Page 37 of Finally

Istood on the stage with Topher, but off to the side. Far enough back that I wouldn’t be a distraction, but close enough that I could keep an eye on the crowd and watch for any potential threats. The last month had been a whirlwind of public appearances, budget meetings, and traveling the campaign trail from one end of Illinois to the other. It was exhausting and we hadn’t been home for more than a day at a time, but I didn’t care because I was with Topher and there was nowhere else I’d rather be.

To those who didn’t know our story and the history we shared, our relationship may have seemed to be moving very quickly, but the truth was, I’d spent a lifetime caring about him, wanting him and feeling the loss of our separation. That’s why I’d found it so difficult to be around him when I’d first come to work for him.

The love I’d felt for him as a boy had been pure and innocent, and even though things had gotten muddled due to his father’s interference, those feelings had never gone away. Discovering that it hadn’t been his choice to walk away had stripped away all the hurt and confusion I’d been feeling, leaving behind only the love and happiness I’d remembered from my time with him. We’d spent the last several weeks making up for lost time and learning who we were as adults. I was the happiest I’d ever been in my life, and I would probably claim my life was perfect, if it wasn’t for a couple of dark spots.

The threatening letters had continued to show up at the campaign headquarters, almost daily; each one more descriptive than the last. While they were vile and homophobic in their content, I wasn’t convinced that they were connected to the break-in at his house. Obviously, whoever broke in and attacked Maddie that night knew where Topher lived, yet every one of the letters had been mailed to his office. Why not just send them to his house where they wouldn’t risk being lost among all the other mail?

The letters also varied in locations from where they’d been mailed, which made me think that there were several people involved, possibly a group, such as the O.O.A. The person who broke into Topher’s home had been working alone. Plus, there was something about going into someone’s home, into their private sanctuary, that made it all the more personal. My jaw clenched as I thought about what could’ve happened if Topher had been home that night. What did the person want from him? Were they searching for something? Hoping to find some way to incriminate him? Or had they come for darker, more sinister reasons?

That last thought sent an icy chill down my spine and my conversation with Micah came back to me. Despite my assurance to him that I was prepared to deal with anything that happened, I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle it if anything happened to Topher. Especially now that we’d finally found our way back to each other. In fact, I’d lose my damn mind.

Every day we got closer to each other, and the closer we became, the harder I fell. He was caring and thoughtful, not just with me but with everyone he came in contact with. He was brilliant, funny, fiercely loyal and had quickly become a vital part of my life. If something were to happen to him, it would be like losing a limb, like someone had ripped my heart out.

My eyes traveled over the crowd, taking careful inventory of each person in attendance. Was their expression angry? Were they sweating or acting skittish? I took a step forward, my senses on high alert, as a man in the front row reached his hand into his pocket. My eyes zeroed in on his every move, ready to make a move of my own if needed, but as he pulled his hand back out, I saw the white cloth he held. I breathed a sigh of relief as he used the handkerchief to blow his nose.

Tension had been high all night after members of the O.O.A. had shown up at the rally to protest what they considered “a plague to society” running for governor. Usually, they stayed outside with their signs and vulgar words, but this time they’d decided to come inside, and when they saw Topher take the stage, immediately began shouting their homophobic rhetoric. They’d provided such a distraction that they’d eventually been escorted from the building.

To everyone else, Topher had appeared calm and in control throughout the entire ordeal, but I knew him better than most, and I could tell how much the situation had shaken him up. The election wasn’t far away, and Topher was a strong contender in the polls, a fact that I’m sure added fuel to their hatred and was making them braver and more outspoken.

Between the O.O.A., the letters, whoever broke into his house, and Jared adding more and more onto an already exhausting schedule, Topher’s nerves were wearing thin. To make matters worse, he hadn’t seen or spoken to his father since the night he confronted him. I’d been impressed when he told me his father had admitted everything and apologized profusely for his well-intentioned, yet misguided, attempt at helping his son, but I also understood that the hurt of being manipulated by someone you loved wasn’t just going to disappear with a simple apology. Topher needed time and I’d be there for him while he took it.

I’d held Topher as he’d cried, and listened whenever he wanted to talk about it, but I’d also encouraged him to try and remember all the wonderful things his dad had done throughout his life. I knew from all the stories he’d told me how close he was with his parents, how important they were in his life, and while he was upset with his father, I knew he didn’t want to lose the relationship he had with him.

Continuing to scan the audience, I listened to Topher as he wrapped up his impassioned speech. “Only by working with our neighbors instead of against them, will we begin to see true growth that will improve the lives of everyone in this great state. It starts here at home. It starts with each of you. What will you choose?”

Goosebumps broke out over my skin and the room erupted in a chorus of loud cheers. I was nearly bursting with pride as he turned and started walking toward me. He flashed a smile at me, but the tiny lines at the corners of his eyes showed the toll the evening had taken on him. I was at his side in an instant and quickly ushered him behind the stage and out the back door, where my truck was waiting for us.

I managed to get Topher settled inside and drove out of the parking lot ahead of the crowd. Once we were on the road, I reached for him. He took my offered hand and scooted across the bench so he was sitting right next to me. I could feel the warmth of his hip against mine as he snuggled into my side with an audible sigh.

I leaned down to kiss the top of his head. “You were amazing tonight, baby,” I murmured.

“I’m just glad it’s over. The O.O.A. are getting worse and they put me on edge for the rest of the night. I kept watching the crowd, expecting someone else to jump up and tell me how disgusting I am and that I have no business being governor,” he said miserably.

I gave his hand a squeeze. “Don’t listen to them. People like that only know hate. They feed off of fear and they get off on tearing others down. They aren’t worth one second of your time, not when that time could be spent doing all the incredible things you’re doing to make this world better. As for you watching the crowds, that’s what I’m here for. No one will ever get near you as long as I’m there. I will keep you safe, whatever it takes,” I vowed.

“I do feel safe with you,” Topher whispered.

I glanced down at him with a smile and my breath caught as I found him staring back at me, the look in his eyes a mixture of adoration, respect, and a fair amount of lust. Taking notice of that last part, my cock began to fill, and the truck suddenly seemed too small and too warm. Having him in such close proximity was making my head swirl and I had to force myself to concentrate on the road and getting us to the hotel safely.

A few moments later, I pulled into the hotel parking lot and parked near the front doors. Jumping from the cab, I handed my keys to the valet then walked around the truck and opened Topher’s door. He smiled shyly at me as he took my hand and we walked into the lobby. The front desk manager spotted us as we walked in and I arched a questioning eyebrow at him. He gave me a subtle nod and I nodded back. Everything was ready, and with any luck, this would be a night neither of us would ever forget.

Topher leaned his head against my shoulder, and I slipped an arm around his waist as the elevator began ascending toward our room. When it came to a stop at the top floor, he shot me a surprised look. “You booked the penthouse suite?”

I pulled him from the elevator and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I wanted something special for tonight. Just promise me one thing. When we walk through that door, you’ll leave all the worry and stress out here. Nothing else exists inside that room but you and me.”

Topher placed his hands gently on either side of my face, those blue-green eyes of his filled with tenderness as he looked at me. “Silly man, from the moment I first met you, everything else ceased to exist. I have never been able to see anything but you. Even time and distance couldn’t stop that.”

Overwhelmed by his words, I bent down and kissed him until we were both breathless and achingly hard. “Come on. There are cameras in the hallway, and I don’t really feel like putting on a show for anyone but you,” I joked, stepping away from him and pulling the keycard out of my pocket.

“I should certainly hope not. You’re all mine,” Topher quipped, but stopped as he seemed to realize what he’d just said.

I gave him another peck on the lips and smiled warmly at him. “You’re right. I am yours and you’re mine.”

His smile returned as I unlocked the door and opened it. I motioned for him to walk in ahead of me and I heard his sharp gasp as he saw what I had done. The manager had followed my instructions perfectly. Rose petals had been spread along the floor, making a path into the bedroom, where I knew even more would be sprinkled on top of the comforter. Soft, sensual music played from speakers hidden around the room and a tray sat in the corner displaying an array of cheese and crackers, pieces of fruit and a decadent-looking chocolate sauce. A bottle of champagne sat in a bucket of ice with two crystal champagne flutes beside it.

Topher’s mouth hung open as he looked around at everything. “Oh my God! I can’t believe you did all this.”

“Well, I had a lot of help, but like I said, I wanted to do something special for you.” I moved in behind him, placing my hands on his hips and whispered into his ear, “You’ve been working so hard to fix everything for everyone else, but you deserve to be taken care of too and I want to be the one to do it. Tonight is all about you and your pleasure.”

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