“No. You don’t get to do that to me right now,” Qylar said, fear growing in his eyes. “Not after the last thirty hours or so.”
“No one’s ever worried about me. Not like this.”
“I won’t stop worrying, either. Not until you tell me what’s wrong,” Qylar said.
“No. You don’t understand me,” Kenji said. “Your concern made me emotional.”
Qylar watched him, silent a moment. After a few seconds, he released a breath and his shoulders loosened.
“The sudden realization of just how much you care about me…” Kenji had to stop. He couldn’t put what he felt into words. It was beyond words.
Qylar swooped in for a kiss. Kenji poured himself into it, wrapping his arms around Qylar’s neck. What he couldn’t say with words, hopefully he’d say in that kiss.
When they broke for air, Kenji rubbed the tip of his nose against Qylar’s. “I’m sorry if I seemed dismissive of your concerns.” He paused, chuckling. “I mean, I ama little.”
Qylar rubbed his back and stared down, affection glowing in his eyes.
“Just know that I’m not dismissive of the driving force behind those concerns. Your love is the greatest gift anyone hasevergiven me.”
“It will only grow deeper from here,” Qylar murmured.
“I can’t wrap my head around deeper than what it is now,” Kenji said. “I love you, Qylar, though I fear mine could never match yours, even though it thoroughly consumes me.”
Qylar leaned in and captured his lips, feasting on his mouth. When they finally came up for air, Kenji sighed.
“How do you feel?” Qylar asked, watching him closely.
“Fine,” Kenji said. “Loved.” He smiled up at his mate until his stomach loudly growled. “I’m also starving.”
Qylar snickered. “Perhaps it’s a good sign that our kiss didn’t set off another round of heat.”
“No heat. Just warmth.”
Qylar snuck another quick kiss. “Let’s get you a quick snack and head up. After I give you the once over, we can figure out what we’re having for supper.”
Kenji peeked outside, noting it was even darker. “Dinnertime? Last I remember, it was past breakfast.”
“Breakfastyesterday.”Qylar took his hand and led him into the kitchen. “Which you never got a chance to eat.”
Kenji eyed all the new decorations as they passed on the way to the kitchen. “You’ve been busy since I’ve been asleep.”
“I had to do something with myself instead of go mad with worry.”
“I thought Cryss and Alex wanted to keep it simple, though? This is a lot.”
“Simple wouldn’t do this year,” Qylar said. “We’re going to go all out and decorate inside and out.”
“Why?”
Qylar didn’t answer. He rummaged through the refrigerator a moment and then handed Kenji a cup of cut, mixed fruit. “Eat that for now. I’ll make you something more substantial when we get back down.”
“Whyare you going hog wild with the decorating?” Kenji asked before he popped a strawberry between his lips.
“Do you not like it?”
“I do. It’s beautiful,” Kenji replied.
A sly smile came to Qylar’s lips.
