Anthony and Hunter started down the light pink and white gravel pathway leading to the beach when the younger of the pair stopped and turned to face his mate.

"What's wrong," Hunter asked.

"I was just thinking that I'd really love for our reunion to continue being just us and our family," Anthony said as his fingers gently caressed Hunter's soft hands.

The raven-haired male smiled and kissed his younger man's lips. "Whatever and wherever you want to do and go is where I'm gonna be," Hunter softly responded. He grinned as he was led to the enclosed pool and hot tub. Once inside, his and Anthony's arms wrapped around each other's waists. They were about to lean in for a kiss when he stopped and stared into his companion's eyes.

"What's wrong, Hunt," Anthony asked as he gazed into Hunter's mesmerizing baby blues.

Hunter smiled and lightly ran his thumb along the younger man's soft lips. "Nothing's wrong, Ant," he said. "I just want to tell you what's on my heart." He smiled as he followed his host to a round black metal table and matching armchairs. Then accepted the cold beer Anthony offered. The pair relaxed in the chairs and sipped their drinks.

Anthony decided to start off the conversation. "I think I know what the topic is, and correct me if I'm wrong," he took a breath and continued. "This is about your comment about not wanting to rush things."

Hunter nodded and closed his eyes. He sighed when his hands were gently caressed by Anthony's. "I am, have been, and always will be attracted to you, Anthony Robert Wilcox," he stated. "However, I don't want our future to start with us jumping into a sexual relationship. I want us to enjoy our reunion and take the time to work our way up to giving ourselves to each other, as we did as kids."

Anthony dried his and his love's tears, then said, "Hunter Taylor Bryant, I'm not gonna lie. My body is aching to make love with you, but I feel the same as you do. I believe that if we gave into our sex drives, it would lessen the climax and euphoria we'd experience if we waited till we were both ready on every level of our beings." He and Hunter smiled, whispered I love you in unison, and leaned forward to share the loving kiss Hunter had interrupted.

After they separated, Anthony grinned and lightly tickled his table mate's lower back where it met his ass. The raven-haired male jumped in his chair, his body squirmed as his toes flexed and curled, and his boyish squeals and giggles filled the glassed-in enclosure. The younger of the two chuckled as he slipped his feet from the flip-flops, quickly left his seat, stripped down to his underwear, and jumped into the pool. He giggled, splashed his raven-haired mate, then swam half the pool's length underwater. When he surfaced, the brunet yelped when the older man's arms wrapped around his waist, lifted him up and onto his shoulders. Anthony's legs and feet kicked against the rock-like chest and four-pack abs. His boisterous high-pitched laughter and squeals bounced off the wall of windows as his soles and toes were lightly tickled. Hunter giggled, ceased his tickle attack, lifted each foot to his lips, then softly kissed and licked each toe. The soft giggles and sighs his actions created delighted his ears.

The mid and late thirty-year-old men swam the length of the pool, wrestled, playfully splashed each other, and acted like their teenage sons or younger as they indulged their inner child until their phones alerted them to a new text message. They got out of the water, dried off, and threw their heads back in laughter when they read, "You've got five minutes before your Mom and Auntie come over there, put you over our knees, and tan your adorably cute hind parts." Anthony and Hunter shared a quick kiss before they finished their beer, got dressed, and jogged back to Stella's house with thirty seconds to spare.

"Anthony," Dottie said after swallowing a bite of lobster bisque. "Are you free, say, around seven-thirty or eight?"

"As far as I know, Mama," the brunet answered.

"Good, Doug and I would love to have you over for dinner," she paused to look at her son, then continued. "Unless Hunter disagrees," she said with a motherly smile.

Everyone giggled when Hunter excitedly nodded and said, "I think it's a great idea. I know the boys would be surprised. They love you and your music."

"Oh, before I forget, boys," Dottie said. "Elaine and I got the ball rolling with introducing the boys to each other."

Anthony and Hunter gazed into their mom's eyes. "Meaning," Anthony asked.

"Meaning, we used Skype and let our grandsons talk to each other. Before doing so, we told them not to disclose who their dads were. We also explained to them that we'd set you two up with the hope of a relationship starting that would lead to a possible future marriage."

Anthony and Hunter stared at the matriarch and then at each other. "Well," Hunter said, "that's one way of getting past any awkwardness." "True," Anthony stated, "I wish you and Mom waited to discuss that with us," he paused and smiled. Hunter continued. "However, we both know you two meant well and are grateful." The two men left their chairs, hugged both Dottie and Stella then returned to their plates.

After lunch, they all remained at the table, waiting for lunch to digest before having some of the homeowner's famous apple cinnamon pie. Anthony's and Hunter's hands were in constant contact, and their heads were on each other's shoulders.

"Okay, Mom, Auntie," Hunter said as he stretched and changed position in the chair. "What prompted you three to make this reunion happen?"

"Not that we're not grateful 'cause we are," Anthony expanded on his mate's query. "We're just curious about the timing and motivation."

"That's another reason I love you, Ant," Hunter said with a loving and proud smile. "You're way more eloquent with words than I am."

Anthony giggled, shook his head, and brought Hunter's hand up to his lips and kissed it. "You've got your moments, babe," he said.

"Well," Dottie started. "There are two reasons," she paused and looked at Stella, who nodded for the brunet to continue. "One reason is that your boys are gonna be grown and out of the house soon, and neither of you has that special someone to come home to at night."

Anthony and Hunter were teary-eyed and speechless at their mom's words.

Dottie reached out and grasped her boys' hands, then continued. "Elaine, Bob, Doug, and I knew that you two were meant to be a couple. We also knew you had separate paths to explore before sharing your lives as one." As soon as she stopped speaking, the emotional men were on either side of her, with their arms wrapped around her shoulders, shedding their tears, and kissing her cheeks.

"What was the second reason," Anthony asked as soon as he could speak again.

Stella closed her eyes and took a moment before speaking. "The second reason is my nephew Brent's lude, obnoxious behavior, and his escalating advances toward you. When Elaine and Dottie came to me and talked about how bad Brent's behavior had become, I was livid and couldn't sit around doing nothing, so we cooked up this little get-together."

Hunter's eyes never left Anthony's body, and he could feel the mixed emotions swirling around his heart's owner.

Tears shined in Anthony's eyes, "excuse me," he said before getting up and walking into the house.

"Don't worry, I got this," Hunter said, then went inside to find his mate. He found Anthony, in the living room, on the love seat with his head in his hands. "Ant," he whispered before sitting beside the emotional younger man.

Anthony turned, laid his head on Hunter's shoulder, and cried. "I..., never…"

"I know, babe," Hunter lovingly reassured his mate as his fingers stroked Anthony's hair. He smiled and gently lifted his boy's chin so they could gaze into each other's eyes. "I love and trust you wholeheartedly."

Anthony shivered at Hunter's touch. He smiled slightly as his dark-haired lover tenderly kissed his trembling lips and softly giggled when Hunter licked the trail of tears that stained his cheeks with the tip of his tongue. "I'm not afraid of Brent, but he freaks me out."

"If it's that bad, maybe you should take out a restraining order against this guy," Hunter said. Knowing someone was upsetting his soulmate angered him. However, he remained calm so that Anthony didn't feel like he was to blame for anything that happened because he wasn't. "Anthony, I'm not gonna be macho and step in to handle this situation with Brent. I know you don't want or need to be saved. I promise that if I see he's got you in a position where you can't defend yourself or walk away, I will do something and make him back off."

Anthony stared into Hunter's sparkling eyes and smiled. "I love you, Hunter. You always knew what to say and do to make me feel safe and loved, and you still do," he said as he laid his head on the older man's chest. "If I go for a restraining order, will you go with me?"

"Of course," Hunter stated. He and Anthony dried each other's tears, shared a kiss, and rejoined their Mom and Auntie Stella for pie.

An hour later, Hunter kissed and hugged two of their three favorite women before he left for his salon after calling his boys. Anthony did the same, then went home to write and do a bit of housework before dinner with his second family. Dottie helped Stella clean the kitchen, then went home. 

To be continued...

Posted: 07/07/2023