Page 49 of Bulletproof
“Yes. Especially these last few days. I’ve been going out of my mind.” Derek clamped his jaw shut, not wanting to bring up something petty when he andTravis were sharing their real feelings.
“Why?”
“Because . . . of her.”
“Ashley?”
Derek nodded, hating that she bothered him so much when she clearly wasn’t a threat. “I know it’s stupid and juvenile to be so fucking jealous. But I am. I was losing my mind thinking about you with her. I don’t want to share you. I don’t want you to be with anyonebut me. And I don’t want to be with anyone but you.” The revelation shocked Derek almost as much as it shocked Travis, but he also couldn’t believe he didn’t know he felt this way sooner.
Eyes wide with astonishment, Travis sat upright. “Really?”
Derek blinked a few times, letting the reality of it sink in, finding that it was exactly what he wanted. For the first time in a very long time, he wanted a steady boyfriend, and he wanted that person to be Travis. “Yeah. Really. I’m ready to give this a shot.” He waited expectantly, nerves causing his foot to twitch.
Travis swallowed, hard, and his eyes glazed over. “Me too.” He wrapped his arms around Derek and snuggled up to Derek’s chest.
The closeness, the mutual commitment, and the sense of togetherness enveloped Derek in a cocoon of warmth, and he glowed.You’re all mine. He hugged Travis closer, a silly smile on his lips, and reveled in the idea of sharing this new juncturewith him. This was one of those intimate moments when sex wasn’t at the top of the agenda. It was definitely happening, without question, but holding each other, sharing a promise and the exchange of reciprocated affection and respect, topped the list. And Derek was happier than he’d ever been in his life.
