Page 75 of Companion Required

Kieran wheeled over an office chair and sat with the backrest to his chest, his arms draped over and his hands clasped together.

“First off, I need to say I’m sorry. Sorry for not being brave enough to tell you how fond I’d grown of you. Sorry for not keeping in touch after the holiday, although God knows we’ve been rushed off our feet with the merger, which is all coming along nicely, by the way, with regular updates from Giorgio and Sloan. Yes, I took your advice.”

“Good.”

“And the second thing is—”

“You mean there’s more?”

“Is that as much as I feel this particular word has become bland, overused, and, in this case, is totally inadequate—I mean, for goodness’ sake, the Eskimos have fifty words for snow, so why do we only have one—sorry, getting off topic. What I mean is, Kieran, I’m falling in love with you. No, sorry, scrub that. I’m already in love with you. Have been since our tango together on the cruise. Maybe even before that, and now I’m—”

“Stop,” said Kieran, softly, which caused Kennedy’s voice to break with emotion.

“I’m second-guessing everything, Kieran. Every decision, which is not like me. I’m fucking asking for your opinion in the mirror every morning, asking you as though you’re standing there in the bathroom next to me. I can’t do this without you. Move in with me, not with your sister. You can have a spare room as long as you want, if that’s what you want. Hell, you can stay forever, which is what I’d prefer. But it’s your choice. I want you to do what you want.”

“What if I tell you I’ve met somebody?”

Kennedy’s heart sank then, all the hope he’d been storing up evaporated, and suddenly he felt a sting in his eyes. And the Greys never shed tears—his father had taught him that. Was he too late? Trying to pull himself together, he stared down at the office carpet.

“Have you?”

“What would you say if I told you I have?”

With an effort of will, Kennedy brought his emotions into check and eventually smiled, still unable to meet Kieran’s eyes. Something else his father had taught him was that even in defeat, an Englishman remained gracious, a gentleman above all else.

“I’d say that man—or woman—is the luckiest person alive. I’d tell them they’ve just hit the jackpot with the most beautiful person in the world. Someone who lights the room up just by walking in and makes the person with him feel like they’re blessed. And I’d make sure they tell you so every day you’re together—”

Kennedy didn’t hear the soft movement from across the room, but suddenly found himself being enveloped by Kieran’s arms. While Kennedy wrapped his arms around Kieran’s waist, Kieran pulled Kennedy’s head down onto his shoulder.

“For fuck’s sake, Kennedy. Why couldn’t you have told me that before?”

“Because I was scared. Because I was worried I might fuck up and let you down one day. Because I’m a coward and an ass.”

“No argument here.”

Kennedy chuckled softly, and breathed in Kieran’s unique scent, one he’d missed so much. When he pulled his head away and faced Kieran, he saw that his lover’s eyes were moist, too.

“Have you really met someone else?”

“Of course not. Cole took me to a couple of clubs—gay and straight. Must say, the music’s better in the gay clubs, but it wasn’t really my scene. Neither of them were. And, more importantly, nobody looked like you.”

“Thank goodness. So will you let me try again, to be your partner, or boyfriend, or whatever you want to call us? And will you come and stay with me? If I ask you nicely? You can have your own room, if you want. Or you can—you know—sleep in mine.”

In response, Kieran pressed his lips gently onto Kennedy’s. Soft kissing soon became more, something Kennedy had dreamed about every night. Kieran also warmed to the connection, except before things got too heated, he put his hand on Kennedy’s chest and pushed him away.

“If I sleep in your bed, where will you sleep?”

Kennedy chuckled and pulled him back, hugged him tightly.

“Heaven knows I’ve missed you.”

“Look, Kennedy. If we’re really going to be together, you may want to hear what I want.”

“Anything.”

“We’ll need to be open and honest with each other, especially if we’ve pissed each other off somehow.”

“Okay, I deserve that.”

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