When they got into the apartment, Fabian tried to steer Ryan toward the bedroom. “You need to rest,” he said.
“I know. But first...” Ryan pointed at the kitchen stools, and Fabian quickly got the message and climbed up to sit on one. From this height, Ryan could kiss him without bending or having to lift Fabian.
“I missed you,” Ryan said when they broke apart.
“Me too. I’m sorry about your back.”
“I think it’s getting better.”
“Good.” Fabian was dying to ask Ryan about his supposed meltdown last season, but he knew now wasn’t the time. Instead he said, “Let’s get you lying down, and then I’ll give you your present.”
“Uh, I can’t do anything, you know. So if your plan is to—”
“No,” Fabian said, and kissed him again. “As much as I’d love to get my mouth on every inch of your body right now, that’s not what I meant. Go lie down. I’ll just grab my bag.”
Ryan pulled a slim, festively wrapped box from the top drawer of his dresser and waited nervously for Fabian to return. While he waited he gently twisted and stretched his back. Fuck, it hurt.
“It’s just a little thing,” Fabian said when he entered the bedroom. “I saw it at the farmer’s market in Halifax and I thought you might like it.”
He handed Ryan a soft package that looked like it had been hastily wrapped in red paper with green Christmas trees all over it. Ryan set the slim box he’d been holding on top of the dresser, and opened the present.
“It’s hand woven,” Fabian said excitedly. “The man who made it was a sweetheart, and I love the colors.”
It was a long, wool scarf that was made up of a splashy blend of jewel tones. Ryan immediately wrapped it around his neck and smiled at his reflection in the mirror. He didn’t normally wear bright colors, and he liked how it transformed him.
“I love it,” he said honestly. “It reminds me of you.”
“A bit of color never hurt anybody.” Fabian smiled, then went up on his toes to kiss Ryan’s jaw. “It suits you.”
“Thank you. I have something for you too. I hope it’s not too much. I don’t have a lot of experience buying gifts for men I’m dating.”
“Well, let’s see how you did,” Fabian teased as he took the box. When he opened it, he gasped. “Ryan, are theseMikimoto pearls?”
“Maybe? I forget the name.”
“Holy fuck. Ryan, are you serious here?”
“If you don’t like it I can—”
“Like it? Ryan, it’sgorgeous.” He carefully pulled the long, white-gold chain from the box. The necklace was dotted with black pearls and tiny diamonds.
“I thought it would look good with that black jumpsuit you have.”
“God, itwill. I can’t believe this. Is this really for me? I own this now?”
Ryan laughed. “It’s yours. The lady at the store was really excited about it. She assured me my ‘wife’ would love it.”
“Shedoeslove it. I want to put it on, but it won’t go with this sweater.”
“You could take the sweater off,” Ryan suggested. “And...everything else?”
Fabian smiled seductively at him. “You’re supposed to be resting.”
“My eyes still work.”
“Lie down, darling. Let me model this for you.”
Fabian stripped off his clothes and Ryan got as comfortable as he could on the bed. When he was fully naked, Fabian slipped the chain over his head, then groaned orgasmically. “I feel like a mermaid.Realjewelry! I’ve never owned real jewelry.” He admired himself in the mirror. “Oh, Ryan, it’sstunning. You have exquisite taste.”
