If It Fornicates (Market Garden, #4)(45)

Spencer gave a long, relieved sigh. “But if you say yes now and decide differently further down the road that it’s not working, then . . .”

“Understood. Things change.” Five years, though. That seemed manageable. He could rent out the studio. It would cover the mortgage payment, possibly a little extra. And that way, he’d keep it as an emergency thing, too. If it didn’t work out. “But it’s no reason not to take a little risk.”

“No risk from my point of view. We can keep each other’s backs free. And I’ll be much happier knowing there’s light at the end of the tunnel, too.”

“Same here.” Nick grinned and pulled him closer for a kiss.

Spencer’s shoulders relaxed, and Nick would almost have thought it was a sign that Spencer had given up responsibility—submitted to him, but it now seemed like simple relief.

So much acceptance, levelheadedness and strength, he did envy Spencer those. In this case, though, maybe it was also that Spencer felt accepted; if he felt Nick was on his side, had his back, was on the same page, that gave Spencer the courage to be strong for both of them.

He should have seen it earlier—it was all give and take, one of them building upon the other, a self-supporting structure built on trust, just like any other relationship, whether it involved whips and chains or not. That I love you hadn’t come easily, but now the things they could build on were taking shape. Room in which to develop all the things they could give each other, all the things they could learn about each other.

Spencer met his eyes. “There’s also the guest bedroom. That could be your study. Or if you want your own bed—”

“Now you’re getting ridiculous. If anything, I’ll kick you out of the main bedroom, or you’ll sleep on the floor.”

Spencer gave a short laugh. “Yes, you would.” He paused. “I mean, if that’s what you wanted.”

“The last thing I’d want is to sleep anywhere you aren’t.” Nick reached up and gripped Spencer’s tie right under the knot. Just before he kissed Spencer again, he said, “And don’t you forget it.”



Thank yous go to Sarah and Rachel, our editors, Alex and Nevair, our proofers, and Jordan Taylor, who created the covers for If It Flies and If It Fornicates. Despite everybody’s best efforts, all remaining mistakes (especially in the British language department) remain Aleks’s fault, as usual. L.A. can cite lack of caffeine as a reason, but Aleks has no such excuse.