Page 71 of Charmed By Destiny

“Can you at least stay long enough for the clothes to arrive?” Richard asked. “Returns are such a pain sometimes.”

Chuckling, Luke kissed Richard softly and ignored the way his face was flushed. It was hard to think about Richard with color high on his cheeks and not immediately have his brain supply an image of the necromancer spread out naked beneath him. “I think I’ll keep you a little longer. At least for the sake of the new clothes I’m getting.”

“Remind me to check your shoes for sizes later. You know, in case I stumble across something that suits you.”

“No,” Luke replied.

“Like I won’t eventually remember on my own anyway,” Richard muttered, then tilted his chin toward Luke for another kiss he was happy to give. “Don’t worry, I have a plan to end the rumors. I’ll tell Douglas that Gabriel spoke with you and it’s untrue. No one will gainsay Gabriel, and Holly’s reputation will be pristine again.”

At least Richard was content enough in their relationship that he gave no credence to the rumors that had reached Douglas’s ears and instead found the situation funny.

Luke understood. If someone had told him that Richard had left a room with someone else or had eaten a meal with them, it wouldn’t have bothered him. He knew where Richard slept at night and trusted the necromancer despite the newness of their relationship. It gave Luke confidence that things were going well between them.

Given how fast everything was moving, at least Luke could relax. Richard was happy, and so was Luke. He was also overwhelmed and doing his best to navigate the multitude of changes in his life, but Richard was a remarkable and unexpected treasure. One he refused to take for granted.

Chapter 25

Books were a gift. Richard loved to read, but the recent changes in his life had complicated his routine in the best way. Instead of crawling under the covers at night to lose himself in a make-believe world where two people fell in love, Richard had a romance of his own. Playing with Lucas was delectable, but Richard had no intention of giving up reading.

So, while Lucas was finishing up his laundry, Richard was in bed trying to pick up the story he’d started weeks ago. It was one in a long series about all kinds of magical people and shapeshifters. David had recommended it to the family. Richard had adored every book thus far, and thankfully there were plenty yet to read.

The current novel Richard was up to was a lovely romance between two men who’d believed themselves destined to be nothing more than friends, but fate had intervened. Now they were soulmates. Despite Richard’s now-abandoned stance on staying away from relationships, his favorite stories involved men who were destined for each other.

Maybe his soul had been calling out for Lucas. It was a nice romantic notion and left Richard feeling a bit smug. But he refused to allow himself to take anything for granted. Things with Lucas were going well. However, they were at the start of their journey.

The bedroom door opened, and Lucas walked in with a pile of folded clothes. He grinned at Richard as he headed for the dresser. They weren’t officially sharing a space, but Richard had rearranged things so Lucas didn’t have to run down the hall for socks, underwear, and other essentials. His clothes for work were hung in the guest room, but little else remained in there.

“I’m expecting a full book report,” Lucas commented.

“Well, I apparently stopped at chapter thirty-two. The main characters have discovered they’re soulmates. I may have to go back a little to relive it.”

“Sounds like a pretty story.”

Richard made a sound of agreement as his jeans-clad lover walked into the bathroom. The man was beautiful. Tall and graceful, he moved sinuously. Although Lucas had disappeared, Richard sighed happily as he thought about what a lucky man destiny had made him.

Forcing himself to stop mooning over Lucas, Richard wiggled his shoulders and gave his attention to his book. He shuffled through the pages so he could pick up the story again prior to the scene where the two dragon shifters had learned the truth about their relationship.

From the corner of his eye, he watched Lucas return in a T-shirt and pajama bottoms. Lucas climbed on the bed and laid his head on Richard’s lap. Delighted, Richard set his book on the nightstand and threaded his fingers through Luke’s wavy hair.

“Tired?” Richard asked.

Lucas slung an arm on top of Richard’s legs, trapping him under the covers. “A little.”

“You could snuggle up with me to get some sleep while I read a few chapters of my book.”

“We both know that’s not going to happen.”

Richard chuckled. “Take a nap before I strip you?”

“How could I possibly rest knowing that you’re lying here without underwear?”

“Think with something besides your dick?”

“Impossible, he’s the one in charge around here.”

Grinning, Richard continued to toy with Luke’s dark tresses as he studied the inspirit’s gorgeous face. His eyes were closed so long lashes rested on his cheeks. There was a hint of a smile in his upturned lips, which deepened his dimple. A shadow of stubble did nothing to conceal the sharp jawline that added to his beauty.

“Wrestle control back from him, Lucas.”

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