Page 238

Story: Men of Fort Dale

Christian hopped over the back of the couch and immediately darted for David. Knowing what was coming, David held his arms out, grunting as Christian’s body collided with his. Christian slid his arms around David’s neck and held tight, grinning.

“I missed you,” Christian whispered.

David’s frown melted away. “I missed you.”

It had only been a few months, but it felt like an eternity since he’d held Christian in his arms. He was warm in every way the word could be used, and his weight against David felt like a drowning man’s first breath. David pulled him closer, savoring their first sweet kiss in three months.

“So much,” David added against his lips.

“Good,” Christian said, running a thumb against the base of David’s neck.

“How did you get here?” David asked, still holding tight to him.

“It’s Spring Break. I’ve got two whole weeks all to myself. My sisters wanted to do something, but all I had to say was I was gonna come here, and they shut right up. Lily says hi and that she can’t wait to meet you. And I’m sorry, but she’ll probably call you Daddy Winter,” Christian added with a grimace.

David blinked. “Pardon?”

“Don’t ask. And when she does, don’t react. Otherwise, it’ll just encourage her.”

“I’m not sure if I should be offended or not.”

“Don’t be. You’ll like Mary more. Well, once she pulls off the big sister act, she swears she won’t do it, but she will anyway.”

David raised a brow. “I’m glad you didn’t choose sales as your vocation. You’re not good at that.”

“I sold you on me, though, didn’t I?” Christian asked with a wicked grin.

“That you did.”

“And now you get me for a whole two weeks, all to yourself.”

David hummed. “You know, I could probably get away with taking the next two weeks off.”

“Seriously? Oscar’s been that good?”

“Oh, yes. And I’m overdue for a vacation.”

Christian’s blue eyes lit up with excitement. “Two weeks of just us, here and being us?”

David grinned. “Christian. You’re not stationed here anymore. You’re not my subordinate.”

“Out of bed,” Christian said with a grin.

David ignored him, even as his gut tightened at the thought. “We don’t have to be a secret anymore.”

“Oh. Shit, you’re right,” Christian said with widening eyes.

David nodded. “So, yes, two weeks of us being here, being us. But two weeks of me taking you out to eat at my favorite placesyou can’t get takeout from. Two weeks of trips to the beach, seeing shows, or just walking around and enjoying the weather.”

Christian stared up at him in wonder. “I...had got so used to it. I never realized we were free.”

David kissed him. “I can finally show off the man I love.”

“And so can I,” Christian murmured against his lips.

But it was late, and he had Christian in his arms with every intention of keeping him there for hours. They could face the next day with new possibilities, no longer forced to keep themselves secret. David was going to take advantage of every moment and love every minute of living their life, showing their love, out in front of the world without a care.

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