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Ollie chuckled. “I think that’s supposed to be my question. I was a little rough at the end. How are you?”

“Well, there’s no need to move for the next several hours while I recover from the most intense orgasm I’ve ever experienced and my lungs feel as though I’ve run a marathon, but other than that, I’m perfect.”

“Yes, you are.”

The lightness in my chest expanded, and I wondered what I did in my past life to deserve this sweet man.

“You realize you’ve ruined me for anyone else. I’m looking forward to exposing you to an entire world of debauchery and if the experience is anything like this time, I’m going to hit the gym and start taking vitamins to keep up with you.”

I found him gorgeous when he tilted his head back and let out a genuine laugh. The entire time, his hand roamed over my chest, as if wanting to keep the connection strong between us.

“I can’t wait until you’re inside me.”

“Give me an hour and a half and some food. After that, I may have enough energy to rock your world.”

Another one of those addicting laughs escaped his throat as he shook his head. “You already did, so if it’s any consolation, there’s no pressure.”

As we lay there, surrounded by silence and our even breathing, something niggled in the back of my mind.

“I know we haven’t spoken a lot about my career and what it entails…” My words trailed off as worry grew in my chest.

“You’re right, we haven’t, but I sense it isn’t your career as much as your fame that’s niggling at you right now. What are you worried about?”

I’ve never met someone as observant and empathetic as Ollie, so of course he would understand.

“I know that if someone photographed us kissing, it has the possibility of turning your life upside down.”

A long minute stretched between us before Ollie gave me a soft smile and shook his head.

“Your fame is just that, yours alone. There’s no lurid information from my past and if the tabloids tried to dig for information, all they would find is a studious man with no social life. There’s no history of acting out, drugs, or anything that might make you look bad. I’m sure they’ll pull up information about my conservative parents, but I can’t foresee them speaking to the press about me. They hardly acknowledged me when I was under their roof. And if they learned about our relationship, I see it as more of a reason they’d keep their mouths shut.”

I had been holding my breath as I worried about Ollie and how the press would speculate about him, while he worried about me and the potential impact on my career.

“You, Oliver Bright, are an exquisite human being and I’m proud to be your friend and boyfriend.”

His smile softened, and he pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“While I appreciate your sentiment, I’m guessing you’re going to point out something I might be missing?”

His thumb ran along my forehead and cheek as he waited, showing that I must’ve had worry etched on my face.

“The last thing I ever wanted was to turn your life upside down. If the press gets wind of our relationship, they may try to hurt you with the information they have proof of. Or, since I’m notorious for being a playboy, they’ll say hurtful things to get a negative reaction from you.”

His brows drew down as he searched my expression.

“Is our relationship exclusive, Connor?”

The rise of jealousy surged, running rampant through me at the thought of Ollie kissing or touching another man, which sent a thrum of pain and uneasiness through my chest.

“Yes. At least… I’m hoping we are. When I asked you to be my boyfriend, I might not have said it, but I will now. I will be loyal; there will be no straying, no cheating, no trying to make you jealous. When I decided I couldn’t live without you in my life, I committed myself to you.”

By the time I ended my declaration, Ollie’s eyes were bright with unshed tears, but the smile on his face caused my heart to skip a beat.

“Whatever they throw at us, whether it’s the truth or fiction, we’ll be on solid ground. It may have taken me twenty-two years to find you, but I refuse to allow someone who doesn’t know either of us to ruin what we have growing between us.”

“Even if?—”

“Connor, beautiful. If I have a concern, I promise to come to you and we’ll talk. As long as we communicate, we’ll be fine. And no, like I told you a hundred times, your past and the decisions you made are yours alone, and I will never judge you for them.But you’re committing to me as I am to you. No worries, beautiful.”