“Can we go?” Sam’s breath touched Zach’s temple. “Its wrapping up and I want to take you somewhere.”
“Yeah?” Zach smiled up at him. “I guess so. The guys won’t mind.” He looked over his shoulder at Nick and Julian who were drinking champagne, their eyes only on each other.
“I don’t think they’ll even miss us.”
Chapter Twenty Four
“Comeon.”Sam took his hand, and they threaded their way through the crowd, stopping only to kiss both his mother and Sam’s good-bye. Curious now, because Sam seemed like he was in such a hurry, Zach peppered him with questions.
“Where are we going? You’re in such a hurry; can’t we go home and change first?” Zach loosened his tie and undid the top button of his shirt collar when they exited Sparks. The sun shone bright with a late-afternoon glow against the scattered clouds, and a light breeze rustled the leaves on the trees.
“Nope. No time.” Sam handed his ticket to the valet Marcus had arranged for. It took only a few minutes before Zach spotted Sam’s car pulling up in front of the club. “Let’s go.”
The valet opened his door, and Zach slid in the seat. Sam started the engine and drove away, refusing to answer any of Zach’s questions.
“You can sit over there and sulk all you want, but I’m not gonna change my mind.” A tiny smile played on Sam’s lips. “You’re so impatient. Save it for the bedroom.”
“Not gonna be anything going on in there either if you keep being so annoying.” Zach stared out the window, watching the scenery change as they drove over the Brooklyn Bridge, crossed over to the Gowanus Expressway and then merged onto the Belt Parkway, heading to Long Island.
Excitement grew steadily within Zach as the miles rolled on and the water came into view. When Sam pulled into the now-familiar, small parking lot and cut the engine, Zach opened the door and ran out to the grassy open area and tilted his head up to the brilliant blue sky.
There were at least twenty kite flyers, and their kites soared high, dipping and swooping, long tails like multicolored comets streaking behind. For several minutes, Zach stood silently admiring the dexterity of the people holding the strings.
He and Sam had spent many weekend hours here after the first time Sam had brought him; Sam had taught him the tricks of the strings, how to make the kite sing in the wind while not interfering with the other flyers. After several times watching Sam, Zach bought his own kite, and even if Sam was working a job for Henry, he’d come here alone, determined to gain expertise on his own.
Nothing could prepare him now for the sight of Sam walking toward him with both of their kites in one hand, and a bottle of champagne in the other. His heartbeat quickened, loving the carefree, happy light in Sam’s eyes that had replaced the wary sadness from when they’d initially met.
Sam had taken off his tie and rolled up his sleeves, and Zach’s eyes were drawn to the glinting golden hairs on his strong, capable arms. Desire rolled through him like the waves in the bay: gentle, strong, and infinite.
“If you keep looking at me like that we’re going to have to go home.” Sam bent and kissed him, his lips soft and tasting faintly champagne-sweet. “I want you too, baby, don’t doubt it.”
Zach clung to him, his mouth opening under Sam’s, their tongues tangling. The champagne bottle bumped cold and hard against his back as Sam’s arms came around to hug him tight to his hard body. Their kisses deepened, and Zach wished everyone around them would disappear. He pressed himself closer, sinking into Sam.
Sam groaned and broke away panting. “Damn, you need to stop and hold this for later.”
“Hmm,” said Zach, humming into the curve of Sam’s neck. “Let’s make later now, and go home.” He tipped his head back to stare into Sam’s eyes.
“Don’t tempt me,” said Sam, a pained expression crossing his face. He continued to study Zach’s face.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Sam let him go and stuck the bottle under his arm. “Let’s fly, baby.”
Feeling happier than ever, Zach tested for the wind and let his kite go, catching the updraft. He backed up, doling out the string inch by inch until his kite was well above him, higher than he’d ever flown before.
Sheer joy surged through him as the wind picked up and his kite soared, the green and blue tails swirling in the wind. He laughed, twisting his wrists like Sam showed him to dip and swoop the kite. Sam had better be watching; Zach wanted to show him how much he’d improved over the past month.
Farther down the grassy area, several people began to clap and whistle; Zach glanced around but nothing unusual caught his eye. Soon everyone was clapping and pointing up to the sky. Zach looked up, and his heart turned over.
Up in the sky flew a solitary kite—Sam’s kite, but altered. Attached at the bottom and top was a banner that fluttered in the wind, but Zach had no problem reading the words he never thought he’d see.
Zach—will you marry me?
He dropped his string and spun around searching for Sam, finding him at the edge of the grassy area. Their gazes locked, and Zach ran to him, heedless of his own kite sailing away.
“Are you serious?”
Sam took him by the shoulders. “I love you.”
