Page 57 of Filthy and the Beast

Fox gazes at his husband lovingly before turning to me. “Nothing more serious than an old-fashioned fling with the boss? No wedding bells?”

I chuckle. “Absolutely not. I really like Enzo. He’s quickly becoming one of my favorite people ever. But he said it himself the other day. He was looking for marriage and a family when he was young, but he’s moved on. He thinks he’s too old for that now. He’s not going to fall in love with me and ask for my hand, and so I don’t even have to worry about that as a possibility. As a risk, I mean. That’s why it’s easy for us to live together and sleep together, too, when it’s something I’ve never considered with a lover before.”

It’s true. And the weird, achy feelings in my stomach and my heart are simply going to have to get used to that fact.

Fox frowns. “He’s not too old. You two could totally have a family if you wanted.”

A quiver of warmth goes through me, but I decide to ignore that, too.

“We’re perfect like this. We’re different in a million ways, but we both accept each other for who we are. We like spending time together, living together, doing all the boring house stuff together. But we also have our own lives, passions and interests we don’t share, and that’s important to me, too. He’s not my boyfriend. Hell, he still hasn’t even let me into his bedroom. But what we have, the way it is?” I shake my head. “I don’t know. It just feels right.”

Nico smiles encouragingly. “You’ve always defined your relationships on your own terms, Damian. And if living with a guy who doesn’t let you into his bedroom works for you, then that’s all that matters.”

“Thank you.” Although as I finish my drink, I realize I’m not so convinced myself.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

ENZO

I dragmy ass into the kitchen, still sweaty in my workout clothes. It’s evening, and I’m starving. Normally, I’d down a few protein shakes, but Damian and I cook together more nights than not, so I’m delaying, hoping he’ll emerge from his room upstairs.

Hisroom. Damian has moved in properly. Over the days since his boxes appeared, his objects keep making their way into the rest of the house.

I eye the three ceramic cookie jars on the counter, one a strange pig in an apron, one a pink cake, and the last a dolphin jumping in the waves.

Not used to having someone else's crap around. Clutter. Definitely not used to cute shit. Feels weird to look at it, think about my place becoming more like his place.

I take one cookie out of each jar and munch on them.

“You’ll spoil your dinner!” Damian wanders down the stairs in a fuzzy pink sweater and jeans.

I grunt. “If you’re so worried about my appetite, why’d you leave these cookie traps all over the counter?”

“Where else should I store them?” Opening the dolphin, he helps himself to a snickerdoodle. “You want me to stop baking?”

I frown. “No.” I shove the chocolate chip cookie in my mouth. “My turn to get dinner. You eat yet?”

“No, I’ve been reviewing the notes from the bartending class I took a few years ago. Did I tell you I got an interview?”

“At the sex club?”

He lights up. “That’s right. Since you only need me in the days, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to super-charge my savings and get a little experience, too. Tending bar at a sex club has got to involve some amateur sex therapy, right?”

I don’t think I understand what happens at a sex club, and the inappropriately possessive part of my brain objects to Damian going there. Instead of saying something wrong, I shove the last cookie in my mouth.

“Right,” I grumble. “Good luck.”

“No need to order.” He gestures to the fridge. “We’ve got so many leftovers.”

I nod. “Leftovers.”

We get started and move easily beside each other. Damian pulls out the dishes, I load them with lasagna, and he turns to work on a salad. When I realized he never touched the whiskey I offered, I made a point to get some bottles of wine, and I uncork a red one before pouring him a glass.

“Were you in the gym?” he asks.

“Running drills. Don’t worry. Didn’t stress my back.”

He nods. “I’m impressed by your dedication. I know you said you’d be training all the time, but I didn’t realize you meantallthe time.”

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