Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
It was getting easier. Kai was learning—slowly—that he couldn’t threaten and intimidate people into doing as he wished just to make his new family happy. After a year, he’d learned he couldn’t indulge Jake’s every whim just to see him smile. Bedtimes, healthy meals, and chores were all necessary things, even if Jake didn’t want any of that. Routines equaled sanity for everyone.
He’d moved into Dev and Jake’s house after just six months of dating. It had been Jake’s suggestion since Kai had been over there all the time. Dev had taken a job at another think tank, working on a new project to help save the world. Kai had opened up a small gallery, dusting off his old interest in art while staying far from the whole killing industry. With Jake and Dev filling his life, he’d found that he didn’t miss it. He still owed his family a contract, but they hadn’t come calling yet, and he was hoping that they forgot about him completely or maybe even believed the story that he was dead.
In fact, all that lingered of his old life was his connection to Justin and Gabriel. The married assassins had visited Seattle once and had done the tourist thing with them as if they were all just normal people. And at the close of Jake’s last summer break, they’d spent a week in Colorado with the couple, and Jake had been sure to tease Justin over his tree-climbing skills. While Justin was still annoying as ever, Kai had found an extended family he’d never expected but was constantly grateful to have.
But there was one thing Kai was missing.
“Would you like a refill?” Kai inquired as he stepped out on the balcony and held up the champagne bottle toward Dev.
His lover lazily turned his head from the fireworks and smiled. “No, I’m good. We should go to bed soon. I just wanted to enjoy some peace and quiet before tomorrow’s craziness.”
Kai set the bottle on a table and sank into the empty chair next to Dev. The hotel balcony looked out on the Seven Seas Lagoon that stretched in front of the Magic Kingdom. Lights bobbed on the black water as small watercraft shuttled guests from the park to the various hotels and parking lots. Most of the noise from the park was muted and softened under the lap of the water and the wind in the trees.
“Did you have a good time?” Kai inquired.
Dev rolled his eyes, but he was still grinning. “You mean after the crowds, heat, cranky kids, and twenty-dollar hamburgers?”
Kai huffed a soft laugh. “Yes, after all that.”
“Yeah, I did.” Dev reached across and Kai instantly captured his hand. “I think we made some amazing memories on this trip, and I can’t wait for us to make so many more.”
Kai laughed soundlessly again. His mouth had suddenly gone dry, and his heart was pounding so hard in his chest, he was sure Dev could hear it over the distant fireworks. This was easily the scariest and most exciting moment of his life.
“Would you like to make one more memory tonight?”
Dev’s smile turned a little dirty and wicked. “Always.”
Okay, maybe not what Kai had in mind. Hopefully Dev wouldn’t be disappointed.
Reaching into his pocket, Kai pulled out a small box while dropping to one knee. He looked up to find Dev watching him with wide eyes. He pulled his feet from where they’d been braced on the balcony railing.
“Kai?” Dev’s voice wobbled.
With trembling fingers, Kai opened the black box to reveal a simple silver band with a continuous line of infinity symbols etched into the metal. “This past year has been the best year of my life. I have never felt so happy, so loved. And I want us to spend the rest of our lives together making memories. I want to share everything with you, good and bad, up and down. You and Jake are my everything. Please, marry me, Dev. Be mine forever.”
A fractured noise jumped from Dev before he could slap his hand over his mouth. It was a mix of a laugh and a sob. Kai wasn’t quite sure what to make of the sound until Dev nodded. “Yes. Oh, God, yes!” Dev launched himself at Kai, knocking him onto his ass as he held him close.
Kai wrapped his arms around him tightly while trying to be mindful of the ring in the box. Now was not the time to lose it. But it didn’t matter. He had his Dev at last. Forever and ever.
“Did he say yes?” Jake called from inside the hotel room.
Kai laughed, tipping his head back. “He said yes!”
From inside, they could hear some muffled celebrating and Dev pushed on his chest so he could look him in the face. “Jake knew you planned to propose?”