Page 76 of Chasing You

“I never in my life thought I’d want to get married again. The thought of it gave me heartburn. But it’s you,” Adele added, like that was the answer to everything.

Kash turned, his eyes heavy-lidded now that the pill had kicked in. “Rex gets to be our wedding planner, right?”

Adele laughed. “Yeah. He’d kill us in our sleep if we hired anyone else.”

Kash let out a content sigh, even if the feeling was a little foreign amidst the lingering shock. He closed his eyes and saw the fire. He saw Gage lying there on the kitchen floor, unconscious. He felt the echo of his fear that he wouldn’t be able to get his limbs to cooperate and get him out with enough time to save him from being hurt.

And then he let himself linger in the relief he’d felt once they were clear of the house.

“I want you to help me design the new house,” Adele said, drawing Kash from his thoughts.

Kash turned to face him. “What?”

“It’ll need ramps.” Adele’s words were heavier now, like he was drifting. “Those bars to help you on the toilet when you have to shit.”

“A charming image,” Kash muttered.

Adele buried his laugh against Kash’s side. “Counters you can reach when you’re using your wheelchair. Sinks too. Mirrors. Crap like that.”

Kash’s fingers had loosened enough to drag them through Adele’s hair. “You’ve really given this some thought, haven’t you?”

“I have. I want you here with me. Promise me you won’t leave again.”

He already had, but he’d be willing to do it over and over until Adele was no longer afraid Kash was going to abandon him. He took Adele’s hand and rested it over his heart. “I’m yours. This is yours.”

“Boyfriend.”

“Fiancé,” Kash corrected.

Adele’s eyes opened. “Husband.” He licked his lips. “Do you want a wedding?”

Kash couldn’t help a small laugh. “Would you be offended if I say fuck no? I mean, I don’t know if you want one, and if you do, I’m on board. But the only thing that matters to me is being your husband.”

Adele was awake now, his cheeks splotchy with pink. “I had a wedding. You were there.”

“I was.” The night of his first heartbreak. He didn’t want to relive that.

“I don’t need another. You, me, Bowen, Gage—he’s eighteen now. He can be a witness. We can go down to the court and not bother making it a whole thing. Suits and rings. That’s all we really need.”

Kash realized what Adele was saying. “Are you sure it’s not too soon?”

“Yesterday isn’t soon enough,” Adele said, and then he slapped his hand over his mouth and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Shit, I’m sorry. It’s the trauma talking, I swear. I mean, I would marry you tonight if we could get away with it, but…”

“No.”

Adele blinked at him.

“No buts. Whenever you want. However fast we can get it done. Like I said at the hospital, I’m done fighting myself for what I want. I believe you. I believe that you wanted me when my body was at its peak, and I believe you want me exactly as I am right now.”

“I do…husband,” Adele whispered once Kash went quiet. He took him by the face and kissed him slow, deep, demanding. Kash groaned and gave himself over, nowhere near able to get hard, but he still needed to feel possessed. And if Adele was best at one thing, it was that.

“Love you,” Kash whispered between kisses. “Love you, love you.”

“Again.”

“Love you.”

Adele pulled back with a small gasp and knocked their foreheads together. “Thank you.”

---