Page 61 of Dragged Home for Christmas

Jim was certain his head was about to explode, but he grabbed hold of his courage with both hands.

“To be your partner. In life, in love… I…know you fuck other men, but I just wanna be the one you come home to.”

Kris went quiet for a moment, and Jim groaned internally.

I blew it, didn’t I? I fucked it up.

Then Kris sighed. “I’ve been thinking about that too.”

Jim’s jaw scraped the floor. “You have?”

He chuckled. “Why the hell wouldn’t I? You’re a sexy, talented guy. You’re sweet, sassy, generous, and let’s not forget kinky as fuck.” He grinned. “We won’t mention your kitchen skills, however.”

“Good, because they’re non-existent.” Heat flooded his face at the compliments.

“To be honest, what’s stopped me from asking you is…” Kris shook his head. “You’ll laugh.”

“Of course I won’t. Tell me.”

Kris scraped his fingers through his thick hair. “I guess the truth is… how I feel about you scares the fuck out of me.”

Jim blinked. “What?”

He sighed. “I’m tired of being ‘a legend’,” he air-quoted. “And lately I’ve been shocked as hell to find myself thinking about… settling down.”

Holy fuck.

“What brought that on?”

Kris’s eyes twinkled. “You. Jim Walker, you have turned my life upside down, inside out, back to front…I’ve known hundreds of men, and notoneof them hasevermade me feel the way I do about you. And the other reason why I didn’t want to ask you was I wasn’t sure if you could copewith my lifestyle.”

Jim smiled. “Would we be talking about your subs?”

Kris nodded. “So what I’m asking is… would you be willing to be a part of my life, if I carried on training submissives, doing my workshops, working with leather groups…?”

Jim beamed. “I have no problem with any of that. You’re damn good at what you do, and far be it from me to deprive the world of a first-class Dom.” He smiled. “Besides, it’s part of you. I don’t think you could give that up if you tried.”

“Oh, thank God.” Kris let out a soft chuckle. “I never thought I’d find someone like you. Someone I cared for, valued… loved…”

Sweet Jesus, thank you.

“And now that I have, I don’t want to lose you.” He met Jim’s gaze. “So I guess I’d better ask you pretty damn quick before someone else snaps you up.” Kris straightened. “Are you going to be mine?”

Jim pretended to think. “Do I have to answer right this minute?”

Kris stilled. “If you need time, that’s fine by me.” He paused. “How long do you think you’ll need?”

Jim moved closer, until he could smell Kris’s beard oil, a scent that always aroused him. “Oh, I think I’ll have made a decision by the time we get all your stuff back to your place, and I’m tied to your bedposts.”

Kris grinned. “Is that to stop you from leaving?”

Jim laughed. “You don’t need to stop me from getting away, sugar. I’m not planning on going anywhere.” He lurched forward into Kris’s arms. “I’m all yours. And I promise to make you happy.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“And I’ll be able to pay my own way,” Jim added. “Once Nick’s place re-opens, I’ll be the manager, Mike said.”

Kris smiled. “A man of independent means. Better and better.” He paused. “However, I do have one proviso,” Kris murmured.

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