Holiday Escape Read online

  “Okay, are you ready to break the Internet?” Ravi whipped out his phone, leaning in close to Tristan.

  “Bring it on,” Tristan grinned at him before looking at the camera.

  “Hashtagging it wedding day and just waiting for the comments section to blow up.” Ravi laughed before settling back down with his arm around Tristan.

  The scenic overlook was indeed spectacular—little snow covered stone benches looking out on the valley below, pine trees artfully framing it like something out of a painting. The sleigh driver, an older woman, checked on the horses as they exited the sleigh and then turned her head over her shoulder, smiling at them.

  “It’s a great day for a wedding. You have your vows ready?”

  “Yup.” They both started laughing. They’d spent the last few weeks on the part where they’d say their own vows, going full on dorky and quoting favorite lines from movies and song lyrics to each other. “We’re ready.”

  And they really were. All their choices, all their waiting, all their living had led them here to this moment. And now that it was here, he knew deep in his bones that they were making the right choice. Doing it now, doing it their way, doing it for their reasons. Doing it now.

  ***

  At the last minute, the sleigh driver volunteered to take a video of them exchanging vows, and Ravi was glad that they’d have that for later, because the short ceremony passed in a total blur. Tristan had, of course, typed up everything for them and the celebrant, color coding each of their parts, and he’d merely had to read along and speak where indicated. Which was a good thing, what with his brain and heart racing. They’d found great platinum rings with beveled edges that they’d both loved, and as they put them on each other, his brain had finally slowed, a sense of peace and calm descending over him. This was good and right and exactly where he was supposed to be.

  The photographer had them pose on the overlook and in the sleigh, and later, in front of the tree in the lobby and at the skating rink—a great assortment of shots that he couldn’t wait to see. Dusk was starting to fall and the twinkling holiday lights made a great backdrop, both for the pictures and for their memories. This was what he’d wanted—now whenever he saw seasonal decorations, he’d remember Tristan in the snow, Tristan snuggled next to him in the sleigh, Tristan in front of the lights, Tristan saying he was going to love Ravi forever.

  Over dinner in the fanciest of the resort restaurants, they’d had fun reading each other the comments on their social media from their friends. The support felt great, more so because they’d done this their way, no big production. Watching the freakout from afar was fun. After dinner, they’d cracked open the champagne and filled the jetted tub, settling in with their drinks to watch snow softly fall outside the big picture window in the bedroom.

  “This is pretty much perfect,” Tristan said happily, settling against Ravi’s chest. “I keep accidentally snorting champagne bubbles, but other than that, yeah, this was the perfect day.”

  “No regrets? Everyone keeps asking if we’ll do a party back in LA…” he shrugged.

  “Ha. They can live with us doing a housewarming when we buy the new place. No, this was perfect. You and me and escaping to Tahoe. You have good ideas.”

  “And you’re good at helping my ideas become reality.” Ravi leaned down for a kiss. “I’m sorry I was so twisted up about the kid question. I trust you to make the right plan to make those dreams come true too.”

  “We will come up with the right plan for us. At the right time. But right now, I just want to enjoy us. One moment at a time. I don’t need a ten year strategic plan when I’ve got you.” Tristan gave him a more lingering kiss, one that sent heat rushing to Ravi’s belly. His cock took notice of all the naked flesh pressed against him, and he moved so he could rub more effectively against Tristan’s back.

  Tristan seemed to understand what he was after and shifted so that he was more firmly between Ravi’s legs, back pressed against Ravi’s front. Blissfully warm, the water churned from the jets, relaxing him even as he was getting more turned on.

  “Next place is totally having one of these tubs.” He laughed and kissed Tristan’s ear. “Can’t wait to house hunt with you.”

  “Can’t wait to do everything with you.” Tristan tipped his head back so that they could kiss. Tristan tasted like champagne and hope and years of waiting for this night. As they kissed, he rocked his hard cock against Tristan’s slippery back. He stroked his hands down Tristan’s front, lingering on his arms and chest.

  “You want to get off like this?” Tristan asked as he arched into Ravi’s touch.

  “I’m up for not moving. And it’s our wedding night. I bet we can go again.” He nipped at Tristan’s neck.

  “Yeah. I’m all for a double header.” Tristan gasped the last word as Ravi started jacking him off under the water. He found Tristan’s mouth for another kiss, this one more urgent. Slowly, the pleasure built—the pulse of the tub jets, the press of Tristan’s body, the weight of his cock in Ravi’s hand, and through it all the endless kissing.

  “Close. Oh, Ravi.” Tristan came first and his soft exhales and moans pushed Ravi over the edge as well.

  “Now we need a shower.” He laughed and offered Tristan a hand up out of the cooling water.

  “Yes, we do.” The look Tristan gave him was so full of love that it made Ravi’s breath catch.

  “Love you.” He squeezed Tristan’s hand, not dropping it on the way to the shower. “Never letting you go.”

  “Yup. You’re stuck with me now.” Tristan pulled him into the shower. “And love you too.”

  And there, under the water, as they kissed and laughed and kissed some more, Ravi swore he could see the future, could see the years spooling out from this moment. And somewhere in the distance was the sound of new laughter blending with his and Tristan’s. Their now-official little family would thrive and change over the years, cats, dogs, turtles, and yeah, maybe a kid or three. He could see them coming back to this very resort decades from now, different people but still so much in love, still looking for the next great adventure together.

  ~The End~

  Want more ficlets and updates on other favorite characters? Make sure you’re in my Facebook fan group, Annabeth’s Angels for all the latest news, contests, and freebies. And newsletter subscribers always get the latest news on releases, freebies, and more! Subscribe here.

  Want more books like the #Gaymers series? Be sure and check out the #PortlandHeat, #PerfectHarmony, #OutOfUniform, and stand-alone universes. Annabeth’s Amazon page. Also available at Apple, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and Google Play.

  ALSO BY ANNABETH ALBERT

  Winning Bracket

  Resilient Heart

  Waiting for Clark

  Save the Date (with Wendy Qualls)

  The Portland Heat Series

  Served Hot

  Baked Fresh

  Delivered Fast

  Knit Tight

  Wrapped Together

  Danced Close

  The Perfect Harmony Series

  Treble Maker

  Love Me Tenor

  All Note Long

  The #Gaymers Series

  Status Update

  Beta Test

  Connection Error

  The Out of Uniform Series

  Off Base

  At Attention

  On Point

  Wheels Up

  Squared Away (April 2018)

  Tight Quarters (July 2018)

  The Rainbow Cove Series

  Trust with a Chaser

  Tender with a Twist

  Plus more coming!

  Author Bio:

  Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open— no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

  Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to rea
d and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two children.

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