Marriage is an amazing gift, and this is the perfect chance to make it last forever. Tyler is all he ever wanted, and he couldn’t see himself going on in life without him. Connor and Tyler fell in love after meeting on the local rodeo circuit and moved in together. Time has passed, and they bought a small ranch to make it their permanent home. Connor had always wanted to marry Tyler and be the husband he always wanted to be and now that it was legal for them to be married, Connor has planned the most romantic proposal he could think of. Keeping it a secret from the man he loves may prove harder than he thinks and the sacrifice of his prized spurs he won at a rodeo will make everything worth it. In Colorado, love can stand as strong as the mountains themselves.
Connor leaned against the tall oak next to his house. The home he and Tyler made for themselves a year ago. It was their anniversary of buying the land and house together. Conner breathed in and pulled a small box out of his pocket. His heart raced as he opened it. Tonight would be the night Conner would propose to Tyler. The love he had for Tyler was stronger than ever, and he couldn’t see living his life without him. Tyler meant so much to him it hurt at times. It was all worth it. All the hard work, the house and land, and to be able to feel Tyler’s touch at the end of the day made every struggle in life worth it.
Opening the box, the glint of sunlight bounced off the silver ring. It was an engagement band. Connor traced the rough contour with his fingers. The sacrifices he'd endured for the ring made him beam. The ring was crafted from the set of spurs Conner had won competing in the International Gay Rodeo. It had been the first time he'd entered the competition, and besides winning a portion of the prizes, he'd come away with spurs. It was also where he'd met Tyler. Ten years later, they were still together and stronger in love than ever before.
Months ago, he'd taken the spurs to the blacksmith who shod their horses and asked him to make a ring out of them. The blacksmith had been shocked, almost refusing to do it because of the prize, but after Conner had offered hard cash, he agreed. Connor had known he would and had felt a part of himself become lost when he handed over the spurs. Tyler was worth it. Connor had gained so much since they got together.
“You are worth it. Every bit of it,” Connor whispered.
“Talking to yourself again?” a deep voice said from behind him.
Connor quickly put the box in his pocket and hoped Tyler didn’t see it.
“I was thinking out loud,” Connor said, turning around.
“I know. Talk as much as you want. I love the sound of your voice.”
Connor grinned back. The man who stood in front of him left him breathless. From the Stetson on his head to the boots on his feet, Connor loved every part of Tyler. He kept smiling as Tyler walked toward him. He exhaled as he admired the strong cowboy who was his partner. It wasn’t just his body, but his touch. Every time he felt Tyler’s touch, he knew there was love and respect in it—firm, full of strength, yet gentle, like his heart. Connor knew he was in love and had no problem showing it.
Connor reached out and caressed Tyler’s bare upper body, which was beaded with sweat. Tyler was muscular, his smooth chest showing only a small patch of hair. Connor knew it drove Tyler crazy when he ran his hand through it, then down his flat stomach. Something about each other’s physical contact ignited so much passion in them. It was something they explored regularly. Connor never got tired of Tyler’s body or how it made him feel. For Connor, it was heaven on earth.
“I can talk a lot. Maybe I could spend all day telling you how much I love you,” Connor whispered in Tyler’s ear. Connor reached around the man’s waist and pulled him in close.
“I could never get tired of that,” replied Tyler.
“Then that’s what I’ll do.”
“Forever?”
“And ever.”
Tyler kissed him. Their lips met, soft at first, but as soon as Tyler’s mouth opened, Connor’s passion poured out. The kiss fueled his desire for Tyler's body, and Tyler responded in kind. The rise in Tyler’s pants pushed against Connor as they kissed. As Connor explored Tyler’s muscular back, Tyler wrapped his arms around the back of Connor’s neck, leaving a little distance between them. Conner felt his own hardness against his jeans, and knew if they didn’t stop, then the only thing that would get done was each other, but they still had work to do around the small ranch they called home. Connor pulled back with reluctance and grinned at Tyler. Tyler returned the smile.
“I can start with this, but after our work is done, I'm going to make you all mine,” Connor said, letting his arms slide down Tyler’s back.
“I’m already yours, Connor,” Tyler said, caressing Connor’s scruffy face.
“Yeah. If I tie you down, I’ll make sure of it,” Connor said in a playful tone.
“Gonna tie me down like the calves at the rodeo? I may like that.”
Connor shook his head. Tyler was his everything. By the next day, he would have a future husband. Not just a partner, but something more. Connor knew Tyler would say yes, but there was always lingering doubt. He refused to let it bother him. If he did, Connor would go mad by overthinking it. It was the time to make sure everything would be ready for later. While Tyler worked with the horses in the barn, he would quickly make sure their suits were ready for the evening. After the animals were fed and after the last bit of framing for the shed was put together, they were going out.
