Guess there’s no time like the present to make the introduction. I make a mental note to check in with Conrad about it later—even if he shuts me down immediately.
After a round of celebratory tequila shots, Conrad fires up the grill, getting started on the burgers, while Sterling and I head inside to cut up the fruits and veggies and get the side dishes ready. When I started planning this party, I originally thought to have it at my house. There’s plenty of room, especially outside, but Conrad insisted we have it here. He comes off grumpy more often than not, but I know he enjoys having us all together.
This ranch goes back in his family several generations. When his folks died a few years ago, Conrad took over the responsibility and has run it ever since. He’s an only child, and from my understanding, doesn’t have any remaining family left around here. His grandma is still alive, I’m pretty sure, but she lives in Greece, and has for many years. If I had to guess, Conrad enjoys having us all here because it gives him a sense of family he doesn’t have anymore. I’d imagine it gets lonely out here all by himself.
Once the food is done, we all sit around the bonfire, eating, drinking, and chatting. Glancing around the huge circle of usall, my chest squeezes, seeing everybody who’s here for Xander. The way they accepted him so easily. But how could they not? He’s incredible. He’s sitting over by Whit currently, a paper plate topped high with food resting on top of his thighs as he talks animatedly to Whit and Reggie. I can tell by the wide grin on his face, and the fierce way he’s using his hands, he’s telling them all about the new dispensary.
After we all eat, it doesn’t take long for the rowdy cowboys to come out and play. The sun sets, the music cranks up, and the liquor flows freely. I’m smoking a cigarette when Xander comes over to me, a goofy grin tipping up on my lips.
“Hi, boyfriend.”
Xander sniggers, pulling out a joint, and placing it between his teeth, lighting it. “Hey, boyfriend.”
“Having fun?”
I hold my arm out, silently telling him tocome here. He does, pressing a quick, soft kiss to the side of my neck. Goosebumps blossom immediately, and my body awakens for him.
“I am,” he confirms, voice raspy. “Thank you for doing this.”
“It’s no big deal.” I shrug.
Pulling back enough to meet my eyes, he arches a thick, dark brow at me. “It’s not no big deal. It means a lot to me, Cope.”
I nod, emotion suddenly thick in my throat. What we have is still so new, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to jump feet first into the deep end anyway. The way I feel about Xander, I’ve never felt before. Everything about him, and about us, feels so undeniably right.
Clearing my throat, I say quietly, “Well, I’m really glad you’re here.”
A soft smile grows on his face as he leans in. “Me too,” he whispers before capturing my lips in a kiss that warms my entire body.
His tongue licks along the seam of my lips. When I part them, he dips inside, and I can taste the sweet, earthy flavor of his weed mixed with a taste that is all Xander. One of his arms snakes around my middle, as I bring one of mine up to wrap around the nape of his neck, fingers brushing the soft curls sitting there. We fit together, physically and otherwise, perfectly. Like he was made specifically for me, and vice versa.
Xander breaks the kiss first, our foreheads rested against one another as we breathe each other in. Blame it on the excitement from today, the liquor I’ve consumed, or the arousal and need vibrating through my body, but I’m spilling words before I can stop myself.
“Move in with me.”
His eyes fly open, widening comically as he peers up at me. “What?”
A pang of nervousness unfurrows in my gut, but I shove it away. “You heard me,” I reply with a smirk, pulling back to take in his expression.
A deer in headlights…that’s how Xander looks right now. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing at how adorable he looks, taken by surprise for the second time tonight.
“Cope…that’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?”
“Y-yes,” he stutters. Even with the daylight nearly gone, I can see the flush on his cheeks.
Quirking a brow, I ask, “Why?”
“Because…” Xander breathes out a laugh. “Because we’re new, and that’s insane. People don’t move in together after knowing each other for, like, five months.”
“Sure, they do,” I counter. “And if it feels right, who cares? I don’t know about you, but every single thing about you and me has always felt right.”
His features soften at that. “They have for me too.”
“Okay, so, move in with me, city boy.”
Rolling his eyes at the nickname, he fists my shirt, pulling me in for another kiss. This one’s quick, over entirely too soon. After being away from him for weeks and weeks, I really was a dumbass bringing him straight here instead of taking him somewhere where we could be alone for a while. I’m craving a repeat of the last time we were together. And him being inside of me. Maybe both in the same session.Oh, that could be fun.
