Marry Me G. Hauser (the chimp paradox .TXT) 📖

his head to fall back on Braxton’s shoulder and

kissed his cheek. “Wow. Can I keep you?”

“Yes…please.”

Hearing a sob come from Braxton, Fabian tried to turn to face

him but Braxton tightened his grip, preventing him.

“Braxton?”

“Give me a second.”

Braxton buried his face into Fabian’s neck and sniffled as if

trying to fight his emotions. Fabian reached for him and touched

his wet skin, comforting him. “Then it meant as much to you as

it did to me?”

Braxton let him go and Fabian was able to turn around and

see Braxton’s watery eyes, his expression of turmoil. Trying to

lighten the mood, Fabian cupped his cheek and said, “How about

we dry off before we become prunes?”

In reply, Braxton nodded and lowered his gaze.

Fabian tugged off Braxton’s used condom for him and waited

as Braxton rinsed under the shower head, then took his turn.

After shutting the water, Fabian tossed out the condom. Both

men stood in the small space, drying off and perhaps thinking

similar thoughts.

“Can you stay?” Fabian touched the wet locks of Braxton’s

shaggy mane.

Braxton met his eyes. “I can.”

At Braxton’s blank expression, Fabian smiled nervously and

added, “But will you?”

Seeing Braxton laugh made Fabian’s heart warm in spite of

the odd tension.

“Yes.” Braxton grabbed Fabian’s head and shook it playfully.

Fabian kissed him, falling so hard for this man, he was giddy.

“Let me get you a pair of sweats and a T-shirt.”

“Thanks.” Braxton gave him a sweet smile and folded the

towels, draping them over the shower door.

Fabian picked up all their clothing and brought it with him to

the bedroom, grinning wickedly at what he had, and what he

would not lose. Braxton Todd, PR man extraordinaire, was no

longer a one-date-wonder.

He’s mine.

Chapter 14

Braxton straightened up the bathroom, tossing out the condom

wrapper, hanging the towels, and then ran a brush through his

wet hair. He looked at himself in the mirror. A smile? When was

the last time he felt like smiling at his reflection?

It’s been a long time.

He shut off the light, grabbed the bottle of lube and looked

for Fabian. Fabian was in the process of hanging up Braxton’s

business suit. “You can put those on.” Fabian gestured to the

bed.

Braxton spotted clothing and set the lubrication on the

nightstand. He slipped the clean briefs, sweatpants and T-shirt

on, liking being in Fabian’s clothing. Fabian was similarly

outfitted for comfort now that the evening was growing late.

“Can I get you a nightcap?”

Braxton hooked his arm around Fabian’s low back and drew

him close, nuzzling him, kissing his neck and ear. “Yes.”

Fabian held him tight and whispered, “That was the best sex I

have ever had.”

Flattered beyond words, Braxton ran his hands down Fabian’s

body to his bottom and held it tight. “Ditto.”

Fabian immediately leaned back, appearing surprised.

“Really?”

“Hell yeah.”

The expression of surprise didn’t leave Fabian.

“What?” Braxton asked curiously. “I’m telling the truth.”

“Even better than Keith O’Leary?”

“I never had sex with Keith O’Leary.”

“Just teasing.” Fabian kissed him and laughed. He released

Braxton and swatted his butt, then left the room, chuckling.

Shaking his head at the comment, since Keith O’Leary was a

big star on a cable show called Forever Young, Braxton enjoyed Fabian’s humor. When he met him in the living room, Fabian

had two glasses in his hand and gestured to the couch. Braxton

relaxed on it, taking the glass from Fabian. He sniffed the liquid.

“Cognac?”

“Yes. Occasionally I treat myself.” Fabian joined him. “I feel

as if I should have my laptop out and be catching up on emails.”

“Fuck it for one night. You’re with the boss.” Braxton sipped

the alcohol and then placed it on the coffee table.

Fabian did the same, then reached to massage Braxton’s

thighs, which were still sore from the crazy workout that

morning. He caressed Fabian’s cheek lovingly. “I wish those

coasters we signed were about us, not work.”

“Do you?” Fabian appeared very amused and scooted closer,

overlapping their knees.

Braxton shrugged, unused to verbalizing his feelings, and

usually not feeling anything but apathy or anger.

“We can make it about anything you want, Mr Todd.”

Braxton met his blue eyes and melted at the affection he felt

coming from them.

“I want you.”

Like lightning, Fabian went for Braxton’s mouth and rested

on top of him, pressing Braxton back on the arm of the sofa.

Spreading out his legs, Braxton allowed Fabian to shift his

position so they were both lying across the cushions, Fabian on

top of Braxton.

The kiss was so soft and tender, the taste of the fine cognac

on their lips, Braxton wondered if maybe he didn’t have a heart

of stone after all. And if he did, whether this man was breaking

down the walls he’d built around it.

Parting lips gently, Braxton again stared into Fabian’s gaze,

reading the loyalty. A sense he had never felt from anyone

before.

Foolish thoughts began to form in Braxton’s mind.

Marry me.

But he’d known this guy a week. Come on. No one believes

in love at first sight…or love at second date.

Fabian snuggled on Braxton’s chest, a long, low sigh of

contentment coming from him. Braxton caressed his back, loving

the size and strength of Fabian, his body and his character.

He was handed the remote control for the TV.

Braxton blinked and laughed. “Yeah? Giving up the ultimate

power?”

“Sure. Why not?”

“Huh. Maybe you are the perfect guy.” Braxton pointed it at

the television set and muted the sound until he searched through

channels. “Taking about Mr O’Leary.” He left the channel on

one of the cable networks and Forever Young was showing.

“Never miss an episode.” Fabian cuddled warmly on

Braxton’s lap.

Braxton put the remote down and picked up his drink, sipping

it, loving the closeness of Fabian against him while watching one

of his favorite television shows. Life could be good, couldn’t it?

Braxton’s eyes kept feeling heavy. He peeked down at his

lap. Fabian was sound asleep on it as the late night pundits on the comedy network were sounding off about politics and religion.

Who is this man? Braxton lightly ran his fingers over

Fabian’s brown hair. How did he come into my life now? Now,

when I am ready to jump off a cliff I am so frustrated?

I don’t know why or how. But here he is. What are you going

to do about it? Fuck it up? Get scared and walk out the