Page 166 of Affair
How could he?
He was in love with the man and Poe knew he would always be too. Gamble would take his heart when he left him behind.
ALONE.
As Gamble devoured, holding the man to his body, he was able to be as rough as he wanted, and to be himself. With Storm, he always held back.
He’d been afraid he’d break her.
Only, Poe was strong.
He was tough and could handle this. The man could handle him with all of his dark corners, scary spaces, and secrets.
Poe was stronger than he’d ever be, and that was what Gamble needed.
He needed Poe’s strength.
While Gamble had never consummated a relationship with a man before, and he had no idea how to even begin, he just let his body lead.
That one perfect kiss set the pace.
As he pushed him back, and was over him, he kept kissing him like his life depended on it.
In a way, it did.
This man saved him, and this man was his only way to ever be able to walk in that light.
The ghost wanted to be in the light in the worst way. He was so tired of being invisible.
He wanted a name.
He wanted the honor.
He wanted a chance.
It was like he was possessed, and Gamble held him like he was trying to escape.
Oh, but he couldn’t let that happen.
He rolled, making sure they were locked together. As they did, Poe broke the kiss.
“Gamble,” he said.
Already, he knew what he was going to say. He was going to tell him that he was his doctor, and he was protecting him.
Gamble didn’t want to be protected.
Fuck that.
He wanted to feel.
He wanted to love again.
While he knew no woman would ever have his heart again, he was pretty sure a man could. He was pretty sure that he would be safe.
With this man.
Now, if Gamble could just save them both from whatever chased them.
