Page 343 of Scarbound

“I love you.”

Duri’s hand came to the back of his neck. “I love you too.”

Noeul’s smile softened. “Very much?”

“Painfully.”

“Good.”

He kissed him. “Ich liebe dich, Liebling.”

Duri stared at him.

Noeul burst out laughing. “What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re staring.”

“Your German is terrible.”

“Get out.”

Duri laughed and caught him around the waist before he could move, pulling him back against him. Their laughter disappeared into another kiss. Slower this time. Deeper.

Noeul’s fingers found the hem of Duri’s shirt and hesitated there. Then he pulled it upward. Duri helped him, tossing it somewhere behind them.

For a few seconds, Noeul simply looked. The tattoos he knew so well stretched across warm skin and muscle. He traced one slowly with his fingertips. “You have more.”

“A few.”

“You didn’t tell me.”

“I wanted you to find them yourself.”

Noeul raised an eyebrow. “Was that supposed to sound innocent?”

“No.”

They both laughed again. Noeul’s fingers moved over Duri’s tattoos, softly tracing their lines. Then his hand stopped. “Duri… This is the painting I sent you.”

Noeul drew a deep breath as warmth spread through him. “How? Why?”

Duri moved closer and held Noeul’s gaze. “You told me to look carefully.” His voice softened. “I did. And I found home in you.”

Noeul couldn’t find the words, so he leaned forward and kissed him.

Duri reached for Noeul’s undershirt but stopped. Noeul noticed the question in his eyes. He lifted his arms.

Duri pulled it carefully over his head.

Noeul stood bare-chested before him, suddenly conscious of every scar, every mark that remained. For a moment, the old instinct returned. Hide.

His arms almost crossed over his body, but Duri caught one of his hands instead. He didn’t stare at the scars. He didn’t pity him. He simply lifted Noeul’s hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles. Then his wrist.

Noeul’s throat tightened.

“You’re beautiful,” Duri said.