Leo nudged his cheek, then kissed it. “Now you’re a threat to my heart.”
Joy leaped into his chest. “That’s nice to hear.”
“Don’t sound so surprised. Diego didn’t even have to ask—he said he knew I’d met someone who gave me what he couldn’t. Why do you still doubt yourself?”
“I don’t know. I guess ’cause growing up I always knew things would be different because I was gay. Harder. That’s what my parents told me. So when I met Jeffrey and he treated me so badly—”
“Abused you. Say it. You’re a survivor of abuse, and you’re fucking strong.” Leo held him.
Thinking it was one thing. Saying it? Harder still. But with Leo there, fixing him with that hawklike, penetrating gaze, it all clicked into place. Hewasstrong, and he didn’t need anyone, not even Leo, to make him happy. He was in charge of himself, and he would never let anyone make decisions for him. Life was a whole different ball game when you recognized who you were.
“Abused me.” His voice rang out sure and strong. “I let Jeffrey make all the rules and decide everything. Looking back, I wasn’t ever in love with him.”
Leo’s fingers teased up and down his arm. “No? But you married him.”
“I wanted to be wanted. And he loved telling me what to do. I thought he was so sophisticated, and pleasing him became my top priority. I was nothing more than his puppy, looking for praise, doing whatever I could to make him happy.”
“Leaving yourself empty.”
“Yeah. But if he was happy, it meant I could relax and stop being afraid he’d hurt me.”
“You should never depend on someone else for your happiness.”
Morgan pulled away from Leo. “I don’t see it that way. Being with you makes me happy. And I don’t have to be anybody but who I really am. Even though I can be happy without you, I’m happier when we’re together.”
The silence between them grew as heavy as the earlier humidity, and Leo dropped his gaze.
“When I was with Diego earlier, it didn’t feel right hugging him hello. It was awkward. I know what you feel like, and it’s you who belongs here.” He patted his chest, and Morgan sank into his place like a long-searched-for puzzle piece that completed the picture. Whole. Unbroken. Finished for everyone to admire, but only they knew the intricacy and work it took putting it all together. “You belong with me.”
“I love you, Leo. Now I know. It wasn’t real before. Not like this. Like us.”
Intent and solemn, Leo gazed at him so long, Morgan grew nervous. But then Leo said, “I thought there was something wrong with me because I couldn’t love, but I chalked it up to how I was treated by my mother and Robert. Love wasn’t meant for someone like me. I wandered around from person to person, without a direction or a home. But now that I have you”—Leo smiled, and it was like the sun rising on a brand-new day and Morgan could breathe again—“I always know where I am, where I’m going. Home. With you. Homeisyou. I-I love you too. I’ve never said it to anyone else, but I know it’s right.”
Morgan threw his arms around Leo and kissed him over and over. Leo held him tight, and their kisses seemed sweeter, their touches deft and strong. For Morgan, this was the start of every dream, except he was awake and this was reality. His reality.
“I knew it was you because I don’t have to change who I am. I can set off the smoke detector or blow a fuse, and you’d still love me.”
“You have, and I do.” Leo’s voice, with a smile on the edge of his words, rumbled through him.
“Even if I cracked the wall, you wouldn’t hurt me.”
Leo kissed his neck. “Of course I wouldn’t. I—wait a minute. Cracked the wall?” He sat up. “What’re you talking about?”
Laughing at Leo, Morgan straddled him, watching the rise of desire in his eyes. “We can talk later. Wouldn’t you rather kiss me now?” He walked his fingers up Leo’s chest and kissed his neck, then tugged at his earlobe with his teeth.
“You don’t play fair,” Leo grumbled but allowed Morgan to pop his jeans tab and draw his zipper down. “I can’t say no to you.”
“I’m playing for keeps. All’s fair in love.”
***
The start of the school year was always bittersweet for Morgan. While he loved meeting his new class and getting to know all the children, there was something sad about saying good-bye to the carefree days of summer. Especially when it had been the best summer of his life.
That morning hadn’t been as carefree as he would’ve liked, though. He’d woken Leo up with a whispered, “Want to play hot for teacher?” and Leo was raring to go, but just as things were firing up between them, Leo’s cell phone went off with numerous calls about the hot water not working.
“Goddamn it.” He rolled off Morgan. “It’s seven a.m. What the hell is wrong with people, taking showers so early?”
Snorting with laughter even though he was painfully aroused, Morgan sat upright. “I’m assuming they’re trying to get ready for work and not planning on sneaking in some early morning sexy times like us.”
