Chapter Eight
T he competing smells of fried foods mixed in the air, leaving an indecipherable odor of grease. It reminded Portland of his teenage years. They were a long time ago, but the fair was one of his good memories. He held Tarek’s hand while Tarek tried looking at everything at once.
“Have you never been here?”
At Portland’s question, Tarek looked his way. “No. I’ve only lived here a couple of years. Honestly, I still don’t feel confident driving without my GPS, much less have I done a ton of exploring. This is great, though.” He laughed. “I still don’t see this being a place you’d hang out.”
“I grew up in this town,” Portland reminded him. “While my parents definitely weren’t the type to take their son to the fair, my friends loved to hang out here. We would spend whole weekends at the fair, trying to pick up chicks.”
A loud bark of laughter burst from Tarek. He covered his mouth to stifle the sound, but his eyes sparkled with humor. After a second, he pulled his hand away just enough to speak. “You picked up chicks?”
Portland chuckled at Tarek’s reaction. “Of course. You have to remember, being gay wasn’t openly accepted back then. Like any teenager, I wanted to fit in with my friends.” He winked. “One of them knew the truth, though.”
Tarek shook his head. “I have the hardest time picturing you as a teenager. You never really talk much about yourself, much less your childhood.”
“To be fair, you don’t talk about your childhood either. I understand, though. I’m sure it’s hard to talk about your parents.”
Tarek looked away for a second, making Portland wish he hadn’t said anything. When Tarek looked back, he seemed okay. “Are your parents still alive?”
Portland shook his head. “They both died pretty young, actually. My mom died when I was a senior in high school. She had some rare and silent form of cancer. They didn’t even know about it until the autopsy. At least she didn’t suffer. My dad remarried less than a year later. Thankfully, he had an ironclad prenup. When he died less than a decade later, she tried to fight me for everything my mother had built.”
Tarek’s eyebrows rose. “Your mother was the wealthy one?”
Portland nodded. “She came from old money. They hated my dad and cut her off until I was born. Since she was used to being wealthy, she did everything she could to build her own empire. Once I was born and my grandparents had a grandchild to consider, she was cut back into the family's money as well. They didn’t want me going without. So, really, the money Dad’s wife tried to get was mine. I was just trying to be nice after I turned twenty-one by letting my dad stay in the home he had lived in since he married my mom. But technically, everything he owned was mine. Mom left everything to me. My grandparents would’ve never let it be any other way, even if Mom hadn’t managed to build her own fortune.”
“Are either of your grandparents still alive?”
Portland smiled. “My grandmother is. I’m pretty sure she intends to outlive us all. She’s ninety-three and still lives at home, running the place like a queen.” He looked Tarek’s way. “She’ll love you.”
Tarek’s eyebrows rose. “Do you really believe that, or are you humoring me? Surely, if she hated your dad, she’ll take one look at me and assume I’m a gold digger.”
He squeezed Tarek’s hand. “Nah. Everyone hated my dad because he was a serial cheater. My grandma is one of those sickeningly sweet people. Under normal circumstances, she loves everyone, but you’re especially her type.”
“How so?” Tarek sounded genuinely curious.
“You’re a born giver. All it takes is one look at you to see you’re the type of person who will give someone the shirt off their back if you care about them.”
Tarek looked away. “I hope that’s true.” He looked back. His eyes sparkled. “I’d give you any clothes you wanted.”
Portland shook his head at his antics. He loved Tarek so goddamn much. No one else set him free to relax and let his guard down. No one else in his life was good. Portland spotted the Ferris wheel.
He pulled Tarek toward it. “Come on. We have to ride this one.”
Tarek shrugged. “Sounds good to me.”
The second Tarek turned his back, Portland handed the man operating the ride fifty bucks. The guy knew what it was for without Portland asking. They strapped in and the wheel slowly spun, lifting them into the air. The moment they reached the highest point, the wheel stopped.
Tarek glanced around. “Wow. It’s beautiful up here.”
Portland’s gaze never wavered from Tarek even as he dug the ring he had bought that morning from his pocket. “It is.”
Tarek turned his head and met his gaze. They stared at each other, and Portland knew this was right.
“I did something as cliche as possible.”
A smile exploded across Tarek’s lips. “What’s that? I can’t see you doing anything like anyone else.”
Portland was suddenly too nervous to laugh. He wanted this too badly to let that stop him. “I gave the guy fifty bucks to stop the ride when we got to the top.”
“Nice. How long do we get to stay up here?”
Portland held up the velvet box he hid. “Long enough for this. Will you marry me?”
Tarek’s eyes immediately filled with tears. He covered his mouth and blinked several times. A minute passed before Tarek dropped his hands and sniffed. “Are you serious? You’re really asking me to marry you right now? Is this a fever dream?”
A nervous laugh escaped Portland. He didn’t know if this was a good reaction or a bad one. “I’m really asking.” He realized he hadn’t opened the box.
Before he could, Tarek grabbed the collar of his shirt and yanked him across the seat. His mouth covered Portland’s with a desperation Portland had never seen from Tarek. By the time he pulled away, Portland realized he should have paid the guy a hundred to make sure they didn’t come down until Portland could get off this ride without embarrassing himself.
“Yes.”
Portland blinked. Tarek had fucked with his mind so hard with that kiss, it took him a second to realize Tarek accepted. “Seriously?” Even he heard the disbelief in his voice. Until Tarek said yes, he hadn’t realized how crazy anyone would be to marry him… especially a particularly sweet man who knew nothing about the real him.
As Tarek laughed and opened the ring box, Portland made a vow. Tarek would never know. Whatever it took, he would never let Tarek see the dark side of his life. Everything would always be beautiful for him. This one thing would stay pure.
Tarek practically levitated with happiness. He wanted to dance. Tarek wanted to tell everyone they passed. He wanted to start planning a wedding. Of course, he didn’t even know if Portland wanted a wedding. His mind bounced all over the place as they drove home. He was afraid to open his mouth and have a squeal pop out.
Tarek counted to ten and took a breath. “So, did you have a plan?”
Portland cast a quick glance his way. “What do you mean?”
A nervous chuckle escaped. “Um. Like, do you want a long engagement or a short one? Did you want a big wedding or to elope? Am I moving you too fast?”
Portland chuckled. It was one of his sexy deep ones that made butterflies stir in Tarek’s stomach. “I asked you. You’re not moving me too fast. I’m happy to let you decide on the wedding details, though. If you want a big one, that’s what we’ll do. If you just want to elope or do a small destination wedding with just us, that’s what we’ll do. I just want to marry you. My only request is that we have a short engagement. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rolled my eyes when people tell me they’re engaged, and it’s been like eight years. Boy, you’re not engaged. They’re pacifying you while they wait for someone better.”
Even though Portland spoke with a hint of humor, that opinion sounded personal. He wondered if Portland felt strung along by someone at some point. Thankfully, Tarek had found his perfect match. He didn’t want to wait. “Honestly? Please don’t think I’m crazy. I’d love to have as short of an engagement as possible without missing out on some sort of wedding. The destination thing sounds nice. Of course, I’m sure you’ll want some sort of prenup and I don’t know how long those take.”
Portland shot him an annoyed look. “I don’t want a prenup. I’ve made it this long without getting married for a reason. This is something I’m only doing once, and it’s ‘til death do we part, one way or the other.”
Tarek laughed. “Okay. Sounds fair. I’d be okay with one, though. It’s always been important to me that you know I’m not in this for the money, but yeah. Prenups always have made me wonder why they bothered getting married when they started out expecting divorce. But I won’t be offended if you feel like you need to protect yourself.”
Portland took his hand and brought it to his lips. He placed a light kiss on Tarek’s knuckles. “I’ve never been surer of anything or anyone in my life. You’re the one for me.”
Tarek’s heart soared.
“Plus, when your books take off, you’ll probably wish you’d protected yourself from me.”
He was so sweet. They both knew Tarek’s books wouldn’t go anywhere. “Never. This is forever, one way or the other.”
Portland shot him a laughing look.
They pulled into the garage and climbed from the car. Tarek swore he felt the heat build between them as they headed inside. He knew he was right when neither of them attempted to stop anywhere else as they made their way to the bedroom. Tarek emptied his pockets onto the bedside table. He caught sight of the engagement ring on his finger and smiled. It fit perfectly. Tarek wasn’t sure how Portland pulled that off, but he wasn’t surprised. Portland was always calculated in every step he made. He never moved without purpose. The ring was fucking gorgeous. He didn’t doubt for a second it cost at least five figures. The man spent too much money on him.
Portland’s hands found his hips. He dragged Tarek back against his chest. His lips explored Tarek’s neck. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
“I love you.” He tugged Tarek’s shirt upward and stole it. After tossing it aside, his hands slid up Tarek’s torso while his mouth enjoyed Tarek’s ear. “Oh.” Portland took a step back. “Strip. I have another surprise for you. Maybe it’s a bit of a gift for me,” he said with a wicked-sounding chuckle.
“You spoil me too much.” Despite his halfhearted argument, Tarek scrambled from his clothes. He sat on the bed.
Portland made a gesture for him to turn around. “There’s no such thing as spoiling you too much.”
Tarek moved to the center of the bed and turned his back on Portland. He heard a lot of shuffling around, including Portland’s belt being removed and his zipper being unzipped. Tarek nearly shivered with anticipation. He had no clue what Portland’s surprise could be.
The bed dipped behind him. “While I waited for the jeweler to make some adjustments, I saw something else.” A pearl necklace appeared in front of him as Portland reached around to put the necklace on him.
Tarek gasped. It was beautiful and definitely real. There were a lot of pearls, and he was blown away. The piece draped over his clavicle and poured down his chest.
Portland kissed his shoulder as he ran his fingers over the piece. “I knew I had to see this against your skin. You have no idea how much your neck fascinates me.” His lips swept down Tarek’s nape. “It should be draped in something beautiful.”
Tarek thought he might cry. “You do way too much for me, and I don’t even know how to return the favor. I want to spoil you too. I want to make you feel special the way you do for me.”
“You have no idea how special you make me feel.” Portland shifted positions and eased Tarek onto his back. He straddled Tarek. “There’s no way you can know what it’s like to have you love me for real. It’s not an act, and it’s so fucking beautiful. Every day, I wake up and you’re still here and I’m floored. You can have anyone and yet you choose me. I know there have been plenty of times you should’ve run from me, but you didn’t. You just love me, purely and completely. There’s no way you can know,” he repeated.
A tear slipped from the corner of Tarek’s eye and slid back into his hair. His breath stuttered when he tried to speak. “I love you more than anything. In my eyes, you’re perfect.”
“And that’s priceless to me,” Portland whispered as he brushed his lips across Tarek’s. As his full weight lowered onto him, Tarek knew Portland settled in for the long haul and this would be a long night. That sounded like heaven to him.