Page 90 of Bulletproof
The doorbell interrupted Derek’s sigh of bliss, and it turned into an erotic chuckle. “Breakfast is here, but I’m tempted to tell them to go away.”
“So, tell them,” Travis said, with his lips pressed against Derek’s.
Derek let out a remorseful groan and removed Travis’ hands from under his shirt. “Let’s wait till after breakfast. I’ll make it worth the wait. We got somemajor gourmet eats on the menu.”
“The age old dilemma. Food or sex? It’s a tough decision.” Of course, there was no choice. Travis would forego food for a year just to be with Derek. His tummy would rebel, but his heart would be full. He only gave in because Derek went to so much trouble, probably hiring a top notch chef and wait staff. He conceded to breakfast without further rebuttal,his erect dick already balking.
When Travis answered the door, a full crew entered the house carrying shopping bags and packages of fresh produce and meats. It was incredible and impressive, and Travis was touched at the gesture. He would have been happy to eat cereal from the box. Well, not really. Steak and eggs, alongside a nice stack of pancakes dripping with butter and coveredwith syrup was his ideal breakfast, but spending the morning with Derek, when the guy was being so damn thoughtful and attentive is what really mattered.
“Right this way.” Derek motioned the crew toward the kitchen as Travis shut the door.
“I still can’t believe you did this, Derek. I never –” The doorbell rang again, cutting off his sentence. “Someone’s late. I hopeno one’s getting fired on my birthday.”
“I don’t think that’s anyone from the catering staff.” Derek dusted a piece of lint off Travis’ shirt and smoothed his hand down the front. He paused to give Travis a once over. “OK. Answer the door.”
“What the hell are you up to now, MacAlister?”
“Just answer the door.”
Travis approached the door withapprehension. He wasn’t used to surprises, or the mixture of excited anticipation that made his heart quicken while humility made him embarrassed at the fuss. He flung open the door and stood there, confused at the woman who faced him. She didn’t look like she was with the catering crew. She wore a pretty summer dress, and her hair was pulled up away from her face. Her familiar smile sparked somethinginside him, but it was her voice as she sighed his name that almost knocked him over. One knee buckled and he needed to grab onto the doorframe in order to stop himself from falling. He had no idea how Derek found her, but she was here, after so many years had gone by. Emily. Shock silenced him, while warmth radiated from his sternum and traveled outward through his body. Relief at finally beingreacquainted with the only mother figure in his life flooded him with the realization of exactly how much he missed this woman. He tried to say her name, but it was stuck in his throat, blocked by a baseball-sized lump of emotion.
“Emily.” His voice was little more than a squeak. She looked beautiful. Older, but still beautiful. Small lines fanned out from the corners of her eyesand a few grays streaked through her golden blonde hair. Her skin was a bit weathered, evidence of a hard life, and his heart went out to her. She had been a kind, sweet woman, loving and generous, yet she had been dealt a bad hand. Just like him. He didn’t know her story or what had happened to her, but she deserved better than the past she’d endured.
She touched his cheek, and heimmediately felt like a little boy again. Acceptance and recognition that she genuinely cared for him hit him hard, and he wanted to cry.
“Travis, you’ve grown into such a handsome man. I’m so proud of you. Derek told me all about your accomplishments. I always knew you were destined for great things.”
Travis’ mouth quivered, and it took all of his strength not to breakdown and sob. She had been the only one to offer kind words and encouragement, and he wondered how different his life would have been if he’d stayed with her all these years.
Emily’s smile slowly faded. “I had no idea what happened to you. I looked for you for a long time. And finally gave up. I’m sorry. I should have tried harder.”
“It’s not your fault.” He couldn’tbelieve she was apologizing. This woman had been the only positive thing in his life, before Derek. “I should have looked for you.”
“No. It’s on me. I failed you. And it’s a regret I live with every day.” Her fingers nervously rubbed at the handle of her purse. “I did try. The agency wouldn’t give me any information. I told them to give you my number if you ever came back lookingfor me, but . . .” She trailed off, tears glistening behind sorrowful eyes.
“How did you find me?”
“Derek found me.” She squeezed Derek’s arm. “Thank you, dear.”
Travis was flabbergasted, bowled over and astounded at the lengths this man went to for him. It made him weak, and his voice quaked. “You found her for me? I . . . I can’t believe it.”
Derek had tears in his eyes and his voice shook. “Seeing you this happy, watching your reaction when you opened the door . . . it made my heart swell. I love you, Travis. I’m so happy that I could do this for you.”
Travis hugged Derek with all his might, tears seeping from the corners of his eyes. “I love you so much. No one’s ever done something like this for me.” He heard a sniffleand realized it was Emily. Travis slowly released Derek from his arms and embraced the only other person in this world that he loved.
She hugged him harder than he hugged her, and a sob left Travis’ throat unexpectedly at the emotional moment they shared.
Emily held a tissue to her nose and then dabbed at the corner of her eye.
“Where are you living?” heasked her.
“I moved to Las Vegas a few years ago. So I’m only a few hours away. But who knows? Maybe now I have a reason to move back to Southern California.”
Through the blur of tears that filled his eyes, Travis looked at Derek and then at Emily. He took them each by the hand and took a deep breath to steady the overwhelming emotions. He kissed Emily’s cheek, then Derek’s.He stared at his boyfriend. Six months ago he had no one. Now he had a partner, friends, and a woman who loved him like a mother. A tear rolled down his cheek unashamedly. “Thank you, Derek. You’ve given me so much. It’s because of you that I have something I’ve prayed for my entire life. Something I’ve wanted more than anything in the world.” He glanced at Emily, then back at Derek. “You’vegiven me family.”
