“There’s no need to panic, love,” Mere said softly. “Everything will work out the way it’s intended. Chaz and I have your back whenever you need us.”
Josh pulled us into a group hug. “What would I do without the two of you?” he asked.
“You’re never going to find out,” I told him before kissing his cheek.
“I love you guys so much,” Josh told us. “I’m so glad we finally have our shit together and can look forward to some amazing years ahead of us.” Josh narrowed his eyes in my direction and said, “We do finally have our shit together, right?”
He was referring to me and the secret I’d kept from Kyle. I loved my friends more than life, but I wouldn’t share the things Kyle and I discussed. I had no way of knowing if Kyle would truly be able to trust me again. It was obvious how hard he wanted to try to make our relationship work, but without trust, we had no chance of a future together. I didn’t want to drag down the happiness of the moment so I was as honest as I could be without pushing a panic button.
“Everything is out in the open and we’re working through it. He’s the most amazing man.”
“He thinks you’re amazing too,” Mere said softly.
“I hope so.”
“I know so,” Josh added. “I see it in the way he looks at you.”
I turned and locked eyes with Kyle. The slow grin and playful wink he sent my way made me want to leave the gathering early. I knew he had plans for me and the Captain. I was eager to learn what they were, but I couldn’t skip out early on a night when there was so much to celebrate.
I didn’t think the night could get any better until Kyle took me back to his place after dinner and removed my Captain America underwear from my body with his teeth like he’d promised. We took our time discovering one another’s bodies like it was the first time.
“Wow, that’s a large stack of documents,” I said when I sat across from my loan officer at the bank.
“It’s not as bad as it looks,” she assured me. “Most of this information was provided to you three days ago, but we’ll go over each one before you sign or initial.”
“Let’s do it,” I said.
Thirty minutes later, Becker handed me the keys to my new home. “I hope you’ll be very happy there,” he said, smiling warmly. Over the past few weeks, he’d dropped his toothpaste grin and perky salesman routine and showed me the real guy. He was nice, and I liked him, but I made it very clear that I wasn’t interested in starting anything with him.
“I can’t wait to show Chaz tonight.” I had a special evening planned after he was finished working at the salon. “Thanks for everything, Becker.” I patted him on the shoulder and headed out of the bank without waiting for a response. I had places to go and dreams to fulfill and only an hour or so to pull it off before Chaz arrived.
I stopped at the store and bought a crap ton of white unscented candles then stopped at Edson and Emma’s to pick up our favorite foods. Gabe was at the counter waiting for his order when I walked in. I sat down beside him and said, “Looks like we had the same idea.”
“Pot roast, mashed potatoes, and honey glazed carrots just sounded like the thing to eat on a chilly night like tonight,” Gabe said. “You and Chaz have plans?”
“You could say that,” I replied. “I’m picking up dinner and meeting Chaz at the new house.”
“Oh, that was today,” Gabe said excitedly. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “I can’t wait until the new furniture arrives and I can actually live there.”
“Do you need any help? I seem to recall you giving up a Saturday afternoon to help us move,” Gabe said.
“I hired movers to box and move what I was taking, and the furniture store will deliver and set up the furniture I ordered. All I’ll have to do is unpack the boxes. You know what’s scary?” I asked Gabe.
“A thirty-year mortgage?” he asked.
I laughed because it was partly true. “There is that, but I was talking about how little I’ve accumulated in almost forty years. I didn’t take much with me when I moved to Florida and didn’t bring much back. Do you think it’s odd?”
“I think you’ve never felt settled and kept things light in case you needed to move again,” Gabe said. “I don’t think you’re odd; I think you’re cautious.”
“Hmm,” I said, turning that over in my mind. “I think you’re right. The rental house on Bay Street never felt like home, so I never felt the desire to drag a bunch of stuff home.” My relationships in the past had always been safe also. I never really put myself out there the way I wanted to do with Chaz.
“I bet that changes now that you and Chaz are moving to the new place,” Gabe said. Chaz and I never talked about moving in together, but I didn’t bother correcting Gabe. I thought maybe I should take Chaz on a real date first before I asked him to move in with me. We’d been flirting with one another for so long that people thought we were a couple longer than we were.
“How’s the expectant mother doing?” I asked Gabe. I still couldn’t believe he and Josh were a few months away from having twins. They’d both been a little nervous about making a good impression on the young lady, but I wasn’t at all surprised when she chose Gabe and Josh as the adoptive parents.
“Renee and the babies are all doing well. She’s having an ultrasound next month, and we’re going to fly down to be there. It’s that 3-D or 4-D technology so you can see the little details of their faces. We can’t wait,” Gabe said. I could see his excitement in his expression and hear it in his voice. He and Josh were going to be phenomenal parents.
“I heard there was another break-in at the pharmacy last night. Do you guys think it was the same person who broke into my animal hospital?”
“It looks like the same person,” he answered. “They couldn’t get what they wanted so they trashed the place. We’re investigating both break-ins, but so far there are no leads or witnesses.” Gabe shook his head. “I can’t believe the small businesses in this town don’t have security cameras.” He pinned me with a look because I didn’t install one until after my break-in.
“We’re still operating under the false ideal that a small town equals a safe town,” I replied. “This town looks identical to the one I grew up in, yet, I hardly recognize it.” We just had to do a better job of adapting to the changing times.
The new part-time waitress, Alice, set Gabe’s large carryout bag on the countertop in front of him. “Here you go, Detective.”
“That’s a lot of food for two people,” I remarked.
“We’re eating for four now,” Gabe said teasingly. “I picked up a few things for Adrian and Sally Ann too. Adrian and little Adrianna both have a terrible cold or respiratory infection, and Sally Ann could use a break.” Gabe had loved his partner and wife from the first moment they met. Adrian had become like a brother to Gabe, and I knew Adrian felt the same way. “We’re expecting an invite to your new house soon. After you break it in proper, of course.” Gabe had winked before he walked away.
I headed to my new house once my food was ready to set the atmosphere for Chaz’s arrival. I knew my family would’ve hauled ass over, so I came right out and told them that I planned a special night with my guy. Of course, that started my mom on a round of “why haven’t we officially met him,” or “are you ashamed of us, Kyle Gregory?” I ended up promising my mom that Chaz and I would be over for brunch on Sunday morning without even asking him first. I’d seen that backfire a hundred times with my parents and knew better than to pull a stunt like that. I decided to wait until he was lying against me like a limp noodle after sex before I brought it up.
I lit the candles and set them on the fireplace mantel and hearth and in the four corners of the family room to create a romantic, circle of light. In the center, I spread a blanket on the gleaming hardwood floors and tossed some fluffy pillows on top of it. I had everything I needed except my guy. Chaz arrived carrying a wrapped gift box and wearing a huge smile.
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br /> “Hi, handsome,” he said. “Do you mind going out to the car and grabbing my suitcase?” I blinked at him in confusion, which made him burst into a fit of laughter. “Gabe told Josh, who then told me, that you said I was moving in with you.”
I shook my head slowly. “I never said that; Gabe did. I just didn’t correct his assumptions.”
“Don’t worry,” Chaz said with an easy smile. “I was just teasing about the suitcase, but I did bring you a lovely housewarming gift.” He shook the box as if I didn’t see it in his hands. “Are you going to give me a tour?”
“Would you mind if we ate first?”
“You know that I’m always ready to eat,” Chaz said. He tucked the gift beneath his arm, and I laced my fingers with his and led him to the family room. “Oh, Kyle,” Chaz whispered in awe, “this is beautiful.”
“Not cheesy?” I asked. I wasn’t sure if other dudes liked that sort of thing, but I wanted to do something to make the night special.
“Perfect,” Chaz said.
We sat facing each other in the center of the blanket while we ate our diner food. I enjoyed a turkey burger with chipotle aioli and steamed veggies while Chaz wolfed down a bacon cheeseburger and onion rings. Chaz was as vocal and exuberant while eating food as he was during sex. I had meant to feed him and give him the grand tour before I stripped his clothes off and broke in the house properly in front of a roaring fire. The moans, groans, and “so good” coming from his lips made my dick hard, and it demanded attention. By the time we finished eating, I’d forgotten all about any plan that didn’t include getting him naked as soon as possible.
I refused Chaz’s offer to help clean up the mess and told him to sip his wine and relax against the pillows. When I returned, he was sitting cross-legged in the center of the blanket with the gift he brought in front of him.
“Open it!”
I wanted to open his jeans and rip off his shirt, but I could see how excited and proud he was of the gift he bought for me. His enthusiasm was infectious, and I hastily ripped the wrapping off the package. The box I uncovered was plain brown cardboard with no advertising and didn’t give a hint about the contents inside. Chaz practically levitated off the blanket with excited anticipation.
“Oh man, I hope you love it,” he said nervously.
“I’m going to love it because you gave it to me,” I replied as I peeled the tape off the top of the box. I gasped when I pulled open the flaps and looked inside. “Oh my God! Chaz! It’s just like the one I had as a kid!” I lifted the metal X-Men lunchbox up and held it in front of me. “I can’t believe you remembered that story.”
“I’ll never forget the adorable pout in your voice when you talked about how your mom accidentally sold your lunchbox in the annual community yard sale,” Chaz said. “I think I loved the little air quotes you used even more.”
“Wow,” I replied, setting the lunchbox on the blanket. “No one has ever bought me a gift as thoughtful as this one. I love it so much.” Yeah, I dorkily ran my hand over the top of it and admired its pristine condition.
“It even has the matching thermos,” Chaz told me.
“Shut up!” I opened the lunchbox, and there it sat. Finding the old lunchboxes in good condition was hard enough, but seldom did you find one with the matching thermos too. “Thank you for this, Chaz.” I was overcome with ridiculous emotion and bit my lip before I embarrassed myself further. Comic books and cartoons had been my friends when I had none to speak of in real life. They were my safe place that was free of judgment. Chaz didn’t just give me a housewarming gift; he gave me back a piece of the happiest part of my childhood. I cleared my throat and said, “And all I was going to give you was an orgasm.”
Chaz snorted. “Is that all?” he asked sarcastically. “I happen to be a very big fan of orgasms with you.” He set my gift aside and crawled across the blanket to straddle my lap. Chaz whipped off his shirt and said, “Do me, Dr. Dimples.”
The hunger he ignited inside me burned hotter each time I got my hands on him. I especially loved it when Chaz took the lead like he did that night. He aggressively removed my shirt and pushed me to my back. Chaz took his time making love to my mouth before he trailed his lips down the rest of my body. The pace kicked up a notch, or two, once Chaz unsnapped my jeans and used his amazing mouth on my cock. A man only had so much restraint before he snapped.
I fisted Chaz’s hair and pulled him off my dick. “I want to come inside you.”
Chaz’s smoldering eyes told me how much he liked the idea. I helped him undress the rest of the way then pulled out the condoms and lube packets I stored in my back pocket. Chaz knocked my hand away when I moved to stretch him. Instead, he worked himself open hastily then straddled my erection. He knew what he wanted, and he was going to take it.
He moved slowly up and down my cock until his clench adjusted to my penetration then he rode me fast and hard. Chaz lost in the throes of passion and lust was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. He threw back his head and made guttural, primal noises as his erect cock bounced and slapped against his stomach. I tucked my hands beneath my head and let him do whatever he pleased with my body until I saw the signs that he was about to come.
Chaz loudly protested when I grabbed him by the hips and lifted him off my cock. “I want to feel you inside me.” It took a second for my words to penetrate Chaz’s lust-fogged brain, but he eagerly reached for a condom and lube packet once it did. I spread my legs apart and began working my puckered hole while he suited and slicked up.
He leaned over my body and captured my lips when he slowly pushed inside me. “I won’t last long,” Chaz whispered against my lips.
“Won’t take much,” I replied with a crooked smile. Chaz snapped his hips forward and tagged my prostate hard enough to make me yell in pleasure. “God yes!” I cried out as desire hummed throughout my body. Chaz pushed my legs up until my knees almost touched my chest and hammered in and out of me. “Chaz!” I yelled as my orgasm hit me like a ton of bricks and I came hard. “I never…” I couldn’t finish my sentence as the pleasure rolled over me. I’d never come from penetration alone before, and it was something I couldn’t wait to experience again.
“Kyle.” I loved the sound of my name on my man’s lips when he climaxed. He collapsed on top of me, not caring that he lay in my cum. I held Chaz tightly to me and smiled up at the ceiling when he practically purred against my chest. Once he caught his breath, he lifted up enough to look down at me and smiled before he licked the cum that splattered my chin. “Cum catcher,” he said after licking my chin dimple clean.
“I’m perfectly fine if you don’t blurt that nickname in public,” I told him. We shared a laugh about the times he overshared about my nickname and the way he felt about me. “You ready to tour my home? I have a surprise for you.”
“For me? This delicious dinner and dessert was special enough,” he replied.
“Okay, it’s more of a gift for myself, so I hope you’ll indulge me,” I said. Chaz rolled off me, sat up, and reached for his clothes. “You won’t need those. There are no neighbors to see us unless you count the woodland creatures.”
Chaz tossed his clothes back down on the blanket and rose to his feet. “I don’t care if they perv on us.”
I took Chaz by the hand and led him to the room upstairs I wanted him to see. I was nervous as hell when I opened the door and flipped on the light. “You can’t see it now because it’s dark, but this room has an amazing view of the pond. I thought you might find it inspirational.”
Chaz didn’t respond because he was too busy looking around the surprise I set up for him. “Kyle,” he said breathlessly as he stared at the desk and chair I picked up after my closing. Then his eyes shifted to the canvas print of his book covers I hung on the wall. “How did you have time to do all of this?”
“Careful planning, a pickup truck, and some tools can go a long way in life. Do you like it?” I asked.
“Wow,” Chaz said, running his
finger over the wooden surface of the desk. “It makes my writing feel legitimate.” He smiled when he saw the notebook that I wrote Murder Book across the top. It was a last-minute idea inspired by a conversation we had about inspiration for the people who died in his books. I learned that he kept a running list in his head and suggested he should write it down in a notebook so he didn’t forget. “I even have my own coffee pot?”
“Your own bathroom next door also,” I said proudly.
“This is amazing, Kyle. I love it so much.”
“Good,” I told him. “You’re amazingly gifted and need to follow your dreams.”
Chaz cocked his head to the side and asked, “How is this a gift for you though?”
“Do you honestly need to ask that?” I questioned. Chaz nodded like he didn’t get it. “I like knowing that we share the same space, even if you’re locked away working your magic.”
“Damn, you’re good,” Chaz said in awe. Luckily for me, he knew I was sincere and not just throwing out some sappy lines to get laid.
“Are you gonna use that in your book?” I teased.
Chaz swallowed hard then shook his head slowly. “Some things are too beautiful and poignant to share.” Then he shook his head before he added, “Besides, there would be at least one person to write a review using shouty capitals to exclaim that men like you don’t really exist in the world.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “We better keep it to ourselves then.” I pulled him into my arms and dropped a tender kiss on his lips. “Ready to see the rest of the house?”
“Okay, but I want you to bring me back here and bend me over the desk,” Chaz said. He tilted his head to the side and said, “That’s a line they’d believe.”
I was all too happy to oblige him with a tour and “research” for his next book. I hated when we locked the house up and left to go to separate homes, but I knew it wasn’t right to make the big move yet. Hell, I let him drive off without telling him that I loved him. I didn’t tell him about brunch at my parents’ house either. “Fuck!” I yelled loudly in the cab of my truck. I was totally going to lose my Better Than a Book Boyfriend title.
Unscripted Love (Road to Blissville, #1) Page 18
