Page 59 of At His Wife's Behest

A shiver raced down his spine. “Hold that thought.”

He walked over to the stage and quieted the band. The lead singer handed over the microphone.

“The brides have departed, and this shindig is winding down. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” He lowered the mic and rethought that. “Unless you’re one of the folks staying up at the big house, then, by all means, head on inside whenever you want. But the matron of honor is leaving, as well.” The few hardy partiers booed him joyfully, many of them new queer friends he or Emma had made over the past year. “I have a hot boyfriend to take home, thank you very much.”

“Get it, Kel!” one yelled.

“I’m ready for home,” Kellan said, sliding an arm through Connor’s after exiting the stage.

Connor held the forgotten bouquet. “Don’t forget this.”

Kellan rolled his eyes.“Oh,of course not.”

Connor snickered before leading him from the tent. They walked the narrow, lit path through the trees to the house they’d shared for several months. As soon as their front door was closed and locked behind them, Connor captured his lips, hungry.

Kellan answered that hunger with some of his own.

Connor was the first to break away. “Let’s go upstairs.”

As soon as they entered their bedroom, Kellan noticed candlelight. Concerned someone had left one burning all night, he walked deeper and noticed rose petals all over the bed. He chuckled. It was cheesy but absolutely adorable. “Who the heck lit these? Please tell me they haven’t been going all night?” When he spun to rib Connor, he froze.

Connor was on one knee, a box held aloft in one hand.

“I’ve wanted to ask you for a long time, but I didn’t want to steal any of Emma’s thunder. I probably should’ve done something less tacky, but…” He smiled. “I couldn’t wait another minute to ask you to be my husband.”

Kellan didn’t know what to say. Hewantedto marry Connor.

One day.

The joyful anticipation on Connor’s face faded the longer Kellan remained silent. Finally, he lowered his hand and rose, pain an embarrassment in his eyes. “I thought…” he shook his head. “I don’t know what I thought.”

“Iwantto marry you,” Kellan whispered. “I just don’t know if I’ve healed enough… or if I deserve you yet.”

Connor cocked his head. “Oh, come on…”

“I’m a work in progress. I still have moments where the past creeps in and I fuck up. I plan to ask you… once I feel like I’ve fixed me.”

Connor swept closer. “You’ve worked your ass off to get where you are. Perfection isn’t humanly possible. We take the good with the bad, and baby, your bad isn’t enough to keep me from wanting to be your husband.”

Kellan fought tears.

“I’m not perfect, either.” He chuckled. “I sometimes worryIdon’t deserveyou. You’ve come so far. You’re like a whole new person. Here I am, the first-grade teacher who still can’t get to work on time.” He grinned again. “Although, that last part is moreyourfault than mine these days.”

“Oh?” Kellan asked.

Connor wrapped his arms around Kellan. “I can’t stand seeing you in bed alone. Kind of hard to get up and go to work.” He pressed his lips to Kellan’s. “You’re everything I want, Kel.”

A tear slipped down Kellan’s cheek. “I messed your proposal up, didn’t I?”

“Nope,” Connor said. “I’ll ask again later, when you least expect it.”

Kellan smiled. “Okay.”

Connor dropped to one knee. “Were you expectingthat?”

Kellan barked with laughter.

“Take two,” Connor murmured. “Kellan Rhodes… will you do me the honor of being my husband?”

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