Something About Fireworks Read online

  “Claim me.”

  I almost don’t hear Ollie’s words, or maybe I imagine them. Regardless, it’s time I made this man mine and bring his fantasy full circle. I increase my rhythm and try several different angles until a scream of utter ecstasy rips from his lips.

  “Yes,” I grunt, nailing his gland over and over, slamming into him balls deep with every thrust. Every inch of me is overwhelmed by the intensity of how incredible this feels.

  “Oh my God. Gray.”

  My climax grows closer, exquisite pleasure surging deep within my groin. I feel it coming, rising up my shaft. Nearing the edge, I pull him up, wrapping an arm around his middle and a hand around his dick. Within moments, Ollie lets go, a hoarse cry ripping from his throat as he comes over my hand. My erection swells larger. I’m seconds behind him. My orgasm tears through me, shattering every cell, every nerve. Clutching for life, I sink my teeth into the flesh between his neck and shoulder, marking him, claiming him, almost by instinct, as I fall over the edge into the abyss of infinite joy.

  As I come down from my high, my brain still dancing from endorphins, I relax my jaw and kiss the spot where I bit him, hoping I didn’t actually hurt him. Blissfully sated, my body near boneless, I collapse to my side and pull Ollie with me. His breathing and heart rate slow at a pace similar to mine as we lie together, unmoving.

  I close my eyes, holding Ollie tight against my chest, and whisper, “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  Chapter 10

  Ollie

  My heart is soaring.

  He did it. Gray actually did it. He brought my fantasy to life in ways I never imagined.

  My Alpha claimed me.

  Warm pleasure still hums throughout my body. I had never known sex could be so intense and passionate and mind-blowingly wonderful.

  His arms around me, Gray embraces me as though I really am his, and I don’t want him to let go. His whispered words tempt my brain to believe that what we already have is no fantasy. My heart is all in, but my mind keeps trying to rationalize everything.

  “I’m serious,” Gray whispers.

  “I know.”

  “You’re part of me now. I’m not letting you go.”

  A shiver cascades over my skin. “You claimed me.”

  “I did.”

  I shift and roll to my other side to face him. “Thank you. I know it was probably weird, but—”

  Gray cuts me off with a kiss. “I loved it.”

  My heart swells, warmth spreading in my chest, and I can’t help the smile on my face. I almost want to leap for joy because of how amazing this feels. “I can’t believe you actually bit me,” I chuckle.

  Gray smiles. “I can’t believe it either. Odd thing is, I wanted to, and then I didn’t want to stop. Speaking of which, maybe we should get up and I’ll look at it to make sure I didn’t break the skin.”

  “We should get up anyway. I’m starving.”

  “Right. You were gonna rummage through the kitchen for something to cook.”

  “And while I do that, maybe we can talk about just how fast or slow we’re going to take things. There are some things I can’t rush, for Camden’s sake.”

  “I know, and I wouldn’t ask you to.” Gray kisses me, lingering for a moment before he pulls back. “Come on. Dinner and a movie on the couch with you sounds like a perfect way to continue our evening.”

  ***

  Gray wasn’t kidding when he said he only had the basics.

  “When Camden and I move in here, this is going to change,” I say, closing the freezer after checking the contents for a third time. “Eggs, toast, and smoked salmon it is. Hope you don’t mind breakfast for dinner.”

  “Not at all. Okay, so, back to our plan. Three months, and as long as things are going well, we’ll talk to Camden about you guys moving in with me.”

  “Right. I also want to make sure Audrey’s okay with it.”

  “Agreed. Once that happens, I’m thinking we just let things take their natural course from there. We’ll take the next steps when the time is right.”

  “Next steps as in getting engaged then married?”

  “And then maybe a brother or sister for Camden?”

  I look up from the raw eggs I’ve mixed in a glass bowl, my lips pressed into a smile, and catch Gray’s hopeful gaze. “I can’t believe we’re actually talking about this.”

  Gray comes around the kitchen counter and pulls me into an embrace from behind, pressing his chest to my back. “I never thought I’d talk about this with anyone ever again.”

  I twist my head to look up at him. Our lips meet in a chaste, tender kiss.

  “But it feels right, doesn’t it?” I whisper.

  “It does.”

  I spin in his arms to face him. “I feel as though I already love you.”

  “I know I love you. A little bit more than yesterday and a little less than tomorrow.” Gray’s eyes search mine. “Don’t let the outside world tell you that you can’t fall in love with someone in a day. I’ve been there. I know how it feels. And I haven’t felt like this since I met Jason.”

  It’s the first time he’s mentioned Jason that doesn’t follow with a solemn silence or a faraway look in his eyes. I see only affection.

  “Jason must have been quite a guy.”

  “He was.” A smile teases the corner of Gray’s mouth. “You’re nothing like him.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  “It is?”

  “Yep, because that means you love me for me and not because I remind you of him.”

  “I never thought of it that way.”

  “I’m a romance editor. I think of these things all the time.” I laugh a little, knowing I have a huge grin stretching my cheeks. The way Gray looks at me shifts. It’s a look of disbelief or maybe wonder, and it makes my heart flip. “What?”

  “I just love hearing your laugh.”

  “What else do you love about me?”

  “Your honesty. I love that you trust me enough not to hide parts of yourself from me.”

  “Part of me was worried you’d laugh or mock me for it, but I knew if I didn’t ask, it would remain a fantasy. I suppose, in a way, it was a test.”

  “And did I pass?”

  “You know you did.”

  “I hope you realize you’ve woken a sleeping dragon.”

  I smirk. “I have, huh?”

  “You have no idea,” he growls, capturing me in a fervent kiss.

  “Does this make you a dragon shifter?” I jest between kisses.

  “I kinda like the sound of that.” Gray releases me and grabs a frying pan from the cabinet beside me. “What kind would you be if you could pick?” Setting the pan on the stove, he pulls a spatula from the drawer as I go back to beating the eggs.

  “Shifter? A fox.”

  “Any reason?”

  “I don’t know. Do you have olive oil?”

  “I do, actually.” Gray spins and grab a bottle from beside the fridge. He drizzles some oil in the pan.

  “I’ve just always liked foxes. Arctic ones in particular.”

  Gray pulls out half a loaf of bread and takes out four slices, setting them on a paper towel.

  “I can see you as a fox.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Smart, cunning, but not wanting to stand out.”

  He’s got me nailed already. “And you’re protective, strong, and willing to do anything, even risk your life, for those you love. You’re definitely a dragon.”

  We drop down on the couch beside each other with plates filled with fried eggs, buttered toast with blackberry jelly, and a few slices of smoked Alaskan salmon, Gray with a glass of water and me with iced tea. Dinner is casual and comfortable, as if we’ve been doing this for years. Gray finishes just before me. I set my empty plate down on the dark walnut coffee table, and as I sit back, Gray clasps my hand, his fingers threading mine, and lifts my hand to his lips without taking his eyes off the TV.

  T
he way his lips brush over and then press against my skin sets my heart a float, but then he closes his eyes, his lips lingering, and my breath catches. I can’t find the words to describe how the small, tender gesture makes me feel, but suffice it to say, it’s so unequivocally wonderful that I can’t imagine ever living another day without it.

  ***

  I pull up and park my little SUV in Gray’s driveway, wondering why Gray is standing outside. Camden and I get out, and Camden runs up to Gray to show him his new giant stuffed frog pool float that’s nearly as big as he is.

  “Gray! Look what Dad got me yesterday for the pool!”

  “Whoa, that is so cool!”

  “I know. I can’t wait to try it out,” Camden says as I approach them both. He dashes off toward the front door. It’s been nearly two months now and Gray’s house has become a second home for us. Camden’s already got his own room here, and we stay here at least a couple nights a week, particularly weekends.

  Gray reaches for my hand as soon as I’m near enough and pulls me to him, greeting me with a brief kiss as he always does. I smile as he breaks our kiss.

  “Hi,” I say.

  “Hi.” The grin stretching across Gray’s face is wider than I’ve ever seen in the couple months that we’ve known each other.

  “What?”

  “I have something to show you.”

  “Okay, but shouldn’t we go to the bedroom for that?”

  Gray leans in close and whispers in my ear. “Maybe I want to strip you down in my garage and fuck you while you’re bent over the hood of my Mustang.”

  My dick hardens instantly. “Please tell me that’s a promise.” My voice comes out rough.

  “It definitely is now.” He backs up a little and clears his throat, adjusting himself. “But that’s not what I wanted to show you.”

  “I figured,” I smirk, trying to push away thoughts of yet another fantasy he’s just promised me.

  Gray tugs me toward the garage and lifts the cover of a key pad beside the single, carriage-style garage door. He punches the code in and the garage door raises, revealing its contents.

  A fully-restored, 1950 Chevy Club Coupe.

  “You got it finished?”

  “Yep. I had to make sure it was done before your dad’s birthday.”

  I walk around the classic car, astounded at how amazing it looks. All the rust and minor dents are gone, repainted and waxed to a beautiful shine. The chrome all repaired or replaced, polished and gleaming. “I barely recognize it.”

  Gray stands near the hood, his hands in his jean pockets. “I kept as much of the original where I could. This is the official mist green that it was originally painted. Most of the chrome had to be redone.”

  “You even replaced the missing hood ornament.”

  “That’s an original too. Not a replica.”

  “Gray, this is amazing. The white-walls are a nice touch too.”

  “Good. I’m glad you like them. I had a feeling about them.”

  “I wish I had pictures of the original, but Mom couldn’t find any. Whether it matches exactly or not, I think my dad will love it. He probably would have loved it regardless of the condition. How did you finish it so soon? I thought you weren’t even sure you could finish in time?”

  Gray shrugs. “I started going in at about six a.m. every day to work on it, and gave my guys some extra hours to handle other customers so I could focus on this.”

  “You normally go in around nine or ten I thought.”

  “Normally, but this was too important.”

  I turn to face him and step in close, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Whoa, is that Papa’s car?” Camden exclaims as he comes bouncing in, already changed into his swimming trunks.

  “It’s going to be,” I say as I step back. “You remember I told you this was your great-great-grandpa’s car that he used to drive Papa around in when he was your age.”

  “Yep. That was a long time ago, because Papa’s really old.”

  I laugh, and Gray does too. Really old to him is sixty, which is the birthday that’s coming up next weekend, and that reminds me. I look back to Gray.

  “You’re coming with us next weekend to my parents’, right?”

  “Are you kidding?” Gray snorts and pulls me into his arms, rubbing the tip of his nose against mine. “You couldn’t keep me away. Besides, I’m looking forward to meeting my in-laws.”

  “You mean future in-laws.”

  “If you want to get technical about it, sure, but I’m hopeful that future is temporary.”

  “How temporary?”

  “As temporary as possible.” Gray moves his mouth near my ear and whispers just barely loud enough for me to hear, “I’ve already mated and claimed you. We could elope and make it official.”

  Mated and claimed. His words have my spine tingling, my heart dancing, and my brain sputtering to catch up. Heat rushes downward and my softening erection from earlier swells again. God, I love this man.

  “We could,” I breathe, because for some reason, the idea of eloping has me over the moon.

  I want to. I so, very much, want to.

  Then my brain starts to function again, and the rush of blood pumping through my veins slows. “But Camden,” I whisper. “It’s only been a couple months.”

  “I know,” Gray replies, his voice soft and caring. He tilts his forehead to mine. “I’m sorry if it seems like I’m rushing you. Honestly, it’s not my intention.”

  “Are you guys gonna kiss again?” Camden asks.

  I smirk, because I know why he’s asking. “You mean like this?” I say, puckering my lips. Gray leans in and pecks me, making little kissy noises.

  “Eww, yuck!” Camden closes his eyes and covers his ears. Gray and I pause our exaggerated display of innocent kisses and wait quietly. Camden opens one eye, peaking at us, and when he does, Gray is quick to kiss me again. Camden slams his eye shut. “Gross. I’m not looking until you’re done.”

  Gray chuckles. “Well, in that case,” he mutters, pressing his lips to mine in a sweet caress, nipping lightly. He keeps it PG, but it’s more than enough to raise the heat level in my blood. I pull away, needing to before we push into PG-13. Something tells me we’ll get R-rated later, especially since Camden and I are staying the night again.

  “Are you done yet?”

  “Yes, we’re done.” I roll my eyes, giving my head a slight shake, Gray and I both laughing.

  “Good. Can we go swimming now?”

  Chapter 11

  Gray

  Camden’s laying on the floor on his stomach, knees bent, feet up, with his chin propped on his hands, while Ollie and I cuddle together on the couch, all of us watching the latest King Kong movie. We’re probably about half way through when Ollie’s cell phone rings. He grabs if off the table.

  “It’s my mom.”

  I pause the movie. He’s been waiting for her to call back about this coming weekend. “I’ll be right back. Just gotta pee.”

  Ollie smiles up at me as he swipes the screen on his phone and puts it to his ear. “Hey, Mom.”

  As I make my way to the downstairs bathroom, I hear, “Yeah, Camden and I are coming, but I wanted to let you know I’m bringing someone else with me.”

  That’s the last I hear as I shut the door and do my business. I know Ollie mentioned to his mom a couple weeks into our relationship that he was dating a man and, according to him, she’d seemed both surprised and disappointed. Since then, he’s been a little reluctant about telling her we’re still together and that he’s invited me to join them this weekend.

  As I emerge a couple minutes later, Ollie’s voice is a little strained.

  “Mom,” Ollie says.

  I pause just outside the bathroom door, waiting for a moment.

  “Of course I do.”

  “Yes, she knows. I told her.”

  “Camden likes him, and Gray adores Camde
n.”

  “Why does that even matter?”

  “Mom.”

  I rejoin Ollie on the couch, sitting on the edge of the cushion and catching his searching gaze with mine. I cover his knee with my hand and give a gentle squeeze, wanting to make sure he’s all right. The conversation with his mom continues.

  “Because I haven’t been this happy in a long time.” Ollie gives me a tight smile.

  Ollie’s voice softens, his eyes still fixed on me. “Yeah. I do.”

  “I remember.”

  Ollie laughs softly. The tension fleeing his body is almost palpable. “I will, Mom.”

  “Yes. Saturday morning.”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay.”

  “Love you too. Bye.”

  Ollie sets his phone down, taking in a deep breath and letting it go with a puff of his cheeks.

  “Everything okay?” I ask.

  “I think it will be. You’re the first man I’ve ever mentioned to her before as being in a relationship with. She’s still got in her head that I should get back with Audrey. I still think she doesn’t believe that I’m gay.”

  “Does she have anything against it?”

  Ollie shakes his head. “I never felt that from her or Dad. She just questions it vigorously, probably because I was with Audrey for so long and we even had a kid together before I finally came out. I don’t think she realizes just how miserable I was when we were married.”

  “What do you think she needs to finally believe you?”

  “I’m not sure. I’m hoping by simply introducing you, it will help make it more real for her, you know?”

  I understand where Ollie’s coming from in a way. I didn’t come out to my parents until after I’d met Jason, and even then, they seemed to doubt me until they saw me actually kiss him. Prior to Jason, I’d fooled around a bit in secret with other guys, but no one really ever knew, except Zoe, and only because she’d caught me one day when our parents were at work, giving a blowjob to my best friend.

  However, I want more than for Ollie’s parents to accept that he truly is gay. I want them to see not only that, but also how much in love with him I am. I want them to see how happy Ollie is with me, and how happy I am with him. I want them to see how much I treasure him.