Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 6

almost all the way then shoved back in, his pounding aggressive and wild. "Fuck, Ryan. You drive me crazy. I love you so much."
    "Oh God, Jesse, feel me, feel that." Ryan's body trembled, his ass squeezed as the beginning of his orgasm stole his breath. "Jesse!"
    Behind him, Jesse jerked and groaned as he spilled his seed deep into Ryan. Ryan dropped to the table, more exhausted than ever. Jesse pulled out, leaving behind a bit of pain but Ryan didn't mind the soreness.
    Jesse's hands smoothed down Ryan's back, gently grazing over his rear. "I love you."
    Ryan stood and spun around, dizziness almost made him drop but he grabbed onto Jesse and held steady. He cupped Jesse's jaw, dropping kisses on his chin. "Babe, I love you too. I'm sorry dinner is late."
    They straightened their clothes and worked together in the kitchen, preparing spaghetti and a salad. When they sat at the table, Jesse sighed.
    "Bad day?" Ryan asked.
    "Just stressful."
    "You want to talk about it?"
    "No, yes, I don't know. I'm tired of bitching about my job. Seems that's all I do."
    "Babe, your job is tough. I don't envy you and I certainly don't mind when you need to blow off steam."
    Jesse chuckled, "I'm going to have to fire some people. It pisses me off but it does help to come home and bang your ass hard."
    Ryan blushed, "Yeah, you don't hear me complaining."
    Jesse reached out and took Ryan's hand. "We're good together."
    Two years ago when they'd had their first date, every one of Jesse's friends bet against them staying together for more than a few weeks. Ryan still struggled as an artist, and while his job at the coffee shop paid his part of the bills for the most part, Jesse picked up the tab more often than not. Jesse worked in corporate America as an executive vice president, the youngest at his company. They were totally different yet their relationship thrived.
    "You able to get off at the end of March?" Jesse asked.
    "Yeah, though I still feel a bit strange about the arrangements."
    "Babe, I want to take a vacation."
    Ryan stood to clear away the mess, wishing he hadn't said anything. Jesse jumped up behind him, and took the plates, depositing them on the counter.
    "Listen, Ryan, I know the income thing bugs you, but please don't do this, not right now."
    Normally money wasn't a big deal. They lived lean, which Jesse supported, but going to Hawaii was way out of Ryan's budget. Jesse said he didn't mind paying but the trip was too much. He knew what Jesse's friends would say, had said about Ryan mooching off of him, but Jesse swore it didn't bug him.
    "I... I know... Fuck, Jesse, I love you so much. I don't want this to be an issue."
    "Then don't make it one. So what if I pay for the vacation? I'm happy to take you to Hawaii. I want to do this. I want us to be together for a long time."
    Ryan did too. He had plans, big ones involving Hawaii and something beyond special.
    "I can't believe you even fell in love with me. I'm hard and brash. I'm impatient and demanding. I'm a jerk at times but you are so perfect. Why would you ever love me?"
    Ryan wove his fingers through Jesse's hair, pulling him close. "Babe, I'm not perfect. I forget to make dinner all the time. I have a crap job–"
    "But you're working on your art and you have the gallery showing in six months."
    "Yeah, but I'll never be successful like you. It's a small gallery, not much really."
    "Come here." Jesse pulled him into a tight hug, kissing his neck and rubbing his back. "I love you. Don't ever forget it."
    Ryan held on tight, wondering if he'd made the right decision to buy the rings. They were good together but would Jesse take it wrong when Ryan asked him to marry him on the first night in Hawaii? They hadn't really talked about marriage, not for them. God, he was probably making a huge mistake. What would Jesse say when he popped the question? Would he say yes? Ryan hoped so.
    After cleaning up the kitchen they cuddled on the couch watching TV. Ryan drifted off to sleep twice before Jesse declared the end of the day. Together they headed to the bedroom, but Jesse stopped at the door, his body going rigid behind Ryan's.
    "Did you take another nap today?" Jesse's voice sounded harsh to Ryan's ears.
    "Um, yeah. I was just tired."
    Jesse pushed him up against the door, holding Ryan still, searching his face for something. "That's three times this week."
    "I'm sorry."
    "Don't apologize."
    Ryan shrugged. "I thought you were angry."
    "No, not at you. At me for not seeing