She thinks for a moment. “They don’t share the same last name. I know the CEO is Cade’s father, and that Mr. Adley’s mother often refers to them as ‘stepbrothers’ on her social media.”
I’m quietly impressed. Dr. Hart clearly hires sharp people.
Dr. Hart continues, “What would you think if I told you that Rowan and Cade were in a romantic relationship?”
Elana’s eyes widen briefly, then she smiles. “Wait… really?” She looks at me, then at Rowan, who’s now staring hard at the floor. “I love that for you guys. It makes sense. Sure, some people might find it odd at first, but when you really think about it… you’re just two guys. You can’t help that your parents are married, right?”
The tension in Rowan’s shoulders visibly eases. I smile at Elana, grateful.
“Thank you, Elana,” Dr. Hart says.
Once she’s gone, Dr. Hart turns to us. “Rowan, I’m going to give you ten minutes alone. Would you like Cade to comfort you now?”
Rowan nods weakly.
The moment Dr. Hart steps out and closes the door, I stand and pull Rowan up into my arms. He returns the embrace immediately, burying his face against my shoulder. We just hold each other in the quiet office, his body still trembling slightly against mine.
Chapter Eleven
Rowan
I’m still wrapped in Cade’s arms, my forehead resting against his shoulder. The steady warmth of his body slowly settles something deep inside my chest that’s been spinning wildly since this morning. It’s a lot to process. I’m grateful for Elana’s honest reaction… the way her breath caught, the brief pause, and then the genuine warmth in her voice when she said she loved it for us. Even though Cade and I aren’t anything official yet, Dr. Hart had made his point clear: the world won’t automatically see us as disgusting. We’re not blood-related. That’s a fact no one can argue with, and it helped. It helped more than I expected.
I still can’t believe I cried in front of both of them. Internally, I’m mortified. This isn’t who I am, or at least, it never used to be. I feel like I’m discovering a softer, more fragile side of myself that’s been locked away for years, and it took Cade forcing the door open for it to finally surface.
Cade’s voice gently pulls me out of my thoughts. “Ro?”
I manage a quiet, “Mhmm?” without lifting my head. I don’t have the confidence to look at him yet.
“You’re scared… of wanting more?” he asks softly.
I inhale shakily and nod against his shoulder.
He pulls back just enough to cup my face in both hands, forcing me to meet his eyes. Heat floods my cheeks instantly, those stupid butterflies exploding in my stomach again. Cade seems to like it though… his thumbs stroke slowly along my cheekbones, right where I know the blush is sitting brightest.
“Why are you scared?” he murmurs.
I swallow hard and whisper, “Because it’syou.”
“Should I be offended?” There’s a teasing lilt in his voice.
I let out a small, breathless laugh and shake my head. “No… it’s just… I don’t know. We’ve never really…”
“Gotten along?” he finishes for me, smiling softly. “Spent time together? Had anything in common?”
I roll my eyes, but a small smile tugs at my lips as I nod.
“Hmm,” he hums. “Would this help?”
I search his face, confused, right before he leans in and kisses me, gentle at first, warm and unhurried.
Oh my god. He’s kissing me.
His lips move against mine, coaxing, and when I don’t respond immediately, he speaks softly against my mouth. “You know, Ro… if you want me, you should really kiss me back.”
An overwhelmed little noise escapes me, half-need, half-surrender, and then I’m kissing him properly. My arms slide up and wrap around his neck as I open for him. The kiss turns filthy fast, deep, wet, and hungry. His tongue slides against mine, slow and possessive, tasting me like he has every right to. I moan softly into his mouth, fingers tightening in the hair at the nape of his neck, and he answers with a low, rumbling groan that vibrates straight through me.
The sound of Dr. Hart’s voice approaching from the hallway snaps me back to reality. I pull away quickly, breathing hard, and clear my throat.Christ… where did that come from?
