This man had an uncanny way of making Garrick feel as if he was ten feet tall and could walk on water. His heart about as full as it could possibly get, Garrick turned in Devlin’s arms, and linked his hands at the small of Devlin’s back. “Are you trying to remind me why I love you so much, beautiful?”
Devlin pursed his lips and cocked his head to the side. “Maybe just trying to show you how great a boyfriend I can be.” He pecked a fast kiss to Garrick’s lips. “How am I doing?”
Garrick drew Devlin in and pressed his lips to the man’s forehead. He held there, eyes closed, and tried his damnedest not to lose his shit all over again. “You locked in the job the second you didn’t let me push you away.” He breathed and breathed, working like the devil to maintain his cool. “First at the airport all those years ago, and then when I wanted to keep my secrets from you here, and finally just now when you came back on your own and pushed me after I told you I’d call you tonight.” Garrick opened his eyes and looked into the brightness of Devlin’s, knowing something similar existed in his own. “Thank you for fighting for us every time I got scared.”
Devlin nodded, and his Adam’s apple moved visibly. “Thank you for picking me up in that bar when you had to sense I didn’t have any kind of experience with men or sex. Thank you for showing patience and turning a one-night fuck into a whole weekend together, and then for e-mailing me and keeping it going even though you knew you shouldn’t.” He moved his hands up and down Garrick’s arms, as if gently petting a skittish animal. “Thank you for believing in what we had, and for making your way to me when you didn’t have anyone else to trust. I’m going to keep you safe, Garrick Langley.” He rubbed their fronts against one another as that infectious smile of his appeared again. “Just you watch and see.”
“I have no doubts about that.” Garrick buried his hand in Devlin’s hair. He tilted the man’s head back and descended, brushing their lips. “You take them away every time they try to creep in.”
Devlin smiled against the connection of their mouths. “Good. I--”
Bzzz. Bzzz.
“Oh shit.” Garrick untangled himself from Devlin and dove for the clothes strewn about the floor, searching for his pants.
“What the hell is that?” Devlin asked. From the corner of his eye, Garrick could see Devlin wiping his cock clean.
“Doorbell,” Garrick answered as he struggled into his underwear and jeans. “The previous owners of the house rigged it so that it makes a noise up here every time it rings.” He pulled on his T-shirt and ran to the window. “That has to be the window guy.” One look at the logo-emblazoned truck in the driveway confirmed his suspicions. “He’s early.” Garrick shoved open his window and stuck his head halfway outside. “Hello! I’ll be right there!”
A grizzled guy walked to the end of the porch and looked up at Garrick.
“Two minutes!” Garrick lifted a couple of fingers in the man’s direction. “I’m coming.” The guy gave him a thumbs-up and moved out of sight. Garrick turned back to Devlin. “I have to go.”
In the short time it had taken Garrick to gain the attention of the repairman, Devlin had donned all his clothes. He now sat on the couch, tying his sneakers. Garrick’s were sitting neatly on the cushion right next to him, laces untied, and shoes ready to go.
“Thanks.” Garrick took two strides to the couch. Without sitting, he lifted one foot up to the cushion at a time and put them on.
Devlin, fully dressed, folded his hands on his lap. He looked up at Garrick, the edge of his lower lip tucked in between his teeth. “Do you want me to come with you?” he asked, his voice soft.
Oh, baby. Garrick almost crumbled to his knees at the hesitation he heard in Devlin’s voice. No fear. Never again. “Yeah, beautiful. I do.” Garrick stuck out his hand in offering, wiggling it. “You’re part of this too.”
Devlin dipped his head, smiling as he took Garrick’s hand, clasping it into the warmth and strength of his. As it should be.
“Let’s go.” Garrick led Devlin out of the garage apartment, pausing for just a moment to lock the door. “We have work to supervise.”
Hand in hand, Devlin and Garrick loped down the stairs and across the lawn.
Epilogue
Devlin’s world went black as Garrick tied a strip of stained white fabric across his eyes.
“Oooh.”
Devlin spun in surprise as his sister’s voice came at him out of the dark.
“Kinky,” she added.
Devlin started to topple, but hands whipped out and righted him before he tipped over. “Careful, babe,” Garrick said, his warm breath brushing Devlin’s ear. “I don’t want to spend the night at the ER having you treated for a broken limb.”
The scuff of footsteps and the sounds of metal things sliding and clanging--noises Devlin associated with his visits to see Garrick or Maddie at the garage--reached Devlin’s ears. Then he heard Maddie say, “Here are the keys. I’ll be out of your hair in just a few seconds.”
“Thanks, Maddie.” His voice low, Garrick’s rich, deep tone still carried to Devlin where he stood. “I appreciate your letting me do this.”
“No problem.” That was Maddie again. “Maybe one day I’ll care enough about a guy to want to do something special for him too.” A wistful quality filled her voice, and Devlin wanted to shake his stubborn sister.
“You already do,” Devlin reminded her from his position in the dark.
“Shut up.” Maddie’s voice snapped around the
