Page 57 of Troy

Accepting the envelope, I feel the weight; there must be a lot of papers inside. Leaning across, I kiss her smooth cheek and feel a small tremble under her skin. “Thank you, Francesca, I would love to become friends.”

Raff reaches out and clasps her small hand is his and then hugs her. I see her whisper in his ear one more time and watch as a blush reddens his skin before he nods. “We will see you again soon, I promise.” He replies and smiles then releases her hand.

We stroll back to the car and I keep checking Raff but he merely smirks. When we reach the car, I sit in the passenger seat, and smile when Raff questions me with a raised brow.

“It’s your bit of lake, Rafferty; I don’t know where to go.” I laugh as he blushes again. “I’m liking this shy side to you, babe.”

“Yeah? Whatever, baby, don’t get too used to it.” He chuckles. As he starts the engine, he looks at me, “Are you going to open that?” He glances down at the envelope resting in my lap.

“No, this is something for us. There is a reason that Francesca waited for us today, so we shall look at it together. Maybe the place you want us to spend the rest of our lives is a good place for us to do it.” I look across and watch his eyes darken.

“Fucking right!” Raff pulls his cigarette packet from the center console and brings it up to his mouth, grasping a cigarette between his lips.

“I haven’t seen you smoke for ages.” I sigh as I watch him light the tip and take a deep drag into his lungs.

“Shit! I’ve been trying to quit!” Raff appears horrified and throws the cigarette out the window.

“Well, let’s hope that doesn’t start a forest fire.” I laugh and watch alarm bloom on his face, “Rafferty, my love, we are still in the city.” I laugh as he whips his head around and looks back out the window.

“Dick!” He spits, leaving me howling with laughter.

We carry on out of the city and I scan around as we pass first the turning to Mason’s and then Nico and Ryan’s. We continue for another fifteen minutes before Raff takes a right turn and we travel down a sandy track. Raff navigates through the trees and comes to a stop, I look over at him as a smile a mile wild splits my face.

“Here?” I examine the area and fall in love with the place.

“Yep! Here.” Raff acts like he’s found the holy grail and, truthfully, it looks damn good. Nico’s place looks out across the lake and views the suburbs. From here, I am facing the city; the skyline is amazing and I see I am not getting the full effect from the sun at what is now midday. Sunset is going to be stunning and I want to be here to see it.

“Fuck!” I spit out, it’s Raff’s turn to laugh raucously.

“So, what do you think?” Suddenly he sports an air of nervousness.

“Let’s get out and have a look around, and your dog is about to piss himself.” I glance over my shoulder at Boss who whines to get out.

I leap out and release the handle on the back door, letting the beast loose. Raff climbs out and checks his pockets then smiles. Grabbing the envelope, I saunter around to meet him at the front of the truck. Fuck this, I want my mouth on him. Hmm, where should I start? I run my eyes up and down his body but before I can take it any further, Raff grabs hold of my hand and drags me down to the edge of the water and spins me around.

“Just wait, Troy. Just wait, there’s something I want to say, shit, no, ask.” I study Raff as he starts to pace. “Okay, Troy. Here goes. Shit, I had all this planned. Fuck it! Troy, I want to marry you. Please, marry me.” Raff comes to a stop, his hands tangled in his hair as he tries to get himself under control. “Troy, I love you; I love you so fucking much, I lose my mind. I can’t think straight because I remember what you look like as your eyes flutter open after you’ve come. Or I can remember the noise you make when you swallow my dick down your throat. Just the scent of your skin makes my mouth water and my mind blank. Crap, I’m making this worse. Troy, I lov…”

“Yes.” I speak firmly because I know I’ve got to work through every layer of crazy going on in his mind.

“Look, I know I’ve fucked this up, and I… What?” He looks at me like the last puppy in the shop.

“Yes, Rafferty, I will marry you.” I smile sweetly and thank God this wasn’t the well-rehearsed, totally un-Raff like speech; this is him and it’s perfect.

“YES!!” His arms shoot up in the air like he’s made the winning touch-down in the last second of the Super Bowl. Like he’s knocked out the World heavyweight champion in the first round or beaten Usain Bolt in the 100m Olympic final. “Get your fucking sexy ass here, Ballantyne.”

My mouth turns torrid at his command and I stagger in a daze towards him. I step closer and notice his hand reach into his pocket and pull out a red velvet bag. Raff drops to one knee, stretching out for my left hand. Tears suffuse my eyes and, blinking rapidly, I push them away; I want to be able see him.

“Troy Marcus Ballantyne, I love you. I want and need you. I want to spend my whole life with you. I want children with you, I want to love and treasure you every minute of every day. Will you please make my life worthwhile and do me the honor of being my husband?” Raff stumbles over the last few words as his emotions take over. His eyes fill with tears as I whisper my yes back to him. Slipping the platinum band down the length of my third finger, his hand trembling as it reaches the base, he tangles his fingers between mine and hauls me hard against him.

“Wow! I love you, Rafferty.” My voice breathless, I lean in to kiss him, the softness of his lips molding against mine as I tempt him to open his mouth with my tongue. As we touch, a bolt of electricity fires through me and I wrap my hands around the nape of his neck, pushing my fingers into his wavy, red locks. I pull the leather tie away, letting me grip harder, holding him against me. Our moans blend together as we dip and delve into each other’s hot mouths. Drawing breath, I rest my forehead against his before opening my eyes. Vibrant green eyes sparkle full of joy and happiness at me; they must be a mirror of my own.

The moment my fingers touch his headstone, I know he is with me. Speaking quietly—letting my feelings for Troy flow—a sense of peace comes over me when I feel him smile. His consent a warm glow inside my chest, he grants me permission, wishing me the happiness and love he was unable to give Troy.

Then, for a moment, I see our future, mine and Troy’s; a garden full of people and children running and laughing. I glimpse a pale-yellow, stone villa set in a countryside I don’t know but that seems like home. I view two older men sitting side by side, utterly content, as they pay attention to the joyful play of the children. I know I see a vision our future and it looks good, so damn good.

As Franco fades, he smiles and says goodbye. When I look back at Troy he appears concerned but walks towards me as I wipe my eyes and extend my arm, the emotion from Franco overwhelming me. Troy seems okay with leaving Franco today; I thought he would want to spend some time alone, but he is happy.

I don’t understand what happens when a woman approaches us—the same woman I saw in the picture of Troy—why is she here today? The explanation is not what I ever would have expected but I believe her and when we leave, I take hold of her hand and receive another shock. Electricity flowing from her tiny hand to mine, she leans in to whisper. “Think of this as his wedding gift to you, Rafferty.”

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