Page 75 of You Are Cordially Invited

He grinned. “No, I’m not dumping your sorry arse.”

Okay, so I’d said that aloud.

“Oh my god, you’re blushing.” He beamed. “Jesus, where’s my phone so I can get that on record.”

I may have growled. “I feel so fucking seen.”

He laughed, which I took as another promising sign.

Then he continued, “Anyway, baby, our lives arenotyour ER. And neither are they a reflection of our bedroom—although let me be clear that I have no problem whatsoever with the dynamics that go down there.” He slid me a knowing smile. “But Cory and I arenotyour nurses orproblemsto solve. And I amnotsome hapless guy who needs your protection, at least not all the time. I’m yourpartnerand hopefully soon your husband.”

“I want that more than anything,” I said with what I hoped was enough force to convince him how very true it was.

He went still, letting the words float between us like the promise they were. Then slowly, like an incoming tide, he smiled, and that guard finally dropped. Light danced in his eyes and I had the distinct feeling of coming home.

“I love that you still want that as much as me,” he said, eyes shining. “It means everything. But I want you to trust me too, trust that I can be there for you like you are for me. That you’ll ask for help when you need it. You don’t get to have the monopoly on being strong. And to be honest, it hurts to think that you don’t see me that way.”

“But I do see you that way,” I stressed. “I know how strong you are. This is about my issues. Not about your strength.”

“That doesn’t stop it hurting.”

I winced. “No it doesn’t. And you don’t deserve that.”

“But it’s also not all on you.” He looked miserable.

What?

“I never made it clear I wanted something different. I just stood back and let you run our lives. If I’m honest, it made things easy for me, and that wasn’t fair on you, either. Most of the time I enjoy sitting back and watching you set the world on fire. We both let this happen. I need to speak up more about what I want.” A softness filled his eyes. “In fact, I think I should practice that right now. Get up here with me. I really, really need to hold you.”

He shuffled back to make room so I could lie on my side, pressed up against him. A nurse popped her head into the room with a blood pressure pump. I glared and she left.

I leaned in to brush my nose across his. “Youare my strength,” I said, meaning every single word. “The fact my knucklehead brain has ignored this too often doesn’t change the truth of it. And the almighty fuck up that’s happened because I couldn’t get my head out of my arse only proves just how much stronger you actually are than me. I’m so fucking sorry.”

I chanced brushing my lips across his, and his hands came up to cradle my face, staring into my eyes.

“But be patient with me,” I pleaded. “I might disappoint you, again. I’m not sure I know how to be anything different.”

“Not true,” he said with a stern look. “You have never ever disappointed me. Puzzled me, sure. Butneverdisappointed. And I don’t want you to bedifferent.I love your fierce. I love that take-charge attitude you have. I love every single part of you, Cam, and I love this life we’re building. I just want us to hold hands and make the big decisions side by side. I’ll step up if you step over. Pinky swear?”

He held up a hand and I wrapped my pinky around his.

“Pinky swear.” Fucking sappy, foolish heart doing flip-flops in my chest. I wrapped both his hands in mine and reached up to press our lips together. “I love you so fucking much, baby.” I nuzzled my nose against his. “But that doesn’t solve the problem of me screwing up this wedding. I’d like to say I could just go back to everyone, eat crow, and tell them to go ahead, but there’s no way you’ll be ready for a ferry trip to Waiheke Island for a long arse day, not by Saturday, even if your miracle happens and you get discharged in time. And I don’t know how to fix that.”

“It will happen, no miracle needed.” He tapped my nose with his finger. “Then how aboutwefix it. And I don’t care about the big wedding, I never did. You, Cory, and our family and friends will be perfect.”

I frowned. “That’s still quite a few people, and it’s too late to get—”

“Shh.” He put a finger to my lips, but it was the intensity of his expression that silenced me. “I believe it’s my turn to ask, this time around,” he said, the flecks in his grey eyes darkening to almost pitch. “Cameron Wano, will you marry me on Saturday, if we can? Will you be a father to Cory and any new babies that come along? Will you love me and help me and protect me when I need it?” He brushed his thumb across my wet cheek.

I turned and pressed a kiss to his rough palm. “Goddammit, you made me cry, again. I will.” I sucked in a ridiculous sob. “Ifyouagree to love, help, and protect me,especiallywhen Idon’tthink I need it.”

He smiled. “I will. Now—”

“Hang on.” I rummaged in my pocket, and then took his left hand and slid the ring I’d bought him back where it belonged. “I’ve been keeping this safe since you were admitted.”

He stared at it then sighed. “That feels so much better. And now, Cameron Wano, you may kiss your fiancé.” He waggled his eyebrows. “A wandering hand or two would also be appreciated, just so you know. I’ve got reflexes to check.”

“Is that right?” I slid a hand under the sheet and wrapped it around his soft cock. It jumped in my hand and he shivered. “Mmm, the light switches appear to be working,” I murmured against his lips, sweeping my tongue through for a lingering taste deep inside.

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