“I want you to think of it as your home,” Ian told him.
Hollis framed his face with his large hands, and his blue eyes stayed steady on his. “Ian, you are my home. It doesn’t matter where we eat or sleep. Wherever you are is where I live.”
Ian shut his eyes, unable to contain all the emotions Hollis’s words brought to the surface. They were like a wave, washing him clean of all the old memories and fears. Hollis made him feel reborn and ready for anything the world brought on. He kissed him again, tasting…“You already sneaked a dessert.” He narrowed his eyes.
“It was a small one,” Hollis defended before obviously trying to take Ian’s mind off his sneaky ways with his tongue. And his hands that slid down to his ass to massage and turn Ian’s brain to mush.
The door opened and laughter spilled into the restaurant. He recognized Rowe and felt blessed that someone had given him laughter again. He turned, still in Hollis’s arms, and watched as Rowe tugged his big, beautiful man into the restaurant, his smile wicked, a fat hickey decorating his neck.
Ian grinned.
Lucas and Andrei were next. Hand in hand, with matching rings. Ian had nearly had a heart attack thinking they’d run off to get married in secret. Lucas had no idea that Ian had a scrapbook put together of ideas for his wedding. But they hadn’t married yet. Although, anyone witnessing the way they looked at each other would never know that.
Jude followed Andrei. He ducked inside, looked around, then disappeared outside again. Several seconds later, Ian recognized the back of Snow’s black winter coat hitting the window as he was pressed into it. Ian shook his head. Those two were on a permanent honeymoon.
Hugs were given and Snow came inside and kissed Ian smack on the lips. Hollis glared at the surgeon who laughed and grabbed a champagne glass. Andrei wandered into the kitchen to snatch the champagne because Ian hadn’t wanted anyone serving them. He wanted it to be just them. No one else. Together, he and Hollis brought out the food, sat it down on the table next to the desserts and let everyone fill their plates.
He’d made wine-roasted turkey, creamed potatoes, and Lucas’s favorite stuffing. He’d added two dishes from Andrei’s and Jude’s mothers. He’d even included Rowe’s precious cowboy caviar although it didn’t go with the menu. To top it off, he had bacon and even hot dogs on the side for Lucas. To hell with his cholesterol for one night. After this, their breakfasts would be healthier whether Lucas liked it or not.
And there was an entire table of chocolate desserts for the love of his life.
Chocolate cake with raspberry preserves, lava cake, brownies, hazelnut truffles, chess pies, tarts…and Ian had called Hollis’s mother for her turtle candy recipe. Those were still covered for a final surprise. And holy hell, he’d been so nervous calling her, but he loved her on the phone and couldn’t wait to meet her. She sounded genuinely sweet and kind of shy and so happy to hear from him, she’d asked if she and her husband could come up in a month and stay for a weekend.
He couldn’t wait and he’d already planned how to decorate his guest bedroom for them. Hollis said his mother loved chocolate mousse…but Ian had a feeling that was another of Hollis’s favorites. He’d never met anyone with such a love for the bean.
As they all settled around to feast, he looked at the one table set to the side with two floating candles in pink bowls. He hadn’t said what they represented because he loved Noah and didn’t want him to feel anything that would put a damper on this evening. But they were for Sam and Mel. Melissa Ward had been one of Ian’s best friends and he would miss her forever. Melissa had loved the men in Rowe’s life with a ferocity that had endeared her to him for life. She’d be happy that they’d won against Jagger, that they had found peace. And Sam…he rubbed his chest. That wound was still too new.
“You outdid yourself again this year,” Lucas said as he forked a slice of turkey. “One of these holidays, you’re going to let me get catered so you don’t have to work so hard.”
“This isn’t work.” He meant it. He loved cooking, loved even more the looks on their faces as they ate his food. Ian picked up a basket of rolls and passed it to Snow on his left. “And besides, someone paid to have people come in to clean up all the dishes.” He narrowed his eyes at Snow, not letting go of the basket until he met his eyes.
“What?” Snow growled. “You wouldn’t let us stay to do dishes, and I didn’t want you to have to pay your people to clean up after us.”