Page 14 of Adored

“You’re from a different world. I hope I don’t embarrass you. I don’t know how to do this, and I’m going to be learning on the fly.”

He stopped him.

“Do you know how to be with me?” he asked.

Gamble nodded.

“Well, then, that’s all you need to know. You’re not going to be with anyone else, and their opinion doesn’t matter. Honestly, Mate, you’re going to be fine. I’m not planning on hobnobbing it with the other nobility. That’s not my cup of tea.”

Gamble had to believe him.

“Care to give me a tour?” he asked, having ulterior motives as he changed the subject.

Protection.

This was about keeping his man alive.

That seemed to work for Poe, and he held his hand as they walked toward the stables.

“You’re hesitating. What’s wrong?” Gamble asked, sensing his fear.

Honestly, Poe wanted to get that part over with because he’d been told that was where his parents had lost their lives.

One of his plans was to burn it to the ground, and rebuild it. The last thing he needed was a haunted stable.

He said one thing.

“They were killed inside.”

That hung there.

Gamble turned him to face him.

“We can skip it.”

Poe knew that this was going to be their home now. Gamble wasn’t a guest. He was his partner for the rest of their lives. What he needed to do was make new memories.

So that they could have a life here.

“No, we can’t. I have to face it. Just hold my hand and tell me it’s going to be okay. I can do it with you by my side,” he admitted.

It hit him that with Gamble, Poe knew he could do absolutely anything.

He was his strength.

“You have this, Poe,” he admitted, kissing him softly on the lips.

Rufus must have agreed since he barked.

“Thank you for coming for me,” Poe whispered as he stared up into Gamble’s eyes.

“We promised we’d always come for each other. Why wouldn’t I?” he asked.

In that moment, Poe felt calm. He rested his head on Gamble’s shoulder and let him hold him. For a few minutes, he stole his strength so that he could carry on and do this.

This was their home now.

Poe had to fight back the demons.