Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

across the length of the loveseat, Ryan pressed a hand against his chest.
    "No, take me in our bed. Where we belong, will always belong," he said.
    Smiling, Xavier rose and tugged Ryan to his feet, and they went together to their bedroom. The rest of the night drifted away with sounds of their lovemaking.
    CHAPTER 3
    Two weeks later, dressed in a simple striped shirt with sleeves rolled to his elbows and tight jeans, Xavier paced across the wing of the stage. The wait irritated him. He needed to let the various stagehands change out the instruments and amplifiers to acoustic between the sets. It was his fault for insisting on the change of instruments and the pause in the concert. He paused long enough to pull a long sip of cool water to soothe his throat.
    As always the first set of the concert went fantastic. The crowd was on high and into the music. Then venue was on the small side and intimate. His truest fans were sitting in the seats waiting for him to continue the concert.
    It was time for him to change up the concert. He would give them new music. A special song of his heart.
    Strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind and he felt Ryan press against his back. Xavier lowered his head and covered Ryan's clasped hands with his own.
    "Nervous?"
    "For the first time in my life as a singer, yes."
    "You're strong. You can sing our song."
    "Once I do this, there is no turning back for us. We can't hide our love and relationship in the shadows."
    "I'm standing right next to you, Xavier. My heart is with you on the stage."
    Spinning slow in Ryan's arms, Xavier crooked a finger under Ryan's chin and lifted it. He stared deep into Ryan's beautiful, loving gaze. "Whatever did I do to deserve your steady, unwavering love and support these last five years?"
    "You opened the door."
    "To my heart."
    "I'll keep it safe." Ryan placed his fingers against Xavier's chest. "Now. Go sing our song and reveal the truth. It's time for us to come out of the shadows."
    Dipping down, Xavier captured Ryan's lips for a long, deep kiss. "I love you, Ryan Thomas."
    "I love you, doofus."
    Chuckling, Xavier turned and sauntered toward the stage. He took the headset microphone from one of the stagehands and set it in place.
    "Did everyone miss me?" he called out to the crowd as the spotlight hit him.
    The crowd erupted with applause and cheers as they saw him return to the stage, knowing there would be more music. They all watched as he picked up the beautiful acoustic guitar, slung the strap over his shoulder, and strolled downstage to where the lone stool waited for him.
    "I take it that means yes," Xavier teased while he settled on the stool and positioned the guitar. He set one foot on a higher step than the other to brace the guitar and his weight. "Okay. Ready to indulge me in this change to acoustic? You know this is how I love to premiere new songs to everyone. Test them out on some of my favorite guinea pigs."
    More cheers and roars greeted his announcement.
    "This first one is for someone special in my life. My lover and boyfriend, Ryan, who inspired me to write about our love and life. I hope everyone else can relate to the lyrics. Here is the new one, My Lover ." Xavier started strumming the first few notes before the crowd reacted to the simple announcement.
    As his powerful voice lifted over the single guitar of the first verse, the rest of the band joined in the song. Looking away from the crowd, Xavier stared at Ryan while he sang to him, sang about their love, about their dreams, and everything in his soul.
    When the song drifted away over the crowd, Xavier looked down at the guitar before lifting his gaze to face the crowd. They were on their feet, stomped and applauded their powerful response to the song. He glanced at Ryan, who smiled and waved his hands in triumphant joy. It was at that perfect moment he knew it would be all right and continued to play on this joyous, reveling night.
    THE END
    Author bio: Ever the quiet one growing up, Nicole Dennis often slid away from reality and curled up with a book to slip into the worlds of her favorite authors. Since then, she's had a fascination with fantasy, paranormal and the never-ending appeal and beauty of romance. It seems only natural all of these loves would come together in her writing from simple stories for her dolls until the summer when her aunt introduced her to romance novels. What a world that opened.
    It's been non-stop since that hot New Jersey summer. It's