2017 Top Ten Gay Romance

by J. M. Snyder

  “Hey, I own a book café. I need to be able to recommend great reads to anyone.”

  “Of course.”

  “That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.” Luca pulled Gus close and put both hands on his back. He bent his head, rested his cheek against Gus’s clean-shaven one, and put his mouth next to Gus’s ear. “I love you, Mr. Hanson-Moretti,” he whispered.

  “I love you, too.”

  For a while, they danced cheek to cheek. Close, but still modest enough for polite company. But eventually, Luca’s hands started wandering farther down Gus’s back until they rested on his ass cheeks. Gus couldn’t hold back a smile.

  “How long before we can blow this popsicle stand?” Luca murmured in Gus’s ear.

  “Why? You bored?”

  “No, but I can think of…other things I’d like to do to my husband.” Luca waggled his eyebrows.

  Gus shivered when Luca called him husband. “What other things?”

  “I thought, since it’s our wedding night, I’d do that thing with my tongue you love so much.”

  Gus whimpered, and his pants grew uncomfortably tight as his cock plumped up. He imagined Luca’s tongue laving his nipples. Luca’s tongue was raspy, almost like a cat’s, and Gus loved the friction on his sensitive skin. Luca had made Gus cum just by sucking and nibbling on his nipples more than once, and he was always proud as a peacock afterward.

  “Mm, you love my tongue, don’t you?”

  Luca accentuated every hoarse word with squeezes of Gus’s ass. Light kneading at first, but the pressure increased until Gus moaned. If Luca kept this up, he’d have to walk off the dance floor with tented pants.

  “And when you’re just about to shoot…when you beg me to cum…”

  “What?” Gus breathed.

  “You know what.”

  Gus closed his eyes and tried to force the image of Luca behind him out of his mind. This was not the time to imagine Luca’s scratchy tongue caressing his hole, driving him crazy with desire.

  “I’ll bend you over and lick every inch of your fine ass.” As if to illustrate, he fluttered his tongue in Gus’s ear and breathed heavily.

  Gus could almost feel the hot breath on his ass. “Oh, my God.” He panted and shifted his hips, trying to get more room for his hard cock. His breath hitched as a curious finger closed in on his hole. Surely Luca wouldn’t…?

  He didn’t, but he moved the finger in a small circle on Gus’s ass cheek. He stopped for a moment and pressed it down in the center of the imaginary circle, and Gus clenched his ass. Luca always played with his hole like that before he—

  “You have to stop,” Gus hissed in Luca’s ear, clutching Luca’s waist in desperation, probably leaving bruises behind.

  Luca continued as if he hadn’t heard a word. Gus clamped his eyes closed and tried to think about anything other than his husband’s teasing finger working its way closer and closer to its target. Luca’s lips caressed along Gus’s jaw line, and a press of the finger followed every kiss. Kiss—press—kiss—press, and Gus was afraid he’d burst into flames any minute.

  When Luca’s pouty lips finally found his, Gus moaned and pushed his aching cock against Luca’s. Luca sucked on his tongue, licked the roof of his mouth, and nibbled on his lower lip. Gus’s sounds grew more and more desperate. He forgot where he was. His dick throbbed, and every nerve ending on his body buzzed, making him feel like he’d been electrocuted.

  “Luca, please…” he whimpered, but he had forgotten what he was begging for. When Luca’s finger pressed down on his hole, he was mere moments away from shooting. A sharp nip on his tongue thankfully stopped his orgasm.

  With that last press, Luca took pity on Gus. He moved his hands back to a safe zone and broke the kiss. Gus drew a ragged breath and stared at his husband with heavy lidded eyes. Reality slowly penetrated the fog of arousal surrounding Gus, and he groaned and hid his face in Luca’s neck when he remembered where they were.

  Luca chuckled and murmured, “Look over my shoulder, honey.”

  Gus swallowed before he dared to lift his head and open his eyes. He realized they’d shuffled around the dance floor with Luca’s back to the guests. No one had been able to see what Luca’s taunting fingers had done to his ass. Gus was relieved and disappointed at the same time.

  “My very own exhibitionist,” Luca snickered. “We can totally do that again, but maybe not with our mothers present?”

  Heat crawled up Gus’s neck and cheeks. How had he managed to forget about his mother? And Giovanna?

  Their song ended, the next one started, and the dance floor quickly filled with other couples. They danced the next song, too, but this was very different from their previous dirty grind. Their second dance was more traditional, with Luca leading and Gus following. Luca wiggled the fingers of his left hand all the time, making the big rock on his fourth finger glimmer in the lights. He beamed, and Gus feared Luca’s wide smile would split his face in two.

  “I adore the ring, Gustav.” Luca sighed and didn’t take his eyes off it for a second. “It’s perfect,” he said, confirming what Gus had known all along.

  It looked like it had been made with Luca’s finger in mind, and Gus was happy he’d endured the hassle with the store. It was worth it to see the look on Luca’s face.

  When the second song ended and they walked off the dance floor, Luca said, “I need to go to the men’s room.”

  After a quick kiss. Luca ran off, and Gus went back to their table to get a glass of wine. He flagged down a waiter, and his mother soon joined him.

  “Can I have a word with you?” she asked in a low voice.

  “Sure.” Gus gestured for the waiter to refill both their glasses. “What’s up?”

  “Giovanna left.” She seemed uncomfortable delivering the news, but Gus nodded and took a sip from his wine. “She was upset ever since the ceremony, all through dinner. But when you started dancing, she…stormed out.”

  “Yeah, well.”

  Gus shrugged. He wasn’t going to feign surprise. Or pretend to be upset for that matter. He still didn’t know what had happened between Luca and his mother earlier, but despite being somewhat flamboyant, his husband wasn’t a drama queen. Something serious had caused the reaction, and if Gus had gotten his way, he would have asked her to leave before they said “I do.”

  “And before you ask,” he told his mom, “all I know is that she didn’t like the veil. I don’t know any of the details.” He sipped his wine again, and turned his gaze to the ballroom door, willing Luca to return.

  “You didn’t ask?”

  “No.” He tapped his fingers on the table. He didn’t feel like talking to his mother about this, but he owed her some answers. “To be honest, I don’t care if he ever tells me. He’ll talk when he’s ready. And if he doesn’t…well, that’s fine, too.”

  Mona put her hand on his, stilling his anxious movements. “You’re a good man.”

  He shook his head. He didn’t know about that. All he knew was he’d do anything for Luca.

  Two long-fingered hands landed on Gus’s shoulders, and he turned his head and smiled at his husband. Luca’s eyes were shiny, and Gus wondered how much he’d heard. Not that it mattered. He hadn’t said anything to his mother that he wouldn’t say to Luca’s face.

  Thank you, Luca mouthed.

  Gus stretched his neck and kissed the top of Luca’s hand. Then he looked up at his husband and nodded. He held Luca’s gaze for several moments before Luca removed his hands and tousled Gus’s hair.

  Luca grabbed Gus’s forearm and pulled him out of his chair. “Dance with me, Mr. Spock!”

  There was nothing Gus would rather do.

  Chapter 8: Porn-y Lights and the Story of His Life

  Luca snuck back under the covers after a visit to the bathroom and a brief stop in the kitchen to get another bottle of champagne and two glasses. He patted himself on the back for putting the bottle in a wine cooler, seeing as his husband now was snoring in their
bed.

  He scooted close and watched Gus in the dim pink light. Gus looked so relaxed and carefree, all spread out in their bed. Luca ran a fingertip along the contours of his husband’s mouth. Gus mumbled and turned toward him, putting a warm hand on Luca’s stomach.

  He wasn’t surprised Gus had fallen asleep. After all, Luca had kept all the dirty promises he’d whispered during their first dance, and then some. Gus had screamed the walls down after his third orgasm, and Luca had been afraid the cops would come knocking, thinking someone was being killed. He snickered. He’d give his husband a few minutes of rest, then he’d wake Gus up. Maybe with his tongue on a nipple.

  He took a deep breath and rested his hand over Gus’s. He was happy they’d decided to spend the wedding night in their own home and not at a hotel. They both loved their bed, and Gus had insisted that it wouldn’t be a proper wedding night without the porn-y lights.

  Luca giggled at the memory of Gus walking in on him as he’d glued LED strips all over the headboard and the bed frame when they’d just moved in together. At first, Gus had been skeptical and muttered something about them wanting the lights turned off when they slept anyway. Luca had just smiled, chosen the red lighting, and proceeded to show Gus the purpose by fucking him thoroughly through the mattress.

  Gus never complained again. He started calling them “the porn-y lights” and had insisted they spend their first night as a married couple making love in the intense red light. As always, when they finished having wild monkey sex, Gus had changed the color to something softer. Pink for romance on their first night as husbands.

  Luca’s chest ached as he lay there, observing Gus. They had so many great memories together, and he’d almost ruined everything today. But that word was like a red flag to a bull.

  Freak.

  It triggered the fight or flight instinct in him, and since he wasn’t a fighter, he always ended up running. Like that time before Gus, when he’d been out to a club with friends. A cute and ridiculously tall guy had flirted with him all night. Before long, he’d been pinned to the back wall by Mr. Tall, who’d held both of Luca’s hands over his head with one of his huge ones, and the other did stuff to his dick that probably was illegal in some states. He’d been close to coming in his pants when the guy had bent down and whispered in his ear.

  “Wanna get out of here and get your freak on?”

  Luca’s dick had wilted so quick, he’d been afraid it would retreat into his body and never come out again. He’d struggled to free his hands until the tall guy got the message and let go. Without a word, he’d run away and hidden in a stall in the men’s room, where he’d sat with his head between his knees, trying not hyperventilate.

  His mother could have destroyed their relationship today. But Gus knew him well enough to be certain he hadn’t run from them, that something else had caused him to flee. Luca had never believed such a thing as absolute trust existed, never thought he’d find someone who’d be on his side, no matter what.

  Until he found Gus.

  Gus, who’d done everything in his power to show him his love. And his vows at the ceremony only put words to the actions and confirmed what Luca knew in his heart.

  Luca hadn’t been able to get through his own vows without sobbing. When Gus had started talking, tears had streamed down Luca’s cheeks, and he’d been thankful for the veil hiding his face. Gus’s deep voice had been full of emotion and had broken several times. Luca would remember every word, forever.

  Luca. I wrote my vows the day after I asked you to marry me. I was so happy, my heart overflowing, and I couldn’t keep all my emotions inside. So I wrote them down. I practiced my words a million times, and if you were to wake me up in the middle of the night after a thirty-six-hour shift at the hospital, I would still be able to say them back to you.

  But something happened today, something that made me reconsider my words. Only an hour before our wedding, when everything was supposed to be rainbows and unicorns, something happened. Something that made you really upset, and I…I need new words now.

  So this is me. Unrehearsed. Speaking from the heart.

  Luca. My sweet, darling Luca.

  When we grow up, we’re told our parents will love us no matter what. Unfortunately, that’s not always true. Sometimes, the ones we count on to always have our backs are the ones who let us down the most.

  But today, I stand before you, promising you my unconditional love. And I want to make sure you understand I mean it.

  I promise to kiss you every morning even when your breath smells like death warmed over. I promise to feed you when you’re hungry and grumpy, and when you throw one of your famous fits, I’ll tickle you until your happy laughter returns. I promise to still love you when you insist on warming your icy feet on my legs under the covers. And I promise to always laugh at your corny jokes.

  But my vow to you goes much, much deeper.

  I will always stand by your side. I will always be proud to call myself your husband. I will always have a supporting hand for you and a shoulder for you to cry on. I’ll lend you my ear when you need to talk, nurse you when you’re sick, and be your shield when you need protection. I promise to be your best friend and biggest supporter.

  My love doesn’t come with strings attached, Luca. I give it freely and unconditionally and forever.

  This is my solemn vow.

  “What are you smiling at?” Gus’s husky voice pulled Luca out of the memory.

  Luca leaned forward to give his husband a quick kiss. “You,” he murmured against Gus’s lips. “I was remembering your vows.”

  “I meant every word.” Gus encircled his waist and pulled him closer.

  “I know, honey.” Luca wiggled so he could look his husband in the eye. “I’ve never doubted your feelings.”

  Gus hummed and kissed his temple. “Good,” he murmured.

  Luca waited for the questions Gus had every right to ask, but they never came. He just caressed Luca’s back and kissed him over and over wherever he could reach, while making cute, content noises. A happy sigh, a satisfied hum, or a tiny moan when Luca’s fingers found his sensitive spots.

  Again, Gus’s easy acceptance, how he always supported and encouraged, and never asked for anything but Luca’s love and respect in return, stunned Luca. Anyone else would have demanded to know his story a long time ago. Maybe even questioned his trust for not telling it. But not his loyal husband. Geeky, adorable Gus.

  “I had just turned eighteen when Mother found me on the couch with a guy,” Luca said, filled with a sudden need to tell Gus everything.

  He could feel Gus stiffen when he started to talk. He didn’t say anything, just kept caressing Luca’s back, but the small tilt of his head told Luca everything he needed to know. Gus’s entire focus was projected at him, and it gave Luca the courage he needed to continue.

  So he told his husband all about that dreadful spring and how he’d almost ended up at a camp to cure his gayness. He told Gus about the first year at college, how he’d concentrated on school and kept to himself, not making friends or going out. He spoke about the loneliness that had threatened to consume him and how he’d isolated himself, until that day one of his professors had spoken to him and asked what was wrong. She’d noticed he’d changed, become more withdrawn over time, and she’d been worried.

  He’d broken down in her classroom, cried and sobbed and raged, but she’d taken it in stride, locked her door, and listened. When he’d calmed down, she’d told him about the LGBT Rights Group and given him a phone number he could call to get in touch with the Poetry Club.

  He was convinced those thirty minutes with his professor had saved his life. After their conversation, he’d decided to take his life back and had started attending meetings at the LGBT Rights Group. But it was in the Poetry Club he’d thrived.

  “I met a guy called Edgar,” Luca said and shivered as Gus’s hands continued to map out every inch of skin on his back. “He was a British exchange student, a
nd he lived and breathed poetry. I think he knew all Shakespeare’s sonnets by heart.”

  “Wow. That’s impressing.”

  “Yeah. He was so different from everyone. He walked around campus with a book, reading poems out loud even if he was alone. And in the middle of a conversation, he’d go quiet and start scribbling on whatever he found. A napkin. My hand,” Luca chuckled.

  “He sounds awesome.”

  “He was.”

  “What happened?”

  “Nothing happened. He had to go back to England. We promised we’d keep in touch, but we were kids…” Luca’s voice trailed off.

  “I get it. College isn’t the time to nurture long-distance friendships.”

  “No,” Luca agreed. “He loved to dress in women’s clothes. He said he was straight, but I don’t know. He had a goatee but wore short skirts and crop tops. I was…fascinated with the juxtaposition.”

  “Mhm,” Gus’s fingers drew swirly patterns on his back, and Luca felt completely safe. Loved.

  “I guess he inspired me. I didn’t start experimenting until after he’d gone, and he was much more exaggerated than I’ve ever been. But he opened my eyes to other possibilities.”

  Luca needed courage for the next part, so he tilted his head up and looked into Gus’s eyes. His husband seemed to understand because Gus leaned in and took Luca’s lips in a searing kiss. There was nothing gentle about it, only raw passion and an insistent tongue. Gus threw his leg over Luca’s hips and rubbed against him.

  Luca broke the kiss when his lungs burned with oxygen deprivation, and they both gasped and breathed heavily. Luca touched his own lips, wondering if they were as red and puffy as they felt.

  “Wow,” he whispered.

  Gus was usually tender and loving and didn’t show this animalistic side often. What had triggered it now?

  When his breathing had calmed, he continued. “After Edgar had been gone for a few months, I found one of his skirts in my closet. It was a black and white plaid skirt. Short and pleated and really cute. And I…I tried it on. It was the only time I ever wore a skirt. I didn’t like it; it didn’t feel like me. But I had to try.”