Page 39 of Forbidden Lust

“Happy birthday, dear Josh, happy birthday to you,” everyone sang in unison.

The moment of cringe was finally over and Josh took a moment to think of a wish. What did he ask for when he had everything? The love of his life was by his side, and he’d officially moved into Daniel’s flat two months ago. He’d been very persistent, but Josh had wanted to wait until Carly had graduated. She’d gotten a first class degree in computer science, and wanted to take a year off and do some travelling before she got a grad job. The lease of their flat was up at the end of September, and she’d be off.

Daniel and Gavin were funding it, much to Josh’s protestations. When it came down to it, Carly said it was her they were offering the money to, and not for him to turn it down on her behalf. Gavin had cleared his student loans and the debt he’d accumulated for Carly’s fees, but that was all he’d accept. He’d never wanted to get to know his dad just for his money. When he’d asked for help at the funeral, he’d been desperate. He was slowly building a relationship with hisfather. He wasn’t ready to call him Dad yet, but had changed the name in his phone from “sperm donor” to “Gavin.”

Fran had thought the “sperm donor” moniker was hilarious, though why Daniel had told her was a mystery. He hoped it hadn’t got back to Gavin. Josh adored Fran too. She was such a warm and loving woman, and reminded him of his own mother as he’d gotten to know her. His sisters were excited to have an older brother, and he enjoyed spending time with them. They even referred to Carly as their big sister. As far as they were concerned, they were all siblings now.

His job was still amazing. Oscar had given him a whopping fifty percent bonus and the pay rise he’d promised for staying. Oscar had even paid for him to complete the chief of staff qualification at Harvard, and he’d be attending in the spring. Daniel was going with him, as he said two weeks was too long for them to be apart.

Gavin, Oscar, and Daniel had been out for lunch, and things seemed to be amicable since then. His dad was a very competitive man, which Josh was still getting used to. He’d never thought much about acing a test, or coming first in a competition, but Gavin thought differently, like it was the best thing in the world. It was nice to know he was proud of him. He said it enough.

Blowing out his candles, he made his wish. They were having his birthday party at home. Daniel had insisted on hosting and his mother had travelled down for the occasion. Ever since they’d first spoken, and he’d asked what he could cook Daniel for his birthday, she’d been rooting for them. What Josh loved was that nobody questioned their age gap. It didn’t bother them, so it didn’t bother anyone else. There might come a day when he’d be on his own, but he could get hit by a bus and be the one to go first. The future wasn’t written, and there was no point in holding yourself back from following your heart.

“Oh my God,” said Carly in his ear. “Is that Gregory Balfour?”

Josh looked up at his boss, who had just arrived with his husband. He smiled and waved at them both, and they headed in their direction.

“Introduce me to him,” she hissed. “And don’t embarrass me or I’ll rip your balls off.”

Josh laughed out loud. His sister could be feisty when she wanted to be. He didn’t know why she was fangirling over Gregory, but he’d happily introduce her if she wanted.

Oscar gave him a hug, which was what he did out of work. It should feel strange, his boss being at his birthday party, but it didn’t. Gregory shook his hand.

“This is my sister, Carly. Apparently she’s a big fan of yours, Gregory.”

She jabbed him in the side, causing him to cry out. This got Daniel’s attention, who rushed over, looking concerned.

“Ah, Daniel. If you want your boyfriend to stay attached to his genitals, tell him to be quiet please.”

That caused everyone to crack up laughing, except for Josh who was genuinely concerned for his nether regions.

“Should I take him away somewhere safe?”

“No, Oscar can take him away. I need to speak to you and Gregory.”

“What about?” asked Gregory, looking mildly amused.

“You’re both very successful Starhaven alumni, and openly gay men. I need your help with a project for the queer student group.”

Carly didn’t give them a chance to respond as she took each of them by the arm, so she was in the middle, and walked them away. She’d been an active member of the queer student group since she joined Starhaven. You couldn’t ask for a better ally.

“What was that all about?” asked Oscar. “Do you think they’ll come back with lighter wallets?”

Josh chuckled. He wouldn’t put it past his sister. She didn’t have the same hang-ups he did about asking for money, but she could have asked anyone for that. She was up to something, and Josh knew neither of them would turn her down. Daniel adored Carly, and would do anything for her, and Gregory was a sweetheart who avoided drama and conflict. He’d say yes to anything, just to shut her up.

“What did my sister want earlier?”

“You’re asking me now, when I’ve got my tongue in your arse? I must be doing it wrong.”

“No, I was just–”

He was stopped from speaking as Daniel slid two slicked fingers inside him and pressed on his prostate.

“You can ask all your questions later. I need to give you your last birthday present.”

“Is it your dick, because I already had that present this morning?”

Daniel slapped his arse, making him squeal.

---