Book of Love

by David Horne

  Bella hissed lowly at him. "And who are you?"

  Alfie remained unmoved. "The owner," was all he said for now. It seemed that Mr. Ward had not informed Mr. Rogers of his identity as the man showed a frown of annoyance aimed at Alfie.

  Matt didn't like that at all and wrapped his arm around Alfie's waist and tugged him close. "And he is my boyfriend." Both Rogers seemed to realize that insulting Alfie and his shop would not get them what they wanted.

  Mr. Rogers had always seen the advantage of his daughter marrying someone as attractive as Matt. He would attract attention and seeing as his wife could not have more children, he needed a strong husband to hand his business over before the grandchildren came.

  When Rogers found out that Matt was gay, it put a wrench in their plan, but it was possible to work around it. He has told Bella this. She said that she could probably convert him to being bisexual.

  He trusted his daughter as he firmly believed that his daughter was above others in the beauty department. Now, he saw that Matt didn't even glance at his daughter, his eyes kept jumping around.

  When Alfie man stepped closer and revealed that he was a British man and the owner, Mr. Rogers was ready to step in and be more forceful. That all came to a screeching halt when Matt wrapped his arm around the blond firmly and with ease.

  So this was Matt's lover. They had to tread carefully. The two men, however, didn't look all that trusting. Rogers opened his mouth to try and appease the situation when the door opened.

  All four heads turned. Alfie smiled when he saw his father.. Oscar looked at Rogers and blinked once and then frowned. "What on earth are you doing here, Elec?"

  Elec Rogers blinked as well when he saw Oscar Xavier Bailey walk into a small bookstore. Did the man want to check out the competition?

  It was when the man walked up to the counter, then behind it. Standing next to the owner that the family resemblance came forward. That put a damper on everything. Elec had met Oscar when he was in Britain on a business trip. The group of businessmen had gone for drinks after the slew of meetings. They all got talking about themselves. They told the basics if they were married, how many kids that had if they did, and so on.

  When the group found out that they had a millionaire among them, they all wanted to know more. The mere mentioning of the Xavier name had all the British businessmen scrambling to make a good impression on the man.

  The few American businessmen were quickly informed as to who and what the Xavier family was. The ass-kissing started from the Americans too.

  In the week, Elec had tried to get Oscar to talk to him about possible business opportunities, but the man said he was there for the meetings, and that was it.

  On the last day of the week trip, he finally got a chance to talk to Oscar Bailey as he was alone at the bar enjoying a whiskey. He had smooth-talked for a while and asked about his son. Oscar was far from stupid and was upfront in saying that his son was his pride and joy. His son was smart and had a bright future as heir to the Xavier family even though he was gay.

  That shocked Elec. He asked what Oscar would do about grandchildren, Oscar just shrugged and easily said that the Xavier family had many members and his son could easily choose someone from one of their children, and then train said child when old enough.

  Elec Rogers had tried his hardest to bring up their kids meeting up, but Oscar was not biting at all and denied the man at every try he made.

  The trip ended with Elec having nothing to show for all his efforts. Now that very man was standing in front of him, his son beside his and in the one-armed embrace of the man he wanted to marry his daughter.

  "I didn't know that you knew Ward's boy," Elec commented. His daughter just gave him a confused stare. He had told her that if Matt was not forthcoming with at least having lunch with Bella, he would throw his name around and threaten a few people to get the man to agree.

  "Ah, yes, funny how the world works," Oscar said and looked at Bella. "You must be Isabella Rogers." The man said nothing more but gave his daughter a once-over. Elec wondered what the man thought about his daughter.

  He was not expecting Oscar to turn to him without giving his daughter another glance. In the corner of his eye, he saw his daughter bristle at being so blandly greeted then ignored. He hoped her bratty nature remained where it was hidden.

  "Indeed, we came here to see if Matt here would be willing to go to lunch with my daughter."

  Oscar just raised a brow, much like his son had.

  "I was unaware that they were friends." Oscar's tone of voice showed that he clearly knew that before today, the two had never met.

  Elec swallowed and smiled, he patted Bella's arm. "They have yet to meet in person. That is why I'd like them to have lunch to get to know each other better."

  Before Oscar could say anything, Matt scoffed. His face clearly told Elec that he knew what he was trying to pull.

  "Please. Everyone here knows that's not all you want," Matt sneered and help Alfie tighter. Matt was looking at Elec with an annoyed look in his eyes.

  "And what would that be?" Bella asked, more snarked with her arms crossed under her breast to push them up. Yet again, Matt's eyes never fell from her eyes.

  Matt looked the woman up and down again, with no heat in his eyes. "Your dad and my dad are both so caught up into this stupid idea of us getting married that they never once even thought if we wanted it," Matt said, hoping that Bella didn't want this either, but the girl just looked at him funny.

  "Why wouldn't I want to marry you? You're super attractive, you dress well, and you come from a wealthy family," she said all this as if it was all that was needed.

  Alfie frowned and hugged Matt closer. "That was a rather shallow answer."

  Bella frowned a deeper frown at Alfie.

  "No, it's not," she said with a bratty tone to her voice.

  Alfie walked to stand against the counter. He placed his hands on the countertop. "You only listed Matt's physical attributes. You didn't even mention about finding out what an amazing human he is, how kind and protective, smart and loving man Matt is. You only care about what you can gain from him."

  The other three men looked at Alfie as he glared at the woman, daring her to disagree. Bella wasn't stupid, she knew she had been outmaneuvered.

  Matt's arms wound themselves around Alfie's waist. He rested his chin on Alfie's shoulder.

  "Listen, I'll just say this once, and if you still can't accept the truth, then that's on your heads. I am one-hundred percent gay and would never even dream of being with a woman. I love Alfred Xavier Bailey, and I am a one-man kind of man. So please get it through your thick skulls that I don't want anything to do with my dad and the Roger family."

  As Matt spoke, Alfie gained a pretty blush that amused his father to no end. It was so refreshing to see his son so happy and in love. It reminded him when he met his wife, how much he loved her and how glad she had made him. The day she passed away was the day that one part of his soul was torn from him. The other half was his son.

  "I think the two men have made their point and that you are wasting your time here," Oscar said, looking Elec in the eyes.

  The man got the message and grabbed his daughter's hand and started to lead her to the door.

  She started to throw a tantrum, yelling about how unfair her father was, that he promised that she would have lunch with Matt. Matt gave an ugly scoff gaining the Rogers' attention.

  "I would never be with a person who acted like a spoiled brat the moment something doesn't go her way." Matt's face showed how utterly distasteful he thought the whole scene was. That made Bella so shock that her dad took advantage and pulled her out of the store.

  The bell rang in the now silent store.

  "I think we should just close for the day," Alfie said, rubbing his forehead.

  Oscar sighed and nodded. "Let me treat you two to lunch."

  The man's face showed the two that there wasn't really a choice. Matt and Alfie were happy to
join him for lunch.

  They chose the cafe where Alfie had gotten food and coffee when Matt's mother visited for the first time.

  Ordering their food and drink, they silently decided that they would not mention what had transpired in the shop. While they waited, Alfie went to the bathroom.

  Once he was out of sight, Matt turned to face Oscar fully.

  "Sir, I…" Matt struggled to find his words as he started at Oscar.

  "I told you, Matt, you can call me Oscar." The man watched as Matt sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

  Matt looked around and took a deep breath. "Oscar, I would like to ask for your blessing in asking Alfie to marry me," Matt said before he reached into his pocket and showed a small flat box. He placed it on the table and watched as a shocked Oscar reached out and opened the little box.

  Oscar looked at the ring for a few minutes before gently closing the box and handing it back. Matt quickly hid the box back in his pocket.

  The man had an unreadable look on his face for a few more seconds before he smiled, a pleased smile.

  "It would be an honor to have you marry my son. I have never seen him this happy. You make my son happy. He makes you happy. You two have been through much, and yet you two could move past it. That is more than I could have hoped for in the beginning. So yes, Matthew, you have my blessing." Oscar smiled, and the relief showed clearly on his face.

  "What's that look for?" Alfie asked when he sat down.

  Matt just looked at Alfie. "I just asked your dad for forgiveness in my dad's stupid friend's actions," Matt explained, getting a snort from Alfie.

  The food came, and they ate and joked about Matt’s dad's friend and his daughter. Once the food was eaten, they each had one more coffee and tea.

  They greeted Oscar before going home. That night Matt watched as Alfie slept in his arms. He held the man close.

  "I love you so much," Matt said as he ran his hand over Alfie's undercut, getting a shiver before sleepy evergreen eyes opened and blinked sleepily at him.

  "Hey, why aren't you sleeping?" Alfie asked as he looked at Matt for any signs of stress.

  Matt just smiled and brushed a lock of hair from Matt's face. "I was just caught up looking at you and thinking how much I love you."

  Alfie smiled a dopey, sleepy smile and kissed him softly before snuggling back into his chest and shortly falling asleep. Matt soon followed after with a giant smile on his face.

  Chapter Ten

  After several months, Matt had not proposed yet because there was no good time yet. He thought about doing it when they were alone in their apartment with breakfast in bed. But, he couldn't cook to save his life.

  He didn't think that Alfie would enjoy being asked in a public place like a restaurant. So, that was out. He thought about asking his mom or Alfie's dad, but he wanted to this himself.

  Their relationship had grown stronger with its ups and downs. Their one golden rule of “never going to bed mad at each” helped when they did have the odd spat here and there. Matt was relaxed on the couch watching TV, well more like channel hopping, looking for something to watch.

  Alfie was in his office working on something he had yet to tell Matt, saying that it was a surprise. The giddy look the man had on his face made Matt wonder what on earth Alfie was up to.

  Alfie came out with a giant grin on his face, he plopped himself down next to Matt.

  Matt muted the television and turned to face Alfie, who was still grinning. "I'm gonna guess this is about your project?" Matt asked Alfie.

  Nodding, Alfie gave Matt a piece of paper, which Matt failed to see him hold. It was an envelope, with a silver wax seal, the seal having what Matt assumed was the Xavier family crest.

  It was a shield with an ivy vine crawling around it. The sides had some filigree and an open book where a crown would be on the shield. He flipped the envelope to see his name in a beautiful long slanted calligraphy.

  He gently opened the envelope. He didn't want to ruin the wax seal. It was the first time he had ever seen one in person, and he wanted to keep it.

  Inside was a paper folded in quarters, he opened the letter and read out loud.

  Dear Mr. Matthew Ward. You are hereby invited to the opening of the Xavier family's new exhibit at the museum. The exhibit is a showcase of the history of books from all corners of the world. There will be live showcases to explain and show how books of old were made, and the passion for books grew to be what it is today. Please RSVP…

  Matt didn't bother reading the rest as they both knew he would be Alfie's plus one.

  Alfie looked so excited that Matt couldn't help but compare the owner and dog yet again. Sam was gnawing on a rubber bone.

  "Did you do all of this yourself?" Matt waved the letter softly. Alfie nodded with a faint blush.

  "It took some time. I was busy planning this even before we met in the alley. I always wanted to take all my knowledge and put it into something that I love. The history of books is so interesting," Alfie said as he leaned forward.

  Matt smiled as Alfie went off to explain in as little detail as possible what would be there. "My father and I had traveled the world looking and acquiring books.” Alfie's face softened. "It was nice to see Britain again."

  Matt looked at Alfie and raised his hand. "When we have time, I'd like to go to Britain with you, see where your family came from. You can show me where you grew up."

  Matt watched as Alfie's face glow with happiness. The man then jumped him with hugs and kisses that soon turned heated, hands groped and stroked. Shirts were removed and thrown to random corners of the room. The letter and envelope fell to the ground as Matt's hands slid up and down Alfie's smooth back.

  Hips grinded as Matt and Alfie panted into each other mouths. Alfie's head fell to the side to rest it on Matt's shoulder. Matt had gone about undoing their pants and shoving them down enough to reveal only the two straining cocks, the skin on skin contact made it all the better.

  Soon Alfie was moaning in Matt's ear of how he wanted more. He sat up and looked down at Matt with hungry eyes. Those hands he loved so much moved to grip on of his own.

  Alfie suddenly got a very mischievous look in those green eyes, giving Alfie an impish look. Their joint hands moved to slide under the couch cushion. Matt was shocked when his fingertips met with smooth plastic and instinctively he grabbed the plastic cylinder.

  It turned out to be a bottle of lube. Matt blinked up at Alfie, shocked that his usually well-mannered boyfriend had hidden a bottle of lube. That impish smile only grew as Alfie's other hand flicked the cap opened and with their joint hands around the bottle, with Alfie's hand being in charge. They moved the bottle to their even more straining dicks The cold lube that touched their skin made both men hiss.

  The bottle was soon forgotten as they joint hands wrapped around them both and started to stroke up and down at feverish pace.

  Two groans of names were the sign of both men finding release, hot, sticky with cum on their stomachs, hands and softening penises. “When did you start hiding lube in the couch?"

  Alfie blushed and looked down at the cooling cum on Matt's chest, his finger running idly through it, making it messier. "Since we started to get more intimate." Those greens eyes looked into Matt’s with an open look of affection.

  "You make my blood come alive. Do… you think this is weird?" Alfie asked, looking self-conscious.

  Matt sat up, placing his hands under Alfie's thighs and spun, so his feet were on the floor. He rose with Alfie clinging to him, arms and legs wound tight.

  "I thought it was fucking sexy," Matt said into Alfie's ear.

  He carried Alfie to the bathroom where they had a quick shower before going to the kitchen, where Matt sat at the island and watched as Alfie made them dinner.

  The opening of the history of books from around the world turned out to get a rather good turn-out. Both Matt and Alfie were dressed in formal suits. Alfie wore a rich plum purple with a black shirt and silver tie
. Matt wore a standard black and white tuxedo. His arm was around Alfie's waist as they walked through the exhibit. Matt was surprised at the history of books, from the Egyptian paper papyrus and the Chinese scrolls to the first printing press and so on. Everything fascinated Matt, and he gave all his attention to all of Alfie's hard work.

  Alfie looked at Matt's reaction with fondness written all over his face. Once the exhibit show was on for an hour, Alfie tapped his sparkling wine. The tinkling noise brought everyone to a standstill as Alfie cleared his throat. He then went on to make the typical thank you speech and got applauded.

  Matt looked over to Oscar, who gave him a look that said that now would be a good time. So Matt stepped forward before everyone could continue with what they were doing.

  "I'd like to say something as well if I can?" Matt looked at a clearly confused Alfie, who nodded.

  Clearing his throat, Matt was suddenly thrilled he had invited his mom as well as she now had a very suspicious look on her face. Matt loosened his tie slightly as he walked closer to Alfie. He took the sparkling wine out of his hand and placed it on the podium.

  "Alfred Xavier Bailey, the day I met you I was at my lowest. I was close to giving up. Then , I tripped over a leash of a small adorable puppy named Sam. I then saw that his owner was you. You were kind to me. Gave me a second chance at more than just life.

  “I then got to know you. I learned that you are such a passionate, kind and loving person with a fire no one could possibly extinguish. Alfie, you breathed life back into my soul. I love you. I love everything about you. I love the head tilts and open smiles. I love how you could talk for ages about the things you love. I even love how obsessive you can get about the arrangement of your books." That got a few chuckles from all Xavier family members.

  Matt stroked Alfie's cheek before he moved his other hand into his pants pocket. He then lowered to his knee. Alfie's eyes were wide.

  "Alfred Xavier Bailey, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

  The whole room was silent, eyes wide as they moved back and forth from Alfie to Matt as if they were watching a tennis match. Alfie lowered himself to mirror Matt's pose. Shaking hands moved into a plum purple jacket, an even more shaking hand revealed a velvet box.