Joker (Hell's Ankhor #8) - Aiden Bates Page 0,79

up. Here, take this. This is less a gift and more an impulse buy. The as-seen-on-TV section of the convenience store.”

Brennan look confused but took the box I handed over. As his eyes tracked over the label, he barked a booming, surprised laugh. “I can’t believe you. It’s perfect.”

It was a toaster. I hadn’t been able to resist buying it when I’d seen it, out running errands a few weeks ago. But instead of the toast popping up when it was finished, it rose slowly, so it wouldn’t scare him. I ducked my chin and grinned at my feet.

“You’re ridiculous,” he said with so much fondness I almost couldn’t believe it. He tugged me close, then set his hands on my hips and guided me so I was straddling his lap. He kissed me deeply, possessively. “You must really love me to give me something like that.”

Then he froze.

He cringed a little, like he’d said it on accident. Like the words had just spilled out before he could realize what he’d said.

“Uh, I mean,” Brennan said. His grip loosened on my body, like he was expecting me to get up and pull away. “That’s not—I meant—”

“Hey,” I said.

Brennan fell silent. He looked up at me, eyes wide, a flush spreading across his cheeks, his mouth slightly open. As our eyes met, warmth spread in my chest, running like warm honey all the way to my fingertips. I’d never felt it before, but I knew what it was. And now that he’d said it, it was impossible to deny.

And I didn’t want to deny it, either.

I cupped his jaw in one hand, and Brennan’s eyes fluttered closed. “You’re right,” I said. “I do love you.”

Brennan inhaled sharply, a small sound of surprise, before he turned his head and pressed his lips to my palm. Then he looked up at me again, wide-eyed but no longer with embarrassment or fear. With something like wonder.

“You don’t have to say it back,” I said in a slightly awkward rush. “I just, you know. You’re right. And I want you to know that.”

Brennan laughed a little breathlessly, and then knocked my hands away so he could cup my face instead and pulled me down for a passionate kiss.

“I love you, too,” he said. “Jeez, Joker, I’ve been trying not to say it for ages.”

I leaned my weight forward, so he toppled back onto the bed with a surprised, exhaled laugh. “Really?” I asked.

“Didn’t want to spook you,” Brennan admitted. “Goddamn, Joker, I love you.” He wrapped his arms tightly around me and tugged me close, tucking his face into my neck. “I love you,” he repeated, like he couldn’t say it enough.

I was light all over, giddy. “I love you, too,” I said. “And I’m not spooked. Not anymore.”

Brennan kissed me again. “I know. Proud of you.”

“Stop saying that, it’s embarrassing,” I muttered.

“I won’t,” Brennan said between kisses. “Now that I get to, I’m gonna say it all the time. Proud of you. Love you.”

“Jeez.” I hid my smile against his neck, but honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever get tired of hearing him say that.

“Get up here,” Brennan said around a smile. It took some maneuvering, but we were both lying on the bed for real, instead of with our feet dangling off the edge.

We tangled together on top of the covers, legs slotted together and arms around each other. I kissed Brennan deeply, fucking my tongue slowly into his mouth, and he shivered against me. His hands traveled hungrily over my skin, and his cock pressed hard against my hip. The promise of it made my own body light up with desire. God, he made me crazy—his hands, his cock, his mouth. I’d never get sick of it.

And I didn’t have to worry about losing him, either. He knew me—all of me—and he loved me, just as much as I loved him.

I ached with desire, and my cock throbbed. Brennan hummed, breaking the kiss, then drawing his mouth down my neck, to my clavicles, over my pecs and down, down.

I rolled flat onto my back and spread my legs invitingly. Brennan paused and looked up at me, smiling as he smoothed his hands over my thighs. “You’re so gorgeous,” he murmured, then kissed the bare skin of my hip. “Wanna fuck you.”

“Please,” I gasped. I twisted my fingers into the sheets, trying hard not to arch up toward him.

“Gonna make it good for you,” Brennan promised. He tugged my shorts down.

“You always do,”