The V- in 403C - Jess Bryant Page 0,72

hands made quick work of the button and zipper on Jonah’s pants. “I want you so bad. All day I worried I would never get to touch you like this again.”

“Shhh…” Jonah hushed him with a soft kiss, “You don’t ever have to worry about that again. I’m yours Reed. Now and forever.”

“Promise?” Reed looked up at him, his eyes full of love and hunger and amazement. Jonah would never get tired of that look. Reed seemed surprised that Jonah would love a man like him but he didn’t understand. Jonah was the lucky one, and he intended to spend the rest of his life showing Reed just how much he loved him.

“Promise.” He leaned down and brushed their lips together, “Now take me to bed, Teach. I’m ready for my next lesson.”

Epilogue

Almost 2 Months Later

“What if they don’t like me?” Jonah fidgeted with the cuffs of his button-down as they waited on the front step for someone to answer the doorbell Reed had just rung.

“Like you?” Reed rolled his eyes, “They’re going to love you.”

Jonah chewed his lip, “But…”

Reed took his boyfriend’s nervous fingers in his own and squeezed reassuringly, “I know Star can be a handful but if anyone understands that better than I do, it’s her brother. Declan is a good guy and his husband, Brett, is really cool too. They’re going to like you, Jo. I promise.”

It was Thanksgiving and since Reed’s parents had decided to go on a cruise and Jonah’s parents were somewhere in South America, Star had invited them to spend the holiday with her family. Reed had driven them out to the suburbs where Declan and Brett lived and Jonah had nervously asked questions about the couple the entire trip. Nothing Reed had said seemed to put Jonah at ease so he figured at this point all he could do was introduce him, pour the wine and hope for the best.

The door swung open and Star gave a shriek of excitement when she saw them. She was dressed up in a hunter green, long-sleeved, turtleneck mini-dress and thigh high boots that showed off her lean legs. Her dark hair was wound up into a messy ponytail and her lips were painted a bright red.

There was something different about her though and as she hugged both Reed and Jonah, taking the bottle of wine they offered and sweeping them into the dining room to meet her family, Reed finally realized what it was.

She seemed happy. Like really happy. Not the fake sort of happy she’d been pretending to be for months. This was a real smile and that was her real laugh. She even looked brighter, almost like she was glowing, and her eyes twinkled with merriment as she talked about all the food she’d spent all day cooking.

“So, this is my brother Declan.” Star swung her arm towards the redheaded man as he strolled into the room. He paused and offered a warm smile. Star didn’t wait for the inevitable question that always came when she introduced Declan as her brother and instead waved away the obvious like it was a pesky fly, “We’re not related by blood. We were foster kids together and Dec took me under his wing, kept me safe, and I’ve been hanging around, bugging him ever since.”

“I’ve tried to get rid of her.” Declan shrugged good-naturedly, “It didn’t take.”

“Oh shut it.” She laughed and then pointed at them, “Dec, you know Reed of course. This is his boyfriend, Jonah Monroe.”

“It’s nice to meet you Jonah.” Declan offered a hand and the two shook even as Declan’s gaze trailed back to Reed. “How did you manage to hook this one? He seems much too good for you.”

“Prick.” Reed grunted, “He is too good for me but I try not to remind him of that too often.”

“Good thinking.” Declan chuckled. “Come on in, from what I hear, dinner is almost ready.”

“Thanks.” Reed took Jonah’s hand again as soon as it was free of Declan’s grasp and whispered. “See, not so bad right?”

Jonah gave a shy nod and Reed couldn’t help himself. He leaned down and kissed him softly. Heat licked through him at the contact just like it always did but he kept the kiss sweet and light. Jonah was smiling again when he pulled away.

Reed’s heart tumbled in his chest. He wasn’t sure if he would ever get used to being the one to put that smile on Jonah’s face. He hoped not. He never wanted to take