Love Wins Anthology

Chapter 2

Chapter 2Adam was quiet on the ride home, and Josh just assumed he was shaken by the sudden appearance of an ex-lover. After all, Adam and Reggie had been together a long time, and the break-up hadn’t been a friendly one. Although Reggie had seemed friendly enough at the bar. The man damned near offered to marry Adam. What nerve!

Josh cast another quick glance at Adam’s troubled expression and frowned. Was Adam brooding over Reggie’s clumsy proposal? Or was it the whole idea of marriage? A memory surfaced of Adam’s excited anticipation at the news of the pending court decision. s**t. They’d talked about marriage. Kind of. But at that time it had all been hypothetical. Now it wasn’t.

Josh’s stomach was clenched as he pulled the car into the garage at the end of the driveway. They got out and filed through the Japanese garden Adam had created out of the tiny backyard. The solar lanterns cast a soft glow along the narrow path that wound around the curve of the lily pond. Josh inhaled the fragrance of flowers and, as always, was soothed by the peaceful atmosphere. As a landscape designer, Adam was incredibly talented. No wonder he had such a backlog of clients clamoring for his services.

It was late, and once inside, Adam immediately went upstairs. Josh took a minute to check that the doors and windows were locked, then followed. His cell phone rang, the caller ID showing it was their landlord, Ira Levin. That was the second time he’d called that day. The elderly man refused to leave phone messages, insisting on talking “live.” Josh shook his head. No, not tonight. The rent was paid, so whatever Mr. Levin wanted would have to wait.

Hearing the shower running, Josh perked up at the thought of joining Adam. But before he could act on that idea, the water shut off. That was odd. Usually Adam liked to wallow under the hot water till he pruned. Josh had even had the biggest hot water tank he could find installed despite the fact the house was a rental. The landlord’s refusal to give him even a partial break on the rent to offset the cost still rankled. Josh shrugged, turned down the sheets, and plumped the pillows. He looked up when Adam walked into the bedroom. “Hey, you were too fast—I was going to join you.”

“Sorry, I’m just really beat, and I have early appointments in the morning.”

Josh watched as Adam climbed into bed, set the alarm, and switched off the lamp on that side.

Something wasn’t right—Adam was always eager for Josh’s attentions. The man yielded so sweetly that making love was always a delight, even after nearly two years together. Josh was still amazed such a beautiful, accomplished man had chosen him for a partner.

He really hoped they’d be together for life. It was just the whole idea of marriage that bothered him. He couldn’t suppress an involuntary shudder at the thought.

Josh made record time in the bathroom and joined Adam in bed. Spooning up behind his lover, he let his hands roam free over the smooth chest and down to the waistband of Adam’s sleep pants.

Adam rolled over to face Josh. “Don’t read anything into it, but I just want to sleep. My mind is wandering, and I wouldn’t be focused on you.”

“Maybe I can do something to get your full attention.” Josh leaned over and sucked on Adam’s lower lip, nibbling just enough to sting. Adam always loved that.

Well, he used to.

Instead of reacting with that sweet little whimper, Adam put his hands on Josh’s shoulders and gently pushed him away. “Josh, making love with you is precious to me. And I don’t want to waste it when I’m not fully engaged.”

Accepting he wasn’t going to divert Adam, Josh stole one quick kiss and lay back down, his head on the pillow. “You know, that’s the nicest refusal I’ve had since Sue Prochaska in seventh grade.”

Adam smiled. “You were trying to seduce a girl?”

“She was very tomboyish. With pretty blonde hair like yours. She turned me down, too.” Josh snuggled close to Adam and quipped, “But it’s fine. Just shows we’re an old married couple already, spending Friday night sleeping.”

Adam was silent.

Damn. Why had he brought up marriage again just when Adam was relaxing and seemed more himself? “Are you upset about tonight—all the talk of marriage?”

Adam hesitated a moment, then slowly answered, “I’m not upset, not really. Just confused.”

“I know with all the media attention on same-s*x marriage, nobody can think of anything else. But things will be back to normal in another week or so. It will all settle down, and we’ll go on as we always have.” Josh reached out and, with one finger, stroked Adam’s face. Cringing, he realized he’d just mimicked Reggie’s caress. “Maybe someday it will be right for us. But for now, why can’t we just live like we have been? You’re not unhappy, are you?”

“No. I love our life.” Adam smiled as he looked around at the cozy bedroom. “And I love our home.” Josh had to give Adam credit—the man had put a lot of effort into creating a warm, intimate feeling throughout the house.

“Good. Then to hell with Mitch and Reggie and everybody who wants to tell us how we should live. We’ll get there on our own.”

Adam studied Josh’s face for a long moment. “Okay. I can wait.”

Josh suppressed his sigh of relief as he gathered Adam into a hug. “I love you, you know. Now I’ll let you get some sleep. While you’re working tomorrow, I’ll fix dinner. How about if I barbecue?”

“Sounds good. I’ll stop at Farrelli’s market on the way home and pick up ice cream for dessert. Rum raisin or peppermint stick?”

“Yes.”

Adam chuckled. “Okay. Both it is.” He snuggled under the sheets and closed his eyes.

Josh clicked off the lamp on his side of the bed and settled in to sleep, relieved he’d smoothed everything over. At least for now. But sooner or later, he’d have to deal with Adam’s desire to be married. If his luck held, it would be later. Much later.