Dimly, he heard Anthony’s voice. “Well, I’ll just leave you two to… connect. There’s an empty office right here, guys. In case you don’t want to do too much PDA in the hallway.”
They broke apart with a laugh. Marco filled himself with the rosiness of Jonathan’s cheeks, the blue of his slightly dazed eyes, and the way his lips parted—ready for more.
“He’s probably right, love.” Marco enjoyed the deepening of Jonathan’s blush. “Come home with me.”
“Yes.”
Marco turned to Anthony. “Thank you. For everything you’ve done to help Jonathan. And me. It hasn’t gone unnoticed or unappreciated.” He began to put his hand out but found himself engulfed in a hug as Anthony’s floral scent surrounded him.
Anthony drew back, eyes glistening. “Thank you for loving Jonny. That’s all.” He kissed Jonathan on the cheek, then made a shooing motion. “Now go. Go! Run like the wind and get your buns out of Vallen Industries. I’ll hang around to see what happens with the board and Uncle Frederick.”
“Thanks, Tony.” Jonathan took Marco’s hand. “Let’s go.”
As they strode through Vallen Industries, hand in hand, Jonathan held his head high, nodding to the people who greeted them and also to the people who just stood there with their mouths opening and closing like guppies.
Marco walked beside him, smiling at the employees, marveling at the strange twists and turns his life had taken, and amazed at Jonathan’s brilliance for coming up with that coup he’d pulled off in the board meeting.
They made a great pair. The CEO and the Owner’s Son: Out, Proud, and In Love. What a movie title that would make.
Chapter ELEVEN
JONATHAN STOOD in the middle of Marco’s living room, still somewhat in disbelief he was finally there. His watercolor hung over the sofa, a bright splash of color in a mainly monochromatic world, though Marco had made some progress in bringing more life to the place. Pillows in vibrant shades of orange, gold, blue, and green that reflected those in the painting adorned the gray leather couch. A flash of something other than gray caught the corner of his eye and he turned to see a vase full of birds of paradise sitting on a shelf.
“Are those…? They can’t be the same ones I sent?” Jonathan asked Marco, who had come in with two glasses of Courvoisier and set them on the table.
Marco followed his gaze and smiled a trifle sheepishly. “No. I get them delivered regularly now because they remind me of you.”
“Come here.” Jonathan melted into Marco’s embrace, reveling in his spicy scent and being held in his strong arms again, only to be interrupted by a series of angry-sounding meows. They broke apart. “Uh-oh. Someone’s jealous. Miss Bunny, I presume?”
Miss Bunny stalked up to Jonathan, eyes slitted and tail twitching, and began a slow inspection of his pants leg.
“She’ll have to get used to sharing me, because you’re not going anywhere anytime soon.”
Thrilling to the note of command in Marco’s voice, Jonathan kept his hand on Marco’s back while Miss Bunny checked him out. “She’s probably smelling Cantata. I hope they get along okay.” The cat continued to sniff at him. “Do you think she’d mind if I sat on the couch? I need some of that Courvoisier.”
“I have a better idea. Come with me. And bring the drinks, please.” Marco led him down a hallway into the master bedroom, shutting Miss Bunny out despite her mews of protest.
“More gray.” Jonathan surveyed the large room with the enormous bed.
“You’ll just have to be the color.”
He held a tumbler out to Marco. “Me?”
“One day I’ll tell you about all the colors you are. But first….” Marco took the tumbler, downed his Courvoisier in one go, and gestured for Jonathan to do the same.
“Okay, then.” Jonathan raised his glass in a toast, then tipped it to his lips, gulping down the brandy until he’d drunk it all. Before he could say a word, perhaps make a joke about “weren’t we supposed to savor it,” Marco had the tumbler out of his hand and was herding him to the bed.
Jonathan let himself be herded, his breath becoming hard to find. Marco being masterful made him want to fall to his knees in sweet surrender. The backs of his legs hit the bed—one push from Marco and Jonathan landed, hard and anticipatory, with Marco crawling over him.
“I have waited for you for so long,” Marco growled, staring into his eyes.
“I know. I—” Jonathan bit back the automatic apology and raised his chin. “Well, now you have me. What’re you gonna do about it?”
“Everything.”
And then Marco was on him, kissing him relentlessly, and Jonathan responded with equal fervor. He attacked Marco’s mouth with fierce kisses, releasing the pent-up frustration and fear and anger that had curled like a snake inside him from the moment Father’s voice had sounded the death knell to Jonathan’s hopes on the gangplank in Key West. He kissed away Father’s vicious words, and Marco’s cold dismissal in the stateroom, and his own misery. Loneliness, regret, and grief rose in chilly eddies, then disappeared, banished by the warmth of Marco’s mouth and his seeking tongue. Jonathan opened himself—to Marco, to love—opened himself to be kissed, over and over, unburdening, letting go, until his mind was empty and his heart was at peace.
When the kissing softened into leisurely brushes of lips on lips, Jonathan opened his eyes to find Marco gazing down at him. “You’re beautiful, you know. Sei bello.”
Beautiful. Bello. It still felt odd to hear himself described that way, and the Jonathan of old would have demurred. But in the empty space in which Jonathan floated, all was well. “You make me feel that way.” As he murmured the words, he noticed the truth of them. He did feel beautiful with Marco. Whole. Complete. Magnificent, even.
“I want you to feel that way always. With or without me.”
Ah, Marco. His Marco. Ever the encourager. “I’ll work on it. Now, how about you work on me some more?” Jonathan curved his lips into a sexy smile, enjoying the freedom to try on some seduction.
Marco narrowed his eyes. “Pushy, aren’t you? I like it.” He rolled off and sat up. “Let’s get naked.”
Jonathan laughed and sat up as well. “You get things going.” He unbuttoned his shirt.
“So do you.” Marco took his own shirt off as he climbed out of bed and was going for his belt by the time Jonathan finally had all his buttons undone.
The sight of Marco’s muscled body, dark curls spread over his pecs and narrowing into an intriguing trail to his belly button and on down, made Jonathan falter in his task. That was, until Marco the taskmaster told him to hurry up. A grin as wide as the moon split Jonathan’s face. Life was going to be so fun with a Marco Pellegrini in the house!
“What’re you grinning at?” Having shucked his slacks, Marco stood in his briefs. The sinewy planes of Marco’s legs, lightly dusted with fine black hair, made Jonathan want to become an artist. He rolled out of bed, shirtless, eyes on Marco’s fine physique.
“Everything. Being here with you, having you boss me around because that’s what you do, knowing we have the rest of our lives to enjoy each other.”
“Boss you around?” Marco put on a shocked face, then smiled. “Yeah. Speaking of that, when’re you going to get your pants off?”
“When you take them off me.” Jonathan ran a few steps away, then stopped, letting Marco crash into him, laughing as Marco put his arms around him from behind and bit lightly at his ear.
“You’re a handful,” Marco whispered, his breath ticklish as his hand groped Jonathan’s crotch in retaliation.
“Um, yeah. You can take a handful of me anytime, babe.”
“I intend to, and repeatedly.” Marco stroked Jonathan’s dick through his pants, then unbuttoned and unzipped them with a few deft movements, pushing them to Jonathan’s ankles. He delved inside Jonathan’s briefs and took hold. “Ah, yes. Now that is a beautiful handful.”
Jonathan let his head fall back on Marco’s shoulder, giving hims
elf over to the glorious friction his hand was creating. Marco’s dick pressed into his ass, and Jonathan nearly salivated at the promise of having Marco inside him. But he couldn’t do anything about it at the moment. Marco had him in a delicious trap, with one of Marco’s arms holding him firmly across the chest, thumb rubbing his nipple into a stiff peak, while the other pinned him as Marco played with his cock, rubbing drops of precome around the head.
“You drive me wild, you beauty.” Marco’s low growl in his ear set off shivers.
“Oh yeah?” was all Jonathan managed before Marco started stroking him more firmly, using exactly the right pressure up and down his shaft. “Jesus, that’s good.” Jonathan writhed, lip caught between his teeth, and the dizzy thought This is sex with an alpha male! darted through his brain. But an alpha male who loved him was even better. Held prisoner in Marco’s arms, buffeted by sensation, Jonathan finally gasped and said, “Marco, please. Make love to me. Now!”
True to his nature, Marco stopped his sweet torture at once and let Jonathan go. His soft whisper spilled over Jonathan like honey. “I love you. And I’m dying to make love to you.”
Jonathan turned around, body pliant as warm dough in Marco’s hands. A small smile quirked Marco’s full lips. “Bellissimo,” he whispered as he gazed at Jonathan with his warm brown eyes and lifted his hand to stroke Jonathan’s cheek. You’re the beautiful one, thought Jonathan, body still quivering, pulled toward Marco’s touch.
Their eyes locked, and it felt to Jonathan like their gaze came from some sacred place where soul met soul. After a few electric moments, Jonathan had to tear his eyes away so he could remember who he was and how to function.
Marco whispered to him, grounding him. “It’s okay, caro. Let me make love to you now.”
After helping each other out of the rest of their clothes, they got on the bed and rolled into each other’s arms, clinging, then letting go to kiss and murmur sweet words. Marco eventually reached over and got the lube, and Jonathan let him prepare him, safe in his hands. Marco opened him slowly, inexorably, with an exquisite precision that reduced Jonathan to a messy heap—yearning and vulnerable, gasping with need—until at last, holding on to Marco’s strength and love, Jonathan drew Marco into himself with a joyful grunt.
Union. Time lost its meaning. After an eon or perhaps an hour or maybe one long second of walking the wire of sensation, Marco moaned and slid deeper, and Jonathan fell into the depths, losing himself, losing everything but the current that hummed and sang and whispered Marco.
MARCO HELD Jonathan in his arms as Jonathan dozed. He was beyond sleep. Whatever had just happened between him and Jonathan went so far beyond any other sexual experience he’d had, he didn’t know how to comprehend it. So he didn’t try. He held on to Jonathan, his now and forever lover, and breathed. In. Out. In. Out. Never had Marco felt such completion, such a sense of peace.
A buzzing intruded. Marco could see Jonathan’s phone lighting up on the dresser, an annoyingly long way away. Jonathan stirred, and Marco dropped a kiss on his hair. Whoever it was could call back.
A sudden thought made him sit up. The board and what had been decided! Jonathan needed to know so he could send out the press release. Or not. All that seemed like it had happened years ago, in another reality, but still…. Marco eased Jonathan down on the bed, resisting the temptation to touch him further, and went to get his phone.
Anthony’s name with a text. Break out the champagne, dolls. Marco gets his full package (as if his wasn’t big enough, ha ha). Enjoy!
Marco smiled and tapped the phone against his lips before sending Anthony a return message. Marco here. I tired J out and he’s sleeping. Thanks for the news but no more about my package, plz. It all belongs to J! Let’s celebrate soon, Sophia too. Champagne’s on me. Ciao.
Anthony sent back an all-emoji message that involved kissing and hearts and other celebratory symbols. Marco set the phone down and wandered out to the kitchen to see if he had any champagne. Bunny streaked by him and into the bedroom. Oh, well. If she and Jonathan were to coexist, they needed to start bonding.
Chapter TWELVE
BOSTON—March 2016
PRESS RELEASE—FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
NEW FOUNDATION FOR LGBT YOUTH
Marco Pellegrini, noted Boston businessman, and Jonathan Vallen, son of the owner of Vallen Industries, today announced the formation of a charitable foundation for underprivileged and LGBT youth. Named the Pellegrini-Vallen Foundation, the organization will provide shelter, social services, and educational scholarships to homeless youth and youth in need, with a focus on supporting those who identify as LGBT. They were accompanied at the press conference by Pellegrini’s sister, Sophia Pellegrini, and Vallen’s cousin, Anthony Vallen, both of whom will sit on the board for the Foundation.
“As a person from a poor background and as a bisexual man in a same-sex relationship, I have a passion for empowering the kids of today who may be struggling, either due to poverty or due to their sexual orientation, or both,” said Pellegrini. He informed the gathering that he’s contributing the substantial bonus he recently earned from his successful stint as CEO for Vallen Industries to the Foundation.
Jonathan Vallen is matching Pellegrini’s contribution with his own money. He states he is not acting as a representative of Vallen Industries, with which he has no current involvement, but as a concerned individual. “As a gay man, I want all kids to feel they have worth, no matter who they are or who they love,” said Vallen.
Showing off matching pendants, Vallen and Pellegrini also confirmed they are in a committed relationship and were recently engaged to be married. In a nice touch, champagne was provided to all attending to toast both the start of the Foundation and Vallen and Pellegrini’s engagement.
MARCO’S JOURNAL
NOT MUCH to report. Too busy living my dreams. And moving from the apartment to Jonathan’s townhouse took more time than I thought it would. Glad it has three bedrooms. Who knew our combined stuff would take up so much room? Speaking of taking up room, I snuck measurements of the living room and my surprise engagement present will fit in there just fine. I can’t wait to see Jonathan’s face when a baby grand piano is delivered to the door!
Note to pick up the wedding rings tomorrow, check on our itinerary to France and Italy, kiss Jonathan as much as possible. Get Anthony some outrageous silk robe with birds of paradise to thank him for playing matchmaker. Remind Sophia of the meeting for the Pellegrini-Vallen Foundation this weekend. Keep encouraging her to move to Boston, but don’t go too “overbearing big brother” on her. Remember to give her space to make her own decisions. That’s what Jonathan keeps reminding me to do.
Oh yeah, and talk Jonathan into taking a diving vacation with me over Christmas. I think we should start at Key West (that fateful place where everything fell to shit) and then proceed to the Caribbean. I bet Anthony and Sophia would go too. Jonathan will need some moral support to brave the scuba diving, but he’s promised he’s going to try.
Gratitude: What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Thank you, God and Universe, for reuniting me with Jonathan, my forever lover. Thank you for showing me what my life is really about and giving me the chance to fulfill it. Grazie per l’amore. I see you, Mama, crying and nodding your head. Yeah, your Marco finally got it through his thick skull. We’ve got your picture up in the kitchen in both our homes—the townhouse and the cottage. And Jonathan had the wonderful idea to name the foundation shelter’s kitchen after you. What do you think of The Maria Pellegrini Kitchen?
JONATHAN FINISHED the second movement of the Rachmaninoff Third and sat back, shaking out his fingers. This concerto kicked his butt in the best way. He stood, running his hand along the black wood of the baby grand Marco had given him as an engagement gift. What a surprise it had been to walk into their townhouse and see the beautiful instrument standing in the living room. It sounded amazing and played like a dream. The least he could do to repay Marco was to learn th
at damn concerto and give him the private concert he’d promised.
He petted Miss Bunny the magical cat as he passed her resting on top of the sofa. She purred and batted her eyelids at him. They’d come to an understanding, he and Bunny. She and Cantata had even reached a détente. Jonathan glanced out the window at Cantata, who was rooting around in the yard. She’d better not be after Jonathan’s flowers—but no, she was chewing on something. Probably the tennis ball she liked to gnaw on.
Searching in his desk drawer for a pen, Jonathan pulled out a piece of paper and smiled down at it, then sat to update his list.
LIVING LIFE OUT LOUD
1. Place in Boston—COMPLETE
2. Rejoin chamber chorale—COMPLETE
3. Organ lessons—STARTED
4. Learn Rachmaninoff 3rd—IN PROCESS
5. Move rest of things out of Father’s house—COMPLETE
6. Volunteer at LGBT youth shelter—COMPLETE—start foundation?—COMPLETE
7. Say yes to Anthony re going out at least once/week—COMPLETE
8. Boston Marathon—start training—TRAINING IN PROCESS
9. Talk to Father—COMPLETE
10. Call Marco—COMPLETE
He added a few items.
11. Scuba diving lessons—IN PROCESS
12. Master Mama Pellegrini’s spaghetti carbonara recipe—IN PROCESS
13. Take Italian lessons—SCHEDULED
14. Marry Marco—SCHEDULED
15. Love Marco forever—IN PROCESS, NEVER TO BE COMPLETED
He stood, stretched, and went to shower. Marco was waiting for him. Now, for eternity, and in the next lifetime.
More from CJane Elliott
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Aspiring writer Brent Granger has good friends and a great job at an arts magazine in DC, but he’s batting zero in the arena of love. Brent begins to get a clue why things aren’t working with women from his strong attraction to his gorgeous, gay, and already attached boss, Graham Stoneford. When he sees a personal ad from a man that quotes his favorite poet, Brent decides to do something wild and answer.
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