Page 96 of Until the Day You're Mine

How? How the hell does he have the brain capacity after twenty-four hours on the run, to have enough sense and make the right choices?

Honestly, if he had returned with only the few items Rian had written down for him, that would have been more than enough.

The little one demands to be close to Ty when he starts unpacking the box with the crib and lining up the components on the floor. Rian lets them get comfy, side by side, after he piles up some pillows for his son.

Fatigue catches up to him, as he has been sitting on the bed, staring at the wall pretty much for two hours, waiting for Ty to return. As of this moment, although the sight of his little boy interacting with Ty melts his heart, he is otherwise unable to force a single muscle to move. The physical exhaustion, in combination with the shock from the events of the past week, are catching up to him and frying his brain.

Rian wants to scream and laugh at the same time. His eyes drift to the open balcony door. He can clearly see the light of the night sky, stars shining bright, looking incredibly close to the earth. The full moon illuminates the sandy white beaches, right outside their villa. The lulling sound of waves rolling over with the tides, should soothe him.

This place is a paradise, but all we’ve done is bring our nightmares with us.

There is no escaping Harris Kelly.

Rian thinks as he bitterly bites back the rest of his ugly thought. He knows this isn’t real – they are not heretogether. This isn’t a family getaway. There is no anniversary. Ty isn’t his husband, and it breaks his heart he may never be.

For all Rian knows, Ty is doing all of this because of his promise to Cyril. It tears him apart that he wants so much more from Ty.

Is he being ungrateful and ridiculous?

Is this going to be a repetition of his email fiasco?

He doesn’t think Tayida would abandon him, but can he say all those things to him, without risking rejection?

He’s done unpacking their bags, and the groceries Ty has brought back with him, and he chances a glance at Ty.

Ty is building the crib as if he has done it a million times. Bran is sitting next to him on the floor, following his every move as if he is doing the most entertaining thing in the world. His son adores Ty and Ty reaches for him at least every few minutes, to either brush his cheeks with his index finger gently or to run his fingers through his curls. His gorgeous dark hair is now shoulder length – Ri has been coming up with all sorts of excuses not to cut it.

Rian can’t help it. He wants this. He wants this man to be an integral part of his family. He wants many nights like this – just the three of them, safe in their own little bubble.

He must be brave and say what’s on his damn mind.

Ty is talking to Bran the whole time, asking him silly questions as his son giggles in response. Then he squeals, “Ty-ta.” Ty grins as he pokes his little chubby belly.

“Is that my name, little man?”

Bran gurgles a laugh. Rian simply melts. Fuck, if he had ovaries, they would be leaking right now.

I swear to fucking God, I’m going to have more babies with this man!

The thought is so random and bizarre it makes him chuckle at his own eagerness. He shakes his head. He must be fucking exhausted if he is thinking about more babies when they are on the run. They literally have no idea what will happen to them five days from now.

Fuck. Even tomorrow isn’t a safe bet.

Bran is laughing like Ty is the most amusing person in the world and Rian should probably be jealous, but he is loving it so much, he keeps forgetting the gravity of their situation. His imagination is running away from him and has taken complete charge of his faculties. They are in danger, yet he has never felt more secure.

Ty looks up and meets his eyes. There it is again – that jolt of electricity. Yes, it’s official, Rian has lost his mind, and he doesn’t give a shit. Damn it, this man belongs with him!

Ty smiles. It is a warm sticky feeling that crawls up in Rian’s chest and spreads like a virus through every cell of his body. This man belongs with him. Rian has loved him his entire adult life. No matter what waits for them, beyond this temporary escape, this man will have an important place in his future. Rian will make sure of it.

Ty never breaks eye contact as he picks Bran up off the floor and walks to Rian. The little one reaches for his daddy. Ty hands him over but doesn’t make a move to leave them. Bran has a firm hold on Ty’s sleeve and is pulling him closer, keeping them connected in their bubble for a little while longer.

* * *

Ty is fixing dinner,humming to himself. It’s past nine, but they are all in this weird jet lag state of mind, where sleep will evade them for a few more hours, even if they are all exhausted from the long day of travel. They have the television on mute, running in the background.

Rian glances out the balcony at the gorgeous beach views. His mind is instantly in the gutter. He’s thinking how much he wants to drag Ty to the water and watch the waves crash into his naked body. Rian’s cheeks are flushing bright red, at the mere fantasy of dark waters trickling down every dip and curve of Ty’s muscular strong frame.

Skinny dipping is swiftly added to the long list of fantasies he’s been compiling since the moment they’ve been reunited.

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