Page 31 of Now and Forever

Seth considered him through narrowed eyes as they reached the door to their room. “Uh-huh. You’re up to something, for sure.”

Malcolm laughed nervously. “Who me?”

Seth frowned and pursed his lips.

Malcolm hurriedly slipped the keycard into the lock before he could question him some more, then held the door open for Seth to go ahead. Sure enough, his boy was making a beeline for the bathroom.

“Wait!”

Seth almost stumbled over his own feet. “Why?”

“Can you…”

Damn. In his fantasy, things had gone much smoother. Seth had been blissfully ignorant of anything untoward going on, and it had been a cinch to casually suggest he wait for Malcolm on the balcony. Suddenly, he couldn’t remember what excuse he’d invented for Seth to be outside in the cold, waiting for him. His perfect, romantic proposal was going all to hell.

“Hey, Daddy.” Seth’s laid his hand on his arm. “I was just kidding around. Is something bothering you?”

Malcolm slapped a hand to his forehead. He needed to face the awful truth. He was a nervous wreck. Malcolm sucked in a breath then gave Seth a smile that he hoped wasn’t as maniacal as his last one.

“Everything’s fine, sweetheart. I promise. But could you indulge me, do me a favor?”

“Of course. Whatever you want, Daddy.”

Malcolm let out a relieved sigh. He’d definitely been overthinking his whole scheme. “Could you wait out on the balcony for me? I’ll join you in a sec, but I have to…I have to do something first.” Malcolm hoped he wasn’t giving away the whole surprise.

Seth shrugged. “Sure.”

Malcolm gave him a quick peck on the lips then shooed him toward the balcony. Seth walked away, shaking his head as if he were certain Malcolm had gone crazy. Once Seth had stepped outside, Malcolm scurried over and pulled the drapes closed behind him. He took another peek over his shoulder to make sure Seth wasn’t watching, then quickly made his way to the bathroom. When he entered the room, he released another relieved sigh. At least this part of his plan was going well.

When they’d first arrived at the hotel, Malcolm had snuck into the bathroom with his duffel bag that contained several pillar candles, their favorite scented bath oil and an etched crystal vase that Seth had oohed and aahed over at one of the gift shops they’d visited. That’s what had given him the idea about the roses. It had also been a helluva ruse to get the shop to wrap the thing up and for him to pay for it without getting caught.

But after tearing his way through multiple layers of bubble wrap, he’d managed to free the vase so the hotel staff could add the red roses while he and Seth were at dinner. They’d also delivered the champagne and ice bucket. He let out a big puff of breath.

Now to set the scene.

Malcolm grabbed the rose-filled vase of and the bucket with the champagne and rushed back into the main room. He placed everything on the table, then jogged back to retrieve the candles. He snickered to himself. The bath oil could stay right where it was.

Craning his neck as he stood next to the table, he verified again that Seth wasn’t peeking through the curtains. He quickly arranged everything the way he wanted, lit the candles, then stood back to admire his handiwork. Satisfied the scene was perfect for his boy, he reached into his jacket pocket where he’d been hiding the ring. He turned the velvet ring box over and over in his hand.

This is it.

Malcolm ran his palms over the top of his head, took a deep breath and calmly—calmly—strolled out to the balcony to join Seth.

“Hey, baby.” He snaked an arm around Seth’s waist.

“Hi, Daddy.” Seth smiled at him with an inquisitive gaze. “Are you going to tell me what your secret is yet?”

“In a minute.” Malcolm winked. “I thought it would be nice for us to get back to the room in time to watch the sunset. The view is incredible.”

Seth laughed. “You’re not looking at the view, you’re looking at me.”

“I know, sweetheart. I know.”

Malcolm brushed noses with him then licked Seth’s bottom lip, prodding his mouth open with his tongue. Seth let him in, gave himself over to the demand of Malcolm’s kiss. Their clinch grew heated until they were both grinding against each other.

Wait. Ring.

Malcolm pulled back, trying to catch his breath. If he couldn’t will his stiffy to stand down, he wasn’t so sure about his ability to get down on bended knee in the tight jeans he was wearing. He gathered up Seth’s hands in his, then made sure he had enough room to lower himself for the proposal. Seth’s features radiated confusion.

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