“I know. And I plan on joining you. But it’s been so long, I just want to hold you a little longer.”
His heart tumbled at those sweet words. It would surprise most people to know what a romantic André was. The industry described him as tough and unrelenting, a ruthless, crafty businessman who didn’t stop until he got what he wanted. Chess didn’t see that side of André in their bedroom. On the first anniversary of their first date, André had arranged for a special dinner of all of Chess’s favorites, plus a violinist to play as they ate. Rose petals were sprinkled on the floor leading to the bedroom and on the bed. Over the years there had been picnics in Central Park, as well as thoughtful gifts of books he’d mentioned wanting to read, or tickets to exhibits he’d expressed interest in seeing, and while Chess loved them all, and André for thinking of him, the only thing he’d ever wanted more of was what he hadn’t been able to get André to give him.
Time.
The one wish he had for this trip was for André to realize he needed to slow down and enjoy himself. On occasion he’d mention it, and André would promise he’d take a break and enjoy life more. He knew André loved the family business and all the wheeling and dealing of negotiations, and he’d never force him to make a choice between their relationship and his work. But Chess also knew the strain a fast pace could bring, and he refused to allow André to become prey to the stress that killed too many, too soon. Hopefully this time would be the right time.
They lay together, watching the sunlight and shadows move over the walls and bed, listening to the birds twittering songs from the trees through the open windows. Lazy moments he’d longed for were spent like this—no phones to interrupt them or meetings to take precedence over the two of them. André’s fingers rubbed gentle circles over his shoulder and up his neck, and a hum of pleasure vibrated through him.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything. I’m all yours.”
“Seeing how tranquil it can be without the crush of parties to go to, I feel like I would love to come out here more. But you barely mention the place, and I don’t understand why. I wouldn’t mind spending part of the summer here when I don’t have classes. We could even invite the guys over. There’s enough room that we’d barely bump into each other.” With every word he felt André retreat, his body growing stiff under Chess’s, his heart thumping faster.
“I don’t know.” He rolled away, facing the opposite wall. “I’ve never been home long enough, I guess.”
Untrue, he wanted to say. Maybe he was correct with respect to the past year, but prior to that, André’s longest trips were never longer than a month, and in the summer they’d taken vacations around the world. They certainly could’ve come, even if only for a weekend. Weak as that excuse sounded, Chess hesitated to press him. He didn’t want to have any disagreements, especially right after they’d made love.
“Maybe we can change that? I’m really enjoying it now just with you, and it seems silly to have these homes empty.”
“If that’s what you want.”
André sounded as enthusiastic about that suggestion as he did before his yearly physical. There had to be a reason, and Chess’s curiosity was piqued. He vowed to do some poking around on his own.
“Ready for that shower?” He left the bed. “I think I want to splash around in the ocean, after.”
“I’ll be right in.”
Under the shower spray, Chess soaped himself, washed his hair, and when minutes had passed by, he wondered why André had yet to show. Was he talking to someone on the phone? Did he get a text he needed to answer? Was it from the man in the photos?
Shit, I’m losing my mind.
Hot water poured over him as he argued with himself. Why was he so mistrustful after nine years together? André had never given him a reason to believe he’d been unfaithful, and Chess knew he should simply tell him he’d received those photos. Even though he didn’t have them any longer, André could explain why he was kissing another man.
That thought energized him, and he ended his shower, dried off, walked naked into the bedroom—and smiled. He should’ve known he had nothing to worry about. André lay in the center of the bed, dark hair spread out on the pillow, sleeping. His chest rose and fell, and a soft snore escaped him. Chess’s heart squeezed while relief rushed through him. He had to stop letting those stupid pictures get in the way. He was sure André had a reasonable explanation for them.
Chapter Six
The afternoon passed easily. They’d driven into town and shopped at the stores that pretended to be homespun and old-fashioned, except for their prices, picking up knickknacks for their friends. Everything had changed in André’s life since the last time he’d walked these streets. The clubs he’d frequented had closed, replaced with new bars he had no desire to enter and where he’d be at least a decade too old to feel comfortable.
Age had its benefits.
Standing in front of an art gallery on Main Street, Chess peered in the window. “Look. It’s a watercolor of The Boathouse in Central Park.” Nose pressed to the glass, he sighed. “Isn’t it beautiful? It reminds me of our first weekend together.”
They’d had brunch at The Boathouse, then wandered through the park. They’d never run out of things to say to each other, and after walking for hours—and that first, tentative, sweet kiss, half-hidden under the branches of a weeping willow tree—André had known with a certainty he’d never felt before that he’d found the man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
“It is,” André said. “It’s beautiful. Do you want to get it? We can have it sent to the apartment.”
Chess stepped away from the storefront. “You know, every time I say I like something, you don’t have to buy it. I can admire things without wanting to own them.”
“It’s a lovely piece. And trust me, I know that, otherwise we’d own every book published for the past nine years. You’re insatiable when you walk into a bookstore, and I admire your restraint in only walking out with one or two books.”
“Thank God for e-readers. And that’s not all I’m insatiable for.” Chess kissed his cheek. “This afternoon was amazing.”
“It was, and I realize now that I can be away, and the company won’t fall apart.” He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, uncaring that other people sent him annoyed looks when they had to walk around him. Something had been weighing on his mind for a while, and though he always carefully thought out every step and possible angle when it concerned the business, when it came to Chess and matters of the heart he’d never regretted being spontaneous. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Chess squeezed his hand.
