Page 243 of Sticks and Stones
Then, Gene walked him back to the car, opened the door, and put Ethan on his feet.
“Get in the goddamn car, Ethan Jackson Blackhawk,” he said.
Ethan did.
When he was in the car, Gene nodded.
“Thank you, Ladies.”
The hookers were out of control now, whistling at him, and clapping.
“Big men are the best!” the one said.
When Gene got in. Ethan didn’t let him talk.
“They were hitting on you, and I wasn’t worried. They thought your body was better, and I didn’t get scared that some other man would take you away. Why?” he asked, and then answered himself.
Because why not?
“Because we made a commitment to each other. We promised to stick together. I believed you meant it. I can’t fight you and this demon that rides my soul,” he said. “It makes me worry about everything, and you were the one thing I didn’t have to worry about—my one safe thing. Now, I find out that there’s something eating away at you that might break us, and that scares me.”
Gene saw he was being ridiculous.
“You’re right. Putting myself down puts you in a bad place, and not trusting what we have breaks it down and scares both of us. That was shitty to do to you because you never make me feel like I don’t fit perfectly with you.”
Ethan said nothing.
Gene wasn’t done.
“And more importantly, I shouldn’t be jealous. I should trust that you wouldn’t hurt me. You’d never just walk away from me or from what we’ve made.”
Ethan was to the point.
“You’re theONLYgood thing I have in my life,” he said, tears in his eyes. “I’d die before walking away from you. You once told me that if Javier Hughes ever got me to do whatever it took to survive. That you’d find me and save me. Why wouldn’t I fight to the end to be with you? Why would I give up something so special as a man who would rescue me?”
Gene knew he was right.
“I love you,” Ethan admitted. “When I say your body is perfect, I mean it. They picked you over me. I know they’re hookers, but Gene, you’re an attractive man, and I’m not attracted to someone like Corbin, or Greyson. I’m madly, stupidly in love with you. I told you we could leave the FBI, and I would for you.”
Gene palmed his cheek.
“I understand. I hurt your feelings by criticizing something that you value and love. I also doubted your fidelity, and I showed no sense of faith in our relationship. I will say that you went hella far with the hookers though,” he said, smiling.
Why?
Because that was love.
“It hurts me to know you’re fearing some part of my life jumping out and scaring you. I’m very gay, Gene. I’m also very straight. I’m both, clearly, but in this moment, I couldn't imagine being with anyone but you. I promise.”
And that was more than enough.
Gene knew it.
Slowly, he pulled his mouth toward his and found his lips in a warm, sultry kiss that showed Ethan how much he wanted and cherished him.
The mating of mouths was filled with passion, and it was beyond amazing.
It.
