Drew’s hand reached for mine, and he laced our fingers together under his chin.
I met his gaze. “A long time ago, I made you a promise.”
“Foster brothers forever.”
“I fucking hate those words. Not at the time I said them. They were true, and regardless of what happens between us, you’ll always be my family, but I unwittingly put us in a box. I feel like maybe that was my fault, you know?”
“It takes two, West. We held on to the only thing that was safe. I don’t know about you, but River has been pushing me to tell you how I feel for weeks.”
I laughed. “So has Noah.”
He raised his head. “Really?”
I nodded. “It seems the only people unaware of how we felt about each other…was us.”
“What a pair, huh?” Drew’s expression suddenly turned playful, though I could see a flicker of vulnerability beneath it.
“What do you say we make a new start and redefine what we are to each other?”
“Does this mean I get to upgrade from brother status?”
I laughed. “Definitely? What did you have in mind?”
He pretended to consider it, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “Well, devastatingly handsome lover has a nice ring to it.”
I snorted, swatting his butt lightly. “It’s not a lie. You are cataclysmically handsome. If only you knew how hard it’s been to keep my feelings to myself.”
Drew caught my hand, bringing it to his lips. “Hey, I’m just looking for a label that accurately reflects our new…situation.” His eyes danced with mischief, but I saw the genuine question lurking beneath.
“How about…?” I paused, my heart racing. “How about boyfriend? For starters, anyway.”
The smile that lit up Drew’s face was brighter than any sunrise I’d ever seen. “Boyfriend, huh?” he said, running his fingers through my hair. “I like the sound of that. Though I have to admit, I’ve got some bigger aspirations for us down the line.”
I grinned, feeling a flutter in my chest. “Oh yeah? Do tell, Mr. Ambitious. What’s next on your relationship checklist?”
Drew’s cheeks flushed slightly, but he held my gaze. “Well, you know…the usual. Boyfriend, husband, father. The whole package.”
My heart did somersaults. “That sounds absolutely perfect.”
Drew’s arms tightened around me, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. He glanced toward the hallway. “Why don’t we take this conversation somewhere a little more…roomy?”
My pulse quickened as I caught his meaning. “Lead the way, boyfriend.”
We untangled ourselves from the couch, Drew’s hand finding mine as we made our way to his bedroom. The air seemed to thicken with anticipation. We’d traded hand jobs and blowjobs, but we hadn’t taken it further. Maybe we’d needed to have this conversation before we were ready to give the last piece of ourselves.
The atmosphere shifted as he closed the door behind us. The familiar space now held a charge of electricity, of possibilities.
He turned to face me, his expression a mix of desire and tenderness that made my breath catch.
“So,” I said, aiming for casual but my voice coming out embarrassingly husky. “I’m new at this boyfriend thing. What is it exactly that boyfriends do?”
Drew’s laugh was low and warm as he pulled me closer. “Oh, baby,” he said, lifting onto his tiptoes until his lips brushed my ear. “Let me show you.”
I shivered at the feel of his breath against my skin, my hands sliding up his slim chest. “Show me.”
Drew’s response was immediate and passionate. His lips crashed into mine, hungry and insistent. I didn’t think touching him would ever be less intense. Our hands roamed eagerly, relearning familiar territory with a new purpose.
As we stumbled toward the bed, I winced slightly.
