Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 152931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 765(@200wpm)___ 612(@250wpm)___ 510(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152931 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 765(@200wpm)___ 612(@250wpm)___ 510(@300wpm)
“I have for a long time now. Probably since our first night together. It scared me and I freaked. That’s the only reason I did what I did. I was scared. Everything about you has me all tangled up, Levi. Ever since the first time I laid eyes on you, I couldn’t get you out of my head. Then, after our first night together, I couldn’t get you out of my heart.”
Levi had perfected being silent—had it down to an art. He did turn his head and assess Thane before he shifted and turned fully toward him. Thane resisted the smile he felt nudging his lips as he watched Levi’s face shift through a constant array of various levels of astonishment, but he never released his hand.
Thane brought Levi’s knuckles to his lips and kissed them, just waiting for him to speak. Levi’s eyes tracked his movement; he took a step in, coming chest to chest with Thane as his free hand cupped Thane’s neck, drawing him in. This kiss was different. Desperation and intensity fueled it. Thane purposefully tried to keep it light. Words needed to be said. Things discussed. Decisions made before he got lost to this man.
“Babe, tell me what you’re thinking. Please,” he said, pulling away.
“If it were just me…” Levi started then shook his head, looking away. No, Thane wasn’t having any of that. Thane used his palms against each of Levi’s cheeks, bringing those expressive eyes back to him.
“If this were just you, what?” Thane asked, only inches separated Levi’s face from his. “You’d say I love you back to me?”
“Yes,” Levi hissed like that was an absolute given. “God, yes. I would have already said it to you.”
Thane’s heart latched on to those words, easing, while at the same time filling with happiness that began to build in his chest.
“I’ve embraced your brothers, Levi. I know you three are a package deal,” he explained, stepping in a little closer as he caressed the soft skin beneath Levi’s eye. Levi’s hands went to his waist, and fisted his shirt, drawing Thane forward until he was fully plastered against Levi from head to toe.
“But we can’t move this fast. It’s too complicated. Luke needs to finish high school in whatever school he starts in Maryland. Logan has five months before he starts college. He needs a steady foundation…”
They were starting the same conversation they’d had a hundred times now. Thane moved his fingers, covering Levi’s mouth, cutting off his words. Thane spent the long plane ride preparing for this exact argument.
“So it’s safeguards you need? Then we’ll give you those. If this doesn’t work out, I’ll move to the basement with Brock until Luke graduates. I’ll put it in writing.”
“Thane, we’ve known each other for only a few months. You can’t give me your house if we decide we don’t want to date anymore,” Levi countered, but his guy’s hold only tightened, locking around his waist.
“This is so much more than dating, Levi. Augh.” Thane felt himself deflating, growing frustrated. In his heart, he knew Levi wanted all this with him. It was his own hard head that kept him fighting their inevitable future together. “Levi, if you didn’t have your brothers, would you move in with me?”
“Absolutely. Of course,” Levi replied instantly without any hesitation.
“Then stay in that mind-set. Stop putting obstacles that aren’t obstacles in our way. Luke will have what he needs—a good home, a good school district, a million places he could work and hang out. While you’re in school, putting in all those hours, I’ll be home with him, helping with homework and hopefully easing that concern for you. Let me share that life with you. I want the whole package, Levi.”
“It seems unfair and one-sided,” Levi challenged.
“One-sided in my favor. You’re all I want in the world. I want to create a life with you, a family with you. Stand by your side and have you by mine,” Thane reasoned, and for the first time in this conversation, he sensed Levi giving.
“I’ll need to pay our way,” Levi stated matter-of-factly and adjusted his body, leaning against one of the large rocks, drawing Thane there with him, between his parted thighs.
“Or you could attend school and spend your free time with me,” Thane countered, a small smile spreading across his face. He had him. Levi had just indirectly agreed to move in with him.
“Thane…”
“Levi…” Thane mimicked. “Do whatever you want. I don’t care. Just do it with me by your side. It’s not complicated… I’m actually saving money by being in this particular relationship because you won’t let me buy you anything.” He’d tried to lighten the mood, but a different emotion took hold as Thane gazed deeply into Levi’s eyes. “I want to hear you say it.”
“I love you. I do. I have. For just as long. It happened that first night. I’ve only ever been in love with you,” Levi explained in a rush of rambling words. Thane didn’t stop him. He needed the flow of that loving confession like he needed his next breath. Levi had been so hard to get to know, he’d kept himself at a distance, and now he fully understood why.