I Got You | A Gay Romance: A Boyfriend for Rent Book | Gay For You (29 page)

Benjamin took him by the hand and the men walked back into the auditorium, in front of gaping expressions. The music was soft and the lights were warm and dim.

The crowd watched with interest as the two dapper young men walked hand-in-hand onto the dance floor. The high ceiling allowed the music to rise up and envelop everyone in its enchanting rhythm.

The couple walked to the middle of the dance floor and took their rightful place. Jake smiled as the man’s hand slid around the small of his back. Their bodies were so close, so safe and secure.

He rested his head against Benjamin’s chest. The soft beating of his heart synced with the rhythm of the music. He sighed contently as his boyfriend kissed his forehead tenderly.

Their hands linked and the two men looked into each other’s eyes. Jake offered his lips to him, and Benjamin took them in his own. He didn’t give a fuck what the onlookers might think. They had just as much of a right to express their love as any of the other kissing couples on the dance floor.

With the Christmas lights twinkling and the soft music playing, there was no other place Jake wanted to be, everything was perfect. As the music lowered, Benjamin looked Jake in his eyes and said, “There’s something I want to ask you.”

“What is it?” Jake asked. His boyfriend seemed concerned, so nervous about something.

That’s when Benjamin got down on one knee in front of everyone, and Jake’s eyes widened. The crowd around them stopped what they were doing and all eyes were on the young couple.

“What are you doing?” Jake blushed, his heart going a million miles a second. Was he really doing what he thought he was doing? Was he really doing it in front of everyone for the whole world to see? How far they’d come in their relationship, but this moment, right here, right now, he never expected it in his wildest dreams.

“Jake, I don’t want to ever lose you again. I can’t imagine where I will be a year from now, five years now, or twenty, but I know that I will be next to you, as your husband, if you’ll let me and know one thing, I got you.”

Jake gasped and Benjamin pulled a ring box out from his jacket, opening it up. It was a simple gold band, at least 23 karats and it shimmered in the light. It was perfect, a symbol of his love.

For the first time since he met him, Benjamin actually seemed a little nervous. It was endearing. “Jake, will you do the honor of marrying me?”

Jake’s eyes watered so much, he could barely see. His lips quivering with emotion as he nodded. It was everything he dreamed it would be, everything he wanted. This man was back in his life, for good this time.

“Yes,” he finally made out as Benjamin slipped the ring on. His fiancée rose, grabbed ahold of Jake, swung him around and planted a deep kiss on him. It was like a storybook to Jake, a moment he’d never forget. The crowd of onlookers applauded, some even dabbed their eyes from their tears of happiness.

Benjamin took Jake’s face in his palms and said, “You just made me the happiest man on earth.”

CHAPTER 48

The wedding was magical, yet complex. Sophisticated, yet simple, kind of like their relationship.

As Jake made his way down the aisle, packed with the select friends and family that accepted and loved them, Jake couldn't help but think about how perfect it was.

Christmas lights lined the aisle, and everyone was dressed in white and lavender. A quartet played the wedding song as the two men stepped in front of the female pastor.

In the end, even their father and Alberto participated in the wedding. And Benjamin's ex, let Cody come be the ring bearer. After a long talk with her, Benjamin said they'd worked out some things so that he could see Cody every weekend, holidays, birthdays and pretty much whenever the hell he wanted. What those things were, Jake wasn't sure. All Benjamin would say is that everybody has their secrets. Jake laughed when he told him that. He didn't care so long as they were happy.

They had so many plans for their future together. They’d already put a deposit down for a place in San Francisco, where they could both pursue their dreams, where they could be accepted for who they were and live in pride instead of shame.

Even Jake’s sister started to come around. It would never be the same between Jake and Genie as it was before, not after what she’d done, but they were taking steps to build their relationship after she apologized deeply.

The two men’s wedding vows were simple but meaningful, romantic yet heartfelt.

"You're everything I've ever wanted in a man, Jake. You're kind, you're warm, and you make me want to be a better man. You accept me for who I am, all of me and yet, I'm not whole without you. Take this ring," Benjamin said. "My turn, my turn!" Cody said, shoving the ring pillow up at him.

Everyone laughed.

"This ring, as a token of my love. Know that I will always be there for you through thick and thin, through rough and smooth, through hard and soft. Baby, I got you." He smiled at Jake as he slipped the ring on his finger, his eyes lighting up. It fit like a glove, just like Benjamin fit into his life.

"I got you too," Jake said.

The pastor smiled warmly and said, "May the two grooms kiss the—"

But they didn't wait, Benjamin took Jake's face in his palms looked him in the eye and said, "Forever."

"Forever," Jake said as they closed their eyes and kissed like they'd never kissed before.

THE END

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Recommended titles:

You Got Me (the first prequel to I GOT YOU)

Sing to Me

Forever My Lady

Chains

Thank you

Dear Readers,

You are the ones who motivated me to keep writing. You are the ones that lifted me up, made me laugh and encouraged me with your feedback. Without you, there would be no book.  Every bit of feedback both positive and negative, every review, every joke is what keeps us writers going. Keep being you. You mean the world to me.

I’d also like to thank Kindle Alexander, a real friend, an extraordinary writing team who haven’t forgotten where they came from, who gave me an encouraging word when it seemed like the world was falling apart at times.  Thank you for opening up your heart and the doors to your Kindle Krew, many of whom are becoming dear friends.

Special thanks to Keri Lierman, Rob Spake, Becky Schmidt, Lisa Velazquez, Barbara Elsborg, Pam Strout, Joelle Mendes, Jemma Scarry, Diane Leslie, Kat Koskie, Justin Joseph, Jesi Lea Ryan, Cathryn Cade, Kristy Dean, Briana Gaitan, the Sprinter Sisters, Pavarti K Tyler, and Carla VanGronigen Nilson for going through the book with a fine-tuned comb and letting me know your thoughts. I couldn’t have made this book shine without you.

To Ruth Cardello for her motherly/sisterly advice. To Jeffrey Getzkin for your expertise on mixed martial arts and letting me pay in “tweets”, Lindsay McKenna for your astrological guidance and encouragement, Paul Savette and JM Miller for your guidance on military and of course Channita Leaston for helping me step into the skin of an amputee. There’s no way I could have written this story without you.

To my “kids” our puppies Tico and Gringo who put up with daddy’s long hours in front of the computer, not giving you the attention you deserve. I’ll make it up to you.  To my dear late friend Benjamin who was straight, but would have laughed at the idea of being in an M/M novel. To my dear Alberto for making me laugh, making me cry, putting me through absolute hell but being someone I’ll love, cherish and remember for a lifetime.

And last, but not least to my dear partner, Geovanny who nagged me constantly about this story, asking me if I’d finished it yet.