Page 95 of Possession

Tomas skimmed his fingers up Vinnie’s spine and then back down, stopping just at the waistband of his sweats. “You don’t doubt it either.”

“I’m trying,” he whispered honestly, voice thick with emotion. “Before I got back to Michigan, I told myself I would do whatever it took to win Mason back and make up for the way I’d been acting. I had no idea that the Good Samaritan who stopped to see if he could help when I was sitting on the side of the road would end up meaning just as much to me as the man I’d considered my soul mate most of my life. I know I still needto work on myself,” Vinnie added, rubbing at the back of his neck awkwardly. “I know my temper can still get away from me and that I can still have issues sometimes about money and the shit that my parents said, but Iamtrying.”

Tomas cradled his face in his big, rough hands. “I know you are. I see that you are. You’ve made so much progress in such a short amount of time, and I know that going to therapy has helped you, but please stop putting so much pressure on yourself to be perfect. Neither Mason nor I need that. We just need you.”

Vinnie wiped at the wetness under his eyes, turning his face to press a kiss into one of Tomas’s palms. “Okay,” he said wetly, prepared to collapse against Tomas and take a damn nap.

Who knew emotional vulnerability could be so exhausting.

“Though we do probably need to talk a little bit more about money.”

Vinnie narrowed his eyes at him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that if we continue building a life together, the three of us, our finances are going to become intertwined, and I don’t want it coming between us.”

“I won’t let it,” Vinnie said quickly, vehemently, and he wouldn’t. His therapist was already helping him unbox some of the bullshit he’d internalized from his parents, and he was working on not feeling like his value only stemmed from how much he contributed monetarily to a relationship. Neither of his partners expected him to make as much as they did. He just needed to learn to fully accept that and the fact that he brought other things to the relationship that they valued more.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Tomas said, grinning, “Because I make quite a bit of money too.”

Vinnie cocked his head. “I know. Mason told me about the businesses that you and the club own.”

He didn’t really understand how that madeTomasmoney, but considering he always seemed to have plenty of cash on handand had been able to renovate his house without issue, he knew Tomas had to make money somehow.

“I don’t mean the club’s businesses,” Tomas said. “Did Mason tell you about my degree?”

Vinnie nodded slowly. “He did, though he was more interested in telling me about your piercings after your guys’ first date together.”

Tomas snorted. “Of course he was. I make money off investments,” he explained, watching Vinnie closely.

“Okay.” Vinnie studied his face. “This is different than the money you have tied up with the club?”

“Yes, this is my personal portfolio.”

“Alright.” Vinnie was starting to get a bad feeling. It seemed like Tomas was trying to gently hand him an armed grenade. “Would it be crass if I asked how much you were worth?”

One side of Tomas’s mouth tipped up. “No. In fact, I’d prefer you knew.”

“Okay. How much money do you have?”

“Depends on the day,” Tomas said with a grin, “but mid-seven figures.”

Vinnie thought his eyes were about to pop out of his head. “I’m sorry.What?”

“Mid-seven figures,” Tomas said again, more clearly. “It would be more if I was able to?—”

Vinnie smacked a hand over his mouth. “This face isn’t because I feel like it should bemore,” he said, just to clarify things. “This face is ‘holy fuck, how am I dating a millionaire and I didn’t know it?’”

Tomas shrugged, and when Vinnie pulled his hand away, he said, “Demarcus says I don’t really dress like a millionaire, so that could be why.”

Vinnie snorted and slapped at his shoulder, some of his shock draining away. No matter how many zeros were in his bank account, it wasn’t going to change who Tomas was to him.

“What are you guys talking about?” Mason asked as he came into the living room, an apple in one hand and bottle of water in the other.

Vinnie whipped his head around and stared. “You’re not going to believe this.”

“This is for me?” Mason asked incredulously.

Vinnie smiled softly as he watched Mason stroll around the spare bedroom on the second floor of Tomas’s house. Tomas stood in the middle of the room, hands shoved into his pockets as he watched Mason with just as much affection.

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