Time Out of Mind (Suncoast Society #43)(89)

“Isn’t that my collar?”

Doyle smiled. “No. Your collar will be your wedding ring.”

He reached down and grabbed Mevi’s cock, not sure who was more surprised, him or Mevi, when he exploded, coating Doyle’s hand with cum.

A harsh laugh escaped Mevi. “Sorry, Master.”

Doyle smiled. “Guess somebody has been a good boy and hasn’t been rubbing any out.”

Mevi laughed. “Yes, Sir. I’ve been a good boy.”

“Well, darn. I didn’t say you couldn’t come, so I guess I can’t punish you for that.”

“Actually, you can punish me. It’s your rules, Sir.”

Doyle grinned. “I like your logic, boy.”





The next two weeks were the longest and best of Doyle’s life. Even the trans-Atlantic flight back to Florida didn’t bother him.

Not with Mevi in the seat next to him.

And Kel let them stay at the apartment. It was virtually unchanged from when they’d left, except that Tilly had asked Kel to put a bottle of sparkling grape juice in the fridge for them.

Then the planning started.

Once they’d had about two days in bed to get over their jet-lag.

When they weren’t busy screwing each other’s brains out.

When they walked into the clerk of the court’s office thirty minutes before closing on a Friday, Doyle hoped it might reduce how soon the news leaked out.

Loren, Ed, and Ross were with them.

Well, Tilly was, too, if one counted a video chat on Loren’s phone from the UK, where it was the middle of the night and she was wearing what looked like Eeyore PJs.

They had the certificate from a private marriage class they’d taken, thanks to digging by Ed and a generous payment to the instructor from Clark to get them a private class and completion certificate. That meant they didn’t have to go through the three-day waiting period after getting their license.

The office also had a small room just off to the side they could all step into and close the door for Loren to do the ceremony.

“Hold me up, Ed, dammit. I can’t see.”

“Sorry, Tilly.” Ed adjusted the phone.

“That’s better.”

Loren smiled at the two of them. “Join hands.”

Doyle told her he wanted this to be short, because it was simply a legal hurdle. What he couldn’t wait for was what they’d be doing in a little over an hour at the club.

“Is there anyone who wants to object to this—”

“Oh, for f*ck’s sake, Lor! Marry them already! I didn’t chase his goddamned ass down just to—”

“Don’t make me mute you, Til,” she spoke into the phone.

Tilly huffed and cupped her hands around a mug of what Doyle assumed was tea, from the string and tag hanging down the side.

Ross snickered as he videoed the session on his phone. Ed had switched hands he was holding the Tilly call in so he could take pics with his phone.

“Doyle Turner,” Loren said. “Do you take this man as your husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, to love, honor, and cherish, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” He blinked away tears as he stared up into Mevi’s blue gaze.

That this felt so much different than marrying Kathy was telling.

That this felt better. Stronger.

Made to last.

“Malcolm Levi Maynard, do you take this man as your husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, to love, honor, and obey, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.”

“Exchange rings.”

Doyle didn’t even try to hide how his hands trembled as he slid the wedding band onto Mevi’s left ring finger. Mevi seemed to have the same issue, he was happy to see.

“Now, by the power vested in me by the State of Florida, I pronounce you husband and husband. Congratulations, guys.”

Loren wore a beaming smile as Doyle pulled Mevi in for a long, strong kiss that had Tilly happily hooting over the phone.

“Love you,” he whispered.

Mevi smiled back. “Love you, too.”

“Okay. Finally. I’m going to take a nap. You know I get cranky…er when I’m tired. Call me from the club so I can watch the ceremony. And send me pics, dammit!”

Aaand, Tilly was gone.

They emerged from the room after Ed took a couple of pictures of them together, both them and just their hands clasped, a close-up showing the rings. They filed the certificate just before the office was ready to close, and soon after were on their way out the door. Loren and Ross left in their car, going ahead to make sure the club was ready.

Ed drove Doyle and Mevi, Mevi riding in the back seat.

“How long do you think we have before that hits the news?” Doyle asked.

“Hard to say. Someone as famous as him? I wouldn’t be surprised if it breaks overnight, but definitely by Monday. I honestly don’t think anyone in there recognized him. I was watching them when you filled out the paperwork. Not a single gasp or wide eye in the place.”

“How lucky could we be?”

“Maybe your luck’s finally tipped over to the good side.”

“For good,” Mevi chimed in from the back seat.