Chapter Ten

Gable could say without an ounce of hesitation that Saul and Case’s wedding was the most extravagant thing he had ever witnessed. Every detail was over the top, from the flowers to the food. The couple looked happy. That was Gable’s biggest takeaway. He had never seen two people smile as hard. Alcohol flowed freely. The elite danced with anyone and everyone except their spouses. It was quite the show. Gable wasn’t up to drinking and partying just yet. He enjoyed watching, though. Exhaustion still kept his feet still.

A bored-looking young buck in an overly expensive suit appeared at Gable’s side while he waited for Cutler to finish a conversation with some men Gable had never seen. They had their heads together, looking like they plotted something Gable didn’t want to know. Still, he couldn’t take his eyes off the man who had stolen his soul.

“So, Saul is officially off the list of Atlantic City’s most eligible bachelors. When are you pulling Cutler off the list?”

Gable looked the guy’s way. He looked like a bored, rich daddy’s boy who had never been told no. His brown hair was perfect, and his eyes looked dead.

When Gable didn’t respond, the guy’s cold gaze moved from where Cutler stood to meet Gable’s stare. “Apologies. Noir. ”

It took Gable a second to realize the guy meant Noir was his name. He pasted on a patient smile. “Gable.”

“I know.” He sipped his champagne. “So, when can we expect your wedding announcement?”

Gable opened his mouth and then snapped his teeth together. He had no idea how to answer that.

Cutler appeared at his side. His arm encircled Gable’s waist. “What are you talking about?”

Gable fought a blush.

Noir looked unmoved. His voice stayed as bland as if he spoke about the weather. “Marriage. I asked when Gable intends to take you off the market. ”

A good-natured laugh escaped Cutler. “I haven’t been on the market since the day I met Gable. He’s ruined me for anyone else.”

“Pity.” Noir walked away without a backward glance.

Gable fought the usual surge of jealousy. People cared not at all they were a couple. He wanted to be proud of having such a sexy and obviously sought after man, but mostly people’s dismissal of him left him frustrated.

Cutler kissed his ear. “Dance with me.”

Since it was a slow song and Gable needed the reassurance of Cutler holding him publicly, he took Cutler’s hand and headed for the dance floor. Cutler held him close and moved extra slow, as if scared of exhausting him. His chest eased each second that passed. Cutler always chose him. In fact, he acted as if there were no other options. His shoulders relaxed .

The scent of Cutler’s cologne called to him. He buried his nose in the crook of Cutler’s neck and inhaled. Peace and love washed over him. He was always at home in Cutler’s arms.

“He’s right. I should take you off the market.”

Cutler’s arms tightened around him. “I wasn’t humoring him. There’s zero hope for anyone else. You’re it for me.”

A hint of nervousness set in. It was honestly something he had been thinking about for a bit. “I’m being serious. We should do it.”

Cutler leaned away enough to meet Gable’s stare. “Do what?”

“Get married.” Gable wouldn’t shy away from what his heart wanted. They already lived together .

“Okay.” Cutler simply went back to holding him closely, as if he hadn’t just accepted a marriage proposal.

Gable wanted to slap himself. “I’m sorry.”

Cutler leaned away again. He looked upset. “Don’t take it back.”

“Oh, I’m not.” Cutler wasn’t getting away from him now. “I’m sorry I did one more thing as unromantically as possible. You deserved a beautiful proposal with a ring and wine or music or whatever.”

A line appeared between Cutler’s eyebrows. “There is music.”

Gable sighed. Sometimes, it was pointless to try to explain things to Cutler. He simply didn’t understand how inferior he felt sometimes in comparison. Then Gable always ended up doing things like this that showed even more how lacking he was.

Cutler buried his face against Gable’s neck. “I have you in my arms,” he breathed against Gable’s throat. “We’re dancing at a wedding where two people stupidly in love just got married. There’s so much love in the air, it’s cloying. This is romantic.” Gable wasn’t convinced, but he was willing to let it go. He told himself he would make it up to Cutler when he bought a ring. Then Cutler continued, making Gable’s throat swell. “Sometimes, I don’t think you really understand the life I had before I created this one. I can say I lived in the deepest hell, but there’s no way you can know what you don’t know. There was no loving home or protection. There was just this twisted man who savored every new torture he conceived. You can’t know. I’m glad you don’t.” He kissed Gable’s neck. “But that also means you don’t understand how much this moment means to me, or how I feel every day when I wake up next to you. I see you and I know genuine love. You just told me you want to give me that love forever.” His arms tightened around Gable, as if scared Gable would disappear. “You can’t know.”

He was right. Cutler was so amazing. Sometimes, Gable forgot that Cutler had chosen to be this amazing man. He had been tortured by an evil man. Those years could have twisted him into a mirror image. He hadn’t let that happen. That was exactly why he deserved everything.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Gable ran his hands up Cutler’s back. “Can we go home? I’m a little tired.”

Cutler didn’t hesitate to take his hand and head for the exit. Gable wanted to save what was left of his energy for his baby. His heart needed to show him love.

It had only been two months since Gable had been released from the hospital. His extensive injuries would likely take several more months to heal. Gable still had very little energy. Cutler had worried the wedding would be too much, but Gable had wanted to go. Leaving without as much as a goodbye mattered not at all to Cutler. All he cared about was Gable’s health.

In their bedroom, he helped Gable undress and get ready for bed. He looked exhausted. The angry red scars from the dozens of stab wounds he had endured broke Cutler’s heart every time he saw them. He hated the way Gable’s gaze always shied away under Cutler’s stare when they were visible. Nothing could take away his beauty in Cutler’s eyes. He kissed a scar near Gable’s collarbone.

Gable sucked in a ragged-sounding breath. They hadn’t made love since the night of his attack. Gable’s body couldn’t endure it. Cutler didn’t care if they never had sex again as long as he had Gable’s love. But he would be lying if he said he didn’t crave him. His body stirred, just being this close to his nudity.

“You should take off your clothes too.”

Cutler chuckled. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea at the moment. Your sexy body is tempting me too much tonight.”

“Good.”

Cutler went still. He couldn’t let Gable get hurt for him. “I—”

Gable cupped his erection through his pants and stroked. “Take off your clothes, Cutler.” He hesitated. “Unless you don’t want me anymore now that I look like this.” He sounded as if he truly feared that was the case.

Cutler’s hands immediately went to work on the buttons on his shirt. Gable helped by working on Cutler’s pants. They weren’t frantic. More methodical. They had a goal. “Tell me how not to hurt you.” Cutler didn’t care how badly they wanted this. He wouldn’t let Gable set back his progress.

“Trust me.”

With a nod, Cutler followed Gable’s lead. They kissed. The sweet way their tongues brushed had love swelling in his chest. He never got enough. They touched and kissed their way to Gable straddling him in bed. Gable’s erection felt heavy against his cock. Cutler was hyperaware of every place their bodies touched. Before Gable, Cutler had gone years without being touched. Now a couple of months without Gable’s body against his like this felt like forever. He was weak.

Cutler watched as Gable sat back on his heels and eyed Cutler’s body. His eyes were full of love and lust. Beautiful. Gable stroked Cutler’s torso. “Every inch of you turns me on.”

“Same.” Cutler heard the breathlessness in his voice. He was too aroused to make his throat work properly. But he was also calling on every ounce of his willpower because Gable had to be the one who chose every move. Cutler wouldn’t risk hurting him for any amount of pleasure.

Gable reached for the bedside table and found the lube. While straddling Cutler’s thighs, he oiled Cutler’s erection. “Part of me wants a huge wedding. I want everyone to see how crazy we are about each other—like Saul and Case did. Another part of me doesn’t want to wait.” He kept his gaze locked on his hands, stroking Cutler while he spoke. “These past few months have made me realize how short life is and how quickly everything can be ripped away.” His gaze lifted and collided with Cutler’s stare. He looked devastated. “I don’t want to die not being your husband.”

Cutler’s throat swelled. “I’ll never let that happen.”

Gable shifted positions and slowly lowered himself onto Cutler’s cock. Cutler shook with need as Gable’s tight body stretched around his dick. He wondered if he would go insane. Gable’s heated expression was enough to have Cutler ready to blow.

“Fuck. You’re so sexy. Sitting on my dick, you’re immaculate.” The Russian accent he fought hard to keep under wraps couldn’t be hidden. Gable was too far in his head .

The slow way Gable moved had Cutler’s brain ready to snap. Still, he stayed motionless, allowing Gable to choose what he could handle. Gable’s eyes closed and his nostrils flared as he gently rocked himself on Cutler’s cock. Cutler ground his back teeth so hard, he worried they would turn to dust. It had been too long since Gable’s heat engulfed him. He badly wanted to grab Gable’s waist and slam himself over and over again inside the tight asshole he loved.

In no time, Gable’s breathing turned ragged. The pressure climbing Cutler’s cock threatened to blow just from watching Gable use him for pleasure.

“Goddamn. I wish you could see how turned on you look. You have me hanging on by a thread. You’re too sexy.”

Gable’s lips parted. His cheeks flushed. Cutler nearly popped a blood vessel fighting not to come. Then Gable’s gorgeous green eyes focused on Cutler, boldly holding his stare as a gasp fell from his lips. His body tried sucking Cutler deeper as cum hit Cutler’s chest. Cutler’s will snapped. He reached up and found the underside of the headboard. Cutler gripped it so hard, he worried the wood might crack. He fought to not lift his hips and fuck his way through Gable’s orgasm. Instead, he let Gable’s body gently milk him. When his orgasm hit, he swore he lost the ability to see. He heard his own cries and couldn’t stop. The muscles in his thighs felt like they might snap from the rigid way he held himself, forcing himself not to move while Gable took care of him, pleasuring him. He had never been as close to insanity as he was in that moment. His entire body shook from the blinding pleasure.

Then Gable was settled in his arms, and their tongues entwined. Nothing existed but their love. He would marry Gable immediately. They would still have the big wedding, but later. Gable deserved that. But the marriage couldn’t wait. Gable was right. Everything could disappear tomorrow, but they would go as one. This was his soulmate. He had to make that official.