Page 58 of Starting Over in Cedarwood

“No.” He left his seat and tucked Leo under his arm. “You have all of me, too.”

“Kevin?”

“There’s no one else I want in my life and bed. Just you.”

“Truth?” Shaun petted Leo’s head and threaded his free arm around Kevin. “Don’t say what you’re not feeling.”

He kissed Shaun, careful not to squish Leo between them. “I’ve fallen hard for you. It’s love—even if I’m scared to say those three words. You’re the one in my heart. No one else. Just you.” He refused to pour his heart out under duress, but Shaun needed reassurance.

“I can accept that.” Shaun brushed his nose along Kevin’s. “Let me get dinner.”

“I’ll be here with Leo.” Kevin let go and waited for Shaun to leave before he exhaled. The fear of admitting he loved Shaun overwhelmed him. He knew his heart. He did love Shaun. But he’d been hurt before and didn’t want to go through the pain. Not a second time. Shaun had the power to destroy him, and maybe that was the reason he feared telling Shaun he loved him. He worried Shaun would tear his heart into pieces.God.He’d never cared about anyone in the way he did with Shaun.

The door opened and Shaun strode into the apartment with the pizza box. “It’s definitely hot.” He closed the door, then carried the box to the counter. “At least we know it’s fresh.”

“True.” He waited until Shaun put the keys down and took his shoes off, then Kevin grasped Shaun’s hand. “Just a minute.”

“Kevin?” Shaun frowned. “You’re pale.”

He needed to stop being scared. “I’ve never been in over my head before—not like I am with you. I’ve never cared about someone so much. I’m afraid to tell you how I feel because I don’t want to get hurt. I won’t be the same if you go. You’ve changed me. I’m happier and more confident than ever, because of you. Do I love you? Yes. Shaun, I love you.”

Shaun’s lips parted and he said nothing. Kevin splayed his hand over Shaun’s heart. He’d finally rendered Shaun speechless. Shaun threaded his arms around Kevin.

“I love you, too.” Shaun kissed Kevin hard. “So much.”

The tension he’d carried since he’d split from Kyle finally melted away. He didn’t have to be anyone but himself. He embraced the love in his heart and passion for Shaun. “Now we can celebrate.”

“Yes.” Shaun laughed. “Completely.” He held Kevin tight. “You had me worried. Thought you’d dump me or something.”

“Nah. I’m like that tattoo on your shoulder. I’m here and not going anytime soon,” Kevin said. “I’m even looking forward to looking at houses with you.”

“You are?”

“Sure.” He nodded to the pizza. “We should eat before our super-hot pizza gets cold.”

Kevin opened the pizza box while Shaun got out plates. He loved the homey feel. They were good together. Shaun was the sauce to his cheese.

“You’re grinning.” Shaun heaped two slices of pizza onto his plate. “What are you thinking about?”

“You. Me.” He added a slice to his plate and followed Shaun to the couch. He sat with his boyfriend and turned on music. “I’m thinking about how easy this is. How I like the way we fit together.”

Shaun sat beside him. “We do.” He leaned into Kevin. “This is nice.” He rested his head on Kevin’s shoulder.

Kevin sighed and ate. This was what he wanted—the guy, the cat, the happy home. His life had leveled out. He listened to the music and enjoyed dinner with Shaun. Even Leo seemed to be happy with the situation.

“Who are we listening to? I chose the station, but I have no idea what this piece is that’s playing,” Kevin said. “I can’t tell them apart.”

“It’s Rachmaninoff.” Shaun chuckled. “I’ll give you a crash course one of these days.”

“Fair enough.”

Shaun finished his first slice, then sat up. “Shit. I didn’t get anything to drink.”

“We’re running in the morning. Water will be fine.” He didn’t need something fancy. “It’s okay.”

“Want more while I’m up?” Shaun asked.

“I’m good.” He pushed his plate onto the coffee table. His thoughts were too focused on Shaun. “Feel better?”

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