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Safe was the word that came to mind. He’d known he was safe with Beatriz before they made love, but the emotional intimacy that came from sharing a bed, from sharing thoughts and dreams and silly jokes with a lover like Beatriz gave safety a depth and joy he’d never experienced before. He couldn’t lose it.

I never told her I love her.

Time to let his blood brother know he’d arrived. Cas pressedSendon the text.

Hunt opened the door, then with a huge grin dragged him into a bearhug. “I missed you.”

“Me too.” A month was probably the longest Cas hadn’t seen Hunt since they were kids.

“Come on up?” Hunter took the stairs at a trot, his contentment tangible.

“Is Anna here?”

“She’s over at Liam and Kate’s; she’s been missing her new niece.”

“Are you and she thinking of making your own baby Lily?” Adulthood kicked you in the balls sometimes. Life changed when you married, when you found someone you wanted permanently in your life. Like Beatriz.

“Not just yet. We want some time living together first.” Hunter crossed the living area toward the kitchen. “We did things arse around—married, now we’re living together. Anyway, I’ll grab some beers. You might like to check out the bedroom first.”

“Why would I check your bed—”

Hunter grinned.

Cas pushed the door wide. The bed was made up with the linen doona cover and pillowcases he’d designed and had made as a wedding present. The cushion covers had been filled and were stacked along the window seat.

Hunter passed him a beer. “They’re fantastic, bro. Anna doesn’t want to sleep under anything else.”

“I’m glad.” Cas sipped his beer.

“She asks me to tell her the stories behind some of those items you’ve hidden in the undergrowth, like our billy cart, or the tumbling dollars half buried in the dirt.”

“Good bedtime stories.” Cas toasted him with his bottle.

Hunter snorted. “Right.” Then ambled back to the loungeroom. “Want pizza?”

“Is this a boys’ night?” Cas’s mood shifted. He’d been hoping for some alone time, but hadn’t expected the newlyweds to want to part even for a few hours. Maybe he didn’t need to unburden himself straight away. Maybe he could just hang, find his balance.

Except I don’t have time.

“It is. And marriage doesn’t mean they’re at an end. Anna lectured me before she went out. It’s important to maintain friendships and do some separate things occasionally.”

“Sounds like you didn’t spend a second apart on your honeymoon.”

“I love her. She loves me. I can’t find the words for how wonderful that is.”

“In that case, pizza works.”

Hunter made the call and gestured to the opposite sofa. “Let’s get comfortable. How’s life?”

“A few hiccups.” Cas was too restless to sit.

“You don’t have to tell me ...”

“But I might feel better if I do.” A patter he and Hunt had tossed at each since time began, or since they’d become blood brothers. Cas hid little from Hunter. “You know the situation I’m in better than most. Although you might not have had a chance to catch up yet. Dad’s money has come through. He’s transferred my share to me.” Cas paused, then chose his words carefully. “But I’ve been wondering about Dad. His future isn’t as settled as he’d expected it to be. As I’d expected it to be.”

“Have you talked about your business plans with him?”

Hunter had leapt continents with that question.