Page 109 of The Pretender

“Then, if you’re a good boy, I’ll put some more pretty things on. Would you like that, lover?”

“Absolutely.”

He rolls to his side, drawing circles on my chest. “Thank you for the gift. I love all of it.”

“You deserve pretty things. You deserve to be spoiled.”

Deo smiles, searching my eyes. “I’m so crazy about you.”

“I’m glad I’m not alone in my feelings.”

He sits up, stretching his arms above his head. “What do you say we clean up and get dressed and go out to eat in Madison? I feel like sushi.”

“If you wear something pretty under your clothes, you’re on.”

“Deal.”

We climb out of bed, but before Deo can get too far, I grab him around the waist and pull him close. “For the first time in maybe forever I’m excited about the future, and that’s because I know it’s with you. I love you, Amadeo.”

His eyes soften as he reaches up and brushes his fingers through my beard. “I finally have a future because of you. I love you,Balthazar.” He winks and we both laugh.

“Come on, you.”

He doesn’t know it yet, but Deo is about to be smothered in luxury items. Even if he only wears them around me, that’s fine. I have to do something with all this money I’ve hoarded over the years, and dressing up my man sounds like a damn good hobby to me.

I watch him turn on the water in the shower, bent over, still wearing his lingerie, and take a moment to thank whatever higher power decided I deserved someone like him in my life. No more running, no more pretending. What we have is real.

And it’s forever.

epilogue

TWO YEARS LATER ~ AMADEO

“Hey,Deo, can I talk to you about something?”

I look across the table at Nantes. He’s wringing his hands and exchanging nervous glances with Guiliano.

“Of course.”

“Go,” Balt says, kissing my cheek. “I’ll help clean up.”

“Okay.”

I rise from the table and wait until Nantes joins me. We walk together to the patio, choosing to sit outside on this pleasant June evening. I’m not used to a nervous version of my brother. He’s always so confident, and since I’ve come back home, we’ve been spending some time together and enjoying getting to know each other as adults. Something must be up.

“Everything okay, Nan?”

He nods, glancing at the house before blowing out a breath. “I haven’t told Mom and Dad yet. Just Guiliano.”

My nerves kick, already imagining the worst. Is he sick? “Okay.”

“I want to ask you about…” He pauses, clearing his throat and straightening his shoulders. “About joining the company.”

“What company?”

Nantes’s brow creases. “The family company.”

I pull my head back. “I’m confused. When would you have time to do that in between your duties at the hospital?”