“Because you have to be yourself. Don’t you know that being Elliot is all you need to be? It’s all I want—youare all I want.”
“You’re sure? Or are you using me as a substitute?”
“Hell, no.” Figuring there was only one way of proving to Elliot his true feelings, Win tugged him close. “You’re no substitute. You’re the real deal. The only one I want to be with.” He held on tight, afraid if he let go, he might lose not only Elliot, but himself. That afternoon and evening had taught him he wasn’t about to let that happen. “I want to be with Elliot Hansen. When I close my eyes, it’s you I see. No one else.”
“I only want to be with you too.”
It wasn’t a betrayal of the past he’d had with Kevin, but an acknowledgment of a future to look forward to. What had started out as a silly challenge to himself to have some fun and follow Elliot’s list had instead changed his life.
He kissed Elliot’s half-open mouth. “I don’t want to wake up in the morning and see who I used to be. I want to see who I am. With you.”
“I can tell you who you are.” Elliot rose and held out his hand. “You’re mine. I don’t want to give you up, and I was planning on fighting for you. I just wasn’t sure who or what I was up against. And I’m ready to show you.”
Win allowed himself to be pulled to his feet, and fingers laced together, they left the living room. Elliot had just flicked off the lights in preparation for them going upstairs, when the doorbell rang. Win’s police instincts went on high alert, and he dropped Elliot’s hand and stepped in front of him.
“Who’s that?”
“How would I know?”
“Let me handle it.” Win’s forward progress was immediately impeded by Elliot, who cut him off with a frown.
“It’s my house. You don’t need tohandleanything for me. I’ve lived on my own for years.” Shooting him a troubled look from beneath knitted brows, Elliot left him and peered through the curtain before muttering, “Oh, for fuck’s sake,” and opening the door. “What the hell are you two doing here so late?”
Garrett Wolf and Spencer stood in the doorway, talking loudly over each other, which Win suspected was a common occurrence between the two.
“I don’t know why you didn’t wait for me, Elliot. I said I had something important to talk to you about, and I specifically didn’t want to send it to you in a text.” Wolf, still so laser-focused on Elliot, he hadn’t yet noticed Win standing off to the side, snapped, “Then you send us that ridiculous message.”
Spencer chimed in, “You haven’t answered a single text all evening. What did you think we were going to do?” He stormed past Wolf, only to stop in surprise when he met Win’s eyes. “Oh. What’re you doing here?”
Win’s blood burned from the overbearing behavior of Elliot’s annoyingly nosy friends, but he assumed a casual position against the oak banister, crossed his arms, and raised his brows. “I could ask you both the same thing.” If they thought they’d bully him or run him off, they were sorely mistaken. “It’s past eleven and a little late for visiting.”
Irritation radiated off Wolf’s broad shoulders in almost tangible waves. “We aren’t visitors. We’re family.” Brushing past Win, he strode into the living room and tossed his jacket onto a chair. He rolled up his shirt sleeves and loosened his tie. “Now please explain that text and why he’s here.”
“Damn, Wolfie, you look hot all pissed off and bossy.” Spencer blinked, then seemed to regain his focus and glared at Win. “But yeah, Elliot, what the hell is he doing here?” Gone was the friendly, flirtatious man Win remembered from their brunch. “I understand he’s gorgeous, and I’m sure the sex is great, but haven’t you learned anything? You’re too smart to fall for this bullshit. Don’t let his pretty face get to you.”
Angry now, not only over Spencer’s embarrassing, overly personal comments about their sex life, but the intimation that Elliot didn’t have the sense to make his own decisions, Win snapped, “Don’t talk to him like that. You have no right.”
“You got it backward,Detective,” Wolf sneered, his glance skimming over Win as if the sight of him was too painful for his eyes. “You’re the stranger here. We’ve known Ello almost all our lives. We know what’s best for him.”
“But you don’t know shit about Elliot and me.”
“We know enough.” Fire sparked between him and Wolf, and he took a step forward. Damned if he’d allow these men to bully him and Elliot.
“Stop.” Elliot stood between him, Spencer, and Wolf, who was facing Win. “All of you, shut the hell up.”
Win bit back another cutting remark and waited.
“Don’t fall for his bullshit. You saw the article I sent you. It’s there in black and white. He’s a liar and a cheater,” Wolf lashed out. “And I refuse to allow you to get caught up in his game.”
Elliot stuck his face in his friend’s. “What he is, you goddamned idiot, is a widower. Yes, he was married, but his husband passed away. No, he hadn’t told me he’d been married, but that’s between us to work out. Win and myself. Not you two, because it isn’t any of your business. Now I’ll give you some time to make your apologies to Win for the way you just spoke to him.” He paused. “Time’s up. Go ahead, Wolf.”
Win wanted to hug Elliot.
Bravo, baby.
He pressed his lips together to keep from breaking out in a smile. Nothing could’ve made him happier than seeing Elliot stand up for himself, and it was hot as hell to witness. Plus, while he appreciated the close friendship the men had, it was time for them to loosen the apron strings they’d kept Elliot tethered to, and treat him as a grown man, capable of making his own decisions.
Pale and stricken, Wolf and Spencer shifted on their feet and had trouble meeting his eyes. The anger toward them had faded somewhat, but Win had no problem making them as uncomfortable as possible, so he waited.
