Page 29 of Distant Heart

“In our—”

“Unless you want Aneski to come running back in here because he hears you screaming, I’d cut that game short, xa’us. The two of you are best friends, sure, but I doubt you’d be comfortable with him seeing what you look like speared on my cock.”

Since that was incredibly true, Rexton opted to shut his mouth.

“He’ll stay in one of the guest rooms,” Illya said, humming in approval when Rexton nodded.

It was the Black Hart’s fault he’d been about to joke Kage could sleep with them. If it wasn’t so fun to tease him, Rex wouldn’t bother.

“Are you nervous?” Illya asked a moment later.

“A little.” Rexton paused in front of one of the wooden boxes tucked in the corner and tilted his head at it. He’d boxed it up to keep it safe in his absence, but he could easily picture the life-sized sculpture beneath the wooden planks. It was his best work. An exact replica of the man currently packing his things for him.

It’d taken him eight and a half months to sculpt it and was one of his most treasured possessions.

But he didn’t need it anymore.

Why would he need a statue when he’d now be waking to the real thing every morning?

“Are you sure you want to leave so many pieces here?” The Black Hart came up behind him, wrapping his arms aroundhis waist and settling his head on Rex’s shoulder. “There’s plenty of space for everything at home.”

“I know.” Even if they didn’t have an entire floor in Castle Black that was all theirs, there was also Illya’s estate home. Space wasn’t the issue. “I want to start fresh. Including with my art. Besides, it’s not like I’ll never be back.”

“We can visit Vitality whenever you like.”

“Thanks.” A part of him had prepared for this ahead of time, even before he’d planned his surprise on Cor Night. It’d been a split-second decision, sure, but Rexton had known before he’d stepped foot on that spaceship what his intentions for going on Praeda truly were. He’d needed a push, needed for someone to force him to move past his fears and take a leap of faith.

He’d needed Illya to show him that was something the other man wanted as well.

“Remember when I asked you out?” Rexton had been so anxious, standing outside of Ellery’s house, waiting in front of Illya’s car. He’d known he was leaving soon and had made an excuse so he could catch him before he could drive off. “I thought for sure you’d turn me down.”

Illya held him a little tighter. “That why you didn’t bother thinking ahead?”

He sighed. “I know I’m the one who’s been holding us up, you don’t have to point it out.”

“If I had my way, you would have gotten into my car and moved in with me that very night.”

“Don’t be so dramatic.”

“I’m serious.”

“You didn’t even know me back then.”

“I knew you, xa’us.” Illya nuzzled the side of his neck. “I recognized you were mine right away.”

Rexton lifted Illya’s wrist and looked at the matching metal bracelet he wore. That morning, after the Black Hart hadwrung half a dozen orgasms out of him, he’d insisted he’d only wear the tracking device if Illya got a matching one for himself. The Black Hart had agreed without even a second’s hesitation.

“I like being yours,” Rex confessed, turning in Illya’s hold. “And I like that you’re mine.”

“Good.” Illya pecked his cheek. “Because that’s how it’s going to stay.”

“I love you.” Rexton didn’t say it often. He was going to have to change that. Another new addition to his new life.

“I love you, too.” Illya grinned. “Are you ready to go home now, xa’us?”

Yes. Yes he was.

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