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"Care to share with the class?"
He glances down at me, his eyes darkening in a way that still sends heat coursing through me."I was thinking somethinginvolving that special room we installed in the basement when we renovated."
"The one with the Saint Andrew's cross and suspension rig?" I clarify, my voice dropping to match his.
"Among other things," he confirms."Unless you had something else in mind?"
I pretend to consider. "Well, I am the guest of honor.I should probably get to choose."
"Absolutely," he agrees easily."Whatever the bestselling author desires."
I stop walking, turning to face him fully, my free hand rising to rest on his chest."I desire you, Jake Winters. Same as I did two years ago in a truck driving down Route 14.Same as I will tomorrow and the next day and however many days we have together."
The simple declaration brings an expression to his face that I treasure, openness and vulnerability that he shows to no one else,a dropping of the controlled mask that still defines him in professional settings.
"Then you shall have me," he says, his voice roughened with emotion."Tonight, and all those tomorrows."
Some journeys change you in ways you neveranticipated.Some detours become destinations more perfect than anything you could haveplanned.And sometimes, the most direct route to happiness is the one you never intended to take atall.