Endings and Beginnings Read online

  JJ laughed. He loved this playful side of Darren. “What were you doing downstairs?”

  “I was wrapping Ben and Scott’s wedding present.”

  JJ smirked. “Speaking of not being very original…. How many kinky gifts do you think they’ll receive?” Darren had bought Ben a set of ropes and a DVD on Shibari techniques.

  He grinned. “I’m sure they’ll get quite a few. Lucky Scott.” He took hold of JJ’s hand. “Anyway, I came in here to ask if you’d like to go out to dinner tonight. Somewhere nice and quiet, maybe some candles, wine, soft music….”

  JJ became still. “That sounds like a date.” A wonderful, romantic date.

  “Yes. Is there a problem with that?”

  It was JJ’s turn to grin. “Do Doms do dates with their subs?”

  Darren laughed. “Boyfriends do. Then when they get home, the boyfriend becomes a sub who will be spending a while on his knees.”

  “Or on his back?”

  Darren gave him a searching glance, and JJ flushed.

  “My two favorite positions.” He snickered. “Who am I kidding? Anything that involves your cock is probably a favorite position of mine.” He squeezed Darren’s hand that was still wrapped around his own. “I’d love to go out to dinner with you,” he said softly.

  Darren leaned over and kissed him on the lips, slowly and deliberately. When the kiss deepened and JJ was pressed down onto the bed, Darren on top of him, his hands in JJ’s hair, JJ gave a happy sigh. “I guess we have time before then, right?”

  Darren propped himself up, his forearms on either side of JJ’s head. “Plenty of time.”

  JJ was fine with that.

  BEN STOOD at the door to the small room that adjoined the hotel suite and watched as their guests strolled in. The main room had a wall of french windows that opened out onto the hotel gardens. The day couldn’t be more perfect. It was an unexpected warm day for the end of September. The temperature was about twenty degrees Celsius, the sunlight bathed everything in warmth and beauty, and the rain they’d predicted had instead been replaced by a startlingly turquoise sky.

  “Nervous, lad?” Thomas asked as he appeared next to him, resplendent in a dark gray suit with matching tie.

  Ben blinked. “W-who, me?”

  Thomas chuckled. “It’s okay to be a little nervous, you know.”

  Ben shook his head. “I shouldn’t be nervous,” he exclaimed. “I’m getting everything I’ve ever wanted.” He watched the steady stream of guests as they seated themselves, all chatting and smiling. Not long now. A shiver of anticipation rippled through him.

  Thomas put his hand on Ben’s arm. “Are you okay, Ben?”

  Ben thought about playing down his state, then sighed and slumped his shoulders forward. “Honestly? No.”

  Thomas led him away from the door and toward the two deep armchairs. “Should I get Scott?”

  Ben sank into one of the chairs. “Oh hell, that’s the last thing I need.”

  There was a warmth to Thomas’s chuckle. “Is there someone you want to talk to? Leo perhaps?”

  Ben raised his gaze and stared at Thomas for a moment. The man had never given him reason to be afraid, but Ben couldn’t help but be intimidated a little. The man radiated calmness and strength. Thomas hadn’t become one of the best Doms through an impressive number of feats. He’d done it because he’d earned the respect of everyone he came in contact with. He didn’t need to raise his voice or bully people to get something done, and he never minded getting dirty with people when there was hard work to be done.

  Ben huffed out a sigh. “Do I deserve him, Thomas?”

  Thomas’s brow furrowed. “Deserve who? You mean Scott?”

  Ben nodded glumly.

  “That’s a strange question to ask on your wedding day.”

  Ben leaned forward, elbows on his knees, staring at his laced fingers. “Today’s the day I find myself asking it the most. I made so many mistakes when Scott first came to me. Almost lost him more than once because of stubbornness and inflexibility.”

  Thomas sat opposite him and regarded him with a keen glance. “Let me ask you something. When you were growing up, who wore the pants in your family?”

  Ben cocked his head. “Pardon?”

  “Did your father work and your mother stay at home and raise you and Annie?”

  “Well, yes.”

  Thomas nodded sagely. “And correct me if I’m wrong, but back then did he ever say to you that it was the man’s responsibility to provide for his family so they’d never want for anything?”

  Heat flooded Ben’s face. It was almost as if Thomas had…. Oh. “You heard the same thing growing up?”

  Thomas smiled. “From my father. Things haven’t changed much, you know. We still think it’s our job to make the money so our spouses or partners don’t have to. It’s even worse when you’re a Dom, because you’ve accepted the responsibility to shoulder their burdens. When you brought Scott to us, you probably never expected the impact he’d have on your life. And that’s okay. It’s not easy to find everything you’d always believed in turned on its ear. But Scott knew what he wanted and went for it big time.”

  Ben snorted. “He was so much more together than me.”

  Thomas leaned forward, his face level with Ben’s. “No, he wasn’t. You wanted to take care of him, but you didn’t think you had the means. If I had to guess, you felt as though you were a failure because you couldn’t handle things like your father could. But when he died, did your mother fall apart? Or did she go out and get a job to support the family?”

  “Two jobs,” Ben corrected.

  Another knowing nod. “She knew what she had to do for her family to be taken care of, and she did it. You did the same thing the day you got on the plane and went after Scott. That boy worships the ground you walk on.”

  Ben laughed. “That boy is an opinionated little shit.”

  “There is that too,” Thomas admitted, smiling. “But have you ever looked into his eyes and seen anything but admiration? Even when you sent him back with his parents, did you see something there that made you think he didn’t love you?”

  Ben let his mind drift back to that day in the hospital where he’d let Scott’s father convince him he couldn’t take care of Scott. How he’d actually be a burden to the boy. And like an idiot, Ben had bought it, hook, line, and sinker. He’d wanted everything for them, and he wasn’t ashamed to admit, he believed Scott would be better with people who didn’t love him because they’d provide for him. It had taken Leo dressing him down and the looks of pity on the club members’ faces for Ben to come to the realization he’d been damned foolish. He needed the little redhead in his life. He needed his boy. So he’d got on the jet and gone to retrieve what belonged to him.

  “I never knew I could need something so bad,” Ben admitted. “If Scott had rejected me, I wouldn’t have given up. I would have gone back day after day, until Scott understood that I admitted my errors but that I also vowed to correct them. To be the man—the Dom—that Scott deserved.”

  “And did it come to that?” Thomas asked, rising to his feet and walking toward the door. He opened it and peered through the gap.

  “No. When his father told him if he came with me, he’d no longer have a family, Scott never hesitated. He jutted his chin out and told him he did. Then he walked out of their lives and back into ours.”

  Thomas left the door ajar and came back to Ben. He gazed at him with affection. “Then maybe you need to tell him that.”

  “Tell who what?”

  Ben gave a start. Scott stood in the doorway, looking radiant in his pressed blue suit, crisp white shirt, and thin maroon tie. Darren had cut Scott’s hair so his eternal cowlick couldn’t be seen, but the job made everything about Scott glow. Ben looked up into Scott’s beautiful eyes and fell in love all over again, just as he did each time he found himself drowning in their depths.

  “Is something wrong, Ben?” Scott asked, his voice laced with con
cern.

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” Thomas said, heading toward the door.

  “Thomas,” Ben called out. “Thank you.”

  Thomas smiled. “Anytime, lad. You know that.”

  He closed the door behind him, and Ben sucked in a breath. “Are you sure you want to be with me?” he blurted out.

  Scott walked over and cuffed him on the head. “Idiot. Since the moment I saw you at the airport when I came here, lost and frightened, you were the one constant thing for me. You stepped in, all big and noble, and took charge. And don’t think that attitude didn’t make me tingle a little. I know we had problems, but none of them were anything we couldn’t settle by talking. Once you got your head out of your ass, you saw that.”

  “Arse,” Ben corrected.

  “What?”

  “We say arse here. If you’re going to live with me, you’ll need to learn all of our ways. Because once my ring is on your finger, you’re here to stay. I’ll never let you go again, Scott. I’ll work hard to make up for my stupidity, but it only means something with you by my side.”

  Scott cuffed Ben again, then sat on his lap, his arms looping around Ben’s neck. “Idiot,” he murmured.

  Ben sat there, his arms full of the man he loved, and he knew that the second chance he’d been given would be the only one he’d ever need. He hadn’t been kidding when he told Scott he’d never let him go again, because wherever they went, they’d go together.

  There was a sharp rap at the door. Alex and Leo stepped into the room, expectant looks on their faces. “Are we doing this or what?” Leo asked. “If we’re postponing again, I might have to see if I can return the gift.” He winked.

  Alex smacked him on the arm.

  “It must be a day where subs want to be punished,” Ben said, laughter loosening the grip that had held his heart.

  “More like there’s someone here who wants to see Scott.”

  For a moment, Ben wondered if Scott’s parents had shown. He’d sent them an invitation, even though he feared it would lead to a confrontation, because he didn’t want Scott to regret anything. But when a head poked around the corner, Scott squealed and launched himself off Ben’s lap and into Peter’s waiting arms. Seeing these men together, free with their love and affection, showed Ben the truth. It didn’t matter at all if Scott’s parents never came for him or tried to reach out to him. Seeing the smiles on the faces around them, he knew they’d built a very loving family all on their own. And if they were lucky enough to have a child, he or she would be the luckiest little one around, because these men would shower them with love every day.

  “There’s room in here for another person, Alex,” Scott told his friend. He and Peter both smiled when Alex melted into the group hug.

  “I didn’t know we were here for a puppy pile,” Leo said gruffly. “I thought this was supposed to be a wedding. Seems we have someone acting as father of the bride who wants to see you, Scott.” Leo grinned at Scott’s mock indignation and his squeaked ‘Bride?’. He pulled the door open, and Jarod walked in.

  Scott held out his arms, and Jarod walked into them.

  “You look great,” he said, hugging Scott.

  “You do too. Where’s Master Eli?”

  “He’s already sitting down. He might have strained a muscle on our run.”

  “We should go see if he’s okay.”

  “No,” Jarod replied firmly. “We should see about getting you married. Eli promised he’d be okay, and I trust him. I… wanted to talk to you and Ben for a minute.”

  “We’ll leave you to it,” Peter told him. “See you out there.” He, Alex, and Leo left the room.

  “Anything wrong?” Scott asked. He gestured for Ben to join him.

  Amused, Ben got to his feet and walked over to them.

  Jarod’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. It’s just that this will sound weird, so I wanted to do it away from everyone else.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “I wasn’t sure what we should get you as a wedding gift. I spoke with my mother, but her suggestions were a little bit… risqué.”

  Ben smirked. Having met Maggie, he could well believe it.

  “So Eli and I put our heads together, and we came up with this. If you don’t like it, we’d be happy to give you something else, but it meant something to us, and we hope it’ll mean something to you too.”

  Scott opened the seal on the envelope and pulled out the contents. He scanned them for a moment, then looked up at Jarod. “I don’t understand.”

  “You gave me the idea of a trip for me and my Master. I promised you a great souvenir, but we were… busy, and I never got around to it. I thought maybe you and Ben would like to go and get one of your own.”

  “Will someone let me in on this, please?” Ben said, biting back a sigh of exasperation.

  Scott swirled around to stare at him. “Hawaii, Ben. A two week honeymoon in Hawaii, with airfare and everything.” His eyes shone.

  Ben was flabbergasted. “Jarod, this is incredibly kind, but—”

  “Please, sir? Let me give this to Scott. To the both of you.”

  “But—”

  “The place we stayed included meals too,” Jarod interjected, “so you wouldn’t need to worry about anything. I’ve already taken care of the gratuities, so you’d only need to go and have a good time.”

  “Please, Ben?” Scott pleaded.

  “If I can speak now?” Ben said, giving Scott a hard stare. He turned to Jarod and smiled. “Jarod, this is incredibly kind of you, but are you sure you want to set loose this ball of energy on Hawaii? They may never let you back in.”

  There was silence for a moment before Scott asked quietly, “We can go?”

  Ben sighed. “Yes, we can go. I would never think about turning down a gift.”

  “Yay!” Scott planted an exuberant kiss on his cheek before throwing his arms around Jarod.

  Ben shook his hand. “Thank you for this, Jarod. It means the world to us.”

  “Just like you do,” Scott added.

  Jarod beamed. “I’m just happy you like it.”

  Scott hugged him again and then turned to Ben. “Can we go get married now?”

  Ben laughed. “Eagerness. I like that.”

  “I’ll leave you to get ready,” Jarod said with a smile and left the room.

  “I just want to enjoy every minute I get with you as my husband,” Scott said with a smile.

  “In that case, we’d better get on with it.” He grinned. “We’re going to need to fill every moment we can before our new family member arrives, because once they do, you’re going to be busy changing nappies at two in the morning.”

  Scott glared at him. “This is supposed to be something we do together. Raising a family isn’t a one-person job.

  “That’s why you’re the sub, sweetheart. To take care of those things for me.”

  Ben laughed, and Scott fixed him with a steely gaze.

  “You’re playing me, aren’t you?”

  He winked. “Maybe.” Ben stroked Scott’s cheek. “I want nothing more than to build a family with you. I’ll be beside you through all the late night feeds and nappy changes, but when it comes time for first steps, or hearing our baby say daddy? Those moments are going to fill us both with love for each other and our new child. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  “I think so, yes.”

  Ben leaned forward and kissed him slowly on the mouth. “And I’ll still be your Sir. But some things will have to change as our kids grow older.”

  Scott frowned. “Like what?”

  “We’ll need to invest in ball gags.” He grinned. “Still want to marry me?”

  Scott narrowed his gaze. “You may be my Sir, but just remember what you always tell me: ‘The sub has all the power.’” He flexed his fingers. “So with that in mind? Let’s go get married.”

  As they walked toward the door, Ben whispered, “You may have all the power, but I have a cock cage. Just saying.”
r />   Chapter Twenty-Five

  THE ROOM was similar to the one Alex and Leo got married in, but the carpeting had a deep blue hue to it. The crystal chandeliers shone brightly, illuminating everything in a warm glow. The guests were seated, all decked out in suits and ties. Scott couldn’t believe he’d seen a lot of these men naked at one time or another. When they winked at him or waved at Ben, Scott felt his cheeks warm. Weird. He had no problem looking at them without clothes on, but now he felt a little awkward.

  “Stop staring,” Jarod admonished from their position at the rear of the room.

  “Sorry. I just never thought I’d see them, you know, dressed.” He snorted. “Well, not that I’ve seen Annie naked, but you know what I mean.”

  Jarod chuckled. “Yes, I can see that being a strange feeling.” His expression grew more solemn. “Scott, I… I want to thank you for asking me to walk with you. You could have asked one of the Masters. I’m sure they would have been more than happy to—”

  Scott stopped him with a hand to Jarod’s arm. “Yeah, they would have, and I know it. But that’s the thing for me. Leo and Thomas? They’re Doms. I’ve always looked up to them and respect the heck out of them, but we live in different worlds. You? You’re like me. You’re a submissive. You like to serve. When I thought about it, I knew you were the one I wanted to be here with me, because you’re the person I would have wanted to grow up to be.”

  “If we weren’t in a room full of people, I’d hug you so hard,” Jarod said, his voice cracking slightly. “For the record? There’s nothing wrong with how you grew up. You’re kind and loving, generous to a fault. You’ve got friends who can’t imagine their lives without you in them.”

  Scott wanted to say something else, but the music started. Jarod extended his arm.

  “Ready?”

  He smiled. “As I’ll ever be.” He took Jarod’s arm, and they began to walk down the center aisle, all eyes on them. At the front, Ben stood, his gaze fixed on Scott. The sight of him in that dark blue suit, so elegant, made Scott’s heart beat faster.