Making it Personal (19 page)

“I for one don’t like the idea of a long engagement. I don’t know how you feel on the subject, but I don’t want to wait. I want our future to start as soon as possible.”

Will grinned. “You’re going to drive me crazy, aren’t you?”

Blake’s returning grin was even wider. “You have
no
idea.”
Will was sure he’d have fun finding out, though.
Epilogue
“I’m home, babe!”

Will leaned back in his chair and stretched. “In here!” Perfect timing. He’d just finished the scene and was feeling mentally drained. He saved the five thousand words he’d written that day and closed the laptop, knowing full well that within half an hour, he’d be back on it, tweaking, adding and deleting until he was happy with it. Will wiped at his damp eyes.

“Heavy scene?” Blake was standing in the doorway to the dining room which now doubled as Will’s office, leaning against the door-jamb, his jacket slung casually over his shoulder, tie already off and shirt unbuttoned at his neck. Will felt his cock stiffen at the sight of his gorgeous husband.
Maybe the tweaking can wait for a while.
He held his breath as Blake strolled purposefully to stand behind him, slipping warm hands under his shirt to stroke his chest and tease his nipple into tight little nubs. Blake’s lips ghosted down his neck, making Will shiver with anticipation. “Need a little down time?”

Will leaned his head back and waited for the kiss he knew was forthcoming. Blake didn’t disappoint him. Will’s mouth was taken in a hungry kiss, Blake’s tongue demanding entrance, exploring him eagerly, even as he slid his hand lower to rub over the bulge at Will’s crotch. Will groaned into his husband’s mouth, loving the way Blake could get him from lukewarm to raging hot in minutes.
Minutes? Seconds
.

Blake pulled away, and Will was shocked to hear the whimper that he let escape. Blake chuckled. “Later, okay?”

“Tease,” he growled, pushing the heel of his hand against his now rigid cock. He glanced at the wall clock and straightened immediately. “I lost all track of time!”
Blake gave him a knowing smile. “Yeah, that’s an occupational hazard for you these days.”

Will ignored the gentle barb. He knew once he got into a book, they could drop the bomb and he wouldn’t notice. Focus was definitely not a problem. As long as he ignored the call of Facebook, that is. “Have you heard anything yet?” he demanded impatiently.

Blake shook his head. “You?” Same reaction. He pulled out his phone and inspected the battery level. “We should have heard something by now.”

Will gave a wry smile. “How long did it take last time? Eighteen hours?”

Blake grimaced. “Oh God, don’t remind me. All that waiting was driving me crazy! Anyway, the second is usually quicker.” Will arched his brows and Blake gave a shrug. “So they tell me.”

Will snickered. “And it’s only been”—he consulted his watch—”four hours, thirty-five minutes and fifteen seconds since you called to tell me Lizzie was in labor.” He grinned. “Your godson will get here in his own good time.” He got up from his chair and kissed Blake lightly on the lips. “I’ll make some fresh coffee. Want some?” Blake gave an absentminded nod, his thoughts clearly on Lizzie and Dave.

“Who’s got Milly?” Blake asked as he followed him into the kitchen

Will laughed as he reached for the coffee and started preparing the machine. “Not me, thank goodness!” Their three year old goddaughter was a bundle of energy who left them both exhausted each time she came to visit. Dave would laugh every time, mlook rd aocking their lack of stamina. “I think Rick and Angelo have her—God help them.” Will met Blake’s gaze. “You still sure you want to do this? When Milly stays here, it’s like a mini tornado has hit the place.”

Blake stilled. “You’re not having cold feet, are you?” Will cursed himself for putting that crease between

Blake’s eyes. He hastened to reassure his husband, drawing Blake into the circle of his arms. “No, baby, not at all.” He kissed Blake tenderly. “And it won’t be long now. I’m sure Donna will be ringing us any day now with good news.”

The phone warbling into action startled them both. Blake’s eyes widened and Will watched his hand shake as he connected the call. “Dave? Is everything okay?” His face erupted into a huge smile. “Oh, that’s great news! How’s Lizzie?” Will poured two mugs of coffee and placed one in front of Blake, who beamed at him. “How much does he weigh? Wow. Poor Lizzie.” He snickered. “Tell her she can hit me when she sees me later tonight. We’ll be there for visiting hours, armed with a teddy bear. And does our godson have a name yet?” Blake’s lip trembled and Will was disturbed to see tears welling in his eyes. “Oh Dave, that’s… that’s wonderful.” He listened intently for a minute. “Yeah, I’ll pass that on. We’ll see you later. And Dave? Thank you.”

Blake disconnected the call and stared at the screen in silence for a moment. Will waited impatiently, his heart pounding. At last he couldn’t take any more. “Well?”

Blake raised damp eyes to stare at him. “Eight pounds four ounces.” Will winced. “Justin William Thurston.”

Oh
. Will pulled Blake to him in a fierce hug, kissing his hair, his cheeks, before finally taking his mouth in a kiss full of sweetness. He broke away, wiping at his own eyes which were suddenly blurry. “Justin would have got a kick out of that.” He sniffed. They’d only lost Justin a mere six months ago, his second heart attack having proved more lethal than the first. At least he and Blake had spent the last five years building a new relationship. And as for Will, losing Justin had been as painful as if he were Will’s own father. The two men had grown really close.

Will led Blake into the living room and pushed him insistently to sit on the sofa. Will curled up next to him, sharing his warmth. Blake draped an arm around him, pulling him close.
“The saddest thing?” Blake stared into space. “Dad will never get to see his grandchild.” They’d spent the last year finding a surrogate, and Donna was perfect. Both men had donated sperm at the clinic. It didn’t matter to either of them who the baby’s biological father would be. It would be
their
child.

Will kissed his cheek. “I’m sure he’ll know. I believe that.” Blake gave him a watery smile. “And it’s great news about Dave and Lizzie.” He chuckled. “Who’d have thought it? Inviting Dave to that party all those years ago changed both their lives.”

Blake looked at him keenly. “Just how many years ago was that, now?” His eyes twinkled.

Will snickered. “No, I haven’t forgotten. The champagne is in the fridge and the deli chicken is in the oven.” He cupped Blake’s cheek and kissed him on the mouth. “Happy fifth wedding anniversary, Mr. Davis—and of course, Happy 36th Birthday.” They spent several minutes doing nothing but kiss, slowly and languidly, both content to enjoy the moment. Blake broke the kiss to take a drink from his mug. His eyes went to the bookshelves where one shelf had been given over to Will’s books. Will saw the direction of his gaze.

“Do you ever regret firing me?” Will bit his lip, waiting for the usual outburst. He didn’t have to wait long. “I didn’t fire you!”

Will burst into a peal of laughter. “Oh yes you did. I can still hear every word you said that day. You told me I needed to do something else with my life, and that you’d support me in every way you could while I concentrated on my writing.”

Blake grumbled. “Well, could you have carried on working under me?”

Will leered. “Oh, but I love being under you.” Blake smacked his arm. “Be serious.”

Will grinned. “Oh, but I was being
very
serious.” He waggled his eyebrows and then pouted as Blake hauled himself up off the sofa and walked over to the bookshelf. Will knew without looking exactly what Blake was doing. Sure enough, Blake turned around with a familiar volume in his hands. Will had to smile. “Be careful with that. It’s a very rare item.” It was the copy of his book, Out in the Cold, that Blake had produced for him that first Christmas together. The only copy in existence.

“Do you ever regret not letting me publish it? It could have been huge, you know.”

Will shook his head. “It was the right decision, babe. It was far too personal to me. And there was always the chance that someone would recognize me from it. I didn’t want people rooting around in my past. Besides, that chapter of my life is over.” He glanced over at the row of books which represented the last five years of his life. He gazed up at his husband. “I’ve never regretted leaving Trinity. Working on my writing has been so fulfilling, not to mention lucrative.” His latest gay thriller had been out for over two months now, and it hadn’t budged from the top five at Amazon. And of course the success of the books had finally helped to pay off the last of his student loans. Their conversation was still so clear in his head, like it was yesterday. He vividly recalled his reaction when Blake had offered to support him.

“I did…what I did because I wanted to pay off the loans. I appreciate the fact that you're offering to help, but you have to understand. If I take money from you for this? It seems like I'm still whoring myself to pay for them." Blake opened his mouth to speak, but Will raised a hand. "I didn't say it was logical. It's howI feel. Please say you understand."

The corners of Blake's mouth turned upward. "Yes, I understand. What I was going to say was I think that's an incredible attitude to have and shows strength of character."

“Enough introspection, Mr. Davis.” Blake grinned suddenly. He’d been so happy when Will had asked to take his name after the wedding. Will had no inclination to keep the name Parkinson. It only served as a reminder of the family who had cast him aside. Justin had been more of a father to him in their five years as a family than he’d ever dreamed possible.

Blake came over to the sofa and extended a hand to him. Will took it, puzzled. Blake pulled him to his feet. Blake wrapped his arms around Will and held him close, murmuring into his ear, his husky voice doing delicious things to Will’s cock.

“We have a few hours until it’s time to go to the hospital. Dinner only needs heating up, and the champagne can wait until we get home.” Blake tugged gently at Will’s earlobe with his teeth. Will shivered. “And let’s not forget, today is also another anniversary. Six years ago tonight, babe.” He gestured toward the rug. “The new bottle of lube is in the coffee table drawer.” He winked.

Will grinned. “I’ll fet emsch the leather shackles.” The End
Coming soon from Island Tales Press….
Waiting for a Prince

When trainee hairdresser Mark sees Sam for the first time in the salon, it’s lust at first sight. Sam is Mark’s living, breathing fantasy guy. He couldn’t
be
more perfect. Of course, there’s the tiny, insignificant detail that Sam has a girlfriend.
Hell
….. A chance meeting on Mark’s favourite beach brings the two men together, and Mark finds himself with a new friend. As they spend more time together, Mark grows to see Sam less as an object for his lust and more as someone who just… fits. But falling in love with your new best friend—especially when he’s straight—is bound to bring heartache in the end.

Sam likes Mark. As in, he
really
likes him. And he’d like to get to know him even better. But Sam has secrets. There are things going on in his life that he can’t bring himself to tell Mark about, because the shame Sam feels is too much to bear, and not something he ever wants to share with another living soul. And if Mark ever finds out how Sam really feels about him, and the fact that he’s lied to him…. Sam can’t take that chance.
Then one drunken night in the pub changes everything….

Coming July 12th from Dreamspinner Press….
An Unlocked Heart – A Collars Cuffs novel

Since the death of his submissive lover two years ago, Leo Hart hasn’t been living–merely existing. He focuses on making Collar s Cuffs, a BDSM club in Manchester’s gay village, successful. That changes the night he and his business partner have their weekly meeting at Severinos. Leo can’t keep his eyes off the new server. The shy man seems determined to avoid Leo’s gaze, but that’s like a red rag to a bull. Leo loves a challenge.

Alex Daniels works at Severinos to scrape together the money to move out on his own. He struggles with coming out, but he’s drawn to Leo, the gorgeous guy with the icy-blue eyes who’s been eating in his area nearly every night.

Leo won’t let Alex’s hesitance get in the way. He even keeps him away from the club so as not to scare him. And as for telling Alex that Leo is a Dom? Not a good idea. One date becomes two, but date two leads to Leo’s bedroom… and Alex discovers things about himself he never realized – and never wanted anyone to see.

Already released titles from Dreamspinner Press…..
Learning to Love: Michael Sean

Sean and Michael are best friends from the minute they meet and become roommates. But after supporting Sean in the wake of his brother’s death, Michael finds himself questioning his sexuality and thinking about his roommate in a totally unexpected light. After all, he and Sean are straight—or so he thought. Suddenly Michael’s not so sure any more. He turns to their gay housemate, Evan, for advice. Little does he know he’s not the only one seeking Evan’s help.
Michael and Sean are both thrilled to explore their newly discovered feelings for each other, but not everyone shares their enthusiasm. When the reality of homophobia intrudes on their academic and perrug. scrape sonal lives and
threatens their happiness, the adversity should draw them closer. Instead, it drives a dangerous wedge between them and puts their relationship, their futures, and their health at risk.

Learning to Love: Evan Daniel

Evan Wainwright’s good relationship karma is paying off. After helping his friends, Sean and Michael, discover their sexuality—and each other— Evan meets the love of his life. Their new housemate, Daniel Collier, is everything Evan could want in a boyfriend. Now if Evan can just work out why Daniel panics whenever Evan tries to get close.

Daniel has finally met his soul mate. Evan is perfect for him—at least, he would be, if Daniel could find the courage to overcome his demons and leave the past behind. But his mental scars prove difficult to heal, and Daniel struggles with his heart, even though it tells him Evan is the one.
Life in the student house goes on despite the usual interruptions: a wedding, a trial for a hate crime, a gay couple with exhibitionist tendencies. Through it all, Evan and Daniel remind themselves they are meant to be together. But until Daniel trusts Evan with the secret that’s tearing his family apart, “meant to be” is on hold.