Caged Sanctuary (21 page)

“It was, and I love it. But I also remember how irritated Gary would get the few times I took him to things like this. He wanted to go to the big events I attended, but he hated that I couldn’t do certain things as fast as he wanted or that I took longer to get ready and then get out and into my chair to finally go in. And that doesn’t even get into how he would act about things like me not being able to dance.” The sigh that slipped out annoyed him almost as much as the issue.

“You do know Deacon isn’t Gary, right? I mean, the man I met?” Jake shook his head and frowned. “He doesn’t need you to get into rich events like tonight. He doesn’t have to settle for someone if he’s not interested. And your chair? I think the problem is you didn’t have the right people around you enough. It’s an accessory, not the fundamental definition of who you are.”

Kade rolled his eyes at how Jake described things. “Seriously, you just compared my chair to jewelry or a scarf or something?” He wasn’t sure whether Jake was nuts or delusional, but whatever he was, Kade didn’t believe he had a clue about how things worked for someone in a chair. “You know you’re crazy, right?”

Jake laughed and nodded. “Oh, I know. Sam tells me all the time, but in this case, I’m also right. I don’t mean your chair isn’t important for you to get around, but that it isn’t
who
you are. I know this. Deacon knows it too. Now, let’s finish getting you ready and off to the ball, princess.”

He swatted Jake on the hip as he danced away and laughed. “Not a princess, brat.” Kade slipped on his tuxedo jacket, and then sat back. Once he had everything just right—Jake fidgeting with Kade’s tie, again—Jake walked with him to the living room to wait for Deacon. Kade had offered to drive, but Deacon insisted he would have a car brought around instead.

“Truly,” Kade said as Jake gathered his things to leave. “Thanks for everything. I did hear what you said earlier, and I know at least part is true, but I still don’t know what he sees in me. I’m just happy for whatever it is, as I want this to work out.”

“You sound like I did when I first got with Sam. There was so much shit going on in my life at the time, I had a lot of trouble trusting in him. I’m just glad he’s a stubborn ass and wouldn’t let me run very far. I have a feeling your Sir is like Sam in this case.” Jake peeked out the window and grinned. “Now, smile. The car’s here, and Deacon’s on his way up the walk. Damn, that man is fine.”

“Hey, no drooling over my boyfriend,” Kade groused, but failed to manage the scowl he attempted.

“Oh, puh-lese. I’ve got a hot man waiting for me at home. Still, though, no harm in admiring, right?” Jake winked.

The knock on the door interrupted Kade’s retort, and when Jake opened it, Kade lost the ability to speak for a moment. Deacon looked amazing in his polished gray tuxedo with a teal Euro vest and tie. “Hello, Jake. Kade,” he said, as he looked Kade over, then nodded.

“H-hello.”

“You look wonderful.” Deacon gently pressed his lips to Kade’s. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah, um, I have everything.” Kade turned to Jake again and beamed. “And thanks so much for the help.”

“Have fun, guys.” Jake left then, and moments later Deacon stood beside the limo as Kade transferred himself inside. The driver took his chair, and then Deacon slid in beside Kade.

“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

Deacon draped one arm over Kade’s shoulder, pulling him against his side, and squeezed lightly. “I never drink and drive, and I want us to be able to have champagne or wine if we choose. Also, you deserve the best, and I have every intention of making sure you get it.”

Deciding not to argue, Kade leaned back and enjoyed the ride. The Children’s Hospital wasn’t all that far, and it was a nice clear evening. He hoped the gala wasn’t too boring. He had a clown nose in his pocket to put on once they arrived—the invitation said black tie, but also mentioned adding something silly and child-like to the attire. They chatted a little, but Kade was too nervous to contribute much, which Deacon seemed to understand. When they pulled up to the front entrance of the new hospital wing, Kade got ready to exit the car.

“Relax, Kade. We have the entire evening, and then you’re coming home with me, right?”

“Well, yeah. I mean, I only went home earlier to get dressed for this,” Kade explained, gesturing to the hospital. “I thought I was staying again tonight.”

“You are.” The door opening cut off any more talk of later.

Deacon slid out, then Kade’s chair appeared in the open space. Once he was situated comfortably, he thanked the driver, took out his invitation and the nose, and then looked up to see where Deacon was. When he found him, standing off to the side a little, Kade did a double take, surprised to see a set of small teal and white fuzzy fox ears on the man’s head. The strawberry highlights in Deacon’s blond hair contrasted oddly with the teal ears, enchanting Kade completely. Somehow fluffy little ears on his big, tall, commanding Dom made Kade want to chuckle. Instead, Kade just smiled and rolled over to him.

“Ready.” Kade reached up and twined his fingers with Deacon’s for a moment, then let go and turned toward the entrance. As Kade wheeled through the entryway and then to the patio of the new wing, Deacon walked next to him, hand on Kade’s shoulder the entire time. At one point they were stopped and asked for their invitations, which Deacon handed over, then motioned Kade forward.

The gala was outside, being it was June and the weather was holding nicely. On the patio were tables covered in fine linen and set with fancy floral arrangements. There were also name cards and only a few chairs set at each. Kade knew those were reserved for those with disabilities and for the key speakers. On the grassy area was a huge stage, more tables like those on the patio, only with full chair settings, and a formal buffet. The long tables held small ice sculptures, champagne fountains, chocolate fountains, various finger foods, and in the center was a huge ice sculpture of a Cinderella pumpkin carriage pulled by four pegasi instead of horses. There were also faerie lights in the trees and around the edges of the stage and dance area.

They mingled, and it wasn’t long before Kade saw a few people he knew and headed over to say hello. They were stopped along the way as others paused to speak to Deacon or him. When Candice Green, the head of the Pediatric Dental Department, stopped them, Kade looked up. Her black and white evening gown was glamorous, but when coupled with the rainbow wig, he couldn’t help but grin. “Hello, Candice. Great turnout tonight.”

“Hey, yourself. And yes, it is.” She bent to give him a brief hug, then stood and turned to Deacon. “Who’s your friend?”

Kade chuckled. She was always interested in who others were dating or not dating. She’d hated Gary, and he was a little curious to see what she thought of Deacon. It would not change his opinion, but he hoped she could see how happy he was now. “This is Deacon James. Deacon, this is Candice Green. She heads the dental department here.”

She sucked in a breath, eyes wide as she held her hand out. “It’s wonderful to meet you, sir. You’re the Mr. James of Dixon, James, and Sullivan, the architectural firm that made all this possible?”

“I am. It’s a pleasure, miss,” Deacon said as he bent over her hand to kiss the back lightly.

“Aww,” she cooed. “Are you
with
Kade?”

“I am,” he replied, draping one hand over Kade’s shoulder again and giving a gentle squeeze. “And I’m always happy to meet friends of his.”

Candice looked at Kade and grinned. “Oh, he’s a keeper!”

Before Kade could reply, Deacon winked at him and said, “Oh, I agree. And I intend to do just that.”

She giggled, Deacon chuckled, and Kade felt his face heat fast.

The night seemed to pass in fits and spurts after that. Meeting people Deacon worked with or some of the elite he’d designed elaborate homes for, introducing Deacon to some of Kade’s colleagues, listening to speeches, and eating. The eating portion was a bit odd as some of the foods Deacon brought him—since it was set up as a buffet, Deacon insisted he would get Kade a plate instead of Kade having to deal with the line—weren’t things he recognized, but he smiled and ate.

Throughout the night there was music. At first he didn’t know who the band was, but as they continued playing, he began to recognize more of the songs and enjoyed listening to them. He found out from one of the others at their table that the musicians were local, and they were a big deal in the music scene now. Once upon a time, Kade had loved to dance and would have taken to the dance floor without a thought, but that was another life. Instead, he enjoyed the music and watching others have fun.

“Excuse me,” someone said. Kade turned and noticed a beautiful
willowy man standing close to Deacon. “Would you like to dance?” the stranger asked, not taking his eyes off Deacon.

“Thank you, but no. I’m with Kade.”

“But surely you can dance with someone even if you’re here to help your friend. He won’t mind.” The stranger grated on Kade’s nerves. He’d been having a great time, but this jerk wanted his boyfriend and was hitting on him with Kade right there! Kade wanted to tell him off but couldn’t make himself, his eyes fixed on the man instead.

“Whether he will mind or not is beside the point. I would mind, and I am not interested.” That said, Deacon turned to Kade and asked, “Enjoying yourself, love?”

The stranger—seriously, the man didn’t even have the decency to introduce himself while trying to poach—huffed and stomped off as Kade cleared his throat and looked at Deacon. “I, um, I was. Am.” He paused to gather his thoughts and tried again. “If you want to dance, I wouldn’t stop you, though I’d really rather it be with someone other than him,” he added, tipping his head to where the man had stood.

“Kade, if I am going to dance, it will be with you, not some disrespectful child.”

Kade frowned, confused. “Deacon, I can’t do that anymore, so how could you dance with me? I mean, I appreciate you staying here, but what you said makes no sense.”

“You know, I keep hearing from you what you cannot do instead of what you can.” Deacon stood, tossing his linen napkin onto the table next to his plate. “Come on. Follow me, please.”

Confused and more than a little curious, Kade did as requested. Soon he found himself at the edge of the dance area and a moment later, another slow song started. Deacon held out his hand and waited, staring at Kade with such an open, earnest expression Kade’s heart ached. “Take my hand.”

“What are you doing?” Kade whispered but did as he was told.

“Dancing with my partner” was all Deacon said. He pulled Kade onto the outer area of the dance floor and proceeded to move with Kade, though a bit awkwardly at first. Their movements weren’t smooth, but the care and desire in Deacon’s gaze made Kade work hard to move with his lover, to keep up and glide his chair along with Deacon’s simplified dance steps.

When the song ended, there was a loud series of applause and whistles. The entire “dance” had been awkward but wonderful. Kade fought the wave of tears that threatened, determined not to break down in front of all those people, much less look like a baby in front of Deacon. “Thank you,” he said instead, his voice cracking in the middle.

“No, thank you for the dance. I think it’s about time to go, though.” Deacon bent to whisper in Kade’s ear, “I want to get you home and naked, boy. Show you what having you in my arms makes me want and think about.”

Kade nodded and grinned. “Please, Sir. But um….” He looked around again as they moved back to where they had been seated. “Are you done? You’re one of the partners that designed the whole reason for the party tonight. I know the speeches are over, but….”

Deacon laughed loudly for a moment. “Oh yes. We could have slipped out a while ago and not have caused a stir, but you seemed to be enjoying yourself, and I was enjoying being with you. But now, I would really rather be at home with you as I do not believe most here would appreciate what I want to do.”

His mouth went dry as he thought about the kinds of things Deacon might want, and no matter what his mind flashed to, it all made him wish they were already at Deacon’s home. “Call your driver?”

“Indeed. Say good-bye to anyone you wish on the way out, Kade. I’m calling now.”

The entire way home, Kade went over and over how the night had gone. Deacon had not once seemed annoyed or impatient with Kade. He’d introduced Kade as his partner to, it seemed, everyone Deacon knew in attendance. He thought again on the odd dance and how others had acted. No one had laughed or jeered. No one had complained or seemed to think it anything but sweet.

What he came back to again and again was how Deacon seemed proud to claim Kade as his in front of all those people, some of whom Kade knew didn’t approve of men together, but Deacon hadn’t cared. Anytime they’d traveled around the area, Deacon kept one hand on Kade’s shoulder. When they stopped to talk, the hand stayed either where it was, or sometimes Deacon held his hand.

As Kade lay in Deacon’s bed later that night, he watched his boyfriend sleep, toying with the hair on Deacon’s chest as he considered what he thought, what he knew, and what he hoped for, and came back to the same conclusions. Deacon was unlike any man Kade had ever known, a fact that brought him joy and peace.