Page 15 of Ruined

“So, Saul is officially off the list of Atlantic City’s most eligible bachelors. When are you pulling Cutler off the list?”

Gable looked the guy’s way. He looked like a bored, rich daddy’s boy who had never been told no. His brown hair was perfect, and his eyes looked dead.

When Gable didn’t respond, the guy’s cold gaze moved from where Cutler stood to meet Gable’s stare. “Apologies. Noir.”

It took Gable a second to realize the guy meant Noir was his name. He pasted on a patient smile. “Gable.”

“I know.” He sipped his champagne. “So, when can we expect your wedding announcement?”

Gable opened his mouth and then snapped his teeth together. He had no idea how to answer that.

Cutler appeared at his side. His arm encircled Gable’s waist. “What are you talking about?”

Gable fought a blush.

Noir looked unmoved. His voice stayed as bland as if he spoke about the weather. “Marriage. I asked when Gable intends to take you off the market.”

A good-natured laugh escaped Cutler. “I haven’t been on the market since the day I met Gable. He’s ruined me for anyone else.”

“Pity.” Noir walked away without a backward glance.

Gable fought the usual surge of jealousy. People cared not at all they were a couple. He wanted to be proud of having such a sexy and obviously sought after man, but mostly people’s dismissal of him left him frustrated.

Cutler kissed his ear. “Dance with me.”

Since it was a slow song and Gable needed the reassurance of Cutler holding him publicly, he took Cutler’s hand and headed for the dance floor. Cutler held him close and moved extra slow, as if scared of exhausting him. His chest eased each second that passed. Cutler always chose him. In fact, he acted as if there were no other options. His shoulders relaxed.

The scent of Cutler’s cologne called to him. He buried his nose in the crook of Cutler’s neck and inhaled. Peace and love washed over him. He was always at home in Cutler’s arms.

“He’s right. I should take you off the market.”

Cutler’s arms tightened around him. “I wasn’t humoring him. There’s zero hope for anyone else. You’re it for me.”

A hint of nervousness set in. It was honestly something he had been thinking about for a bit. “I’m being serious. We should do it.”

Cutler leaned away enough to meet Gable’s stare. “Do what?”

“Get married.” Gable wouldn’t shy away from what his heart wanted. They already lived together.

“Okay.” Cutler simply went back to holding him closely, as if he hadn’t just accepted a marriage proposal.

Gable wanted to slap himself. “I’m sorry.”

Cutler leaned away again. He looked upset. “Don’t take it back.”

“Oh, I’m not.” Cutler wasn’t getting away from him now. “I’m sorry I did one more thing as unromantically as possible. You deserved a beautiful proposal with a ring and wine or music or whatever.”

A line appeared between Cutler’s eyebrows. “There is music.”

Gable sighed. Sometimes, it was pointless to try to explain things to Cutler. He simply didn’t understand how inferior he felt sometimes in comparison. Then Gable always ended up doing things like this that showed even more how lackinghe was.

Cutler buried his face against Gable’s neck. “I have you in my arms,” he breathed against Gable’s throat. “We’re dancing at a wedding where two people stupidly in love just got married. There’s so much love in the air, it’s cloying. This is romantic.” Gable wasn’t convinced, but he was willing to let it go. He told himself he would make it up to Cutler when he bought a ring. Then Cutler continued, making Gable’s throat swell. “Sometimes, I don’t think you really understand the life I had before I created this one. I can say I lived in the deepest hell, but there’s no way you can know what you don’t know. There was no loving home or protection. There was just this twisted man who savored every new torture he conceived. You can’t know. I’m glad you don’t.” He kissed Gable’s neck. “But that also means you don’t understand how much this moment means to me, or how I feel every day when I wake up next to you. I see you and I know genuine love. Youjust told me you want to give me that love forever.” His arms tightened around Gable, as if scared Gable would disappear. “You can’t know.”

He was right. Cutler was so amazing. Sometimes, Gable forgot that Cutler had chosen to be this amazing man. He had been tortured by an evil man. Those years could have twisted him into a mirror image. He hadn’t let that happen. That was exactly why he deserved everything.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

---