Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

TOMMY

O ur first night back together was everything I wanted and more than I'd hoped.

It was simple really, just the two of us and a quiet night at my place, but it was perfect. We showered, I threw the sheets in the wash, and then I ordered dinner. Nate was tired from his trip, and this way, we had uninterrupted time together. And with our careers, every moment counted.

"You're still up for going out tomorrow night?" I asked him as I plated up a big serving of Thai food for each of us. I hoped he'd say yes. I'd already made the reservations. Dinner first, then a local honkytonk with live music and line dancing. I was still gearing myself up for that. It sounded fun, but I was certainly no fucking dancer. Still, I wanted to dance with Nate.

"Definitely," he replied as he opened the fridge and grabbed two beers. "But I'm glad that we decided to stay in tonight, just the two of us."

"Me too." I leaned over and kissed him. "I'm so fucking happy you're here."

"Was it worth the wait?" He teased me.

"What do you think?" I replied and gave him another, longer kiss.

I couldn't stop touching him. And he was the same. My stomach dropped as I thought about what it would be like when he'd leave.

Don't. Live in the now.

My kitchen had a breakfast bar with a couple of stools, and I usually ate meals there. But my couch was beckoning, so I brought our plates over to the coffee table and Nate set the beers down. I reached over, popped the tops of the bottles, and passed him one.

I held up mine and clinked his.

"To more Nashville nights," I stated. "To us."

"To us."

I took a long sip of the crisp lager and watched Nate do the same.

"Have you set up any time to look at condos?" I asked.

Nate nodded and reached for his plate. "I texted Brodie on the way back. He gave me the name of his real estate agent. A guy named Lewis Johns. He's already sent me details about several places. I thought maybe you could look them over with me? Tell me what you think of the neighborhoods?"

"Let's see what he sent you."

Nate pulled his phone out of his pocket, tapped on his email, then passed the phone over to me. I glanced through the listings, noting every price, size, and neighborhood.

"Right off the bat, I'd say no to the first two listings. Those condos are near Broadway Street and with the bars down there, it's loud as fuck. You're never gonna get any decent sleep. But number three, the listing on Hargrove, looks like a contender."

Nate smiled and took another sip of his beer. "Isn't that a couple of blocks from here?"

"Maybe." I grinned at him.

Nate chuckled and leaned over, taking my lips in a languid kiss. "Well, if my boyfriend recommends it, how can I say no?"

I playfully nipped his lower lip. "Don't start with the dirty talk. We need to eat before we have sex again."

Nate squeezed my thigh and reached for my plate. "I'm good with this plan."

"Speaking of plans, after dinner tomorrow, I thought we could go line dancing. Have you ever been?"

He passed my plate over and picked up his.

"A few times. But you may need to teach me again. My dance moves are mainly for the stage. Or clubs and house music."

"Like the night we met?" I chuckled, remembering. "We lasted all but two minutes on that dance floor."

"We'll have to try it again sometime. But I like your idea. Line dancing with my boyfriend sounds sexy as hell."

At that exact moment, my stomach took the opportunity to let out a loud growl. Nate just chuckled and shook his head.

"Eat."

"I thought I was the bossy one," I quipped.

He grabbed a spring roll and offered it to me. I made a big show of taking a bite, reveling in the fried goodness.

"The second-best thing I've tasted tonight," I teased.

"You mean third. Don't forget the beignets."

Nate smiled and finished the rest of the roll.

"Just out of curiosity," he said between mouthfuls of food. "What's the name of this place you're taking me to?"

"It's called Foster's Way. They've got live music every night of the week, mostly country. And it's LGBTQ+ owned, so it's a safe space."

"I can't wait."

After we ate, Nate texted his realtor. We were set for noon tomorrow to view the condos.

Then we talked for ages about music and travel, shared another beer, and watched a movie. Nate fell asleep halfway through the film, his head on my shoulder, his curls tickling my ear.

I had no idea that being with him like this could move me so much, but it did. He touched something deep inside me, something I'd lost a long time ago, when I lost my family. That feeling of home. Of being accepted, seen, and yeah, loved. I was myself with him. No need to impress or redress. Everything about the two of us together was good and right. Not that I was na?ve. I knew there would be periods of long distance, and it wouldn't be easy. But I knew for sure that with him, it would be worth it.

I lifted Nate up as gently as I could and carried him to my bedroom. He was so wiped out that he didn't wake up. After I tucked him into bed, I grabbed a glass of water and placed it on the nightstand for him. I headed back to the bathroom and washed up. Then I checked my phone one last time, and headed for bed, turning out the light.

Like he knew I was there, he rolled over and snuggled up against me.

And me? I gratefully held on to my happiness.

Nate

I woke up in an unfamiliar bed, beside a very familiar body.

Or, rather, I was lying on my stomach, my right arm and leg slung over Tommy. He was on his back, snoring gently, his long, dark lashes kissing his cheekbones.

The last thing I remembered from last night was watching a movie, Tommy's arms surrounding me.

I brushed a lock of his black hair away from his forehead and softly kissed his temple, then lower, nuzzling his neck. Slowly, he blinked and looked around, his eyes locked onto mine.

"Morning, beautiful," he whispered and reached for me. "You sleep well?"

The rush was instant, like a pack of sparklers igniting in my belly.

"The best I've had in ages. How about you, cher?"

When his dimples popped, I was a goner. I leaned over and kissed one, then the other.

"Did I fall asleep on the couch?" I asked.

"You did."

"So, you carried me in here?"

His smile got bigger, his dimples deepening. "I did."

Suddenly, he rolled over, taking me with him, flipping our positions. The move was so fast and powerful, my breath caught.

"Sorry," I whispered.

I didn't want to waste a second that we were together. I would have gladly traded my sleep.

"Nothing to apologize for." Tommy cupped my face and held me steady. "You were exhausted, and your body needed to rest. I'm just glad you slept well. I know that being in a strange bed can throw your sleep off."

"It's not a strange bed. It's yours."

Tommy chuckled and kissed me. "True. But you know what I mean."

I nodded. "I've always been a restless sleeper, but I make do. It's part of what comes with being a musician. I'd gladly trade sleep if it means doing what I love. And being with the person I love."

Tommy's body clenched up tight, and his gaze turned molten. His morning wood rubbed against mine, and what started out sweet and tender quickly turned into a flash fire. My heart took off running, pounding away at a frantic clip.

"Baby, tell me I'm not dreaming," he growled.

I slid my hands down his back and lower, squeezing his firm ass cheeks. "Not dreaming, cher."

"Je t'aime," he whispered, so low I barely heard it.

But I did. And knowing that he felt the same had me reaching for his lips. The kiss was as possessive and claiming as our words.

Falling in love was a heady thing. Falling for Tommy? It was like being in the middle of a Mardi Gras parade. An explosion of music, color, and life. Les bon temps rouler—the good times were rolling—and I was soaking up every minute.

"You've been practicing your French."

"Still needs a lot of work," he replied.

"I'm more than happy to teach you my mother tongue," I quipped, teasing his mouth to prove my point.

I licked his lower lip, and he opened for me, our tongues tangling.

"In that case, I'm more than happy to be your student," he moaned and moved his lips down my cheek and over my neck, nipping the sensitive skin and sucking on it.

I thrust my hips up and pulled him in even closer. We kissed for ages, making out. When he pumped his hips, I followed, and soon we were both desperate to come.

"Just like this, baby," he groaned as his hips pistoned faster, our cocks rubbing together. "I'm gonna…fuck, I'm coming."

Tommy's body locked up tight as he came hard, hot cum lashing my skin. I wasn't far behind, the orgasm crashing through me, my cum joining his.

"Now, it's a good morning."