Finding You: The Complete Box Set (a contemporary MM romance series)

by Ana Ashley

  "How did you… are those our bedsheets?"

  Tiago looked around like he wasn't sure what to focus on first, that we actually had furniture, or that the room was ready for us to move in.

  "Happy anniversary, baby," I said, wrapping my arms around his waist from behind and kissing the side of his neck.

  "But, it's not our anniversary," he said, not looking too bothered by the inaccuracy of my statement.

  "Every day I get to wake up to you, baby. Every day I get to fall asleep with you in my arms is a day to celebrate."

  "I love you so much, Vítor."

  "Me too, baby, more than you can ever imagine. More than I ever thought I'd be capable of again."

  "Are we going to christen that bed?" he asked, his voice gravelly and lustful. His breath caught with each kiss I placed on the back of his neck.

  "You bet your sexy ass we are."

  I groaned as he put a hand behind his back and groped my erection, before rubbing up and down against the fabric of my slacks.

  "Take your clothes off," I whispered in his ear.

  Tiago turned to face me. His eyes met mine, as his hands roamed up my chest before coming to a stop over my sensitive nipples. He knew how much I enjoyed when he played with them so if the fire burning in his eyes, and the teasing smile on his lips was anything to go by, I was in for a hell of a ride.

  "Why don't you take your clothes off," he said.

  He'd already divested me of my shirt so I was halfway there, while he was still fully clothed. "Fuck, baby, I love it when you're all bossy."

  I made a show of removing the rest of my clothes, walking over to the patio doors and opening them to let in the late afternoon breeze. The grass covering the back garden looked healthy and luscious, a stark difference to the overgrown jungle we found when we bought the house.

  "One day, I'm going to fuck you all over that soft grass, and you'll have to be quiet as I push into you over and over again, so the neighbors can't hear us," I said.

  When I turned back around Tiago was naked, his beautiful cock hard and so ready for me. I licked my lips, eager to taste him.

  I loved this slow dance between us. Wondering who'd make the first move. Tiago loved bottoming. Even though he was the one in control, he loved when I took charge of his pleasure and teased him over again and again until he came with me buried deep inside him.

  He opened the bedside table, and I watched his reaction as he found the brand-new collection of toys and an unopened bottle of lube.

  "You're such a boy scout," he said, running his hand over the toys and picking up a butt plug.

  "You could say that…" I drawled. "Or maybe I just can't wait to have some fun with my fiancé."

  Tiago grabbed the bottle of lube, removed the plastic seal and without putting the plug back in the drawer he stalked toward me and pulled me by the hand toward the garden.

  The neighbors didn’t overlook into our garden, and despite my earlier warning, I was pretty sure we'd have to be really loud to be overheard too.

  "How about the bed?" I chuckled.

  "We have all night."

  "But we haven't had dinner," I teased, falling into step as he looked around for the perfect spot.

  "You wouldn't have brought me here, showed me a bed, knowing sexy times would happen, without planning for dinner," he said confidently.

  "Maybe I'll just feed on you instead."

  "Oh you will, but you also planned. My guess is there's something in the kitchen already."

  He was so sure of his theory I had to laugh, but he was right. My plan had been to spend our first night in the house together making love and I'd also got us food. We couldn't move into the house until the rest of the furniture arrived, but we could hide away for the weekend.

  Tiago picked a spot on the grass still bathed by the sun and pulled us both down so I had no choice but to straddle him. He sneaked his hand around my neck, and I was happy to follow his silent instruction.

  Our kiss was unhurried to start with, but with so much teasing, it didn't take long until he was writhing beneath me, wanting more.

  "Lay on your back," he said.

  The grass was pleasantly cool, a nice contrast to the warm sun on my face. I let out a sound that was something between a growl and a moan when Tiago put his mouth on my cock and swallowed as far down as he could.

  He massaged my sun warmed skin, teasing my nipples until I was bucking my hips to meet his mouth, as if I could go deeper.

  "Fuck, baby. You're killing me," I gasped as he released my cock with a pop.

  "We haven't started yet."

  "Fuck."

  I lay my head on the grass and took a deep breath to stop myself from coming from his words and his teasing alone.

  The click of the lube bottle opening made me curious enough to look down at Tiago. He’d removed his glasses so I could see the intensity of his gaze, but also all the mischief.

  He pushed my knees up to meet my chest, exposing my hole. He licked and kissed it as if he was making love to my mouth.

  My belly had a trail of pre-cum, and I thought I'd come from the feel of the breeze on my hole as soon as he stopped.

  I was going to complain when I felt his lubed finger seeking entrance. I loved when he played my body like an instrument, drawing out all my pleasure with a single finger.

  "Ngh, oh fuck, baby," I gasped as he added a second finger.

  "Shhh it'll be good, you know it will."

  "I know. It's always so good with you, baby."

  I looked up again in time to see him replace his fingers with the plug.

  My cock deflated slightly as I tried to adjust to the size, but soon enough the burning sensation gave way to something else. The heat, pressure, and feeling of fullness was threatening to send me over until Tiago grabbed the base of my cock with one hand and lathered it with lube using the other hand.

  Tiago pulled my legs down, so I was in effect, lying flat on the grass. Then he straddled me and reached behind himself.

  "I'm going to ride you so good," he said, lining up my cock with his hole.

  "Please, baby. I'm not going to last."

  Sweat beads ran down my forehead as I tried to think of anything that would keep me from coming too soon.

  I ran my hands up Tiago's thighs as he pushed himself down on me. He lifted again, his breath catching and his head held back. He was a picture of perfection. Beautiful, flushed skin, deep brown eyes, a smile I'd kill for and all one hundred percent mine.

  When our eyes met, and I saw the raw need, I pushed up to meet his downward thrust until he was fully seated.

  His weight on me caused the plug to hit my prostate. I jerked up in turn, hitting his in return. A string of pre-cum ran down his cock and pooling on my stomach.

  As if he knew how close I was, he started fucking himself on me in earnest. Each thrust like a balloon of pleasure bursting inside me.

  I pulled him down to capture his lips with mine and then took over, thrusting into him with all I had.

  "I love you so much, baby. So goddamn much," I said into his lips.

  All Tiago was capable of letting out were the sexiest little moans. His eyebrows bunched together, and his eyes closed were a sign of how close he was too.

  "I'm ready to let go, baby. Come with me?" I said.

  "Hmm," he moaned, nodding.

  I turned us both so I was on top of him. The plug was no longer pressing as much on my prostate in that position, so I took the temporary relief to increase the speed of my thrusts.

  Tiago pulled me close, trapping his cock between us for more friction. I obeyed and wrapped my own arms around him, using the additional grip to really go to town on his ass.

  For moments the only sounds coming from where our bodies joined in the most beautiful, passionate lovemaking, until Tiago finally let go.

  His cum spilled between our stomachs, hot and slippery. Even through his orgasm drunkenness, he still opened his eyes to meet mine, and that's when I
finally let go.

  Looking into the love of my life. My second chance. My home. My future husband.

  We didn’t release each other until my softening cock left him and the butt plug became too uncomfortable.

  "Shall we christen the shower?" I said.

  Tiago looked thoroughly ravished. His pale skin was full of marks, and there was a blissful smile on his face.

  "This house is the best," he declared.

  I laughed and slapped his butt cheek, feeling how it jiggled as I smoothed the pain away.

  "I couldn’t agree more."

  Once we were clean, I gave Tiago a tour of the rest of the house, showing him the few things that needed finishing, ending it in the kitchen where I'd laid the table for our first or many dinners.

  I turned the oven on to re-heat the lasagna I'd bought from a restaurant around the corner from my office.

  Tiago picked up the bottle of Apothic red I'd placed on the large wooden table. The same wine he’d suggested for me the night we met.

  "I didn’t know who you were that night at the bar, but now I wonder if my heart knew straight away that you were special because I couldn't take my eyes off of you," he said, coming over to me and placing a soft kiss on my lips.

  "That night was the best and the worst night of my life since Dri died. I felt so guilty, but even then, I think deep down I knew you were the hope I didn't believe I could have any more."

  "I think you were right about Afonso, if he wants his own place I'll support him in every way. Some days I still can't believe I have him back," Tiago said. "I'm doing the right thing, right?"

  "You are, baby. But you're also allowed to make mistakes. The love you two have for each other will always be unshakeable. You'll work through anything as long as you remember that."

  We held each other until the oven dinged.

  As I opened the oven and took the lasagna out, an image of our family sat around the table filled my head.

  Since we'd met, we’d both gained our families back, and more. Through pain and grief, we learned to appreciate every moment we had with those we loved and with each other.

  "We should go to Porto," Tiago said, pulling me out of my thoughts.

  "Why's that?"

  "I'd like to take some flowers to Dri. I didn't know him but something tells me he's up there looking down at us with a smug smile."

  I smiled wide, no longer feeling the same pain I used to feel when I thought or talked about my late husband.

  "He was the king of smug. I'd hate that he was right, but I now have you in my life, so I'll give him this one. We'll settle scores in heaven one day."

  Tiago placed his chair next to mine as I plated up the food, and said in a deep voice that spoke right into my soul, "now hurry up with dinner. We still have to christen that bed."

  Complete Again

  A Finding You Short Story

  1

  Dorian

  How much was too much Christmas?

  As I walked through the rooms of the townhouse we were going to call home for the next year, I wondered if I'd gone a little overboard with the decorations.

  There were garlands, arrangements, decorations, trees, candles, you name it. Everywhere, all leading to the living room where the biggest Christmas tree I'd ever seen was standing tall, bright, and proud by the fireplace.

  The house itself was already too big, so to go that step further and make sure the Holiday season was present in each room may have been a little too much.

  I wondered, not for the first time, if it had been a good decision renting out such a big house in Paris. It was only for one year, after all.

  I'd always been a city boy, born and raised in Manhattan, I was used to the skyscrapers, the crowds of people rushing to get somewhere all the time, the street food, the entertainment, everything.

  Paris was so different and somehow I felt equally at home here.

  I walked through the house, checking the rooms one more time to make sure everything was in order. I paid particular attention to the one right next to the master bedroom. This was where we were going to spend a lot of time over the next year so it needed to be perfect.

  My heart raced with excitement and my chest expanded, feeling so much warmth and sense of pride. This had been the room that sealed the deal on the house. It was large, bright, and like the master bedroom, it had double glass doors leading to the garden.

  I was pleased with the result of the redecoration. The soft cream color on the walls and the light pine furniture gave me a sense of peace. This was the only room that had needed more than the bare touches applied to the rest of the house.

  Once I was satisfied that there was nothing more I could do, I headed to the bathroom in the master bedroom for a shower.

  This was one of the most important days of my life, so I took my time going through my options of what to wear. I settled on black slacks and a button down navy shirt with a light blue sweater.

  When I reached out for the shoebox on the top shelf, another one dragged along with it. I didn't see it until it was too late and the box was on its way to the floor.

  I looked at it, the lid wide open and the contents half-spread on the floor. Feelings whooshed through enough to get me on my knees.

  Letters, hundreds of them had been stored inside the box, some of them loose and some grouped in small bundles tied with string. I didn't even remember putting them all there.

  I picked one, the paper was yellowed from age, and the scrawl a little uneven as would be expected from a ten-year-old boy.

  That handwriting was permanently etched on my mind, as unforgettable as the person who had written the letters all those years ago.

  My phone rang in the bedroom making me jump. I got up and ran to answer it.

  "Hey."

  "Hey," I said, my heart skipping a beat like it did every time I heard that voice.

  "Dorian, are you going to be on time?"

  "Yeah, don't worry, everything is ready."

  "Baby, everything was ready two weeks ago." I could hear the exasperation. "Please, tell me you won't get distracted."

  I laughed, as I said goodbye and disconnected the call.

  Still holding the letter I picked, I couldn't help but open and read it. I had four hours, plenty of time to through just the one. The one I’d received twenty years ago, almost to the date.

  15 December 1998

  Jean-Paul Bertram

  47 Rue Des Fleurs,

  75014 Paris

  France

  Dear Dorian,

  My name is Jean-Paul and I am 9 years old. I live in Paris with my mother and my cat, Audrey.

  Audrey is white and has a black mark on her head that looks like a crown.

  I go to school close to my house. I am in year 4 and my favorite class is Math but when I go home I like to read books, especially recipe books. I also like to take photographs. I asked to have a new camera for Christmas.

  I have never been to New York, what is it like?

  I like living in France. Well, I have never been outside of Paris but I like it here very much.

  We don't get snow at Christmas but we still have lights everywhere. It is very beautiful.

  How is Christmas in New York?

  Please forgive my English, I am still learning in the after school classes.

  Your new pen friend,

  Jean-Paul

  2

  Jean-Paul

  "Maman?" I called out as I went through the doors of the place I'd called home since I was born.

  The apartment wasn't grandiose, or even spacious, but it had two bedrooms and a separate living room. I felt the familiar scent of fresh flowers. I never knew how she did it, but my mother's home always smelled of fresh flowers.

  She worked very hard all her life to provide for us. She taught French at the Lycée, and also supplemented her income by tutoring students. Somehow, she still found time for us and I had lots of fond memories of our city adventures.

&nb
sp; "Ici, mon chéri,” she said, from the living room.

  I went past the living room, and straight to the kitchen to make us some fresh coffee. It was a ritual we were both so used to we didn't even need to arrange it any more. If I came over I’d make coffee to go with the macarons I always bought for us.

  She was sitting on the sofa with a book in her hand.

  "Bonjour maman, ça va?" I said, greeting her with a kiss on each cheek once I put the coffees on the table.

  "Oui, mon chéri."

  "How are you doing? I see you've put all the decorations up without me this year."

  "You're going to be busy now so I thought I'd just get it done."

  She put a hand on my knee the way she always did when she wanted to check I was ok.

  "How are you chéri?"

  "So excited, Maman. I've wanted this for such a long time, and now it's real. I can’t even believe it.”

  I felt a lump in my throat, so to change the subject, I took a whole macaron, chocolate and hazelnut and stuffed it in my mouth. "Mmm, c’est délicieuse!"

  "Jean-Paul! Manners," she chided, and I laughed.

  "What's that?" I asked looking at a box on the coffee table. "Don't tell me you're digging out all of my baby photos again." I sighed.

  "Non, these are your letters. They were nearly destroyed when we had the leak from upstairs so I put them in this box. I thought you might want to have them."

  My heart raced. I hadn't seen the letters in years. In some ways they were such a distant memory it was like they belonged in a different lifetime, in other ways all the memories they contained were as alive in my mind as the present moment.

  "I need to go out to buy some groceries, Mon chéri. I will leave you in peace," mom said, getting up and slipping into her coat.

  And with that she left me in the apartment with the biggest treasure I'd ever had.