Chapter 19

“Will you sleep in here tonight?”

Dane nodded. “Are you okay?”

“I’m great. You?”

Dane smiled with his eyes. “Yeah. I’m great, too.”

Once the lights were out and Dane was curled around his back, Guy fell into a deep, untroubled sleep.

* * * *

Dane knew his weakness could only have one consequence. He knew he would have to leave. But he would deal with consequences in the morning. In the refuge of darkness, he would merely let himself love his Guillermo. He would hold him like he had ached to hold him a million times before. He would kiss the back of his neck. He would count each breath. He would bask in the warmth of Guy’s body.

He’d pretend that Guy loved him. Loved him now. Loved him again. And he wouldn’t take this love for granted. He’d treasure it like the gift it was. He’d prove himself worthy every single day of Guy’s affections, and he would do everything in his power to demonstrate that he was still repentant, that he had changed. That he was the man Guy needed.