Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15318 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 77(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15318 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 77(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
This was Justin.
“I guess it wouldn’t be the worst thing,” Peter said stiffly, looking Justin in the eyes. His face felt hot. “You would be... a tolerable choice as far as soulmates go.”
“Tolerable?” Justin choked out indignantly, but his eyes were smiling. This was Justin. He knew how to read him, how to read between the subtlest lines as far as Peter was concerned.
“Decent,” Peter said.
Brushing his fingers through Peter’s hair, Justin smiled. “Not good enough. Try again.”
Peter looked at that lovely, hopeful little smile and felt something in his chest squeeze. It wasn’t an altogether unpleasant feeling, but it felt like his heart was too big for his chest. “If I have to have something as trite as a soulmate, you’re the only person who doesn’t feel wrong.”
Justin’s eyes widened. “Oh,” he said. “Peter.” Leaning in, he kissed him gently.
They’d shared many kisses over the past few days. They’d all felt good. But this one felt achingly lovely—loving.
It made Peter’s heart do that disgusting squeezing thing again. He kissed back, trying to pour the excess of emotion into Justin’s mouth. It didn’t really work. He still felt too much. But he wouldn’t trade it for the world. Nothing could possibly feel better.
“I love you,” Justin said against his mouth.
Well.
He’d been wrong about nothing could possibly feeling better.
This did.
“I’ve loved you forever,” Justin murmured, pressing their foreheads together and gently cradling Peter’s face with his hands. “But I thought I had no chance with you. I thought—I thought you couldn’t possibly love me back.” He smiled wetly. “I’m so happy I was wrong.”
“You’re making quite the assumption here, Danvers,” Peter said, clearing his throat a little.
Justin laughed against his face. “Remember what I told you about calling me by my last name? It’s a tell. So if I’m reading it right... my assumption is correct, Mr. Hayes.”
“Possibly,” Peter admitted, smiling. “Or I would have fired you ages ago for being a mouthy little shit and showing me no respect.”
“Oh, I respect you plenty,” Justin said, slipping his hand down Peter’s chest and cupping his half-hard cock through his underwear. “Let me show it to you?”
Peter chuckled. “Go ahead, dear.”
“Soulmate,” Justin said, settling between his legs.
“No offense, but I’m never calling you that.”
Putting his chin on Peter’s thigh, Justin smiled at him teasingly. “Shall we bet on that?”
Looking into those green eyes shining with happiness, Peter had a sudden thought that there was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep them so bright. Fuck. This boy had him wrapped around his little finger, didn’t he? And Peter didn’t even mind. Because Justin was right, damn him.
Peter loved him.
It didn’t feel like a new thought—or a new feeling. Perhaps he’d simply been blind. The thought was disconcerting and more than a little humbling. Had it not been for that dodgy, messed up Christmas spell, would they ever have figured it out? It was ironic that Justin’s desire to go look for his soulmate—who happened to be Peter—had made Peter realize that he’d already thought of his associate as his, regardless of any bullshit spell.
“No,” Peter said softly. “I wouldn’t bet on that. By the way, I do.”
Justin blinked, looking endearingly confused. “What?”
“I do love you,” Peter said.
Grinning, Justin jumped into his lap and kissed him hard.
“What about my blowjob?” Peter said with a laugh.
“Don’t ruin the moment, you dick,” Justin said, pressing their foreheads together. “God, I love you. I can’t believe this is real.”
There was so much wonder in Justin’s voice it made Peter’s heart clench. He knew Justin had a hard childhood. Unlike Peter, Justin had had to fight tooth and nail to get where he was now, and he’d always done it alone.
He would never be alone again.
Peter wrapped his arms around the younger man and, nuzzling his cheek, kissed his soft lips. They felt like home. “It’s real. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
The End