Page 89 of Adored

It caught him off guard, and Gamble laughed.

“Well, yeah,” he said. “You have an amazing ass that lures me in. You’d be naked now if Diablo wouldn’t stare. He’s a gossipy bitch.”

The man flat on his back couldn’t be more in love if he tried. Then, to prove he could, his heart fell more in love with Gamble when he peppered his face with kisses, and shared his heart with him.

“I’ll love you forever, Poe Seville. Don’t forget that,” he admitted. “You were made for me.”

Poe sighed.

This man undid him.

“Oh, Gamble,” he whispered. “I don’t know what I did to get you, but I’m grateful.”

He knew.

“You saved me, and now, I’ll save you.”

Those were beautiful words.

As they cuddled, the sun was going down not far away, and it was kissing the tops of the trees. Gamble handed Poe another apple, and he had a snack.

They sat there until it was dusk, and Diablo had eaten about ten apples.

Because he was a greedy horse.

It was when he laid down on the ground, and rolled around next to them that Poe laughed.

“You’re ridiculous, Mate,” he admitted. “So undignified. You’re apple drunk.”

The horse neighed, as they all laid there. Gamble was holding Poe, and he was running his hand up and down the horse’s head to show him love too.

This was perfect.

Gamble almost wanted to propose.

ALMOST.

Only, he knew he needed the ring he’d gotten for his man, and unfortunately, it was in his rucksack. If they were going to get engaged, Gamble had to give him something.

Then, he had a way to commemorate the moment.

“I have something for you,” he said.

Poe looked over, and sat up.

“What?” he asked.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a chain. On the chain were his dog tags.

Poe watched him.

“When a guy is deploying, he gives one of his tags to his person. So they can hold on until he gets back. I’m not leaving, so I want to give you both so you can see them and know that I love you.”

Poe’s heart skipped.

“They are a promise from me,” he admitted. “That as soon as we can, we’ll get married and be a family. You, me, our damaged dog, and our insane horses—specifically this one.”

His heart skipped in his chest.