Honeymoon Their Way

by Honeymoon Their Way [Dreamspinner, States of Love MM] (retail) (epub)

  Chad had no idea what he was doing, but he didn’t care. It would undoubtedly be a nice change for him not to overthink things the way he normally did. Raudel trotted behind him, laughing. They reached the tables, but only two had dealers running them. Chad guessed things would pick up later.

  They climbed onto the nicely padded black vinyl chairs surrounding the play and betting area, the wheel at the far end to their right. A guy significantly advanced in years sat across from them next to a man and woman. The couple were probably mid-to-late thirties, and Chad noticed that she had a floral corsage attached to her wrist and wore a pretty pink dress. The man with her had a boutonniere pinned to the lapel of his dark suit. With all the weird neon colors glowing all around them, Chad wasn’t sure if it was black, navy, or possibly a charcoal gray. What he was sure about, though, was that they were newlyweds.

  Raudel jostled him with his elbow. “Aww, sweet. Just married.” The couple glanced up from where they’d been playing with their chips. “Congratulations!”

  They smiled, the joy clear in their expressions. “Thank you. We’ve been married for—” He glanced down at his watch. “—one hour and forty-seven minutes.”

  The grizzled old man held up his glass. “I’ll drink to that.”

  Chad turned his attention to the jolly, inebriated drinker. When he caught Chad’s eye, he winked and licked his lips. Yikes.

  He scooted so close to Raudel he almost pitched off his chair.

  Raudel placed his hand on Chad’s knee, laughing some more. He’d already thrown down a twenty, and the dealer pushed a pile of chips in their direction. “Okay, mijo. Red or black?”

  The ball was already in play, so Chad had about twenty seconds to make up his mind before the next round. His PTSD from the itinerary pens hadn’t completely subsided, but the red had been the least traumatic, so he called that.

  They picked numbers each round based on ridiculous reasons. One pass was dedicated to their dick sizes. After forty-five minutes of laughing until their sides hurt and Chad ignoring the lecherous stares of the drunken, dirty old man betting across from them, they’d managed to lose thirty-eight dollars and consume two additional Jack and Cokes each.

  Raudel bit his shoulder, which made Chad strangely hard. Raudel ran his palm along Chad’s thigh as he spoke into his ear. “Let’s play the next round, then it’s time to head back to the tux shop.”

  Chad groaned. As much as he hated most of the things associated with Lindsey’s wedding, the tuxes had begun climbing the ladder and were poised to knock the fountain off its throne.

  Raudel clasped Chad’s hand. “We still have at least another hour after that, maybe one more if the tuxes aren’t done until closing.”

  Chad almost knocked him off his chair by planting a firm kiss on his mouth. Raudel grabbed the edge of the roulette table with one hand and Chad’s waist with the other. Newly emboldened, Chad kept control of the exchange. He ached to share everything with Raudel. Kisses, drinks, body…. His life.

  “I’ll drink to that!” The moment was broken by Chad’s grizzled admirer raising his drink with a thumbs-up and a lunatic grin. Chad and Raudel gave a thumbs-up in return, and even the newlyweds joined in.

  “Raudel. I want to go with you. In two weeks, when you go back to LA, I want to go with you.” Chad’s words tumbled out breathlessly, his heart pounding harder than it ever had.

  Raudel’s eyes glittered, his smile wide in clear joy. “Then you should.”

  “It’s okay?”

  “Don’t you remember, mijo? I love you and want you in my arms every morning from now on. That will never change.”

  “Cool. Let me call the yogurt shop.”

  Raudel sputtered out a laugh. “Right now?”

  “Yeah. I mean, I’m not a jerk. I have to give my boss two weeks’ notice. It’s only fair.”

  “You’re a good person, Chad. I’m a very lucky man.” Raudel gave him a wistful smile punctuated with a soft kiss.

  “I’M GETTING whiplash from going back and forth between the casinos and that damn tuxedo shop.” Chad playfully swung Raudel’s hand between them as they strolled back to Harrah’s.

  “I think he’s onto us too. Lindsey might be right. Politely harassing him seems to be working. I bet the tuxes are done the next time we go in.” Raudel sighed, a sound Chad was surprised to hear coming from his boyfriend.

  “Hey.” Chad stopped them. “We don’t have to go back to the rental, even if they are done. We can still come back for the last hour.” The hope in Raudel’s eyes melted him. “And… we could always skip the barbecue.”

  Raudel arched his eyebrows. “Are you serious?”

  “Sure. Why not? My dad’s probably eaten half the potato salad anyway. We’d be doing them a favor.” Chad reached around in his fuzzy mind for more pearls of barbecue-dodging wisdom. “Plus, what’s the most important thing Lindsey wanted out of today?”

  “Besides the tuxes?”

  Chad frowned. “There was something besides the tuxes?”

  “Pocket square folding.”

  Shit. The woman’s relentless. “Well… we can miss lunch tomorrow and practice folding instead.”

  “Yeah?” Raudel’s infectious smile was back.

  “Yeah.”

  Raudel sucked in a big breath, then let it out as if all his cares had been released. “Then what’s next?”

  “I say more video poker. That roulette wheel kicked our asses.”

  “Lo sé! It really did.” Raudel pulled him closer, then put his arm around Chad’s waist. “What about something to eat? You hungry yet?”

  “Actually, yeah.” Chad let out a chuckle. “I think I might need to soak up some of this alcohol.”

  Raudel kissed his neck as they walked along, occasionally stumbling. Chad loved the closeness, but he was also grateful for the warmth. A healthy breeze had kicked up across the lake, and all he had was his hoodie.

  “No more drinks, then?”

  “I didn’t say that.” Chad grinned up at Raudel. “The night’s young, right?”

  Raudel gazed down on him with an expression Chad had never seen anyone give him before. He could be mistaken, but to his eyes it looked like adoration.

  “And the night belongs to us, mijo.”

  Chapter Seven

  “MAN, THIS view is sweet.”

  Chad stared at the lake and surrounding snow-covered mountains from the eighteenth floor of Harrah’s. The relatively cozy bar next to the fancy buffet had turned out to be a nice choice. They hadn’t wanted to gorge themselves, so the hostess had suggested they avail themselves of Happy Hour and the six-dollar appetizers. While they snacked on egg rolls and chicken wings, they also indulged in the two-for-one drinks.

  Win-win.

  Raudel leaned closer. “Open up.”

  Chad took the last bite of egg roll that Raudel offered him from his fingers. Romance wasn’t something Chad had spent much time pondering over in his life. It’d been more about finally getting properly laid and finding someone good to enjoy life with. He had one and the promise of the other, but the day he was spending with Raudel went beyond that. Raudel cherished him, and he knew it. Sharing food, drinks, and laughter with the man he loved while being treated to a gorgeous view was romance, pure and simple.

  “You ever have a Fireball shot?”

  Chad let out a boozy chuckle. “Reformed beer drinker, remember?”

  “Ah, yes. Well, it’s about time you did.”

  Chad grabbed his arm before Raudel could slide off the stool. “It’s whiskey, right?”

  “Yeah. Don’t worry. Lindsey told me about the tequila incident.” Raudel kissed his temple. “I’ll take care of you.”

  “Gah. That woman.”

  Chad watched Raudel stroll to the bar with the barest hint of a sway to his hips. Chad bit a knuckle. Raudel’s ass was so fine, round and perfect. He wanted to sink his teeth into it.

  He swiveled back around to take in more of the view. What he wouldn�
��t give to not have to go back at all that night. To do what he’d fantasized about, go somewhere nice to eat, go dancing. Maybe even get a nice room instead of a cheapie motel. Give his virginity to Raudel when it was romantic. The night before he hadn’t given a shit. The bears could’ve been sitting there watching them by the side of the road for all Chad had cared, but now? He did want it to be special, after all.

  “Here you go. One shot before we go back to the two-for-ones.”

  Chad let out a hearty laugh for no other reason than he could. Raudel joined in, and Chad assumed that his motivation was similarly driven.

  “Okay. On the count of three, slam it down.” Raudel raised a tiny glass filled to the brim and some of the whiskey splashed onto his hand.

  Chad was overcome by the urge to taste it off his skin.

  Pour that shit all over his body then lick it right up.

  “Chad.” Raudel shook with laughter. “Your glass?”

  “What?” He dropped his gaze to discover that yes, indeed, there was a shot glass in his hand. Huh. “Well whaddya know? Should probably drink it.”

  “On the count of three.”

  Chad snorted. “Good thing you’re the one doing the counting.”

  Raudel couldn’t control his laughter. Then again, Chad couldn’t either, so at least they were on the same page. Raudel was taking in big gulps of air in what Chad thought was a decent effort to get himself under control. “Okay, ’kay. This time’s for real. Here we go.”

  “What are we doing again?”

  Both Chad and Raudel sputtered out laughter, more of the liquor spilling out and coating their skin. Raudel didn’t take his seat again; instead he moved closer to Chad to stand between his legs.

  Chad gazed at him intently. “Let me get that for you.” Chad swiped his tongue over Raudel’s hand. The cinnamon-sweet flavor mixed with Raudel’s salty flesh brought his dick to life. Raudel groaned.

  “Ay Dios mío.” Raudel put a hand to his forehead, still chuckling. “Ando bien pedo. Y caliente.”

  “Oh man, I’m sorry. I only caught part of that.”

  Raudel tilted his head. “Part of what?”

  “What you just said. I understood some of it, but my Spanish isn’t so great.”

  “Oh!” Raudel dissolved into laughter again. “I lapse into Spanish sometimes with too much alcohol.”

  Chad inhaled Raudel’s scent. “So, what’d you say?”

  Raudel’s eyes sparkled. “Shot first.”

  Chad snorted out a laugh. “Oh my God. Duh.”

  “I’m counting. Ready?”

  “So totally ready. Go.”

  They finally had their countdown and a mouthful of cinnamon whiskey.

  Chad coughed, his throat burning as his eyes teared. “Jesus. Are you trying to kill me?”

  Raudel caressed the top of his thigh. “Never. I only want to love and take care of you for the rest of our lives.”

  Chad sucked in a sharp breath as more water filled his eyes. He felt oddly emotional all of a sudden but swallowed it down. “That’s….” He cleared his throat, his mind racing madly for something equally as beautiful to say to Raudel. However, he wasn’t eloquent when sober, let alone filled with Jack Daniel’s and Fireball. “You never told me what you said.”

  Raudel blinked a few times, then laughed. “Oh, I was basically saying that I’m drunk and horny.”

  Chad grinned. “Then you read my mind.”

  They shared another laugh, Chad stroking the hand that Raudel was using to rub his thigh. He glanced around surreptitiously. He’d sorta forgotten they were in a public place. But it was still too early to be busy, and the majority of the patrons were together at the bar with their backs to them, instead of at the long counter where he and Raudel had been eating and drinking as they’d enjoyed the views overlooking the lake.

  “No one’s watching.”

  Chad gave him a lopsided grin. “I’ve never been so wild in public before.”

  Raudel leaned in, his heated breath fanning across Chad’s neck. “What about in private?”

  “Oh God.” Chad’s heart picked up a rapid pace. “I…. Not like with you last night. I swear. I can’t imagine it getting any wilder.”

  “I’ll show you.”

  Chad bit his lip, sweat forming at his brow. He had a vague memory that he was supposed to be doing something. Something for Lindsey…

  “Oh shit! The tuxes.”

  “We’re okay, mijo. I’m keeping track.”

  Chad exhaled. “Oh good. Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “Me neither. I never want to be without you.” Raudel’s gaze bore into him. “Ever.”

  Raudel’s voice had dropped to the sultry tone that made Chad want to drop his pants.

  “Same here.”

  “Do you mean it?”

  Chad nodded shakily. “Very much. I love you, Raudel. I think… I think your mom is right about us.”

  “I do too, mijo. Will you marry me?”

  The world stopped, and so did Chad’s breathing. He tried to make his mouth move but couldn’t.

  He’s not serious, right?

  Suddenly, Chad was terrified that Raudel really wasn’t serious, that he’d take it back and Chad would lose out on the best man who’d ever lived.

  “Yes!” He choked on some of his own spit, then fell into a fit of coughing.

  Raudel smacked him on the back, offering him some of his water.

  Chad caught his breath. “Yes. More than anything, yes. I want to marry you.”

  Raudel broke into a wide grin. “Then let’s go!”

  Chad almost started choking all over again. “Wait. What? Go where?”

  “To get married, mijo.”

  Chad’s jaw dropped. “Now? As in right now?”

  Raudel kissed him—hard. Chad let himself go, let Raudel have him. The passion of the kiss was real, but so was the love.

  Like us. Me and Raudel. We’re real.

  Their exchange ended with Chad as breathless as ever.

  “Well, mijo?”

  “Yeah. We should totally do this.” Raudel took a step away and Chad grabbed his sleeve. “Hold up. I don’t want to get married in my Batman T-Shirt.”

  Raudel furrowed his brow, then widened his eyes. “The tuxes! And there’re dress shirts for sale at the shop too.”

  The Batman tee is still pretty new. It might be all right. Maybe I could wear it inside out. “I sorta just quit my job.”

  “You’ll get another one in LA. In the meantime, it’ll be my wedding gift to you.”

  Oh shit, that’s right. A wedding gift. And rings. We’ll need rings.

  More sweat broke out. He needed to get a grip. Already the groomzilla virus threatened to take hold.

  Raudel rubbed between Chad’s brow the way he’d done earlier. “I want to forever take this away from you.”

  “You’re so awesome, Raudel. I promise I’ll make it up to you, that I’ll do my part.”

  “Shh. It’s not a competition. When you need my help, I’ll give it. And if you can help when I need it, I’ll gladly accept.”

  “Damn, Raudel. You’re gonna make me cry before the ceremony.”

  Ceremony. Wow.

  “We can’t have that.” Raudel winked. “Come on.” He grabbed Chad’s hand, then pulled him over to the bar. “Excuse me. Where do we go to get married?”

  The bartender had no reaction as he wiped a glass with a white towel. “Have a marriage license already?”

  Chad’s heart plummeted to his feet. Damn.

  “Oh. No, we don’t.” The sorrow in Raudel’s voice mirrored his own feelings.

  The bartender reached up to replace the glass on a shelf behind him. “Then you’ll have to get married on the California side. It’s about ten minutes farther away. The Chapel of the Bells’ location over there will have everything you need, including the license.”

  “Thank you.” The excitement had returned. “Thank you so much.”
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  The ride down the eighteen floors to the lobby seemed to last a lifetime, but they never stopped touching, their shared laughter keeping the momentum going. Once they’d made it to the lobby, Raudel fished his phone from his pocket.

  “We’ve got thirty minutes to get the tuxes, but there’s no way I’m driving.”

  “Pffff. I’ll drink to that.”

  They both doubled over with laughter again.

  “Okay, stop!”

  Raudel attempted to get his snorts and chuckles under control while he called for a cab. Within minutes, the taxi arrived and whisked them away to their first stop. Chad had some cash on him, so he insisted on paying the fare. It wasn’t much, but even though Raudel reassured him that it was okay and Chad didn’t need to worry about it, he couldn’t help himself. He’d always done his fair share. It was important to him that they begin their married life working together as a team.

  Married life.

  “Look. There’s a jewelry store across the street.”

  Chad turned his head in the direction Raudel indicated. He’d almost forgotten. At least all the adrenaline and excitement had sobered him up a bit. “I wonder what time they close?”

  Raudel chewed his lip. “I’m betting it’s the same as the tux place, six o’clock.” Raudel grabbed Chad’s shoulders. “I wear a size sixteen and a half, thirty-four, thirty-five dress shirt. Get whatever color you want.” Raudel gave him a lopsided grin. “Except peach. Add it to the wedding account, and I’ll pay it back later. What size ring do you wear?”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “Hmm, let me see your hand.” Raudel examined Chad’s third finger, pinched it between his thumb and forefinger, and then nodded. “I think I can figure it out.” Chad certainly hoped so, because he didn’t have a clue when it came to jewelry. “Something simple, huh? We can get them engraved later.”

  Raudel offered Chad the warm smile he adored, and that alone made him want to say yes to Raudel all over again. “That sounds perfect, Raudel.”

  Raudel gave him a quick smack on the lips, then took off in a jog.