Page 20 of Angels of the Night

CHAPTER 15

“Good morning, my beautiful boyfriend. This smile looks so good on you.” Saint tentatively brushed his lips over Zachary's, taking time in savoring them. “I hope I didn't hurt you last night. I got carried away a little and...” The man fell silent, giving his lover a worried look.

“Actually, I'm a little bit sore but in the best possible way. Last night, for the first time in almost seven years, I felt alive, valued, important...Saint, I think I'm finally starting to heal, and you can't imagine how wonderfully liberating this feeling is.” Zachary shifted, getting closer to the other man, inhaling his scent, wanting more of him.

“Your words make my heart jump with joy, my precious, sweet love. I'll never leave your side, no matter what, I will go after anyone who tries to harm you. That's a promise I won't break, no matter what.” Saint planted an innocent, sweet kiss on his lover's forehead. “I guess I can be touchy-feely now that we are together for real.”

“Well, I don't think we can be more touchy-feely than last night.” Zachary gave his lover a toothy grin, sitting on the edge of the bed. “We have to thank Caleb for bringing us together again. If it hadn’t been for his idea to enroll Ardan's help...”

“Yes, you're right. I have to talk to him soon, this morning even, and express what I feel for him.” Saint averted his gaze, clearing his throat. “Of course, first we have to leave the bed, get dressed and go to The Base. Although he came back, Ardan still needs a period to readjust, plus he won't work as much as before.”

“You changed the subject before saying what your feelings for Caleb are. I never made a secret from the fact that I have a deep affection for him, but lately I've discovered that it's more than that. I love him, Saint, just as much as I love you, and I want the three of us to be together. I don't know where I have the idea that we complete each other and we'll work perfectly as a trio, but this is what I want.”

“I also want this, not because it pleases you, but because I believe in this relationship, in our chance. However, you know how difficult it is for me to express what I feel. Since Alvin was killed, I silenced all the emotions inside me, and only rarely let others see the real me, the one you saw.” Saint lowered his gaze, hiding the tears that appeared at the corner of his eyes.

“I know, but Caleb doesn't, and that's why you should talk to him, be totally open and honest. I don't know how you see him, but for me, he's a man, stronger, wiser and much more mature than others of the same age.” Zachary gently lifted Saint's head, wiping his tears with the pad of his thumb. “We got stuck with a goddamn warrior.”

His boyfriend's last remark brought the light back in Saint's eyes, and a barely there smile appeared on his lips. After a quick shower, the two men started to dry and dress each other, stopping from time to time for a quick, sweet kiss. They still had enough time to get to The Base before the start of the daily program, so decided to walk the distance to the rescue center.

After a while, almost without realizing it, Zachary touched Saint's fingertips, brushing his own against them, a small surge of pleasure going through his body at the contact. Gradually, his fingers intertwined with the ones of his lover, that special closeness bringing back the memories of their time together, a time of discovery, limitless passion and deep love.

The people they met greeted them with friendly smiles, waving at them and saying hello. For everyone living in the neighbourhood built around The Base, Saint and Zachary were just another, deeply in love gay couple, like so many of those who guarded the sanctuary or took care of the children's needs, one way or another.

“What are you looking at, good people? Haven't you seen two men holding hands? Don't you have anything to do than stare at them like that?” Lothier dispersed the small crowd of guards who were looking at Saint and Zachary, shaking their heads in disbelief.

“Well, I don't blame them. It was kinda unexpected for us, too. Anyway, thanks for keeping the papparazzi away. Constantly being in the spotlight can be a thorn in the side sometimes.” Saint flashed a toothy grin in Lothier's direction, making the man smile.

“I don't know what you did to this fellow here, Zachary, but he’s become very mouthy lately, totally opposite to the taciturn, grumpy hermit he was. Keep up the good work.” Lothier patted the two men on the back, then headed to the administrative building, while they took the route to the guards' headquarter.

“Congratulations. Seeing you like that makes me extremely happy. Seems that you finally managed to talk to each other for real, clearing the misunderstandings from the past.” Zachary and Saint turned their heads, surprised to see Caleb behind them, a genuine, bright smile playing on his full, pink lips.

“Yes, we are ready to mend our hearts and take you in, if that's what you want. From the very second I saw you on the ground, surrounded by those beasts but willing to fight to the bitter end, you tugged on my heartstrings in a way only Saint did. Since then, my feelings for you evolved from sincere brotherly affection to love. I want to be with you, Caleb, the same way I want to be with Saint.” Zachary fell silent, but his light-green eyes continued to speak volumes.

“I don't know if Ardan ever mentioned it, but I had a brother, ten years younger than me, whose life was brutally ended at fourteen. When I arrived at The Base, more than a year ago, I was instantly attracted to your innocent way of flirting and everything else about you. However, in a corner of my mind, I saw you not as a man, but as a mere teenager, a boy of Alvin's age. I was afraid to lose you, so I decided to push you away, instead of getting into a relationship with you.”

“And now? What do you feel about me now? Did your perception about me change, and if yes, why? Or do you still consider me a kid?” Caleb's turquoise, innocent eyes locked with Saint's hazel ones, hope, doubt, love, joy and a tinge of despair mixing in his gaze.

“No. While I was in London, I realized the foolishness of my behaviour and came back determined to make things right, only to bump into the first, but not last, love of my life. You know the rest of the story. There is no point in repeating it.” Saint fell silent, wrapping an arm around Caleb's waist and pulling him closer. “Thanks all the deities for Ardan. He is the wisest man I ever met.”

The three of them walked the rest to the guards' headquarter close to each other, aware that they were the target of curious looks but not giving a damn about it. They still had a long way to go, Zachary thought, but they would make it in the end. Together, the three of them could do anything, surpass any obstacle. Everything was going to be alright.

****

Alasdair's hands roamed feverishly up and down Ardan's body as he moved in his husband's lap, greedily taking him in, riding the man's steel-hard cock with vigor. The older man smiled as he kissed the area around the redhead's nipples, then captured one of the small, pink bits of flesh between his lips, gently rolling his tongue over it.

Ardan's action made Alasdair jolt, a long, wanton moan leaving his luscious, slightly parted, kissable lips. However, it didn't make his husband stop, on the contrary, he lightly bit the dusky pink bud, hardening it even more. The tender tongue caresses over the redhead's nipple sent pleasurable tingles through his groin, making his cock stand tall and proud.

Ardan looked down, liking his lips seductively at the sight and, taking Alasdair's hardness in his hand, started to stroke it lazily. Wrapping the other hand around the redhead's willowy waist, the older man pulled him closer and started to lick a special spot on his neck, driving him crazy with lust and desire. A few moments later, Ardan shot his load inside Alasdair, the redhead splattering the two of them with his hot, sticky release.

His turquoise eyes incandescent, filled with adoration for the man in his arms, Ardan continued to tenderly caress the redhead's back and neck, whispering sweet, passionate words in his ear, professing his undying love. Head burrowed in his husband's chest, eyes closed, Alasdair inhaled Ardan's scent, sighing in contentment.

“My sweet, beautiful Spitfire, so delicate, but also so strong, my warrior, the light of my life!” Ardan chanted in Gaelic, the language the man lately used when he wanted to express his deepest feelings.

“Yes, my husband, the kindest, most generous, giving and supportive man I have the privilege of knowing, I belong only to you. Please, my Ardan, take care of your health. I need you in my life for many years to come.” Alasdair's voice was thick and shaky when he spoke the last few words.

The older man left the bed, went into the bathroom, cleaned himself, then returned to the room with a damp cloth, gently washing his husband's abdomen and torso. “I will, my Spitfire, I promise I'll never act so reckless again. Lying on that hospital bed, having your worried face before my eyes was a harsh lesson I've learned the hard way.” Ardan climbed on the bed again, pulling Alasdair close to him.

“What's on your mind, husband of mine? And don't say it's nothing. After spending almost a decade with you, I've come to sense when something is worrying you.”

“I got a call from Fabian Bloom this morning. He asked me very politely for a two-person invitation to the Starlight reopening party, said it was extremely important. Also, he claimed the invitation was not for him. I don't know what to do.” Ardan cast Alasdair a doubt-filled look, his eyes darkening.

“I'm not saying this to defend him, but lately, Fabian has helped us a lot. I suspect that the mysterious, anonymous informant who tips you off about the goddamn child trafficking ring's transports and auctions does it on Fabian's express orders. You do as you think is best, but I'd give him that invitation, plus another one for him, like you promised Riley.” Alasdair spoke in a soft voice, running his hand up and down Ardan's chest.

“Yes, I was thinking the same, too, but I also wanted to know what you thought on the matter. I have the feeling this invitation, or better said the persons it is meant for, will have an important role in The Base's future. Also, I'm curious to see how Fabian's mind works because I have to agree with you, the guy has changed a lot. He could have hurt Riley, but he took care of the poor kid instead.” Ardan fell silent, a small frown creasing his forehead.

“Enough of this, husband of mine. You shouldn't worry unnecessarily over things that may be less important than they look at first sight. How about using the time to tell me how much you love your Spitfire?” Alasdair grinned cutely, wrapping his arms around his husband's neck.

“Mmm...I think it's better to show you.” Ardan smiled brightly as his lips started to worship the redhead's body again.

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