Page 55 of Love On and Off Set

As Hallsy fucked me into the mattress that night, he wore a very satisfied smirk and a matching ring. Apparently Cole informed him that was a necessity.

I liked my actor friend. My former crush. One of the best men I knew.

Of course the best man I knew teased and tormented me even as I begged for him to let me come. He was often devious, edging me until I was ready to explode, before he finally let me come.

In the afterglow—after he’d wiped us down and he’d lain beside me—we lay next to each other, facing and holding hands. Even with the air conditioning and the ceiling fan, we were warm. After a bit, we’d pull up the sheet, he’d take me in his arms, and we’d sleep.

“Are you okay with this?”

I could barely see his eyes in the darkness. “Why do you ask?”

“I proposed in front of your friends.”

“Our friends,” I quickly corrected.

“Yeah. And I almost invited Seamus and Valentino, but…” He swallowed. “If you’d said no, then I think it would’ve been embarrassing to have my boss witness that.”

“I never would’ve said no.”

“I get that.” He squeezed my hand. “Cole was certain you’d agree. He said people laugh, in a good way, about how much we love each other.”

“Possibly because you wear ties I pick out for you?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, that’s a good clue.”

I’d started out easy. Shades of gray. Then subtle shading of black, gray, and white. Then pastels. Always tasteful, of course. I might’ve added a neon one which he’d dutifully worn on Friday since he’d been in the office all day. He’d informed me—in no uncertain terms—that he was never wearing it outside of the studio.

That being said, he’d proudly told me the long list of people who’d complimented him.

He smiled more. He’d loosened up. He was letting his guard down. I’d go so far as to say he was contented. He’d even admitted to liking the nickname Hallsy.

The ring on my finger confirmed all that.

At that moment, Luigi jumped up and settled at the top of Hallsy’s head. At least the beast had learned—the hard way—to leave us be until our…physical exertions…were complete.

“I love you.” I pushed the words past the lump in my throat.

“Yeah. I love you too.” He yawned. “Grab the sheet? Then I want to cuddle you.”

He was always the big spoon, and I never complained. I pulled up the sheet and positioned myself in his arms.

So this is what forever means.

On that thought, I drifted off to sleep.

Persuadable

Gabbi Grey

Andreas

As a Nebraska farm boy, I left the man of my dreams to chase a football scholarship, then lost football due to an injury, and wound up in acting. Now, a scandal's driven me out of LA, and I have to reinvent myself again in Vancouver. I'm doing okay until Freddie reappears. Suddenly, those long-ago college memories rise up, painful and sweet. Do I have the courage to try for a second chance?

Freddie

When Andreas rejected me seven years ago, I returned to Canada a broken man. Eventually, I picked up the pieces and built something to be proud of. Then, gorgeous Andreas struts back into my life. I'm determined to maintain a professional façade, but I can't help hoping he might be willing to take another chance on us.

Persuadable is a 15k word gay romance novella about impressionable young men, second chances, and the magic of one Canadian night.