Salvation has arrived at Lake Charles, which will be their base of operations for a few nights. To their delight, the motel their manager has booked them into has a pool! And they don't have to work that night. Maybe they'll get a chance to have some fun. See what's happening in this week's chapter of In Pieces. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's going on with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
Checking in was easy, since Marge had pre-registered the
band. All Ben had to do was show his ID and sign the guest register and the
smiling desk clerk gave him three key cards.
“Your rooms are in the back, first floor,” he said,
motioning with his thumb in that general direction. “Just follow the parking
lot around and you should be able to get a spot right by your rooms. We’re not
really very full right now.” He reached
for a colorful brochure from a stack on the counter and handed it Ben. “This
lists some of the nearest restaurants,” he told them. “And things to do in Lake
Charles too. If you have any questions, or need anything, don’t hesitate to
ask. We have a breakfast buffet that opens at six o’clock.”
“Thanks, we will.”
Ryan and Ben walked out of the office, hand in hand, headed
toward the car. There was no sign of Keanu and Deacon, but Ryan wasn’t
surprised. He could understand wanting to be with someone so badly you couldn’t
wait the extra few minutes until you received access to your room. Sometimes,
the need was too immediate to be denied.
“Let’s grab our bags and go to our room. They can come get
their keys after that,” Ben said. Sounded like a great idea to Ryan.
When they reached Cameron’s sedan, Ryan waited for Ben to
open the trunk. “Marge seems very nice,” he commented. “At least from the
little I’ve talked to her.”
“She is. Very. Salt of the earth,” Ben replied as he reached
into his pocket. “She takes very good care of us. And she’s on top of
everything that has to do with business. Shit!”
“What’s the matter?” Ryan war alarmed at Ben’s sudden
exclamation, but when Ben began to laugh, Ryan relaxed.
“My bad. I totally forgot Aiden’s got the keys. Guess we’re
not going to our room right now, are we? Sorry about that.”
“No big deal,” Ryan assured him. He took Ben’s hand in his
and squeezed it. “If that’s the worst that happens to us, we’ll be fine.
Besides, they said they wouldn’t be long. Why don’t we text them, and while we
wait, we can go sit by the pool?”
“Good idea. I like the way you think.” Ben squeezed Ryan’s
hand in return. “The boys can join us here if they like. If they decide to come up for air or something.”
Acting on impulse, Ryan wrapped his arms around Ben and
kissed him. He felt as well as heard Ben’s moan as Ben parted his lips. His
tongue entered Ryan’s mouth, gently probing and exploring. They drew back only
to breathe.
“What brought that on?” Ben asked. “Not that I’m
complaining, mind you.”
“That was just because I love you,” Ryan said. “More than anything
in the world. And I don’t ever want you to forget that.”
Ben’s beautiful blues eyes sparkled, his smile both shy and
radiant. He didn’t speak immediately, color rising in his cheeks. Ryan couldn’t
help but think how beautiful he was, and how much he liked him without the
contacs.
“You know I feel the same way too, don’t you, Ryan?” His
voice vibrated with emotion, as though he was on the verge of tears.
Ryan nodded, not trusting to his own voice at that moment.
“Nothing can separate us ever again, right?” Ben continued
in a low voice. “Promise?”
Ryan was both touched and alarmed at Ben’s question. Why did
he seem so… desperate? What did he think could possibly separate them, now they
had found each other, now they were finally together? Pushing aside his concern
and focusing only on alleviating Ben’s fears, Ryan responded in heartfelt
tones. “I promise,” he vowed. “You and me forever.”
A wave of relief
passed across Ben’s handsome features, his sunny smile returning once more.
“Let’s go to the pool,” he said, twining his fingers together with Ryan’s.
As they strolled toward the pool area, Ryan thought to
himself that he would reassure Ben as often as Ben needed him to, whatever it
took to make his sweet prince happy. And if that made him the princess, then so
be it. Or maybe this fairy tale just happened to have two princes after all.
to be continued
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