Page 44 of The Lonely Hearts Guide

Alexander nodded in agreement. “It’s been going on for years, apparently. Elliot doesn’t talk about it too much, but I know it was bad from some of the things he’s let slip. I can’t let him go back to that. They’ve wiped his memory a few times, so he didn’t really remember me, but he still knew I felt like a safety net.” Alexander’s voice cracked. “He said he came to find me, Mom.”

“That poor boy,” she whispered. “I’m glad he found his way to you. Are you going to take care of him?”

“I want to,” Alexander said, wiping his cheek with his palm. “I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more. Elliot belongs to him, though. Legally speaking, Elliot is his property. Ms. Broussard fell off the boat the first night, and we thought she died, so we’ve been taking it easy.”

“She fell off the boat?”

Alexander cleared his throat, trying to think of a way to shift the topic. He didn’t want to admit to his mother that he watched the woman plummet to her assumed death and did nothing to save her. “She made it back in one piece. Now she’s threatening to send him back.”

“Is there no way to fight it?”

“I’m planning on speaking with our legal team at work to see if they can get me in touch with someone to sort it, but Ms. Broussard is planning to send him back when we dock. She’s probably already called Jared. I can’t let him go back to his fiancé. He’ll kill him, and then I’ll end up in prison for returning the favor.”

“Yes, well, as much as I support your decision to rid the world of an abuser, I can’t say I’m excited about the prospect of visiting you in prison, so I think we should try to think of a way around it.”

Alexander nodded to himself. “That’s why I’m reaching out. I need a favor.”

When Elliot eventually stirred, Alexander was sitting up in bed, staring down at him. Elliot smiled warmly and reached for Alexander’s hand.

“Mr. Alexander Davenport,” he said in a dreamy voice.

“Sweet boy,” Alexander whispered, leaning down and pressing a kiss on his forehead. “I’ve got a special day planned for us.” He wanted to tell Elliot that he and Twylah had everything covered, and Elliot no longer needed to worry. But doing so would get Elliot’s hopes up, and Alexander hated the thought of having to break Elliot’s heart a second time if everything didn’t go according to plan.

“You do?”

Alexander nodded. “We’re going to have breakfast, then we’re going to spend the whole day by the pool.” Alexander’s smile widened as pink light flickered in the corners of Elliot’s eyes. He stroked the skin beside Elliot’s eye softly. “You have the most beautiful colors I’ve ever seen.”

“Back home, they were always blue. They were never pink before you. They’ve never been brighter than they have been this week.”

“Can you see the lights as they flash? Do they bother you?”

“Not too badly. When the blues come out, everything is covered with a sad filter.” He sat up in bed and wrapped his arms around Alexander, squeezing him tightly. “But when they’re pink . . . I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in all my life. I see the pinks a lot when I’m with you.”

“If I had colors, I think mine would be pink, too. Especially when I’m with you.” He placed his hand next to Elliot’s, slowly caressing the little life inside. “I bet she’s going to have beautiful colors, too. Have you picked a name for her yet?”

Elliot shook his head. “Master Price would never let me choose.”

“Master Price isn’t here,” Alexander countered. He thought by naming the child, it might give him something to hold on to. A touchstone of sorts. “Are there any names you’ve been thinking of?”

Again, Elliot shook his head. “I don’t know all that many names. May I get back to you by the end of the day?”

“That’s okay,” Alexander assured him. “You don’t have to think of one right now. I just thought it might make you feel better. Take all the time you need.” Leaning closer, Alexander parted his lips and welcomed Elliot in for a kiss. To his surprise, after a few timid kisses, something triggered in Elliot, and Alexander was being guided back until he was lying on the bed. Elliot lifted a leg and hoisted himself on top of Alexander until he was straddling his lap. Through the movement, their lips never parted.

Elliot’s hips rolled, providing Alexander with friction, but neither of the men made much of an effort to take things further. Alexander was happy enough to kiss the man he . . .

He gasped, because lo and behold, Alexander Davenport was smitten.

“I love you, you know,” he said between kisses. “Elliot, I adore you.”

When Elliot looked into Alexander’s eyes, he had a look of disbelief about him. “Why? I’m nothing, Alexander. I’m just a machine.” His voice cracked. “I’ve done nothing to earn your love.”

“You don’t have to earn anything. All you have to do is let me love you. You’re the sweetest, gentlest man I’ve ever met, and even with everything you’ve been through, you never let go of your sweet side. That’s why I love you, Elliot. I love you because you’re like me. You don’t let heartache break you down. When times get tough, you soldier on.” He kissed Elliot sweetly on the lips. “I promise, this is all going to be okay. I’ll make sure of it.”

“I love you, too,” Elliot whispered, meaning it with all his heart if the pink swirls of light in his eyes were any indication.

An hour later, the men were on the pool deck. Elliot was in another Speedo Alexander bought him, and Alexander couldn’t keep his eyes off the man. The deck was empty, probably due to the cool temperature. It wasn’t uncomfortably cold, but it certainly didn’t feel like swimming weather. Still, Alexander had promised Elliot fun in the sun, and he planned to deliver.

Elliot was sitting in front of Alexander in one of the lounge chairs, Alexander’s arm protectively wrapped around his waist like he was daring someone to take him from Alexander. They placed a towel over the table beside Alexander’s chair, and the fieldmouse was resting on his back as if he was trying to get a suntan. Alexander’s phone chimed, and when he checked the notification, he breathed a sigh of relief. After their talk with Ms. Broussard, Alexander was sure she’d already contacted the man and that Jared would probably be waiting for them when the boat docked in a few days; but Alexander and Elliot would be long gone by then.

---