Page 34 of Loving You

“I didn’t realize veterinarians could carry grown men like me,” Monty said, his words slightly slurred.

Bronx settled next to him with a soft chuckle. “You spend your days lifting completely unconscious Mastiffs between you and some vet tech the size of a thimble and see how buff you get.”

Monty grinned, rolling toward Bronx as his vision began to clear. He looked up at him and pressed a kiss to his pec. “That was amazing.”

Bronx traced a finger around Monty’s slightly chapped lips. “You stayed with me this time.”

“Mm. I did. But you know I never go far.”

“I know.” The two words came out like a whispered confession, warm and different from the way most people talked about his disorder. It made him want to reach out and hold Bronx close. Was this crossing lines? “You’re upset,” Bronx said softly.

Monty shook his head and took a breath before he made his confession. “What I want hasn’t changed. I’m not…ready for anything more than this. But I find myself…” Words were failing him a little.

“Say it. Don’t worry about how it sounds. I’m not going anywhere.”

It was a promise Monty didn’t want Bronx to make because it wasn’t fair. He didn’t want him to make that kind of vow. He’d be shattered if the man broke it. He took in a short breath, then tightened his jaw.

“I crave this.”

Bronx frowned and looked down at the way Monty was curled against him. “Being held?”

“Touched kindly. Wanted. More than just sex sometimes. I know that’s not what we agreed, but?—”

“No.”

Monty felt his throat go tight. Of course that was the wrong thing to say.

Bronx gripped him by the chin and held his gaze. “I crave it too.” Monty had no idea what to say, so he kept silent. “It’s a lonely world, and being surrounded by people who are finding their happily ever afters when you’re confused about what that even means makes it harder.”

Monty’s body went limp with relief, and he buried his face against Bronx’s neck. “You understand.”

“I understand exactly. I want my brother to be happy, but I hate him a little for being able to lose his marriage and have his life turned upside down and still find the courage to give himself to someone else.”

Monty pulled back to look at him. “Do you want to redefine what we have? Take a little more than I’m giving you?”

“If anyone else in the world had asked me that, I would have kissed them and politely excused myself for the rest of my life,” Bronx admitted. “But you feel different.”

Monty felt a wave of panic, even if it was the answer he’d wanted to hear.

“I’m not ready for anything more than this right now.” He cupped Monty’s cheek and stroked a thumb under his eye. “ButI’m also not interested in having this with anyone else.”

Monty bit his lip, then let it go. “Neither am I.”

Bronx quickly shook his head. “No. No, you don’t need to say that just because it’s how I feel. I won’t put those expectations on you.”

Monty surged up toward his mouth and kissed him for the way Bronx made him feel inside. “I know. It’s what I want.”

He groaned as he kissed back, and Monty lost himself to the feel of him.

Monty wasn’t expecting anyone to get to him like this. To make him feel this way. Before meeting Bronx, he would have assumed it was impossible. When Bronx pulled back to say something else, he was interrupted by the soft ding of Monty’s doorbell.

He frowned. “Want me to get that?”

Monty shook his head, rolling on top of Bronx. They had plans. Things to do. Orgasms to have because Bronx was still half-hard and hadn’t come. “Ignore them. It’s probably someone trying to sell me home security.”

Bronx snorted and gripped Monty by the back of the neck, pulling him in for a kiss. It was just getting good when the bell rang again. Then again. Then, three times in rapid succession. Monty’s stomach sank down to his feet.

He only knew one person who would be that insistent.

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