Free LifeOverLimb by Stephani Hecht Page A

relationship, but I know I’m well on my way to falling in love with you. Ricky, you are so special that I don’t even want to contemplate a life without you in it. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep you. I even signed up for counseling to help me get over some of my issues.”
    By now, the entire room had grown quiet as they all watched Ricky and Tanner.
    “Of course I forgive you,” Ricky said, his voice breaking.
    Covering the distance between them, he launched himself into Tanner’s arms.
    “I’m sorry, too. I should have given you a chance to explain instead of hiding away the way I did.”
    “I guess we both have a lot to learn as far as relationships go,” Tanner said as he gave Ricky a tight squeeze.
    “Maybe I’ll go to therapy, too. In case you haven’t noticed, my family is a bit crazy.”
    Tanner laughed. “Now that you mention it, they do seem a bit odd. But I like them that way because they are a part of you.”
    Oh, damn just when Ricky thought the moment couldn’t get any better.
    “Just so you know, you mean the world to me, too,” Ricky said as he buried his nose in the nook of Tanner’s neck.
    “Good, because this time neither one of us is ever running away again. Through good times and bad, we stick by each other’s side.”
    “Forever,” Ricky added as he closed his eyes.
    He meant it, too. Now that he had the man of his dreams, Ricky was never going to let him go again. Just as he knew that Tanner would always be there to watch over and care for him in return.
    The room burst out in applause. Laughing, Ricky leaned down and said in a low voice, “Now, how about we talk about you wearing this costume to bed?”
    “Anything for my man.”
    My man. As far as Ricky was concerned, there were no two sweeter words in the world.

    About the Author
    Stephani Hecht is a happily married mother of two. Born and raised in Michigan, she loves all things about the state, from the frigid winters to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. Go Wings! You can usually find her snuggled up to her laptop, creating her next book or gorging on caffeine at her favorite coffee shop.