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Janice squeezed our grouped hands before the women released us. “Now, could you comely gentlemen fetch these ladies some drinks? We’re parched from all the dancing.”
Henry bowed just a little, grinning. “Happy to, m’lady. What’re you having?” he asked, slipping behind the bar.
I took a step back to observe, feeling my heart swelling for this beautiful man I loved.
Tonight couldn’t be more perfect.
***
By nine pm, everyone had shuffled off to bed. Thank the stars that older adults preferred early bedtimes, because I was exhausted.
Everyone had seemed to enjoy the evening immensely, and I felt infinitely grateful for that. And honored to be a part of it.
Rita, Janice, and Maxwell made sure to stop by and remind me of their promise to help Henry with the event before they left. I told them I’d catch up with them the next time I came in, which was scheduled for Wednesday. I spent Mondays and Tuesdays with Henry now. It was basically his weekend, and though the bar was closed, temporarily, Henry had said he wanted to keep our routine going.
The Troublemaker Trio sauntered off with tired but happy smiles. I knew the feeling.
Henry sent me away with strict orders to get off my feet while he finished loading up the back of his truck with items to be donated the next day.
The man was a keeper.
Natasha slumped to the staff break room couch beside me. She’d changed out of her formal wear into an uncharacteristic T-shirt and jeans when most of the residents had retired to their rooms. “Whew, I’m exhausted. Who knew throwing events like this would be so much work?”
I sheepishly raised my hand, and she smacked me with a throw pillow. “Smart-ass.” She slid down until her head was resting on the low back, legs splayed out in front of her.
The position looked comfortable, so I mimicked the move.
“I really appreciate you helping with special events like this, you know,” Natasha offered, her tone tired but happy. “You’ve seriously saved me from losing my mind. Plus, you’re good at this sort of stuff.”
I felt my cheeks warming. “Thanks. I actually love it. I know I spend a lot of my time with Henry now, but before we got together, I was really lonely. This place helped.”
I felt Natasha’s hand reach for mine then close around my fingers, squeezing once before releasing me. “I’m glad you found him. He seems amazing for you.”
“He really is.”
We fell into a comfortable silence, and I worried that Natasha had fallen asleep before she spoke again. “Well, I’m gonna head out. Henry taking you home?”
I sighed, sore but proud of everything we’d accomplished today. “Yep.”
With grunts like we were older than our years, we pushed to standing, said our good nights, then headed home.
***
As promised, the residents of Lakeside Tranquility did some of the legwork for the Pride in the Mix event with my direction and some great ideas of their own. When I told Henry a week later that things were falling into place and he didn’t have to worry, his shoulders visibly fell, and he started crying. I held him as he let it all out, and no sooner had he stopped crying that his phone rang with good news: According to Curtis Atherby, Mix It Up had been cleared of all suspected infractions and would be allowed to reopen the next day.
After a massive sigh of relief and a fresh wave of tears—a release he desperately needed and absolutely deserved—Henry decided to wait until the weekend to open the doors so we had time to get everything in place.
We made a million phone calls then, one of which was to Rowan, who seemed to have finally gotten to the bottom of things and had promised Henry a full download at lunch tomorrow, if he could come. My man invited me along, too, so I could hear the story from the source. I eagerly agreed.
Henry also worked with Ben to schedule staff for the reopening weekend—most were ecstatic to be back to work, so they had no problem filling the roster.
Following all that and a light dinner, Henry and I fell into bed, frotting because we couldn’t be bothered to take the time to prep. After he’d wiped us down with a warm cloth, I traced each and every one of his nineteen tattoos with my lips and tongue, worshipping his body as I explored every inch. Some of the large art pieces mixed with smaller tattoos were fully separate while some blended into others, but every one was done in black ink. Among the birds, leaves, vines, and flowers were a few choice words and quotes scattered between. I found them all intoxicating.
By the time his dick had recovered from his first orgasm, I was eager to taste him again, so I sucked him dry. After he’d returned the favor and we’d collapsed side by side on the sheets, I grasped his hand and intertwined our fingers as we caught our breath.
Henry’s deep voice broke the silence once our breathing had quieted. “I think I want to get another tattoo. Make it an even twenty.”
Because my heart had stopped racing, I could move again, so I rolled to my side and propped my head up on my hand. I studied him as I asked, “Really?”
