7. Henry

Henry

H enry parked Teague's truck outside of the farmhouse and waved at Tomás. The alpha waited for him on the sagging front porch.

"Are you two ready?" he asked, looking down at the dapper pups strapped into the seat next to him.

"Woof." Journey grinned at him, proud of his tuxedo coat and black bowtie.

Mitzy pouted next to him, clearly not excited about the black tulle skirt and silk hairbows Henry and Teague had dressed her in.

"You look beautiful, Mitzy. Dates are a chance to show off your looks."

Tomás opened his door. "Are you coming?"

Henry handed Mitzy to him. "We're coming."

"Wow, you look good, sweetheart."

"Sadly, I know you're talking to Mitzy."

Tomás winced. "You look even better. Um, sweetheart."

Henry chuckled and handed Journey to him as well. "Good save."

Truthfully, Tomás was the handsome one today. The alpha was all cleaned up and dressed in nice slacks and a dress shirt.

"You look really nice too," Henry said, cheeks heating.

"Thanks." Tomás grinned. "Come inside. I have a surprise for you."

Henry hurried out of the truck and up the steps to the front door. "I can't wait to see how different it is."

"Just keep in mind, we have a long way to go."

Henry gasped when he went inside. The whole downstairs space was open and the floor was bare of carpet. Instead, lovely pinewood floors were on display, the grain of the wood prominent, each individual knot there for all to see. Perfect imperfections .

"The floor isn't quite done. There were a few pieces I needed to add in to fill in gaps. I can stain them to match the rest of the pine's natural patina. Plus, I still need to sand it again and add a coat of poly." Tomás froze in place. "Oh fuck. Do you hate it?"

"Hate it?" Henry barely noticed the tears running down his face. All he could see was the beauty Tomás had revealed to him. He knelt and ran a hand over one of the dark knots. "No ugly carpet covering it. No grime and dirt. All of this beauty was hidden away." He looked up at Tomás. "I couldn't love it more than I do now."

Tomás looked relieved. "Oh good. This isn't even your surprise."

Henry laughed, wiping away his tears. "What could possibly top this?"

"Well," Tomás said, drawing the word out. "Follow me."

Henry let Tomás pull him to the far side of the house, only then noticing the low, romantic lighting. In the corner of what would be the living room, a large picture window looked out over the backyard. Strands of fairy lights hung around the window and a gorgeous wooden coffee table sat in front of it, a large woven rug under it. Large, colorful pillows were arranged around the table and several healthy green plants sat in the center. Steam rose from the plates of food waiting for them.

"Coconut curry." Tomás helped him sit on a pillow, then followed him down. "Personally delivered from the Irish Rose."

"That's where Sam works." Henry sniffed the plate. "This is Rueban's curry, isn't it? I've always wanted to try it."

"Yep. He's the best cook in the world." Tomás patted the coffee table. "My brother Harper brought this over. He made it for you as a housewarming gift. My cousin Janelle brought the plants, and she said these are safe to have around pets. Papa brought the pillows and the rug." Harper pulled a folded, dark green blanket from under the table. "My cousin Ernie made this. He said to tell you it's a chunky cable knit blanket and if you want more, just let him know. He enjoys making them."

Henry looked around, eyes watering again. "This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."

Tomás wrapped his arms around Henry. "I'm not done yet. Look out the window."

The sun was setting outside, but he could still see the solar lights lining a gravel and stone pathway leading from the house to a small outbuilding. The building was painted white, with cute windows and flowerboxes. A large maple tree grew above it, branches still bare from winter.

Henry jumped to his feet, startling Tomás and the dogs. "Is that Sophie's coop?"

Tomás laughed, standing up. "I guess you're not going to eat first, huh?"

Squealing, he ran out the back door and down the stone path. Snow melted from the tall grass and weeds growing on each side, making the ground wet and muddy. The pathway was nice and sturdy, held together with thick stone borders. It would be a huge boon in the winter.

As he grew closer, the chicken coop looked even better. The flowerboxes were empty since the weather was still too cold, but the maple tree had small red buds growing, telling the world that spring was here. A fenced in run was attached to the side, large enough for several chickens. Sophie is going to be so spoiled , he thought, grinning.

He opened the door and started laughing. An actual chandelier hung from the ceiling and lit up the building. It was small, a mixture of bronze metal and crystals of varying sizes. The floor was gray vinyl plank flooring, and the walls matched the outside. Two hen boxes sat against the back wall, full of straw and fragrant herbs. A heat lamp hung above them, light dim. Wide, flat boards were attached to the walls in one corner, low to ground so Sophie would be able to easily hop up to roost.

What surprised Henry the most was the large white brahma perched on one of the roosts, clucking softly.

"That's Clucky." Tomás leaned against his back and pulled him close. "She is the most chill chicken Papa has ever seen. He thought that you might like to introduce her to Sophie. I don't think she'll pick on her. The only chickens she doesn't like are roosters. She's kind to all the hens and new chicks in Papa's flock."

"She's precious." Henry wiped his eyes. "This is perfect for Sophie. That chandelier is so beautiful that I'm tempted to steal it for myself."

"You like it? I made it. I collect bits and pieces of everything. The flooring and the windows were left over from a project. I picked up the crystals at different shops over the past few years."

"You made the chandelier?" Henry spun around, staring at Tomás in wonder. "You made that?"

Tomás's cheeks turned red. "You really like it?"

"It's gorgeous."

Tomás scratched behind his ear, suddenly looking shy. "I'm working with Harper to make some to sell. Do you think you might like one inside your house?"

Henry groaned and hugged the alpha tight. "I'd love anything you make for me. You're pure magic, Tomás Wilson. Did you know that?"

"Only for you." Tomás whispered against his ear, nuzzling him.

Henry pulled him down for a kiss, savoring the feel and taste of his alpha. "No one has ever done something like this for me. Thank you."

"I really like your heart," Tomás said, pressing his forehead to Henry's. "You're kind and patient, but fiercely protective. You deserve all the good things in the world."

Henry's body shook, emotions overwhelming him. No one had ever described him like that. He was used to compliments but they weren't about his personality. He was known to be good-looking and fashionable. Pampered and wealthy. A pretty face and acceptable armpiece.

Tomás was different from anyone Henry had ever been with. He was so much better than Henry deserved.

Henry wrapped his arms around Tomás and kissed him again, almost frantic to connect with the amazing alpha in front of him.

"Inside," Tomás managed to say in between kisses. The alpha lifted Henry up and he quickly wrapped his legs around Tomás's waist. He was only vaguely away of the stumbling, slow trek back into the house. All he could think about was the sweet taste of his alpha and the hard abdomen pressed against his dick.

A moment later, the backdoor closed behind them and Tomás laid Henry gently on the mound of pillows surrounding the coffee table.

Henry tugged Tomás's shirt, pulling him down to lay alongside him. "This may be my dick talking, but I think I love you, Tomás."

The alpha laughed roughly, thumb sliding along Henry's bottom lip. "I love you too, sweetness."

Tomás kissed Henry, tightening his arms around him. Henry moaned and moved to straddle Tomás, his tongue sliding against his alpha's.

Tomás's fingers fumbled with the buttons of Henry's shirt. "So many buttons."

Henry leaned back and wiggled out of his pants and underwear. "Just rip it."

Tomás's warm hands ran up the sides of Henry's bare thighs, and he shuddered, dick hardening even more. He moved his hips against Tomás, feeling the alpha's erection pressing against his ass.

"Henry," Tomás said, breathless. "I need you."

Henry pulled his shirt off, ignoring the ripping sound and leaned in for another kiss. "Good."

Tomás growled and cupped Henry's ass as he arched up. He rubbed a finger against Henry's hole.

Henry shuddered. "Are you okay without a condom? I'm clean and on birth control."

"I'm clean too."

"Lube. Do we have lube?"

Tomás pressed a kiss to Henry's collarbone. "Under the table with the blanket. Ernie is my favorite cousin."

Henry leaned over and grabbed the small bottle next to the blanket. "He's my favorite too." A few minutes later, he gasped when Tomás's finger stretched his hole. He pushed back, moaning when Tomás added a second finger. "Ernie is the best."

"Stop talking about my cousin," Tomás said, smiling against Henry's neck. "I want your attention on me."

Henry unbuttoned Tomás's pants and hummed in appreciation as he took in the size of his dick. He squeezed some lube into his palm and slowly stroked Tomás, learning the shape and the feel of his alpha. "You have my complete attention, love."

Tomás rolled him onto the pillows and braced himself above him. "Good. This is my favorite part." Tomás held his gaze and slowly pushed into him.

Henry lost all ability to speak. Long, smooth strokes in and out of his ass took up all his attention until Tomás leaned down and kissed him again.

I really do love him , Henry thought, losing himself to the feel of their bodies moving together as Tomás wrapped him in his arms. He'd never felt so close to someone before and maybe he should have been afraid. It was Tomás, though. Henry would trust the alpha with his life.

Tomás hit just the right spot and Henry's thoughts scattered as he lost it, calling out his alpha's name and coming hard.

A few moments later, Tomás came, filling Henry's ass.

They lay together on the pillows, panting while they caught their breath. Henry's eyes met Journey's. The two dogs sat a short distance away, eyes wide as they stared at their humans.

"Uh-oh." Henry winced. "We may have shocked our fur babies."

Tomás sat up, groaning. "They'll live. They have to because I really want to do that again."

Henry wrapped the knitting blanket around them. "We have food, a heater, and comfortable pillows. I think they're going to adjust to seeing us together."

Tomás grinned and kissed him. "They'll have a lot of practice."

Henry burrowed against him. "I have to text Sam, though. Otherwise, he'll think we got murdered."