**Have you read Love at Roades End yet? If you’re looking for a sweet, quick Valentine’s romance, it might be just the thing. And this week’s flash fic takes place immediately following the story. Enjoy a little more Sean and Hunter!**
I’d been planning for our anniversary for weeks, analyzing and fretting. Waffling and second guessing. But I knew what I wanted and I was fairly certain Sean wanted it too. So I’d finally settled, and had gotten everything in place, when Mother Nature decided a snow storm was the way to celebrate the holiday instead of love. I was heartbroken to know he wouldn’t make it, but I’d rather be apart and him be safe, then for him to risk his life traveling in a blizzard.
I should have known the love of my life wouldn’t let something like the weather stop him from getting to me.
Having him slip into bed in the wee hours of the morning had been the best possible kiss, and I’d kissed him and wound him up, begging him to fuck me until he pounded me into the mattress. Sticky and sated, we fell asleep in each other’s arms. But now in the morning light, I remembered the present that I’d gotten ready for him and I nearly chickened out. My heart was pounding andI broke out in cold sweats.
It was early. The sun was barely up. I’d arranged for coverage, so I didn’t have to get out of bed. I could spent the entire morning with Sean. I should have been, by all accounts, be wrapped around him. But second guessing and a little bit of fear had me wide awake and watching him sleep.
“Hunter,” he mumbled, rolling over to grab my waist and tug me closer. “Too early for thinking.”
A laugh bubbled up. Even in sleep, Sean knew me so well. Why was I so worried? I knew he’d want this.
I leaned forward so I could trace my nose along his jaw, working my way up until I could kiss his ear. “I need you to get up with me.”
He ground his morning wood into my hip and growled, “Ohm I’m up with you.”
I laughed for real this time, and shoved him playfully. “Left myself open for that one, didn’t I?”
“You’re probably still open from last night.”
What was with him this morning? It was a good thing I loved him. “I’d forgotten sleep deprivation made you hear innuendo everywhere.” I kissed his cheek. “Come here for a minute, will you?”
“Sure,” he said, a little more awake now. He gave me a smile and proper kiss before pushing back the covers and sitting up. I scrambled out of bed and found his sweatpants before I pulled on a pair of my own. I also put on a shirt, but Sean didn’t bother. I took his hand and led him into the living room.
Where there was once an entertainment center, now sat a corner desk with a rolling fake leather chair. I’d moved the TV and DVD collection across the room, and pushed the couch to a different angle. Sean stopped dead when he saw it, and his jaw even dropped just a little.
“See,” I said softly, motioning to the set up. “There is plenty of room for two monitors, or even two whole PCs if you’d like. I believe you could work very comfortably here.”
Sean nodded slowly and took a few steps closer. “It’s really nice, babe.”
I could hear the confusion in his tone, so I did my best to try to clear that up. I’d prepared all sorts of speeches, ready to eloquently express what I wanted. In the end, none of it mattered. Looking at him, I just spoke from the heart.
“We’ve been together for a year now. Traveling back and forth. Mostly you. You have drawers in the bedroom, and shelves in the bathroom. You have a key. I have long since thought of this as our home, and not just mine.” I stopped, took a deep breath, and looked him in the eye. “I would come to you if I could, if you wanted me to. But this place is not only my work, it’s in my blood. I would hate to leave it. So I’m asking you to uproot your life and…and well, replant your roots right here with me.”
Sean’s breath caught and for a second his mouth worked like a fish. Then he launched himself at me, pulling me into his arms, and kissing me until I couldn’t breathe.
“Holy shit. Hunter.” Sean’s grin was simply gorgeous. “I thought you’d never ask.
I was suddenly smiling so hard it hurt. “Happy anniversary, love.”
“I love you. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Kris T. Bethke--Author of M/M Romance 