Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“I’m not going anywhere.” Russ kept his voice firm. “I know you think rebound relationships can’t last, but I’m going to prove you wrong. Truly, I don’t think I’m on the rebound, but even if I am, I want you. I want this. You’re what I wanted all along, what I was looking for.”
“You’re what I’ve been looking for too.” Esteban stepped closer, looping his arms around Russ’s neck. “Maybe that’s why I was so quick to agree to pretend to be your boyfriend—I wanted all the benefits of a relationship with none of the risks to my heart. And that’s not reasonable.”
“No, it’s not.” Rubbing Esteban’s sides, Russ pulled him closer. “But I like your heart. A lot. I’m going to do my best to keep it safe.”
“I appreciate that.” Stretching, Esteban pressed a soft kiss to Russ’s mouth. “And I want to do that too for you. Tonight, I kind of sucked at it—I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry. But I want to protect your heart too. It’s a pretty good one.”
“Yeah? Well, it likes you.”
They were dancing around the actual words, still easing into the big, scary emotions, but they were there, simmering under the surface. And if Esteban was going to give them a chance, they’d have plenty of time to voice those words, embrace the biggest and most intimidating feelings.
“Excellent. I want to go on a date.” Esteban was surprisingly decisive for the wee hours of the morning.
“Now?” Russ blinked, trying to keep up.
“No, I mean like Judy’s New Year’s Eve party. Or those symphony tickets. An actual first date, no more pretending. Like you said earlier. No breaking up. Just starting fresh. Together.”
“We can date.” It was everything he wanted. Well, almost everything. “Do I not get to see you until then? Because it’s super late, and it’s already Christmas morning, and I wouldn’t mind waking up with you before we both have to do the family thing later today.”
“I think that can be arranged.” Esteban pulled him into another kiss, this one long and lingering. “And I am sorry. I ruined your Christmas Eve.”
“No, you didn’t.” Hugging him tighter, Russ rested his head on Esteban’s. “If you hadn’t come over, then maybe… But you did come. And everything else was perfect. The food from your family. The sex. The talking. And I’ll take the disagreement if it means I get to keep you now.”
“You get me. Now, are we sleeping here or at my place?”
“I have the bigger bed. And it’s closer.” Russ released Esteban to grab his hand.
“Excellent points. Lead the way.”
Russ got as far as the hallway before he needed to kiss Esteban again.
“Merry Christmas,” he whispered against his mouth. “I can’t wait to date you. For real.”
“I like you so much. For real.” Esteban’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Sure you’re not going to regret choosing me instead of that breakup cat?”
“I still might get a cat.” Actually, Russ thought he might end up with at least two—and at least one of them already like to hang out with him.
Maybe Esteban didn’t want to see too far into the future, but Russ could let himself hope for a future with more overnights and shared time together. Maybe they’d still end up at the cat shelter at some point, but he wanted it to be together. No breakup cats allowed. No breakups, period. They were going to make this work. Esteban would see.
To that end, he captured Esteban’s mouth in another doubt-stealing kiss, one that left him even more certain this might be his best holiday season ever.
Chapter Fourteen
“It’s New Year’s Eve. We’re allowed to be fashionably late.” Esteban grinned at Russ as he put his shirt back on, checking to make sure he still had all his buttons.
“They’ll guess why we’re late and tease us,” Russ warned.
“Let them.” He’d arrived at Russ’s place ready to go to Judy’s party, but then the kiss hello had become a mad dash to the bedroom, as so often seemed the case with them lately.
Which was fine with him. He felt nineteen again, always ready for more, and so crazy about Russ that keeping his hands to himself was a major challenge. But it was also the talking afterward that he was addicted to, and it was that more than the sex that was making them late as they’d lain together, plotting what they wanted to cook that weekend and what movies they could marathon, until Russ had glanced at the clock and started hurrying them along.
“It’s not your sister teasing you about your sex life.” Still grumbling, Russ made his way to the front door.
“Oh, you can get back at me tomorrow.” Esteban retrieved his shoes from near the couch before grabbing his jacket. “Maria’s going to have such fun grilling us both. But at least brunch should be tasty.”