Chapter Thirty

Gage

M ax shouts while reaching for a glass, "If things keep going like this, you'll have to hire someone else."

Tonight, both he and Jaxon are lending a hand. We're ridiculously busy, not that I'm complaining, but I can't keep depending on these two to help me. Now that we've paid off all the debts and are finally in the green, the bar is thriving.

"Yeah, I know," I reply, pouring a pint of beer, before quickly spinning around to grab a tray of shots for the group of college regulars who come to see Ash play every week.

Currently, he's playing ‘ Iris ' by the Goo Goo Dolls, and I join in and sing along with him. When I turn and look toward him, I blow a playful kiss his way, and he grins back at me, acknowledging the gesture. It's been a few weeks since the cellar encounter, and since then, we haven't been able to keep our hands off each other. He's a fast learner, always eager to practice with my dick, at least once a day.

While he sings ‘ Born to Be Yours ' by Kygo and Imagine Dragons, I reflect on the early morning wake-up at 4 a.m. Ash had a dream that the world was ending, and he was afraid he wouldn't get to taste me again, so he needed to have his fill of me. After he relieved me of my bodily fluids and I reciprocated, he could finally drift back to sleep.

We've had a great time experimenting with the plugs from his collection, and he can now comfortably use the largest size. The thought of it alone makes my dick chub up. I gotta distract myself before I pull him off that stage and give everyone their own little X-rated performance.

Two hours later, the atmosphere is buzzing with excitement as Ash plays ‘ Loverboy ' by You Me at Six. With just one more song left in his set, everyone will start filtering out soon and make their way home. With drink service ending half an hour earlier, Jax and Max take charge of cleaning the bar while I make my rounds, collecting glasses.

I'm immediately enchanted by the first sounds of ‘ Kiss My Scars ' by August Royals, causing me to stop and shift my focus to Ash. I'm in awe of him as he confidently takes the stage each week, fully immersing himself in his performance. The crowd adores him.

Max made him a box to put near the stage where people can drop song requests. Every week, he adds a few of them to his set. Up there, he shines brightly, like a star in the night sky. The girls and guys playfully flirt with him, exchanging smiles and flirtatious looks, but he reserves his genuine ones for me only.

It requires self-control from me as well, since when he's on stage singing, I have to share him with everyone. Who knew I'd be a pathetically jealous boyfriend?

As the last chord fades away, he takes a moment to show his appreciation, thanking everyone for their support. The crowd slowly begins shuffling toward the doors, while a few stay behind to chat with Ash as he packs up his guitar.

As Jax walks by, he smirks and playfully whips the back of my legs with his bar towel. "Stop drooling, lover boy," he teases, before continuing to direct the exiting crowd. Amused, I chuckle and give a slight shake of my head. He's not wrong though.

"A new record," Max declares proudly, as he wipes down tables. "Clearing this place out in just forty minutes."

I retort, "They all ran away because they were scared of your ugly mug."

Ash comes up to me, his voice gentle yet firm as he says, "Be nice," and wraps his arms around me from the side. With puckered lips, he tilts his head up to me, silently pleading for a kiss. I'll never tire of having him around.

Jaxon playfully comments to Max, "Look at them, babe, being all sickeningly sweet and gross."

"Yeah, I feel like I'm on the verge of vomiting," he replies, mimicking the action of emptying his stomach into a bucket.

Kissing Ash once more, I can't help but smirk and taunt, "Jealousy isn't a good look on you, my friend."

"Ha, like I'd ever be jealous of you, old man," he scoffs. "Have you seen my sunshine?" he asks, a voice filled with love as he pulls Jax to him.

"You two are both as bad as each other," Jax says. "Next you'll be whipping out your dicks to see whose is bigger."

I wink and say, "That can definitely be arranged. But I'm worried that once you see what I'm packing, you'll wish you were with me instead of Max. But hey, I'm taken now."

Jaxon groans. "On that note, we're taking off." He reaches out and takes hold of Max's hand. "Once again, Ash, you were amazing tonight. Gage, we'll make sure to lock the back on our way out. See you guys tomorrow."

"Cheers guys, see you tomorrow," Ash says with a wave before shifting his attention back to me. "If you've got time, I'd love to play something for you."

With a tender gesture, I press my lips against his and murmur, "I've always got time for you. You get ready, I'll double-check that the main doors are locked."

Once I've checked the doors, turned off most of the lights, and drawn the curtains, I make my way over to Ash, who's perched on a bar stool instead of the stage.

"To what do I owe this lovely serenade?" I say, leaning on the side of the bar and crossing my arms.

"I came across this song the other day, and it immediately reminded me of you. I wanted to keep it special, something only meant for you and not for everyone else."

"Babe," I coo, my voice filled with affection for this sweet gesture. After one more lingering kiss, I take a step back, allowing him the space to play.

"The name of this is ‘ Last Man Standing ' by Livingston." The gentle touch of his fingers on the strings produces a mesmerizing melody that fills the otherwise silent bar.

As his words flow over me, my breath catches in my throat. This beautiful man's heartfelt song moves me so deeply that tears well in my eyes. There's something about singing that brings him inner peace, which is reflected in his serene appearance. Each word that escapes his lips feels like a heartfelt gift, wrapping around my soul. I stand there, taking in every lyric.

"I don't need a symphony

I just want your voice and a melody

I don't need your diamond rings

I just want your love, stop sellin' me

I don't need the wind that's underneath your wings

I just wanna know when you're landing

You don't need to be the king

‘Cause I just want the last man standing

I've been around the world, lived a hundred fantasies

But when all is said and done,

You're the only one I need, my love

Just tell me what you're lookin' for

'Cause you don't gotta fight so hard

Darlin', this is love not war

All I want is who you are

That's what I've been lookin' for..."

While he continues singing, the emotional power of his voice hits me, and tears start streaming down my face. This stunning human being has cast a spell on me, weaving its way not only around my heart but also my mind and body. I wonder if everyone has the chance to meet their soulmate, the person who's perfectly made for them. It's a tragedy if they don't, everyone deserves this kind of love in their life.

Love.

Love consumes me completely; my heart beats only for Ash. I've fallen hard for him. It snuck up on me, unnoticed, but my heart remained steadfast. And when it sensed that Ash was destined to be with us, it cemented our connection with an indelible ink.

I will forever devote my heart to the boy with the green eyes who serenaded me in my bar.

"Come here, you big softie," he says, gently setting his guitar down on the bar.

I go in for a hug. I just need to hold him. "Tears of joy, I tell ya. Thank you for sharing the song with me."

"I want you to know that I choose you without all the bells and whistles because you're all I need."

Fuck, I'm so done for. "You're the only thing I need too, babe," I mutter into his neck.

"I, um... also wanted you to know that I'm ready..." He all but whispers the last part. But I heard it.

I lift my head and give him a questioning look. "Ready?"

"Yeah, I'm ready for us to take the next step. I wanna feel you inside me."

"You mean..."

His head bows down, and I can almost see his cheeks blushing in that lovely, dusky-pink tone, even though there's no reason for him to feel unsure. I reach out and raise his chin, wanting him to look at me. "Is that really what you want?"

"Without a doubt, more than anything else."

I let out a long breath, hoping to regain control over my rapidly thumping heart. "I want it too."

"Good, then take me to bed and make me feel whole."

I scoop him up, and he clings to me naturally, wrapping his arms and legs tightly around my body. As I hold him, I feel the weight of his body in the palms of my hands, specifically his round butt. Leading the way to the door that leads upstairs, I turn off the lights and ascend the stairs with him in my arms.