Page 92 of Home Game

“Since when are you the kind of guy who would want a boyfriend, anyway?” I asked, trying to keep my tone even, despite the fact that inside I felt like a fucking fireworks show.

This sexy, incredible, talented,impossibleman wantedme.

Storm shrugged. “Since I met you, Fancy Pants.”

He wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug before I could say another word. He pulled me in tighter than ever, crushing his lips to mine in a kiss.

And I actually felt like Iwasmelting, now. Melting into his arms. Giving up the last bit of resistance I once had, and acknowledging just how fucking much this meant to me. How muchhemeant to me.

Storm had changed my life, in one fell swoop. He’d changed me for the better, just by being himself.

I loved who he was.

“God, I wanted this all night,” he said, kissing all over my face. “Do you know how hard it is to sit next to you in public andnottouch you constantly?”

“I was so focused on the dinner meeting because if I looked at you for too long I just wanted to fall into your arms, too,” I said. “I can’t believe I’m actually admitting that out loud. I made myself swear I wouldn’t tell you.”

“No. Tell me everything. I want to hear it all.”

“Why do you want to be myboyfriend?” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist and pulling him in close. I nuzzled my face near the crook of his neck. “You could have any woman you wanted, any man you wanted,anyone. You didn’t even know you were into dudes before, and I’m just some guy in a suit.”

“But I want you to bemyguy in a suit,” he said, kissing me beside my ear. “No one else is on my level, Emmett. That’s why. You really fucked with my head and with my heart. And maybe I really am crazy, because nothing felt better than that.”

“Than being fucked with?”

“Byyou,” he added.

I smiled. “And being fucked.”

“God, yes,” he growled, leaning in to claim my mouth with his again.

When had I ever felt anything like this? Someone choosing me—reallychoosing me, for who I was? Storm was a challenge, in every way that I needed it. He was also one of the most affectionate people I’d ever known.

I breathed deeply as we broke off from the kiss.

“I’m glad you shook up my world, Storm,” I murmured. “I didn’t want it. But I really fucking needed it.”

“It’s what I do best,” he said. “But I’ve got to say, you’re not so bad at it yourself.”

I puffed out a laugh. “All I did was prove to you that fall can be nice.”

“Fall is my favorite season now,” he said quickly, with a resolute tone.

“You don’t have to lie to me. It’s okay if we have a different preference, you know.”

He shook his head. “Nope. Fall is when I fell foryou. And I think that deserves a top slot for favorite season more than anything else.”

My chest ached. “You’re being too good to me. Quick, we need to fight with each other so that I don’t explode. What am I supposed to do with all of these good feelings?”

“Feel them, baby,” Storm said with a smile, rocking back and forth with me in his arms, like we were dancing to some music. “Feel everything. Because I’m right here with you.”

That, I realized, was the one thing I hadn’t been letting myself do, until I met Storm.

I hadn’t been letting myselffeel.

He’d crashed into my life like a meteorite, causing me to feel everything so acutely.

Feeling the pain and grief I’d been trying to repress at work, honoring my dad but also honoring my own values in the process.

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