" Es verdad. I was beginning to worry. The only thing a parent truly wants is to know their children are happy and healthy. José has been healthy all his life but
after his father died I never thought he'd be happy again."
"I'm glad I could help."
"Oh you helped all right. I heard the two of you last night."
Ronin's cheeks heated up. He turned from her to grab a large jug of lemonade and a glass. "I'm sorry about that."
"Oh gosh, please. You guys are grown men. Just—
try to keep the noise down at night, huh?"
Ronin laughed softly as he lifted the glass to his lips to cool down the sudden heat he felt on his face. "Yes, ma'am."
"Good," she said. She came over to him, pressed a kiss to his chin, and walked to the door. "I have to run down to the diner for a bit. Keep an eye on the potatoes. If they're done before I get back, just take them off the stove and pour the water off."
"I will," Ronin promised.
The potatoes were long since cooked, and Ronin climbed the stairs to the bedroom he shared with José.
When he walked into the room José was still sleeping.
After climbing into the bed, he wrapped his arms around José and pulled in close. He felt weak with the sheer power José had over him. Ronin kissed the back of José's head through his dark hair. He inhaled and moaned at the strong
scent of his man.
"Ro?"
"Mmm?"
"Are you all right?"
"I love you."
The words hung in the air for an eternity before José turned in Ronin's arms and their gazes met.
"What did you say?"
"I said I love you."
José pushed off the bed and away from Ronin.
Ronin smiled and sat up. He watched José for a moment then flopped to his back on the bed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just tossed that at you but I couldn't help myself." He chuckled softly. "I'm going to go make a salad."
Ronin took a breath, climbed from the bed, and was heading for the door when José caught his arm.
"You love me—I've never been loved before."
"Sure you have. Gabriella loves you. The Anatolis brothers love you. Their husbands love you. Your godson loves you and now I love you."
"No you don't understand—I've never had a man, a lover, love me. Not really. They said they did and sometimes I know they really wanted to love me but never really did. I just wanted to soak in the sound of your voice saying those words because I felt meaning behind them. I
didn't want to rush it—make it noisy and confusing."
Ronin smiled and caressed José's cheek gently. "I'll give you time to soak it in."
"I love—"
Ronin pressed a finger over José's lips. "You don't have to say anything back. I didn't expect you to say it back."
* * * *
José smiled and kissed Ronin's finger before bringing the hand down to his heart. He hoped Ronin felt his heartbeat and knew it was real. "Do you feel that?"
"Yes."
"My heart beats for you, Ro. Every morning I wake up with you in my arms, all is right with the world. Last night, I woke up and the window was open. It was so corny but I just sat there watching you sleep and every beat of my heart told me right there, right beside you, was precisely where I needed to be. I just don't want you to ever stop telling me you love me."
Ronin sighed and reached in. He pressed a kiss to José's forehead. He brushed his lips against it softly, allowing his breath to flow over the slightly tanned flesh there. Kissing it again, he cradled José's face to spread
kisses against José's eyelids.
"Where's Ma?" José whispered.
"She went downstairs—I can't remember."
* * * *
José laughed softly and took a breath before stepping back from Ronin. He brushed a finger over Ronin's lips and stood in Ronin's arms in the silence of the room for a moment. The sweet scent of the Spanish air flowed through the window. He rubbed his palm against Ronin's back, touching the muscular hardness of it and feeling quite safe. He turned his head and kissed Ronin's neck. "Thank you—for all of this. I know my mom loved you the moment she laid her eyes on you."
"That's a first. Mothers never liked me. Maybe it was because I was always so nervous around them."
José laughed. "Nervous? Around mothers? All you had to do was let them hear that voice and they'd be in love."
"So I sing to your mom then?"
"My mom already likes you!"
Ronin looked thoughtful for a moment then
shrugged. "Hey, at least that's something in the back pocket for the day I do something to screw that up."
José smacked him in the arm. "Now shut up and let's make out."
"We can't. Your mom will be home soon."
"Well, it'll be good practice in the art of the quickie," José mused, while his hands became busy on Ronin's shirt buttons.
"Ever heard of not poking the bear?"
"Oh but darling, the bear will be the one doing the poking."
The End
About the Author
Remmy Duchene is a Jamaican living and working in Canada. He loves hockey, CFL, and sitting on the banks of lake Ontario.
Webpage:
www.remmyduchene.com
Blog:
http://remmyduchene.blogspot.com
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Also by Remmy Duchene
Available at Silver Publishing
Country Soul
For Your Entertainment
SONS OF EROS
Savaro's Honey Buns
Rajan's Seduction
Laird's Choice
José's Surrender
Available at Phaze Books
Saddle Up 'N' Ride
Available at MuseItHot Publishing
Caged
Available at Dreamspinner Press:
The Caldwell Effect
For Your Love
Stocking Stuffer
"Hadrian" in Sandals and Sodomy
Available at LooseID
Redemption
Reviews:
Sons of Eros: Laird's Choice
Remmy Duchene
