Page 47 of No Surrender
She swept through the space, greeting the workers who were busy setting up round tables. “We can get flowers, balloons, ice sculptures—whatever you want. We’ve also got sheer curtains that can soften the look of the brick if you prefer. We have a portable dance floor and a great sound system. Heck—we can hang a disco ball if you want one.”
“Do people ever have the ceremony here as well as the reception?” Vic asked.
Kara nodded enthusiastically. “Oh yes. There’s a lovely gazebo we use for the vows that can be rolled away afterward. It looks very good in photographs. And we can supply a non-denominational officiant as part of the package, or you can arrange that on your own.”
Simon found himself holding his breath as Kara walked them around the depot, filling in details about the location’s history and the way events were handled. He watched his fiancé’s body language and started to relax as Vic asked more questions.
Vic hadn’t gone into cop mode with sharp questions that made a discussion feel like an interrogation. Instead, he seemed to be enjoying the conversation and was as interested in the background as he was the mechanics of hosting an event.
“How far out are you booked?” Simon crossed his fingers in his pocket.
“Normally, it’s a year to a year and a half,” Kara told them. “But we aren’t scheduled quite so far out right now, more like eleven months, and if you want sooner, sometimes we do get cancellations.”
“We aren’t prepared to sign today, but can you please walk us through the costs and the contract?” Simon asked. He and Vic had agreed in advance that no matter how much they liked any venue, they wouldn’t be talked into committing on the spot. Simon hadn’t changed his mind on taking a logical approach.
Yet the longer Kara talked, the more excited Simon felt. He couldn’t read Vic’s expression; rather, he didn’t want to assume that what he read into the look on his boyfriend’s face was accurate. But it seemed to Simon that Vic was enthusiastic about the depot as well.
Vic was the one trained to watch micro expressions during interrogation. But Simon had a lifetime of needing to pay close attention to body language to navigate the mercurial moods of a narcissistic mother as well as ruthless academic politics. He had studied Vic’s face during a range of emotions, and he saw how Vic leaned forward into Kara’s space to review the contract, how alight his eyes were as he asked detailed questions about decorations and catering.
Vic was in love, and not just with Simon. Something about the depot had captured his imagination. Simon was glad that he felt the same way because he wouldn’t have wanted to disappoint his partner.
Simon had already gone through the contract and details online. He had run the numbers and knew the location was within their budget and would hold their expected guest list. But he had promised himself that he wouldn’t get his heart set on any venue until he’d seen it in person and been able to discuss it with Vic. Now, he had the sense that their discussion might be relatively short.
“If you think of any other questions, please call me,” Kara said as she walked them out. “I included a list of recent wedding clients you can call as a reference. If you trust the depot with your special day, I know we can make it memorable for all the right reasons.”
They thanked her and headed back to the car. Both men were quiet until they were nearly back to the bungalow.
“Well?” Simon asked, suddenly worried he had misread Vic’s reaction.
Vic grinned. “I think it’s perfect, and my fiancé is a genius.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s got loads more personality than a regular hotel. I love the idea of a train depot because we’re starting a journey together. There’s history—which is catnip to you. Kara had good ideas for the decorations and gave us options—it wasn’t one-size-fits-all. I got the feeling that whatever we came up with—within reason—they’d do their best to make happen.”
“Is that a yes?”
Vic nodded, looking happy and slightly nauseous. “Yes.”
Simon grinned, then pulled the car over to the curb so he could draw Vic into a celebratory kiss. Vic responded with quiet fervor, cupping the back of Simon’s head with one hand.
Reluctantly, Simon finally drew back. “We’d better keep moving. We can seal the deal at home.”
“I thought you had a tour tonight.”
“I do. But there’s always time for good communication,” Simon replied with a wink.
“What about dinner?”
“I’ll take something with me.”
Given the choice between a slow dinner or slow love making, Simon didn’t need to think twice. He could tell that Vic shared his mingled excitement and apprehension. Making plans meant that getting married was real—a forever commitment. While making that promise to Vic was what Simon wanted with all his heart, the gravity of the situation nearly made him pass out.
Tonight, every touch affirmed a vow, and each surge of pleasure confirmed the rightness of their union. Simon had heard people talk about sex as a form of communication, but it truly felt like he and Vic spoke volumes without words.
When they were both sated, Simon lay back amid the tousled covers with Vic’s head pillowed against his chest.
“We should take a shower before we stick together. I can’t go lead a ghost tour with sex hair—or smelling like sweat and jizz.”
