Everything is going beautifully at Heavens Above. Ryan is feeling pretty good, and feels this is where he really belongs. He wants nothing more than to be with Ben for the rest of their lives. Maybe they should make their relationship permanent? See what's going on in this week's chapter of In Pieces. Don't forget to check out the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
When the first set ended, the band took a break and the
dance club switched to a computerized music system. Ryan expected Ben to take a
seat at the table he was sharing with Marge and relax before the next set, but
apparently Ben had other ideas. Standing in front of Ryan, he reached for his
hand as he swung his hips to the rhythm of the music that surged around them.
“C’mon, baby, let’s you and me shake it up a little!’
Ben led him into the crowd until they found an open spot.
Ryan didn’t consider himself a great dancer, but tonight he didn’t care.
Tonight was perfect, and he wouldn’t want it any other way. He followed Ben’s
lead, mirroring his movements carefully. No one else was paying attention to
them anyway, he realized. If anything, they were admiring Ben, and that was
okay. Expected even.
Ryan wasn’t surprised to spot Deacon and Keanu dancing not
too far from them, as well as Aiden and Abby. Abby looked to be in her element.
The two siblings moved together as if they’d been doing this all their lives,
each twin perfectly in sync with the other. Maybe he and Ben would become that
way, someday.
There was so much he wanted to share with Ben, so much to
experience. Ryan knew without a doubt that he wanted this to last forever…
wanted him and Ben to last forever. For better or worse… come what may…
With a start, Ryan realized he wanted to marry Ben,
something he’d never even considered before, not with anyone else. Take the vows that would
bind them together in ways that no one could tear apart. But would Ben feel the
same way?
Just at that moment, as if scripted in some romantic film,
the fast-paced music gave way to something much slower and sensual. Ben wasted
no time in drawing Ryan closer, hooking his arm around Ryan’s waist. “Want to
receive my sacraments?” he whispered hotly in Ryan’s ear just before he licked
it.
A tingle surged through Ryan. If they were alone, the things
he could do and say… but not here, not now. If he gave in to these delicious
sensations, his thoughts would be derailed, and he wanted to focus on what he
wanted to say.
“Ben…”
“Yes, baby?” Ben was dancing oh so close now, his breath hot
on Ryan’s neck, even as his fingers skittered down Ryan’s back, over his
buttocks.
Ryan drew back far enough to be able to look into Ben’s baby
blues, although they were violet now, due to the contact lenses he wore. “I
love you so much,” he said in a voice choked with emotion. “So very much.”
“You know I love you too, you’re everything to me,” Ben said
in reply. His lips were so close to Ryan’s that his words vibrated against
them. “My life begins and ends with you, Ryan. Always has. Please don’t ever
leave me. No matter what.”
Why did Ben sound so… hell, he couldn’t describe what he
heard in Ben’s voice. Deep love, yes,
but something more… almost a sense of desperation. But what did Ben have to be
desperate about?
They needed privacy, and they needed it right now. This wasn’t
the proper place for what he intended to do. “Let’s go outside,” he suggested.
“There’s something I want to say to you.”
Ben didn’t make an immediate reply. Ryan’s heart felt as
though it might beat out of his chest, waiting for a response, until suddenly
Ben kissed him, long and hard, with a fierce passion. Ryan felt himself moan
into the kiss, felt Ben’s own moan. And then Ben released him, gazing at him
for a moment. He took Ryan’s hand in his, grasped it firmly, then turned,
navigating a path through the dancing throng. Ryan noticed with relief that
they were headed toward the door. He followed silently, turning over words and
phrases in his mind, searching for just the right one.
So focused was he on his impending proposal that he wasn’t
prepared to have Ben come to a sudden halt. He ran up against his back before
he could stop himself. As he
automatically started to apologize, he glanced up to find a familiar figure
standing in front of them. What was Cameron doing here? Was Ben expecting him?
Ben’s first words dispelled that notion.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” Ben said. “But we were just
headed outside. Catch you in a few.”
Was it Ryan’s imagination, or did Cameron seem kind of
jittery? Nervous, even. Maybe he was just surprised at running into them like
this. Ryan decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. Besides, he had more
important things on his mind than Cameron. He wasn’t sure entirely trusted
Salvation’s backer, but that wasn’t really his call to make. At least not until
he had a tangible reason to mistrust him.
“Then I’ll get a drink,” Cameron announced, giving Ben a
quick once-over. “Looking good as always.” He winked somewhat lasciviously
before disappearing in the direction of the bar.
Ben turned toward Ryan, frowning. “Something feels off,” he
said. “But I don’t know what.”
“I think you’re right but I’m not sure what either,” Ryan
agreed.
“Sorry, we were going out.” Ben squeezed Ryan’s hand. At
least Cameron hadn’t ruined their plans. Now he could propose to Ben, and
hopefully Ben would say yes. The thought was both frightening and intoxicating.
They’d almost reached the door when it opened, admitting new
customers. They stood aside to make room for them to pass. All but one made
their way into the dance club, laughing and chattering together. Guess they’d
have to go around this one to get outside.
But Ben stood frozen before him.
Ryan looked past him with apprehension, staring at the
roadblock to their progress. Then his eyes grew wide with comprehension.
to be continued
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