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of Asher's beautiful face. "And I'll keep doing it just for you for the rest of our lives if you'll let me."
    "Scott, I..." Asher looked away, hands covering Scott's before easing them off his face. "Can you...could you give me just a minute? I know I shouldn't care if you see...but just a minute? Please?"
    "It's all right, darlin'. Take any time you need. I'll open the bubbly." His poor lover. Scott knew just how tight Asher held himself away from any sort of display of soft emotions. It just proved how much this all meant to Asher. Scott had to smile as he pulled the cork from a bottle of Asti Spumante with a soft pop before pouring the clear golden liquid into the glasses. "Want a sip of this to help?"
    "In a minute." Two deep breaths followed the soft plea, long and a bit shaky. Asher brushed his palm over his face once before shaking his head and huffing a bit. "Damn it, Jamison. I haven't let more than a stray tear loose in over five years, and you've got me..."
    "Wanting to feel it all the time?" Scott risked a grin, hoping Asher understood it held no amusement on his lover's depth of emotion. "I hope so. I can do that, darlin'. I can make you feel loved and wanted every day. Because you will be loved and wanted. I can promise because it's been that way for years now. I just never dared let you know it."
    "Come here." Asher took the wineglasses when Scott sat down next to him, placing them on the wide ledge at the head of the tub before cradling Scott's face in his hands and leaning close to claim a kiss.
    So perfect! Scott couldn't imagine anyone making his heart jump and run the way Asher did. God, he'd wanted this so long. And it proved to be all he'd dreamed it could.

    * * * *
    In all his days, he'd never imagined someone could...no, someone ever would know him so well, know the sorts of things he enjoyed and offer them with so much more emotion behind it. The fine wine, the roses, a veritable banquet sampling of Italy's cuisine, and not a spot of it meant as much as the fact Scott had used it simply to say "I love you." Scott's mere presence would have been enough, once they got past the whole practical joke misunderstanding.
    Or would it? Asher found himself a bit shamed that it probably would have taken all this and then some to convince him Scott really meant those words. But later. Later he'd analyze it--to death, no doubt. He knew his own psyche too well. But right now what he wanted to do most was return this incredible gift with one of his own. If they couldn't last, for whatever reason, at least he could give Scott this weekend with his whole heart.
    The light in Scott's eyes when they separated enough to allow breath warmed Asher in ways the balmy Mediterranean breeze never could. Just sheer happiness lancing through Asher's soul. He caused his lover's broad smile. He'd never been the source of such joy. He found the wish growing for this to last and swore he'd do all he could to see Scott understood how much this meant, for however long they had.
    Without looking away from that bright gaze, Asher reached over to where he'd set the wineglasses and dipped his finger into one of them, letting one clear drop fall to Scott's bare chest, watching it slide over tanned skin. Beautiful, like dewdrops on his roses in summer. He let the rest of it swirl from his fingertip to one dark copper nipple, loving the way Scott's eyes went a bit blurry at the sensation. "A rare vintage to be savored, I'm sure."
    A shiver traced the contours of Scott's body. "I think I like the idea of being savored." That well-known grin bloomed bright. "Keep this up and the hot food will be cold and the cold food will be warm before you get to it."
    "Oh, I won't linger too long here." Much as he'd like to. The rich headiness of the sparkling wine mingled with the delicate salt taste of that luxurious skin, making his tongue tingle. The sweetness of Scott's gasp as Asher suckled a bit...a truly glorious feast.
    "Ash, darlin'." A broad hand