10. Quinn #3
“Second time you’ve popped my cherry,” Dan quipped.
“Now you get to return the favor,” Quinn replied, glad Dan had lightened the mood. He tilted his head and offered his neck to his partner. “Make me yours.”
Quinn’s breath hitched when Dan’s teeth broke the skin, and he felt the same zing as before. Dan licked the blood away and carefully tended the wound. Quinn noticed that Dan was also hard again.
“Did you feel the electricity?” Quinn asked in a hushed voice.
“Sure did.” Dan gave him a sinful grin. “Let’s put our lightning rods to good use to complete the circuit.”
“Works for me.” Quinn pulled Dan down into a long, lingering kiss, wondering how married sex could possibly be even better than this.
“I’m glad you like the location.” Quinn had suggested the spot for their vows since he knew the forest well and was surprised at how nervous it had made him.
“I’d like anywhere that I’m with you, but this has a beautiful view,” Dan replied. “I think it’s perfect.”
Quinn chose a scenic overlook with a view of a lake at the bottom of a tree-lined gorge. They were close to a popular hiking trail and a parking lot, but the silence and serenity made it seem much more remote.
“Thank you for being our witnesses,” Quinn said to Liam and his partner, Russ.
“Wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” Liam said with a grin.
“I hadn’t realized Dr. Jeffries also performed marriages,” Russ added with a glance toward their officiant, who was straightening his hair in the rearview mirror of his SUV.
“I didn’t know until I asked,” Dan replied. “But he seemed like the logical choice.”
“Is everyone ready?” Jeffries walked up to the group. Like the rest of them, he wore a sport coat over a golf shirt and casual slacks. They had ruled out tuxedoes or suits when they decided against a formal indoor wedding. Both men wore their collars open, exposing the mating bite scars.
“Ready as we’ll ever be,” Quinn pulled Dan to his side.
Jeffries led the way to the railing and stood with his back to the ravine, giving Quinn and Dan a breathtaking view as they made their pledge to each other. Liam had a camera, and Russ promised to get video with his phone.
Quinn gave Dan’s hand a reassuring squeeze, and Dan squeezed back.
“You’re still okay with the vows?” Dan whispered. “And the part we added?”
Quinn nodded. “Wally is part of you, he needs to know he’s part of the family too,” he reassured before they stepped forward to begin the short ceremony.
“We gather today to join Quinn, Dan, and Wally, in marriage before their friends, community, and the spirits of those who have gone on before.” Jeffries read the vows Dan and Quinn had written.
“Quinn Wilson, do you take Dan Connor and his cryptid Wally to be your lawfully wedded husband, forsaking all others, until death do you part?” Jeffries asked.
Quinn hoped his voice sounded steady because his heart was thumping. “I do.” Staring into Dan’s eyes helped to calm him. I’ll never live it down if I pass out.
“Dan Connor and Wally, do you take Quinn Wilson to be your lawfully wedded husband, forsaking all others, until death do you part?” Jeffries turned toward Dan, who seemed enviously calm.
“We do,” Dan answered, still holding Quinn’s hand.
“Then by the power of the State of New York, the city of Fox Hollow, and the Fox Institute, I pronounce you husbands. Congratulations!” Jeffries proclaimed.
“Congratulations!” Russ produced a bottle of Champagne from somewhere and popped the cork. Liam retrieved plastic goblets and poured some for each of them.
“Do I need to change the names on your library cards?” Liam asked with an impish grin.
Quinn and Dan shook their heads. “Nah. We’re sticking with what we’ve got,” Dan replied. “No need to confuse the postal carrier.”
Back in Fox Hollow, Quinn had reserved a quiet dining room for the five of them at the Fox Hollow Hotel, the only big splurge for the ceremony, with a choice of chicken or filet mignon.
“Do you have a honeymoon planned?” Dr. Jeffries asked after they were seated.
“Not right away,” Quinn replied, confirming with a side glance at Dan, who nodded. “We’re still getting settled in. But in the fall, we thought we might go somewhere with an ocean view for a little while. We’re still working on the details.”
“Somewhere peaceful, without bounty hunters or dragons,” Dan added.
“Most of the time, that also describes Fox Hollow,” Liam pointed out. “A lot of people also like Lake Placid for romantic trips. It’s not the ocean, but it’s very pretty.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve already got all the brochures.” Dan laughed. “Planning is half the fun.”
“Anywhere is fine,” Quinn confirmed. “As long as we’re together.” He leaned in to kiss Dan, and their friends jokingly tapped spoons against their goblets.
Knowing they were being filmed, Quinn made the kiss a little longer and deeper than he would have in public, and the others cheered them on.
Dan looked a little flushed when they pulled apart. “Together,” he echoed, slightly breathless.
Quinn met Dan’s gaze in a pledge. “Mates forever.”