Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
After a busy day, they strolled down the street to their building. Rod took Wyl’s arm as they walked. “How about after dinner, we curl up with a glass of wine and a good movie tonight? I’m tired, and curling up with you sounds like a perfect evening.”
“Any time I can curl up with my husband, I’m all for it,” Wyl said. “I bet we can find a good movie.”
“Perfect.” They strolled through the tower lobby, waving at the security guard. They took the elevator to the penthouse.
“I need to call Stewy,” Wyl said. “I want to check to be sure Lefty and Rebekah made it in.”
They kicked off their shoes and got comfortable. Rod picked out a bottle of wine while Wyl called Stewy.
“Hey Stewy, did your folks make it in okay?” Wyl glanced at his husband.
“They’re here, and we’ve done nothing but hug and get reacquainted,” Stewy said. “They adore Matthew and asked a million questions about the last 25 years. I’m so glad you made me call Dad.”
“I figured they would be happy to see you, Stewy. It’s good that they can be a part of your life with Matthew. Treasure those parents for as long as you can. Neither Rod nor I have parents we can share our lives with.”
“Mom and Dad want to see you and Rod. Are you free Sunday night?”
“Sunday night? Sounds perfect. Let me check with Rod to be sure.” Wyl muted the phone.
“Babe, I know Sunday is your birthday, but is it okay if we get together with Stewy and Matthew and Stewy’s parents that night?”
“Yes,” Rod said. “Tell Stewy we’re looking forward to it.”
“Sunday is fine, Stewy, and we’re eager to see your mom and dad.”
Wyl heard voices in the background on Stewy’s end. “Okay,” Stewy said to someone. “Wyl, Mom said to tell you they owe you and Rod big time for reuniting us. I’ll second that motion. Matthew and I are excited about having you as guests in our home.”
“Tell Rebekah we can hardly wait to see them. We’ll call you on Sunday to confirm and get your address. See you then!”
* * *
After dinner, Wyl noticed Rod attempting to mask a coy expression. “Okay… what’s up?” Wyl raised one eyebrow.
“What?” Rod feigned an expression of surprise. “Can’t a guy smile at his husband?”
“Yes…a guy can smile at his husband,” Wyl mocked. “But your face has that smile.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Rod adopted the most innocent expression he could muster.
“Uh-huh,” Wyl said dryly. They went to sit on the couch, glasses of wine in hand.
“In case you thought I forgot that today is your birthday, here’s to a happy birthday to the most wonderful man in the world.” Rod raised his glass.
Wyl tapped his glass against Rod’s, and they took a sip.
“Oh… what’s this?” Rod produced a little box with a bow on it. “Wonder how that got in my pocket?” He handed the box to Wyl. “Happy Birthday, love of my life.”
Wyl opened the box to reveal a beautiful gold bracelet.
“What’s this design?” Wyl removed the heavy bracelet from the box.
“Horseshoes intertwined to form the letter S,” Rod said.
“S? Like our ranch brand?” Wyl asked.
“Bingo.”
“Rod, it’s gorgeous!” Wyl admired the bracelet lying across his fingers, his thumb stroking the gold horseshoes. He stuck out his arm. “Put it on.”
Rod took the bracelet and fastened it around Wyl’s wrist.
“What made you think of this?” Wyl twisted his wrist to admire the beautiful piece.
“One day, I noticed the branding irons in the barn. Two horseshoes, intertwined at their open ends, formed the Sterling S,” Rod said. “We are two intertwined souls, bonded together in marriage. One horseshoe represents you, and one represents me.”
Wyl’s eyes brimmed as he breathed a ragged sigh.
“My great-grandfather, Grover Sterling, created the brand when he started this ranch. It represents the Sterling family history, of which you are now a part. You could not have picked a better symbol representing our contribution to that history.” He cupped Rod’s face and pulled him in for a brief kiss. “I love you so much,” he whispered.
“Let’s go have a shower.” Rod stood and tugged Wyl’s hand, pulling him up from the couch. They hurried into the bedroom, helping each other undress as they went. They quickly reached the shower, naked and sporting hard cocks.
“Let me wash you.” Wyl tugged Rod into the shower. The soft, warm rain began to fall over them.
Rod gladly followed Wyl. “Nothing would please me more. Your touch always excites me.”
Wyl poured lavender body wash into his hand and rubbed his hands together, then gently caressed Rod’s chest, slowly spreading the slick liquid from his shoulders to his cock, pausing to stroke his nipples with his thumbs and tease his navel with his fingers.
Rod moaned as the aroma of lavender mixed with Wyl’s scent filled the shower.
“Babe, you know how to make me feel wonderful,” Rod said as Wyl grabbed his shoulders and turned him around so he could wash his back.
Wyl poured more body wash into his hands and rubbed Rod’s back, from his shoulders down to his thighs, gently pausing at his waist to run his hands around and tease his cock. He then washed Rod’s crack, teasing his sphincter.
Rod turned around and grabbed his face, pulling Wyl to him for a kiss. Wyl wrapped his arms around Rod, and they opened up to deepen the kiss and taste each other.
After what seemed like an eternity, Rod pulled back. “My turn.” He reached for the body wash. He spread the slick liquid on his hands and ran his hands across Wyl’s chest, pausing to tweak his nipples. His hands worked past his navel to his erect cock and tight balls, gently stroking them.
He placed his hands on Wyl’s shoulders and turned him around, gently washing his back and pausing at his crack to tease his sphincter. Wyl shivered and threw his head back, gasping.
He spun around and grabbed Rod’s throbbing manhood.
Rod growled deep in his chest. “I love what you do with your hands.”
They both closed their eyes to savor the intense pleasure.
“Oh god, Wyl…I think I'm gonna…”
“Me too,” Wyl gasped.
The wet orgasm overtook them both as their knees weakened and streams of cum shot from their man tools. They stood in the rain shower afterward, locked in a tight embrace.
Rod spoke in a deep, soft voice. “Wow…fantastic.”
“I’m only fantastic because of you,” Wyl whispered in Rod’s ear. “You are magic to me, and I love you.”
They stepped out of the shower and dried, wrapping themselves in plush robes. “How about a nightcap before we retire?” Wyl loosely tied his sash. “Cognac?”
“We had talked about curling up with a movie, but I like the idea of sipping a cognac and then going to bed.”
After the cognac, they crawled into bed and embraced.
“Happy Birthday, Babe. I love you,” Rod whispered.
“I love you more, Roddy.”
Soon, a soft snore came from the man who made his life complete.
He had never been much for birthdays. During his years in the Corps, his birthday was simply another day.
Nobody wished him a happy day, and he got no presents.
Last year, he and Walt grilled steaks and shared memories of their childhood birthdays over a couple of beers.
Then school started, and he met Rod. Then Walt died unexpectedly, and Rod didn’t leave his side.
Walt’s death was brutal, but if anything ever happened to Rod, he wouldn’t survive.
He tightened his arms around his slumbering husband and promised himself he would always keep Rod safe.