“Anyway, you were telling your story.”
“Yes. Do you remember Mom started saying something on my…on the wedding day, and she never finished?”
“Yeah, I remember that. What was that about?”
“So, Dad kidnapped Mom on their wedding day because he was afraid Mom’s dad would stop them from getting married.”
“He what?”
“Yup. He did. Mom convinced him to return to the venue and get married like a normal person. After the wedding, Dad told Mom that her dad had made some veiled threats. They spoke to Granddad, and as it turned out, it was all a ploy from Granddad to test Dad. If he ran with Mom, it meant he really loved her. If he ran away on his own, then it was a lucky escape for Mom.”
“I bet your mom was super happy to know that.”
“Grandma said Granddad was grounded for a while, but I didn’t ask what that meant.” I laughed.
“What am I getting into with you?” he said, but then his voice became softer. “You know we could’ve done this at my place, right? Saved you the grand gesture…”
I glanced at him. “Yeah, but then it wouldn’t have been a grand gesture, would it? I needed everyone we know to see and understand what was happening between us and how special it was.”
We stole heated glances all the way to the hotel. When we arrived, I left the car with the valet and grabbed our overnight bag. There was a lot to be said for River and me being practically the same size.
Inside, we walked past the reception desk toward the elevators. “I have the key already,” I said.
River laughed. “Who knew you were such a Boy Scout.”
As the elevator doors closed on us, I pushed him against the wall. “My motto is to always be prepared, and trust me, baby. I am more than prepared.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed at the realization of what I meant.
“Are you sure?” he asked, searching my face for absolute certainty.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
The lock on the door clicked, so I pushed it open to reveal the luxurious décor of the suite. Soft carpet, expensive paintings on the wall, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city… It was the best suite the hotel had available.
None of it mattered because my eyes locked in on the large bed in the middle of the room.Thatwas where I needed to be. With River. Naked.
I dropped the bag on the floor. River went straight to the window to admire the view. While he was distracted, I grabbed the lube and condoms, hoping we wouldn’t need the latter.
“This is really nice, Adam. You know you didn’t have to,” he said. “I’d be happy in a less fancy place.” He walked up to me. “A bed and four walls is all we need. Hell, we don’t even need the bed.”
I met him halfway, suddenly ravenous for his touch. The space between us evaporated as we bumped against the bed, my hands roaming over his body like they were making up for lost time.
“Adam…I lov—” His breath hitched as my lips found his neck.
“Say it again,” I whispered.
“Adam,” he repeated, his voice stronger this time, surer. “I love you.”
The words crashed over me. River loved me, had always loved me, and every fiber of my being responded with an intensity that bordered on reverence.
Our bodies moved together, hungry and insistent.
“River,” I gasped, pulling back just enough to drink in the sight of him, flushed and wanting. “I’ve been dreaming about this moment.” I shook my head. “I’m almost scared of how much I want this.”
He relieved me of my shirt, kissing my chest and licking my nipples until they were two pink pebbles, aching for more. “Years, Adam. I’ve wanted you for years…”
I pushed up on the bed, lying in the middle and opening my legs. River took the hint and covered my body with his, taking my mouth for a searing kiss.
