by Honeymoon Their Way [Dreamspinner, States of Love MM] (retail) (epub)
It was time for Chad to face the dreaded tux shop.
We’re not wearing any bow ties, or ties, or anything like that, right?
He wasn’t sure which was worse, the long-drawn-out agony of preparing for a wedding or the sudden jolt of frantic confusion that went with an insta-ceremony.
“Hey. I’m back.” He figured his flushed, sweaty skin and out-of-breath words weren’t endearing him any further to Tux-Shop Guy.
“Did your friend give up?”
“Oh no. He had to run across the street and get us some wedding rings before the jewelry store closes. So I’m gonna get us the shirts.” Chad cleared his throat. “You know. To go with the tuxes?”
“So… you need three shirts, then?”
“Only two. The other tux is for the groom, and he’s already…. What I mean is that that groom has a shirt back at the house… well, actually, so do we, but those are for the wedding this Saturday, but what I need right now is two shirts for our wedding tonight.”
“Our wedding?”
“Mine and Raudel’s.”
“Who’s Raudel?”
“He’s the one getting the rings across the street.”
“For the wedding this Saturday?”
“No, for our wedding tonight.”
“Then who’s getting married on Saturday?”
Oh boy. “My sister and the hipster guy who was in here earlier getting fitted with me and Raudel.”
“Ohhh, I understand now. So they’re getting married on Saturday with both of you gentlemen in the wedding party, but you and your friend across the street are getting married tonight using those same tuxes, but you need two dress shirts to use for your own wedding, correct?”
Chad ran it through his mind. “Correct.”
“Well, then, why didn’t you say so? What are your sizes, and what color do you want?”
Oh Jesus. I’m so sorry, Lindsey. I totally get it now. I would’ve picked peach too faced with this kind of pressure. “What do you think?”
“Let’s see. Did you want something more traditional or something modern? Why don’t we start from there?”
“Uh….” The most amazing idea ever came to Chad. “Blue. A deep blue. Like the lake.”
Tux-Shop Guy nodded in seeming agreement. “Very nice choice. I think that would complement you both very well.”
Chad gave him Raudel’s size, then went through another slightly less intimate gropefest to get measured for his shirt. Next, Chad waited by the front door, anxious for Raudel to get back. He couldn’t explain it, other than he really needed him at that moment.
“You’re in luck. I have both of these shirts in your sizes. Which shade of blue would you prefer?”
That’s it. It’s Raudel’s turn when he gets here. I got the ball rolling.
As if on cue, the door chime buzzed and in walked his fiancé.
Fiancé. Crazy. Chad’s gaze landed on the small silver-foil gift bag and his heart trip-hammered. Our rings.
Raudel winked, then held up the bag. He strolled over and handed it to Chad. “Here they are.”
Chad accepted it with a shaky hand. He peered into the bag that held two blue velvet ring boxes. Dizziness threatened. Chad thought he might need to sit down, so he stumbled back and fell onto the unnecessarily ornately carved, brocade-covered side chair.
Raudel rushed to his side. “Chad?”
Chad took in a deep breath. “I’m okay.” He glanced up at Raudel, a happy grin spreading his lips. “Booze and excitement.”
Raudel stroked the top of his head. “Yeah. Me too.”
The sound of a throat clearing brought them back to the present. “Sorry to intrude, gentlemen, but the store closes in five minutes.” He regarded Raudel. “Perhaps you’d care to offer your opinion as to what blue you like best?”
Raudel considered one shirt, then looked at the other. He turned to Chad. “They’re both nice. Which one do you want?”
Chad groaned. Really? Then a thought struck him. He pulled one of the little boxes from the bag. It was a dumb idea, but since they weren’t making any progress with decisions, it was as good an idea as any. “Which one matches this the best?”
The need for matching shit had never been something he’d indulged in. T-shirt, jeans, another T-shirt, another pair of jeans… yet more T-shirts with more jeans. Rinse and repeat.
They conferred for a couple more minutes before they made a final decision. After they’d asked the shopkeeper to add the items to Lindsey’s account, they grabbed the hanging tuxes encased in flimsy plastic bags, with their shirts folded neatly inside yet another plastic bag. Chad clutched the shiny paper one that held their rings for all he was worth.
They stepped outside in the brisk air, the chilly breeze doing wonders to cool Chad down plus eliminate at least some of the sweat.
Raudel placed his cell to his ear. “I’ll call for another cab. Can you google the address?”
Chad reached into his pocket, but his phone wasn’t there. He had a moment of panic, then remembered he’d left it in Raudel’s car because he’d been answering Lindsey’s incessant texts she’d sent every two minutes wondering when they were going to be at the tux shop.
“Damn, it’s in your car. Give me the keys, and I’ll run across the street and grab it.”
Raudel held up a finger, then spoke into his cell. After he’d finished ordering a taxi, he regarded Chad. “Don’t worry about it, I’ve got mine. The cabbie is right around the corner, so he’ll be here in less than a minute.” Raudel snaked an arm around his waist, then tugged him to his side. “It’s not as if we won’t be together the whole time.”
Chad let out a soft chuckle. “Yeah. Good point.” He leaned his head on Raudel’s shoulder, a thread of peace coursing through him. It occurred to him that he should have prewedding jitters, should be worried that he was making a bad decision, that it was all happening too fast and he’d eventually regret it. But that wasn’t what he felt at all. Everything about marrying Raudel was right. Everything about them was right.
The cab pulled up, and they excitedly clambered into it as the giddy laughter returned. It turned out that googling had been unnecessary—the driver knew exactly where to take them. They clutched each other’s hands while Chad tried to keep from bouncing in his seat. They arrived less than ten minutes later, just as the bartender promised. The white chapel was cute and nicely maintained, with a small lot in front for the presumed guests to park. Chad had a momentary pang of wishing his family could be there, but then he remembered.
Special time for us. Party with everyone else later.
After paying the cabbie, they marched with singular purpose into the reception area. A bell chimed, and a minute later an attractive middle-aged woman greeted them.
“Hello, gentlemen. How can I help you today?” She actually appeared as though she did want to help them.
Raudel spoke up, his voice sure and steady. “We’re getting married, and we were told that everything, including the license, could be handled here?”
She gave them a happy smile. “Congratulations to you both. Yes, we can. Were you wanting to get married right now, or did you want to look over our various wedding packages and reserve a date for later?”
They both answered at the same time. “Now.”
She smiled again. “Wonderful. My name is Cathy, and if you’ll step over here, I’ll get you started on the paperwork, discuss some options for your ceremony, go over price, and so on.”
More decisions. Chad whispered to Raudel, “I think I can fill out my name and address, hand over my ID, and such, but if we have to decide on candles or ring pillows or flowers or anything like that, do you think you could handle it?”
Raudel gave him a squeeze. “Whatever you want, mijo.”
Everything happened in a daze, Chad half listening, but when they got to which ceremony and vows they wanted to use, he had to intervene with his opinion. He wanted simple. Under the circumstances he wasn’t sure how eloquent he’d be, so short
er and to the point was better. If they’d had more time, he could’ve practiced, maybe written his own vows.
Yeah, right.
Upon further reflection, he decided it was just perfect the way it was.
Cathy led them to some changing rooms. It was obvious that the much larger one was for the bride, the smaller one for the groom. They shrugged, and together they took the larger one.
“Oh shit. I forgot about the whole bow tie, necktie thing.”
Raudel shook out his shirt and tissue paper fell from the inside of it. He’d had to help Chad get the million straight pins out of his. “We can wear them with the collars open.”
Chad grunted. “That’s probably for the best. You know me. There’s not the slightest chance I could’ve tied one of those things. As it is, I have no idea what I’m going to do for Lindsey’s wedding.”
“Don’t worry, mijo. I’ll help you.”
Chad glanced over at Raudel who’d just gotten his arms in the sleeves and was buttoning it up. If Chad knew how to whistle, he would have. The blue was amazing on Raudel.
They completed their ensembles, which meant it was go time.
Raudel smiled at Chad. “Ready?”
He smiled back. “Totally.”
They clasped hands, then peered out into the hallway. Cathy had obviously been waiting close by because she popped up from nowhere.
“Don’t you both look wonderful? Reverend Jameson will meet you in the chapel. I’ll direct you there and serve as your witness.”
He leaned over to whisper to Raudel. “Isn’t Jameson a whiskey?”
Raudel snorted.
Cathy glanced over her shoulder before smiling, then looking forward again.
Suddenly, Chad was standing in front of a podium, facing Raudel and holding his hands. Nausea threatened.
What the fuck am I doing?
He lifted his eyes, his gaze locking on Raudel’s the moment Reverend Jameson intoned “Love is the reason we are here today.”
And Chad knew exactly what he was doing. A few short comments from the reverend, and after a brief reciting of the vows, he directed them to exchange rings. Chad reached into his pocket to retrieve the plain gold band, then placed it on Raudel’s finger.
However, Chad’s ring wasn’t as cooperative.
“I wasn’t very good at guessing, mijo. I’m sorry.”
“It’ll fit.” Chad licked his finger—which maybe wasn’t the classiest thing to do, but there wasn’t the slightest chance he was going to get married without his ring. He assisted Raudel in pushing it past his knuckle. “There. Perfect.” He still seemed to have circulation in his finger, so he figured as long as it didn’t turn purple, he’d be fine.
Once they’d completed that task, the reverend announced, “You are now forever joined as husband and husband.” He shut the small book he held and smiled at them both. Apparently that signaled the end of the ceremony.
Chad blinked repeatedly, stunned. He wasn’t sure what to do next. “Isn’t there supposed to be a kissing part?”
Raudel laughed. It was the same soft laugh Chad had heard when he’d been cringing and hiding behind his dad’s Suburban, terrified to see Raudel, his ex-crush. But in less than two days, Raudel had gone from “could never happen” to “always will be.”
He grinned against Raudel’s lips, so filled with joy he could hardly stand it. They clung to each other, the kiss gaining in fervor. At last they broke away from each other’s mouths, but still held on.
“I’m your husband.” Chad’s words were tinged with awe, and he couldn’t stop smiling.
“And I’m yours, mijo. Forever.”
Chad relaxed into Raudel’s embrace.
Forever.
Chapter Eight
RAUDEL SLID the key card in and out of the lock of their Deluxe King room at Harrah’s. He’d insisted that should be where they spent their wedding night, as it was the place where he’d proposed. Chad couldn’t agree more.
After the wedding, they’d celebrated. But first they checked in at Harrah’s to have a place to dump their rumpled street clothes, which they’d shoved into the tux bags. Then they headed back to Harvey’s because there were other slot machines they’d meant to try before the whole let’s-get-married thing. Their next stop had been an elegant steakhouse where Chad couldn’t look at the menu prices. Raudel kept whipping out his credit card like he’d just made the top-ten list of the wealthiest men in America, and Chad hoped the jobs in LA paid better than the yogurt shop.
But Raudel had insisted they do it right. The white rosebud boutonniere at the chapel, the champagne while they played slots, the wedding dinner at the steakhouse, their first dance at the hotel’s huge nightclub—Raudel had made sure Chad had the full experience. As Raudel pushed his way into the hotel room, Chad waited for him to clear the threshold. Chad held the package of six cupcakes they picked up when Raudel needed to hit the store for lube and condoms. Raudel had sent him to get whatever he wanted from the bakery for their wedding cake while he grabbed the other stuff. Since they didn’t have a knife or plates, Chad had decided cupcakes were the best option. It also meant he didn’t have to decide on vanilla or chocolate since he didn’t know which kind was Raudel’s favorite. The container had three of each.
“Don’t move!”
Chad froze in panic. “What’s wrong?” If there was a spider on him, he’d scream like a little girl. He fucking hated spiders.
Raudel took the cupcakes from him, then set them on the bed before scurrying back over. He moved the safety latch to prevent the door from closing the whole way and stepped into the hall. As soon as Raudel extended his arms, Chad realized what he was about to do.
He chuckled. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
Raudel winked. “I’m strong.”
Chad didn’t doubt it.
The ground fell away as Raudel hoisted him into his arms. Chad laughed and grabbed hold of his neck out of instinct. “Whoa! Don’t drop me.”
Raudel tossed him onto the bed, and Chad narrowly missed smashing their mini wedding cakes. He shoved them off to the side to prevent any more potential pastry mishaps. Raudel launched himself into the air, landing on the other side of Chad. They rolled together, kissing, the mood light and happy.
Chad pulled away from Raudel just enough to see his face. “Hey, I need to take a shower.”
Raudel pursed his lips and made a pouty face. “What? But I need you now, mijo. I’m so hard.” He rubbed the evidence of said hardness against Chad’s hip.
“Hold that boner. I’ll be quick.” Chad wriggled free of Raudel’s grasp while they mock fought, pinching and tickling. “Stop! The sooner I get in there, the sooner I’ll be out.”
“I’m going with you. You’re not the only one who gets to smell good.”
Chad paused to take a sniff of Raudel, burying his nose in the crook of his neck. “You smell awesome to me.”
“That’s what I thought about you too.”
“Come on, dude. Fastest rinse ever.”
He remained true to his word, proud that he’d controlled himself as well as he had during his soapy exploration of Raudel’s body. It was more of a challenge not to come when Raudel’s questing hands slid over his own skin, but he’d bitten down on his lip hard enough to distract him from going off like a rocket too soon.
They hadn’t bothered with towels after drying each other. They’d set the thermostat earlier when they’d dropped off their clothes—the room had been rather icy, but since they’d been gone, it had warmed up nicely, which meant they could remain comfortably naked.
“Cake first. Then I’m going to make love to you, mijo.”
Chad swallowed hard. His dick twitched in response to Raudel’s words, Raudel’s mouth curling into a smile as he glanced down at Chad’s erection. He grasped it and Chad hissed.
“Bad idea. Won’t last.”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea. The night is ours. I can make you come twice.”
&
nbsp; “Oh Jesus.” Chad groaned. “Okay. Don’t let me discourage you, then.”
Raudel bit his ear, stroking him from base to right below his tip. “But we still have to have cake first.”
“Huh?” Why is he talking about baked goods at a time like this?
“Stay right there.”
Chad watched transfixed as Raudel ambled over to the almost-smashed cupcakes, stiff cock bobbing. It was beautiful.
Fuck yeah. I get to ogle that every day from now on.
Raudel popped the lid on the loud, crinkly package, and then lifted a cake, overloaded with giant swirls of white frosting, out of the container.
“There’s a choice of vanilla or chocolate for the cake part. I didn’t know which one you liked better.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
Raudel approached him with the frosted treat. Chad ran through the files in his mind in an effort to recall what the cake-sharing protocol was for the couple at the reception. It escaped him why there would only be one and not two pieces.
When Raudel reached him, he dropped to his knees. Chad cried out at the sensation of the soft frosting pressed to the head of his dick. His knees almost buckled from the teasing licks Raudel used as he removed the globs of icing then encased just his cockhead with the warm, wet cavern of his mouth. Raudel continued to torture Chad with gentle suction, pulling with his lips then pushing his tongue into Chad’s slit.
Chad whimpered, unable to stop himself from clutching fistfuls of Raudel’s thick hair or thrusting his hips. Raudel pulled off with a pop and Chad gasped. He gazed down at Raudel, frantic in his desire.
“Fuck my mouth, mijo.”
Raudel took every inch of Chad’s length until he buried his nose in Chad’s blond curls. He sucked him hard, hollowing his cheeks before descending again.
Chad took over. He thrust into Raudel once, then twice more before picking up a swifter pace, pushing past Raudel’s gag reflex, face-fucking him hard. Raudel swallowed around his prick, working it insistently with his throat as Chad’s climax barreled through him. He yelled out his release as he emptied his balls into Raudel’s mouth. His body sagged, all the strength gone from him.