Nothing Special V, page 16
part #5 of Nothing Special Series
“You don’t wanna marry me?” Day asked, sounding broken.
God spun Day around, his words faltering and his heart shattering at the pain in his partner’s eyes. “No! Yes! Yes, I want to marry you, more than anything. I don’t want a wedding, Leo.” God gripped Day’s shoulders when his look went from painful to surprise or was it horror? “Please listen for a second. The moment you proposed I’d never felt so damn special. Never thought anyone would want a man as damaged and fucked up as I was. You knew… you knew what happened to me growing up and you still wanted me to be your partner, for life.” God let Day go and turned around, heading back to his seat, running his hand through his hair while he tried desperately to say the right thing. “But then you and Vikki started meeting and talking about a wedding and a guest list of seventy to eighty people – fuck, Leo, I don’t even like a third of those people she was inviting.”
Day kept watching God with a confused expression, but he never interrupted him. He just sat on the stool opposite him, looking on with a completely unreadable expression. Damn, he hoped Syn hadn’t set him up to fall flat on his face. Syn had been telling him for months to just spit it out, it’d be no big deal.
“Then there was an email for a deposit on the venue… that place, The Ashton. Day, they wanted five thousand just for the deposit. Then all the other stuff just kept adding up on me. I can’t afford it, baby. Even going half and half on a twenty-five thousand dollar wedding – and Vikki said that was on the cheaper scale, it’d probably be more – is way over what I can do. I know you didn’t know because our finances have been separate this whole time, though we share the house expenses. Maybe you forgot about my financial problems early on when I became a detective, or maybe you thought I was good now. I just got all that debt off me a couple years ago, so I haven’t had time to build up my savings like I’d like. Leo, I tried to come up with some ideas, even thought of taking a loan on my pension, but I’ve already borrowed once to help my mother. If I borrow again, I won’t be able to retire until I’m ninety. I should’ve been a man and told you up front, but I was… I was scared you’d take the proposal back or say we’ll just wait until we can afford it. So I was trying to stall on the date to come up with a way I could get the money up. But, if I’m being honest, I don’t ever wanna spend that much money on something that’ll last for a few hours. I know… I know, I’ll remember it forever.” God got back up and stood between Day’s legs, cupping his face, staring down at the love of his life; splaying himself wide open for him. “But being with you… all the years of partnering with you is all I’ll ever reflect back on… it’s all I need.”
Day dropped his forehead to God’s chest, shaking his head. God closed his eyes, hoping like hell that being honest was, in fact, the best policy. “Please say something.”
“I wanna strangle you right now.” Day’s voice was muffled by God’s thick pecs, but he still heard him. “I wanna just… ugh!”
Day’s head shot up. “That’s what all this has been about? You’ve been avoiding me for four whole months because… Jesus, Mary, and Joseph… I can’t believe this.”
“You mad?” God asked nervously.
“Yes! Not about you not being able to afford a wedding, but for you not trusting me to talk to me about this. Damnit, Cash. I’m not fuckin’ Kim Kardashian, what the hell did you think I was gonna do if you told me it was too expensive?” Day frowned. “You thought I’d take the proposal back?”
“No… I don’t know… I didn’t wanna find out. You looked real excited about everything when you and Vikki were talking about it.”
Day shook his head. “I’m not that superficial. You have to know that. I was excited about marrying you… that’s it. I could care less where or how.”
God dipped his head and captured Day’s mouth in an apologetic kiss.
“You put me through hell,” Day whispered against his lips, kissing him again.
“I know. If you’ll just marry me in a real private, modest ceremony, I promise I’ll spend the rest of our lives making it up to you.”
Day leaned back, that gorgeous teasing smile back on his face. Oh, how he’d missed it so much. “Okay. Short, simple, and cheap. With a name like Cash, you’d expect more, but hey, whatever you say.”
God laughed, the wonderful feeling making the hard lines that’d been etched in his forehead ease just a little. When the humor died down, they stood there holding each other, gazing thoughtfully. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve known better. It was my pride, sweetheart. It’s not easy to tell the person you love that you’re too poor to give him what he wants.”
Day looked at him the way he always did. With respect, not pity. “You’re not poor, Cash. But instead of spending too much on the ceremony, why don’t we spend a fraction of what the wedding would cost and go on a nice honeymoon somewhere quiet and alone.”
God’s eyes lit up. Hell, yeah. That’s exactly what he was talking about. Yes, just him and his man. “I’m glad that’s straightened out and you’re not going to kill me. I have something for you.” God raced into the den like an excited kid and came back a few seconds later, holding the black ring box that’d been hidden inside the entertainment stand for a couple weeks. “I bought this a while ago. It’s not as nice as the one you gave me, but I liked it a lot. Picked it out myself.”
Day took the box and opened it, his beautiful hazel eyes shining brighter than God’d ever seen before. He watched his partner pull out the simple gold and chrome band, squinting to read the inscription inside.
God’s special Day, November 19, 2016
Day looked up in slight confusion before a broad, sweet smile slowly spread across his face. “Is this…?”
“Yeah. It’s our wedding day.” God took the band and slipped it on Day’s ring finger. “That’s nine weeks away… right after the trial. All we have to do is plan it, us plan it. Just me and you. Don’t need anyone’s outside influence. After the trial is wrapped up, we’ll be on down time at work… shouldn’t be too hard, huh? What d’ya say?” God pulled Day to his feet, wrapping him in his arms. He could see Day’s emotions riding him as he swayed them back and forth. He put his mouth against Day’s temple, kissing him while he whispered what he had in mind. “Maybe a ceremony here at the house, just our family, your brother standing beside you, mine by me. And of course, the guys. We have a few vittles, some beer and cake, and then… I’m whisking you away, to Cancun, or Aruba – somewhere where no one can reach us by earpiece.”
Day chuckled and sighed against his neck. “Sounds perfect.”
They’d decided to play hooky the rest of the day instead of going back to work after breakfast. Things had been so strained between them, they needed a day to themselves. “They can function without us for one day. What do you wanna do?”
“How about a movie?” Day shrugged, climbing back into God’s truck.
God smiled. “Is it too early? It’s like eleven thirty.”
“Shouldn’t be.” Day pulled out his phone and searched for show times. “Nice. There’s a Western I’ve been wanting to check out.”
God held Day close to him while they paid for their refreshments. He’d been so upset last night when Day hadn’t answered his calls, hadn’t come home. They’d never had this big a fight, where his lover had packed a bag. He admitted he was terrified. If Day left him, he’d be lost. Inside the dark theater, they realized there wasn’t a soul in there with them and the movie had already started.
“Wow, is there really no one else? That’s funny. Never been in an empty theater.”
Day laughed, climbing up to the top row. “It’s not even noon and it’s a work day. But I’m feeling this.”
God sat down beside Day and opened his bag of Twizzlers. “Yeah, me too. Let’s enjoy.”
“Oh, I plan to.” Day gave God a look that was as clear as ever. This was about to be the best movie he’d ever been to.
About forty-five minutes into the film, feeling confident that there’d be no late arrivals, Day lifted the armrest and leaned into God’s body, alternating between kissing and biting at his jaw. God let Day pop the button on his jeans, chuckling against Day’s soft hair while he worked his way down. “You’re seriously about to do this in here?”
“Damn straight. Raise up.”
God lifted his hips and pulled his jeans down enough to free his dick. He was already excited, his heart racing at the thought of two police officers getting busted for indecent exposure. That’d sit well with his captain. He could only hope that he could right himself before an employee came around with a flashlight.
“Fuck,” God hissed when his length was taken to the back of Day’s throat. Sucking hard and slow, Day came off with an audible pop.
“Baby, I’ve missed you,” Day murmured, nuzzling the thick hairs around the base. Inhaling him with long deep whiffs.
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“I was talking to your dick,” Day said breathily, going down again.
God leaned back with a wide smile. His sweetheart was back.
Steele
Steele tried not to hurry through their office doors, but Ruxs and Green moved slow as hell. He wanted to see Tech. Syn had radioed and told them to get in their time at the gun range since God and Day were out of the office today, and finally called them back in to interrogate a dealer that was picked up by a beat officer.
Steele sat there while the low-level dealer snitched on every contact he had, begging not to be sent to prison, that his dad was gonna kick his ass. Ruxs gritted his teeth as he took notes. The guy was nineteen, still in high school, trying to hang with the big boys. But still afraid of his father. Steele noticed that Green had a soft spot for the young ones. After they’d finished their questioning, Green stopped one of the city prosecutors in the hall to tell him how cooperative the kid had been and to go easy on him. Steele didn’t think the boy a hardened criminal either, but he needed to be taught a lesson. Either way, they had some good information about a few dealers recruiting school kids. Steele definitely wasn’t gonna go easy on them when they caught ’em.
Steele walked inside the bullpen, making a turn towards their department, opting out of lunch with Ruxs and Green.
“You don’t want a burger, man?” Ruxs said, walking in the other direction.
“No, you guys go ahead. I’m still too traumatized from the Burger King incident.” Steele winked.
“Yeah, whatever.” Green waved him off. “See ya.”
No one was in their office when he walked through the double doors. Looking over Tech’s area, he saw his screens still on and a half-eaten container of yogurt and a few apple slices on a napkin. He turned in the direction of the equipment room, seeing the door was cracked. His balls tightened at the thought of what he and Tech had done last night. He wished Tech had made more noise, but the way he cried out his name when he orgasmed was forever branded in his mind.
When he walked inside, Tech was sitting hunched over a long spreadsheet, chewing on the end of an ink pen, his full concentration on the document. Steele didn’t want to scare him again so he—
“Good afternoon, detective,” Tech said in that soft bass that Steele was growing quite fond of, while still staring at his documents. He liked that Tech was picking up on his presence now.
“Hey. How’s it going?” Steele stood behind him, waiting to be acknowledged.
“Fine.”
Steele twisted his mouth in confusion. Was Tech still pissed at him? “About yesterday. I really am sorry. It was… that was stupid and childish. My ego took a hit, that’s all, and I reacted like an ass.”
“I liked your apology last night a lot better.” Tech smiled, finally turning around. Steele took his time looking his desire up and down, taking in the ivory skin contrasted by those jet-black glasses. He wore all black today, making his beauty glow even brighter. Those pink lips that he knew were as soft as cotton. His pants were corduroy and slim-fitted, but not too tight. The black 9mm and gold badge on his side added an air of danger to his sexy nerd. Tech was a fantasy out of every geek’s dreams. He wondered how the hell he’d get anywhere with him. Steele wasn’t dumb, by any means, but he wouldn’t say he was a genius. He had street smarts, survival instincts; he hoped that meant something to a man as brilliant as Detective Shawn Murphy. Because together, he thought they’d make one helluva team, especially after last night. He couldn’t remember being that hard or coming so fast.
“Stop looking at me like that,” Tech said, trying to cover his bashful smile.
“Like what?” Steele’s voice had gone husky from his lewd thoughts.
“Like you wanna eat me.” Tech laughed lightly.
“I think I do,” Steele growled, making Tech laugh even louder. He kept moving until he stood in front of him; Tech put his hand up and held him back from pressing his body against him. Tech had told him he couldn’t help how his body reacted to him… well, ditto. He wanted Tech in the worst way, but he knew he had to act with some tact and poise. He always hated those words.
“You’re going to get us suspended. Stay back. God made it clear there’s to be no inappropriate behavior in the office. Trust me, he means it. Ruxs and Green have been suspended like six times for screwing around in the parking lot, the locker room, twice in an interrogation room.”
Steele could definitely believe that. Those two were crazy about each other. “I’m not trying to get us in trouble. Besides, God and Day are out for the day. I just wanted to make sure my apology was accepted.” Steele ran his thumb across Tech’s smooth chin.
“It’s all good, alright. I understand if my rebuttal option pissed you off. I want you to know that’s not the only way I see you. I guess I’m trying to be careful.” Tech broke eye contact with him. “My option did sound a little slutty.”
“I don’t mind slutty.” Steele moved in closer, taking Tech’s hand and moving it around his own waist. “How about we slow things down a bit? Get to know each other. That way, we’re not constantly apologizing to each other. I won’t ask you out on any more dates… for now. And you don’t proposition me like a harlot.”
Tech scoffed and socked Steele in his stomach, a teasing glint of anger and amusement in those big brown eyes.
“Just conversations. Maybe a little light touching and flirting.” Steele licked his lips, moving back into Tech’s space. “Deal?”
“Yeah, deal.” Tech nodded. His shy smile quickly becoming Steele’s reason for wanting to be in the office.
“Okay, then. Since I think it’s gonna be quiet the rest of the day, how about I order us some food because I’m starved and it looks like you ate like an anorexic. Are you hungry? Just so I’m clear, this is not a date.” Steele put on his most professional corporate-like voice, making Tech rear back and laugh. “Two colleagues sharing a work related conversation over a meal. I can sit and watch you do what you do. Maybe learn something in the process, but understand. THIS. IS. NOT. A. DATE.”
Tech nodded again, rolling his eyes. “Shut up. I had a sandwich earlier. But I can eat a slice of pizza or something. But you need to be working on your map. You have a quiz soon.”
Tech stood up and Steele liked that the man was just an inch or two shorter than his own six feet. He wasn’t as packed in the muscle department, Steele having a little more mass on him, but it didn’t make Tech any less dangerous. Soon, he’d get the little fighter in the ring and spar a few rounds with him, see what that teacher was teaching him. Even show Tech a few of his own moves. Something that involved rolling on a mat.
“You’re giving me that look again.”
Steele’s look was serious when he growled, “I wanna kiss you again.”
“Do it.” Tech’s nostrils flared and his eyes shone with lust.
Steele gripped Tech by the collar of his polo shirt and pulled him to him, covering his mouth with his and burying his tongue inside like he’d been starving for it. He had. Steele wrapped both arms around Tech’s neck, keeping him close until he was good and finished. Tech moaned and wrapped his arms around Steele’s waist. Kissing him back with passion and an urgency that matched his own. Damn, he felt right pressed against him. Tech fit him perfectly. Obviously, physical attraction wasn’t their problem, that’s why Steele wanted to get to know Tech first. Find out if they’d be compatible any place beside a bedroom. Steele was forty-five years old. He’d served his country, fought in wars, he was too old to bed hop. He refused to be one of those creepy men in the club stalking the boys, a vulturine stench radiating from him. No, he was the type of man to go to a jazz bar with his man on his arm and treat him to a good time. He was ready to have what everyone else had and he’d like to give the man in his arms a chance. No one was the settling down type until they found a reason.
“Fuck, you taste good,” Steele moaned, sucking on Tech’s sweet bottom lip, a hint of peach yogurt lingering there. “I could kiss you all day.”
Tech smiled up at him, his face pink from his arousal, his lips plump and wet. Shit, he had to pull back. But damn if he didn’t want to reach down and grip that firm bulge that was pressing against his thigh. They had time. Steele was acting like he was shipping off again soon. He didn’t have to rush this and he didn’t want to make it harder for his hot geek to fight his tramp-like ways. Smiling against Tech’s lips at his inner thoughts, Steele stole one last bite before pulling Tech out of the room. Steele had to be strong and wait, but he was happy to drive the man absolutely crazy while he did. He wanted to reveal the side of Tech that wanted to have something real and lasting.
Tech
He was glad that it took Syn a while to come back to the office because he didn’t want anyone to see the way Steele was acting. The guy couldn’t stop staring at him or wiping sauce from the corner of Tech’s mouth with his thumb and licking it off. When Steele said flirting, Tech expected the occasional wink or pat on the ass. This was crazy.
