The Moonlight Breed 8: Leap in the Dark by Gabrielle Evans (chrysanthemum read aloud .txt) 📕

and roads cleared so the Enforcers can do their jobs. Those trucks with snow plows that took out the front gates have come in pretty handy.” He winked down at Braxton as he placed a hand on his lower back to nudge him along.

“When did they put in these lights?” Granted he didn’t venture outside after dark very often, but he didn’t remember ever seeing the lampposts that lined the path.

“A couple of days ago, I guess. It’s too dark back here on our edge of the property. It was decided that it posed a security risk.”

“Sounds legit.”

They walked in companionable silence after that. Braxton huddled close to his lover’s side for warmth, sighing happily when Xander cuddled him close. Though a bit colder than he preferred, it really was a beautiful night. The sky was beginning to clear, the snow had stopped falling, and the scent of evergreens floated on the breeze.

“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing out here?”

“Soon.”

“Oh, wow,” Braxton breathed as they neared the pond. The moonlight was reflected in the still surface of the water, and thousands of tiny, twinkling lights hung from several of the trees closest to the banks. “Did you do this?”

“I had a little help.” Xander stopped walking and pulled Braxton around to face him. “I know this doesn’t make up for everything I put you through, but I hope it’s a start.” Walking backward, he pulled Braxton closer to the small campfire near the edge of the water. “It’s cold tonight, but we won’t stay long.”

As the flames leapt and danced in the stone pit, Xander eased down onto the padded loveseat that was part of their patio collection, and ushered Braxton into his lap. Then he covered him with a blanket, tucked it around his shoulders, and held him tightly.

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I don’t know where we’ll be in a year. I can’t predict the future or promise that nothing bad is ever going to happen again. What I can promise, though, is that I’ll love you with everything I have for the rest of my life, and I’ll spend every second of every day making you happy.”

Hot tears burned in the corners of his eyes, and a lump formed in his throat, making it difficult to swallow. Yes, things had been rough lately, but all relationships had their ups and downs. What Xander said was true. Neither of them knew what the future held, but Braxton was certain that they’d face it together. Through the darkest of shadows, when there was no sun to light their way, they’d always take that leap hand in hand.

“I don’t need a lot to be happy, Xander. This is beautiful.” He waved his hand around to encompass the romantic setting his lover had prepared for them. “As long as we both promise to find time for these special moments, I don’t think I can ask for more.”

“I really am sorry, baby. I was a complete dick, and I should have never treated you that way.”

“No, you shouldn’t have, but believe it or not, I understand. It hurt that you kept pushing me away, but I knew you just needed time to deal.” Caressing Xander’s arm, he squeezed the bicep and leaned up to nuzzle his cold nose against his lover’s throat. “I’m glad everything worked out, though.”

“Yeah, well, it took me long enough.” He made a sound of disgruntlement, but thankfully, he didn’t linger with the unpleasant thought. “Do you want to make s’mores?”

“Really?” Braxton laughed right from his belly as Xander retrieved the necessary items from beneath their seat. “I think this is the best date ever.”

“Speaking of dates, there’s a reason I dragged you out here, and it wasn’t to stuff you full of chocolate and graham crackers.”

“Don’t forget the marshmallows. That’s the best part.”

Xander snorted and tapped him on the end of the nose. “Our date was interrupted the other night, and I seem to remember you demanding a kiss in the moonlight.”

He started to agree, but before he could get the words out, Xander’s lips were covering his own, and his slippery tongue caressed inside Braxton’s mouth in a slow, sensual kiss. There was no urgency, but it wasn’t any less passionate. While there was an undercurrent of need and desire, the kiss conveyed a wealth of love and devotion that made Braxton’s eyes mist once again.

Being the center of someone’s world carried a lot of responsibility. Through good times and bad, and all the ups and downs in between, he’d prove he was worthy of such unwavering loyalty and return it tenfold.

When his lungs began to burn and his head started spinning from lack of oxygen, he finally pulled away to gasp for air. Xander didn’t let him get far, but it wasn’t as though there was anywhere else Braxton wanted to be. He was having far too much fun falling in love with his mate all over again.

“Hey, Xander.”

“Hmm?” Spearing two marshmallows onto the end of the skewer, Xander held it out for Braxton to take as he began preparing a second gooey kabob.

“Thank you. This is really nice, and I’m not cold anymore.” He held his marshmallows over the flames, closed his eyes, and smiled as he thanked whoever was listening for all the amazing people in his life. “I love you, big guy.”

Soft lips brushed against his nape. “Love you back, chulo. So, are you ever going to tell me what you and Keeton have been working on?”

“It’s not exactly a secret, but it’s nowhere near finished, either. We decided to collaborate on a series of children’s books and donate the proceeds from the first one to the nursery here in the coven.”

They spent a few minutes talking about Braxton’s ideas for the stories, and Xander responded with proper enthusiasm, asking intelligent questions that showed he truly did care about Braxton’s love of writing. “I don’t know how you do it. I swear I am completely in awe