Page 38 of Forbidden Lust

As they got higher, Josh fed Daniel a strawberry with a smile.

“I love you,” said Daniel. “I don’t know why I took so long to say it.”

Josh’s breath hitched, and his eyes watered. “I love you too.”

Daniel cupped his face and gave him a gentle kiss. He was conscious they had an audience who was doing his best to act like he couldn’t hear them.

Daniel put his arm around Josh’s shoulder as they watched the ground get smaller, and the air got colder. He didn’t feel cold, though, as his heart was full and making his body all warm. He had the man he loved by his side, and Josh loved him back. Life didn’t get better than this.

The rest of the day continued to surprise Daniel. After their hot-air balloon ride, they went to Daniel’s favourite sushi bar. Josh grimaced after Daniel insisted he try the eel. It was an acquired taste. Next was a matinee to one of the few shows Daniel had wanted to see but hadn’t got around to yet– theBack to the Futuremusical. Oscar and Gregory joined them. The film was Daniel and Gregory’s favourite of all time, so whilst they geeked out and bought all the merchandise during the interval, Oscar and Josh had a drink, looking amused.

The guys left after the matinee, and they promised to do a couples dinner soon. Daniel was surprised when Josh said they were going back to the flat, but walking in, he smelt something delicious.

“Has someone broken in and cooked dinner for us?” he asked.

“That would be me,” said Carly, appearing.

Daniel had met her twice in the last two weeks. He knew how important she was to Josh, and he adored her

“I’ll leave you to it. Happy Birthday, Daniel,” she said, giving him a hug and kiss.

The table had been made up beautifully, with wine chilling in an ice bucket.

“Get changed into something comfortable,” said Josh. “We’re in for the night now.”

Daniel went to his room, and was going to dress in trousers and a shirt for dinner, but Josh had told him to be comfortable. He put on a pair of sweats, without underwear, and a T-shirt he knew showed off his muscles. Chuckling, he walked back out into the kitchen. Josh had just pulled something out of the oven, and stopped, taking in what Daniel was wearing.

“You need to sit down. My sister slaved over this meal for you. She’ll be very upset if we don’t eat it, but if I keep seeingyour cock bounce around like that, it’ll be the main course instead.”

Daniel laughed, and was tempted to tease him more, but was a good boy and took his seat. When Josh put the dinner in the centre of the table, he got choked up.

“Is that meat pie?”

“Yeah. Your mum gave me the recipe, but I can’t cook for shit, so Carly offered to make it.”

“So this is my nan’s meat pie?”

“Well, as close as Carly could get it.”

“Come here.”

As soon as Josh was within reach, Daniel pulled him onto his lap, kissing him. This wonderful, kind, and caring man. His mum had called once while Josh was staying over, which was most nights, and had insisted they speak. When she’d asked Josh to leave the room so they could speak in private, Daniel had been worried. His mum knew how hard the divorce had hit him, and she was very protective. Josh had come back all smiles, but would not divulge what they’d discussed. Had they been planning this then?

“I love you so much,” said Daniel.

“I love you too, but I also love pie. Never had this kind before, though,” he said, getting up to serve them.

Meat pie was a popular dish in Manchester. It had been through several modernisation twists over the years, but you couldn’t beat the classic flaky pastry packed with mincemeat and gravy–no faffing around with other ingredients to make it fancy, which was what Josh, or rather Carly, had done. This beat any Michelin star restaurant.

The first bite took him back to his childhood. It was very close to his nan’s pie, and on a first attempt too. He was impressed. They ate in comfortable silence, Daniel being hit by wonderful memories from his past with every bite and sitting opposite the beautiful man who was his future.

Life had never felt so perfect.

EPILOGUE

JOSH

Six months later

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