Page 1 of To Have and To Hold
Chapter One
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Nine days until the wedding…
Brantley Walker stepped out of the showerand wrapped a towel around his hips. The mirror over the vanity drew his attention with the big 9 drawn in the condensation on the glass.
He grinned. Nine days until he would be marrying the man he loved. They’d finally reached single digits, and it looked like Reese was starting to take note of the countdown. He liked this. It was … unexpected. The guy was creative. He’d give him that. Not to mention, he had an uncanny ability to make Brantley smile.
Indeed, there was a week and some change left before they stood with Pastor Bob and said their vows before their family and friends. And Brantley couldn’t fucking wait.
Of course, the vow writing hadn’t gone quite as well as he’d hoped. Although he’d told Reese he would happily write his vows if that were what the man wanted to do, Brantley’d secretly hoped Reese would take the easy route. He should’ve known better. Now, he was getting down to the wire and hadn’t written a single word.
He would, though. At some point, the words would just come to him, and he’d know exactly what he wanted to say.
Not bothering with clothes, Brantley headed for the kitchen. He knew he would find Reese there because that was the routine. They went for their morning run, showered, then had breakfast. Since Brantley had mastered the art of burning water, Reese preferred to cook, and Brantley honestly couldn’t blame the guy. Then again, Brantley would be satisfied eating fast food from morning to night. Not because he preferred it but because it was easier. Since Reese enjoyed his meals with far less cholesterol—his words—they didn’t eat out much unless they were working a case and it saved time or simply to get out of the house.
Brantley padded down the hallway that emptied into the living room. When he reached it, he kept going, heading straight for Reese.
“Did you want bacon with your—” Reese’s words died on his tongue when he turned.
The man’s eyes heated instantly. It was a phenomenon that made Brantley’s cock thicken even more. He wouldn’t deny that he fucking loved the admiration on Reese’s face when he looked at him.
“You realize JJ and Baz are probably gonna stop by?” Reese asked, his gaze snagging on the towel.
“I’m wearin’ as much as you are.”
“I’ve got shorts on.”
“And I’ve got a towel.”
“So I’ve noticed.”
It was clear Reese had to work to get his gaze to eye level as Brantley neared.
“Plus, it’s Thursday. She’s got a doctor’s appointment,” Brantley assured him. “They won’t come by.”
Reese swallowed hard when Brantley closed the distance between them, pressing his chest to Reese’s. Bare skin to bare skin.
“She might. She’s antsy. There are only nine days until—”
Brantley silenced Reese’s response by leaning in, letting his lips hover directly over his. He kissed him softly, licking at his lower lip until Reese’s lips parted.
Pausing, he said, “You were saying?”
“I don’t remember,” Reese whispered.
That was the encouragement he needed to press his mouth to Reese’s. He kissed him. Slow. Deep. Brantley groaned when Reese’s hands joined the party, his fingers curling around Brantley’s sides before slowly sliding lower. Brantley’s cock jerked, desperately anticipating the feel of Reese’s hands on him. He didn’t disappoint, easily loosening the towel and letting it fall to the floor. When his long, strong fingers curled around his shaft, Brantley gasped, releasing Reese’s mouth but not moving away.
“I love it when you do that,” he groaned softly, rocking his hips, gently fucking Reese’s fist until his dick was thick and throbbing.
Reese continued to stroke him as Brantley trailed his lips along the stubble lining Reese’s jaw. He inhaled the clean, musky scent of Reese’s skin on his way to his neck, where he paused to kiss and suck, earning a soft rumble from Reese as the man grabbed Brantley’s ass, holding him close while he stroked Brantley’s cock.
“Brantley…”
“I can’t get enough of you,” Brantley admitted, nipping Reese’s shoulder.
No truer words had ever been spoken. Since the day he met this man, his libido had kicked into high gear, his RPMs revving higher and higher with each passing day. He didn’t understand it, but he’d stopped trying to because Reese Tavoularis was the only man who’d ever made him feel like this. Out of control and untethered while at the same time securely planted on the ground.
