Page 66 of Finding Michael

“Me too.” Michael cradled Tristan against his body. “I loved it a lot.” He meant every word.

Tristan didn’t say anything for a long moment. Michael swore he could hear Tristan’s heartbeat. He held his lover and petted his hair. No more kidding himself or trying to deny the truth. He loved Tristan down to his soul.

“You said the word love,” Tristan murmured. “About me.”

“I did.” He kissed the top of Tristan’s head. “You’re pretty special.” He’d started to offer his heart. Time to finish the job. “When I saw the gun pointed at you…my stomach ached and my heart dropped. I got so scared I’d lose you.”

“I’m here.”

“I don’t know if I can live here in New York, but I know I want to be wherever you are. I love you, Tristan. I don’t care about the fame or your family’s money. I only want you.” He brushed his cheek over Tristan’s hair. “I never thought I’d say that again. Not to anyone.” He chuckled. “I’m in love with you.”

Tristan sat up. His cum smeared between them and shimmered on his chest. He curled his fingers under Michael’s chin. “I love you, too.”

Michael smiled. For the first time since he’d met Tristan, he didn’t doubt the truth in his words.

“I’m serious about what I said. The lease here runs out in a couple of months and I never liked it here all that much. I’m betting my cousin and her soon-to-be-husband would like this place better.” Tristan nodded. “I’m guessing my aunt would love it, too, because they’d be closer.”

“Okay.” His heart raced. He had a good idea what Tristan was about to say, but he wanted to hear the words to be sure. “And that means?”

“I’m moving to Sullavan for good. I want you to live with me at the farmhouse. We’ll get the shelter going and be better than we ever thought. Promise me you want to,” Tristan said.

“I do.” No hesitation. No thought. He believed in his gut and his heart.

“Michael?” Tristan’s eyes widened. “You’re sure?”

“I agree with all of it.” He hadn’t expected his life would come full circle this way, but he wouldn’t change much of it. Tristan was the future he’d never believed possible.

“I bet Reg would bring my shit home if I asked.” Tristan threw his arms around Michael’s shoulders. “We should shower and sleep. We’ve got a party tonight and cops who want to talk to us again.”

Michael sighed.So much for forgetting our troubles.“What party?” He didn’t have to ask about the police.

“My cousin’s engagement party. I wasn’t going to attend, but that was the other reason I dragged you here to New York. I want everyone to meet my boyfriend.” Tristan beamed. “I’ve never brought anyone home before. My aunt will lose her shit, but I don’t care. I want to be comfortable in my own skin and you make me feel that way.”

“I’m honored.” And petrified. He hadn’t planned on a party. “But what am I supposed to wear? All I brought was a T-shirt and jeans.”

“I know. It was rather spur of the moment.” Tristan sagged on Michael’s lap. “I’ve got stuff here you can borrow. You’re a tad thinner than me, but I’ve got the feeling you’ll look better in my clothes than I do.”

“I doubt that, but I’m doubly honored.” Michael palmed Tristan’s sticky chest. “We’ll make a date of it and have the time of our lives.”

“See if you feel that way after you’ve met my aunt. If she thinks you’re not cultured or wealthy enough, she’ll turn her nose up at you,” Tristan said. “Sad, but that’s the truth for her. For me, you’re perfect.”

“It’ll work out. Promise.”

“I’ve got you. Everything’s already worked out.”

Michael held Tristan and laughed. One minute he was lonely and looking for love at the library, then the next a sexy writer walked into his life. Would he have changed any of it? Probably the being held at gunpoint part, but that instant had proven to him just how much he loved Tristan.

“Shower with me. I promise we’ll get clean and crash.” Tristan left Michael’s lap. “Once we’ve had a power-nap…then all bets are off.”

“I’m counting on that.” He followed Tristan to the shower. He’d never get enough of the view of Tristan’s ass as he walked. Someone must’ve shown Tristan favor to have a butt like that, but then they must’ve liked Michael, too, if they’d ensured he and Tristan would meet. He’d won the guy lottery.

* * * *

Tristan strode up the front steps of the art gallery and his heart lodged in his throat. Coming to the party wasn’t such a big deal, but introducing Michael was and he worried what his aunt would say. He squeezed Michael’s fingers. “You look fantastic.”

“Your clothes are too big,” Michael muttered. “I’m afraid the belt won’t hold and my pants will fall down. I’ve never worn a tuxedo in my life.”

“You’re fine.” He stopped just before the main doors and tugged Michael aside. “Plus, it’ll make it easier to take them off when we get back in the limo.”

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