Chapter 11

Chapter 11

 “I met Marshall or Marsh as I used to call him, when I went to attend a charity ball for an orphanage. And there was that spark that we feel at the first touch. He was passionate about his company, currently the CEO, and he was really ambitious. But besides that, he was a kind hearted person. 

 I had seen him speaking at the charity ball and it wasn't just his words, he practically did it. He made sure to start the contract of the construction of a new wing with all the facilities they needed. 

 I looked at him, and kept on thinking about him even when I went home. I was a BI and I came out in very early age, and that was the reason why my parents cut all their ties with me.

 They could not live with the idea that their only child, a son, an heir to their inheritance was interested in boys and not women. 

 I had been forced to attend camps and churches because according to my parents, its a contagious disease that I had caught somehow. There was a time when my father’s acquanteces helped him arrange a harem for me.” Josh laughed withtu humor. Bolt was just sitting listening to him.

 He had a hunch that Josh had never said it out loud to anyone so he wanted to be there for him, when he wanted to speak it out. He didn't interuppt him and Josh was really thankful to him. 

 “When I turned twenty and got my degree in culinary art, food and cooking, I quit my home and never looked back. I worked in resraurants and there I met Marshal again.

 He tasted the food I prepared and opted to invest for a small business for me. According to him I was wasting my skills working in a small dingy environment, though it helped me pay my bills. 

 I accepted the offer on one condition that would return the amount within a year and I did it. 

 He stood by my side when I opened my first ever food spot, turned to restaurant chain. He had been everything one could think about their partners. He loved me, he took care of me. He made sure to treat me equally like a man I was, I am. 

 But….

 Like every fairytale, there was a monster hovering over my heart. According to the will, he could only step on the CEO chair if he marries a girl his parents arrange for him. And for him, his inheritance was more important than my love, because apparently it wasn't enough. 

 I could have waited for him to take time and make his parents understand, but he cheated n me. He lied on my face. His parents had arranged for his marriage and he simply went with it. Lying on my face everytime that I was the only one he needed. 

 His parents wanted to arrange a date for me too, but I told them I was gay and they insulted me, accused me of the greatest sin, and Marshal, he listened to them without defending my honor. And that was the day I decided to stand up for myself. 

 I broke up with him and left our mututal place. This apartment is mine alone. I paid for it. Every single penny. Only Marshal knew about this place and now you must have understood why I was hesitant to invite you in.” Josh leaned his head back at the couch. There were numerous tears that slipped from his eyes. 

 Bolt cupped his face and wiped all those tears before kissing his forehead lovingly. 

 “I am scared, Bolt. I cannot risk my heart again. Its too painful. But I am selfish. I want to come home to someone. I want someone to hold me, to take care of me. Just sit with me and show it to the world that I am not a burden or a secret.

 I want to live in the light Bolt, I don't want to stay back.” Josh held Bolt at his wrists. He was pleading and how bolt wanted to kill Marshall bare hands. 

 But as they say, his loss and bolt’s gain. 

 He waited until Josh opened his beautiful eyes for him and leaned in slowly. He waited for Josh to back off but he simply closed his eyes when bolt brushed his lips with Josh. 

 He waited for a moment before kissing him properly this time. Josh sighed as the contact. The kiss was simple yet igniting his soul on fire. He gasped when Bolt licked his lower lip and for nce he let himself lose without putting up any fight.

 For once he was happy at Bolt taking the lead. 

 Bolt tangled his fingers in Josh’s soft silk hair and untie the hairband letting the hair flow down. He cupped his jaw tilting his face to bit on his lower lip and thrusted his tongue inside. 

 They both moaned at the heavenly contact of their tongues. 

 Josh scooted as close as he could. He gripped Bolt’s shirt with one hand while cupped his cheek with other hand. 

 He was melting down with the deep groaning sounds coming from Bolt. He felt powerful to make the man all weak for him. 

 Bolt pulled off and attached their foreheads together.

 “I love you, Josh. I have loved you since I saw you for the first time in the restaurant. I had never been into any serious relationship. You can say may be the nature was indicating me to save my heart for you. 

 I am angry for what Marshall did to you. He had no right to play with your love. If he wasn't ready to come out to his parents he shouldn't have proceeded. 

 But me, I am proud of you. I am proud to show everyone that you are mine. I don't care what your past says, it does not describe who you are as a person. 

 I have seen your heart and that's what matters to me. So I am asking you, are you ready to take these steps with me?”. Bolt said in a hesitant tone. He understood where Josh was coming from. 

 “I am Bolt, I am. These past few days have made me realize that nothing is promised, and it's too uncertain to wait. I have thought about it long and far, and I am here to say that I want to spend every day of my life with you”. Josh said with the same determination and the smile on his lips that had made Bolt fall for him and once again he fell in love with him. 

 —---

 Josh never knew love could be this liberating. He never thought being shown off in public would be so entertaining. He would often wonder at Bolt’s tactics. 

 He didn't know Bolt was so clingy. He would visit him in the restaurant and Josh would always blush whenever he would hug him and kiss him loudly in front of all the patrons. 

 “Erm… guys are you okay to feast on each other or do you want me to serve you lunch?” Josh jolted back as Pete called them. Bolt was laughing out loud holding a squirming and blushing Josh to his chest. 

 Pete smiled at them being in love and his heart prayed for them. Marshall was never into PDA. He would not even touch him like Bolt would. 

 “Here. I have made steak with mashed potatoes and mini ribs in my signature sauce”. Josh served the plate before taking his seat. He held the knife and fork and looked at Bolt with anticipation. 

 Bolt speared a piece of juicy steak and topped them with mashed potatoes and dipped in the sauce. 

 “Mmmmhhh”. Bolt moaned loudly, making Josh giggle. 

 “Pete, please bring the red wine”. Pete nodded at Josh and went to bring wine to compliment the dish. 

 “My god Josh. Give me your hand Babe”. Josh giggled but stretched his hand only to be kissed by Bolt. 

 They both could hear people chuckling from the nearby table. 

 The food was scrumptious as always and as much as Bolt wanted to spend time with Josh, he had to go back to work. 

 “I will be back at 7.” Bolt pulled him in his arm, kissing his nose and pecking his lips.

 “I will be waiting.” Josh stood with hands in his pocket, trying to sound casual but he knew it would be difficult for him to spend another 5 hours without him. 

 —--

 Josh had taken a bath and tied his hair in a messy bun before going into his lounge. They had not officially moved in together but most of the nights they would spend the night together. 

 He had Bolt's things scattered at his place in the guest room because apparently his apartment was closer to Bolt’s than his own, but did Josh complain?

 He had arranged snacks and beers on the table, wearing his loose tank top and grey joggers. He knew Bolt would be there any minute and just then he heard the familiar jingle of keys as Bolt entered the foyer and toed off his shoes in the hallway.

 “Darlin, just give me ten minutes.” He pecked Josh’s lips before running to the bedroom to change. Spending whole day in uniform and guns was tiring, Bolt’s words. 

 Bolt truly took only ten minutes and Josh felt his heart tripping several beats to see Bolt coming into the living room in his sweats and a tee shirt that was stretched fully at his chest.

 Josh gulped but managed to hide his heart eyes as Bolt took his seat with him on the couch.

 “I like your hair down.” Bolt murmured in his ears as he took the hair tie out of his hair and placed a soft kiss on his bare shoulder.

 “That's why I always tie them in a bun.” Josh winked at Bolt, making him chuckle. They started with their favorite series and soon Josh was sitting with his head on Bolt’s shoulders, wrapped in his warm embrace. 

   

 Bolt turned to say something to Josh but his breath hitched to see Josh so close to him that he could feel their breaths mingling into each other. 

 Josh looked into his eyes and he was sure that his own eyes mirrored the same lust he saw in Bolt’s eyes.

 “Josh…”

 “Bolt…” 

 They both spoke together and waited for a beat to pull off but maybe neither of them wanted to. 

 “Stop me if you want.” That was the only warning Josh got before Bolt angled his face a bit and finally placed his lips on the ones that had kept his awake since he saw him for the first time. 

 Tabby