Page 13 of A Sugary Life

Shay realized he wore a huge grin. He was in love with life. “Yaro has two husbands. I doubt he’s horrified over a bottle of lube, but it came sealed in a nondescript box.”

“Thank God.” His expression turned wicked. He ran his hands up Shay’s thighs and under his shorts. “Tell me more about the ways you plan to make me feel good.”

Shay smirked. He slithered down the bed, taking Phoenix’s shorts with him, leaving Phoenix nude. Shay tossed them aside before peeling off his shorts. Once unclothed, Shay leapt through the air like taking Phoenix down in a wrestling ring. A loud laugh burst from Phoenix. The sound died on a moan as their naked bodies came together.

Phoenix took a shaky breath. “You’re right. All you have to do is touch me and I’m ready to fly.”

Shay was onboard. He kissed and petted Phoenix until they were both panting. He moved against Phoenix. Shay couldn’t stop. Phoenix kept making mewling sounds that had his dick throbbing, and the friction felt too good to quit.

“Shay.”

The sound of his name whispered in the perfect tone dragged a moan from Shay. “Goddamn. I’m so fucking in love with you.” Shay kissed Phoenix without giving him a chance to return the words. He couldn’t hear anyhow. His pulse pounded in his ears. He couldn’t catch his breath. Every muscle strained, and he knew he was seconds away from blowing.

Phoenix cried out and cum slickened the space between them.

Shay’s entire body spasmed. He whined his way through an orgasm that made him see spots. When Shay collapsed, he rolled slightly to stop from crushing Phoenix. He kept Phoenix pinned beneath his leg and arm. Shay wasn’t ready for Phoenix to get away.

He tried to speak through gasping for air. “Next time, I swear, we’ll break open that lube.”

A loud laugh burst from Phoenix, making Shay smile.

Phoenix hugged his arm. “I don’t give a shit if we never need it.” He sounded winded as hell. “That was amazing. Maybe we just aren’t meant for penetrative sex.” Phoenix’s arm rose and fell, smacking Shay as he returned to hugging Shay’s arm. “That was not lacking.”

Shay couldn’t stop smiling at how worn out and satisfied Phoenix looked. Everything about them was beautiful. A dream come true.

Chapter Seven

As always, Phoenix spent the day moving between the pantry and the ovens. People came and went. They all grabbed a snack, and some stayed to chat. Phoenix was pretty certain he hadn’t stopped smiling all day. He glowed with happiness, and every step felt like gliding on a cloud.

As his shift ended, Phoenix cleaned and returned everything to its place. On his final exit from the pantry, Phoenix found a cardboard box waiting for him. An envelope was taped to the top. He smiled like a fool as he opened the envelope. A familiar-looking magazine recipe with a sticky note stuck to it was all that was inside. The page that had been ripped from an old magazine was a picture of an elaborate wedding cake. The note read, “You gave this to me when we were ten. You said I had to hang on to it because you would make this exact cake for our wedding. I bought you all the ingredients.”

Phoenix’s smile grew as he dug inside the box. Shay hadn’t been joking. He hadn’t missed a thing, even the tools he needed to decorate. Phoenix couldn’t believe he had kept that picture. Damn. He was just amazing.

Giggling snagged his attention.

Phoenix froze and strained to hear. Whispers and more giggling came from around the corner. Tobie stepped into view and carried Phoenix a yellow rose. “For you.”

Phoenix dropped to one knee and hugged Tobie as he accepted. “Thank you. It’s so pretty.”

Tobie kissed his cheek and then dashed to Graham’s side as he stepped into sight. He held a red rose.

“For you.” His mischievous little grin made Phoenix laugh.

“Thank you. I love it.”

He, too, accepted Phoenix’s hug without struggling. Before he moved away, Shay appeared with a bouquet of white roses.

Phoenix bit his bottom lip, trying to rein in his excitement. “Hey.” Even to his ears, he sounded thrilled to see Shay.

Shay pulled Phoenix to his feet and dropped to one knee. He held the roses out. “For the love of my life.”

Phoenix took the bouquet and put the other roses with it before holding it against his chest. By the time he finished fussing with the flowers, Shay held out a ring.

“It’s been us against the world since we were eight. What do you say? Are you willing to tie yourself to me for life?”

Phoenix used the flowers to hide the way he beamed with happiness. “Yes.” He bounced a little. The boys hopped in place and clapped as Shay stood and stole a quick kiss. Phoenix stared down at the ring and showed it to the boys. He had never been happier in his life. Phoenix had dreamed, hoped, and prayed. Shay had always been his, but there had been times when he had been scared shitless Shay would find some girl and leave him behind with nothing but the shattered pieces of his heart. He couldn’t handle that. Being here, wearing a ring, and holding Shay’s hand felt like a fever dream. He was terrified he would wake up any minute.

Pytor and Yaro appeared at the top of the steps.