Page 28 of Adored

As Poe stood there, Gamble was curious.

“A penny for your thoughts,” he offered.

Poe turned.

“Can we get more horses sooner, rather than later?” Poe asked. “I would really like to see little foals running around and have them grow older on the estate. I’m sentimental and love animals.”

Honestly, Gamble was confused by that question for a few reasons.

“Why are you asking me? This is your estate, Poe. You can get whatever you want.”

Poe stopped at that answer, and it didn’t sit well with him.

“I see,” he said, shortly.

When he went to go brush Honey down, Gamble grabbed his arm.

“What did I say that upset you just now?” he asked. “Because you got icy. Help a guy out. You’re my first boyfriend.”

This was new for Gamble, and he was learning to be a partner again. Only, he saw the look of hurt, and he needed to know.

“I just thought we were a couple, and this was ours. I made a mistake.”

Gamble stopped him from moving.

“I didn’t want to assume. This is your home, and I want you to be happy here. I can adjust.”

Poe didn’t look any happier, and Gamble was struggling to bring that happiness back. He was going to need a little help.

“Babe, just lay it out for me,” Gamble said. “I’m not good with relationships. My last one ended with Storm killing my child and herself. I need a little grace and leeway here until I figure it out.”

Gamble was right.

Poe had forgotten that he’d been the one putting him back together again, and that he was just angsty from the whole situation. That wasn’t fair to take it out on Gamble.

“Are we staying here?” Poe asked. “Like forever?”

Gamble assumed.

“I figured as much. You came here and said you had a duty. I changed my name and brought our horses. That says long-term to me. They aren’t like carry-on luggage. They don’t ship easily in overhead storage.”

Poe was honest.

“Then, if we get married, this is your home too. I was just a little surprised and wary that you might not want to be saddled with this mess. It’s a full-time job. We have a staff here, and we rent out the estate to festivals, and farmers harvest the land.”

Gamble shrugged.

“I like it here. It’s pretty. Sign me up—if we get married,” he said.

Poe slowly nodded.

“Okay,” he said.

Gamble wanted to ask then and there, but he needed to make it special.

“Again, would you say yes?” Gamble asked, trying to get him to answer.

And again, Poe was obtuse.