
Email: carol@carol-lynne.net
Carol loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.
Also by Carol Lynne
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