Page 46 of Charmed By Destiny

Luke wondered if he was being punished as the necromancer bent to peer inside the small fridge hidden among the built-ins beneath the television. Richard’s little shorts tightened to give Luke a lovely glimpse of his firm cheeks. Saliva pooled in his mouth.

“Is there any beer?”

“Um, a couple of choices,” Richard replied, rattling off a few brands. Luke picked one at random and thanked the universe when Richard stood. If Richard had remained in that position much longer, Luke would’ve lost his mind. Despite his recent intense orgasm, Luke wanted to pounce on the man, but he had no idea if that would be welcome despite having just discovered they were soulmates.

Was Richard displeased? He was expertly hiding his emotions, so Luke had no inkling what was in his heart. Luke took the beer from Richard and downed half of it in one swallow. It did nothing to calm him. He was both turned on despite just having had a blistering climax and horribly frightened that he was about to be abandoned again.

He wasn’t sure how to handle being rejected twice in one day. First, Foxe wanted nothing to do with him. If Richard demanded distance too, Luke swore he’d have his bags packed by morning and he’d restart his life without leaving a forwarding address for either necromancer. In fact, he’d swear off sorcerers entirely until he slowly faded to bone and died.

Richard fished a wineglass out of a bag; both items had the date of his brother’s wedding and Gabriel and Eric’s initials on them. The wine splashed into the small goblet, and Richard grabbed a seat a foot away from Luke on the bed. He’d take that as a marginally good sign.

“So, wild night, huh?” Luke ventured.

“Definitely unexpected.”

Luke finished his beer and rose to set it on the dresser. “It’s okay. Neither of us was expecting to find out we were soulmates. I’m assuming this was supposed to be a one-night thing. We’re attracted to each other. We both wanted it. But we couldn’t have known about the whole destiny thing.”

Richard crossed his legs, and Luke tried not to think about being between those thighs, but it was impossible. It took so little effort from Richard to wind him up.

“I take it you aren’t interested in being soulmates,” Richard said. His voice was oddly shaky, so Luke forced his gaze from Richard’s naked limbs to his face. Richard quickly raised a hand to his cheek, but Luke didn’t miss the tears.

Luke went down on one knee in front of Richard and rested his palms on either side of the necromancer. “Richard, I’d like nothing more than to be your soulmate.”

His pale blue eyes lifted, and despite the makeup smudged beneath them thanks to their feisty romp, he was as gorgeous as ever. “I don’t know how to do this soulmates thing, but I’d like to figure it out. Together.”

Relief swept through Luke, and he kissed Richard gently. Then he shifted so both knees were on the carpet. Richard uncrossed his legs, and Luke laid his head on his lap. Burrowing into him, Luke smiled as Richard held him and toyed with his hair.

“We have a little experience in teamwork,” Luke murmured into Richard’s soft sweatshirt.

“Yeah, at least I know you’re easy to bribe with cookies.”

“Don’t forget to bring me coffee too.”

“Mari basically dared me to ask you to come upstairs with me.”

“I’ll buy her some cookies,” Luke replied.

“This doesn’t feel real.”

“No,” Luke agreed. “But I like the way I’m feeling right now.”

“Me too. Lucas?”

“Yeah?”

“We have a lot to figure out, and we need to get to know one another better.”

Luke lifted his head and smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“I have to tell my family,” Richard said. “Eric kept it from my parents for months, and I don’t want secrets. But can we wait until at least tomorrow night? I don’t want to make this weekend about anything but Eric and Gabriel. We’re surprising them with a honeymoon after dinner. Once they leave, we can tell my parents and Mari.”

“Whenever you’re ready.”

Richard narrowed his eyes. “I have a feeling you’re not always going to be so accommodating.”

“Hello, that’s where the cookies and coffee come in.”

“Thanks for not making this awkward.”

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