Page 76 of Mystique of the Fallen
“Bradley looked like he saw a ghost when I tapped on that window,” Grant said. His gaze narrowed. “Why did he tell me we were so in love if I was planning on breaking up with him?”
“I don’t know, baby. Maybe you guys worked things out.”
“Hmm, I need to give this some more thought.”
Roman held Grant close and rubbed his back. “I understand. It’s a lot.”
“I’d much rather remember that you told me you loved me today.”
Smiling, Roman kissed Grant’s temple and closed his eyes to appreciate his mate’s beautiful heart and the quick forgiveness he didn’t deserve. “I do. I love you. I fell so hard and fast I didn’t realize I was completely sunk until you’d wrapped me around your finger.”
“You are the other half of my soul, Roman. I don’t give a shit who I thought I wanted to be with as a human. You and I belong together.”
“I agree. No one could ever complete me the way VK Grant Valerius does.”
“Even though I don’t have blond highlights?”
Roman chuckled. “Yes, because you’re beautiful, with or without them.”
“Roman?”
“Hmm?”
“For the record? You always make me feel special. I don’t need anything fancy. I love you exactly how you are.”
“Could you do me one favor?”
“Anything,” Grant promised.
“At least yell at me for lying to you?”
“Nah, I’ll let the guilt eat you up instead. Much more effective revenge for you, Calixtus.”
“Shithead,” Roman teased, then pulled away to frame Grant’s beloved face in his hands. He kissed him tenderly. “You’re definitely a shithead. But I love you. And I’m here for you if you want to talk about anything. Including the past. Okay?”
“Good, because I’m still sorting my thoughts. Also, calling me a shithead is marginally better than being accused of being a zombie, but knock it off.”
“As you wish, baby,” Roman replied, brushing their lips together again.
It was an unbelievable relief to finally have no secrets resting between them, but that didn’t mean Roman’s regret had melted away. He should’ve revealed everything before the past slapped Grant in the face and blindsided him while he was working. Grant had forgiven him, so Roman couldn’t allow his guilt to linger. But he also couldn’t wash it away in an instant.
In the meantime, he’d encourage Grant to discuss his thoughts and feelings about what he’d learned to help him cope as best he could. The other thing Roman needed to do was plan something romantic for Grant. It was the least he could do to show Grant how special he was to him. Roman hated that the first time he’d told Grant he loved him was amid confessing how he’d lied to him since the day he was resurrected.
Grant deserved far better.
Chapter 27
Roman smiled at Grant and hugged him close for a second, careful not to muss his formal uniform.
“Have fun this morning,” Roman said.
Grant feathered his fingers through Roman’s hair. “I will.” He leaned in and kissed Roman’s earlobe. “I love you.”
“Love you too,” Roman whispered as the other two smiling Venerable Knights watched them from their desks. He brushed his lips against Grant’s and patted his firm backside as his other half walked away to supervise the arrival of Council leaders.
The moment Grant disappeared into the throng of fallen knights weaving through the main area of headquarters, his mouth thinned, and he turned to his coworkers.
“Get up, we need to talk privately in the conference room,” Roman ordered.
