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)
Of course, if Devlin could have his wish, he’d wish to have Adam alive and in his arms.
Standing in the bathroom, he pressed his fingers into the marble counter to steady himself as an old ache throbbed in his chest, threatening to steal his breath away. Adam had been gone for three years. Sometimes, it felt like it had all happened just yesterday, and other times, it felt like it had been forever since he’d last seen Adam’s smiling face. A day didn’t go by that he didn’t miss his husband. Adam had been his other half, and for a long time he’d barely functioned without that half. He’d mostly gone through the motions just for Jake’s sake.
It had taken months for it to stop being simply motions, for his life to feel natural and slightly normal again.
But was it normal to feel attracted to another man? Was it too soon? Too fast? How would Adam feel about Devlin being attracted to Kai?
Well, that, oddly enough, he felt like he knew. Adam would have laughed and cheered Devlin on. Adam had loved love. He’d loved being in love. He’d loved romance and the idea of happily ever after. He’d believed in soul mates and finding that perfect match to complete another person.
And he would have wanted Devlin to be happy.
How was he supposed to be happy? Adam had convinced him that they were soul mates. How likely was it for a person to have two soul mates? Not likely. And even less likely that he’d manage to meet both of them in his lifetime.
No, they weren’t soul mates. This was just physical attraction. Hormones. Pheromones. Lust. Nothing more. It had been a long time since he’d had sex—or physical contact with anyone, for that matter. He was simply reacting to Kai’s overall sexiness.
Cursing his ridiculousness, Devlin threw himself in the shower, trying hard not to think about Kai or the dead body that had occupied his bathroom. Last night, he’d thoroughly scrubbed the tub/shower combo. The dead man had left behind very little evidence of his existence, but Devlin could still remember the look of him slumping against the side, his arm dangling over the edge.
With a shudder that had nothing to do with the cool temperature of the water, Devlin quickly rinsed and turned off the water. He stepped out and dried with a fresh towel. He didn’t let himself dither over his wardrobe but simply grabbed a pair of cargo shorts and a plain navy-blue T-shirt. What Adam had referred to as his typical dad gear.
Yes, maybe he did look like someone’s father, but that was okay because he was a dad.
He hoped Jake was okay. Of course he was safe with Justin and Gabriel looking out for him, but Devlin was more concerned with the practical side of camp. Was Jake making friends? Was he having fun? Was he eating right? Did he have a nightmare?
Was it too early to call?
Yes, twenty-four hours was far too early to call the camp to check on his son. He wasn’t going to turn into one of those parents.
When he walked across the hall, he found the door to the guest bathroom open, but the guest bedroom door was closed. Humid air hung in the hallway, smelling rich and spicy. Kai’s soap and cologne. So different from anything that had ever been in this house. He found himself stopping and drawing in a deep breath, holding the scent in. Would this soap and cologne smell different clinging to Kai’s skin?
A floorboard creaked in the bedroom, rousting Devlin from his daydreams and hurrying him down the stairs. Coffee. They needed fresh coffee. And maybe eggs. He was definitely out of bacon. The bacon never lasted long in their house. But there might be some sausage. Or he could make pancakes. French toast.
At least he’d known how to cook before Adam died. They’d split the chores, though Devlin had been horrible about keeping up with his half. They’d also taken turns cooking. Adam had always gone in for complicated or healthy meals. Devlin was stronger at the comfort foods.
In the kitchen, he’d started a fresh pot of coffee and pulled down two clean mugs when Kai appeared. He was dressed a little more casually in black jeans and a plain black T-shirt. It was clear he preferred one color above all others. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he looked fabulous in black. His hair was still damp and brushed back from his face, making him look sharper and more dangerous, if that were at all possible.
Kai was in his house. In his kitchen. And of course, the first thing his brain wanted to know was why Kai had talked to Jake and not him. Had Devlin done something, said something, that made the man uncomfortable? Did Kai not like him? Even hate him?