Chapter 13
“Knock knock. Very special delivery!”
Gray turned away from his monitor and to his office door. “Hey, Jess. What’s…” He stilled at the sight of his assistant holding a vase with a large bouquet of flowers.
“Isn’t this the most beautiful arrangement you’ve ever seen?” she said excitedly as she walked into his office and placed the vase on his desk.
It was a thick glass cube overflowing with a variety of cream and light pink-colored blooms. Gray was no expert on flowers, so he couldn’t name some of them, but he recognized the pink peonies and cream roses.
“It’s going to brighten up your whole office!”
Completely taken off guard, Gray stared at the arrangement for several long seconds. “These are for me?”
“Yes! Your name is on the card. See?” Jess turned the vase around. “The florist dropped them off with reception. Maybe they’re an early Valentine’s gift?”
He nodded, speechless, and ghosted his palm over the flowers, turning the vase around, allowing himself to see the entire arrangement.
His assistant must have left his office at some point during his long perusal, because when he looked up, he was alone.
Carefully, he wiggled the card out of the vase and opened it.
Gray, thank you. With all my heart, thank you. I love you. – Jack
His heart ached and he suddenly had trouble catching his breath. Pressing his hand to his chest, he bent down and inhaled the delicate fragrances.
“He got me flowers,” he whispered. Gulping down his emotions, he picked up his phone and called Jack.
“Hi,” he answered after only a couple of rings.
“One second.” Sounding muffled, as if he had moved the phone away from his mouth, he said, “I’m going to step out to take this call, but please continue.
” He heard footsteps, then a door close.
“Gray? Sorry about that. I had to leave the conference room.”
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
“You like them?” Jack sounded nervous.
“Very much. I’ve never gotten flowers before.”
“Really? I’m honored to be the first one to give them to you.” Jack lowered his voice. “This weekend meant the world to me. I hope you know that. I really do love you, Gray.”
In all the years he had waited and hoped and fantasized about being with Jack, he hadn’t imagined how truly wonderful the reality would be. “I love you too, sweetheart.”
They both stayed silent for a few seconds and then Gray forced himself to remember that it was Monday morning and they needed to get back to work. “It sounded like I interrupted a meeting. I’ll let you get back to it. I just wanted to thank you.”
“I’m glad you called. I’ll talk to you after work.”
They said their goodbyes and then Gray set his phone on his desk and dipped down to smell the bouquet again. The flowers were delicate, elegant, and beautiful, just like the man who sent them. Gray couldn’t recall ever being more touched.
***
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” Gray said as soon as Jack opened his front door.
“Why are you ringing the doorbell?” Jack laughed. “And why are you out front when you have a code to the house?”
“I’m here to pick up my date. I’m being a gentleman.”
“A gentleman, huh?” Jack grasped Gray’s jacket lapels and pulled him forward for a kiss. “Come inside so I can test the bounds of that gentlemanly propriety.”
“You can test me when we come back home.” He pressed his mouth to Jack’s. “We can’t be late for our dinner reservation or they’ll give away our table, and we’re already on a tight schedule if we want to make the show.”
“Mmm,” Jack nuzzled his neck. “I have been looking forward to the candlelight rock orchestra.” He pressed his face into Gray’s skin. “You can’t smell this good if you expect me to resist you.”
He adored seeing Jack this way—carefree, confident, horny. “I don’t want you to resist me. Just put a pin in it for a few hours while we celebrate Valentine’s Day outside of the house and then we can come back and have our own celebration inside.”
“Okay, okay.” Jack took a deep breath and then straightened Gray’s jacket. “Let’s go.”
They walked to Gray’s car, which he had parked in the driveway. He opened the door for Jack and held his arm toward it. “Monsieur.”
With a smile, Jack took a step forward and then he froze. “Gray?” he rasped.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Jack shook his head. “I just remembered something. The last time you called me monsieur, you asked me if I understood how you felt about me.”
“I remember.” Gray cradled his cheek.
“I didn’t understand then, but I do now. I’m sorry it took me this long to see it.” He lowered his gaze. “I wasted all those years missing what was right in front of me.”
“Hey.” He curled his free arm around Jack’s waist and held him close. “Don’t be sorry. We’ve had a great time along the way. I’ve enjoyed every moment with you, Jack.” He kissed Jack’s forehead. “Not one second has been a waste.”
“You’re right.” Jack nodded and wiped his hand over his eyes. “I’ve loved being with you too.” He pressed a soft kiss to Gray’s mouth. “You are the best friend I’ve ever had.” He got into the car and looked up at him. “Thank you for choosing me.”
Smiling, Gray closed the door behind him, his heart full.
Their dinner was delicious and the orchestra was fun, but Gray was glad to get back to Jack’s house so they could continue their Valentine’s Day celebration in private.
“Are you dropping me off at the front door, mister gentleman, or are you coming inside?”
“Oh, I’m coming.” Gray pressed the button for Jack’s garage and pulled into what he now considered his space. “And you are too. I’m all done being gentlemanly.”
Jack laughed as he got out of the car. After getting an envelope out of his glove box, Gray followed him.
“Do you want something to drink?” Jack asked as they stepped inside.
“Just water.”
They walked into the kitchen and Jack got a glass from the cupboard and filled it. “Here you…” He looked at the card in Gray’s hand. “What’s that?”
“It’s for you.” Gray took the glass from him. “You’re my valentine. That means you get a gift.” He hoped Jack would appreciate it and wouldn’t feel like he was being pushed.
“Oh! I completely forgot.” He turned around and picked something up off the counter.
“I was going to give you this before we left for dinner but then you went to the front door instead of coming in from the garage and...” He shook his head.
“Never mind.” He stepped over to Gray and held out a beautifully wrapped box.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Gray.” He smiled at him. “I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will.” He set the card on the counter and took the box from Jack. After pulling the gold ribbon, he carefully unwrapped the paper and opened it. His jaw dropped when he saw what was inside. “A vintage Audemars Piguet.” He glanced up at Jack. “Where did you find this?”
“I don’t think you have one like that.” Jack stepped closer. “Do you like it?”
“Of course I like it.” He picked up the watch and carefully examined it. “Seventies?” he asked.
“Yes. They said it was made in nineteen seventy-three. It’s supposed to be in perfect condition.”
“This is too much, Jack.” He enjoyed wearing watches and he had several vintage ones, but nothing close to this caliber.
“I love you, Gray. Nothing’s too much for you.” Jack removed the watch Gray was wearing. “Besides, I want you to think of me all the time.” He strapped the new one onto Gray’s wrist. “Now you will.”
He pulled Jack into his arms. “I think of you all the time anyway.” He kissed Jack’s head and then tilted his chin up and brushed their lips together. “I love the watch. Thank you.”
Jack beamed and hugged him tightly.
“Do you want to open your gift?”
“Yes.” Jack nodded.
Gray picked the card up from the counter. “Where’s your laptop?” he asked. “We’ll want to look at pictures after you open it.”
“Pictures?” Jack asked. “It’s in the TV room. I had to send out a few things before dinner and I wanted to be comfortable.”
They walked over to the other room, sat on the couch, and Gray gave Jack the envelope.
He glanced at him, confused, and then he opened it and took out the paper inside. “It’s a list of…” He scrunched his eyebrows together. “Is this exercise equipment?”
“Yep.” Gray took Jack’s hand in his. “It’s a full home gym. You have lots of space so I was thinking I’d put in a gym and then I can work out here.” He rubbed his thumb back and forth over Jack’s hand. “No more locker rooms. You’ll be the only person who sees me naked for any reason from now on.”
“Gray.” Jack’s eyes glistened. “Are you sure you want to do this? You enjoy your gym time. I know my jealousy is unreasonable. I’ll work on it. I’ll be better.”
“I’m sure.” He wiped away Jack’s tears. “And I already told you, as long as you’re not hurt, I don’t have a problem with your jealousy.” He kissed Jack gently. “There’s nothing for you to work on. I love you exactly the way you are.”
“It’s a perfect gift.” Jack held the paper to his chest.
“I’m already here a lot. You won’t mind me invading your space even more often?” The secondary benefit to this present was that by working out at his house, Gray would get to spend even more time with his favorite person.
“No, I won’t mind.” Jack shook his head. He flicked his gaze away and then back to Gray again. “And I, uh, know how often you work out so maybe—” He licked his lips. “If you want, you can sleep here more.”
Gray’s heart filled. “Sleep here more?”
“Yes. It’ll be more convenient for you.” He cleared his throat. “If you want.”
“More convenient. I see.” Gray smiled broadly. “And how much more often do you want me to spend the night?”
“I don’t know.” Jack shrugged. “Whatever you want. There’s plenty of room in the closet. You can bring more of your clothes over.” He bit his lip, looked at Gray’s face, and then jerked his gaze away. “If you want.”
“Jack?” Gray cupped his face, waited until Jack met his gaze, and then said, “Are you asking me to move in with you?”