Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
“They’re called Monsteras. Do you like them?” Mike stood off to the side, watching his every reaction, and Rayne was sure he wasn’t disappointing. He’d had no idea Mike was doing this. “Over here, these are ferns. That’s a peace lily right there, and of course, those are aloe vera plants.”
Rayne was shocked. “How did you know to do all of this?” Rayne ran his fingertips over the chakra-balancing canvas art. The other wall was covered with a wide tapestry of the Indian lotus flower and several bookshelves already complete with a library of mindfulness and yoga books.
Mike hugged him from behind, smiling into Rayne’s neck. “I googled meditation rooms. They all basically had the same thing—very little artificial light, comfortable places to sit, lots of plants, and these weird things.” Mike picked up the sitting Buddha statue on the low table next to a set of stacked white Zen stones.
Rayne was getting emotional, but he held it in. This was his life now. Pure happiness. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
Mike came and stood in front of him. “My gentle lover, I can’t believe I have you, period. I can’t believe I have someone that will stand up to Bishop like that for me.”
“They weren’t supposed to tell you I did that. They were just supposed to fix it.” Rayne hadn’t wanted any recognition; he’d just wanted Mike happy.
“Well, he did. And I wanted to let you know that Bishop was very impressed.”
Rayne frowned. “Really? I thought pissed was more like it.”
“Naw, he said he knew you were right.” Mike kissed him tenderly. “He also said he was glad I had you. I’ve been protecting people for what seems like forever. Now I have someone to protect me too.”
Rayne hooked his arms around Mike’s neck and got lost for a while in their kiss. “Thank you so much,” he whispered when they broke for air. “I love the room.”
“Wood said a meditation room was something you’ve always wanted in your home, and when I asked Chelsea, she said the exact same thing.” Mike caressed his cheek. “So I got to work.”
Rayne held back the tears building in his eyes.
“I know you’re used to the finer things in life, handsome.” Mike put his finger to Rayne’s lips when he got ready to argue that he didn’t care about material shit anymore. “And I know you don’t need them, but there’s nothing I can’t give you, Rayne. Nothing. If you need a job, I’m gonna make it happen. If you need books to read, I’ll get them for you. Or a nice gym to practice your yoga—done.”
Rayne blinked before a curious frown creased his brow. “Wait, did you…? You asked Edison to give me a job… and you—you bought all of those books,” Rayne laughed, “Wow, I’ve been hoodwinked, deluded.”
“Baby, I’ll deceive you, trick you, and lie to you all day as long as you get any and everything you want. That’s how much I love you.”
Mike saying that somehow made perfect sense in his language. Rayne shook his head as he let out a soft chuckle, then promised, “I have everything as long as I have you. You’re all I’ll ever need, Mike.”
Mike kissed his temple. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I sure could use a vacation to…”
Rayne shivered in anticipation, his heart racing.
“To Bora Bora,” Mike finished.
Rayne almost leapt into the air. He loved those islands. And he knew visiting this time would be a different experience because he was going with someone who held his heart. While Rayne didn’t need expensive gifts or lavish trips from Mike to be happy, he’d still take it.
“Don’t we need to focus on Trent’s wedding?” Rayne hooked his arms around Mike’s neck, never wanting to let him go.
“Wood and Trent have only been dating seven months. They said they want a long engagement, maybe two years, so we have plenty of time to plan.” Mike buried into Rayne’s cheek. “I want some alone time with you. I think we’ve earned it.”
They kissed again, never able to truly get enough as Rayne was walked backward until his ass brushed against the edge of the wicker egg chair suspended in the corner that sat under an arched antique floor lamp that was perfect for evening reading.
“Are you sure you want me to go to the hardware store right now?” Mike teased as he hefted Rayne up onto the plush cushions and stood between his legs.
Damn, instead of using this to mediate, this chair was in the perfect position for sex. All Rayne had do was recline back and hook his ankles behind Mike’s head… and that’s just what he did.
“I think we have a little time before our boys get here.” Rayne rubbed his hands down his own chest and into his thong.