Page 127 of Syncopation
Ray leaned his head against Zavier’s leg, but other than that didn’t break his posture one bit. “I know. Pick what you want and use those, then.”
Zavier traced his finger down Ray’s cheek. “Oh, I will.”
A sigh and a shudder, then silence.
Perfect. He stepped past Ray and took a seat in the chair. “I need this part more than you do tonight, I think. But forehead on my shoes, Ray,and hands at the small of your back.”
Ray complied beautifully, and the arch of his spine was like art. Zavier palmed his hardening dick through his jeans, closed his eyes, and let his breathing and body still. His need for Ray didn’t abate, but all the worries, all the fears nibbling at his mind vanished. What filled the void was warmth. Contentment.
No. He opened his eyes and studiedRay, his supplicant pose, his stillness. More than that. Joy.
Zavier spoke. “Up, please.”
Ray sat up, his hands still tucked at the small of his back. God, that grin.
“I had never felt so much fear as that moment you fell into my arms at the party.”
Ray’s smile slipped away. “I don’t remember. It’s—” He struggled, shifting on his knees. “I hate that part. Not remembering.”
Zavier nodded. “I’d want to know, too.”
“I’m sorry I scared you.”
He leaned forward and brushed a lock of Ray’s hair off his forehead. “You weren’t at fault. And it wasn’t just the fear of losing you—it was the utter helplessness. There was nothing I could do.”
For a moment, Ray’s gaze turned inward, and he nodded. “I should—we should—figure out the legal stuff. Power of attorney, allthat.” He met Zavier’s gaze again. “If that’s what you want.”
It was. They were already tangled together. Better to tidy things up legally. They could pool resources. Find a place to live. Ray’s idea was a good one, but Zavier had a better plan, one with more protections for the both of them. One he’dneverthought he’d ever suggest to another person. “There’s a far easier way to handle thelegal end of things than power of attorney. If you’re agreeable to something a little longer lasting.”
Confusion for a long moment, then Ray’s eyes widened and he stared. Finally he opened his lips and spoke carefully. “It’s more customary for the person proposing marriage to be the one kneeling, you know.”
Zavier rose and loomed over Ray. “I like this better.” He threaded his hands intoRay’s hair. “And I think you do, too.” He yanked. Hard.
A gasp and a swallowed moan. “Yeah. I do. It’s us.”
Exactly. “So?”
“Yes. Please marry me.”
Good. So good. A weight lifted off his shoulders. Ray would be his.
Another thought followed—he’d be as equally Ray’s. A little vertigo flew through him, and he loosened his hold on Ray’s hair.
“You give me hope, Ray.”
Rayfurrowed his brow. “How so?”
“I’ve spent most of my life under the assumption that no one would ever come close to understanding who I am.” He gave a huff of a laugh. “And here you are.”
A little shrug of the shoulders. “But this is whoweare. You and me. And I don’t understand everything. But I—Icare, Zav. I want you to be happy.”
Raywanted himto be happy. Ray cared. Zavier turnedthat over in his head and cupped Ray’s cheek. Everything about this moment, from Ray kneeling to all the toys on the bed, carved that into his mind. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
His smile was sly. “Oh, I think I do.”
And maybe he did. Zavier patted Ray’s cheek. “Get the cuffs, all of them, and bring them here. Donotstand to do it.”
Ray’s eyes flickered and his grinwidened—and he obeyed beautifully, crawling to the bed, picking up the cuffs and returning. Ray was glowing, eyes bright and face enraptured.
