The Guarded Heart (16 page)

Chapter 43

October 2015

“Are you sure you want to get rid of all of these pallets?” Ryder asked as he pushed his hands into his back pockets and Clint snorted.

“We’re not keeping the pallets,” he said as he pushed Ryder’s shoulder toward the dumpster.

“I spent a lot of time making sure I grabbed the nicest pallets I could find,” he argued. “You can make just about anything with them,” he said and Clint blinked rapidly as he stared at Ryder. It was starting to look like a lost cause. “I could build you a sweet patio table,” he offered and Clint continued the blinking and staring. “Fine,” Ryder declared as he grabbed the top pallet and headed for the dumpster. He made sure they weren’t too close to any trash and easy for people to see from the road so they could find a new home.

“There are two boxes left,” Clint said as he passed Ryder on the sidewalk. Ryder nodded as he grabbed the last pallet.

He set it on the stack and watched as Clint set a box in the back of the van and jogged back into the building. A smile tilted Ryder’s lips as he stared at Clint’s ass. He loved his ass. Ryder’s face went blank and his eyes glazed as his brain screeched to halt.
What are you doing?
He asked as he looked around.
You’re moving in with Clint and you still won’t let him talk about the future,
Ryder scolded. He rubbed the back of his neck as he stared at his feet and sifted through his feelings.

Clint was everything Ryder wanted before he left. He was always telling him he loved him and wanted to make plans but Ryder would change the subject or say he wasn’t sure they were ready. Clint never stopped touching him and was always close by, even when they were out. Ryder was the one putting up walls and taking it slow. He was only moving in with Clint because it was practical, he knew he’d be spending all of his time there. At least that’s why he thought he was moving in.

Ryder jumped when Clint shoulder checked him as he passed and he pulled in a steadying breath. Clint had been so patient the last few months and Ryder kept him at arm’s length as if they were on probation.
You have to let it go. Stop holding back,
he decided as Clint shut the back of the van then smiled at Ryder as he shoved the key in his pocket.

“Are you ok?” He asked and Ryder nodded as he reached for Clint’s face.

“I love you,” he said and Clint’s lips parted on a soft gasp. It was the first time Ryder said it out loud. Clint’s hand curved around Ryder’s neck and pulled him close as their lips collided. Warmth rushed through Ryder and he felt like he was glowing as Clint’s tongue danced with his. His body tightened and need flared. “Hey. You want to run upstairs and do it in my room one last time before I turn in the key?” He asked and Clint’s brows pulled together and he shook his head.

“God, no,” he said firmly and Ryder’s lip pushed out. “I want to go home and take a shower with you and fuck in a decent bed like adults,” Clint said and Ryder held his hands up in defeat.

“Fine. I’ll run the key in,” he said as he backed away then pointed at Clint. “You don’t know what you’re missing. I was going to let you ride me like a pogo stick,” Ryder said and Clint grinned as he grabbed the front of Ryder’s shirt and pulled him back.

“You’ll do that anyway, after we take a shower,” he murmured as his lips brushed against Ryder’s and he hummed as he traced Clint’s lower lip with his tongue.

“In the shower,” he whispered and Clint groaned.

“Condoms are such a pain in the ass in the shower. They kind of kill the mood,” he complained and Ryder shook his head.

“No more condoms. Ever,” he declared and Clint froze.

“Are you sure?” He asked and Ryder nodded.

“I love you and I trust you. You’re never getting rid of me,” Ryder warned and Clint’s eyes flooded as he gathered Ryder’s face in his hands.

“I love you so much,” he said tenderly. “But if you don’t hurry up and return that key I’m going to burn the building down,” Clint promised and Ryder laughed as he skipped back a few steps.

“Start the van, I’ll be right back,” he commanded before he turned and ran for the door.

Chapter 44

December 2015

Living with Clint 2.0 was better than Ryder could have ever dreamed. He didn’t blow any fuses over the spool table and Ryder woke up one morning and found Clint wearing his red hoodie as he made vegan pancakes. The pancakes were incredible and the sex afterwords was mind blowing.

Ryder smiled dreamily across the table at Clint then sighed as the waitress set a carafe of prickly pear mimosas on the table. Clint laughed and Ryder grinned bashfully. She probably asked him a question and he probably missed it.

“You’ll have to excuse my fiancé,” Clint said and Ryder’s eyes grew wide. “He’ll have the granola and roasted vegetables,” he said and Ryder could barely nod. Whatever she said after was totally lost on Ryder. “Are you alright?” Clint asked as he reached for his hand.

“I think so,” he mumbled as his eyes dropped to their hands. And the small black box on the table. “Is there a ring in there?” Ryder asked.

“There is,” Clint said and Ryder couldn’t take his eyes off of it.

“Why?” He whispered loudly. He was still staring at the box and couldn’t feel his body.

“I’m about to ask you to marry me and I didn’t think it would be official if I didn’t give you a ring,” he explained and Ryder’s lips pulled into an O.

“Whyyyyy?” He asked and Clint waited until Ryder’s eyes lifted to his.

“I love you and the only thing I want is to spend the rest of my life making you happy,” he said clearly and loudly and people grew quiet around them. “You are generous, gentle, brilliant, patient, completely selfless and you make me laugh. You’re magic and when we touch, I feel like you’ve lit a fire within me. We belong together and I want the whole world to know that I’m yours and I will never let you go,” Clint promised and Ryder went ahead and cried.

“Ok,” he breathed as his eyes swam. “I’ll marry you,” Ryder announced as loudly as he could manage and there was quite a bit of clapping and whistling as Clint stood and bent over the table. Ryder looked up as Clint’s hand slid around his jaw and their lips brushed gently.

“I love you,” he whispered and Ryder knew the world would never be more beautiful and miraculous than it was in that moment.

“I love you too,” he said shakily and Clint grinned and pressed another kiss to Ryder’s lips before he sat down.

“Good. Let’s eat quickly so we can go home,” Clint said then pushed the box toward Ryder. His hands trembled as he opened it and a gasp burst from his lips and he had to blink several times to see clearly.

“Is that wood?” He asked as he carefully slipped the ring free and Clint nodded. Ryder felt like he was going to explode. The center of the ring was highly polished wood and it was set in a band of delicate gold that mimicked a tree branch. “It’s amazing!” Ryder’s voice failed as Clint plucked it from his grasp and carefully slid it onto Ryder’s finger.

“I took a piece of one of your pallets to a jeweler and told him to make me a ring for a thrift shop elf,” Clint said and Ryder laughed as he held his hand in front of his face.

“It’s perfect!” He declared then smiled brightly at Clint. “I can’t wait to give you a ring,” he said and Clint looked a little uneasy.

“I hate to sound shallow and ungrateful but you’re not going to make it, are you?” He asked and Ryder shook his head and waved dismissively.

“Nah. I’m going to roll up into Cartier or Tiffany’s and have a
Pretty Woman
tantrum and throw cash at them when they turn their noses up at me,” he said and Clint frowned.

“You don’t need to spend that much,” he said and Ryder snorted.

“I’m going to spend an insane amount,” he warned and shushed Clint when he started to argue. “I’ve gone my whole adult life without spending money so I could save it for something really special that would last forever,” he explained and Clint’s lips quivered. “This is it and I can’t wait,” Ryder added and Clint’s hand shot into the air.

“Check, please!” He begged loudly and Ryder winked at an elderly woman at the next table.

“I’m pretty sure we’re eloping,” he said and she cackled.

“You’re not holding out until your honeymoon!” She predicted and Ryder shook his head.

“No, ma’am,” he agreed then gasped as he was jerked to his feet. “I guess we’re leaving now!” He laughed as Clint’s hand tightened around his wrist and they rushed toward the doors.

Epilogue

August 2018

Ryder whistled as he peddled faster then steered the bike up the curved side of the curb and cheered as he caught some air and landed on the road. He grinned as the house came into sight and a ripple of excitement swept through him as he stood on the pedals and coasted toward the driveway. He applied the brakes as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He entered the code and ducked under the garage door as soon as it was high enough and hung his bike on the rack. Ryder shook his head at the pulsing sound of after hours tech as he pushed open the kitchen door and couldn’t help but smile as he watched Clint bouncing and nodding along with the music as he stirred a large pot on the stove. Barkley strolled into the kitchen and his nub wagged as he greeted Ryder and he winked at Barkley and pressed his fingers to his lips. Warmth spread in Ryder’s chest as he snuck up on Clint then quickly slid his arms around Clint and the baby carrier. Clint jumped then quickly reached for his phone on the counter.

“I didn’t hear you come in,” Clint said once the music stopped. He leaned and offered his cheek and Ryder hummed happily as he pressed his lips to it.

“How was your day?” He asked and Clint smiled.

“Great. How was your first day as principal?” He asked and Ryder offered two thumbs up as he tilted his head.

“And how was my precious girl?” Ryder asked as he kissed Amelia’s hair. “Daddy missed you so much!” He murmured and she cooed as she reached for his face.

“She was perfect,” Clint said as he pulled Ryder’s lips to his. “I’ve been keeping her up so she’ll go to bed early for us,” he said and Ryder growled softly as he pecked at Clint’s lips.

“Really?” He asked as he reached behind Clint and grabbed a handful of his ass. “What did you have in mind?” He felt Clint’s lips curve and the kitchen became hotter.

“I thought I’d show you how proud I am of you and how much I missed you today,” he whispered and Ryder groaned.

“How long until bed time?” He asked and Clint laughed as he leaned away.

“Dinner’s just about ready,” he announced as he went back to the stove and peeked in the pot. “I’m having grilled chicken and salad and you and Princess Chunk are having butternut squash soup,” Clint said and Ryder screeched like a velociraptor as he dove for one of Amelia’s thighs and she squealed as she waved her chubby little fists excitedly.

“Let me take her so you can have your hands free,” Ryder said as he lifted Amelia out of the carrier. Clint unbuckled the straps and handed it to Ryder to hang by the door. Barkley followed Ryder and watched as he put the carrier on a hook then juggled Amelia as he slid out of his backpack and hoodie. Ryder lifted her over his head and Barkley escorted Ryder to the table. Ryder dropped into his seat then lowered her and blew into the corner of her neck and she giggled hysterically. The sound was pure joy and gave Ryder goosebumps. “Did daddy tell you we’re going to swimming lessons this weekend?” Ryder asked as he held her against his chest and raised her fist to his lips. He gummed on it as Clint set a bowl of soup in front of him. Ryder reached beneath the table and patted Barkley’s side before he curled up next to Ryder’s feet.

“Her swimsuit came today and you’re going to die when you see it on her. She looks utterly perfect. The tutu is so precious,” Clint said and Ryder let out an exaggerated gasp as he pressed his lips to one of Amelia’s cheeks and blew loudly.

“I bet you’re the most perfect thing ever in your tutu,” he babbled as he dipped his spoon and raised it to his lips. He waited a few moments then tested it before lowering the spoon to Amelia’s lips and smiled as she lapped at the soup. She smacked her lips and slapped her hands on the table and Ryder laughed. “Did daddy make us some yummy soup?” He asked as he slid the spoon back into the bowl then raised it to his lips. He swallowed and moaned happily. “Daddy makes the yummiest soup ever!” Ryder exclaimed as he offered Amelia another spoonful and Clint grinned as he set his plate on the table and sat next to Ryder. Clint pressed a quick kiss to Ryder’s cheek before turning his attention to his plate.

“I made some applesauce and there’s a bowl cooling on the counter,” he said before he took a bite of his chicken and Ryder’s lips twisted as he watched Amelia lick the spoon clean.

“I’m assuming it’s not for me,” he muttered and Clint chuckled as he poked at his salad.

“It’s not,” he said and Ryder pretended to pout. “But there might be a cobbler staying warm in the oven for you if you’re really good,” Clint said as he reached under the table and curved his hand around Ryder’s thigh.

“Oh, I’ll be really good,” Ryder promised and Clint slid him a knowing wink.

“And maybe really bad?” He asked and Ryder did his best to focus on feeding Amelia. A happy baby with a full tummy fell asleep faster and stayed asleep longer. He was going to need a few hours alone with Clint.

“I’m really good at being really bad,” Ryder said and Clint nodded as his hand slid higher.

“I know. That’s why you’re so perfect for me,” he said and Ryder snorted.

“Has daddy been drinking?” Ryder whispered in Amelia’s ear and Clint shook his head as he leaned close and slid his hand around Ryder’s jaw and turned him.

“You’ve always been perfect, I’m the one that needed some work,” Clint admitted and Ryder felt like he was melting as he stared into Clint’s eyes.

“Not that much work,” Ryder said as he leaned closer. “I never doubted that you were the one,” he added and Clint rolled his eyes as his lips brushed against Ryder’s.

“You totally did,” he argued and Ryder nodded.

“I did but it sounds more romantic the other way,” he pointed out and Clint laughed softly.

“Fine, I’ll play along,” he said as he nibbled on Ryder’s lip.

“I never doubted for a moment that we were meant to be together,” Ryder said and Clint’s eyes were heavy as his fingers brushed through Ryder’s beard.

“Neither did I.”