Juniper Blue (NaNoWriMo2023; manxman)

Chapter 27

Juniper

When I visited Gabriel in Brooklyn and saw his bedroom, I realized there were things I didn't know about him. For one, I didn't know he played the trumpet and was an MVP two years in a row for the high school jazz band. Second, I didn't know he was valedictorian of his high school class, which didn't surprise me. I didn't even know he played soccer. He rarely talked about his parents, only that his father was a rabbi and he never told his parents he was gay. He alluded to all the bad choices he'd made in his life and the asshole boyfriends he'd dated over the years.

I tried to think of things I might have kept from him. I was sure there were things he didn't know about me, despite my tendency to talk incessantly. I realized I rarely spoke about my mother, although he'd asked about her and he had the unfortunate experience of meeting her. After visiting Gabriel, I returned to Maine, wondering if I was ready to get married. I'd always hoped I'd settle down, and as I got older I didn't think it would never happen because I found it too hard to connect with someone, but then I stumbled upon Gabriel. Was I rushing into things just because I was afraid there was no one else out there?

But we'd been together for fifteen months, and I couldn't picture my life without him. When Gabriel initially left, I didn't wash my sheets for two weeks because I didn't want to wash away his scent; it was like washing him away entirely. I only washed my sheets when I spilled a glass of wine on them. It was red wine, too, so the sheets were unsalvageable.

My head pounded, yet I woke at the same time I always did. I wished I could sleep in like Gabriel could.

My body also ached in a way it hadn't ached in a while. It was a good ache, a sign Gabriel and I went at it for a long time. I fingered the pendant dangling from my neck. I could tell he put a lot of thought in this present. I smiled, rolling over to find Gabriel sleeping soundly, one arm draped over his forehead.

Propped on my elbow, I looked down at Gabriel. He hated it when I watched him sleep, but since he was out cold, I didn't care. I would have done it even if he was half awake. He hadn't shaved much over the past month, so he had a small, uneven beard growing. He'd either shave completely or neaten it before going back to work. It'd take me months to grow facial hair like his. I liked the way his face felt against my cheek and it made oral sex all the more pleasurable. I ran my finger along his jawline and over his lips.

As I looked down at him, I knew beyond a doubt that I loved him, and he loved me or else he wouldn't be here.

So where the hell was my ring?

Were we rushing things? I mean, he'd kept something huge from me for bizarre reasons, even though they weren't bizarre to him. We had a lot of things to discuss, but we had plenty of time. Besides, it could be fun prying information out of Gabriel, as long as it wasn't something as serious as his mother's progressive and hereditary illness.

"You're beautiful," I whispered in his ear, swinging my leg over his. "And sexy." He wasn't as sound asleep as I thought he was. He smiled as I kissed his earlobe.

"I hate it when you watch me sleep, but I'll take the compliments."

"What'd you do to me last night, anyway?" I asked, sliding my hand down his front.

"I did whatever you wanted me to. Aren't you hung over?" he yawned.

"A little," I said, kissing his neck. He gasped as I massaged his cock.

"You're fucking crazy," he said, yanking my arm, pulling me all the way on top of him. "You always liked morning sex."

Opening his legs with my knee, I tugged at his balls gently, bringing my lips to his. His kisses made me feel like I was the most important man, the most loved man, in the world. I hoped he'd always make me feel like this. Responding to his kisses, I dribbled lube on his hole before inserting a finger. He gasped quietly as I added a second one, biting down on my lower lip when I added a third. We kissed long and hard as I made my way inside him, his fists clenched at his sides. His body didn't relax until I was all the way inside him. With his legs around my waist, he welcomed my thrusts.