Page 19 of Love on Ice (Love in Terengia #5)

Michael

It’s autumn. Sebastian and I celebrated our eight-month anniversary yesterday with a lovely walk through Sch?nbrunn Palace Park. The long avenues were lined with trees, the leaves are starting to turn and they bathed everything in a golden light.

There were piles of yellow and brown leaves on the ground, and my dear boyfriend took an almost childlike delight in kicking them into the air. He refused to walk anywhere but the edge of the paths where most of the leaves were piled. He revealed later that the crunch of fallen leaves underfoot makes him unaccountably happy. He's just too cute!

It was such a delightful walk. We stayed off the tourist trails, but luckily the huge park has plenty of hidden stone benches for us to rest on — or kiss on — depending on what we were in the mood for. Although I know what I’m always in the mood for.

At the end of our walk, we treated ourselves to a delicious apple strudel with vanilla sauce on top of the Gloriette. Life can be so beautiful!

Today, we have completely different plans. We’re both dressed smartly as we get off the subway at the State Opera and hurry in the direction of the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace. We’re late, which is my fault. My hair didn't want to work with me today. Not that my curls don’t always stick out in all directions, but today I was trying to be halfway presentable. Sebastian just looked baffled and laughed when I told him what I was trying to do.

We arrive only minutes later at the paved square of the Hofburg to be greeted by the statue of Joseph II in full Roman garb, wearing a laurel wreath crown, riding his trusty steed, and with one hand raised in salute. I suppose all monarchs felt the need to be associated with the great Roman emperors that once ruled most of Europe, but to be portrayed in the same way as Marcus Aurelius in Rome seems like a bit of a stretch — at least, I think so.

Questionable decisions about how kings wanted to be represented at the end of their lives are blown from my brain as Annabelle walks towards us with Vicky in her arms. She looks a little stressed, and I hastily let go of Sebastian's hand to sign our excuse for being late.

Annabelle waves this off, though, hugs Sebastian and me briefly, and hands me the definitely less tiny child. She walks beside me, leading us through the inconspicuous door on the southeast side of the square into the Augustinian Church.

I barely have time to admire the vaulted ceiling of the church, or its white interior, or its large golden chandeliers before Annabelle pushes me the last few steps to the modern gray Carrara marble altar. One of the Augustinian monks is standing in front of it, greeting us with a smile .

Today is Vicky’s baptism, and Annabelle has chosen me to be godfather.

Sebastian

I observe the time-honored rituals with a misty eye, and Linus and I interpret for Michael so the baptism runs smoothly.

Michael has kept his promise, and over the past few months has been there for Annabelle and Vicky. I can’t even count how many hours we’ve spent at various playgrounds. Annabelle is obviously trying hard to be friendly to me. In the beginning, it was still obvious how hurt she is that Michael chose me. Time, however, has worked its magic on all of us, even to the point that we’re enjoying being a part of each other’s lives. So when Annabelle asked Michael if he’d like to officially take on the role of godfather for her wonderful daughter, he was overjoyed and agreed immediately.

After the religious ceremony is over, we walk together up Herrengasse to the Terengian Embassy. Karl was kind enough to ask if we could use the banquet hall there for the family celebration. Anna, the wife of Karl's twin brother Kai, agreed immediately. She and Michael had become friends when Karl moved to Vienna a little over a year ago to help his brother. Since then, Anna and Michael have been the masterminds behind almost all the big and small surprises for our extended family.

I grin when I remember their gift of an indoor skydiving flight in a wind tunnel for Kai’s last birthday. His mouth dropped open in amazement, and it wasn't until Karl slapped him on the shoulder with a laugh and said, "I’d be up for that too!" that he woke up from his stupor .

My gaze wanders to the twins, who are walking side by side along the traffic-calmed street. Kai is holding his six-month-old daughter and laughing at the faces Karl is pulling for the little one. I'm always surprised at how different the identical twins are. But Kai has definitely thawed out since Karl moved to Vienna.

Anna and Annabelle walk in front of the three of them and are deep in conversation. After Michael introduced them to each other, they became friends — not least because their daughters are almost the same age.

Vicky is still in Michael's arms. Since we arrived at the Augustinian Church, Michael has not let go of her — he never does when we meet Annabelle and Vicky. Why we ever bother to bring the stroller is a mystery to me.

It takes only a few minutes to walk to the embassy in the bright sunshine, but when we arrive, a surprise awaits us. The banquet hall is empty because the wonderful weather has allowed the staff to prepare a long, beautifully laid table for us in a courtyard surrounded by stone arches. A white tablecloth hangs down to the paving stones and pink and white balloons are clustered throughout the courtyard. Vicky squeals with delight when she sees them dancing in the light breeze.

The meal is definitely one to remember. There is a delicious Tafelspitz, boiled veal with all the dressings, and for dessert, a wonderfully decorated Sachertorte in white, pink, and gold. Time just flies by.

When the two little girls get tired, the party breaks up, and a little later Michael and I find ourselves the subway back home. I snuggle up to my best friend, well fed and happy after the exciting day. We haven't officially moved in together yet, but I can't remember the last time we spent a night apart. Lucky me !

As we turn onto our street, Michael looks at me.

"What?" I ask with a grin.

"Do you want kids someday?"

It's time for that conversation, is it? I think.

I shrug. I’ve been kind of expecting this topic to come up at some point since we’ve spent so much time with Vicky.

"I'm open to it. I know you've always wanted to have kids."

Surprisingly, Michael doesn’t wrap me in a tight embrace, as I had expected. Instead, he tilts his head from side to side, his expression thoughtful.

"I think Vicky and my brother's future children are enough for me," Michael says, to my surprise.

"Really?"

My astonishment must be written all over my face because my wonderful boyfriend bursts out laughing.

"Honestly! I love our life just the way it is."

Now it’s me who can't help pulling him tightly to me and kissing him with everything I have. Luckily, we’re in front of my apartment by this time, so my tall man interrupts our kiss after only a few seconds and pushes me into the house. He's right! We need to get inside, but he tastes so good! Laughing, he fends me off all the way to my apartment door, which isn’t too hard as it’s on the first floor.

When I decided to buy the apartment, it was mainly because I’d fallen in love with the lovely little garden it has. Michael must like it better at my place because we spend most of our time here.

Michael

I love it when Sebastian is playful like this. And I love that he clearly finds me hot. He’s not the only one — I don't think his lips were even on mine before I was totally hard. I just can't resist him.

But as we’re already in front of his apartment, why not wait a few seconds more to do this thing properly rather than make out forever against the outside door?

I stride through the hallway without stopping. I kick my shoes off as I walk and then sink down on the beige deep-pile carpet in the living room in front of the large glass door to the garden. I’ve tugged Sebastian along willingly, but as I turn in his direction, I can't help laughing.

I might have managed to get rid of my shoes as we walked along, but Seb’s somehow got rid of his shoes, socks, pants, and underpants along the way. Now he's standing in front of me with a big grin on his face with only his shirt, tie, vest, and jacket still on. Innocently, he shrugs.

"You've got too many clothes on!"

That's one way to look at it.

We take off the rest of our clothes as quickly as we can, then Seb sits astride me. I’ll never take this unique feeling for granted — naked skin on naked skin, his rock-hard cock against mine — there’s nothing more beautiful.

Then Sebastian holds his hand in front of my mouth, I quickly lick it, and he slips his hand between us. He encloses our two hard pricks firmly and I can’t stop my hips bucking — it's just too good!

I put my hands behind my body, lean back a bit, and concentrate entirely on the wonderful feeling of Sebastian's thick cock rubbing against mine and his slender but strong fingers wrapping us in this intimate embrace.

My breathing is starting to get ragged and my balls tingle. It's madness how fast Sebastian can bring me to the edge of a climax. But I don’t want him to stop! And he doesn't. With firm and determined strokes, he jerks us off. Then he brings his second hand between us, circling his palm over our glandes without his other hand stopping. My breath is wrenched away — this is so intense!

The tingling spreads from my balls to my feet and chest. I claw my fingers into the soft carpet under us, trying with all my might to delay my climax a little longer. The feeling is so good, I don’t want it to be over too soon.

Sebastian

Michael writhes under me, moaning and whimpering without stopping. One thing hasn’t changed in the last few months: I still love his sex noises.

I love him — that’s it.

He’s my perfect man.

I still can't quite believe he really belongs to me.

It’s then I hear a shout and feel Michael's hot juice splashing against my hand.

I look up to see Michael’s head thrown back, his whole body tense, his eyelids pressed together, and his mouth wide open. It’s the image of purest ecstasy, and it sends me over the edge. With a loud cry, I splash my load onto Michael’s.

Exhausted, I flop forward. Michael gasps in surprise when my weight lands so unexpectedly on him. His arms buckle so we end up lying flat out on the wonderfully soft carpet in my living room.

I didn’t buy the carpet explicitly to have wild sex on — not that I have anything against this misappropriation — but Michael really likes the luxurious material on his skin, so it’s become our go-to erotic location.

Michael takes my hand and, locking my eyes with his, he licks our mingled come from my fingers. It’s so hot that a whimper spills from my lips. Who would have thought just a few months ago that Michael could have formed a taste for it? I sure wouldn't.

When the erotic floor show is over, Michael’s lips form my favorite words: "I love you!"

I can’t help but kiss him passionately. Michael tastes of sex, of him, and me. It’s a beguiling taste I can’t get enough of. So, we lie on the cozy carpet and kiss forever.

Well, until Michael shakes his head and with a laugh signs, "I don't know about you, but I feel sticky."

I shrug. My skin is sticky with our slowly drying juice, but Michael's kiss is worth it to me.

With a cheeky grin, Michael leans forward and gives me a quick peck on the lips. Then stands up next to me and offers me his hand to help me up.

I’m only too happy to take it.

I can't wait to walk hand in hand with this wonderful man for the rest of my life!