Page 152 of His Secret
My mind flies back in time, remembering a very specific moment between us. It wasn’t the first time he took my breath away, because he did that often. He did that when he spoke to me in class for the first time. When he forced us into a friendship I was sure he didn’t need. When he invited me to his place for parties. When he asked if I was dating some guy. When he told me he was gay. When he admitted to being attracted to me.
But one of the most prominent memories was after we had sex. When he was on his knees next to the bed, admitting just how deep his feelings went.
I try to mimic his words from back then.
“This might not be the best time to say this,” I start.
His eyes open and he turns to his side, a little worry in them. “What is it?”
“I love you, Adrian. Not sure I ever stopped. I think my love for you was always there, tucked away and hidden under hurt and anger. But the moment you came back into my life, everything I used to try to mask those feelings started falling away.”
His wide eyes stare back at me. “Matías,” he says in a whisper, so much emotion expressed in just my name.
I close my eyes, a smile on my face. “You wonder why I never want anyone else to call me by my real name. It’s because the way you say it. The way my name falls from yourlips is like a prayer to a god. It’s always uttered with so much reverence, need, or adoration.” His teeth dig into his lip, and I reach out to cradle his cheek. “Anyway, I needed to tell you how I felt. You don’t need to say anything, but I want you to know where I stand. You have a lot to sift through and figure out right now, but I’m always going to be here.”
His brows dip slightly, a hint of frustration in his features, and fear wraps its hands around my lungs.
CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
ADRIAN
“Are you kidding?”I ask.
He eyes me with trepidation, giving me a slight shake of his head like he’s confused.
“You think I still have things tosiftthrough?” I put my hand on the side of his face, my fingers at the back of his head. “I’ve told my family about you. I told Charlotte about you. I’m getting a divorce.” I huff out a breath. “Being out to them has lifted a weight from my shoulders, and one that needed to be removed a long time ago, but…” I pause, my thumb brushing against the side of his face. “But being with you.” I let loose a sigh. “Matías, being with you feels like freedom. Like home. Like a warm blanket on a cold night.” I shake my head, unsure there are even enough words to express how I feel. “Being with you makes me feel like I’m invincible. Like nothing could ever happen that we wouldn’t find our way back from. We’re inevitable.”
He leans in close, pressing his lips to mine in a firm kiss that lasts several seconds.
Our foreheads connect and he brushes his nose against mine.
“I love you, too,” I whisper against his lips. “Did you ever think I didn’t? You are the love of my life.”
His lips land on mine again, this time followed by his tongue plunging into my mouth as he releases a moan.
He pulls away briefly. “So, no need to test the waters?” he questions.
I inhale. “Don’t bring it up again.”
He chuckles lightly. “Okay.” Easing back, he looks in my eyes. “And you're mostly out.”
“I’m out to anyone I was ever worried about being out to. I don’t need to call up any friends or anything,” I say with a chuckle.
He chews on his bottom lip. “Work,” he says simply. “We’d have to tell HR.”
I nod. “That’s fine.”
“But also, I’ve been having conversations with the VP. It’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I just became the director six months ago, so I have a while in this role before I can move up, but he’s been talking to me about an opening at another company that might allow for a faster promotion. It’s still in software development.”
“Is it still local?” I ask quickly, afraid he’s about to pull the rug out from under me.
“It is. Fairly,” he says with a shrug. “About thirty minutes away.”
I release a breath. “Okay. That’s good.”
“It won’t happen for a little while.”
“So we still have time to sneak around in your office?” I question with a grin.