Always (With Bonus Material) (Always & Forever Book 1)

by Kindle Alexander

  “Of that, I’m certain.” The conversation had just turned silly, and Kane chuckled at Paulie too.

  “Babe, let’s give him his gift,” Avery said, trying to change the subject. Kane fished the greeting card out of the diaper bag at his feet. Paulie still had that pinched look on his face, and Kane tossed the gift out on the table, letting it slide across to Paulie.

  With a grumble, Paulie finally reached out, took the envelope, and opened it. He read the outside then opened the card, a paper-clipped bundle dropped out. Avery and Kane both watched him closely, trying to gauge his reaction.

  “What’s this?” Paulie asked, pulling his readers from his pocket. After a second, he lifted his eyes above the glasses, pinning Kane in place. “A trip to Italy?”

  “You haven’t been back since I graduated from culinary school,” Kane offered at the confused expression on Paulie’s face.

  “We wanted to send you home for a vacation. To see your family,” Avery added when Paulie didn’t say another word. Paulie read over the airline voucher and traveler’s checks. Tears formed in his eyes as he sifted through all the documents. Avery couldn’t ever remember seeing this fine man cry before.

  “This cost too much money. I can’t take it,” Paulie finally said and pushed the card and its belongings back toward Kane.

  “Of course, you can. The restaurant’s doing great. Things aren’t so tight anymore,” Kane said, sliding the envelope back to Paulie. “It’s open-ended. You can go when you want and come back when you want.”

  Paulie sat there quietly looking from Kane to Avery. Several long seconds passed as the heavy tension their gift had caused settled on top of them. Finally, Paulie gathered the gift and handed it to Avery. “Thank you, but I want you to cash this in and put it toward their college fund. We just got these two. I don’t wanna leave right now. And before you argue with me, it’ll do this old man’s my heart good to know they have money in the bank, building interest for them.”

  “Paulie, they’ll be here when you get back,” Kane started, but Avery stopped him, reaching across the table, placing a hand on his arm.

  “This is your gift. You go if you want…or not. It doesn’t matter when. I’ll hold it for you,” Avery said.

  Paulie looked relieved and gave a silent nod as he rose, taking Robert from Kane.

  “Shhh…” Paulie cuddled the baby close to him and retook his seat. When Robert started to fuss in earnest, he got up, patting his back and left them in the kitchen, walking into the living room.

  “Was he crying?” Avery asked Kane quietly.

  “I think so.” Kane tracked Paulie, worry and confusion clear in his gaze. After a minute, he rose and started after Paulie. “Let me go talk to him.”

  Avery nodded and gave Kane an encouraging smile.

  “Hey,” Kane said softly as he walked into the living room. “You okay?”

  “He’s back asleep,” Paulie announced, holding Robert against his shoulder.

  “We thought you’d like the gift,” Kane said. Paulie took a couple of turns about the room, staying silent as he walked. Kane waited and watched for so long he thought Paulie wasn’t going to answer.

  “Son, I’m not ready to leave ’em. I’m an old man, and I just don’t want to miss anything. My home’s here with you and them,” Paulie said, hugging Robert as he spoke.

  Kane nodded, watching the turbulent emotion crossing Paulie’s face until their gazes connected. He couldn’t be sure, but he thought Paulie willed him to understand, and Kane nodded again.

  “That’s fair. We want you here with us too. So we’ll take the ticket and turn it into a college fund,” Kane offered, trying to hide the well of emotion clogging his throat. Just like he’d done about a million times since he was eighteen years old, he thanked God for bringing Paulie into his life.

  “That’s what I want,” Paulie declared quietly. Avery appeared beside Kane, Autumn sleeping soundly in his arms. She was always good at that.

  “We good?” he asked Kane.

  “It looks like the twins have a college fund,” Kane replied, crossing his arms over his chest, afraid he might be brought to tears too.

  “And I want access to that account to put money in. Being here, spending time with my boys, and investing in my grandchildren’s future is the best Father’s Day present you could give me,” Paulie added, this time with a smile.

  “All right. I’ll work it out next week.”

  Paulie gave a single nod before looking down at Robert then over to Autumn where he landed a palm against the curve of her face, his thumb sweeping over her cheek. “They’re a true gift.”

  The Great Snow of 86

  Stillwater, Minnesota, March 1986

  “Honey, that was the clown company. They’re canceling too. I think we just need to call this off,” Kane said while absently placing the phone back on the base mounted to the wall. Avery stood just a few feet away, packing the last of the hotdogs and chips inside the cooler, not paying him any attention—much as he had the last several times Kane had suggested this very thing. Autumn and Robert were there with them in the kitchen, bundled from head to toe in their matching snowsuits and snow boots. They stood waiting close to the garage door, both children shifting their attention between he and Avery. Uncertainty as well as disappointment was clear in their eyes. Kane couldn’t help his small smile as he looked over at their children. Avery had even added decorative birthday party hats to the top of their already tied hoods.

  Today, the twins were six years old. Their birthday party had been planned months ago and invitations sent well before a late in the season snowstorm had ever been forecasted. Per Avery, postponing the party wasn’t an option because the weathermen never got it right. But as the wind picked up outside with snow already falling, it seemed the only person wrong in this deal was his insistent mister.

  “We don’t need that stuff. We got this birthday party thing down. It’s not every day our children turn six years old,” Avery declared, stuffing the last of the juice boxes inside the cooler. He grabbed the handle and cocked his head toward the door leading to the garage. “We’re the Adamses. We don’t need anything but ourselves to make this a great birthday party! Right?”

  No one answered as Avery walked past the three of them and pulled open the door, letting the rush of ice-cold air inside, chilling them all.

  “Let’s go! Pile in the truck for birthday party time.” His oblivious husband swept a hand out into the open garage, encouraging the kids to lead the way. They both looked at Kane, not moving a single muscle until he nodded. He grabbed their gloves, eyeing Avery closely. This had the makings of a really bad idea.

  “Incoming, Robert! Watch yourself,” Avery yelled, diving in front of Robert, taking him off his feet seconds before a snowball would have hit him squarely in the face. Avery tried for a tuck and roll, letting the snowballs hit him. That was one thing he’d taught Autumn—take no prisoners—and his sneaky little girl had let Granddaddy Paulie and Kane distract Robert while she came in from the side.

  “Are you okay?” Avery asked, looking down at Robert’s face, wiping away the snow that had landed there during their roll.

  “Yes. Thanks, Dad!” Robert beamed happily up at him. The moment stole his heart, and he bent in to place a quick kiss on his son’s forehead.

  “Good. Now, we gotta get ’em back.” Avery started to stand only to have Autumn suddenly jump on his back and the snowball in her hand smacked him right in the face. She had watched Avery pull that same move on Kane when they first arrived at the park this afternoon, and now she was getting him back for catching Kane off guard like he had.

  “We win! Daddy, we win,” Autumn yelled, and Avery took the moment for his own surprise attack, carefully flipping his daughter over into the snow and dabbing her with just a little snow in the face. Her giant grin matched Robert’s who lay right beside her. They were precious to him and looked so happy. Avery quickly kissed Autumn’s forehead before bringing them both t
o their feet.

  “I think we still won. Right, Daddy?” Autumn asked. Her long blonde hair slipped free of her hood and her bright red cheeks glowed as she started to run toward Kane and Paulie who were making their way through the snow toward Avery and Robert.

  “You did real good, baby. They never saw you comin’.”

  Autumn launched herself into Kane’s arms, and he hauled her up, settling her on his side.

  “I think Granddaddy Paulie needs to be on our team next time. Autumn doesn’t need any help planning her strategies,” Avery said, laughing as they met in the middle of the park’s playground, close to the tent he had erected when they’d first arrived. A portable heater kept the interior warm, but so far no one had needed the relief except Kennedy who hadn’t ventured out since she had first arrived.

  “Mom, are the hotdogs ready?” Avery yelled.

  His mother didn’t even lift the flap to respond, she just yelled back at him. “If you like them black on one side, I’ve got them ready.”

  Autumn reached both arms out for Avery, and he took her from Kane’s hold as they walked together toward the tent. “I don’t like black on my hotdog,” she whispered in his ear.

  The transition Autumn had just pulled now made sense. Avery wouldn’t make her eat the hotdog where Kane would have her at least take a bite. Robert was right there beside them, working hard to keep up as they trudged through the newly fallen the snow. He slid his hand in Avery’s and tugged. “I don’t like black on my hotdog either, Dad.”

  They had double teamed him. Avery looked over his shoulder to see if Kane had heard any part of their exchange. Apparently, his husband had because he was already shaking his head. Now, Avery was in a spot. Kane wanted him to say they needed to eat the food provided, but his babies were only six years old one time in their lives. Ignoring Kane, he flipped open the flap to the tent and declared, “Mom, we’re forgoing the dogs and going straight for the birthday cake!”

  “Whatever they want, but get inside here quick and close that flap. It’s too cold out there.”

  Autumn and Robert both squealed their delight. Dessert before lunch never happened. Avery held the tent open for Paulie to duck in after the kids, but quickly closed the flap behind him as he watched Kane get closer.

  “Don’t be mad,” Avery started. Kane had always watched their children’s diets closely. Even those hotdogs weren’t just run of the mill grocery store wieners. They were quite possibly handmade chicken hotdogs from a health food store Kane had found.

  “You should’ve at least made them t…” Kane started but was stopped by Avery’s kiss on his lips.

  “It’s their birthday.” Avery smiled down at Kane’s slightly upturned face and leaned in to kiss Kane again.

  “They’re kissing again,” Autumn called out.

  Avery looked down to see her face sticking out of the flap. Her hood was off, her long hair a crazy blonde mess, but her beaming smile stole his heart.

  “Of course, they are,” Paulie’s gravelly voiced boomed out.

  “Come on. This is the best birthday ever! Nonnie has the cake ready.” The last part came out as a squeal and the tent flapped shut.

  “How could I say no to that?” Avery asked, lifting the tent for Kane.

  “You need to learn how,” Kane said, ducking inside the tent. Avery hid the movement from prying eyes as he slid his hand down Kane’s ass cheek and got the expected are-you-serious glare in return from his husband. In his defense, there weren’t too many times Kane’s ass stuck up in the air like that without him being prepared for more. Avery shrugged and gave a chuckle as he followed Kane inside.

  Books By Kindle Alexander

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  Keyes Dixon’s life is challenging enough as a full patch member of the Disciples of Havoc Motorcycle Club but being a gay biker leaves him traveling down one tough road. With an abusive past and his vow to the club cementing his future, he doesn’t believe in love and steers clear of commitment. But a midnight ride leads to a chance meeting with a sexy distraction that has him going down quicker than a Harley on ice.

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  Winner of the 2018 Book Excellence Awards

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  Wildly successful entrepreneur, Thane Walker is stubbornly set in his ways and adamantly resists the shackles of commitment. He’s seen enough unhappy endings to learn the best way to play is by keeping his men on the payroll.

  Levi Silva’s dream of graduating from one of the country’s top medical schools is in his grasp, until news from home changes everything. Now, he’s raising his two teenage brothers and trying to keep everyone’s head above water, emotionally and financially.

  When Levi’s new job puts him in Thane’s path, their chemistry explodes, but their fear of being involved in relationships keeps them apart. Unfortunately, despite the intense desire drawing them together, neither man can move forward until they get past their own…Reservations.

  Painted On My Heart

  Winner of the 2017 eLit Award Romance category

  Winner of the 2017 eLit Award LGBT Fiction category

  Artist Kellus Hardin let love and loyalty cloud his past decisions, a mistake he definitely won’t make again. Now, lost and alone, he’s left to pick up the shattered pieces of his broken heart while facing the truth of his reality.

  Arik Layne exudes power, confidence, and determination. But when an encounter with the guarded artist shakes him to the core and alters all his future goals, he finds more than just his heart on the line.

  For Kellus, opening himself to love isn’t an option.

  All Arik wants is to make the artist his.

  Can love create a masterpiece when it’s painted on your heart?

  Always

  Now Available in Audio

  Book of the Year 2014 Member Choice Awards ~Goodreads MM Romance

  Book of the Year 2014 ~Sinfully Sexy Book

  LGBT Book of the Year 2015 eLit Awards

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  Book of the Year, 2016 elit Awards

  Honor, integrity, and loyalty are how Deputy US Marshal Kreed Sinacola lives his life. A former SEAL now employed by the Special Operations Group of the US Marshal Service, Kreed spent most of his life working covert operations and avoiding relationships. Never one to mix business with pleasure, his boundaries blur and his convictions are put to the test when he finally comes face-to-face with the hot computer geek he’s been partnered with. Hell-bent on closing the ongoing case for his longtime friend, he pushes past his own limits and uncovers more than he expects.

  Aaron Stuart strives for one thing: justice. Young and full of idealism, his highly sought after computer skills land him a position with the National Security Agency. Aaron’s biggest hazard at his job is cramped f
ingers, but all that changes when he is drawn into the middle of a dangerous federal investigation. Aaron gets more than he bargained for when the FBI partners him with a handsome and tempting deputy US marshal. His attraction to the inked up, dark-haired man provides another kind of threat altogether. Aaron tries desperately to place a firewall around his heart and fight his developing feelings, knowing one misstep on his part could ultimately destroy him.

  The solution isn’t as easy as solving the case, which is treacherous enough as it is. But the growing sexual attraction between them threatens to derail more than just Kreed’s personal convictions as he quickly learns temptation and matters of the heart rarely fit easily into the rules he’s lived by. Will Kreed be able to convince Aaron to open his heart and face the fact that sometimes the answers aren’t always hidden in code?

  Full Disclosure (Nice Guys 2)

  Book of the Year 2014 ~Sinfully Sexy Book

  Deputy United States Marshal Mitch Knox apprehends fugitives for a living. His calm, cool, collected attitude and devastatingly handsome good looks earn him a well-deserved bad boy reputation, both in the field and out. While away on an assignment, he blows off some steam at a notorious Dallas nightclub. Solving the case that has plagued him for months takes a sudden backseat to finding out all there is to know about the gorgeous, shy blond sitting alone at the bar.

  Texas State Trooper Cody Turner is moving up the ranks, well on his way to his dream of being a Texas Ranger. While on a two-week mandatory vacation, he plans to relax and help out on his family’s farm. Mitch is the last distraction Cody needs, but the tatted up temptation that walks into the bar and steals his baseball cap is too hard to ignore.