Brandon could barely catch his breath to answer. “Yeah, please.”
“You want me to suck you, is that it?”
Oh fuck, the guy was going to kill him if Brandon didn’t kill Tash first for making him beg. “Yes, damn it.” Then all coherent thought left his mind as Tash’s mouth slid over Brandon’s cock, engulfing it in heat and wetness.
Tash took him all the way down his throat before drawing tight, then down again, his hands stroking in a steady up-and-down rhythm. One hand reached down and teased Brandon’s balls, then slipped farther back to tickle and circle his hole.
Brandon was close to bursting. His painfully hard cock ached, and the teasing pressure of Tash’s lips and tongue had him teetering on the edge. “Oh God, fuck me. Now.” He clutched at the sheets, knotting them in his hands as he thrust his hips up, ruthlessly shoving his cock down Tash’s throat. His orgasm barreled down on him, and he shattered into a million glittering pieces, his mind wiped clean of anything except the unadulterated pleasure pouring through him.
Tash never faltered and swallowed him to the last drop. Brandon shuddered and lay in a puddle of desire, watching as Tash crawled over to the night table for the condoms and lube, then stopped. With a questioning quirk of his brow, Tash faced him and smiled when Brandon shook his head. Tash left the condoms on the table, returning to kiss him, then pour some lube on his cock. Brandon was far too sated and wrung out from reaching a point of never-before-imagined ecstasy to do anything but hold on to Tash’s arms and fall into his kiss.
“We don’t need anything else between us, sweetheart. I’m so fucking hot for you; I know I won’t last.”
Brandon groaned at Tash’s words. Tash hadn’t entered him, yet Brandon craved to be stretched full and drilled deep.
He lifted his legs, spreading them. “Fuck me. Come on.” Tash’s slick cock penetrated him, and Brandon couldn’t wait. He tilted his hips and pushed up, impaling himself on the thickness, welcoming the sensation of being filled up by the man he loved more than anything.
Tash leaned over and slid his hand through Brandon’s hair, holding him down on the pillow while he took his mouth in a scorching kiss. “No one else. Only you and me.” He began the delicious pull and drag of his cock, in and out, and Brandon met each thrust with abandon, urging Tash on.
“Only you. Fuck me hard, harder. Yes. Come on. I love you.”
Tash plunged into his body, and skin to skin for the first time, Brandon knew they’d never been so connected, so in tune as their bodies moved in perfect synchronicity. With every slide and push, Tash left an indelible mark on Brandon, loving him, claiming him. Brandon welcomed him deep inside, deeper than he’d ever reached before. He tilted his hips so Tash could hit his sweet spot. Tash smoothly pegged it over and over again until Brandon’s groans of pleasure mixed with Tash’s, and they came together.
Tash collapsed on top of him, and Brandon held him tight, loving the heaviness of Tash’s body pinning him to the bed. He buried his face in Tash’s damp curls, inhaling his warm scent as he nuzzled into the comforting curve of his neck. The frenzied thump of their hearts settled down into a normal rhythm, yet Brandon was loath to let Tash go.
Tash pulled out of him slowly, then curled his body around Brandon, holding him close. “This was a nice way to start the weekend. I’m thinking, seeing the table by the fire, that this was all a setup?”
Brandon smiled against Tash’s chest. “Maybe. But I made the chicken knowing it would be good cold or hot. It’s sort of a celebration for us, don’t you think?”
Tash rubbed Brandon’s back. “In a way it is; you’re right. So I think we need a toast.”
They got out of bed and went to the bathroom to shower, then headed over to the warmth of the fire. Brandon uncorked the wine and poured a glass for Tash and one for himself. He stared into the fire for a moment before speaking.
“We’ve been living here together for one month, and every day it only gets better and better. Because of you, I have my brothers back and my mother here. You gave me back my life. If I’d never stopped running, I would have passed this all right by and missed you, and that would’ve been the biggest mistake I’d ever made.” Brandon kissed Tash, loving the sweet sweep of his tongue and the scratch of evening stubble rubbing against his face. The fact that he had this man every morning and night forever was a gift he planned to never take for granted.
Tash cupped Brandon’s jaw, holding his gaze. “I love you more today than the first time I knew it in my heart. Having you here with me, sharing our lives together and creating a home and family is something I’d never expected. I’m glad you stopped running.” When he reached out his hand, Brandon took it. “It made you easier to catch.”
They clinked their glasses and sipped the wine. Brandon savored the richness on his tongue and then took another sip and kissed Tash, sharing the wine from his mouth. Their kiss deepened, and Brandon knew his days of running were over. There was no place he’d rather be than right here in Tash’s arms.
Epilogue
Mike and Rachel
Six months later
Mike stood in Esther’s garden, pulling at the collar around his neck. “Damn, I hate wearing these things. I told Rachel we should’ve eloped and gone to Vegas or something.”
Ash snorted. “And have Esther miss the wedding of her only granddaughter?” He raised a dubious brow. “Surely you aren’t that stupid?”
True. Esther was like his grandmother, and he’d never do anything to hurt her. Rachel had told him her childhood dream was to marry in her grandmother’s garden, and Mike couldn’t refuse her a thing.
“No, you’re right.” But it didn’t make standing in the sun wearing a tie any easier.
“Besides, they’re almost ready. Look, here comes Jordan.”
Jordan hurried over with Luke a step behind. “I’ve got the rings right here. Are you ready?” He grinned. “I still can’t believe you’re the first one to get married.”
“And she said yes.” Drew slipped his arm around Ash’s waist. “That’s the one I’m trying to figure out.”
Mike crossed his arms. “Very funny, hah fucking hah. Go on, have your fun. Get it all out of your systems now, especially you, D, since you’re going to be my brother at the end of the day.”
Drew’s eyes grew soft. “You’ve always been my brother, you and Jordan since we were little. I couldn’t ask for a better man to marry my sister.”
Mike’s throat grew tight. “The feeling’s mutual, brother.” He pulled Drew to him in a bear hug. He knew how lucky he was, marrying Rachel. She made him feel like a whole man again, despite his injury and the nightmares of the attack. There was no one else like her, and he had no problem spending the rest of his life making sure she knew how special she was.
“Drew, it’s time.” Ash tapped him on the back, and Mike released him. “I see Tina and Louisa waiting in the doorway.”
Ever the emotional one in their group, Drew wiped his eyes. “All right, this is it.” He turned to Ash and touched his chest. A light brush, nothing more, but Ash’s eyes flashed brightly in the sun.
Mike watched them kiss. There was something different about the two of them today. Always deeply connected, they seemed to not even need to speak and could communicate with a glance.
Drew hurried off down the flower-edged path. When Rachel told Esther about their plans, Esther went into full wedding mode. She, Louisa, and Tina planted beautiful impatiens and azalea bushes in the garden, certain to be flowering in time for the wedding. The chuppah, or canopy under which Mike and Rachel would be married, made a perfect arch thick with pink and white roses.
He couldn’t have cared less about all the plans and only wanted to marry Rachel and start their lives together.
“Hey, you guys, we aren’t late, are we?” Brandon rushed up with Tash. “We got stuck in some stupid traffic.” He greeted his brothers and Mike.
“Nope, you’re fine.” Soft music began to play from the outside pat
io. Mike saw his parents approach. “As a matter of fact, you should probably take your seats, ’cause it’s time.”
Jordan kissed Luke. “I’ll see you afterward.” As best man, Jordan would be the first one to walk up the aisle. Rachel’s best friend from college was her maid of honor and would follow him.
Mike took his place in between his parents.
“Ready, Son?” His father smiled at him, and his mother squeezed his arm. “You know, we’d always hoped you would marry Rachel. We couldn’t be happier to have her as a daughter.”
“Hopefully, you two will be giving us lots of grandchildren to spoil.” His mother kissed his cheek.
“Carol, really, let the boy get married first.”
“I promise we’ll work on it as hard as we can, Mom.” He kissed her cheek, and she laughed.
“I’m sure you will, sweetheart.”
He watched Jordan walk down the aisle to the strains of Pachelbel’s “Canon,” and then Rachel’s friend Jennifer followed, taking her place under the chuppah. The rabbi was next.
“Here we go, Mikey,” his mother whispered to him as they walked down the aisle. Mike had always liked the Jewish tradition of both parents walking with their child for the marriage ceremony. He faced the guests sitting in the rows of cushioned gilt chairs they’d all set up this morning.
And suddenly there she was. In between Drew and Esther, Rachel stood out like a princess with her shining dark hair curling around her shoulders and a sparkling tiara in her hair. Her strapless dress showed off her beautiful figure.
She was gorgeous and his, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. They walked up the aisle three-quarters of the way and stopped. Mike went down to meet her and lifted the sheer veil.
“Hi, sweetie.” He kissed her cheek.
“Hi.” Her green eyes glowed with happiness.
Drew shook his hand, and Esther hugged and kissed him. “You always were like my grandchild; now I get to keep you.”
He and Rachel walked up to the rabbi and listened to the age-old words of the ceremony. They sipped the wine and then Jordan gave him the ring. When Mike slipped it on her finger, a feeling of contentment settled over him. Grounding him. Rachel slid his ring on his finger and looked at him.
“I feel it too.”
He squeezed her hand and let the rabbi finish speaking. Along with his parents, Drew and Ash stood together, hand in hand under the chuppah with him, Jordan, Esther, and Rachel’s friend Jennifer. Everyone dear to him was in this house.
The rabbi placed the glass wrapped in a napkin on the ground. “Go ahead, Mike. You know what to do.”
He stomped on it, hearing the satisfying crunch under his feet.
“Mazel tov!”
He and Rachel kissed and faced their guests.
“I love you, Rachel. I always have.” He kissed her again, deep and hard, to the delight and whistles of the crowd.
“I love you too, honey.”
Forever. It sounded like a damn good plan.
Jordan and Luke
One week later
Luke placed his bag in the overhead compartment of the plane. “Do you want the window or the aisle seat?” He glanced over his shoulder at Jordan standing right behind him.
“Aisle is fine. That way I can lean on your shoulder.” Jordan winked at him.
“Darlin’, you can lean on anything you like. Keep taking me back to Paris, and you can have anything you want.” They sat, and Luke relaxed. It had been a hectic day. They’d first had to drop Sasha off at Gage’s house, which meant a trip early in the morning to Brooklyn. He’d offered to watch her since everyone else either had cats or wasn’t home. Then Luke had wanted to stop at Esther’s to see his mother. It still seemed bizarre to Luke for everyone to be together, but strangely comforting in a way. He often found himself reaching for the phone to call Tina during the day to check on her or to say hello.
They’d had her over to dinner several times, and she and Jordan surprisingly hit it off, as Jordan, with his natural charm, made her feel completely at ease and had her laughing at his jokes and cooking with him in the kitchen. He, Ash, and Brandon had all decided to participate in family therapy with her, and after learning more about her brutal life with Munson, Luke slowly let go of the past.
Life, as he knew it, was good.
The flight attendant appeared at their seats.
“Champagne, water, or something else to drink?”
Before Luke could answer, Jordan spoke. “I’ll take champagne and so will he.”
Luke elbowed him. “What if I didn’t want that? Maybe I want something different.” The flight attendant smiled at him when he looked to her.
“Do you want something else, sir?”
Luke groused, “No. Champagne is good. Thank you.”
Jordan snickered. “I knew it.”
“You’re such an ass.” He pretended to read the Wall Street Journal he’d brought with him.
Jordan kissed his cheek and brushed his fingertips along Luke’s jaw. “But you love me, right?”
Luke put the paper down. “Of course I do.”
More than ever. He’d never imagined the life he lived now, filled with friends, family, and so much laughter; it sometimes scared him. Finding Brandon was the greatest joy in his life. Now that their mother lived with Esther, he couldn’t imagine anything making his life any better than it was at this moment. He was on his way to Paris with the man he loved, flying first class, and staying in a luxury hotel.
And when they arrived, he planned to tell Jordan his surprise. He knew how much Jordan loved the country; some of his favorite weekends were the trips they took to Pennsylvania to go antiquing or fishing. Growing up in the country, Luke had never had a chance to appreciate it, but now he looked forward to their planned getaways from his hectic, soul-draining job. He’d had his eye on a little piece of property in one of the small towns they passed often, with a pond and a garden in the back. Jordan would frequently remark on what a nice weekend retreat it would make.
Two weeks ago, he’d bought it and planned to surprise Jordan with the deed on this vacation.
What more could he want?
They took off on time and within half an hour were already being served their first snack. Jordan had become unusually quiet, accepting the dish of nuts from the attendant. Perhaps it had been a long day for him as well.
The attendant placed his little container on the tray. “Enjoy, sir.”
He thanked her and reached in to take a handful of nuts but felt something cold and hard instead. He tipped the dish over, and a ring fell out.
Stunned, he looked over at Jordan, who smiled at him.
“Marry me, Lucas?”
Jordan had seen people in shock before, but Lucas seemed paralyzed. Sudden doubt crawled through him as he watched Lucas’s reaction. Had he made a mistake about Lucas’s feelings for him? They loved each other, didn’t they?
“Lucas, if you don’t say something soon, I may have to check your breath against a mirror to see if you’re still alive. Of course, if you don’t want to marry me, I guess I can live with it. I thought—”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
Thank God. He could breathe again. Happiness welled up inside him. “Can I take that as a yes?”
“Can’t you ever do what I ask?” Lucas sighed and took off his seat belt to face him. “Kiss me. Now. We’ll talk later.”
The lights had dimmed in the cabin as it was an overnight flight. Not that Jordan cared in the least. He would kiss Lucas in the middle of the day in Times Square if he decided. Jordan did what he wanted, where he wanted. The only thing that never changed is that he wanted to do it all with Lucas.
He took Lucas’s face between his hands and crushed their lips together. His mouth moved over Lucas’s, hot and hungry, while their tongues met and tangled. Jordan sank into the kiss, fervently hoping his touch and breath could speak what was in his heart.
When they finally broke apart, both were pan
ting. Lucas had a dazed look in his eyes, his lips so ripe and swollen from Jordan’s kisses, it was an effort for Jordan not to grab him again. Jordan took a deep breath and closed his eyes in an effort to slow his racing heart.
“Jordan?” The quiet hesitancy in Lucas’s voice scared Jordan.
“Yes?”
“Are you sure? You really want to get married?”
Jordan had spent almost a year with Lucas, and he loved him now as much as when he first fell for the man. They worked hard but always made certain to carve out time where it was the two of them together. Jerry had finally made good on his threat and retired to Florida with his wife, Marie, and he and Lucas planned to fly down to visit them. He’d learned from past mistakes and spent more time at Drew’s clinic and had recently thought about teaching at one of the medical schools in the city. It didn’t matter any longer to him to be the best and the biggest. What mattered was his volunteer work at the community center and reading to the kids. Or taking long walks with Sasha through the city with Lucas, then coming home to make love. The crushing loneliness he’d suffered from after Keith’s death was a thing of the past, but he never forgot how insidious it was and how it had almost destroyed him. Jordan made sure to never keep secrets from Lucas, and Lucas had opened up to him about all the pain he’d had inside since childhood.
It hurt him, then, to think Lucas still had doubts.
“I love you. I want to be a family, have children, grow old with you. Does that sound like I don’t want to get married?” Jordan picked up Lucas’s hand and stroked it. “I want to be married to you. Only you.”
Lucas raised his free hand to Jordan’s face and brushed his knuckles along Jordan’s cheek. He then took the ring and handed it to Jordan and extended his finger.
Trembling a bit, Jordan slid it on Lucas’s finger and held his hand tight. He pushed the Call button for the flight attendant.
“May we each have another glass of champagne, please?” He squeezed Lucas’s hand. “We have a wedding to plan.”
Embrace the Fire Page 27