Page 147 of All The Things: The Last Thing He Needs Omnibus

Ben laughed softly at that, reaching up to trail a fingertip over Gavin’s lip. “I never ran too far ahead, in case you didn’t notice.”

“I noticed.” Gavin brushed a kiss to Ben’s finger and let his eyes slide shut, getting lost in the feel of Ben, the feel of them together. He knew they worked best in bed, but they did good everywhere else too, so that was okay, right?

Gavin moved against Ben, let Ben prep him slowly in that thoughtful, careful way of his. They left the lights on, which was the way Gavin always liked it. He wanted to look at Ben, see all the ink—new and old—that covered his body. About the time Gavin felt like he might fly apart, Ben pushed the head of his cock against Gavin’s entrance and Gavin sank down over him. “Don’t think I missed the fact—” He paused with a deep groan, grateful they could make a little noise finally. “—that I’m the one who has to do all the work here.”

Ben reached up and threaded his fingers into Gavin’s hair, his other hand steady on Gavin’s hip. “I’m an evil genius like that.” He pulled Gavin down closer, met him in the middle with a hard kiss, effectively shutting them both up.

It had been too long for both of them. The last month had been a haze of work and sleep, with nothing more than a few handjobs and one memorable fuck against the shower wall in the early morning hours.

Ben didn’t seem too interested in hurrying them along, but Gavin’s body begged to differ. He was on top, so he set the pace, riding Ben harder and faster until Ben finally took the cue and wrapped his fingers around Gavin’s erection. He stroked him slow at first, seeming to purposely stay out of rhythm with Gavin, but after a moment of that, Ben let out a shuddering gasp and started to move his hand in slick, frantic motions over Gavin’s cock.

That was all it took for Gavin. With one loud groan, he came through Ben’s fingers, spilled out over Ben’s stomach, his chest. When Gavin finally opened his eyes again and looked down, there was even come in Ben’s stubble. When he leaned down to lick it off, Ben muttered Gavin’s name, held him tight, and came deep inside Gavin.

One of the bonuses of ditching condoms years earlier was that if they wanted to stay like that all night, they could. Gavin didn’t move for a long time. He knew there would be a mess, but whatever. He rested on Ben’s chest and let his eyes drift shut as Ben petted his hair and tickled his shoulder. He nearly fell asleep like that. Until Ben spoke.

“I think we should get married.”

Gavin’s heart fluttered out of rhythm again. This was interesting. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Ben kissed the side of Gavin’s head, held him close. “If anything happens to me, you won’t have to pay a bunch of taxes and stuff and… The laws protect us right now, but five years from now? Who the hell knows. I just don’t want you to have any bullshit to deal with if the time comes, ya know?”

Okay. As proposals went, that wasn’t the best he’d ever heard. “So… you want to marry me to ease your mind in case you die?”

“Well, I mean…” Ben trailed his hand down Gavin’s back, pressed it warmly against Gavin’s skin. “Among other reasons, but, in part, yeah.”

Gavin pulled back and reached for something to clean them up with. The sheet would have to do. “You’re such a romantic, Ben.”

Why was he so bugged? Gavin couldn’t even decide for sure. It’s not like Ben never said nice things, never went for a few romantic gestures, and hell, Gavin didn’t really need poetry and roses, like, ever. But he’d expected… something when they finally had the big tie-the-knot conversation. Or at least something that didn’t involve Ben’s standby in case I die speech.

Ben didn’t say anything more after that, possibly afraid to open his mouth. And when Ben reached for him after he settled on his side of the bed, he let Ben pull him closer. He didn’t fall asleep for a long while, though.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ben

Gavin seemed cool when they woke up. Not angry exactly, but not happy either.

Yeah, Ben had fucked up. Again. Fine. But, hell. He’d been thinking about it for so long, all the good reasons they should just go ahead and get married, Ben had focused on what he thought were the important points. Okay, sure, maybe he didn’t have a bunch of big fluffy gay rainbow feelings about marriage, but he did have feelings about it.

Ben grew up in a happy home with two parents who loved each other like crazy. They fought, they laughed, sometimes they cried. But always, they loved. Ben’s father wasn’t big on sweeping romantic gestures, but who cares? His mother never seemed to mind. Ben’s mom seemed to understand that he showed his love by taking care of his family, coming home to her, never going to bed angry. What was wrong with that?

“What time is your mom getting in today?” Gavin asked without actually looking at Ben.

Right. He’d almost forgotten she was coming. When they’d first decided on a date for her month-or-more visit, it had seemed like a great idea. She could help them finish unpacking, and she would be on hand when Tina’s baby came. Tina had been reading up on everything baby related and had almost finished the birth and aftercare class, but having someone around who had hands-on experience with a real live baby seemed like a good idea.

Now, though? With Gavin giving him a chilly—if not cold—shoulder, it seemed less appealing.

“Plane lands a quarter after two.”

Gavin only nodded at first. He’d gotten up early, showered, shaved his peach fuzz, and now stood in front of the dresser pulling on a pair of jeans. “It’ll be tight, picking her up and then getting back here in time to get Tina to the birthing center for her appointment and her class.”

“I can pick Mom up.” Ben decided he should probably get up for the day too, but he still hadn’t moved.

“On the back of your bike? What’s your plan for her luggage?”

Good point. They’d finally gotten a new car—not exactly cute, but at least not ugly. Gavin didn’t hate it and Ben could afford it. Another score for compromise. “Yeah, okay. Do you mind picking her up, or should I get her a shuttle?”

“I’ll get her.” Gavin turned to look at him finally. “But you need to stay here since the new refrigerator is being dropped off today. Don’t let them leave without that old piece of shit. They’re supposed to haul it away for free, but my friend who recommended them told me when she bought from them, they tried to leave her old one and then tried to charge her for taking it.”

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