Page 13 of Kennedy

It sounded like Kennedy wanted their bond, which was a relief and terrifying at the same time. Lewis had no idea what he was doing. He didn’t think he could send Kennedy running, no matter what he did, but he could make a fool of himself, and that wasn’t something he wanted to do, especially not with his mate.

“I don’t want to waste it, either.” Lewis hesitated. Things had gone well between Seymour and Jimmy, but now, it was his turn, and he didn’t know how Kennedy would react to his words. “You should know that my brother and I had some trouble with our parents. We come from a traditional tribe, and it’s expected that at least one of the mates will give up everything and dedicate themselves to the other. Our parents were able to both do so because we come from generational wealth, and they expected both my brother and me to do the same. Seymour went against the tradition with Jimmy’s support. I don’t know if he’s going to be an assassin, but he’s going to keep working.”

“I don’t expect you to give up your shop,” Kennedy quickly said.

That was a relief. “I don’t want to give it up, but they’ve been trying to push me to do just that. They want me to travel the world and try to find my mate.” He snorted. “Joke’s on them because you were right here.”

“And I’ll do whatever you need me to do. I understand that tradition is important to some people, but if you don’t want to give up your shop, you don’t have to. I wouldn’t give up my job for a relationship, and I don’t expect you to do it, either, especially considering all the work you must’ve put into the shop.”

Lewis’s eyes prickled with tears. He could hardly believe that a man he barely knew saw him better than his own parents ever had. Or maybe they did see him but didn’t care what was there. They’d known they wouldn’t be able to change Seymour’s mind because he was stronger and more stubborn, so they’d focused on Lewis, hoping to pull him to their side.

He’d had a hard time dealing with them since then, but he wouldn’t be doing so alone anymore. It sounded like Kennedy would support him, which was everything Lewis could have wanted from a mate.

Well, not everything, but a lot. When Seymour had met Jimmy, Lewis had been jealous. He’d seen how Jimmy treated Seymour, and he wanted the same, while at the same time, he’d been afraid he wouldn’t get it. There had been no way for him to know what kind of person his mate would be.

He’d lucked out because his mate seemed like a great man. Seymour hadn’t said anything bad about Kennedy, and he seemed genuinely happy when Lewis had told him who his mate was.

They reached the shop, and Lewis wished they could walk more. He had to get back to work, though.

He stopped in front of the door and turned to face Kennedy. “Thank you. Ihaveput a lot of work and effort into this shop, and I wouldn’t want to give it up for anything or anyone.”

Kennedy nodded. “You had your life before I met you, and it wouldn’t be right for me to demand you get rid of all of that. I don’t like that your parents did.”

“I’ll deal with them. As long as I know I have your support, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Well, you have it. And if you need any help, even with the shop, let me know. I don’t know anything about flowers, but I can follow orders.”

The thought made Lewis’s body flush, even though Kennedy hadn’t meant it like that. He was pretty sure Kennedy noticed, and his lips curled into a smile.

He leaned closer. “I’m going to kiss you, all right?”

Lewis blinked. He hadn’t expected things to go this fast, but he couldn’t say he minded. Actually, he’d mind if Kennedy didn’t kiss him. He wanted to feel his mate’s lips on his. He wanted a reminder that this was happening.

Kennedy cupped Lewis’s face with both of his hands, keeping him in place as he leaned down. He was taller, so Lewis pressed against him and rose on his tiptoes to make it easier. Their lips brushed together once, then again, and for a moment, Lewis wondered if that was all there would be to it.

The next time Kennedy kissed Lewis, he swiped his tongue over his bottom lip. Lewis grinned and opened to him, welcoming him into his mouth.

This was his last first kiss, and maybe he shouldn’t be as emotional as he was about it, but he couldn’t help it. He was in his mate’s arms, ready to start a new chapter in his life without having to give up the one before it.

Seymour wasn’t the only lucky one.

Chapter Three

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KENNEDY WANTED TO DOsomething special for Lewis. They’d talked a bit over the past few days, and he’d gotten the impression that Lewis was used to coming second. He might not realize it, and Kennedy doubted that Seymour had anything to do with it, but he didn’t want his mate to think that he came second to anyone, not even his twin brother.

The fact that they were different was good. They were brothers, not clones, and Kennedy wouldn’t have fallen in love with Seymour. He knew Seymour well enough and had worked with him long enough to be sure of that. He’d always found Seymour attractive, but he found many people attractive. That wasn’t all he looked for in a boyfriend, and it certainly wasn’t all he wanted from a mate.

No, the fact that Lewis was nothing like Seymour was one of the things that Kennedy appreciated about him, and he couldn’t wait to know his mate better.

But Lewis was reserved, even now that they were together. He tended to be quiet, which made it harder to get to know him. Kennedy wasn’t giving up, but he suspected that things would be smoother if Lewis felt he could trust him, which was what he’d decided he wanted to work toward. He wanted Lewis to feel important and like he mattered.

So, he had plans. He just had to put them into motion, which was why he was in the cafeteria, looking around for Seymour. He wasn’t surprised to find him sitting at a table with Jimmy, his mate. They were talking over their plates, with Seymour gesticulating as he did so. He almost knocked over his glass of water, but Jimmy caught it before it could tip over. He watched Seymour with such a fond expression that Kennedy almost decided not to bother them.

Almost.

He wondered if the way he looked at Lewis was similar to the besotted expression Jimmy sported right now. It was still early in their relationship, but they’d had a little chat, had kissed on the sidewalk, and had been talking and texting every day since then. Besides, it didn’t matter how long they’d known each other or how long they’d been together. They were mates. They fit perfectly together. Knowing that helped. Kennedy could still fuck things up, but as long as he focused on his mate and trying to make him happy, he didn’t think he would.

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