Page 21 of Promises Kept

9.

In Holy Matrimony

Dylan had always held the belief that while marriage was a final step in a relationship, it wasn’t necessary to assure the other person they loved them. To him, a relationship was about friendship—the belief in underlying and irrevocable principles that bonded two people together and a willingness to compromise when perhaps they didn’t see eye to eye. It was something founded on trust, mutual respect, and, of course, sexual compatibility. Dylan might have been a little philosophical with his views on love and what it was, but the sex part was a healthy portion of it to him.

It was why he thanked every Irish leprechaun he’d ever prayed to (he had a healthy respect for the powers that be) for bringing Alec into his life.

Alec, with the dark brown eyes, black hair, and lean form, with the brain of a canny businessman and a warmth and compassion that left Dylan in awe.

He watched as the object of his scrutiny slipped on his dark grey Vilebrequin linen trousers and tied the drawstring with a satisfied flourish.

Dylan was more interested in the white thong he wore beneath them. God, he looks good enough to eat. Speaking of which…

He surveyed Alec with a predatory air. “You realise I’ll be having those off you after the shindig tonight?”

Alec laughed and slid his arms into a pale blue and grey short-sleeved shirt. “I have no doubt. You’ve never been one to hide what you’re thinking.” He grinned wickedly. “And I’m thinking you want to peel me like a damn grape.”

He stared at himself in the mirror, flattening the trousers down lean hips, then turned to Dylan. “So will I do for this ‘shindig’ today then? I’m not even going to ask you when you’re going to get ready. I promised Bennett I’d give him a hand with checking out the bar arrangements. The less I know about your plans to disrupt our friend’s wedding, the safer I’ll be.”

Dylan sprang off the bed where he’d been sitting ogling his lover and bowed. “There’ll be no disrupting, only a bit of fun. I have my outfit all ready to go, to slip into right before everything gets started. Edward’s friend has brought Claude over already, and all I have to do is fetch him when I’m ready to go.”

Alec stifled a giggle, which he tried to make into a manlier chuckle. It had the effect of sounding like he’d swallowed a bug. “Claude? The bird is called Claude?”

Dylan grinned and reached out for Alec, who darted away. “Oh no, sunshine. I have somewhere to be and it isn’t underneath you right now. Maybe later.”

“Oh, there’ll be a later,” Dylan said softly. “You can count on it.”

The pair stared at each other and Dylan saw heat rise in Alec’s eyes, no doubt reflecting the look in his. Alec cleared his throat.

“Well, yes. Sexual tension notwithstanding, I promised Bennett I’d be there,” he looked at his watch, “five minutes ago. You know he hates waiting. I’d best be off.”

He walked over to the door, turned back, and blew Dylan a kiss. “Because if I get any closer to you, I doubt we’ll be out of here anytime soon. Love you. See you at the ceremony.” His parting shot as he disappeared out the door was, “I hope your life insurance policy is up to date.”

“Huh,” Dylan muttered to himself as he opened the wardrobe to take out his neatly pressed pirate trousers and a soft, billowing shirt. “He’s going to be fine with it, Cassie too. You’ll see, you naysayer.”

A small part of him hoped in earnest that he wasn’t kidding himself. He shrugged. Too late to turn back now.

He had best man duties to fulfil.

***

Alec watched Bennett putting the final touches to his outfit. They were stood inside a tent on the beach that had been set up like a dressing room, with pale voile lace overhanging the entrance to give some semblance of privacy. Alec had to agree, Cassie was a lucky woman. He might be Bennett’s best friend, but he was also a great judge of a good-looking man. Bennett looked incredible in his white linen trousers and a white, open-necked loose tailored shirt with its pearl buttons. His tall, broad-shouldered frame set off the outfit perfectly.

Alec became aware someone was talking to him.

“Jesus, have I got something on my suit?” Bennett brushed a lock of auburn hair from his face as he looked down his outfit in panic. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“I was thinking you look good,” Alec murmured. “I can still appreciate an attractive man, even if it’s my best friend.”

Bennett didn’t look convinced. “You’ve been hanging around Dylan far too long,” he muttered. “Speaking of which, where is he? He’s supposed to be here checking I have the rings and making sure I’m not stressing out.”

Alec cleared his throat. “He’ll be here in a minute. He had a couple of things to do then said he’d be here.” He looked up as the fine net curtain shielding the entrance opened. He gulped, then stepped back, distancing himself. “In fact, he’s here now.”

Bennett turned to the entrance. “It’s about bloody time—” his voice trailed off and Alec saw him do a double take. Alec swallowed, then waited for the fireworks to begin.

Dylan stood there, dressed in a sheer, pale blue chiffon shirt, and dark blue pants that puffed out at his thighs then tapered to his ankles. Over one eye he wore a silver eye patch and, as promised, on his left shoulder sat a large, colourful parrot. He looked like a rakish, yet sexy version of Aladdin.

“Sexy man! Sexy man!!” the parrot squawked. “Shiver me timbers.”