Page 90 of Never Too Late

He doesn’t respond for a few moments, and in those moments, I feel as though I’m unable to breathe.

Leaning my head down to gaze at him again, I notice his eyes starting to slowly open and a smile forming on his face. “I heard every word of that, pretty boy.” He coughs.

“I’d hope you would.”

“What happened?” he asks, trying to move his hand to hide his face.

I take the hand away, pulling it towards my mouth and press a kiss against his knuckles. “It doesn’t matter. You’re okay, that’s what’s important.”

“I’m sorr –” he starts to say. I quickly cut him off by moving my hand from under his head and placing it over his mouth. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing. Ever.”

We don’t say any more words, sitting in silence, holding onto one another until I hear a sound coming from my phone. I gently move his head to the side to pull my phone from my jean pocket, seeing a text from Tyler.

Tyler: I didn’t want to interrupt. I’m going to take Idah home. I’ll make sure she’s okay. You did good, bro. I’m proud of you. I know how hard that was for you. Love you

Quickly putting it to the side of me on the sofa, I place my hand back under his head, noticing him turning his head towards the large, open windows.

“You’re going to miss the stars,” he whispers as he lifts himself up slowly, no longer laid against me, but sat beside me.

I feel his hand against my side, so I move my own to take hold of his, slowly bringing the back of his hand once again to my mouth. “The only thing I missed was you.”

He pulls his hand out of my own, and before I have the chance to ask what he’s doing, I can feel his lips already on mine. Tasting the saltiness of tears dripping from both of our eyes. This kiss is gentle and soft and warm.

It’s a promise.

A promise we’ll never leave each other again and no matter what, we’ll always find our way back.

And I say the three words I’ve been longing to say to his face.

“I love you.”

Chapter forty-nine

Jae

“I see you every time I close my eyes. I see you every time I look out of the window at the stars. I see you everywhere.”

One week later.

“It’s been a week; you can go back to work now. I’m fine. You shouldn’t take any more time off work,” I murmur into Dax’s neck as I pepper kisses against his beautifully decorated skin.

Since I was triggered with memories, he hasn’t left my side. When he’s gone into work, he’s made sure I’ve gone with him. When I wanted to go into the garden, he was two steps behind. Granted, he knows a lot about flowers and their care, so he is helpful – I love that he cares but it’s not fair for me to hold him back.

I hate the overpowering feeling of guilt.

Dax hums, lifting his hips from the bed in search of friction from my body as I lean over the top of him.

“Look at you being needy, pretty boy,” I whisper into his ear as I kiss his shoulder once more. “But we can’t. When I have you, you’re not going to be able to move a muscle. And you need to go to the shop.”

Moving my arms to either side of his head, I push them down onto the pillow, lifting my body off of his. Unable to take my eyes away from his while doing so, I bring my body to his side, allowing him to sit up straight.

I need him to leave for work soon because if he doesn’t, I won’t be able to let him go. My body screams to be close to him. To feel his touch against my skin and his soft lips trailing along. My cock twitches at the idea of it too. But it’s not fair for him to keep staying at home, he owns the shop with his brother. He needs to be there just as much.

I can wait.

Shifting my legs from the bed, I move my body to face the door, trying to avoid looking at him, when I slowly start to feel his arms coming from behind, wrapping around my waist. “Last chance before I get ready, I can stay if you want me to. I don’t have to go.”

“I don’t know how much more I can take being in the record store, Dax. Music is your thing. I’m thankful for the happiness it brings to you, I love hearing you talk about it, I love sharing the excitement with you. But that’s your thing, not mine,” I say calmly. I don’t want to upset him or think I’m having a dig at him, I’m grateful for the joy it brings him, it just doesn’t do the same for me.

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