Chapter Nine
Adam
Adam watched with a smile on his face as Jack flung another tie behind him, onto the bed. Jack had gone through most of his collection already if the pile on the bed was anything to go by.
Adam had come home early to get ready for Jack’s company Christmas party, knowing how nervous Jack would be because of the record number of people who had RSVP’d this year, and yelled for Jack as soon as he opened the door. He’d found him upstairs, throwing pieces of cloth around and mumbling to himself.
Adam leaned against the wall outside the closet. “You haven’t run out of ties yet?”
Jack’s head emerged from the closet and smiled at Adam.
“Nope. I think I have dozens left to go through.” Jack swept his hand to show Adam the ties still hanging on the mechanical tie racks in their closet before he stalked toward Adam and wrapped his arms around his waist. When Adam moved closer, Jack snagged a kiss and moaned into Adam’s mouth when Adam’s tongue swept over his bottom lip. Jack opened for him and soon, Adam lost himself in the sensations only Jack could draw from him. When they pulled back, Adam smiled at the happiness radiating from Jack.
“This is for your company Christmas party, and you’ll discard the thing about an hour in like you always do.” Adam chuckled as Jack gave him a look he couldn’t clearly define.
“Tonight is special and everything has to be perfect.”
Adam reached for a cornflower blue tie with subtle white snowflakes scattered throughout. Since Jack was wearing a black suit, that he looked stunning in, the tie would bring out the blue of his eyes. Adam stepped closer and pressed a kiss to Jack’s lips.
“May I?” Adam held up the tie for inspection.
Jack nodded and Adam looped the tie behind Jack’s neck, taking the time to brush his knuckles against Jack’s solid chest, teasing and yet wanting to show Jack that the tie would work.
“You know you look very sexy in this suit?”
Jack groaned and reached for Adam’s hips, pulling him closer until Adam could feel his breath against his cheek.
“I’m going to enjoy coming home and slowly undressing you. Like a Christmas present, all for me.”
Adam smiled against Jack’s lips the moment he pressed them together. He expected another relatively chaste kiss as Jack tilted his mouth. But Jack deepened the kiss and Adam’s smile turned into a gasp as Jack continued his exploration of every inch of Adam’s mouth and tongue. He’d never loved kissing as much as he had with Jack.
Too soon, Jack broke the kiss and watched Adam’s chest heave up and down with deep breaths. Adam finished with Jack’s tie, albeit with shaky hands, and smiled at the man he loved.
“Why don’t you go get ready and I’ll put this mess back together?”
Adam agreed. Although he hated suits, he had gotten measured for this one and he had to admit, it was one of the most comfortable outfits he’d ever worn. He quickly dressed, although the buttons on his dress shirt took longer the more he imagined Jack undressing him after the night was over.
When Adam emerged from the bathroom, Jack’s eyes roamed over Adam’s dark blue suit and gray tie and he swallowed visibly.
“I could get used to this look. You look gorgeous tonight, sweetheart. But I think we should head out before I forget we have a party to attend and I throw you on the bed and worship your naked body for hours.”
“That was cruel.” Adam’s body flushed at Jack’s words.
“Not really, I plan on taking all night to do just that.”
With a quick glance to the bed they shared, Jack reached for his hand and pulled him out of the bedroom and down the stairs, Adam laughing the entire way to the car.
Once they were in the car and on their way to the hotel Jack had booked for the company party, Jack turned down the Christmas music that played in a continuous loop on the local radio stations because the holiday was a few days away.
“What did you want for Christmas?” Jack asked.
Adam shrugged. “I haven’t given it a lot of thought. I love the gifts we got our friends, but for me, I don’t really want anything. And I think I used my Christmas wish when I wanted you to fight for us, for our relationship, and you have. I want you. I think I always have and always will.”
Jack smiled and squeezed his hand. “You have nothing to worry about. It’s you and me. But I somehow knew you were going to say that and I planned ahead to surprise you.”
“Well, I already bought your gift, and no, I’m not going to tell you.” Adam chuckled at Jack’s pout.
Adam loved how open and happy Jack had been since they’d gotten back together. Jack held his hand whenever they were out and kissed him whenever he felt like it. He didn’t let other’s opinions affect him any longer and it left Adam with a warm glow in his chest.
A few reporters had learned about their relationship and asked Jack about Adam, and he told them without hesitation, Adam was his partner. Instead of the attention they thought their relationship might get, it turned out to be barely a blip in their lives.
The rest of the drive was spent with laughter as Jack guessed outlandish presents Adam could have gotten him.
“A horse? Where would I put a horse and do you even know how to ride?”
“I could learn.”
Adam shook his head.
“Fine. You got us a dog. You didn’t put it in a box and forget about him, did you?”
Adam growled and shook his head. “When we get a dog, we’ll both go down to the shelter together and pick one out.”
“I’d like that.” Jack squeezed Adam’s fingers.
When they arrived, the party was in full swing but Adam spotted their friends mingling among the employees they knew. Jack laced their fingers together and they walked toward the group. Adam wasn’t surprised by Jack’s gesture, but it still made his heart beat hard in his chest at how open Jack had become.
“Hey, boss.”
They turned to see Aiden, without the man he’d been with at the club. Jack and then Adam shook his hand.
“Have you had any problems with Derrick’s old friends?”
“Nope. They seemed to have forgotten about him and they’ve left me and the others alone.”
As they spoke to Aiden, Adam noticed Aiden was more relaxed than the last time he’d met the man. Adam realized now that Aiden had seemed tense at the club and Adam hoped Aiden broken it off with the man he was with as soon as they left the club that night. And his hunch was confirmed when Jack asked Aiden about it.
“He cheated on me. We were only together a couple of months, but I found out that night. Well, while we were talking, actually. I spotted a man at the club he’d been texting and put it together.” Aiden shrugged as if he expected all his relationships to go in that same manner.
“Why don’t you come and meet our friends,” Adam said.
When Aiden blanched at the group, Adam snagged Aiden’s arm. Jack introduced Aiden to their group of friends, emphasizing that he couldn’t live without the man, and Adam noticed that Sam hadn’t taken his eyes off Aiden since they walked up.
Jack and Aiden had started talking a new project for the new year and Sam pulled him aside.
“Adam, hey, is Aiden single?”
Adam nodded. “Yeah, and I have a feeling that he’s been hurt one to many times before. Be careful with him, okay?”
“I wouldn’t hurt him. I’ve never—”
“I know, Sam.”
Adam snagged Jack’s gaze and they communicated silently until a smile broke out on Jack’s face. He waved Adam and Sam over.
“Aiden.”
Aiden turned and his eyes widened as he looked up at Sam.
“This is Sam. He works with Ronan restoring houses.”
Sam held out his hand and when Aiden shook it, Aiden shivered.
“Would you like to grab a drink at the bar?” Sam asked.
Aiden nodded and Sam, being the perfect gentleman, held his arm out for Aiden to take. Without saying anything else, they wandered away, lost in each other.
Sam and Aiden made perfect sense to Adam. Although Sam was older by seven years, he knew that Sam would never hurt Aiden. Sam had dedicated himself to his work with Ronan and their company, but as Adam remembered back throughout the years, he’d never seen Sam serious about anyone before.
Looking at the two, Sam and Aiden were complete opposites. Aiden was thin, but you could tell that he had muscle definition. He had shocking white hair that matched his pale complexion, gray eyes that seemed to take in all of his surroundings, his lean body stood at over six feet tall, and he dressed impeccably.
Sam was sandy blond, tanned from working outside, muscular and fit for his job, and close to six and a half feet tall. He had kind green eyes and while he preferred jeans and a tee, but he made the suit he had on tonight work.
“I’ve never seen Sam so taken with anyone before,” Ronan said, watching Sam and Aiden interact.
At that moment, Aiden’s face seemed to light up as Sam smiled at him. Sam indicated that they should sit, and when Aiden nodded and turned toward the table, Adam was happy to see Sam’s protective hand on the small of Aiden’s back.
“Aiden’s a good guy. He just had crap taste in boyfriends. I remember he told me that his recent ex-boyfriend wasn’t the first to cheat on him.” Jack told Ronan.
“It’s different, I suppose. I have never seen Sam so interested in someone the moment he spotted them. Sam is more of a take your time kinda guy, but from the way it looks, Sam met his match in Aiden.”
Ronan nodded his head toward Sam, who was smiling as Aiden threw back his head and laughed at something Sam said. Aiden’s hand gripped Sam’s forearm and Sam’s hand holding Aiden’s, keeping him close.
For the next few hours, Jack introduced Adam to his employees as his partner and Adam got to know those Jack worked with on a daily basis. They were honest with their praise of their boss and how much they loved their jobs.
“I’m proud of you,” Adam said.
Jack smiled at him. “Why?”
“Look at what you’ve made here. Your employees love you, you have friends who would do anything for you, and although you grew up with a man who could care less about anybody but himself, you are a caring and wonderful man I fell in love with.”
Jack kissed him and Adam melted into Jack’s body. All night, Adam had wanted to drag Jack to a private room and relieve the constant throbbing in his body. He knew they couldn’t, but this kiss was enough. For the moment.
“Hey, Jack.”
A familiar voice broke through Adam’s desire and he glanced down to see Jack’s assistant smiling up at both of them.
“I’m so glad it worked out for you two.” She rubbed her hand down her belly in a protective way. Adam should have noticed before, but tonight his mind wasn’t clouded with hurt and jealousy.
“Congratulations to you.” Adam nodded at her belly.
“Thank you, my husband is going to hyperventilate at least once before she’s born, but I’m enjoying the attention. Speak of the devil.” A man walked up with a glass of water and pulled Melanie close. “It’s time for your announcement, boss.”
Jack nodded and turned to Adam and snagged a quick kiss. “I’ll be right back. After this, we can go home.”
“Sounds good.”
Adam watched as Jack made it to the stage, laughing at something that was said as he was passed the microphone.
“Welcome, everyone, to our annual Christmas party. Well, the first announcement is that everyone will get a bonus that will be deposited into your accounts tomorrow. It’s a small thank you, a token of my appreciation. And the office is officially closed until the second Monday in January so you can enjoy time with your friends and family.”
A cheer went up in the ballroom and Adam smiled at Jack.
“Adam, can you join me on stage?” Jack asked and the room became silent.
Adam’s feet felt frozen as he stood there, staring up at the stage and meeting Jack’s eyes. One of their friends, probably Garrett, gave him a small push, and he found himself accepting Jack’s hand. Jack smiled at him and he smiled back, his body relaxing after Jack gave him another quick kiss.
Jack chose that moment to drop down on one knee and reached behind him. His attention wasn’t on the movement but the smile Jack gave him. But when Jack held up a black box and opened the top, Adam’s heart started racing in anticipation.
“Adam?” Jack reached for Adam’s shaking hand.
That was when he noticed the wedding band. It was platinum with black diamonds surrounding the entire ring and it was beautiful. At that moment, Adam couldn’t keep quiet.
“If you’re asking me to marry you, then yes, as soon as humanly possible.”
Adam held his breath as Jack nodded and he threw himself into Jack’s arms, holding him tight.
“Thank everything holy.”
There was a riot of noise; applause and cat whistles, but Adam only paid attention to Jack.
“Remember the cop, Matthew Bell, who married Ronan and Caleb?”
“Of course.”
“Well, I didn’t want to wait once I asked you, and I knew you wouldn’t want to either, so he’s marrying us on Christmas Eve at our house. I’ve already sent out the invitations.”
Adam’s heart beat hard in his chest. Everything he’s ever wanted, for years, everything he’s dreamed of was coming true on this one night.
Adam stood, pulling Jack up with him, and he cupped Jack’s face in his hands. “I love you, Jack and I’m glad you know me so well.”
Another round of applause sounded as Adam kissed his fiancé until his knees felt weak and Jack had to hold him close.
Jack broke the kiss and reached for Adam’s hand He turned and reached for the mic. “Thank you for sharing this special moment between Adam and I. I wanted to wish you all the best this holiday season and enjoy your time off. All of you deserve it. Goodnight.”
They walked toward the exit, hugging their friends and accepting their congratulations while promising to see them soon.
“Where are we going?”
Jack growled, “We’re going home so you can make love to me.”
Adam started to jog toward the car and when he looked back, he winked at Jack. “You’re walking too slow.”
And with that, Jack scooped Adam up in his arms and ran for the car, their laughter echoing in the chilly night air.