Page 66 of Flowers To Give

Parking out front of the ranch house, Jeremy sits with his heater for a minute as he takes in the grand structure. Clark had told him to expect to move in as soon as he got back, Jeremy taking in the facade for his first time as a resident. Shouldering on his heavy coat, he’s about to open the door when there’s a tap at his window.

Jeremy smiles wide, “Yana!”

“Hey!” Her voice is muddled through the glass but obviously excited.

She steps back as Jeremy gets out of the truck before all but tackling him with a big hug. He hugs her back and says, “Good to see ya.”

“And what about you, Mr. World Champion?” Yana pulls back and lightly punches his arm, eyeing him up and down, “I always thought you were a good cowboy but never imagined you’d be the best!”

He gives her another side hug and says, “Geez, you’re making me blush.”

“Seriously proud, my friend,” she backs up, “Well, you here to stay now or just passing through?”

Jeremy leans back into the truck and pulls out his trusty duffel bag and the humble flower arrangement that had been resting against it, telling her, “We’ll see.”

She rolls her eyes, “I never know with you!”

“One thing’s for sure,” Jeremy shoulders the bag’s strap and puts the flowers in the crook of his arm as he closes the door and tells her, “There’s someone I gotta see.”

“Ooh!” Yana pokes his chest and sings, “Munday and Radison, sittin’ in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”

He chuckles and pushes her arms away, “I’ll see you later, Yana.”

“Glad to have you back!” She waves at him as Jeremy makes his hike up the front porch steps and she walks back through the snow to the ranch.

Taking his hat off and slicking back the side of his wavy locks, Jeremy rolls his shoulders back and rings the doorbell. Waiting and staring at the pinewood, he keeps fussing with his hair and rolling his lips so they’re not dry. The door handle clinks and Jeremy’s heart stops momentarily.

Clark opens the door with a deadpan expression. He looks Jeremy and his bouquet up and down before asking, “What are you doing here?”

Holding out the keys to the Toyota, Jeremy says, “I’m returning your truck.”

Staring into his eyes, Clark’s smile slowly starts to grow. Jeremy smiles too, and then Clark is right on him and bringing him into a tight embrace. Jeremy wraps his arms around Clark too, pressing his nose into the side of Clark’s neck and inhaling deeply. He closes his eyes as Clark’s strong arms squeeze around him and hands massaging his back. This is exactly where he belongs, the place he’s been dreaming of for all his life.

Clark’s hands slide down Jeremy’s spine and stay on his hips as he pulls away, saying, “Welcome home.”

Jeremy searches Clark’s face. He’s gorgeous, especially up close like this. Both of them smile wide.

Clark pulls him closer by the waist, saying, “It’s cold, let’s get inside.”

He takes Jeremy by the hand and pulls him inside, the heavy door closing behind them. He keeps Jeremy’s hand in his as he leads him down the hall and asks, “Do you need anything? Water?”

“Water? Don’t you mean whiskey?” Jeremy jokes.

“It’s only noon, but I could be convinced,” Clark chuckles.

They make it into the sitting room and Clark turns back to Jeremy asking, “So? Whiskey or water?”

“Let’s celebrate,” Jeremy leans toward Clark, handing him the bouquet, “Whiskey please.”

Clark takes the flowers and smells them as his eyes trail down Jeremy’s body and land at his groin, asking, “Oh, is that your trophy?”

Jeremy looks down at the golden belt buckle that was awarded to him for world champion at the National Finals Rodeo, nodding, “Yep. Wore it special, just for you.”

Eyes flicking up to Jeremy’s and smiling coyly, Clark steps into his space and touches the belt buckle. He twists it upward so he can see it fully, his knee knocking against Jeremy’s as he asks, “Will you wear this to bed later?”

Rolling his eyes, Jeremy blushes and playfully pushes Clark away. The actor laughs but tells him, “I’m serious!”

Jeremy rolls his lips and replies, “Maybe.”