Page 14 of Single Greatest Threat
“I still would’ve been there.”
A smile exploded across Shaw’s face at the petulance in Joesph’s tone. “You’re amazing and perfect.” He stole a kiss. “And beautiful and sexy.” Shaw teased Joesph’s lips apart. Their tongues met and stroked. Everything fell away. It hit Shaw. He was fine. In fact, he was great. All he really needed was Joesph. Even if he had lost his clientele and his dad had probably disowned him, Shaw didn’t need their money anyhow. He had been winning big for a lot of important people for several years. He was good. Shaw had Joesph. He didn’t need anything else.
Joesph hated the way Shaw could distract him with his kisses. He was so mad at Shaw for not coming to him with his problems, even though he understood why he hadn’t. It also warmed his heart knowing Shaw wanted to better himself so he could be whoJoesph needed. Joesph had always known this was who Shaw was behind the facade his father had forced him to create. That was why he hadn’t let go.
Shaw stood and carried Joesph from the tub. He sat him on the edge and gently dried him. Joesph couldn’t look away from Shaw’s face. He cared. Genuinely. It was in his eyes. Joesph’s throat swelled. He wanted this life with Shaw. No one could know how much.
Once dried, Shaw held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s go cuddle. I’ve missed the hell out of that.”
Joesph couldn’t help his idiotic smile. That had been what he missed the most too. It was hard being invisible, and that was exactly what he was since his life changed. No one saw him any longer. Shaw treated him like nothing had changed. It was addicting.
He climbed into bed and Shaw followed. In no time, they were beneath the covers and Joesph was in Shaw’s arms. He couldn’t stop toying with the line of hair that ran from his navel down. Joesph knew he probably drove Shaw crazy with his inability to be still. He had just missed Shaw so much.
“What should we call the new office?”
“Hmm.” Joesph welcomed any topic that stopped him from molesting Shaw. “The Law Office of Howe Jr.?”
“I was thinking Drake and Drake.”
Joesph’s brow furrowed. “Why would you add my name once, much less twice?”
Shaw never stopped trailing his fingertips up and down the back of Joesph’s arm. “I’m adding your name because the practice is half yours. It’s twice because I think I’d rather take your last name than keep mine.”
Joesph shot up onto his elbow so he could meet Shaw’s stare. “What?”
A sweet smile hovered on Shaw’s lips. “It’s okay if you want to say no.”
First off, Shaw’s eyes said it wasn’t okay. Second, what the fuck? “Say no to what?” He would not assume a damn thing. Assuming things with Shaw broke hearts.
“Will you marry me?”
Joesph was so stunned, all he could do was blink. Never in a million damn years did he see this coming. He couldn’t help but argue, because surely Shaw didn’t mean it. “But you don’t even love me. Is this about your dad?”
Shaw’s brow furrowed. “Why would this be about my dad? And I absolutely love you. You should—” Shaw blinked a few times. “I started to say you should know that, but I guess I’ve never given you a reason.” Fuck. He looked so defeated. A sad smile touched his lips and fell away. “I guess The Law Office of Howe Jr., it is.”
“Drake and Drake is better. It’s shorter on a business card.”
Shaw looked scared to hope. “Are you being serious? You’ll actually marry me?”
Joesph shrugged. “I mean, I love you and you’re the only man I want. Why would I say no? Plus, I really can’t let Dodge get two husbands before I even have one.”
A bark of laughter burst from Shaw. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Joesph shrugged again. “I don’t know. It’s just nervous chatter, really. I keep expecting you to take it back and shut me out again.”
Shaw snagged Joesph’s waist and rolled, tucking him beneath him. “Never.” His mouth covered Joesph’s and their fingers linked. Joesph’s heart soared. He had no idea if this would go anywhere. Maybe Shaw would find a new level of breaking him. It seemed he would find out because Joesph had no plans to back down. He would take this as far as Shaw went. God help them both.
Chapter Seven
Glasses and silverware clinkedalongside the murmur of several voices. Bigstock Brewhouse was one of the most popular restaurants in town and was always busy at lunchtime. The moment they had a table, Shaw pulled his chair so close to Joesph’s their arms brushed. Joesph hadn’t stopped smiling in the two weeks since they had gotten engaged. Shaw had bought him a gorgeous engagement ring and—as promised—paid off his student loans. Joesph still felt a little weird about that part, but they were getting married. Soon that debt would be his too. A detail Shaw had pointed out several times, making Joesph feel a little better about the situation.
Shaw leaned his way with his iPad. “Okay. Big decision here. Which of these business cards do you like? The black and gold or plain white?”
Joesph’s gaze slid between the two. “Honestly? It might seem a little pretentious, but our names look really good in gold.”
A sexy chuckle rumbled from Shaw. Joesph had to take a breath at the sound. He was so in love. “Black it is.” He scrolled. “Now, even bigger decision. Which of these wedding invitations?”
Giddiness poured through Joesph. He couldn’t believe Shaw had spent the morning putting together an actual invitation. Joesph read the two choices. “This weekend?”
