“I don’t see that person. I only see the man I love, who catches me if I’m falling and holds me tight. I’m not perfect. I’m nothing close to it, no one is.”
“I don’t want you to have regrets.”
“How could I regret you? It would be like denying the best part of me.” Zach reached up and brushed his fingers against Sam’s roughened jaw. “I love you so much, Sam. We’re here for such a short time, we have to make sure we recognize love when we find it and not wait to live and make our memories. Any regrets I have would be in not making my memories with you.”
“Oh, baby.” Sam groaned and dipped his head down. Zach grabbed on to his shoulders and eagerly met his lips, opening his mouth to Sam’s probing tongue. Sam’s cock lay warm and heavy against Zach’s stomach, and the pull to take Sam inside his body proved too irresistible for Zach to wait.
“Now.” Nothing further needed to be said between them. He lay back and opened his legs, offering himself up to Sam. After prepping himself with both condom and lube, Sam positioned himself and pushed inside.
“God,” said Sam, sliding in, inch by inch. “So fucking perfect.”
Bearing down, wincing against the initial pain, Zach breathed out, accepting Sam, drawing him deep inside. Looking up at the play of emotions on Sam’s face, the strength in his tight jaw, the ripple of muscles across his shoulders, a surge of lust shot through Zach, and he shifted underneath, forcing Sam farther into his body, clenching his cock tight.
A dark groan escaped Sam’s lips. “Jesus Christ, you’re killing me.”
Feeling the pulse and surge inside his own body, Zach ached, wanting Sam harder and deeper. He gripped Sam’s thigh, urging him on, pushing up against his thrusts, locking his ankles against the small of Sam’s back.
“Harder; there,” Zach whispered as Sam changed the angle of his thrusts, brushing up against his prostate; sparks of electricity flew up and down Zach’s spine. A quivering began deep in his core, and Zach fought against it, wanting to stave off the ferocious orgasm he sensed building.
They rocked together, Zach weakening from the struggle of holding himself together. There was no stopping it; like a dam bursting, Zach’s orgasm ripped through him, pinwheels of white light spiraling before his eyes. This was a tidal wave he’d gladly drown in and, sinking into the soft, welcoming darkness, Zach recalled the French phrasepetite mort—“a little death”—and knew it to be true.
He closed his eyes and succumbed.
Too shattered to move, Zach still knew exactly when Sam had reached his point of no return. The formidable muscles of Sam’s back flexed and his body stiffened; his cock pulsed hard, spilling hot and heavy inside the condom.
They lay gasping, clutching at each other, Zach’s face pressed up against Sam’s neck, his lips tasting the salt of Sam’s sweat on the surprisingly smooth skin of Sam’s shoulder. Neither one of them made a move, not when their breathing returned to normal nor when their heartbeats regained a stable rhythm. They were both aware of the hard journey they’d undertaken to reach this moment, and each was loath to move apart.
Sam picked up his head, a lazy smile curving his lips. “Hey.” Without waiting for Zach to respond, Sam kissed him. His lips played over Zach’s, soft and gentle; there was no need for gnashing teeth or probing tongues. It was a kiss of tenderness and sweetness. A kiss that spoke of early mornings and late nights. A kiss of forever.
All the years he’d stayed at home, shunning the shallow clubs and meaningless parties his friends invited him to, it was a moment like this Zach knew he wanted and held out hope for; a forever man and a forever love. He’d imagined someone who shared his dreams of family and togetherness. These past months watching Julian—who Zach had always thought of as so hardened and withdrawn—find Nick and fall back in love with him had proved it wasn’t an impossibility.
Now, to have Sam here in his arms, whispering his love, restored Zach’s faith in himself and his dream of happiness. Perhaps everything in life did happen for a reason; he was meant to go through his trials with Nathan to come out stronger and more resilient.
He winced at Sam’s withdrawal and rolled over on his side, enjoying the pleasurable ache. Sam returned from the bathroom with a towel, joining him back on the bed, and Zach delighted in the loving strokes of Sam’s hands on his body. There was something to be said for being petted and stroked Zach thought, admiring the lines of Sam’s broad shoulders and chest.
“Thanks.” Zach kissed Sam and stretched out next to him, thinking how nice it would be to share his bed every night.
“You’re staying here tonight.”
Not so much a question but a demand. Zach grinned, knowing Sam couldn’t see his face and decided to tease him.
“You’re pretty bossy. A guy likes to be asked, you know.”
Obviously, Sam didn’t get the joke; he rolled on top of Zach, his eyes dark in his face. “You’re mine and you belong here. End of story.”
“Yes,” said Zach, cupping the back of Sam’s neck to draw him in for a kiss. “I’m yours.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hecouldkill Zach. Looking across the table at his lover’s wide smile and hopeful eyes, Sam regretted that they were about to get into their first fight. Considering they’d spent the last month practically inseparable, it was bound to happen, but Sam hated to see Zach unhappy. This, however, couldn’t be helped.
Now that he thought about it, Zach wasn’t as innocent as he wanted Sam to believe. He probably gaged Sam’s reaction to the news he’d just announced, and that was the reason he called to have Sam meet him at Caruso’s bakery, instead of at Sam’s apartment. Zach figured Sam wouldn’t lose his temper and bellow like an enraged elephant. Or throw things.
“You did what again? I know I must’ve misheard you.”
Zach sipped his cappuccino and licked the foam off his top lip. Normally Sam enjoyed doing that for him, but he was too angry right now.
“I called your mother down in Florida. It didn’t seem right that you hadn’t spoken to her in months and yet you’ve become so close with my mother.”
