Jared shivered. It was far too soon to have such thoughts, yet hearing them felt right, like a balm to his weary soul.
“I could sit on that question for months or years, but what difference would it make?” Kyrone asked him. “If I know how I feelnow, why wait?”
“Ky…” Jared stroked Kyrone’s face because he wasn’t sure what else to do.
“I love you,” Kyrone repeated. “Move in with me? Marry me?”
Jared couldn’t make himself speak to say yesorno. So he stared into Kyrone’s eyes because he wasn’t sure what else to do. He was too tired, too drained, too overwhelmed by everything to make a sensible decision.
“I’ll wait,” Kyrone said. “Answer me when you’re ready.”
Jared sagged against Kyrone, cradling what Kyrone had said in his thoughts. ‘I’ll wait. Answer me when you’re ready.’Those were probably the most perfect words he could ever remember hearing.
24Kyrone
Kyrone watched Jared as he slept. They were in the positions they usually slept in, on their sides, with Kyrone spooning Jared. He loved the closeness he felt to his lover and the way their breathing often fell into rhythm. Although it had been painful to watch, he hadn’t been surprised that Jared had fallen apart; he was actually more amazed that it hadn’t happened sooner. He was glad Jared had called him. The fact that his lover had turned to him at his lowest point, had cuddled into him and bared his soul so unashamedly, showed how much Jared loved him. It had cemented Kyrone’s love for him too.
He hadn’t been planning on asking Jared to move in, let alone to marry him, but both questions had poured out of him as he’d got swept away by a tumult of emotions.
He didn’t regret either question, even though his timing couldn’t have been more awful. Nor was he disappointed that Jared needed to take time to respond. His life had been turned upside down, he’d lost everything, and he’d just been dealt another blow. Kyrone knew how important it was for Jared to feel independent, and he didn’t want to do anything that would take that away from him, but they both had to face the fact that Jared did need help, even if, for now, that was in the shape of emotional and financial support.
Jared stirred, pushing back against him, snuggling for closer contact, even though he was only just waking up.
“How are you feeling?” Kyrone asked once he was sure Jared was lucid enough to hear and understand him.
“Drained,” Jared murmured.
“That’s not surprising.”
“I’m—”
Kyrone placed his hand over Jared’s mouth. “Don’t apologise,” he ordered as he lowered his hand.
Jared let out a soft laugh. “Sorry for over apologising.”
“Naughty.”
“What time is it?”
“Late,” Kyrone said without bothering to look at the clock. It was dark outside, but he’d lost track of time as he’d cuddled Jared.
“Did you mean what you said?” Jared asked.
“Which part?”
“Wanting to be with me?”
Kyrone kissed his neck. He would never get tired of his lover’s beautiful long neck. “Absolutely.”
“Even if…” Jared sucked in a sob.
“No matter what.” Kyrone rolled onto his back, pulling Jared with him, so his lover was half lying on him. Then he rested his hand on Jared’s stomach, inching his T-shirt up so he could stroke his pale skin. “I love you.”
“You’ve said that a lot today.”
“That’s because I need you to believe it.”
Jared sighed. “I do.” He turned his head and brushed his fingers over Kyrone’s jaw. “I don’t normally fall apart like that.”
