Tristan had already signed out and was bouncing around the Benfield lobby when tall, dark and handsome strode inside. His heart fluttered. He’d been staring at Gabe’s picture before leaving his room, and he practically threw himself at Gabe.

Gabe laughed and lifted him up in a tight hug. “Someone missed me.”

“All the time.” Tristan kissed his cheek, then his mouth, because he didn’t give a shit what the nurses thought. “Hi.”

“Hi yourself. I take it you’re ready to go?”

“Definitely.”

“Prepare yourself. I think our warm autumn is over. It’s freezing outside.”

“That’s okay.” Tristan zipped up his coat then snagged his notebook off a chair. “I grew up in upstate New York, so I’m used to cold winters.”

“Really? I got the impression you were from around here.”

“My parents moved us to Chambersburg when I was thirteen.”

“Got it.”

“But you’ve always lived in Harrisburg, right?”

“In and around it my whole life.”

The shock of cold air on his face woke Tristan right up. The temperature difference from only a week ago was staggering, but that was November in the mid-Atlantic. “So did we make plans?”

“I was hoping you wouldn’t mind a late dinner with my dads,” Gabe replied.

“Really?” Tristan knew he’d met Gabe’s dads, even if he didn’t remember the interactions.

“Sure. Bear especially wants to get to know you. They know how important you are to me, so you’re important to them.”

That’s one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard. “Okay.”

“Excellent.”

Gabe further proved his adorableness by holding Tristan’s car door open—an act that Tristan was pretty sure Gabe had done before. Once they were both inside the still warm car, Tristan tugged him across the console so he could kiss his boyfriend properly. Gabe tasted like cinnamon gum.

“I don’t suppose we could put off dinner until after you’ve properly fucked me, could we?” Tristan asked.

“You really want your dessert before dinner?”

“Always.”

Gabe chuckled, then kissed him again. “Patience, babe. When I get you in bed, I want you there for at least a couple of hours.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Oh yes.”

Tristan squirmed, but gave in. He tried to think of anything except sex on the drive, so he didn’t arrive for dinner sporting wood. That would be embarrassing, despite his sense that Gabe’s dads would understand.

Gabe told him a few stories about his day waiting tables. He kind of admired Gabe for being able to do that kind of work. Tristan didn’t have the patience to deal with stupid people on a day-to-day basis.

Gabe drove them through a residential neighborhood for a while before parking on the street in front of a two-story home. A sense of familiarity washed over Tristan. He might not have picked it out from the other dozen homes lining the street, but pulling up in front of that particular house told him he’d absolutely been here before.

“We’re not going out to eat?” Tristan asked.

“Bear is a decent cook, so he volunteered.”

“Shit, should I have brought something? Like a bottle of wine?”

“Don’t worry about it. They just want a chance to get to know you. Be yourself. It’ll be fun.”

“Okay.” Tristan hated showing up for a home-cooked meal without a gift for the host. His parents had drilled that one into him throughout his teen years. Then again, they lived in a world where appearances meant more than their kids’ emotional well-being.

His heart ached for Alex. Sometimes he missed his brother so much it hurt.

“Hey, you okay?” Gabe asked.

Tristan had stopped halfway up the driveway. He rolled his shoulders and pushed away the macabre thoughts. “Yeah, sorry. Unfortunate train of thought.”

“Want to tell me about it?”

“Maybe later.” He didn’t want to bring Gabe down with a conversation about his brother who committed suicide because he couldn’t handle the pressure their parents had put him under. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

Before Gabe could open the front door, it swung open. A barrel of a man in a black band T-shirt and bare feet filled the entryway, grinning at both of them. “Come on in, boys. Richard is setting the table now,” he said.

Once they’d been hustled inside and their coats taken, the big man held out his hand for Tristan. “Bernard Henson, but everyone calls me Bear.”

No kidding. “Tristan Lavalle.” He expected a bone-breaking handshake, but Bear was gentle. “Nice to meet you again.”

“You too. Gabe doesn’t stop talking about you.”

Gabe, bless him, actually blushed.

“Well, I am pretty amazing,” Tristan said.

Bear’s deep laughter made Tristan smile. “I like you already. Confidence is a good thing to have, son.”

“Gabe’s been helping me find mine again.”

“Good. Gabe’s a good kid.”

“Are you going to share, or keep him all to yourself?” a new voice asked. A second man waltzed down the hall. He was shorter than Tristan, with silver hair and the sparkliest green sequined vest he’d ever seen outside of a music video.

“I’m keeping him to myself,” Bear replied. “Go away.”

The newcomer laughed then swatted Bear’s ass. “I’m Richard Brightman, this one’s husband.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Tristan said. Seeing the pair standing side by side had Tristan a little bit boggled. They were so completely opposite in every physical way that he couldn’t figure it out until Bear leaned down and kissed his husband’s cheek. Richard grinned, and the love was so obvious that it socked Tristan right in the feels.

Gabe had been lucky to grow up with them.

“So what’s for dinner?” Gabe asked. He sniffed the air. “Italian?”

Tristan noted the hints of tomato and spices, and his stomach growled. He’d skipped dinner in anticipation of seeing Gabe tonight.

“I made my five-meat lasagna,” Bear said.

Gabe slapped a hand over his heart. “Say it isn’t so. You only break that out for birthdays.”

“I figured you could have your birthday lasagna a month early.”

“Your birthday is next month?” Tristan asked.

“December eighth,” Gabe said. “I’m a winter baby.”

“How was that, having a birthday so close to Christmas? Did you always get presents wrapped in Santa paper?”

“Not really. Bear always hit up the party stores for summer decorations when they went super-cheap clearance, so I’d have luau parties, or Mexican fiesta parties. A little bit of summer in the middle of winter.”

“That’s really cool.”

“I have awesome dads.”

Tristan followed the small family unit into a cozy dining room. Walnut table and chairs, and a matching sideboard. Four place settings. A basket of bread, a large pan of lasagna and a big bowl of mixed salad. Tristan couldn’t remember the last time he’d sat down for a meal like this.

Gabe pulled a chair out for Tristan, then sat down opposite. Richard fetched drinks for everyone while Bear pieced out big chunks of lasagna. Tristan helped himself to salad and a breadstick. Everything looked and smelled amazing. No one paused to say grace, so Tristan dug into the pasta.

So many different flavors burst on his tongue. The sauce was deliciously spiced, the cheese perfectly gooey, and the different meats played havoc with his senses. “Holy crap that’s good,” he said.

Bear chuckled. “Glad you like it.”

“What meats do you use?”

“I only ever tell four of them. Ground beef, ground pork, pepperoni and Italian sausage.”

“So the fifth is a mystery?”

“Always has been,” Richard said. “Somehow he manages to hide all evidence of it, and we’ve never been able to correctly guess.”

“There are only so many meat products in the world, though.”

“Searching too hard for the mystery ingredient takes some of the fun out,” Gabe said. “Plus, Bear warned us that if we did figure it out, he’d stop making it.”

“Good reason not to think too hard.”

“Exactly.”

Tristan watched his portions as he ate, not wanting to overdo it on the delicious food and make himself sick. Even the salad had a homemade lemon vinaigrette that made every ingredient pop in his mouth. Bear and Richard chatted with Gabe about everyday things, including his progress with moving out of his mother’s house.

It seemed familiar, so Tristan paid attention.

“I have a load of stuff in the trunk of my car,” Gabe said. “I’ll bring it in later. One more load should do it. I’ll probably tell Debbie I’m moving out on Friday.”

“It’s about time you put your foot down with that woman,” Richard said.

Gabe glanced at Tristan, an odd look on his face. Anxiety, maybe? They all knew something about Gabe’s mother that Tristan didn’t, and they were dancing around the topic. Tristan hated being left out, but family business was family business. He wasn’t going to pry.

Bear caught the look on Gabe’s face. “So Tristan, Gabe tells us you’ll be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner.”

“Yes,” Tristan said. Apparently he’d agreed to that. “Should I bring anything? I don’t have any place to cook, but I could bring sodas or something.”

“It’s taken care of. You just show up with Gabe on your arm.”

“I can do that.” So far he liked both of Gabe’s dads very much.

“So I’m the eye candy date?” Gabe asked.

“Yes,” Tristan said in stereo with Bear.

Gabe shrugged. “Just making sure I know my place.”

Your place is with me.

Gabe’s cell rang. He frowned at the screen then ignored the call.

“That work?” Richard asked.

“No one who can’t leave a message,” Gabe replied. “Besides, you don’t like when I take calls during meals.”

“You’re right. We never answered the house phone when you were a kid, and we don’t answer our cells now.”

“Unless the club calls,” Bear said.

“Mario knows to send a text too, if it’s an emergency.” To Tristan, Richard said, “Mario is my assistant general manager at Big Dick’s.”

“So he’s in charge when you’re not there?” Tristan said.

“Precisely.”

“Mario keeps Richard’s head from exploding,” Bear said.

“I’m also too old to be there seven nights a week.” Richard faked a big yawn. “Old and tired, that’s what I am.”

“And still a closet drama queen.”

“Oh hush, you.”

Tristan smiled at the gentle banter. Their history was woven around them like an invisible net. He couldn’t imagine having been with a partner for so long that he knew them better than he knew himself. But he wanted that, and he truly hoped he could have it with Gabe.

Across the table, Gabe was grinning at him in a way that made Tristan’s heart flip, as if silently confirming he wanted it too.

“Will you two be joining us for dessert later?” Richard asked. “We’ve got an ice cream cake in the freezer.”

Gabe’s eyebrows rose in silent question.

“We’ll see,” Tristan replied. He loved ice cream cake, but he’d much rather spend as much time possible having a different kind of dessert.

“Don’t plan on seeing us,” Gabe said with a soft growl.

Oh boy.

* * *

Gabe collapsed on the bed next to Tristan, a giant sweaty mess, and fighting for air. Goddamn, but that had been better than the first time he’d fucked Tristan. Next to him, Tristan squirmed around so he could drape himself across Gabe’s chest, head on his shoulder. Gabe stripped off the condom and dropped it over the side of the bed.

“That was fucking amazing,” Tristan said. “Fuck.”

“It’s all you, sunshine.”

“It’s definitely not all me. I thought you were going to eat my ass all night.”

“I probably could have just to hear those noises you make.”

Tristan traced a finger around Gabe’s right nipple. “Same for when I play with these.”

Gabe slid his hand down Tristan’s damp back and squeezed his cheek, concern overriding some of his endorphin high. “How do you feel? Sore?”

“Not really. Not enough that I don’t want a second round before I leave.”

“A second round?” Tristan’s cock was still semihard against his thigh, but Gabe’s was down for now. Not that it would take much coaxing to get him back in the game, but Tristan didn’t know that. “You might have to work for it.”

Tristan rose up on one elbow. “That a challenge?”

“Definitely.” It wouldn’t take much, but Gabe loved the way Tristan’s entire demeanor changed now that he’d been goaded.

Tristan slid atop Gabe’s body and straddled his waist, their cocks pressed together between their bellies. The simple touch had blood reversing direction. Gabe clasped his waist, eager and curious to see where Tristan was going with this. Tristan ducked his head and bit Gabe’s left nipple hard enough to sting. But it was a fantastic kind of sting that made Gabe’s hips jerk. Tristan laughed then did it to his other nipple.

“Fuck, that feels good,” Gabe said.

“I can tell.” He thrust against Gabe, doing great things for Gabe’s refraction time. “I don’t think I’ll need to work too hard for it after all.”

“Can’t help it with you.”

“I bet you say that to all the boys.”

“I don’t.” Gabe dumped Tristan onto his back and knelt between his spread legs, their cocks still rubbing together. He braced himself on his elbows so he could thread his fingers into Tristan’s soft, thick hair. “This thing with us? It’s special for me, Tristan. Don’t ever doubt that.”

“It’s special for me too. I couldn’t have kept going like I was.”

“With the memory loss?”

“Alone. I had Noel, and I had the people at Benfield, but this is different.”

He seemed to struggle for the rest, so Gabe had mercy and kissed him. Long, slow licks into his mouth. Gentle caresses against Tristan’s tongue. He savored the taste of this man he’d come to care for so much in only a few short months. They rocked their hips at a steady rate, riding the soft waves of pleasure without tilting too close to the edge.

Fingers skated across his back, up and down his spine, and finally came to rest on his ass. Tristan squeezed his cheeks, then hiked his legs up around Gabe’s hips. The angle changed, giving more room for their balls to rub together, and that made Gabe’s entire body tingle with need. With the urge to claim Tristan again.

Gabe reached between them to move his dick to a downward angle so he could rub against Tristan’s crease. The head of his cock dragged against his hole, and that felt amazing. Gabe thrust more insistently, Tristan’s entrance still wet with lube. It would be so easy to slide inside of him. Too easy.

“You can,” Tristan whispered, as if reading his mind. “I trust you.”

Gabe froze as the enormity of what Tristan was offering hit him. His breathing stuttered and he stopped moving. Tristan gazed up, his blue eyes reflecting that absolute trust, and Gabe wanted to so badly.

Not while I’m doing porn. Not while there’s the slightest chance of exposing him to something. No.

“Thank you for that,” Gabe said, “but not yet.”

He grabbed a condom and more lube, and then he slid home. Deep into Tristan’s welcoming body. Tristan let out a long, breathy moan. Gabe pulled Tristan’s legs up over his shoulders so he could lean down close enough to kiss Tristan if he wanted. Gabe loved fucking like this, with his partner nearly bent in half, but sometimes it got too intense for the other guy, so he took his time. Long, slow strokes, memorizing each slide in and out of Tristan’s body. Cataloging the sounds Tristan made, the way he panted and trembled. His fingers clenched and unclenched the sheets by Gabe’s knees.

And his face. Tristan held nothing back, allowing his experience to play out in the way he licked his lips. In the splotches of color on his cheeks and neck. With every emotion shining in his eyes.

So beautiful.

He captured Tristan’s mouth for an explorative kiss, deepening the angle of his penetration. Tristan cried out, the sound lost in Gabe’s mouth. He worked a hand between them, and in a few short strokes was coming on both of their chests.

“Oh fuck,” Tristan said. “Wanna see you come.”

The request sent a tingle down Gabe’s spine. He gently pulled out and dumped the condom. He stayed between Tristan’s spread legs, the sexy sight of him almost more than he could stand. Tristan’s chest glistened with sweat and semen, and he watched Gabe like a starving man seeing food for the first time.

Gabe jerked himself with firm pulls, focusing on Tristan and how great it felt to be inside of him, fucking him. Making love to him.

His release shot through him, and he forced his eyes to stay open so he could watch his come spray onto Tristan’s abs. Marking him. Pleasure danced through him, waking him up and telling him to collapse already. He bent down and licked up every drop, cleaning Tristan’s chest off maybe a little too thoroughly.

So fucking good.

He tugged Tristan into his arms and stuffed a pillow beneath their heads. Tristan burrowed as close as he could get to Gabe without actually climbing inside of him. Cuddling with Tristan after sex was almost as fun as the sex itself, and he wanted this part to last for as long as possible, before Tristan inevitably had to leave.

Fatigue crept in and settled in Gabe’s bones. Every part of him began to relax. He drifted a while, content to hold Tristan close, until a soft whisper woke him back up. The words had been mumbled against his chest, but he swore he’d heard them clear as a bell.

He kissed Tristan’s temple, which prompted him to look up. Tristan’s cheeks blazed, and he seemed cautious. “What did you say?” Gabe asked.

“I said, I love you.” Tristan ducked his head, hiding his face in the crook of Gabe’s shoulder.

“Hey, look at me.” Gabe caressed the back of Tristan’s neck until he finally turned his head enough to meet Gabe’s gaze. “I love you too.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. I think I have for a while.”

Tristan raised his head, his smile a thing of beauty. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Say it again.”

Gabe grinned. “I love you.”

“I’ve never been in love before. Not like this.”

“I’ve never been in love like this before, either.” His love for Andrew had been real, but it had also been born out of stress and need. He’d found acceptance in Andrew that had helped him cope with being gay, and it was never really more than that.

Loving Tristan was everything he’d ever wanted and more.

“Can I stay tonight?” Tristan asked. “Please?”

Gabe didn’t know how to deny him anything in that moment. “Are you sure it’s a good idea?”

“Yes. I might be confused when I wake up but I know you now. I want to wake up with you in the morning, and to have breakfast together. Please?”

“Okay.”

Tristan rewarded him with a firm kiss. “Then let’s clean up. I hate waking up with dried come stuck to my pubes.”

Gabe laughed. Dried come anywhere was not fun. “Or stomach. Or your chest hair.”

“Says the guy with none. Why do you wax, anyway?”

Because Chet likes the look. “To better show off my muscles at the gym.”

“I think you’d look pretty hot with a dark carpet over these.” Tristan traced a finger around Gabe’s pecs, then down to his abs. “And here.”

“Behave or you may get a third round before bed.”

Tristan’s hand snaked lower and stroked his cock. “And that would be a bad thing why?”

Challenge accepted.