Page 33 of Summer Catch

Realized, of course, the second the word left his mouth that maybe he shouldn’t have said it that way . . .but then that was how he’d begun to think of Kieran’s place, hadn’t he? But not just Kieran’s place. Kieran himself.

“In the back.” Kieran’s voice echoed, and Jon realized after sweating it out for approximately point five seconds, he wasn’t upset by what he’d said.

Kieran had just accepted it.

He walked down the hallway towards the main living space—split between the kitchen and the living room.

The TV was playing ESPN at a low volume, and Kieran was lying on the couch. He lifted his head as Jon walked in.

“Hail the conquering hero,” he chuckled as Jon collapsed on the couch, near his head. Kieran lifted it and set it on his lap.

“Hi,” Jon said, unable to stop the smile that bloomed across his face. The most authentic smile he’d given all day.

“I’m so proud of you guys,” Kieran said softly.

“I’m pretty proud of us too,” Jon agreed, reaching up and carding his fingers through Kieran’s hair. “I wish I’d been able to see you there.”

“Someday,” Kieran said firmly, and Jon believed him.

“I’m thinking . . .like the end of the season, and we’ll tell whoever you want.” Jon had worried about this. How could he not?

“We’ve already done it then.” Kieran’s voice was drowsy, relaxed.

“Huh?”

“I mean, you know. I’d hope you’d know.” Kieran turned his head, eyes meeting Jon’s, and he cracked a smile. “And Nadia and Brock and a few others at the bar know. That’s good enough for me, for as long as you need it to be. Those are the people who matter. I don’t need you to get on ESPN or whatever and proclaim your love for me to the sky.”

This time it was Kieran’s turn to freeze.

Jon watched as panic settled into his gaze—probably much the same as it had Jon himself, only a few minutes before. But Jon had been alone in the hallway then, not facing Kieran.

“Not that you . . .uh . . .” Kieran stammered, trying to continue.

Jon put him out of his misery. How could he do anything else? “I’m not saying I’ll never go on ESPN and never tell anyone about how much I love you.”

“Oh. Oh.”

Jon grinned. “Yeah. I love you. Pretty sure you love me too, or you wouldn’t have said that.”

“I do. I do love you. An embarrassingly large amount.” Kieran had the nerve to look apologetic about this, when all Jon felt was pure fucking exhilaration.

Jon’s fingers tightened in his hair. “Look at us,” he said. “I certainly wasn’t looking to fall for anyone when I walked into your bar.”

“I was just standing there, waiting. What I didn’t know was that I was waiting for you,” Kieran murmured.

He sat up and Jon circled his arms around his shoulders, tugging him in close. “Was that why your superpower was so quiet?”

“Maybe I’ve got no idea what you should be drinking, but I still know what you want. Exactly what you want,” Kieran said, the corner of his mouth quirking up right before Jon leaned in and kissed him. It was only a taste, but it was enough to heat his blood.

That was all it ever took of Kieran for him to want, and want hard.

“Do you?”

“Oh yeah,” Kieran teased.

It was easy to tug Kieran onto his lap. To dig his fingers back into his hair. Kieran’s breath stuttered as his pulse accelerated.

“Show me,” Jon whispered and Kieran did. Kissing him long and lush, his tongue swiping against his own.

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