Page 45 of Now and Forever

He was finally home.

Epilogue

“Wait. Don’t take another step.”

Malcolm’s cheeks hurt from grinning so much. He’d had a permanent smile for over forty-eight hours.

Seth turned around, his eyes wide as if he’d made a horrible mistake. “What’s wrong?”

Malcolm framed Seth’s cheeks with his palms then stole a kiss. One, quick swipe through his mouth, because he couldn’t wait another second to get Seth inside their hotel room. He then propped the door open with their suitcases while Seth watched him in seeming puzzlement.

He straightened then took Seth’s hand. “I need to carry you over the threshold, baby.”

Seth eyes glimmered. “But you did that last night at the airport hotel.”

“Doesn’t my baby boy want Daddy to carry him again?” He carded his fingers through Seth’s hair. “After all, this is the official start of our honeymoon.”

The corner of Seth’s mouth quirked in a smile. “We were both pretty tired last night. I couldn’t keep my eyes open and those pinchy dress shoes were killing my feet.”

“See? Then you must be carried.” Malcolm pulled Seth closer by his waist until their bodies met. “And once we’re inside, I’llkeepyou off your feet.”

Seth pressed another quick kiss to Malcolm’s lips then wrapped his arms around his neck. “Since you put it like that…”

Malcolm scooped up Seth in his arms then crossed the threshold into the magnificent suite he’d book at Disneyland’s Grand Californian resort hotel. Seth was so busy plastering Malcolm’s face with kisses, he hadn’t seemed to notice the lavish suite of rooms yet. Malcolm couldn’t wait to make love to his boy all night long, but he couldn’t deny how excited he was to show him the suite, either.

He dropped onto the longest section of the L-shaped sofa in the large living area, bringing Seth down with him. The open plan suite featured Craftsmen furniture and accessories, gas fireplace, large entertainment center, long balcony with a view of the parks—and finally—a full kitchen and dining area. But of course, there was also the bedroom and jacuzzi tub with a separate, roomy glass enclosed shower stall. Malcolm imagined those were the areas that would get the most use during their stay.

Seth straightened in Malcolm’s arms and gazed around the room, his jaw slack. “Thisis where we’re staying?” He gaped at Malcolm. “It’s huge, like an apartment.”

Malcolm smiled, his heart racing at the joy radiating from Seth’s features. “Do you like it?”

“Daddy, I…” His face crumpled.

“Hey…baby.” Malcolm pulled Seth into an embrace and hugged him close, Seth burying his face in Malcolm’s neck. “Don’t cry.” He gave Seth a moment to release whatever was bottled inside, then gently encouraged him to lift his chin. “I didn’t mean to upset you, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”

Seth sniffed as he shook his head and swiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “N-not upset, Daddy. So happy, so, so happy. I can never thank you enough for all you’ve given me, for all your love, understanding. The care…” He shook his head. “The fuckingcomfort.” He hiccupped. “Sorry about the language, but I’ll never have the right words to explain what it means to be your boy. It wasn’t luck the night I wandered into the bar, the night you took a chance on a complete stranger. You showed me that goodness exists in the world when I’d given up all hope. Through you, I’ve learned there’s something in life beyond pain and grief, that I don’t have to endure day after day of hating myself, of believing I don’t deserve love. That I don’t deserveanything.”

Seth cradled Malcolm’s head with his hands. “The night we met wasn’t dumb, blind luck. That was destiny. You, Daddy.You’remy destiny, and I never want to be anywhere you’re not. I love you.”

Malcolm’s eyes burned and he swallowed past a lump in his throat. “You’re my destiny too, sweetheart. No one could ever convince me otherwise. And I’ll always want you by my side for now and forever.”

Seth caressed Malcolm’s cheek, nodding. “Now and forever.”

Their lips crashed together, the kiss building in heat as they clutched each other, their hands seeking skin as Malcolm tasted Seth’s mouth, searching out every bit of sweetness that was his boy.

He broke the connection, both of them gasping for air. Seth’s eyes were glazed, and his lips decadently swollen from the intensity of their exchange. Malcolm captured the bottom one between his teeth and dragged them across the sensitive flesh, cupping Seth’s cock and balls as he did.

“Need to claim you from the inside, boy. Fill you up with my seed.”

“Yes, Daddy…” Seth moaned as he thrust into Malcolm’s hand. “I’m yours, belong to you.”

Malcolm rose then pulled Seth to him. He lifted him up again and carried his precious boy to the bedroom. Once he crossed the threshold, he made his way across the plush carpet then laid Seth on the down on the bed. Malcolm petted Seth’s hair back from his eyes.

“Don’t move. Let Daddy take care of you.” He rose with a smile. “Let me look at how beautiful you are.”

Malcolm jogged from the room to grab his grooming kit from his suitcase. As he removed the small bag, he chuckled to himself at how badly his hands were shaking. If he wasn’t careful, he might go off like a rocket the moment he entered his boy. Malcolm couldn’t remember being as excited as this since he was a teen.

He made his way back to the bedroom at a fast clip and had to let out a laugh the moment he spotted Seth snatching his hand away from his crotch.

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