Looking For Love (Semper Fi, The Forever Faithful Series Book 2)

by Stella Starling

  Zach laughed, sending a delicious vibration through him.

  “I mean, yes,” Micah said, torn between wanting to make sure all the right words were said and… this. “I was just saying that… um… I love you, and… can we not break up, please?”

  “I don’t want to break up,” Zach said, stepping back a little and pulling Micah’s hands up to touch his face, as if he wanted Micah to be able to feel that the words were sincere. “I love you, too, Micah, and I’m sorry for this week. I was having a little trouble separating the present from the past. Brody was just reminding me of my priorities.”

  Micah’s heart fluttered. “Priorities?”

  “You, baby,” Zach said, smiling down at him. “This thing with Janis, it had me all twisted up. It’s still not settled, but loving you is always going to be my priority. If you hadn’t come by today—”

  “Would you have shown up at my window with a boombox in the middle of the night?” Micah cut in, feeling a little delighted by the whole priorities comment.

  Although actually, maybe the boombox thing was a better romantic gesture on the big screen than in real life. At least, Micah’s neighbors might think so. Besides, did boomboxes even still exist? Somehow, the idea of blasting Peter Gabriel from an iPhone didn’t seem quite as dramatic.

  Zach laughed. “Have you been binge-watching ’80s movies?”

  “Sam likes them,” Micah said, blushing. And it was true… even if Sam’s taste in old movies generally tended to run more toward things like the Terminator franchise, and Micah had been the one who’d holed up with Pippin and the entire chick-flick category of Netflix for the last few days.

  Oh, God. Pippin.

  He couldn’t let himself go there right now. Pippin was happy, and that made Micah happy, but he’d still need some time before it was the kind of happy that didn’t make him want to cry a little, too.

  “Are you okay, Micah?” Zach asked, his smile morphing into a look of concern. “I know we still need to talk about things. It kills me that I was unfaithful to you. I’m not… that’s not who I am.”

  Micah took a deep breath, tabling his Pippin feelings to be brought back out and shared later. Zach was right. As much as Micah would kind of like to go back to the whole kissing-up-against-the-wall bit, they did still need to talk about things. He looked up at Zach, cocking his head to the side and waiting to feel the stomach-churning hurt he’d felt when Zach had first told him about getting Janis pregnant.

  It didn’t come.

  When Micah had first gotten his sight back, Sam had gleefully waited for him to start mixing Amanda and Rachel-Lyn up. Growing up, Micah never had. How could he? He’d always heard that the twins were “identical,” but Amanda was compassionate and driven and meticulous and bossy, and Rachel-Lyn was big-hearted and bold, quick to take offense and quicker to forgive. And sure, once he’d been able to actually see his sisters, he could tell that their hair and noses and the shape of their eyes were the same… but that was just surface stuff. Much to Sam’s disappointment, it had been impossible for Micah to mix them up, because he knew them.

  And he knew Zach, too.

  “You’re right,” Micah said firmly, trusting himself. “It’s not who you are. I don’t believe her.”

  “Micah—”

  “No,” Micah interrupted, holding a hand up to stop Zach. “I’m not saying that I don’t understand that the baby would have to be one of your priorities, too. I totally get that. That’s who you are. But Janis was horrible at the hospital. She was nasty and lying and just… just… not nice. I don’t think you slept with her, Zach. I just don’t believe it. Not that night. It doesn’t make any sense.”

  Zach closed his eyes, rubbing the back of his neck as he let out a low sigh. “I wish that were true, Micah.”

  Micah bit his lip. Was he wrong?

  “You already did the paternity test? It really is yours?”

  “No, I haven’t. I haven’t really talked to her since she told me, but she has to know I will do one, so what would be the point of lying about it?” Zach turned away, walking across the living room and picking up the more-than-green rock. “I just… fuck. Doubting her makes me feel no better than my father. Like I’m just hoping for an easy way out.”

  “You’re not,” Micah said, crossing the room and wrapping his arms around Zach from behind. “You’re not like him, Zach. And you’re not the type to take the easy way out, anyway. Even if the baby isn’t yours, I know you, and you’ll still care. And if it is yours…”

  Micah swallowed. That would hurt, too. Was he just looking for an easy way out? A reason not to feel betrayed?

  Zach sighed, turning to face him. “She’s supposed to be coming by today to talk about it. When you knocked, I thought it would be her.”

  “She’s coming now?” Micah asked, grimacing. He really hadn’t liked her the first time he’d met her, and now that he’d convinced himself that she’d lied to Zach about something so huge, he was starting to feel a little pissed off at her.

  Okay, more than a little.

  It actually made him a little worried that if she did come by, he might not be able to stop himself from saying something truly hateful to her, and that’s not who he was. He’d really much rather if they could just go back to the part where he’d first shown up and Zach had kissed him so thoroughly that he’d felt like time had stopped… like they were the only two people who existed… like the whole Janis issue didn’t exist. But unfortunately, this was real life. No time stopping, time travel, or magic-wanding away unpleasant people allowed.

  Zach put down the rock and pulled out his phone, frowning down at it.

  “Actually, Janis is late,” he said. “She hasn’t messaged to say anything about it, though.” He tapped out a message of his own and hit send, then tucked the phone back in his pocket. “But when she gets here…”

  “Do you want me to leave?” Micah asked, hating the idea.

  “No,” Zach said. “I know it’s my problem, not yours, and I’m sure it will be an uncomfortable conversation regardless, but if you’re willing, baby, I’d really like to have you by my side.”

  Micah grinned. “I’d kind of like your problems to be my problems? I mean, not that I want you to have problems, but, Zach… you know how you told me you wouldn’t be good company, the night you found out that your father died? Just so you know, I want all your company. I mean, the good and the bad. I want us to…”

  A movement behind Zach caught Micah’s eye, derailing his train of thought.

  “Oh my God, Zach. Did you adopt a dog?”

  Zach turned, grinning as he looked down at the bedraggled animal peeking out from his kitchen. “It’s Precious, the stray Ana’s been feeding. Do you remember her?”

  A smile burst across Micah’s face. Of course he did.

  “You found her,” Micah said, wondering just how many times he was going to fall in love with Zach.

  Probably all of them.

  Precious whined softly, creeping another few inches into the living room.

  “She’s all wet, though,” Micah said, cocking his head to the side as he took in her appearance. “Is she okay? Did you take her to the vet? What happened?”

  He kind of wanted to run over and hug her, but the tail tucked between her legs and the little tremors he could see moving through her patchy coat made him suspect that she wasn’t ready for that.

  “We haven’t gotten as far as the vet, yet,” Zach said, lowering his voice to a soothing tempo as he moved toward the trembling dog. “I was in the middle of bathing her when Brody stopped by. And if you think she’s wet, you should see my bathroom.”

  Precious quivered but didn’t back away, and when Zach crouched down in front of her, she lurched toward him and pressed close, as if she knew she could count on him to protect her from all the scary things.

  Micah grinned. “She trusts you.”

  But of course she did… for the same reason Micah did. Because it was justified.
/>   Zach laughed. “I don’t think she was too happy with me, actually,” he said, petting her gently. “She doesn’t seem to be a fan of baths.”

  “Of course she’s not,” Micah said, crossing the room toward them slowly. Precious eyed him warily. “Do you want me to help you finish washing her?”

  “You’ll get all wet,” Zach said, tugging Micah down next to him once he got close enough for Zach to reach.

  Precious flinched, but stayed where she was.

  “I don’t mind getting wet,” Micah said, holding out a hand for Precious to sniff.

  For a moment, he thought she might not, so he made sure to look away, letting her know he respected her choice. After a minute, he felt a tentative lick on the back of his hand.

  “I don’t mind you getting all wet, either,” Zach said, his voice going all low and sexy again as he gave Micah one of those smiles that always made his toes curl. “But you may have to stay here with me for a while if that happens, baby.”

  “I was kind of hoping to stay a while, anyway,” Micah admitted a little breathlessly, biting his lip as his whole body flushed with anticipation. Although really, “a while” wasn’t exactly what he was hoping for.

  If his luck held out, he was really thinking something more like forever.

  25

  Zach

  By the time they’d finally managed to get Precious clean, dry, doctored, and fed, Zach was really glad that Micah had stayed. Of course, he would have been happy about that under any circumstances, but for Precious’s sake, it had definitely been for the best. It was abundantly clear that Micah knew a lot more about dogs than Zach did, but even beyond that, Micah’s sweet, loving nature had done a lot to help Precious relax. In fact, all the attention had worn her out.

  Zach put together a makeshift bed for her using a couch pillow and an old sleeping bag.

  “You should really think about getting Precious a crate,” Micah said, leaning back against Zach as they both watched her circle and paw at the cushion a few times before tucking herself into a ball in the center of it. “It will make her feel more secure when you’re not home.”

  Micah had told him about giving Pippin to Alicia while they’d been grooming Precious, and even though Micah’s selfless generosity didn’t surprise him in the least, Zach’s heart had still ached for the sadness he’d seen in his boyfriend’s eyes. It also made him a little wary of talking about Precious’s future, in case the topic was too painful for Micah.

  “I can’t keep her, baby,” Zach said cautiously. He’d already started to feel pretty attached to Precious, but that didn’t change the facts.

  “I think Precious wants to keep you, though,” Micah said, not sounding in the least put off by the conversation… or by Zach’s response.

  Zach smiled. He should have known better. Micah never shied away from things that might hurt him when love was on the line.

  Micah crouched down to scratch Precious behind the ears, and even though her eyes were already closed, her tail swished lazily a few times at his touch.

  Zach didn’t blame her. Micah’s touch generally had the same effect on him.

  “See? She’s happy here, Zach.”

  “But pets aren’t allowed in these apartments,” Zach said, his lips twitching because he already knew that Micah wouldn’t let that kind of “no” slow him down.

  “Well, I’m sure we can figure something out,” Micah said, straightening up. “I mean, if you decide that you love her, too—” his eyes welled up, but he dashed the tears away without losing his smile, “—there are always options, right? Love has to win.”

  Micah’s conviction made Zach want to believe it. Still, any long-term decisions about Precious could wait. Janis hadn’t shown up and hadn’t responded to the text Zach had sent earlier, but that was another long-term thing that would need to get in line for his attention.

  “Can we figure it out tomorrow?” Zach asked.

  Micah grinned. “Does that mean you want me to stay the night?”

  Zach laughed. Was that a real question?

  “You’re all wet,” he said, reaching for Micah’s shirt. “I think these clothes should go in the wash, and then you’ll have to wait for them to dry. So you’ll really have to stay, won’t you?”

  “That is such a good excuse for getting me naked,” Micah said, raising his arms to let Zach pull the shirt over his head. “I totally used that on you when I wanted sex.” He slapped a hand over his mouth, going red. “I mean, oh my God. I don’t want you to think I came over today just for sex.”

  Zach laughed, loving him so hard it hurt.

  “Of course I don’t, baby.”

  “But I mean, it has been a while,” Micah said, rushing to get the rest of his clothes off. “So, since we’re getting naked anyway, I mean, we really should, right?”

  “We should?” Zach asked, just to tease him. Although Jesus, his dick was already starting to throb as Micah shimmied out of a really skimpy pair of bright purple underwear. He tried to keep a straight face as he added, “It’s only been six days.”

  Micah threw him a reproachful look. “Only? Zach, think of all the things we could have done in six days. Get naked, please. Why am I always the only one?”

  “I’m pretty sure you’re not,” Zach said, grinning. “But I have to admit, I do like seeing you this way.”

  He took the wet clothes out of Micah’s hands and tossed them aside. The responsible thing would be to go stick them in the washing machine, but Micah? Naked? Zach needed to touch.

  “Oh my God,” Micah said, arching against him like a cat. “I like you seeing me this way, too.”

  “So you were saying? We could have been doing… what, exactly, over the last six days?” Zach asked, running his hands down Micah’s back and cupping his ass.

  “Um,” Micah said, his breath starting to stutter. “We could… have… um…”

  Zach grinned. Micah was going to take a while to answer, wasn’t he? Especially if Zach managed to keep finding ways to distract him.

  His damp skin warmed under Zach’s hands, and when Zach squeezed his ass, hauling him up against his body so that their cocks rubbed together through Zach’s shorts, Micah moaned.

  “No ideas?” Zach teased.

  “This… this is a good idea,” Micah said, pressing closer. “Oh my God, Zach, I can’t believe how much you turn me on. Can you hurry up and get naked, too, please?”

  Zach laughed, a little bit amazed at how much of that he was doing, when just a few hours before, it had kind of felt like he might never want to laugh again.

  “I love you, Micah,” he said, stripping off his own wet clothes.

  “I love you, too,” Micah said, his eyes glued to Zach’s cock. “And oh my God, I really love sex.”

  Zach laughed.

  Micah jerked his eyes up to Zach’s, going bright red. “I just mean, of course I always figured I would like it, but I just had no idea I’d like it so much.”

  Jesus. Washing their clothes could definitely wait. In fact, that comment tempted Zach to let everything else wait, too, and just make up for lost time. But the last thing he wanted was for Precious to wake up and interrupt things while he had Micah bent over the couch.

  Besides, the lube was in the bedroom.

  Zach grabbed Micah’s hand and pulled him down the hall, feeling absolutely none of his usual patience. Six days without Micah had been six days too long.

  “What do you want to do, Micah?”

  “You already know everything I like,” Micah said breathlessly, scrambling onto the bed while Zach closed the door. “Which is, um, everything?”

  “Yeah,” Zach said, grinning. Although maybe he didn’t know everything—not yet—but from what they’d already done together? Micah never held back when it came to letting Zach know that he was enjoying himself, not any more than he held back in any other area of his life. Zach loved that about him. “Tell me what you like anyway, baby. I want to hear it.”

  Mica
h’s breath hitched and he scooted backward on the bed, propping himself up on his elbows.

  “Um, okay,” he said, sounding distracted as he watched Zach cross the room toward him. His hand drifted onto his stomach, eyes locked onto Zach’s bobbing cock as he toyed with the head of his own.

  Not stroking.

  Teasing.

  He peeked up at Zach. Oh, yeah. He was trying to tempt Zach to come and do it for him.

  Zach groaned. Jesus. Micah was fucking beautiful. And yes, it was working. He’d meant to go straight for the lube, but seeing his boyfriend all naked and flushed pink and spread out in front of him—especially so soon after thinking he might have lost him—was too much to resist. He climbed onto the bed, crawling over Micah and caging his body beneath him.

  “Tell me, baby. I want to make you feel good.”

  “I can do that,” Micah said, biting his lip.

  He smiled up at Zach as he ran his hands over Zach’s chest, tracing the shape of it with that sure, confident touch that always got to Zach.

  “I like it when you kiss me here,” he said, arching his head back and baring his neck.

  Zach knew exactly the spot he meant. He dipped his head down to taste it, lowering his body just enough that their cocks touched while he let his mouth make love to the tender skin of Micah’s throat… licked it… sucked on it… pressed his tongue against the warm flutter of Micah’s pulse and then dragged it higher, nibbling the sensitive skin that always made Micah tremble.

  “Oh my God,” Micah said, scraping his blunt nails across Zach’s chest, then wrapping his arms around him tightly. Pulling him closer. Greedy. “That… yes… Zach. I like it when you do that.”

  Zach’s cock jerked, sliding against Micah’s, and Micah made a sexy little sound and thrust his hips up, rubbing them together. Zach wanted to fuck…but fucking Christ, he could happily do this all night, too.