Chapter 21 #2
Ace cleared his throat. Loudly. Everyone quieted down again.
“As I was saying, the year was 2006, and we were in a hole-in-the-wall bar in the middle of sandy nowhere, throwing back a few beers and sharing our relationship—or lack thereof—woes when Ward Kingston said he was never getting married.”
“Why?” Leo asked, sounding more curious than anything.
King shrugged. “I believed that life wasn’t for me.”
“But why?” Leo asked, studying King.
“Because I didn’t think there was someone out there who would love me as I was.” He took Leo’s hand, his smile warm and eyes filled with adoration. “Never thought someone like you might be out there.”
Everyone aw ’d then cheered and catcalled as Leo threw his arms around King and kissed him.
Holy crap, King and Leo were engaged! Of all of them, Val had to admit he had not seen that coming.
He would have expected Jack and Fitz to be next.
They all congratulated the pair again, and although Leo had no idea when they’d be getting married, King confirmed it would be a small intimate affair with only their closest friends and family.
Ace sat down and stilled, his head slowly panning toward King. When he spoke, his voice was almost a whisper. “Bachelor parties.”
King’s eyes went comically wide. “No.”
“Yes!”
“Isn’t the best man in charge of the bachelor party?” Jack asked.
“Exactly,” King said. “And since neither of us have thought that far ahead, no bachelor party plans are to be made.”
“Yet,” Ace said as he shoveled a forkful of food into his mouth and waggled his eyebrows. It was pretty clear Ace had already begun to scheme.
They went back to eating and talking, and Val enjoyed himself greatly.
When he and Frank first joined the firehouse, they used to hang out with the guys all the time.
Once Frank had left and Val become chief, he’d get invited to barbecues and such, but the get-togethers stopped.
He didn’t realize how much he’d missed that until now.
When dinner was over, they helped Red and Mason clean up, and then Val had an idea. He took Saint’s hand and pulled him to one side.
“You know, it would be a shame if we didn’t take advantage of the private beach. How about you come for a walk with me?”
Saint’s smile stole Val’s breath away, and again he asked himself how he’d gotten so lucky.
“We’re gonna go on a little stroll down the beach,” Val told Colton, who nodded and smiled knowingly.
“Towels and flip-flops are in the cabana if you need them.”
“Thanks,” Saint replied, following Val outside.
There was an incredible breeze coming in off the ocean that felt amazing. They grabbed a couple towels just in case and traded their shoes and socks for flip-flops.
It was a beautiful night, nothing but the sound of waves crashing in the distance, the night sky filled with stars, and the moon shining its glow on the water’s glittering surface. They headed down the wooden walkway that led from Colton’s mansion to the beach and headed for the shore.
The sand was cool beneath Val’s feet as he walked with Saint’s hand in his. They’d just reached the wet sand by the shore when Saint spoke up.
“He left a note on my truck.”
Val frowned. “What?”
“Adrian. That day I went back to my apartment to get an overnight bag after Frank suggested I help you with the tavern. He left a note on my windshield.”
“Saying what exactly?” Val asked, annoyed that Saint had kept this from him.
“To get away from you, or I would be next.”
Val stopped walking and turned to meet Saint’s gaze. “Are you telling me Adrian threatened you, and you’re just telling me this now?” He shook his head in disbelief. “What the hell, Saint?”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just didn’t want you to worry.”
“Damn right, I would have worried, and with good reason. Sweetheart, the man tried to blow you up. Twice . And you didn’t think to mention it to me?”
Adrian had been unpredictable, and he’d been growing increasingly paranoid.
It had been bugging the hell out of Jack, and he couldn’t let go of the fact that Adrian had somehow gotten back into Florida without him knowing.
And although Adrian hadn’t pre-planned to murder Val, he had paid cash on his drive down to Florida.
He’d even paid cash at the motel where he’d stayed.
Jack had spoken to several people who knew Adrian, and they’d all said the same thing.
Adrian was not mentally stable, and he was starting to worry them.
Val just wished things hadn’t turned out the way they had, or that Adrian had been able to get so close to Saint.
“I don’t suppose you reported it to the police?” Val asked.
Saint arched an eyebrow at him, and Val hated that Saint was right. The police wouldn’t have been able to do anything.
“I reported it to Mason, and before you get mad at Mason, I was the one who told him not to say anything. He was going to get Leo to try and find the printer it came from. Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. I’m sorry.” Saint pulled Val close. “I thought I was protecting you.”
Val sighed. “I know.” He cupped Saint’s face and rubbed his thumb over his stubbled cheek.
“No more secrets. Promise me. If something happens at work, if you’re hurt or in danger, I want to know.
You have a dangerous job, and I get it. I just don’t want to have to be wondering if I’m being left out of the loop. ”
“I added you to my emergency contact list as the first to call.”
Val couldn’t help his dopey smile. “You did?”
Saint nodded. He wrapped his arms around Val’s waist. “I really am sorry.”
“You’re forgiven,” Val said, brushing his lips over Saint’s. “Maybe you can make it up to me. You know, there’s no one on this beach.”
“There isn’t,” Saint said, his voice low as he started unbuttoning Val’s shirt.
He kissed Val, and heat exploded through him.
They quickly undressed, leaving their clothes with their towels.
In just their underwear, they ran for the water.
Saint dove in as Val waded in, the water cool but not cold.
When Saint’s head popped out of the water, Val spoke up.
“You know, the last time I went to the beach was the last party Ace and Colton invited me to.”
“Really? Not much of a beachgoer?”
“Actually, I love the beach. Well, the water. Not a big fan of the sand. But I was always so busy at work—long hours and unpredictable schedules—that I never had time. Never made time.”
“And now you have all the time in the world,” Saint said, smiling.
As expected, Saint was an exceptional swimmer who moved through the water like it was a part of him. He swam backstroke to Val, floating when he reached him, a beautiful smile on his face.
“I do. And I have someone to enjoy the beach with.” Val couldn’t help but lean in and kiss him. Saint turned and stood, his arms wrapped around Val’s neck. He brought their bodies together and kissed Val, the taste of salt on his tongue.
Outside, the cool ocean water enveloped them, but inside, a fiery heat swept through Val.
He couldn’t get enough of Saint, the feel of his body, the taste of his lips, and the need he had for Val.
When he stopped long enough to think about it, he still couldn’t believe Saint was his.
Val had come so close to losing this, to losing Saint.
Never again would he take what they had or this amazing man for granted.
“I love you,” Val murmured against Saint’s lips. “And I will make sure you feel loved every day.”
Saint smiled. “Damn, Chief. How’s a boy supposed to keep his head on straight with a declaration like that?”
“Baby, there is nothing straight about what we’re about to do in this ocean. I suggest you use those Aquaman powers to warn those fish swimming around our ankles that things are about to get frisky.”
Saint threw his head back and laughed. “I am so glad I told you about that!” He met Val’s gaze and smiled sweetly. “I love you so much.”
As they kissed underneath the gorgeous night sky, the sound of waves crashing on the shore, Val was lost in the magic of it all. His heart belonged to the amazing man in his arms, and he couldn’t wait for the adventure that was their life together to begin.