NATHAN SAT IN the passenger seat of Preston’s Wrangler in stunned silence. His shock was left over from what had happened at the solarium. Ten minutes must have passed since they had driven away.
This was a first. It seemed as if they had all ganged up on him. The plan was surely Caleb and Didi’s doing, but to have Mrs. Grant actually kick him out of the luncheon he had patiently put together for her? Surely she wasn’t in cahoots with them. Did anyone still say cahoots anymore?
Trying to act calm had only lasted for about the first mile. Since then he’d been tapping his fingers and looking out the window. Normally it would be him planning the scheme or actually helping enact it. To be on the receiving end was surreal.
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to,” he said, resting his chin on the heel of his hand as he watched the scenery zoom past.
“Oh?” his driver asked, uncharacteristic mischief in his tone. “Tell me, what exactly am I up to?”
Honestly? Nathan had no idea. His brain wouldn’t engage long enough for him to figure out the possibilities. He was too aware of the hotness sitting within reach. His lips twitched for a kiss.
Seriously, he had to stop these useless lustful thoughts. Preston would only be in DoCo for a couple of days. He wasn’t prepared for the kind of heartbreak that would follow having to watch him leave a second time.
“You shaved your head,” he mumbled instead.
“Coach wants us to simulate competition conditions at all times. So no more hair for a while. I was afraid he would even take my eyebrows. You don’t like it?”
Nathan would have laughed if the butterflies weren’t performing an entire gymnastics routine in his stomach. He knew Preston had always shaved before every competition. At least their high school swimming coach had let him keep his hair. Bennett must be old-school.
“Wasn’t actually thinking that, but now that you put it out there…” Nathan slanted a glance at the boy, who once again ran his hand over the strands cut close to his skull.
“Fuck.” Preston chuckled. “I have a feeling you’re holding back your opinion to spare my feelings.”
Heat climbed up from Nathan’s neck to find a home across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. If he didn’t know any better, he’d think Preston was teasing him on purpose. For the sake of his sanity and both their hearts, he had to steer the conversation back to reality.
“Look, I really don’t think this is a good idea,” he said after clearing his too-tight throat. He could already feel the corners of his eyes stinging. He wanted his Songs About Jane and he wanted it now. “Why don’t you just drop me off at my house and you can do whatever it is you came back to do by yourself?”
“Uh, I can’t do that.”
Nathan turned his head so he faced Preston fully. “And why is that?”
“Because what I need to do involves you.”
If Nathan had thought he couldn’t blush anymore, those words brought all the remaining blood in his body rushing to his head. The swimmer didn’t even look like he was kidding. He just kept his eyes on the road.
“Pres…” Nathan paused when he realized where they were going. “You’re taking me to your house?”
Preston made the turn into the massive estate’s gravel driveway. Fully grown pine trees flanked them on both sides like silent sentinels standing guard against intruders. As always the manor was a breathtaking sight.
The Jeep eased to a smooth stop in front of it, and Preston cut the engine.
“Come on.” He unsnapped his seat belt and got out.
Nathan did the same and asked, “What are we doing here?”
His kidnapper reached out for him. He hesitated. And then, just like in Venice, Preston said, “You’re overthinking it. Just take my hand, Nate.”
It was completely ridiculous, but the words touched Nathan to the core. Speechless, he took Preston’s hand and let him lead the way into the woods. From the confidence in Preston’s stride, Nathan could tell he knew where they were going. He gave himself over to whatever the plan was. He figured, what did he have to lose? He’d already had his heart broken once and survived.
With the sun still high in the sky, golden spears burst through the branches of the trees. They had played in these woods as children, so walking between the giants wasn’t intimidating at all. When they reached the small clearing, Nathan’s eyes widened.
Blankets and pillows were artfully arranged into a comfortable nest beneath the tallest tree in their Fort of Solitude. Fat candles in protective glass containers were lit everywhere. The soft glow of their light created an inviting space. Rose petals were sprinkled all over the entire area.
“I hope the rose petals weren’t overkill. Didi said you’d like them,” Preston said, a slight hesitation in his tone.
Nathan gasped. “You did this for me?”
* * *
The awe in Nathan’s voice filled Preston’s heart with so much joy he thought it would explode. He bowed his head in an attempt to hide his blush as he said, “This was the place where you convinced me not to give up. I hope that I can do the same for you now. Tell me if I get this right.” He positioned himself in front of Nathan and cleared his throat before he continued. “‘For my whole life, we never crossed the line. Only friends in my mind, but now I realize … It was always you.’”
Like a freight train without brakes, unstoppable tears welled in Nathan’s eyes and spilled over the brim to stream down his cheeks.
“Wait. What the fuck’s happening? Why are you crying?”
“You’re not seriously quoting a Maroon 5 song at me right now.” The last word Nathan spoke turned into a sob that ended in a sniff.
Preston’s brow crumpled. He bent down so they were at eye level. “And that’s a bad thing? I thought they were your favorite band.”
In annoyance, Nathan swiped at his tearstained cheeks. “You know they are.”
Still unable to understand completely, Preston ran his hand over the top of his head until he reached the back of his neck. He squeezed at the tension building in the muscles there. “Then why the tears? Don’t tell me I’m fucking this up too? My ego just can’t take it.”
Like a sudden drought taking away all available moisture from the ground, Nathan’s tears dried up. With a last sniff, he said, “No. No. You’re not fucking it up.”
Preston’s sigh came and went. He closed his eyes for the briefest second to gather his thoughts. When he was sure he knew what he wanted to say, he said, “Like the song says, it’s always been you, Nate. I hate myself for being so blind.”
Because of their height difference, Nathan was forced to look up at him. Not that Preston minded. It gave him the best view of those watery blue eyes. They reminded him of the pool.
He had always thought that nothing could replace swimming in his heart. That when he swam back toward the starting block to win a race, it was a homecoming. But what he had come to realize was that the person who always stood by that block with a stopwatch in his hand was Nathan. He wasn’t swimming home to win. He was swimming home to him.
Preston bent down and kissed Nathan. It took a moment for Nathan to respond, but when he did, Preston felt it like a wave crashing into shore: all at once, with arms thrown around his neck. But before the kiss could go any further, he reached for Nathan’s wrists and disentangled his hold.
The look of disappointment in Nathan’s eyes was as devastating as his previous distress. As much as Preston wanted to soothe him with more kisses, there were important words that still needed to be said. He reached inside his pocket and produced the item he had been carrying around since Amsterdam.
“My love lock,” Nathan said, eyes widening in surprise. “I thought I’d lost it.”
Preston showed him the side with their initials carved on it. “I have to admit that I didn’t understand why you were so angry about the love locks when we were in Paris, but when I saw the initials that night you told me you loved me—”
“Which I still insist was the worst way to ever tell someone that you have feelings for them,” came the interruption.
Chuckling, Preston continued. “Seeing this lock was what made me realize that despite the effects of the pot brownie—or maybe I should say because of it—you were telling the truth, and I felt the same way for you. I actually planned on telling you in Venice.”
“The date!”
Preston nodded. “I shouldn’t have walked away that night. I should have taken you on that date. We could have celebrated me getting into the Bennett Club. Instead I let my excitement take over, forgetting your feelings.”
“But I get it now. You leaving was the right thing. Why are you shaking your head?”
“Because Caleb made me see that pursuing my dream isn’t enough.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Nate,” Preston whispered, taking his hand. “Don’t you see? It’s not a dream without you there with me.”
“Pres,” Nathan said. It sounded more like a sigh.
“No.” Preston’s grip tightened. “I’m not letting you talk me out of this. I love you too much to lose you.”
Nathan stared up at him in awe.
Preston planted a kiss on the back of Nathan’s hand. “I don’t have a single memory that doesn’t have you in it. And I can’t imagine creating new ones without you. I love you, Nathan Parker. I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it wasn’t for you.”
In response, Nathan took the lock. “You win.”
Preston’s eyebrow arched. “And what exactly did I win?”
“Most romantic confession ever. I didn’t think you had it in you. No offense.”
“None taken.” He pulled Nathan closer and whispered against his mouth, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For taking me to Europe. For showing me there’s more to life than just training to achieve my dream.”
Meeting Nathan’s gaze, Preston bent down and resumed their kiss. His heart pounded for a whole different reason. Without breaking the kiss, he turned them around and gently nudged Nathan down until he was lying on his back on top of the blankets.
With each button Preston opened down Nathan’s shirt, he placed an openmouthed kiss along the column of his neck. Nathan sighed. The feel of Nathan’s body beneath him spread a sense of security in Preston despite his shaking hands and fumbling fingers. He gave himself over to the sensations that being honest with his feelings brought out with each intimate touch. All of the most important words had already been said. This time was for a different kind of conversation. One spoken through moans and loving caresses.
* * *
Hours later Nathan eased out of Preston’s sleep embrace and made his way to the ridge that faced the man-made lake below them. As daylight slowly gave way to the coming night, the sky was awash with the golden-orange colors of sunset. He took in a deep breath as if for the first time and smiled at the brand-new beginning.
“Aren’t you cold?” came the whisper from behind him.
Seconds later, strong arms that never failed to make him feel safe wrapped around him and pulled him into an equally powerful chest. He went willingly, the blanket they’d used cocooning him in welcome warmth.
“Not anymore.” Nathan laced his fingers through the large hands that touched him so gently, almost reverently. Each caress conveyed devotion to the highest degree.
“What are you thinking about?” Preston whispered into his ear. Not hours ago that same deep voice had called out his name during the most beautiful expression of love between two people.
“Something’s been bothering me since you left for Colorado.”
“Oh?”
“Where have you been living?”
“The facility dorms,” Preston said as the sun reached the mountain wall in its descent.
“Oh no! No, no, no, no, no.” Nathan clucked his tongue. “The dorms just won’t do. I’ll make sure to find us an apartment when we get there.”
“We?”
He turned in the circle of Preston’s arms and looked up into the face he knew in his heart he would grow old with. “Yes, we. You didn’t think after that stunning confession that I would ever consider trying the long-distance thing, did you?”
“But what about your party planning?”
“Silly swimmer, with your mother’s recommendation, I can set up shop anywhere.”
“Oh. Well then…” Preston pressed a kiss against Nathan’s forehead before he ran the tip of his nose down the bridge of Nathan’s and kissed his lips briefly, sweetly.
“Let’s go home,” Nathan said with a playful nudge. “We have lots of planning to do before you have to leave.”
“Planning?” Preston asked.
“Don’t start,” Nathan warned.
“Hey, as long as you follow me there as soon as you can, I’d sleep on a bench if I had to.”
“Bench. Pshaw!” Nathan squeezed Preston’s chin. “Get ready, Preston Ulysses Grant, because I’m pulling out all the stops.”
“Oh yeah?” Preston grinned, taking Nathan’s hand and lacing their fingers together.
A smile that came from a well overflowing with love blossomed on Nathan’s face. “Yeah … because I’ve just decided that from now on there’s no holding back.”