Page 67 of Meeting Mr. Adorkable
“The texture is a little…”
“Unusual?”
“Hmm. What was the cheese?”
“Erm… just cheese. I was too late for the delicatessen, and the grocery store’s choice was a little limited. All they had was yellow hard cheese and spreadable cheese triangles.” Lucian peered down at the neon yellow sludge on his plate. The spreadable cheese might have been the better option.
“I appreciate the thought, babe, but it might be a good idea to leave me to do the cooking in future.”
Lucian sucked in his breath. Arlo had just given him the opening he needed, but now the time had come nerves consumed him. What if he’d miscalculated? What if he was making a huge mistake? What if he’d got this so wrong? What if—
“What’s the matter? You look like you’re about to throw up. The food’s not that bad. Or not really.”
“It’s not the food, it’s… well, I’ve got something I want to say, but I’m not sure how to start.”
“What’s wrong? You’re worrying me.” Arlo’s hazel eyes clouded with anxiety. “Lucian, just tell me.”
Lucian swallowed. This was harder than making risotto.
“I’ve—I’ve been thinking. About going home.”
Arlo’s face stiffened, but he stayed silent.
“Point is, I don’t think I’m ready. To go home. Not yet.” Maybe never… But they weren’t words he could say, not at the moment, not when Arlo was staring at him, his expression unreadable, giving nothing away about what he thought, what he felt.
Lucian let his head drop forward. Oh, god. He’d got it wrong, so bloody wrong. Arlo was saying nothing because he was thinking of something to say, something nice, to let him down gently, to tell him he should book that flight home, to tell him—
“And I’m not ready to let you go home. Not now, not next week, next month, or even next year.”
“What?” Lucian peeked up at Arlo, hardly daring to believe what he’d heard.
“I don’t want you to go. That’s the simple truth. I guess I’ve kind of gotten used to you hanging around.”
“You—you don’t? And I guess I’ve kind of got used to hanging around you, too.”
“Come here.”
Lucian jumped up and fell into Arlo’s open arms, snuggling into his lap. He closed his eyes as Arlo wrapped his strong arms around him, sighing as he held him close. So warm, so safe…
“Are you sure about this? You’ve got a life back in England. A home. A family. You live in a castle.”
Lucian chuckled. “It’s not a castle, it’s a manor. And yes, I have a life there, but it’s not been too good for a long time. I love my home and my family, but I—I love being here with you more.”
“And I love… you being here. With me. Maybe we can see how—”
“Maybe we can give it a shot?” Lucian looked up at Arlo.
“I think we could. I know you’re going to have to go back at some point, to sort things and speak to your folks, and I get that. But maybe I could go with you?”
Lucian’s heart leaped as he met Arlo’s sure and steady gaze. He nodded.
“I’d like that. So, I don’t need to give Bibi my notice just yet?”
Arlo’s lips lifted in a slow, dark smile. “No baby, not just yet. Come on.”
Lucian gasped as Arlo swept him into his arms and carried him toward the bedroom. Catching his breath, he buried his head into Arlo’s chest, hearing the steady beat of his man’s heart. No, he wouldn’t be resigning, nor booking a flight home.
No, not just yet…
