A Bid For Love

own any right now, you see." The soft breath of the statement played over his mouth.
    "God, you're a brat." A soft swat over the curve of Scott's ass felt so right about now. "Come on, let's get your stuff and go home."

    * * * *
    It felt strange, listening while Scott dumped his bags in the guest room and shuffled the closet space for his suits. They'd mesh everything soon enough, but it just seemed... Asher smiled. It seemed like home, really home for the first time in his life. The quiet he'd been so used to would no doubt drive him insane now.
    Stranger still, but just as good...the small box he caressed between his fingertips. Pure impulse, bought in a little Portofino shop while Scott had been checking out the market next door. Asher stared at it, watching the sunset light catch the velvet in exquisite ways, making the box almost glow.
    He smiled at the thought. Rather how his heart felt at the moment, glowing. Scott's noise only increased that luminescence. Asher had never realized how very silent his house could be until it was no longer so. Scott filled it with sound, sometimes loud with his television sports fixation, but more often soft, just the faint movements of another living being. At night his gentle breathing played out the most exquisite lullaby Asher ever heard. How had Asher ever existed in that silent, empty world? And more importantly, how could he ever go back?
    The velvet box teased his fingers, seducing him to complete the act he began when he purchased its contents.
    Dinner. Hmm. It seemed only proper it be Italian, as that was how this all started in the first place. He felt reasonably sure he could pull together a very nice dinner from the contents of his fridge and pantry... Oh, hell, who am I kidding? I'll cook another evening. He had other things to take care of. And he knew Carino's would deliver, for the right price.
    A rose--a yellow one, from his garden--and a few legalities taken care of, and with luck, this would be a night he could remember with the greatest fondness for the rest of his days. He grinned as he plucked the clippers from their drawer and headed for the garden.
    With the overseas weekend and the complete distraction since, he hadn't taken the time to come out to his garden. A new hybrid was just blossoming. Hopefully in the exact manner he'd intended.
    Oh, my God. No, really... Thank you, Lord. Nothing could have prepared him for so perfect a sign that he'd chosen his path right. Gold...an incredible dark yellow rose, edged with the slightest touch of red. More perfect than he'd dreamed. And perfect for Scott. Two beautiful flowers, just open. One to stay in the garden, but the other for his love. Unique and exquisite. Just like Scott.
    He cut it with all care, carrying it inside without delay and setting it in his best bud vase. Its subtle perfume eased through the room. Now for the food. He could do his paperwork while he waited for it. He paused to listen to Scott, humming now as the tall Texan went about unpacking. He liked listening to the music Scott made--singing in the shower or as he did small chores, unconscious humming the rest of the time. Asher could envision enjoying that talent in the life they'd build together.
    "Gonna grab a shower, honey." Scott's voice filtered down from the upstairs hall. "You fancy joining me?"
    Damn, that tempted. But if he did, he wouldn't finish the one bit he needed to make this evening all he wanted it to be. "I'd love to, but I've already ordered dinner. I need to be dressed and coherent when it arrives." He moved to the foot of the stairs. "Can I convince you to take a second one with me later?"
    His lover's grin brightened the hallway. "Could be persuaded, I'm sure. Be out in a few, then."
    Yes, definitely the right decision. Asher had seldom felt so very certain about anything. It took but a moment for his computer to boot up and little longer than that to make the changes he wanted. So simple. And just as easy to email the new edits to his lawyer. Sometimes Holly was right; technology made all the difference.
    He chose a bottle of wine from his pantry-sized "cellar" and opened it to let it breathe. Now to set the table in the dining room, a rare occasion indeed. Candlelight and a chance to finally use the good china and crystal he'd bought in...well, in hopes of something one day. Nothing frilly or overly ornate, just elegant. And it felt so good to set it all up, fuss a bit with the linens and silverware. He finished