“I won’t lie. Sometimes, I do miss it,” Gio admitted.
Sacha nodded but didn’t look up.
It amazed Gio how his man could be so fearless and strong, capable of charging into battle, and at the same time, be so vulnerable and timid that he was afraid to look Gio in the eye, afraid of what he might find.
Gio ran his fingers through Sacha’s hair. “I loved that I got the chance to travel to all those amazing places, but it’s different now because when I think about everywhere I visited, I think about how much better it would have been if you’d been there with me.”
Sacha’s head shot up, blue-gray eyes wide. “Really?”
“Yes. I think about all the things I would have shown you. How much fun we would have had, all the nights making love, all the laughter.”
“I…had no idea.”
“Guess we’re still learning to communicate with each other.”
“I guess.”
“Besides, nothing says we can’t travel together.” Gio took Sacha’s hand and brought it to his heart. “All you have to do is say the word, and we’ll be on a plane to wherever you want to go, you know that. I’ve offered many times.”
Sacha blinked. “Well, shit.”
“What?”
“I get it now.”
Gio was puzzled. “Get what?”
“Ace. I always wondered how he could be okay with Colton spending money on him all the time, but it’s not about the money. Whenever you brought up taking the jet somewhere, I thought it was just you wanting to spend money on me, and because I couldn’t accept that and I couldn’t afford to pay my own way, I turned you down. But that’s not what it was at all.” Sacha met his gaze. “You offer to pay because you can, but it has nothing to do with money and everything to do with us building a life together, making memories, having experiences.”
Gio smiled warmly. “Sacha, whether we’re standing in the middle of a small town park in Winterhaven or the Colosseum in Rome, what matters is that you’re with me. My wealth simply affords me the opportunity to show you the world.Ifit’s something you want.”
“Maybe…” Sacha seemed to think about it. “Maybe when we get back, we can look at our schedules and start making some plans?”
“Nothing would make me happier,” Gio said, his heart filled with so much joy he could barely contain it. The possibilities excited him. There were so many places he wanted to show Sacha. “Right now, though, I think the only place we need to go is indoors where it’s warm. I can call someone to give us a ride back to the cabin.”
Sacha surprised Gio by shaking his head. “Let’s go back to the party.”
“Really?”
“Yep. I’m here to celebrate the holidays with the man I love, so let’s go celebrate.”
Gio kissed Sacha. “I’d like that.”
They headed back to the Ice Castle, and inside Gio took both their coats, placing them on the back of their chairs at their table. Cookie came running over, tail wagging happily. Gio gave him love and told him he was a good boy. With a happy smile, Cookie sat at Gio’s feet. The music was a lovely Christmas ballad, and Gio held out a hand to Sacha.
“Sway with me?”
Sacha laughed softly. “Okay.”
Gio told Cookie to go with Duchess, and Cookie trotted over to where she lay in a fluffy bed on the side of the room. He lay down next to her, head on his paws, as he watched his daddies join the other couples on the dance floor. Gio brought his beautiful boyfriend into his arms, sighing contently when Sacha rested his head against Gio’s chest.
They moved together, the night seeming to take on a magical feel with all the twinkling lights and glittering Christmas trees around them. Snow fell outside the large arched windows, and the lights dimmed, creating an intimate atmosphere. By then, the families with children had left for the night.
Near them, Fitz and Jack danced together, and when Jack turned, Fitz winked at them over Jack’s shoulder. Gio smiled. He had no doubt Fitz had been there for Sacha throughout all this. The two were close, though Gio wondered if even Fitz had known Sacha had been worried about Gio missing his traveling days.
Gio had meant everything he’d said to Sacha. Yes, he sometimes missed traveling, but his life had changed, and he was all the happier for it. Now, wherever he went, he wanted all three of his boys at his side, and he couldn’t wait to see where their adventures took them.
CHAPTERSIX
