The Sweetest Scent Part 31

There was a pregnant pause. Then Lacey asked, hesitant, "Are you all right with that?"

Bro chuckled. "Funny. Bas said the exact same thing a second ago. Yeah, it's fine. I'm just glad you're safe and sound." Then he added on a whim, "But you better tell Parker no hanky-panky, or I'll make sure he doesn't play the piano ever again."

There was hearty laughter in the background, and then a lilting voice said loudly, "Oh, are you sure you two are exclusive? You know, we could totally have a threesome-oomph!"

There was rustling on the line, and Lacey called out breathlessly, apparently amid a tussle, "Oh, please. Don't you mean a foursome? Me, Bro, you, and Deacon?"

That remark, not aimed at him, left Bro with his jaw hanging open. Deacon was gay? Since when? "Um, Lace...? You still there?"

Some maniacal cackling followed, and then Lacey returned to the line. "Sorry about that. I had a crazy person to deal with. Yes, I'm talking about you!" she yelled at someone, and Bro knew the target was Parker.

"Um, can we get back to the part about Deacon being gay?"

Suddenly Lacey chuckled evilly. "Oh, yes. Did I forget to mention that? I totally saw Parker and Deacon making out on the stage at-ouch, gimme that!" Her voice faded suddenly, so clearly Parker had tackled the phone out of her reach again.

A breathy voice came on. "Hi. Bro?"

"Yeah. Parker?"

"Yes indeed. Hi. Listen, I'm not trying to get Lacey, all right?"

"You and Deacon, huh?" Bro didn't know whether to laugh or groan. A chuckle won.

"Ah, well, we'll see." More rustling, and then running feet on parquet floors, and more hyena-like chortling. "I'm gonna give the phone back to Lacey now, all right?"

Bro laughed. "Might be a good idea, yeah."

A second later Lacey was back on, panting. "You little t.o.s.s.e.r!"

Parker chuckled in the background. "See? I'll bring that British lady out of you yet. Call me Professor Higgins."

"I'll call for a funeral service if you don't get away from me!" Then Lacey focused on Bro. "I'll see you tomorrow, all right? I love you, Bro. So much." Before Bro could comment, someone was making lewd kissing sounds in the background. "Parker, shove off! I mean it."

Bro kept on laughing too. He hadn't met Parker yet, but he was coming to the conclusion he liked the guy. And if he and Deacon were getting it on, that was another show he didn't want to miss. "Babe? Good night. Sleep well, okay? See you tomorrow."

In the background, Parker's voice called out, "Drop that pillow, you wicked wench."

"I'll shove it down your windpipe!" Then a sound that had to be a pillow getting tossed across the room, and finally Lacey came back. "Love you, Bro. I'll tell you everything tomorrow. Good night. I love you."

"I love you too," Bro said. Then the line disconnected.

He may have been apart from Lacey for one night, but he still couldn't stop grinning.

Friends and family truly were everything that was important. With that thought he felt confident about getting a good night's sleep after all.

Chapter 28.

BEFORE they knew it, October had rolled around the corner, and the long weekend of fall break had come along. No cla.s.ses to attend, and a four-day vacation ahead. Both Lacey and Bro had waited for it impatiently. they knew it, October had rolled around the corner, and the long weekend of fall break had come along. No cla.s.ses to attend, and a four-day vacation ahead. Both Lacey and Bro had waited for it impatiently.

Encouraged by their family members, they had opted to spend the time at a four-star hotel, Lansdowne Resort. The place was situated outside Leesburg, about an hour away from DC. They were going to stay in an alcove suite with room service and a king-size bed, and that was all they really needed. The suite had a country-manor-style decor with brown, green, and orange tones dominating the small s.p.a.ce. There was a bedroom, bathroom, and a tiny living room. It was rich but not lavish to the point of extravagant.

After driving over late Sat.u.r.day afternoon, checking in, and unpacking, they both decided to take a shower. And to avoid any temptations, they went in separately.

Bro went first, washed up quickly, and gave the place to Lacey with a wink. Once he got dressed in jeans and a T-s.h.i.+rt, he opened the bay window a crack, sat on the cus.h.i.+oned window seat, and inhaled the chilly night air. Autumn was well underway, and the foliage of the trees below in the riverfront park and valley were vast canopies of greens, yellows, and reds. The wind blowing in from the Potomac River was crisp, and Bro shuddered and closed the window, then sought refuge in the room behind him.

He was ordering dinner from room service just as Lacey came out of the bathroom with only a towel around her hips, and a cloud of steam wafted from behind her. "Hey, babe. Just getting us some chow. How does a whole fried organic chicken with black truffle sauce, macaroni & cheese, crispy roasted Brussels sprouts, and cheesecake with strawberries sound?"

Lacey licked her lips hungrily. "Heavenly."

Bro chuckled and finished the order. As he put the phone down, he sighed happily. "I love our family."

Lacey dried her hair fastidiously. "It was really sweet of them to do this for us."

Bro grinned. "I think they wanted us out of the way so they could have some adult fun forbidden for the likes of us."

Lacey giggled, her hand rising to cover her mouth. "You really think so?"

Bro grinned and plopped down on the bed. "Abso-f.u.c.king-lutely. Where do you think I learned all my underhanded stuff?"

Rolling her eyes, Lacey smirked. "If you say so."

"Now that's an alluring dare." Bro gave Lacey a seductive come-hither chin lift, and Lacey approached, snickering but wary. "Oh, come on, baby. Don't be shy."

"I'm not shy. I'm concerned. You have that 'I'm gonna eat you up' hungry look in your eyes." Lacey laughed. "You make me feel like Little Red Riding Hood."

"Guess that makes me the Big Bad Wolf." Bro winked and gave a sharp wolf whistle. Then he grabbed the hem of Lacey's towel and yanked it off fast. Lacey was left naked, standing in the middle of the floor.

"You jerk!" Lacey cried out angrily, but then she jumped on the bed, right on Bro's lap, cupped his face, and kissed him.

For a while they tumbled on the bedspread and kissed and fondled their way around each other's bodies.

Lacey tugged on the hem of Bro's T-s.h.i.+rt. "Take this off."

But Bro smoothed the fabric back down. "No. At least one of us shouldn't be buck naked when room service arrives with our meal."

"Fine," Lacey huffed, indignant, and tried to move off.

Bro kept her on top of him, and then rolled her underneath him. "I'm the big bad wolf, remember? Can't let you leave." His arrogant smirk was firmly in place as he held Lacey's hands above her head with his own, and his gaze raked all over her body. "Mmm, nice."

At first Lacey wiggled, trying to dislodge Bro, but then she remained still, deceptively so. "Well? Are you going to molest me or not? Tease...."

Bro chuckled. He loved playful Lacey. "All in good time. Right now I just want you near."

Lacey's features softened, and love shone from her eyes. "I love you."

"I love you." Bro slipped to Lacey's side but held her close. Their foreheads touched. "So, what's the story with Parker and Deacon?"

Lacey shrugged. "I don't know. I saw them kiss once. That's it. Parker's a bit flighty, and Deacon's... well, who knows what he is."

"If he kissed a guy, he's gay."

"That's not always how it works."

"Hmm, I guess." Bro kissed Lacey's lips and smelled the strawberry scent of her hair and the peach of her skin. "The past few months have been...." He couldn't quite find the right word. A lot had changed, and they had faced challenges, hurdles, and temptations. Yet, from his point of view, they had come out on top. And best of all, they had accomplished it together, as a stronger couple.

"Yes, I know. A lot going on." Lacey nodded and kissed him back. Her hazel eyes locked with his blue eyes. "You've seemed happier lately."

"Oh?"

"I mean, before, when we started college you seemed to be a bit down, a little more every day that pa.s.sed. I hated leaving you, sensing that everything wasn't all right with you."

Bro was impressed. They were on the same wavelength all right. Lacey knew him so well. "Yeah, that's true, I suppose. I didn't want to trouble you with-"

"That had better be the start of a joke. And by the way, it's not funny." Lacey's eyes held a spark Bro adored and feared.

"Sorry. It's just...." He wracked his brain trying to word things right. "You have it all figured out, you know. Your violin, your future career as a performer and a lead violinist, and now you even have a sponsor who's got your back. Me? I thought I wanted football. I still do, in a way, but I don't think I want to make a career out of it."

Lacey frowned. "Let's skip the discussion about why you didn't tell me. We'll have that that talk later, though, mark my words. But, Bro... if what you want isn't clear to you, why do you look and sound so happy these days?" talk later, though, mark my words. But, Bro... if what you want isn't clear to you, why do you look and sound so happy these days?"

Bro smiled. "Because Sebastian and I talked about it. And I'm in no hurry. I have time to figure things out. It'll all work out. We're young, babe, and we've got the world in the palm of our hands."

Upon hearing that, Lacey kissed Bro. "See, this is why I love you. You always see the bright side of things."

"I don't always-"

"Most of the time, and that's important." Lacey wound her arms around Bro and held on tight. "I may become famous. I may become a n.o.body." Bro tried to cut in, ready to argue, but without success. "So could you. But it doesn't matter as long as we're together. Yes, we've encountered our own set of troubles these past few months, but we've come out stronger for it, I think."

Bro smiled, again happy that they indeed were like two peas in a pod. "That's exactly what I was thinking." Their food would arrive soon, but the moment was perfect. Bro jumped off the bed, dashed to the wardrobe, dug into his suitcase, and pulled out the little square box. Then he bounced right back to Lacey, who sat up, leaning on her elbows. "Here." He offered her the box.

It was easy to tell what kind of gift it was, and Lacey's eyes shot up, widening, and her jaw dropped in shock. "B-Bro...." Her voice cracked and faded away.

"Open it," he encouraged her, joyous and nervous at once.

With trembling fingers Lacey popped the lid of the blue velvet box open, revealing a gold engagement ring with six different gems in the colors of the rainbow.

Lacey was obviously stunned to silence, and for the first time Bro had known Lacey she covered her mouth for a reason other than to hide a smile.

To break the tense silence, Bro said, "The gems represent the colors of the gay pride rainbow flag. The red's for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for serenity, and violet for spirit. All of which you have in abundance, Lace. You're the most beautiful, the strongest, bravest, kindest person I know. I'd be an idiot if I let you slip through my-"

Bro was interrupted by Lacey crying, throwing her arms around him, and generally smothering him with kisses all over. "I love you, Bro. Oh my G.o.d, so much. Every day. Love you. More and more." She kept mumbling endearments and vows of affection in between smooches, and Bro was high as a kite.

"So, I take it your answer's yes?"

Lacey laughed and sobbed at once. "You haven't asked anything yet."

Bro chuckled. "Oh, yeah, right. Sorry. My bad. Lacey Adair, I love you with all my heart, body, and soul. Will you marry me? Obviously not yet, but one day, relatively soon-ish, maybe during spring break, or when we finish our first year, or when we get our own place, or-"

"Yes, Bro. Yes!"

After that Bro was able to breathe easy again, and he wound himself around the naked beauty in bed with him. Then they were kissing and touching, and things were heating up fast.

There was a knock on the door. "Room service," a faint voice called out.

Bro pulled away from Lacey, who pouted. "Hold that thought, Lace. I'll be right back, and then we can have a picnic in bed, and feed each other-"

"Oh, no. No crumbs in bed," Lacey cut in, and hopped off the bed in search of clothes. "There's a perfectly good parlor with a table. We're not animals. We're eating at the table like decent folk."

At that, Bro laughed, unable to help himself.

AN HOUR HOUR later, their tummies sated, Bro and Lacey lay in bed together, naked, watching the news on the widescreen TV in the armoire. It was still early, and neither was willing to retire for the night yet. later, their tummies sated, Bro and Lacey lay in bed together, naked, watching the news on the widescreen TV in the armoire. It was still early, and neither was willing to retire for the night yet.

What started as casual caresses and gentle holding soon turned to tender kissing and slow touching. Until the flame burned bright between them, and their pa.s.sion roared into life. Bro kissed Lacey with all his might, practically devouring him him, and they held on for dear life.

Suddenly, without either of them needing to speak, they stopped a hair's breadth away, looked into each other's eyes, and knew. Tonight was the night.

Since the first fingering experiment, they had done it several times, growing accustomed to the eventuality when it would present itself. That time was at hand.

Lacey bit his lower lip. "Please, Bro. Love you. Want you now."

Nodding and clamping down his fraying nerves, Bro dipped his hand into the drawer of the nightstand and pulled out the tube of lube and a packet of condoms. He wondered if they were going to use the latter since they were exclusive, neither of them had done this before, and it was unlikely they'd be searching for other lovers anytime soon.

"Um, Lace...?" He lifted the condoms up in view, with a silent question on his face.

Lacey worried his lower lip, and his gaze flicked between Bro and the rubbers. "I, uh, I don't think we need those. I mean, I haven't with anyone else. Wait. I mean, I haven't been been with anyone else, not that I've been with others and not used condoms." with anyone else, not that I've been with others and not used condoms."

He was babbling, and Bro placed a hand on Lacey's thigh to calm him. "It's okay, Lace. I get it." He tossed the condoms over his shoulder. "Problem solved."

Lacey giggled at that, and the temporary tension was gone. "You could have a career as a professional problem solver."

Bro quirked an eyebrow. "Well, that's something to consider. Tomorrow."

"Nu-uh. On Wednesday. For these four days you're mine." The raw hunger in Lacey's voice made Bro s.h.i.+ver, and all he could do was swallow convulsively and nod.

Then he stared at Lacey with wide eyes, l.u.s.t swelling in his body. Lacey was indeed a sight to behold. Now, without the makeup and the dresses, all traces of the dolled-up femininity gone, Lacey was all man. His slender arms and legs had strong and defined muscles, usually buried under soft fabrics. His hair was cut in a feminine style, but now all mussed up, it was manly. Having shaved this morning, Lacey sported next to no body hair anywhere but around his groin, and even that was a mere tiny patch. He never really even had stubble. But his c.o.c.k, pink and cut and dripping precome, destroyed all illusions of womanhood.

Lacey was a young man. Beautiful, yes, but still a man.

Bro leaned forward and followed the lines of bones and curves of muscles until he got to the delectable V-shape of Lacey's lower abdomen and groin. There he buried his face, inhaling the sweet, musky odor and nibbling a bit.