He couldn’t make a relationship last. He tried, and he tried, but it always fell apart. He had fallen for Jeff right off, and they had enjoyed a brief honeymoon period. Then, *that* problem had reared its head, and the relationship had suffered a swift demise. A failed relationship with a promotion’s biggest star was hardly the best way to start off the second wind of one’s career, but he had persevered.
He had fallen in love again, this time with an old friend. Rhino was so sweet under the rough exterior, and he so needed to be loved, that he had thrown caution to the wind, his thoughts hardly touching upon the possible consequences their friendship could suffer should their romance fail.
And, once again, *that* problem had returned.
He had tried so hard to escape it. He had left a steady job to gamble on a new one. He had reinvented himself. He had done everything he could to wipe the slate clean, to start again.
And still, *that* problem was there.
“I love you, baby.”
Christian closed his eyes, allowing himself to be kissed. He tried to fight, every time *that* problem came knocking at his door. But *that* problem was just too aggressive; *that* problem wouldn’t give up, wouldn’t take no for an answer. And as much as he tried, he just couldn’t keep saying no.
“I love you, Edge,” he whispered in response, running his hands over his ex-lover’s muscular back. It had only been a few minutes since Edge had come charging into his room, chasing all his colleges out and bolting the door. Edge had pinned him up against the lockers, whispering ferociously about how much he had missed him, how badly he needed him. He had pushed Edge away, but Edge wouldn’t budge, ripping his shirt open and stroking his chest. Edge had stolen a kiss before being shoved away again.
The problem with a former longtime lover was that they knew all the weaknesses, all the ways to seduce and induce compliance. Edge had yanked off his own shirt, setting Christian’s hands upon his body. Edge’s flesh had always driven Christian wild, and it was no less spectacular than in years past. Christian couldn’t stop himself from sliding his hands over that tight six pack, that beautiful chest, that arching back.
Before he knew it, they were on the couch, him on his back and Edge inside him. He couldn’t fight it. He loved it. He was panting, gasping as Edge rocked into him. Words of love were flowing between them. It was so overwhelming, so breathtaking. He couldn’t get enough of Edge’s lips, Edge’s touch, Edge’s flesh.
They came together. A moment of reverie swirled around them, a brief high of utter contentment and bliss. Then, reality came crashing back down.
“Get off me!” Christian shoved his ex-lover away, his head falling into his hands. “God dammit, Edge, why do you always have to do this?” he demanded, his voice choked. “I want a new life! We agreed last time would be the last!”
“I know.” Edge tried to put a hand on Christian’s shoulder, sighing when Christian jerked away from him. “I tried to stay away, baby. I tried to date other people. I tried, Christian. I just don’t think I can love anyone but you.”
“Edge,” Christian shook his head, tears in his eyes, his face still covered by his hands, “I can’t do this!”
“Baby, please.” Edge slid an arm around Christian’s shoulders, and this time Christian stayed in place, but his body stiffened. “I know things went downhill. I know we had good reason to break up. I knew I still loved you when we went our separate ways, and I told myself, so many times, that time would make the pain go away. But it’s been more than a year, and I still love you with all my heart.”
“Edge.” Christian sat up, leaning against the back of the couch and staring up at the ceiling. Little trickles of wetness escaped his eyes, sliding down his cheeks. “We fought all the time. We both had affairs, and not just physically; emotionally. We couldn’t satisfy each other anymore.”
“It won’t be easy,” Edge spoke softly, taking Christian’s hand in his and interlacing their fingers, “but it won’t be the same. We can work it out. We don’t have to be monogamous. We don’t have to see each other every day. It’ll be a whole new partnership.”
Christian took deep breaths, closing his eyes. He was trying so hard to fight this. It wasn’t fair that he was still so hopelessly in love. It wasn’t fair to be denied his new beginning. But every time he tried to start again, to create a new love with someone else, he fell back into Edge’s arms.
“Ok,” he whispered. So much of his energy was spent fighting, it
just wasn’t worth it any more. At this point, he was better off giving
this a second chance than trying to find someone new, and hurting
someone again. Maybe, this time, love would be enough.
Angels in the Storm series
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