Page 116 of Heart Taker

He stared at me. “Baby, this is crazy.”

“Not as crazy as things will get when Dave finds out about us.”

“Fuck! I have to warn Dave?—”

Damien pulled out his phone, tapped it, and held it up to his ear. He paced the floor.

“Hey, are you at home?... Oh, okay… I need to talk to you… No, it can’t wait until tomorrow… Your place, at nine? Yes, that works. But listen, whatever you do, do not take any calls fromthat reporter that was here today, okay?... Why? Just don’t, not before I talk to you. Promise me? … Okay, thanks, bye.”

Damien shoved his phone back in his pocket. “He’s going to rip me a new one.”

“You’re not going alone. I’m going with you,” I stated.

“Probably best that I go see him alone.”

“No, baby. I got us in this mess. I’m not letting you take the heat.”

Damien sighed, his eyes filled with resignation. “I’d say we’re both to blame. I’m so sorry. I don’t know why the fuck I blurted out that we’re married. I thought it was the only way to protect you. But I’ll have to come clean with Dave. I know what I have to do.”

“No! There’s no blame. And I’m sick of feeling like we’ve done something wrong. You and I are not wrong. And you’re not falling on your sword or some other dramatic bullshit.”

Damien finally smiled and reached for me, silencing my words with a soft kiss.

“Tell me how you really feel,” he teased.

Despite the drama that was about to unfold, I was steady, centered. I reached for his wrists, holding on tight.

Damien was my rock, my home. He hadn’t lied. We were in love, and we were committed to each other.

“I love you, and I want to be with you openly,” I whispered before giving him another kiss. “So, let’s make a stop before we head to see the dean.”

“Where?” Damien asked.

“Come on,husband, you’re a smart man,” I quipped. “You can figure it out.”

I didn’t need to say anything else. Awareness dawned in Damien’s vivid blues.

“Silas—”

“You know I’m right,” I insisted. “I’ve got your heart now, remember? And I’m gonna take good care of it. Always.”

“This is crazy—” Damien paused, licking his lips.

“This is us. It feels right. Doesn’t it?”

Damien stared at me and nodded. That was all I needed.

I was done hiding.

I took Damien’s hand and pulled him towards the exit. There were no cars remaining in the parking lot, save for my truck and Damien’s SUV. I guided him to my pickup, and he got in, no hesitation. I floored it out of the campus parking lot, turned down Main Street, and drove another seven blocks, until I spotted city hall.

Neither of us said a word as I parked.

We got out of the truck, and as soon as I rounded the hood, Damien reached for my hand. In public. There was no fear, no trepidation, no question.

We stalked into the building as a couple. I’d never been prouder or surer of anything in my life.

An hour later, we emerged, still hand in hand. But now, it was official.

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