Page 90 of Animal Instincts
Joss mock glared at him, and sat up straight.
“Don’t you dare. And whatever you do, don’t drop it. You know what happens when you drop a cake and it lands in somebody’s lap.”
“I recall it wasyouwho coveredmein cake.”
They met each other’s eye, and both laughed. Joss’ heart clenched hard. There was a time when Oliver hardly smiled or laughed, but that time was long gone, relegated to the past.
“It’s a shame your gran couldn’t join us, but it was good of her to bake a cake for us.” Oliver set the plate on the table that was strewn with the remains of their celebratory meal, and sliced two generous portions.
“You know Gran, nothing stands in the way of colour rinses and curly perms.”
“It’s good she’s so busy.”
Joss tamped down a smile. Oliver’s response was best described as diplomatic. But Gran’s absence had nothing to do with hairdressing. When Joss had asked her to share in the good news of his passing his animal care assistant qualification, with a distinction, she’d hugged him tight as she’d told him she had expected nothing less.
You and your vet celebrate, just the two of you, but we’ll have a proper family Sunday lunch…
Secretly, it had been what Joss had wanted, and somehow his gran had known. But then, in many ways, she knew him better than he knew himself.
Thanks, Gran.
Oliver poured more champagne.
“Dr. Strachan, are trying to get me drunk so you can have your wicked way with me?”
“My wicked way with you? Again, you mean?” Oliver laughed, and their gazes locked.
Joss felt the familiar tightening of his stomach muscles and the leap in his heart. His skin grew hot, but it had nothing to do with the sunshine that beat down. He could grab Oliver by the hand, drag him through the house and up the stairs to their bedroom where they could be wicked with each other.
So, so wicked.
Oliver’s laughter fell away, replaced by a soft, almost shy smile.
Ah…Wicked would have to wait, after all. For a little while.
“I’m so proud of you, Joss,” Oliver said quietly. “Not just because you’ve qualified — there wasn’t any doubt you’d do well — I’m proud of you because of the man you are. You’re kind and caring, and compassionate. But you’re also brave and fierce, and you know what you want from life and aren’t afraid to go after it.”
In the tree, the blackbird no longer trilled its evening song, and the bees had ceased their meander; the feather light breeze had dropped and faded to nothing. The walled-in world of the garden had become silent, and still.
Joss’ mouth dried, and he tried to swallow. His pulse raced, and his skin prickled and hummed. The warm air was charged with anticipation as the universe quietly but irrevocably shifted.
“Are you happy, Joss? Truly happy?”
Joss started at Oliver’s words.
“How can you ask? I love you so much. I don’t have the words to say how much; I could never find them, or enough. All I know is that I’ve got everything I ever wanted and that’s all because of you. My life, it feels complete.”
“Complete?”
“Yes, of…” Joss’ words faded.
Oliver was gazing at him with an intensity that sent a shiver sliding down his backbone. The hairs at the back of his neck stood up, as Oliver pulled a small blue box from his trouser pocket. Placing it on the table, he pushed it towards Joss.
“It can be a congratulations gift if that’s what you want. It doesn’t have to be anything more. It’s whatever you decide, Joss, it’s whatever you want it to be.”
Joss stared at the box, at all the promise and possibilities that lay within.
It’s whatever you decide…
