The Current Between Us

“Bare-chested,” Trent said with a smile.

“Good, that’s the way I dream it. Did the department store come out today and get you ready for tonight?” Gage asked. He brought Trent’s knuckles up for a quick kiss as he spoke and it warmed Trent’s heart as he watched Gage’s lips on his skin.

“Yes, but, Gage, seriously, I should’ve paid for it. They told me when we were making arrangements they would let me pay, but once it was over they wouldn’t let me. I tried to send the stuff back, they wouldn’t allow it. You shouldn’t be buying our clothes,” Trent said, with Gage still only inches from his face, and he reached in kissing Trent’s lips softly again.

“Shhh… I told you, it was a favor to me. I got some great deals you wouldn’t have gotten. Did Rhonny and Em like their selections?” Gage asked.

“Are you kidding? I’m not sure either of them took their dresses off for the rest of the night. Em might still be wearing hers to bed and Rhonny looks like some kind of exotic supermodel. I had no idea she could look like that. I’ll be playing dad all night, I’m sure,” Trent said.

“Good! What about Hunter? Did he pick a suit? What did he pick?” Gage asked. He seemed genuinely excited.

“Black and white, like mine,” Trent said, smiling.

“Good. You’ll all look stunning. I’m glad. You deserve it,” Gage said, kissing his knuckles again.

“I’ll pick you up about six tomorrow night. The opening begins at seven. We need to get there on time,” Gage said.

“I can drive us. You don’t have to come out here,” Trent said.

“No, I want to. I have a special car for the kid’s tomorrow night.”

“Gage, you’re doing too much.” Trent shook his head no as he spoke.

“No, I’m not, Trent. Please just let me do this,” Gage said.

“The kids won’t be able to stay too late. I need to be able to take them home early, and you can’t leave your own grand opening to take us home.”

“I thought I’d have a driver bring Rhonny and the kid’s home early. You can stay with me for the evening, right? I want you to be there with me, by my side, through the entire night. I know it’s asking a lot. There will be so many people coming and going all night. The RSVPs are up to five hundred guests,” Gage said.

“That’s great. Isn’t that great?” Trent asked.

“Yeah, it’s only my work on display tomorrow night. No one else’s; I’m just surprised.” Gage laid his head on the side of Trent’s seat, staying within the confines of Trent’s personal space.

“I’m not surprised. You’re a big deal, Gage.”

“I don’t know. We’ll see what the sales turn out to be. I’m not so sure, but The Gallery looks good, so much better than I dreamed. Thank you for doing so much,” Gage added, smiling again.

“It’s my job. You paid me to do it,” Trent said.

“No, I watched you. You were careful with everything, making changes as they were needed. The panel box alone should have set us way back. Thank you,” Gage said again.

“I was glad to do it, but I need to get back inside. If Em or Hunter wakes…”

“All right, one more kiss,” Gage said, wrapping his arms around Trent, pulling him forward for the kiss. This time Gage took his time and Trent melted into him. The kiss reached out and touched his soul like the man sitting next to him did every time he did these unexpected things. When they parted, Trent knew some of his soul was left behind, given to Gage during the kiss. Trent tried so hard to keep Gage in his place. Keep him at arm’s length, but it wasn’t working. In just a few days, Gage made his way solidly inside his heart and could own it if he wanted it.

“Be careful going home,” he said, smiling when he finally opened his eyes. Gage still right there in his face, coming in for another soft kiss.

“I will. Thank you for this afternoon and for coming out tonight,” Gage said, kissing him again on the lips.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Trent’s hand was on the door handle when Gage pulled him back for one last soft kiss.

“Goodnight, handsome. Dream of me, I’ll be dreaming of you,” Gage added, grinning that sexy smile.

“I will. I’ll see you in the morning,” Trent said, opening the door and sliding out. Gage didn’t leave until he got safely inside the house, with the door shut and locked from the inside.

Chapter 16

“Daddy, my socks match my dress,” Em said, walking into his bedroom completely dressed, her hair bouncing with soft curls. Sophia had come by to help tonight. She’d brushed Em’s hair until it shined, then used hot rollers giving it an extra lift, or so they told him in great detail as the rollers were being put in her hair. Her little dress was pink satin organza and both her lacy socks and shoes matched perfectly. “I want to get married in this dress. I think I look like a princess, Daddy.”

“I do too, Emalynn. How’s Hunter doing?” Trent asked, tying his tie in the mirror.

“He’s coming. Auntie Crazy is brushing his hair with gel, and he’s making faces in the mirror,” Em said, standing very still in the middle of the room to avoid wrinkling her dress.

“I bet he is,” Trent said, pushing the knot up and laying the collar down.

“Knock, knock,” Rhonny said from the doorway. Trent turned and stopped what he was doing, not at all prepared for how striking she looked in her new clothes. He usually saw her in jeans, a T-shirt and her long hair tied in a knot on top of her head, now she stood in front of him as a glamorous supermodel ready to take on the runway in the navy blue, deep V-neck sequin evening dress. She looked way too sexy and all his parental instincts kicked in.

“Rhonny you look beautiful, too!” Em said and jumped up and down.