by Shannon West
I laughed softly too, and rolled over to sling an arm around his waist. “Knowing my gran? She’s probably saying, it’s about damn time.”
He leaned up and kissed the top of my head. “She’d be right too.”
“But what about giving you time and waiting for a while to think about things and explore options, et cetera, et cetera.”
He tickled my sides until I squirmed for mercy and then pulled me over to lie on top of him. “I’ve been a dumbass. When I saw that thing with his hands on you, I thought you were going to die, and if I’d lost you before I told you how much I—how much I love you, I’d never have forgiven myself. Can you forgive me? I don’t know why I tried to fight it for so long, except your gran was right. I’ve never been attracted to any other men before, and I had trouble believing it was real.” He sighed. “This town is going to be shocked. Not everybody will like it.”
“Does that bother you?”
“I have to be honest; it does a little. But I can’t have a miserable life to make them happy. I’ve tried it without you, and it doesn’t work. I can’t keep my distance from you any longer.” He kissed me again. “All those times I ignored you or I was rude to you…I wound up making myself miserable, if that helps any.”
“I have to say, it does a little. I forgive you, Nick. I knew you loved me all along.”
“Oh, you did, huh?”
“I certainly did,” I said, crossing my fingers behind my back.
It was easy to act all cocky and secure now that he was in my arms. We would face some criticism and outright prejudice in the days and weeks to come. This was Alabama, after all, in the heart of the red states, and this thing between us felt new and fragile. I was scared as hell, so I was whistling in the dark. I hoped we’d be strong enough to weather whatever happened. If love was enough, then we’d be okay. I knew I loved him enough to fight for him, to compromise for him and even sacrifice for him if I had to.
I didn’t realize I’d said all that out loud until I heard him say, softly, “Me too.”
I squeezed him tightly to me. “I love you, Nick Moody. Until the end of time. Until the cows come home. Until the last day is done.”
He smiled and kissed me again. “I think you forgot one. How about, until hell freezes over?”
I sighed and stretched out on top of him, happier than I’d ever been in my life. “Absolutely. I think that sounds just about right.”
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shannon West lives in the southern United States, and is a lover and avid reader of M/M romances. Shannon began writing gay romance a few years ago, and now has over ninety short stories, novellas, and novels to her credit. Her stories have been translated into French, Italian, and even one Japanese Yaoi. Her favorite genre is paranormal and most of her characters don’t get really interesting to her until they grow a tail. Shannon loves men and everything about them, and writes Romance (with a capital R) unashamedly and unabashedly. She believes, in the words of Helen Steiner Rice that “love is the answer that everyone seeks, love is the language that every heart speaks.” But she also believes wholeheartedly in the words of Woody Allen, that love may be the answer, but “while you’re waiting for that answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions.” Shannon mostly spends her days at the keyboard, ably assisted by her cats, Tussy Mussy, Scarlett, and Taz, and eluding housework, which stalks her relentlessly.
Painted Hearts Publishing
Painted Hearts Publishing has an exclusive group of talented writers. We publish stories that range from historical to fantasy, sci-fi to contemporary, erotic to sweet. Our authors present high quality stories full of romance, desire, and sometimes graphic moments that are both entertaining and sensual. At the heart of all our stories is romance, and we are firm believers in a world where happily ever afters do exist.
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