Just a Bit Dirty (Straight Guys #10)(62)

His eyes stinging and his throat thick with emotion, Miles lifted his head and smiled at him. “All I want is for you to always be there, okay?”

“I will be,” Ian said, kissing his forehead, his nose, then his lips.

When Miles whined and tried to prolong the kiss, Ian laughed and pulled back a little. “Let’s go inside before we end up having sex right here on the porch. I don’t think your brother is my biggest fan as it is.”

Miles grinned and raised his eyebrows. “Which one? I have four of them.”

Snorting, Ian took his hand and pulled him toward the front door.

Miles let him, still grinning, his chest full and warm. So this was what happiness felt like. He’d almost forgotten.

Of course, he knew it wasn’t going to be all sunshine and roses. There was Ian’s family to think about. They were unlikely to be happy about Miles if Amanda’s reaction was anything to go by. There was also the matter of the Rutledges—it was unlikely that Ian had completely abandoned his revenge plans. There was also the fact that he’d have to leave his classes, his family and his friends when he moved to America. The prospect seemed a little daunting.

But his apprehensions disappeared the moment he looked at Ian. He loved this man, loved him so much, despite all his flaws and stubborn, high-handed ways. Harry was right: home was where the heart was, and as long as they worked together to overcome those obstacles, everything would be fine.

After all, he could always transfer to a better school—there were plenty of great universities in the Boston area. His family would be just a flight away. Ian’s family would likely prove to be a challenge, but Miles had never really met people who hadn’t grown to like him. He could win them over.

As for the Rutledges… That would likely be the most challenging part, but come to think of it, Ian hadn’t exactly been firm in his refusal when Miles had broached the subject before. Ian might change his mind yet if Miles was persistent and very persuasive.

Miles licked his lips, gazing at Ian’s handsome profile.

Yeah, he could definitely be persuasive. He was very much looking forward to it.

Miles was smiling as they entered the house, hand in hand.

“Aww, look at that smile!” Tyler teased him with a wink. “Someone looks well-snogged.”

Sandra, James, Vanessa, and Tristan laughed, while Miles’s older brothers looked a combination of uncomfortable and amused.

Miles rolled his eyes, refusing to be ashamed. “You have no room to talk, Ty,” he said, taking off his coat and slipping his hand back into Ian’s. He looked at all of his siblings pointedly. “None of you do, actually, so shut it, you hypocrites.”

“Okay, he has a point,” Ryan said, chuckling and giving his fiancé a deep, filthy kiss, causing catcalls and laughter.

“Your family is… interesting,” Ian murmured into his ear.

Miles gave a laugh. “You’ll get used to it,” he said. “My family is a lot less scary than yours.”

Ian’s eyes were dead serious as he squeezed Miles’s hand. “My family will treat you well,” he said quietly. “I promise.”

Miles should have laughed it off—Ian couldn’t promise such a thing—except that he could feel that Ian meant it. If his family didn’t treat Miles well, Ian would make them.

Miles shivered, his stomach squirming and heat pulling to his crotch. Right. This shouldn’t be actually turning him on, what the fuck.

Thinking the most disgusting, unsexy thoughts—his brothers would never let him live it down if he got a boner in front of them—Miles pecked Ian on the cheek and steered him toward the couch. He made Ian sit and sat down next to him. Ignoring everyone in the room, he put his head on Ian’s shoulder and snuggled up to him.

It took Miles a few hours before he stopped feeling so embarrassingly clingy—before he could convince himself that Ian wouldn’t disappear if he left him for a moment.

He was still hurrying back to Ian’s side after leaving the loo when he literally ran into Zach.

“I want to talk to you,” Zach said, catching his arm and pulling him aside.

Miles threw a glance toward Ian, who was talking to Sandra and James on the other side of the living room.

Zach snorted. “You can survive a few minutes without him, kid.”

Miles flushed. Was he that obvious?

Something like amusement flickered across Zach’s face before it turned serious. “Look, I’m not judging. But are you sure this is a good idea, Miles? He’s eleven years older than you.”

“You’re almost nine years older than Tristan,” Miles said defensively.

Zach gave him a pinched look. “You’re not Tristan. Tristan practically raised himself from a very young age. You’re the baby of the family—”

“I love him, Zach. I trust him. He makes me happy.”

His brother’s expression softened. “Okay. That’s the important thing, I guess.” He gave Miles a rueful smile. “Sorry, it wasn’t meant to be an interrogation. I just worry about you. I’ll always worry about you, kid.”

Miles smiled at him, his eyes stinging. “I know.” Stepping forward, he gave his brother a tight hug. He loved him so much. “You’ll be just a flight away, anyway. But you don’t need to worry. I feel safe with him. Even safer than with you.”