Page 76 of Snow Storm

“I do. And we will leave room for change,” Claude told him. “We’ll take all the right steps together. But the important thing is we’re going to try. Yes?”

Harley looked up again. “Yes. Leaving you is going to suck. Like, really suck.”

Claude snorted. “Yes. It’s going to really suck. But we’ll talk. And you’ll come back.”

“As soon as it’s humanely possible. My brother’s helping me sell my condo as an apology gift, and as soon as I pay Darren his half, it’s done.”

Claude felt his secret weighing on him, but he wasn’t ready to spill it yet. With any luck, by the time Harley flew home, Darren would be dealt with, and Harley could take the money from the sale of his condo and leave his old life behind. His new one was waiting for him, after all, with warm, open arms prepared to never let go.

“And then you’ll be mine again?”

“I’m already yours,” Harley said like it was as simple as that.

Claude felt his heart throb in his chest, and he lifted Harley’s chin, dipping down to kiss him. “And I’m yours. But for now, before the distance, we have this. Days.”

“Another week,” Harley said. “I did book two.”

Claude grinned and nuzzled his nose into the top of Harley’s hair. “Another week. And then the rest of our lives.”

Within a few days, the first week was over, and the new year was upon them. He never had anything planned for Wrought Iron unless they had guests, but their holiday lingerers had gone just after the holiday had passed. Most of his employees went home if they didn’t live on the property, and Lyric and Aminah stayed quietly tucked away in their space.

He’d spent the day making sure everything was running smoothly. With the snow clearing, they were getting new reservation requests, and the week Harley left would be busy. But that was a good thing. At the very least, he’d be distracted.

He and Harley were in the lobby when his phone began to buzz, and he looked down to see Dorsey’s name. His heart kicked up a notch. “I have to take this, my love. Wait for me?”

Harley gave him a swift kiss. “I’ll be right here.”

By the time Claude made it to his office, the call had gone to voicemail, but Dorsey picked up the second Claude rang back. “You didn’t tell me this man was an absolute fuckin’ coward.”

Claude lifted a brow. “How so? And that was really fast.”

“I was ready to leave. My sister’s wains are…a lot. And this little fucker pissed himself the moment I got in his face. And that’s not an exaggeration. I took a photo and promised theworld would see it if he even thought about bothering Harley again.”

A small part of Claude was afraid Darren would find some way to retaliate, but hopefully, he at least bought some time so when Darren finally got the balls to do anything about it, Harley would be safely within the confines of the small town near the ranch.

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Anything for you,” Dorsey said, and he sounded sincere this time. “I can’t wait to get home and meet him.”

“Hurry back.”

Dorsey chuckled quietly into the phone. “I might have found something to distract me for a bit, but I’ll be home soon. Have fun, you wild kids.” He rang off before Claude could say his goodbye, and it was with a smile on his face that he returned to the lobby to find Harley at the window, staring down at his phone.

“My love?”

Harley turned with a frown. “I just got a voicemail from my ex.”

“Oh?” Claude prayed to every god he’d ever heard of that Harley couldn’t read his face.

“He said he doesn’t want the condo. I can do whatever I want with it.” He hugged himself. “I wonder if he’s making a big show of it after writing that article.”

Claude wheeled closer and tugged on Harley’s hands. Closer, closer, he pulled him until he was forced to dip down and collapse on Claude’s lap. He cupped Harley’s cheeks and kissed him. “Who cares why he did it. The point is, he’s leaving you alone. All you have to do now is sell the condo and move here so I can have you all to myself.”

Harley closed his eyes and smiled. “I can’t wait.”

“Good. Now, let’s get back to the cabin before it gets too cold to bother. I have a warm blanket, and I want to hold you for a while.”

“Just that?” Harley asked.

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