Page 50 of Honeythorn
“Did you need something?” Raphael said, not dismissively, but without any warmth.
“No, I was done spying on your affairs, so I’ll just go now,” Milan said sarcastically. Raphael whipped his head around quickly to look at him.
“Excuse me?”
“That’s what you were thinking, wasn’t it? Here we go again.” Milan threw his hands in the air angrily.
“That’s not—I didn’t say anything to suggest that.”
“Oh, you don’t have tosayanything. It’s all over your face.”
A muscle jumped at the side of Raphael’s jaw. “Well, I find you in my study—”
“Waiting for you.”
“Waiting for me for what?” Raphael growled.
“Because I missed you!” Milan shouted without thinking. His mouth closed abruptly, Raphael’s eyes wide. “You know what? Never mind. You’re right—I’ll leave.”
“Milan, wait—”
“Don’tfollow me,” Milan ordered as he fled the room.
Milan collapsed into a chair when he got to the library, face hot and still angry.
That went well.Milan closed his eyes and groaned.
*****
Milan debated if to skip dinner, but knew it was too childish a move—and there had been enough of that for one day.
How ridiculous was it that his husband was suspicious of him for being in his study, and Milan was embarrassed by admitting that he had missed him. Hisbonded.
They were both so fucked up.
Raphael was already sitting at the dinner table and looked relieved when Milan entered the room. He got up to his feet abruptly, knocking his chair over. Milan almost laughed.
“Milan—”
“Please, let me sit down first,” Milan said tiredly. Raphael flushed, retrieving his chair from the floor and sitting down a moment after Milan.
“Milan,” Raphael started again, “I apologise. You were right—the way I acted…I promised you that I wouldn’t. I shouldn’t have.”
Milan sighed. “Look. I understand. No, let me speak. I do. I don’t want you acting that way, but I do. Just…why don’t you try to think of me as an individual instead of an Omega you’re bonded to?” Milan suggested.
Raphael winced.
“What I mean by that is, when you doubt me, ask yourself—wouldMilando that? Would I leave my whole family and almost die just to, what? Steal your money? My family has enough money. Also, I have skills and interests of my own. I don’tneedyou, Raphael, or your money.”
Raphael looked a little stunned. “I…never thought about it that way.”
Milan snorted. “Well, yes, dear husband. That’s what I’m here for—to set you straight,” Milan teased.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know. Let’s just…I didn’t expect for both of us to just forget the past and heal. It’s going to be a process. We’ve donefarbetter than I thought we would, don’t you think?” Milan asked.
Raphael smiled a little, nodding. He stared at his empty plate for a moment before looking back at Milan. “It’s because of the bond.”
