Lysander didn’t hesitate. “It wasn’t you, and you don’t need to worry about any of that. Stellar contained him and is taking care of that. You’re free, and no one blames you for the things he did. It wasn’t you.”
Stone found himself smiling again. “I know. Celina told me.”
To his surprise, Lysander didn’t look happy about his confession. His gaze slid away. Stone got a blast of unhappiness that nearly took him to his knees. It wasn’t his.
Stone didn’t want any more dark times. Unfortunately, he obviously failed his mate. “Talk to me. I need my life back, Lysander. Please don’t make me worry if I’m doing something wrong. I can’t take anything else.”
Lysander shifted uncomfortably. He didn’t meet Stone’s stare. “I can feel how much you love Celina.”
A nervous chuckle escaped Stone. “Surely you don’t think you have to compete with a baby. That’s—”
“No,” Lysander said in a rush, as if horrified by even the suggestion. “I can’t give you that. You won’t have that life with me.”
Stone was confused as fuck. “Have what life?” He didn’t think he was dense or anything. Lysander had him blocked, and he possessed the magic to hold Stone at bay. He spoke in circles, and Stone didn’t know how to play this game. He had never loved anyone with the burning intensity he felt for Lysander. There was no one else out there for him. If Lysander didn’t want a life with him, there would never be anyone again.
“Do you mean that?”
Stone blinked. Lysander made him feel dumb as hell. “Mean what?”
Lysander didn’t back down. “All the thoughts you’re having about loving me and there being no one else? I can’t see you giving up a carnal life, not even for me.”
He actually had Stone a little angry. It felt like Lysander doubted him in several ways and kept those feelings to himself. “I love you. That’s bigger than everything. You’re my partner for eternity. I don’t need anything else.”
“Not even a child of your own?”
The bark of laughter that burst from Stone almost came from his core, but he still apologized when Lysander’s closed expressiondidn’t change. It was obvious he felt the need to protect himself against this matter.
Stone forced himself to take the topic seriously for Lysander’s sake. “I’m sorry. You just caught me off guard. I’m not father material. I’m way too needy and selfish. A child deserves better than me refusing to spend my time with anyone other than you.”
“But I’ve seen you with Celina. There’s a parent inside you.”
Stone had to focus on not rolling his eyes. “There absolutely is not. Now, a rich uncle who spoils kids and sends them right back home. I might be that guy, and that’s a big might. Celina is special, and I can’t explain that. But she’s also exactly where she needs to be: with the family who made her that way. Not once in my life have I looked at another child and wanted any part of them. That probably makes me sound like a bastard, but—”
“You’re too much of a free spirit,” Lysander finished for him. His smile had reappeared.
“I planned to say whore, but tomato, tomato.”
Before Stone saw it coming, Lysander grabbed his junk and massaged him through his jeans. It wasn’t exactly a gentle caress. “Those days are gone. You belong to me. This is real love. Don’t fuck it up.” Lysander’s hard expression and possessiveness was hot as hell.
Lust ricocheted through him. He hauled Lysander against him by his perfect globes. Stone squeezed, massaging Lysander’s asswhile using the momentum to rock against him. “That’s a two-way street. I see the way everyone looks at you and how you use that to your advantage. Utilize what you’ve got, but you best recall you’re mine and no one will ever love you the way I do.”
“Not even an issue.” Lysander shot forward and covered Stone’s mouth with his. Nothing could have thrown ice water on the situation faster. The move reminded him that this was still just a dream. As the scenery surrounding them faded, he wondered if any of it had been real.
The moment Lysander’s eyes shot open, he rolled, covering Stone’s body, and magicked them home before Frost could appear and knock them out again. He knew Stone still needed to stay in bed, but Lysander could keep him there. At home. In their bed. They were past due for a honeymoon stage, wherethey shut out the world. He wouldn’t tolerate any interruptions. Celina had not only healed Stone, but she had made sure he understood he still had his friends. Lysander would try to wrap his head around the Celina stuff at a later time. Literally nothing else mattered right now.
The moment Stone’s back hit the bed with Lysander’s body covering him, his eyes shot open. For a second, he looked like a trapped animal before he focused on Lysander. His muscles relaxed beneath Lysander’s hands. Stone’s features softened. “Hey, baby.”
Dear King, Lysander loved him. “Hey. Did you have a nice nap?”
A wicked smile stretched Stone’s lips. “I had a dream I didn’t want to end, but this is better.”
Lysander waggled his eyebrows. “Ah, it was that kind of dream.”
“You should know. You were there.”
Lysander laughed. He couldn’t help it. There had never been this much happiness in his life. It had nowhere to go. “Maybe.”
“I knew it!” Stone shouted the words, making Lysander’s ears ring with his enthusiasm. “How do you keep doing that? Connected in mind or not, I don’t think I could pull that off.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “At least I don’t think I can.”
