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The bruises had faded from his body but there was no helping his memories. Hurts given to him by the man who was supposed to love and protect him. The feigned ignorance of the woman who had turned a blind eye to what was being done. His father had been pure evil and even his mother had suffered under his cruel hand. Still, she’d never shown any kindness to her twin sons. Never tried to save them.

Jesse had started with the tattoos before he’d come up with any kind of plan.

He’d just wanted to get rid of the ghosts from his past.

The little money that they squirreled away went toward rent, food, and tattoos. Until the money started to flow in and Jesse had run out of room on his body. Now Jesse kept the lost and hurt child locked behind the expensive suits and his money.

Jesse turned his back to the mirror.

Lake was in for some surprises as their relationship grew. And Jesse was intent on finally claiming Jesse as his own. The last two days of spending time with Lake was more than Jesse could have asked for. Lake was a pleasure to be around.

The alien had been named Al so now Zeb and Al had found their forever home. It took too many texts and a lot of planning for the boys’ next visit to the store to make their own new friends, but Jesse had been happy when they had a date for three weeks. It meant so much to Jesse to be able to spoil the boys.

Stepping into the shower stall, Jesse groaned as the hot water hit his shoulders. He’d been stressed about his date with Lake. He knew that Lake wasn’t interested in his money as much as Lake needed someone who accepted him as he was. Jesse had trouble not offering to ease Lake’s way with his money. He knew it wouldn’t work. That had just become Jesse’s solution most of the time.

Having to rely on his instincts and he the kind of man that Lake needed was a challenge, but one that Jesse planned to pass.

Lake had the night off so Jesse wouldn’t be seeing him. Maybe it would be okay to spend some money though. Just a little?

* * * * *

Lake

Finishing his lunch, Lake stared at the gift that had arrived earlier.

The arrangement was beautiful. Like really gorgeous. Not anything overdone like the dozen red roses Lake still had from his first dinner in Jesse’s office. This flower arrangement was so much more. An array of bright, colorful flowers, inside a deep vase, wrapped with a yellow ribbon.

If Lake picked out flowers for himself, it would have been those. Not that Lake ever bought himself flowers. That was just silly. He had purchased some for his mom on her birthday and Mother’s Day but never for himself. Lake didn’t even know that men sent other men flowers.

Giving in, Lake leaned forward and smelled the bouquet.

Turned out that he really liked flowers.

They were just so pretty!

He lifted the heavy vase as he looked around. The roses were beside his bed so he could think about Jesse before he went to sleep but this arrangement was too pretty to be locked away in Lake’s room.

The sun was shining through the sliding glass door and window in the dining room though. Lake set them in the middle of the empty table and smiled. Perfect. Now they could all enjoy the flowers. Slipping his hand in his pocket, Lake fingered the little note that had been attached to the vase.

That note was just for him.

A handwritten note.

Lake pulled the note out to reread it.

My Lake,

Thank you again for our date. Something pretty for my pretty. I’ll see you soon!

J

Lake hugged the note to his chest.

Was this romance? It sure felt like it. The fluttering in his belly wasn’t from nerves or the dread that had filled him every time that Lake had to deal with his family. This freedom was something different, allowing Lake to get excited about dates and the man who’d had his attention for far too long.

A shout caught Lake’s attention, and he stuffed the note back in his pocket before gazing out the window. Dane was putting his K9 Maverick through his morning commands and exercise, which meant that Brandon would be somewhere close.

There he was! Sitting under the porch awning, watching his man and pup.