Page 75 of Touched By Destiny

“Dad,” Eric growled.

“Why are you suddenly squeamish about sex? It’s a natural, beautiful part of life,” Clark countered.

“I’m going upstairs now,” Eric replied, not even sure why he was blushing harder.

Without waiting for a reply, Eric darted out of the living room and took the stairs two at a time. On the top landing, he turned and waited for Gabriel to join him.

“Where are we sleeping?” Eric asked.

“Wherever you want,” Gabriel replied.

“I think I left my lube in your bedroom.”

Gabriel nodded. “You did. Go grab pajamas and whatever else you need.”

Rising to his toes, Eric stole a kiss. “Meet you in a few minutes.”

Moving at a speed he hadn’t known he was capable of, Eric opted to strip and change into a loose pair of pants and a T-shirt. Then he brushed his teeth quickly. He stuffed his toothbrush and deodorant into a travel bag and left his bedroom for Gabriel’s. After Eric knocked briefly, Gabriel opened the door. Like Eric, he’d already changed clothes.

Eric tossed his bag onto a nightstand and burrowed into Gabriel. Two brawny arms wrapped around him. They held each other for countless minutes as Eric breathed him in and thanked whatever force in the universe had brought Gabriel into his life.

“Thank you for today,” Eric murmured against his broad chest.

“I don’t think I’ve wrapped my head around the way your parents reacted,” Gabriel confided, rubbing Eric’s back in soothing circles. “These past couple of years, I assumed theywere growing more anxious about your safety because you were getting older and spreading your wings. But…they wanted this?”

Forcing himself to pull slightly away from Gabriel, Eric smiled at him. His green gaze was full of confusion along with a glimmer of hope, as if he couldn’t quite believe anything that had happened but dearly wanted it to be real.

“I didn’t make my crush on you a secret,” Eric explained. “The dates were Richard’s idea, to make you jealous. He wasn’t the only one who knew how I felt. I’m not surprised Mom and Dad were playing matchmaker. I didn’t know you went into Dad’s office and complained about my dates. For so long, I was convinced they didn’t matter to you.”

Gabriel blew out a breath that fluttered the blond strands of hair that had fallen onto his forehead. “Clark probably figured out before me that I wanted to be with you. That’s embarrassing.”

“Not as embarrassing as my parents insisting we go upstairs to have sex.”

“I’m just pretending that part didn’t happen,” Gabriel said with a chuckle.

Eric cupped his cheek in his hand and brushed their lips together. “Don’t worry about the wedding shit, okay? If that’s something we both want, we’ll do that when we’re ready. I don’t want us to feel pressured into doing something to please them.”

“I never imagined myself married.”

Despite his disappointment, Eric forced a smile. “We don’t have to get married. That’s not a requirement. We’re already soulmates.”

“You’re not fooling me, you know. I meant that I’d been so caught up in being alone that I didn’t see a future like this. Soulmates and marriages didn’t enter my thoughts before. That doesn’t mean things aren’t different now.”

Relief had Eric kissing Gabriel again. “Good, I’d like to be your husband someday.”

“I’m glad I finally found the courage to tell everyone about us,” Gabriel whispered, pressing his forehead to Eric’s.

“I know it wasn’t easy for you, but hopefully you aren’t regretting your choice.”

“Absolutely not. No regrets. I…I wasn’t expecting what happened. I can’t wrap my head around it yet. But I’m grateful. I’m so grateful that with the truth out, I’ll have more time with you.”

“And no more fucking walks around the yard; it’s been damn cold,” Eric retorted.

“Nevada has thinned your blood.”

“Oh please, I’ve never lived anywhere cold. Every city I remember living in before we called Nevada home was in either Florida or California.”

“That’s because your parents aren’t any fonder of cool weather than you are,” Gabriel said.

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