Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

for us."
    "But…"
    Jaime took a step closer to Shane and placed a finger on his lips, silencing any further protestations.
    "And the answer to your second question? Why? Well, that is a little more complicated. Help me spread out the blanket so we can sit down and I can explain. Tell you everything. Including how much I love you despite your fucking jealous streak."
    Shane felt as though his heart had just leapt out of his chest. With trembling hands he helped spread out the blanket and then carefully took a seat next to his lover. Jaime began slowly, his voice low but sure.
    "First I have to apologize to you Shane. You were right to suspect that Jim's intentions weren't exactly on the up and up. He was trying to make a move on me. After you left…" Jaime's voice faltered for a moment, pain evident in his expression as he went on. "After I sent you away, he tried to "comfort" me. Christ, I was so blind."
    Shane reached over and took Jaime's hand in his, letting the other man feel his love…his forgiveness. Jaime turned and gave him a hesitant smile, then clearing his throat as if to push back the rising emotion, he continued speaking.
    "I thought he was just being nice despite the fact that you had just knocked him on his ass. Every day he asked me if I had heard from you. When he found out I was living with Ryan and Tom he somehow got the idea that I was going to leave you. That's when he called you and lied about my wanting to move out. Then I realized he had made plans that included seducing me and having me move in with him."
    Shane gritted his teeth trying to push down the anger that was coursing through him. For a moment he was tempted to speak, but Jaime was continuing, so he clamped down on the murderous vision of Jim Hadrian's restaurant burning to the ground with him inside and tried to focus on Jaime's words.
    "When I figured out just what Jim had done, I tried to get a hold of you but you weren't taking any calls and your cell phone was going directly to voice mail. Then Ryan took pity on me and came after you. And I'm really glad he did."
    Jaime squeezed his hand and shuffled his body closer, resting his shoulder next to Shane's. The two sat for a moment staring out at the ocean, letting the peaceful calm grow between them.
    "You don't ever have to doubt my love, Shane. You are everything to me. Our life together is the most important thing in my life." Jaime paused to let the impact of his words sink into Shane's heart and mind. Then he continued. "Do you know why I've been working so hard to learn everything I can about the restaurant business?"
    Shane could barely speak as the raw emotion of love clogged his throat. Dumbly he shook his head, staring into Jaime's eyes, barely breathing for fear of losing this fragile peace that covered them.
    "Because I have a dream of owning my own place one day. Then I can…"
    Shane broke in, trying to reassure Jaime of his determination to see that dream come true as well.
    "I know Jaime. I do. And that's why I'm working so hard. I want you to have your dream baby, I do…"
    Once again Jaime placed two fingers over Shane's mouth, stopping his words.
    "Shhh, let me finish Shaney. You always want to jump in and control things, run things. It's okay just to listen for once. To let me be the one to fix something."
    Shane blushed and hung his head in shame. Jaime was right, he was always rushing in, messing things up when all he had to do was wait and trust Jaime to set things right. Jaime drew his chin up and looked him in the eye. His smile told Shane that despite his mistakes, Jaime loved him, forgave him. Shane turned his face into Jaime's palm and kissed his hand.
    "I work so hard for you, Shane. I work hard to earn enough so that one day you can leave the job that you hate and become the artist you've always wanted to be. My dream is to see your dream come true Shane. Because I love you. And I want nothing more in this world than to see you happy."
    Tears flowed down Jaime's face. Shane reached over and brushed them away and closed the distance between them. The kiss was gentle, loving and full of promises that spoke of a life together, a love that was lasting. Shane pulled back and silently reached for the button on Jaime's shorts. His lover watched as he opened it and slowly slid down the zipper. Shane smiled as he saw that familiar naked flesh…Jaime was going commando. Gently, almost reverently he drew out Jaime's cock and lovingly stroked it up and down a