Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78853 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Would Noah feel he loved him less because he’d been married to Mel?
Fuck, just the thought gutted him. He didn’t want Noah to ever feel vulnerable, yet the thought of his wife made his heart turn over. It didn’t slice through him as it once had. His grief would always be a part of him—he’d always miss her—but some of that pain had finally reached a tolerable point. And he felt completely blessed when it came to Noah.
It also helped to know that Mel would have been nuts about Noah. Everyone who met him liked him. He had one of those easygoing personalities that drew people to him. He also had an ornery streak that reeled Rowe in like he couldn’t believe. The things that man could get him to do…he shifted in his seat and willed his dick back down.
But marriage…it just didn’t feel necessary when it came to them. He already felt just as much, if not more, of a connection to Noah than he had Mel. And a part of that was because after suffering that loss, their relationship felt even sweeter.
Others joined Ian and Hollis on the dance floor. Rowe stood and tugged Noah up with him. He didn’t enjoy dancing, but he did enjoy holding Noah. Any excuse to do that was okay with him. Noah pulled him close to his taller body and they swayed to the slow song together. He wrapped his arms tightly around him, loving the slide of hard muscles against him.
It still surprised him to this day how much he loved Noah Keegan. They’d had a brief one-night stand years before, when they’d both served in the Army, and it had freaked Rowe out. But now, he couldn’t imagine his life without him. So between Noah, his dogs, and his friends, Rowe’s life felt complete.
Fuck, apparently weddings made him sappy.
He tucked his face into Noah’s neck, dropping a light kiss on his warm skin. Noah tightened his arms. Two and a half years together and it was still as exciting as it had been in the beginning. Maybe even more so because now there was the warmth of familiarity. The tight bond they’d created. And the sex…well, the sex was unbelievable. He felt like he’d never get enough of Noah. He moved closer and felt the telltale swell of Noah’s dick against him. Seemed his man was enjoying the wedding, or dancing, just as much.
The music changed to a fast number and they left the dance floor and returned to the table where Andrei had stopped to talk to Snow, his baby daughter, Daciana, in his arms. She looked around with wide brown eyes that lit on her daddy every so often. Andrei stroked a hand over her hair, and she gave one of those baby smiles that made everyone around her melt. Even Rowe, who didn’t want children of his own, wasn’t immune to that little smile. Just like her fathers, he was ready to hand her the world. He was happy as an uncle, though. One who planned to babysit when she was a little bigger.
Noah leaned over to touch her cheek, and she gave him another smile. Noah turned into a puddle of goo and in the next moment, he was holding her and smiling down at her. Did Noah want children? He looked as if he’d be great with kids. A natural. Adding children to their lives wasn’t something they’d talked about. From Rowe’s point of view, their life together was already perfect. The two of them against the world.
Ian came to the table and hugged Snow, who reached up to pull him in close. He had been hugging them all a lot today, basking in the joy of the day. Rowe wasn’t surprised he’d taken Hollis’s name—it wasn’t as if his own last name carried any sentimentality. Ian was starting a completely new chapter in his life, and his happiness was stamped on his face like he exuded sunshine.
He turned and hugged Rowe, who laughed and hugged him back.
“I can’t help it. I’m so happy you’re all here with me today,” Ian said.
“Where else would we be? Wouldn’t miss this for the world.” Rowe clapped him on the shoulder. “It was a beautiful ceremony.”
“It was, wasn’t it? It’s hard to believe it’s finally here.”
“You did put this off longer than any of us expected.”
“I wanted it to be perfect, and it has been.” He looked around, his gaze stopping on his new husband. Hollis started walking toward them.
“When do you leave for the honeymoon?” Rowe asked, knowing they were going to the French countryside for some kind of food and wine tour.
Hollis joined them, sliding an arm around Ian and kissing his temple. “Tomorrow.”
“He’s looking forward to the medieval castles,” Ian said.
“The food, too,” Hollis said. “Though I’m already spoiled in that department.”