Page 111 of Their Master

“I can’t sign another contract agreeing to no emo—” his voice broke on the word. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I can’t sign anything agreeing to no emotional attachment.”

Mr. Smith’s brow furrowed. “What are you saying, Luke?”

“I l-love you.” It was so soft that evenhecould barely hear it. He raised his voice. “Iloveyou, sir.”

He’d never seen Smith looked shocked before—he assumed it was shock and not disgust—nor had he seen him at a loss.

The silence dragged between them.

Finally, Smith said, “I cannot give you what you want, Luke.”

“You don’tknowwhat I want!” he retorted, his heated response startling them both. “You’ve never asked me what I wanted,” Luke said, more quietly.

“No, that’s true. Why don’t you tell me.”

Luke tried to compose his thoughts, but the words just began to leap out of his mouth, willy-nilly. “Iloveyou. I have for ages—even before I accepted this position. It started when you used to come into the Briar Palace, and I looked forward to—” Luke stopped, biting his tongue to keep from just pouring everything out at the other man’s feet.

Smith’s eyes widened at his confession, but he nodded. “Go on.”

“I’ve felt this way about you for a long time,” he said, leaving the matter at that. “I suppose that makes me in breach of our contract—since I knowingly violated at least one section before even signing it.”

Smith laughed softly. “I think I can let that go, under the circumstances.”

Luke had to lower his gaze for this next part. “I’mnotCharles.” He glanced up from his clenched hands when Smith didn’t say anything, relieved to see the other man didn’t look angry at the mention of his former lover. He hurried on. “I want you to be happy because I love you, sir. I know how you are and I accept it. You’re untamable and that’s fine because I don’t want to tame you. Or—or change you… I just wantyou.” He swallowed. “As much of you as you can spare.” He inhaled a shaky breath and stared at his tightly latticed fingers.

The room was soquiet.

When he risked a look at Mr. Smith, he saw he was smiling—this one genuine.

“You’re not angry.”

“How could I be, Luke?”

“But you didn’t want—”

“Jealousy? Recriminations? Daily brawls?” Smith snorted. “No, I didn’t. But I don’t think that is what you are offering.”

Luke shook his head. “No. But p-perhaps a bit of regularity?”

Smith chuckled. “I think that can be managed.”

“How often may I come to you?” Luke persisted, wanting to have this issue settled and engraved in stone before he packed his bags.

“How often do you want?” Smith countered.

Every nightrose to his lips, but Luke caught it. “I usually take Mondays as my free day.”

“Then come on Mondays.”

“Every Monday?”

“Yes.”

Luke couldn’t help from smiling, which then turned into a grin. He knew he looked like an idiot but couldn’t help himself. “Very good, sir.”

“If I am out of town on a Monday, we can make other arrangements.” Smith cocked his head, a twinkle in his dark gaze. “Is that acceptable to you, Luke?”

“Very acceptable, sir.”

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