“What? No?” His voice is rough, surprised.
I lean in closer to his ear. “Nope,” I whisper. “I’m definitely fucking gay.”
He rolls off me, laughing, then presses a gentle kiss to my cheek, completely unaware that the wordsI love youare tangled somewhere in his mouth.
ELIJAH
I struggleto open my eyes. Beside me, Alex stretches, tugging the warm blanket with him. I pull him close and press a kiss to his forehead as his lazy eyes flutter open, a small smile curling at the corners of his lips.
Mmm… that sexy-as-fuck dimple.
“Good morning, mi amor.” I kiss his flushed cheek. He looks stunning, as always.
“Elijah,” he groans, stretching again. “Have you showered already? You smell… clean.”
“Was I dirty before?”
“Your lips are always filthy.”
I steal another kiss. “Is that so? I guarantee it’s only when they’re on you, mi amor.”
I roll onto my side and reach for my pants.
“I’m going to grab a cup of coffee while you get your sweet ass out of bed and into the shower. Oh, and Alex?”
“Yeeesss?” He yawns, rolling to the other side of the bed.
“I just want to assure you I’ve been tested—and I’m negative. Haven’t slept with anyone… well, other than my husband.”
Fuck. I cringe at the Freudian slip. Thank God that he didn’t catch it.
He yawns again. “Good to know. I got tested too during my annual physical last month. All clear.”
I wasn’t worried—I knew he hadn’t been with a woman in years, much less a man.
I lean in for one more sloppy kiss before sliding out of bed, heading off in search of coffee.
20
ALEX
Two days.That’s it. But it might as well have been an eternity since Elijah spent the night in my bed—since he made love to me—since I realized I fell in love with him.
I wanted so badly to say it aloud, to let him hear those three simple words:I love you. They hovered on the edge of my tongue, teasing me, only to dissolve between his plush lips every time he kissed me senseless. And maybe I was afraid. Afraid of what saying them might change, or what it might mean for us. But the truth is undeniable now. I’ve fallen in love with him.
My feelings for Elijah have been growing steadily, deepening with every day spent by his side. I can’t wait to see how happy Ana will be for us. There’s something beautiful about how naturally she accepts her dads’ sexuality. It’s just part of her world. Her genuine openness to the LGBTQIA+ community is what I love about her.
Emilee will be thrilled too. I’m sure of it. She adores Elijah, and she absolutely looks up to Ana. She mirrors her openness,her kindness, the way she embraces everyone, gay or straight. That kind of acceptance is already in her heart.
I’ve got to tell Elijah that I love him. Emilee will be home from Spain in three days, so this is my window—my chance to finally say what I’ve been holding in.
I know he loves me too. I can feel it in the way he looks at me, touches me… waits for me. I’m pretty sure he’s been waiting for me to say it first. And honestly, I don’t blame him. My emotions have been all over the place since the day we first met.
But now? I’m sure. I’m one hundred percent all in.
An idea starts to take shape.
I’ll surprise him. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll tell him tonight—tell him I want to be with him, only him… and that I love him.
