Close the Distance (12 page)

“Move in with me,” he said.

Ion jerked his stare from the ceiling to Adrien’s face. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. I don’t like the idea of us being apart for any length of time except work and school. I want to share my bed with you, wake up beside you and take a shower with you in the morning. I want your clothes in my closet and your shoes next to mine on the floor.”

“You have to do this here? In an upstairs love nest at a gay club after you’ve just fucked me silly and your cum is dripping from my ass?” Ion shook his head. “You couldn’t have thought of a more romantic place to do it at?”

Well yes, he could’ve done it more romantically, but it wouldn’t have been any more honest and sincere. He wanted Ion living with him for all those reasons he’d listed.

“If you want, I’ll take you out to dinner tomorrow, give you flowers and a beautiful box with a gold copy of my key in it. But I couldn’t help it, Ion. I love you so much and it just came out.” Adrien rested his hand on Ion’s chest, trailing his fingers through the cum then bringing them to his mouth to taste.

Ion studied him and Adrien grew worried.
Is it too soon? Should he have waited for them to have dated a month or a year?

“I know we haven’t been dating for very long, but I know, in my heart, this is the right thing for us, Ion.” He took Ion’s hand in his then pressed it to his heart. “I love you, but if you’re not ready to do this, then we won’t. I’m not going to push you into anything you don’t want to do.”

Ion took a deep breath then curled up to take Adrien’s lips in a hard kiss. When they finished, he lay back down. “Of course I’ll move in with you. I know how you feel about it being right. I’m sure our friends and family will think we’re crazy to do this so quickly, but when it feels this real, then we should do as our hearts tell us.”

Adrien tackled Ion, kissing and hugging him until they were both breathless. Ion shoved him over onto his back then grabbed the lube from where he’d tossed it earlier. He groaned when Ion slicked up his cock once again before straddling his hips. He put his hands at Ion’s waist, steadying him as he impaled himself on Adrien’s shaft.

This time he kept their love making slow and gentle. He wasn’t interested in chasing Ion over the edge into passion. He wanted to ease both of them into their climaxes and Ion seemed to feel the same. They rocked together, kissing and touching, letting the pleasure build.

His balls tightened and it was the only warning he had before he came, filling Ion with his cum once again. Ion released a low moan and pearly strings of cum coated Adrien’s stomach. A few seconds later, Ion fell into his arms. Adrien ignored the stickiness between them as he held Ion close.

He didn’t know how much time had gone by before Ion sighed then climbed off him.

“We should get back down there and celebrate. Also, let Patrick and Sidney know they’re going to have to help me move my stuff to your place.” Ion rummaged through the cabinet and came up with some wet wipes.

They cleaned up as best they could then dressed. Adrien went down first to unlock the door while Ion finished wiggling into his jeans. Once Ion was with him, they slipped from the stairway out into the milling group of men. It seemed to have grown more crowded and was louder.

Adrien took Ion’s hand in his as he led the way back to where their friends were drinking and dancing. He couldn’t wait to tell everyone he knew that Ion was moving in with him. Plus his family would be thrilled to know he wasn’t letting Ion get away. Of course, once his mother heard about their new living arrangements, she was going to start nagging him about getting married. He smiled. Who knew getting the right to marry would become such a hassle?

Chapter Ten

Ion glanced around their apartment, making sure everything looked perfect. Bogdan and Olive were coming for dinner for the first time since Ion had moved in with Adrien. It had been four months since then, and Bogdan was still recovering from his accident.

He’d come out of the coma without any brain damage, which was a miracle in itself, but aside from the shattered leg and arm, he didn’t seem to have sustained anything lasting from being in the hospital for three months. Bogdan was doing rehab for his injuries and Olive had stayed strong to help him.

They’d never discussed the fact that Ion and his parents hadn’t spoken a word since that day in the hospital. Olive kept him informed of how they were doing, but Ion wasn’t going to be the one to break the standoff.

He was who he was, and he wasn’t going to apologise for loving Adrien. Olive had never asked him to be any different, and Bogdan had been focused on other things besides what was going on between Ion and their parents.

Glancing at the clock, he wondered if Adrien would make it home. His lover had had to go to Japan to deal with some business issues. He’d thought he’d be back yesterday, but his flight had got delayed.

Oh well. If he’s not here, it’ll be okay. I’ll just have them over again when Adrien can be here.
Just as Ion thought that, the door opened and Adrien entered.

“You made it,” he said as he went to give him a kiss and take his jacket. “You have enough time to take a shower and change your clothes.”

Adrien gave him a tired smile and nod before heading to their bedroom. He heard the shower turn on just as the buzzer sounded.

“Yes, Guilleme?”

“Mr Vasile, your brother and sister-in-law are here,” the doorman informed him.

“You can send them up,” he confirmed then glanced around one more time before he went into the kitchen to open the wine. Bogdan couldn’t drink alcohol at the moment, so he and Ion would be having coffee or tea. He peered into the oven to double check that the lasagne he’d made was just about ready to come out.

A knock sounded and Ion rushed to the door then threw it open. “Welcome.”

His smile dimmed slightly when he saw his father standing beside Bogdan. Olive took his hand before stepping inside, which forced Ion to move back.

“I hope you don’t mind. Mama is visiting Aunt Sallem and Pops would be by himself. You know he can’t cook.” Olive used her eyes to plead with him.

“Pops is welcome here whenever he wants. There’s enough food for everyone. Adrien just got back from a business trip, so he’s cleaning up and will be out in a few minutes.” He gestured to their coats. “Can I take your jackets?”

He took Olive’s and his father’s then waited patiently while Bogdan took his off. No one offered to help him. His brother was very determined to get back to the way he was before the accident.

“You can either go on into the living room or the kitchen. There’s some merlot breathing on the counter and I just made a pot of coffee.” He hung up their coats then gestured towards the other rooms.

“Why don’t Bogdan and I got get the drinks? You can show Pops to the living room,” Olive suggested as she took her husband by the arm to lead him to the kitchen.

Ion shook his head, but looked at his father and gave him a small smile. “Come on. You’ll love the living room. Adrien has a fifty-two inch television and watching games is pretty incredible on it.”

Pops grunted before saying, “George from the factory has one. He had us over for a ball game the other weekend. Looked good.”

Well, if this isn’t awkward. It wasn’t like we had a lot to talk about before. Now it’s like there’s a giant elephant in the room and it has Mama’s name on it.

After motioning to the couch, he took a seat in one of the chairs. He rested his hands on his thighs while he wondered what they could talk about. His father cleared his throat and Ion looked at him. Pops studied him for a moment before looking around the room.

“I’m sorry we haven’t talked for a while, Ion. I know that must seem like we’ve disowned you and to be honest, I think your mother has.”

Pain shot through Ion’s chest, even though he shouldn’t have been surprised by his father’s announcement. “What about you?”

His father shrugged. “I don’t suppose it matters whether you love a guy or a girl. Do you love this man?”

“Yes, Pops. I do love him.” He wasn’t going to lie to make his father comfortable, but it sounded like maybe he didn’t have to worry about that.

“And he loves you?”

“I do,” Adrien spoke from where he stood in the doorway. He strolled over to sit on the arm of the chair and rest his hand on Ion’s shoulder. “I love your son with all my heart, Mr Vasile.”

“Then that’s all that matters.” His father held out his hand to Adrien. “Welcome to the family, Mr Bellamy.”

“Please, call me Adrien. I have to ask what will your wife say to all this?” Adrien shook Pops’ hand before going back to sit next to Ion.

“She’s not happy with what I think. Your mother has called me many names that we won’t discuss here. I’ve told her that she doesn’t have to have anything to do with you if that’s how she feels, but I won’t turn my back on my youngest son because of this.”

Tears welled in Ion’s eyes and he wanted to hug him, but even if his father accepted who he loved, Pops wasn’t a demonstrative man, so hugging wasn’t an option.

“Thank you, Pops.”

Another shrug told Ion he was a little uncomfortable with the emotions brewing in the room. At that moment, Olive and Bogdan came in. She carried a tray with the wine glasses and coffee cup and his brother brought in a plate of appetisers Ion had made up beforehand.

Everyone got settled and they were chatting quite happily when someone knocked on the door. Ion looked over at Adrien quizzically and his lover shrugged, yet he had the feeling Adrien knew who it was.

Opening the door, Ion was shocked to see Robert and Alyssa along with Amelia and Jonathon all standing there.

“Umm…hello. I didn’t know you were going to be in the city this weekend,” he said as they walked in.

They hung up their own coats then went on to be introduced to Olive, Bogdan and Ion’s father. Adrien joined him in the kitchen as he gathered more glasses and opened another bottle of wine.

“Did you know they were going to stop by?” he hissed as he checked the vegetables roasting in the oven along with the lasagne.

“They said they might stop by if they decided to come in. Nothing was definite. Don’t worry. We have more than enough for everyone. And if they’re still hungry, they’ll stop somewhere to get more food.” Adrien nuzzled his cheek and patted his ass before strolling back into the living room with the rest of the wine.

It turned out to be the evening Ion had dreamed would happen. Somehow his father and Robert got along beautifully. Ion hadn’t known how much his father loved car racing, and that was perfect for Robert.

Amelia and Alyssa chatted with Olive and Bogdan like they were old friends. Adrien put his arm around Ion’s shoulder and he turned to press his face against Adrien’s flat stomach. Taking a deep breath, he got his emotions under control enough to be able to talk with everyone without bursting into tears.

The only way it would have been better was if his mother had been there, yet he had a feeling that even if she had accepted his being gay, she wouldn’t have been happy with the Bellamys. Their money would have convinced her that they were looking down on her because she didn’t live in the Hamptons or own a huge house. She would’ve found something wrong because she wasn’t a happy person if she wasn’t the one who was the centre of attention.

Ion pushed any thought of his mother to the back of his mind. He wasn’t going to let her ruin his happiness on a wonderful night with family all around him.

Dinner was great and after they finished eating, they gathered again in the living room to continue talking. Ion went to sit next to Bogdan who wasn’t talking much but seemed to be enjoying himself.

“Are you doing all right?” he asked as he sat.

Bogdan nodded. “Just tired. All of this is a little overwhelming.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t realise Adrien’s family was going to stop by. If I had, I would’ve warned you. They’re marvellous people, but they can be a little much at times.”

“Do they come over often?” Bogdan waved his hand in their direction.

Ion shook his head. “No. In fact, this is the first time they’ve visited us since I moved in here. I wonder why they came to the city.”

“Ion, can you come here for a moment? I might be able to tell you why my family is here.” Adrien held out his hand.

Ion went to his love, wondering what Adrien was talking about. “You said you didn’t know they were going to be here.”

“I lied. I asked them to come and join us tonight. I knew that Olive and Bogdan would be here. Having your father here is a bonus.”

Ion clenched his hands and watched in shock as Adrien dropped to one knee in front of everyone. He thought his eyes would fall out of his head if they opened any wider when Adrien pulled a small blue box out of his pocket.

“Ion Vasile, love of my life, will you marry me and put me out of my misery?”

He snorted in surprised laughter at Adrien’s question. “Out of your misery?”

“If I have to listen to my mother ask me one more time when I’m going to marry you so she can start planning the wedding, I think I’ll go crazy,” Adrien murmured, motioning with his head to where Alyssa stood, fingers pressed to her mouth and tears in her eyes.

“Well, when you put it that way,” Ion said as he closed the distance between them while Adrien stood. He wrapped his arms around Adrien’s neck and whispered against his lips, “I love you, Adrien Bellamy, and yes, I’ll marry you whenever and wherever you want.”

Also available from Totally Bound Publishing:

His Last Client

T.A. Chase

Excerpt

Chapter One

No matter how many times Gib stared at the balance in his checking account, the numbers didn’t change. He was going to be short for rent this month. Sighing, he rested his chin on his hand and frowned. He couldn’t ask for more hours at the Meliá, the hotel in downtown Atlanta that he tended bar at. They were already giving him as many as they could. No, he was going to have to make up the difference in his usual way. After picking his phone up off the table, he dialled a familiar number.