“Not around you.” Tristan ran his knuckles over Sean’s jaw. “Not anymore. When I’m with you, I lose all self-control.”
“But there are things you still keep inside. Things you’ve never told anyone.” The air froze between them, encasing Tristan in ice. He stiffened and attempted to pull away, but Sean held him fast. “Don’t. Not with me. Know why I think that, even though you pretend it’s all good?”
Tristan waited, outwardly so strong, yet fragile as a house of cards.
“Because it’s also me. I can write a book on how to fake that everything’s fine on the outside when you’re dying inside.”
God, it felt good to release the truth that had tied him up in knots for years.
“Maybe it’s time we read that book,” Tristan said. “Together.”
“I might need help turning the pages.”
A heartbreaking smile ticked up the corners of Tristan’s mouth. “I’ll need help just opening it up.”
“I’ve got you.”
“Yeah. You do.”
He rested his cheek on Tristan’s shoulder while reaching to pull the tie from his hair. It tumbled to his shoulders, and Sean hummed his pleasure. “Have I told you I love your hair?” As if needing to prove his point, Sean buried his face in the silky waves.
“Mmhmm. Maybe once or twenty million times.” Tristan wrapped his arms around him. “I’m sorry you thought I didn’t trust your judgment. And I don’t think you’re stupid. You’re anything but.” The touch of Tristan’s lips would never fail to set his heart racing. “You’re smart and brave and kind. And I’m a fucking lucky man to have you.”
“I’m pretty lucky too. I think we both are to have found each other. I got so used to being with the wrong people, ones I shouldn’t have ever considered friends or been their lover. They never cared about me. Growing up, I learned to expect nothing so I’d never be disappointed.”
“I expected nothing and ended up with everything. You. Finding you was a dream I never believed possible. I figured I’d be alone because that’s how my life’s always been. Until you busted into it.”
Sean’s lips twitched. “As I recall, you were the one who busted in onmyapartment. Possession is nine points of the law, or some jazz like that, right?”
Tristan snorted with laughter, green eyes twinkling. “I wish I could possess you right now,” he murmured, that gravelly, throaty voice sending shivers down his spine, and Sean held him tighter. At that moment, he’d reached the pinnacle of happiness.
“I love you, Tristan. I’m sorry I ran away.”
“I love you too. And I’m sorry. I promise never to do anything behind your back again.”
Their kisses tasted sweeter than ever before.
“Is it safe to come out?” Charlotte called.
Hearing his sister so meek, Sean smiled against Tristan’s mouth. “It’s your house.”
Ray came up to them first, a troubled expression in his eyes. “I owe you a huge apology, Sean. Charlotte gave me an earful. It wasn’t right of me to do what I did. Maybe therewasa little bit of trying to keep you from making another mistake by rushing into something without a plan, but it was never because I thought you weren’t smart enough to succeed.”
Sean opened his mouth to snap at him, but shut it instead and thought about what Ray had said. “You’re not entirely wrong. I can be defensive, and if I take a hard look at myself, I’ll admit that sometimes I jump into things without thinking them through.” There was that dog-walking business, and the house-cleaning service he’d started, then abandoned. He held out a hand. “And I still have to get used to people caring enough to look out for me so I don’t fuck up and make a mistake. So thank you for that.”
Ray grasped it, and for the first time, Sean felt they were on equal footing and that Ray not only listened to him but believed in his abilities.
“And for the record,” Ray said, “I think this business is a winner. You have a built-in client base here with our friends on the Island, which may not be your ideal locale, but it can be steady.”
“Agreed. And I picked up tons of potential clients in the city as well after doing the party for Tristan’s goddaughter. This time I had business cards to hand out.”
Approval lit up Ray’s face. “Excellent. I think this will be a big success.”
Warily, Charlotte approached him, but he held out his arms and hugged her. “I’m so lucky to have you. Thank you for being there for me and accepting me.”
“I love you too. And I think we’re both pretty damn lucky, don’t you?”
Over her shoulder he met Tristan’s eyes, filled with laughter and warmth where there’d once been nothing but emptiness.
