A Special Kind of Perfect

CHAPTER 11

"Ezra asked me to go on a date with him. It will be our first date, and I don't know what to do, how..." Peyton paced around the room in a visible state of agitation.

"Aren't you the luckiest bastard from all the lucky bastards out there? Congrats, dude. You'll get laid! I know for sure because my cousin asked me to help him find the best location for your date." Alasdair grinned, making quotation signs into the air. "Ezra is the best. He wants to make your first time a memorable one. Of course, I didn't tell you anything." The redhead winked, the grin replaced with a mischievous smile.

"I don't understand your enthusiasm about what will be the last time I'll see your cousin. I don't know how I'll live without seeing Ezra or talk to him. I..." Peyton was on the verge of crying, their voice small and shaky.

"Whoa, my friend, slow down a bit and make me understand, please! I would give almost anything to get the same attention from Ardan. Don't get me wrong, he's the greatest kisser on the face of the Earth, and his touches, although gentle and sweet, set my skin on fire, but nothing compares with the sensation of completion making love with your one and only offers..." Alasdair spoke in a faraway voice, sighing dreamily.

"I've wanted to be with Ezra from the first day we met each other. I've dreamed about this moment for the last two years, but I had to accept some dreams are just that. You, of all people, should know what I'm talking about." Peyton covered their face with both hands as their voice died down.

"Yes, I know what, or rather who, we're talking about. It's Ezra, who adores the ground you're walking on and who would rather die than hurt you in any way. Trust me, my friend, everything will be alright. You and that cousin of mine are a match made in heaven. The two of you will make love, then he'll go down on one knee and ask your hand in marriage. Fifty years from now, you and Ezra will still be together, living happily ever after."

Peyton's heart thumped against their chest, wrenching in pain at the thought that the moment they dreaded for the past two years had finally come. They tried to avoid it, to win a little more time, to enjoy Ezra's company for as much as it was possible, but the story had come to an end before even starting.

Benjamin's son innocently believed that was their first date, when in fact it was the last, Peyton thought, saddened. After tonight, they are going to sink into a sea of loneliness and despair because there was no way Ezra would want to ever see them again, not after they confess the shameful secret hidden inside their body.

For the moment, however, the young Bloom enjoyed Peyton's company, taking their hand between his own, slowly rubbing circles in the palm with the pad of his thumb, a sweet, ethereal smile on his beautiful face. Then he took their hand to their lips, covering it with butterfly kisses.

Peyton looked around at the elegant, lavishly furnished bedroom of the most luxurious hotel's presidential suit. Ezra chose the location hoping that he would finally make love to the one he had feelings for. But, when he saw their naked body, Peyton thought, disgust will be written all over his face.

"I'm sorry," Ezra whispered, making the other one flinch. "Sorry for being such a mess for such a long time, sorry for you putting up with my melancholic, suicidal, moody, whiny self. I'm sorry for not seeing how wonderful, patient, loving and supportive you were and still are, sorry for not dating you earlier."

"Don't be." Peyton's voice shook when they spoke. "It's not worth worrying or blaming yourself over the things you can't control. And, since we're here, I think you deserve better than me. Way better." They lowered their gaze.

"Why are you saying that?" Ezra cupped the other one's face with both hands, caressing their deliciously pink cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.

Then the young Bloom's lips slid over Peyton's own, gently capturing and massaging them, treating his partner's mouth with the same care he would have treated a work of art. Ezra wanted to be passionate, to drink the other one dry, to leave them wanting for more, begging to be taken, but somehow, in a corner of his mind, he knew Peyton wasn't ready.