Page 100 of Sliding into Love
"It's a lot to ask of someone."
"It's a lot to deal with alone," he counters. "And you don't have to anymore. I'm here, Royce. Fully, completely here. As long as you'll have me."
I blink rapidly, fighting the emotion rising in my chest. "I want that. God, Kenneth, I want that so much. But I'm worried.”
“About what?"
“About something happening to you because of my work. Of you realizing it's too much and leaving.” The words are heavy between us.
Kenneth stops dancing, right there on the edge of the floor. People are definitely watching now, but I can't bring myself to care.
"You're not going to lose me," he says firmly. "Not because of your work, not because it gets complicated, not because we hit hard patches. I'm in this, Royce. For the long haul. You just have to let me in."
"No more secrets," I whisper.
"No more secrets," he agrees. "We tell each other the truth, even when it's hard. Even when it's scary. Deal?"
"Deal."
He kisses my forehead gently, a public display of affection that would have made me uncomfortable months ago. Now it just feels right.
In an effort to gain back some control, I reach up to grasp his chin. Time to channel my bossier side now that the mushy feelings shit is done.
“It’s time to get out of here. We’ve both been busy for too long. I want you in my bed.”
“There's still the auction and networking. I don’t want to cause a stir.”
“Kenny baby, I think we’ve already caused a massive stir. The people have plenty to talk about right now. What’s one more thing?”
He nods, then laces his fingers with mine. We make our way to the family table, and I lean down to whisper to my mother. "Kenneth and I are leaving early.”
"Good!” She shoos me away with a smile. "Bellamy can handle the auction. You've done enough tonight."
Dad catches my eye and nods his approval. Bellamy just grins knowingly.
Kenneth and I slip out of the ballroom, through the hotel lobby, and into the cool night air. The valet brings his car around and we climb in, the sudden privacy feeling both intimate and charged.
"Your place?" Kenneth asks as he starts the engine.
"My place," I confirm.
CHAPTER THIRTY
KENNETH
On a scaleof highly likely to never gonna happen, do you think I’ll last longer than five minutes once we’re in bed?
Yeah, definitely not gonna last.
That dress…
FUUUCCCKKKKK!
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
ROYCE
The drive takes thirty minutes,though it feels longer. Kenneth's hand rests on my thigh, a grounding presence that keeps me from overthinking. We don't talk, but the silence is comfortable, full of anticipation rather than anxiety.
