Kiss The Villain: EPILOGUE 1

“Can you pass me the salt?”

Kayden slides it across the table toward Grandpa, who just asked for it.

But upon seeing it came from Kayden, not Kill or Dad, he scowls. “Lost my appetite.”

Mom and I release a collective sigh.

She and Glyn went all out for this dinner. Like, no kidding, they were shopping and micromanaging the catering and even cooking. Kill was jealous—which made me smug—because, apparently, Glyn doesn’t really cook, but she did for this.

Anyway, they went all out just to make this family dinner special. Since, well, it’s the first time I’ve officially brought Kayden home.

He had to recover, and I went back to school on his insistence. So you can bet that I took him with me. Either that or I was staying with him in the States.

That led to me sort of coming out to my friends, and that was a shitshow. The only mature one was Jeremy, who just patted my shoulder.

Nikolai laughed out loud and said, “I knew it for months, you bitches, and kept all these secrets. You never would’ve seen it coming from me, right? Right? Also, Jer, you’re like the only straight dude around here, so maybe experiment a little. No offense to Cecy.”

I reminded him that there was still Vaughn, because I’m not letting his secret out until he’s comfortable doing so—that is, if he’s ever comfortable. And Niko replied, “Jer and V should form the Boring Dick Alliance.”

His words, not mine.

Anyway, Niko was so quick to introduce us to his own boyfriend, his enemy’s twin brother, if you believe it, and kept saying, “Lotus flower this and lotus flower that.”

Kill said, “You do realize you’re kind of fucking Landon, right?”

“Fuck no!” Niko shouted. “They’re entirely damn different.”

“They’re literally identical twins,” I said.

“Shut up, Gaz. They’re totally worlds apart. Don’t go comparing a diamond to a swamp.”

Anyway, I swear to fuck I don’t know how Brandon, a very well-mannered, quiet artist, not to mention a British guy who’s allergic to violence, could ever be with my unhinged cousin Niko, but I guess no one would expect someone like me to be with someone like Kayden, yet here we fucking are.

Together.

And following each other everywhere.

Though Kayden made the island his home base for me—and apparently owns the entire building we live in—he still travels for business.

Diva Jethro hated the island; I mean, he completely loathes the UK and its depressing weather, so I told him it’s not like he goes out anyway, which made both Kayden and Simone burst out laughing and Jethro transform into a bigger diva.

Seriously, we flew here two days ago, and he’s just cooped up in one of the houses Kayden owns nearby, being a major nerd. I know he’s been basically running the business with Kayden, but he’s weird, and I’ve honestly never seen him without a laptop.

Like, never.

The other day, I caught him spying on the Serpents’ mansion, and I don’t know what’s up with all that.

He’s strange, end of story.

Simone is amazing, though.

I wanted her to join us for dinner, but she vehemently refused to leave her post. No, seriously, we have more bodyguards than a mafia leader, and she’s still always obsessing about our security.

Which now leaves Kayden in unfriendly territory, sitting between Dad and Kill while Grandpa glares at him from the head of the table.

“Grandpa,” I say with a knowing look.

“What?” He cuts into his steak. “I don’t like my grandson dating someone his dad’s age. Call me old-fashioned.”

“I told you he’s thirty-three, definitely not Dad’s age.”

“Close enough,” he grumbles. “Right, Asher?”

“I have to say,” my father takes a sip of his wine, “I’m not thrilled to share a table with someone who made my son hurt himself.”

“Asher,” Mom scoffs. “Forgive and forget, you’ve heard of that?”

His eyes soften when looking at her, but he still says, “I don’t believe in that nonsense.”

“I agree to an extent.” Kill looks Kayden up and down, which he’s been doing since he first met him. On the island, he barged into our apartment, interrupting a little romantic dinner I planned, to meet ‘the prick,’ as he likes to call him. On the whole, ever since Kill realized I’m more like him, he’s been demanding that we spend time together.

But that night was bad timing. To say Kill looked horrified upon seeing me wrapped around Kayden would be an understatement.

I’ve never seen him with that wide-eyed expression before, almost as if he was seeing his life flash before his eyes.

I don’t care.

After I almost lost Kayden, I’m touching him all the time, appreciating every second I spend with him.

“You don’t have other young boys to take your pick from? Why did it have to be my brother?”

Glyn must kick him under the table, because he grunts, smiles at her, then glares back at Kayden.

My brother’s girl, who I truly appreciate for taming the motherfucker, touches my arm and gives me an apologetic look, mouthing, “You know how he is.”

Both—and I mean both—Kayden’s and Kill’s eyes zero in on her hand on my arm.

I can’t help the smile that creeps up my mouth.

Kayden has been generally unruffled by all of the questioning, taking a few bites of food and complimenting my mom and Glyn, but just her hand on my arm is darkening his gray eyes, the black flecks turning sharper.

He catches me smiling at him, and he squints the slightest bit. Which is his silent, “Watch it.” Or, “Behave.” Or, “Don’t be a brat.”

God, I love how alive he looks right now.

The color has slowly returned to his gorgeous face, a warm flush that softens the harshness from when he was shot. The cut lines of his stubbled jaw are even more prominent now, sharper and alive.

The smooth lines of his tailored shirt are so tight around his biceps and chest, it feels like if he takes a bigger breath, he might burst out of it.

My gaze shifts unwillingly to his hands gripping the fork and knife, the veins along his fingers stretching and flexing with each movement. They look so strong, an urge fills me to reach out, to touch them, to feel that pulse beneath my fingertips.

I think I’m a lost addict at this point. I spent a few minutes not touching him, and I feel as if something is missing.

He only slides his gaze to Kill when Glyn removes her hand and goes back to eating, completely unaware of the small moment of camaraderie Kill and Kayden just shared.

“He’s neither young nor a boy, he’s your older brother,” Kayden says with a firm but confident edge. “And no, I couldn’t just go for someone else, so while I respect all your objections and your roles in his life, I’m here to stay, and none of you can change that.”

His words burn the fire he’s been igniting in my chest. I think it’s the light he’s bringing into my life, but, anyway, no matter what it is, I can’t have the flames go out.

Ever.

“Not if you end up in a little freak accident,” Kill muses while stabbing his steak, making a show of gliding the piece of meat through the blood, because, of course, his steak is rare.

“That won’t stop me.” Kayden’s lips curve in a small smile. “I assure you.”

Not sure if they believe him, but I do, wholeheartedly. I won’t say I’m a saint or that I’ve stopped being a petulant jealous fool, but over these past few months, I’ve become categorically sure of the feelings he has for me.

Like, no kidding. Kayden’s entire confident and untouchable demeanor cracks when he sees the smallest injury on my body. The other day, I accidentally cut myself with a knife while I was cooking, and he had this frightened look in his eyes while he sucked the blood.

I was more hard than anything, really. The feeling of my fingers in his wet, hot mouth kind of made it impossible to concentrate. But I could see that he was apprehensive about my being hurt in any shape or form. He said he couldn’t get the sight of my blood out of his mind, and that he never wanted to see it again.

And I relate to that.

I still have nightmares about all the blood that escaped him when he was shot.

Kill opens his mouth, to threaten him again, no doubt, while Grandpa and Dad seem content with him doing so, but I pointedly glare at him. “Don’t you dare play that game. Cut it out.”

“I’m just laying some ground rules. Like no one will find his body if he ever makes you bleed again.”

I smile at Glyn. “He shouldn’t threaten others at a family dinner, don’t you think, Glyn?”

“Absolutely.” She gives him a look. “Stop it.”

He merely releases a grumble, and I flash him a grin. He knows Glyn and I are friends, and she always puts a leash on that side of him, and he despises that.

Good thing he’ll never be friends with Kayden and can’t pull it off. Kayden is not able to be charmed, and Kill kind of dislikes him.

Win-win for me.

“He’s not my family,” Grandpa says with a glare. “I still don’t approve.”

“Alex, please.” Mom speaks in a gentle tone. “I love and respect you and I’m glad my sons have you in their lives, but with all due respect, your approval or the lack thereof doesn’t matter. This applies to you, too, Ash and Kill.” She gives them a pointed look. “Gareth chose Kayden, and I know it seems odd from the outside looking in due to the age gap and whatnot, but you’ve seen them together throughout the night. I didn’t notice any age difference or genders, I just saw two people in love. I saw my son smile genuinely and often for the first time in a long time. I’d rather my son be happy than focus on what irrelevant society or others think. So I’ll be taking real offense to anyone threatening my son’s man. Are we clear?”

Dad and Kill go quiet at that. Of course they would. Dad kind of worships her, and Kill is a mama’s boy. Grandpa grumbles under his breath, but he doesn’t say anything out loud.

Kayden thanks my mom with that blinding smile that kind of gives me butterflies. It’s insane to still have them when we’ve been together for some time. It’s like at the beginning when I was crushing on him and becoming full-blown obsessed while denying it.

“Thanks, Mom.” I side-hug her and she kisses my cheek.

“I want you to be happy, hon.”

“I am, Mom. Truly.”

And I mean it.

I don’t think I knew what happiness was before, but now, just being in the same room as Kayden is happiness.

Happiness takes many forms. It can range from comfortably existing in silence while playing chess to watching Moka eat Jethro’s cables while he tries to wrestle her away. It’s listening to Kayden’s steady heartbeat when I fall asleep and knowing he’s here with me.

It’s how he smiles upon seeing me after a whole day of being apart, how he hugs and kisses me as if he can breathe only when I’m around.

It’s hearing Rachel and Jina’s stories about a younger, mischievous, but incredibly smart Kayden and seeing his baby albums. I might have even made them give up a few pictures so I could frame and keep them in that shrine I have of him.

Happiness is Kayden and Kayden is happiness. They’re one and the same in my mind.

Maybe they shouldn’t be, but me and my mind never conformed to normal anyway.

The rest of the dinner is less tense, and Kill keeps trying to be a little shit. He gets kicked by Glyn every time, and I think he’s doing it on purpose at this point.

But Dad is warming up a little to Kayden. They have a pretty similar levelheadedness, so maybe that helps. I do want Dad to like him, I really do, and perhaps that’s an aftereffect of those times when I always craved his approval to the point that I invented a public personality so as not to disappoint him.

But over the past few months, I realized that I like my dad better when he knows exactly what I’m capable of. When I don’t have to hide my true self just to please him.

After dinner, Kayden is swept away by Mom with bribes to show him my photo albums and all the awards I’ve won.

“Mom, stop. That’s embarrassing,” I say then narrow my eyes on Kayden. “Why would you want to see those anyway?”

“The same reason you begged my moms for pictures of me.” He gives an evil grin. “Please lead the way, Reina.”

Kill catches up to them. “I’ll join for commentary.”

I grunt. “Please don’t.”

“I’m going to enjoy this.” He pulls Glyn along. “Come on.”

“I’m sorry,” she mouths. “I’ll defend you!”

“No one will be making fun of my grandson on my watch.” Grandpa all but storms to the sitting area.

I groan. “Fuck my life. I don’t want to go in there.”

“Then don’t.” Dad squeezes my shoulder and leads me out to the balcony. The night’s chill doesn’t manage to cool down my grumbly mood.

“Kill will definitely have his revenge for the time we showed Glyn pictures of him in a dress.” I rub my eyes with the heel of my palm. “That prick never forgave me for that.”

“On the bright side, you don’t have a picture in a dress.” Dad smiles with nostalgia. “Your mom really wanted Kill to be a girl. She was devastated to be only a boys’ mom. I believe that’s why she dotes on Glyn so much—she’s the daughter she always wanted.”

I lean against the railing, listening to the laughs filtering in from the other room, mostly my mom’s. “I hope she doesn’t hate me for not giving her another daughter-in-law.”

“Nonsense. You heard her earlier. Your happiness is what’s important to her, no matter who you choose to be with.”

“What about you, Dad?”

“Your happiness is important to me, too. You know that, Gareth.”

I perk up, looking at him with blinding expectations. “So…you’ll accept Kayde? With time, I mean.”

“It’s not that I don’t accept him.” He lets out a sigh. “I just don’t like how you looked when he hurt you or that he used you. I suppose I’m having trouble moving past that, but I also get your mother’s point. You look more like yourself with him, and he did take a bullet for you, so I respect that. I also like that he contains your impulsiveness, and you actually listen to him.”

“I listened to you, too.”

“No, Gareth. You didn’t really listen. You hid away from me to fit the image you thought I wanted of you. But I get it. You were nervous about my reaction, and that’s my fault. Point is, ” he grabs my shoulders, “I’m happy you’re happy. That’s all.”

I wrap my arms around him. “Thank you, Dad. Really.”

He pats my back and when we break free, I catch a glimpse of Kayden standing by the door, patiently waiting with a hand in his pocket.

And his eyes soften upon clashing with mine.

The eyes that were so dead the first time I saw him. The eyes that are indifferent, polite, or downright dismissive when talking with others only soften for me.

Dad smiles at me before he leaves.

I all but throw myself at Kayden when he walks in, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing myself into him so suddenly, he grabs my waist to steady us.

God, I feel so complete when I touch him.

When he’s gone, I lose the part of myself that’s anchored by him. The air feels thinner without the feel of his skin against mine, and the quiet I usually enjoy with him is deafening without him.

Now that I’m all over him, I can breathe properly.

“I assume that was a good talk.” He strokes my dimples, smiling softly. “You look like you’ll burst.”

“Dad likes you. I mean, not fully, but he’s getting there.”

“And that makes you happy.”

It’s not a question, but I nod. “You know how much his approval means to me.”

“I do. And now, I’m starting to think you’re only with me for your little daddy issues.”

I mock gasp. “Oh my, you figured me out? Whatever am I going to do now?”

He laughs, the sound like music to my ears. Honestly, he’s so serious outside, I feel like the chosen one for making him laugh.

I swear to God, Jethro and Simone gawk every time he does.

“As long as I’m not your daddy, we’re good.” He raises a brow. “Unless you’re into that?”

“Nah, not my thing. I like baby better.” I brush my lips against his jaw, licking and biting slightly. “You smell so good and look so hot, baby.”

He groans, his hand sliding from my waist to my ass, squeezing the marks he left there last night. “You better stop that, or your family’s going to get a front-row seat to me bending you over this balcony and fucking you right here, right now.”

I moan, growing hard as the pain ignites the pleasure and rushes throughout my skin. “Mmm, don’t threaten me with a good time.”

“Fuck, baby. You’re driving me insane.” He squeezes my ass, pressing me against him. “Your grandpa will have a stroke.”

I can feel the contours of his cock through the clothes, and it makes my mouth water and my own dick harden. “He’ll live.”

“Not for long. I assure you.” He grunts and pushes me away, grabbing my waist again, then says in an austere voice, “Stop. Rein it in until I have you all to myself.”

I release a whine but don’t try to seduce him again. He really can make me fold with those firm orders of his.

“Speaking of having me all to yourself,” I muse, sniffing him. His scent kinda calms me. Better than the sight of blood—weird, I know. “What do you think about having a threesome? Like sharing me with another guy or girl?”

Something curious happens then. Something that literally sets the butterflies ablaze in my stomach.

Because not only does Kayden stiffen, but his eyes darken like I’ve never seen before, lighting up, becoming frightening, even.

His hand tightens around my waist, the pads digging into my muscles as he speaks in that firm, nonnegotiable tone. “Listen to me, Gareth, I don’t know where that came from, but I will not be sharing you with anyone. Are we fucking clear?”

“I’m just asking. No need to look murderous.”

“Would you be open to sharing me with someone else?”

I grab his throat. “No way in fuck. I’d kill them, you know I would.”

“Then you know exactly how I feel.” He pulls my hand from his throat, frowning. “What made you think that anyway? You can barely walk after I’m done with you, so I like to think you’re thoroughly satisfied.”

“Damn straight I am. I definitely don’t want a threesome.”

“There’s a reason you brought that up.” He strokes my cheek again. “Tell me.”

“It’s not important.”

“I’ll be the judge. Talk to me, Gareth.”

“It’s just Simone said you often shared Cassandra and had an open marriage, so I wanted to see if you felt the same about me.”

“I told you, I never loved her, so I went along with what she wanted. But with you, I get downright murderous at the thought of someone else touching you. It makes me fucking unhinged. I don’t even like thinking about all the girls who had you before me.”

“Because you love me and are possessive of me and can’t live without me?”

“Correct on all accounts.” His lips brush against my forehead, and it’s my favorite kiss. It’s like he’s worshipping me every time he does it. “So don’t bring up this subject again.”

“I won’t. I’m as possessive as you, and I get all stabby and shit at the thought of someone else.”

“I love your violent brain.”

“Because you can tame it?”

“Because you let me inside it.”

“Well, you let me inside yours, too.”

“You happen to be my favorite little monster.”

“And you’re my favorite villain, baby.”

“Wake up, sleepyhead.”

I groan, burying my face deeper into Kayden’s neck. “Five more minutes.”

A soft chuckle rumbles through his chest, the sound floods my ears and ripples through me. “As much as I love watching your sleepy face, your cousin will be here any minute.”

I groan harder, tightening my arms around his shoulders. It’s not like I meant to take a nap or anything, but it’s the weekend, and I haven’t seen much of him this week because he’s been busy with work. And by ‘much,’ I mean I’ve only been seeing him in the evenings, which is far from enough in my book.

Anyway, he was sitting on the sofa, going through his tablet, and I kind of climbed into his lap like a koala, wrapping myself around him, my head resting on his shoulder. I’d meant to recharge for a bit—just a moment of peace—but then I fell asleep.

And he let me.

I love how he always lets me attach myself to him whenever and however I please. He doesn’t even flinch when I jump on him out of nowhere or hug him from behind while he’s doing the most mundane things. Or when I get on his lap when he’s working or something.

Truth be told, I know I’m a goddamn clingy pest sometimes, but he never complains.

If anything, he always gives me this little smile, like I’ve somehow made his day better. Sometimes, he’ll kiss me softly, stroke my hand, or ruffle my hair. It’s those small touches that make me come back for more, like a hopeless addict.

I still crave him in ways I can’t even explain, and I can’t seem to stop touching him—whether we’re alone or in public. I want to make up for all the time I couldn’t muster the courage to.

Lifting my head, I stare at him, my arms still framing either side of his neck. My fingers find their way to the back of his hair, stroking it lightly.

Goddamn. Why does he keep getting more beautiful? His sharp features and those piercing eyes that seem to see straight through my soul are a lethal combination.

His hand rubs slow circles on my back, and his lips tilt into that soft smile that could undo me on the spot. “There you are. Feeling better?”

“How do you always know when I’m feeling off?”

“Your eyes, baby.” He sets his table aside and cups my cheek. “They get a bit lifeless when something’s bothering you.”

I pout, my lower lip sticking out. “That’s because you haven’t been around enough.”

Before he can respond, Moka meows and jumps onto the sofa beside us. I reach out to scratch behind her ears, grinning. “See? My sidekick agrees with me.”

“I’ll rectify that.” His lips quirk, his hand sliding down to my ass giving it a firm squeeze. “Although, I wish I could charge you differently since you’re being so adorably clingy.”

“Mm.” I grind my ass back against his cock, deliberately slow. “You totally should.”

“We have guests coming over, remember?”

“I can kick Niko out,” I grumble. Honest to God, I don’t know why I agreed to this whole dinner thing in the first place.

Just kidding. I do know. I wanted to show off Kayden, and Niko wanted to show off his boyfriend.

“No, I want to meet your family one by one,” Kayden says, tightening his grip on my ass to make me stop moving. “That’s what I promised you, remember?”

“Fine, fine.” I roll my eyes. “Still don’t know how you managed to fascinate Mia and Maya the other day. They keep texting me to say hi to you.”

“I’m charming.”

“Pfft. I am charming. Not you.”

“I can be charming too.”

“I guess that’s true.” I press a quick kiss to his cheek, then pepper kisses along his jaw and mouth. “But you can only be charming with me, or I’ll cut someone.”

“There’s my little violent psycho.”

“Not my fault you’re kind of hot.”

“Kind of?”

“Really hot,” I admit with an exaggerated eye roll.

He chuckles, the sound wrapping around me like a peaceful cloud. God. I love his laughter, his smell, his voice, his face, his body, but mostly, I love his little gestures, how he knows things about me without me having to say anything, how he looks out after me, how he recognizes my uneven edges and smooths them with care.

I love him.

And I keep falling further in love every single day.

I’m about to get on my knees and drink his cum dry when the doorbell rings.

My groan of displeasure only makes him laugh harder as he gently pushes me off.

“Can we not?” I whine, grabbing onto his hand like a child.

“Don’t be a brat, Gareth. If you behave tonight…” He slides two of his fingers into my mouth, and I suck on them hard, taking them in deep like it’s his cock.

His eyes darken, and I put on a show, lapping at his fingers with my tongue. But he pulls them out too soon, leaving me aching. “I’ll reward you later.”

I’m about to argue, but he’s already walking toward the door with Moka trailing after him. Grumbling, I follow, trying to will my very inconvenient erection away.

A few moments later, Niko walks in, dressed in jeans and a leather jacket, his long hair tied in a bun. Brandon follows close behind, carrying a bottle of wine and looking like he just walked out of a British Vogue cover.

“So you’re the motherfucker who got our Gaz hurt, huh?” Niko says, balling his hand into a fist. “Should’ve killed you in that alley, but maybe that can still be rectified.”

I dart forward, wrapping an arm around his neck in a headlock just as Bran steps in. “You already have the best fucking timing, and the last thing you want to do is threaten my man, bitch.”

He taps my arm, wheezing. “Kill especially told me he has to pay.”

“Kill can go fuck himself. Behave or I’m kicking you out.”

“Let me punch him once.”

“No.”

“Just a tiny bit.”

“I said no, asshole.”

“How about⁠—”

“Nikolai,” Brandon interrupts, his calm, commanding voice cutting through the chaos. Niko immediately stops struggling, going still like a chastised puppy.

I let him go, and the strangest thing happens. My cousin, the certified chaos machine, grins apologetically at Bran, walking toward him with stars in his eyes.

“You promised not to start any fights,” Bran says with a small frown. Unlike my cousin, he’s dressed in a cardigan and khaki pants, and his accent is that of British royalty.

He’s the exact opposite of my cousin, but somehow, they work.

“I’m sorry, lotus flower.” Niko wraps an arm around his waist. “Won’t happen again. Cross my heart and hope to die.”

“It’s nice to officially meet you, Nikolai,” Kayden says, stepping to my side, now clutching the bottle of wine Bran must’ve offered him.

My cousin narrows his eyes. “While I’m glad you introduced Gaz to the Fun Dick Alliance, Kill specifically told me not to like you.”

“And what did I tell you?” Bran asks

Niko grins. “Not to be violent, to form my own opinion, and be happy for my cousin who’s finally not a fake little bitch. The last part is mine, but anyway, my lotus flower’s opinion is definitely more important than Killian’s. Kill who? Don’t know that guy.”

Bran just smiles, and I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“I officially like you, Bran,” I say, shaking his hand. “Didn’t think anyone could tame Niko, but here we are.”

Bran smiles, the corners of his mouth quirking in that polite, British way that somehow feels more genuine than a full grin. “I wouldn’t say I’m taming him.”

“You totally are,” Niko and I say in unison, earning a soft laugh from Brandon.

“Gaz, I know you’ve met him before,” Niko says, standing taller and tugging Bran closer. “But this is Brandon—my lotus flower and the love of my life. Bran, this is my cousin Gaz. He’s slightly less insufferable now.”

“This is Kayden,” I say, pulling him into the fold with an arm around his waist. “My man. Also, yeah, the love of my life, so you better not give him any trouble, Niko. I mean it.”

Kayden strokes my hair, his fingers gentle as he looks down at me with that softness that could melt the Arctic. If he keeps looking at me like that, I might spontaneously combust.

Dinner is chaotic in the way only my family can manage. Niko oscillates between being an absolute menace and a lovesick idiot, while Bran calmly keeps him tethered, offering quiet smiles and soft touches that make my cousin settle in ways I didn’t think possible.

Kayden and I exchange a glance a few times throughout the evening and he strokes my thigh every now and then. He knows what I’m thinking, that I can’t stand not touching him even for a while. I can see it in his small, knowing smirks.

Watching Niko being tamed by Bran is like watching myself through someone else’s eyes. The clinginess, the chaos, the need to show off—yeah, that’s me.

After dinner, Niko is bickering with Kayden over dessert. Something about how “macarons are superior to whatever boring shit you brought.” I leave them to it, grabbing Bran and pulling him toward the sitting room.

Moka is curled up on Bran’s lap not five minutes later, purring like a spoiled queen as he strokes her fur.

“She usually doesn’t like strangers,” I say, narrowing my eyes at my little traitor. “She’s not this friendly with anyone but Kayden and me.”

Bran shrugs, his smile soft. “Animals and children usually like me.”

I lean back, arms crossed. “Makes sense. Niko does have the personality of a hyperactive toddler. Kudos to you for keeping up with him.”

Bran laughs, his blue eyes bright as he steals a glance at my cousin, who’s still loudly debating Kayden in the kitchen. “He’s the one who kept up with me, really. This is nothing. If anything, I’m happy to see him happy.”

“He’s been over the moon since he started introducing you to us.”

A flicker of sadness crosses his face, dimming the light in his eyes for a moment. “That’s because I insisted we stay a secret for too long. I wish I’d been more courageous earlier and came out sooner.”

“You shouldn’t blame yourself for that. Coming out is a different experience for everyone. I don’t have the best track record myself.”

He tilts his head, studying me. “Niko said Kayden was your professor, so you had a viable reason to keep things quiet.”

“There’s no such thing as a viable reason. Coming out is personal, and it depends on the person, and this is coming from someone who had a massive struggle with my sexuality in the beginning.”

“Me too, for years, actually. If Niko hadn’t come along, I have no idea where I would be.”

“Honestly, same. Kayde kind of pulled me out kicking and screaming.”

“Wow. We have that in common, too.” He grins. “I think, aside from Mia, you’re my new favorite from all of Niko’s entourage.”

“Former Confused Dick Alliance not to be mistaken for Niko’s Fun Dick Alliance?”

He chuckles, but before he can respond, Niko bursts into the room.

“What’s making my lotus flower laugh?” he demands, wedging himself between us on the sofa.

“Me, obviously,” I say, smirking.

Niko narrows his eyes and then does the most Niko thing ever—he shoves me off the sofa and wraps his arms around Bran like a possessive octopus.

“Only I get to make him laugh,” he declares, pressing a dramatic kiss to Bran’s cheek.

“Stop being dramatic,” Bran mutters, though his smile suggests he doesn’t mind one bit.

They’re still tangled together when I make my way to the kitchen, where Kayden leans against the counter, arms crossed and a faint frown tugging at his lips.

I slip my arms around his waist, pressing against him. “What?”

“Don’t be so charming with others,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough.

I grin, leaning up on my tiptoes. “Jealous?”

“You know I am.”

“Mmm.” My grin widens. “I guess I’ll try to tone it down.”

“Gareth.”

“Yeah?”

“Behave.”

“No promises.” I press my lips to his ear, my voice dropping to a sultry whisper. “Feeling cute, so I want to turn that reward into a punishment, baby.”

He’s kissing me then, groaning in my mouth because he loves how I call him baby.

And I love that I’m his baby.

Now.

Forever.

And beyond.