Page 62 of The Pilot

“I love you, Harper Bates. It scares me to death because you’ve become so important to me in such a short period of time, but I’m no coward. And I want you to know . . . even if you don’t or can’t return my feelings, I’m a better man for loving you. For knowing you. If you want to move yourself and Kash out because you thought this was a casual thing, or because you thought we were friends with benefits or something, I’ll understand. I’ll hate it, but I won’t stand in your way.”

“Linc—”

“But I hope you’ll let me continue to see Kash,” Linc added almost desperately, talking over her. Not willing to risk hearing her admit she didn’t want him the way he wanted her. That she just wanted to be friends. “He’s incredible. And I think he needs more masculine influence in his life. Good influence. I promise I won’t ever be condescending to him. I’ll support him in whatever he wants to do, and if he continues to have issues with bullies, I’ll do what I can to help. I’ll even go to school and confront the assholes if I have to.”

“Stop interrupting me!” Harper demanded, sounding exasperated when Linc finally paused.

He held his breath, hoping against hope she wouldn’t admit his feelings were too intense. Would say he had a chance to win her heart. Even if it was a small one, he’d take it. She was worth however long it took to woo her.

“I love you too.”

Linc opened his mouth to tell her that he’d wait forever for her to reach where he was—but closed it when her words sank in.

“You do?” he asked, sounding as unsure as a brand-new recruit at boot camp.

“How could I not? You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of in a partner. But if you had wanted children, it would’ve been a deal-breaker for me too.”

Linc could hardly believe what he was hearing. “You aren’t just saying that? You and Kash have a place to stay as long as you want it regardless.”

Harper frowned. “Are you kidding me? You think I’d say I love you just because I want a place to live?”

“Um . . . no?” Linc felt off kilter. He’d fucked things up, and it hadn’t even been a minute since they’d shared their first I love yous.

“Men,” she said with a roll of her eyes. Then she pushed at his shoulder until he turned onto his back. Linc’s heart beat faster as she climbed on top of him once more. Her skin was so warm, and he freaking loved the feel of her naked body against his own. His cock twitched with interest.

“I love you, Lincoln Young. You’re an amazing man, and Kash and I are lucky to have you in our lives.”

“I’ll talk to the doc about that vasectomy,” Linc blurted. “I want you bare. I want to fill you with my come over and over. Want to see it dripping out of you without worry of any consequences. It’ll be less invasive if I take care of it than if you have surgery. And I know an implant or something would be quick and easy for you, but why have you get anything injected when I can take care of it for us permanently?”

“That’s what you’re thinking about right now? After we said we loved each other?” Harper asked with a small chuckle.

“Well . . . yeah. I love you, you love me. Neither of us want babies. I’m staring at the mark I put on your tit, seeing your nipples brush against my chest, feeling my cock stir between your legs, smelling sex in the air . . . how could I think of anything else but sex? Wanting to be able to take you whenever and wherever I want, without having to worry about condoms and messy cleanup, or worrying about them failing, and being able to fall asleep still connected to you in the most intimate way possible?”

“Right. But . . . and I hate to bring this up . . . messy cleanup will still be a factor,” she said wryly.

“Oh, yeah . . . well, I’m happy to take responsibility for that too. And for doing the laundry.”

“Deal. You can do laundry for the rest of our lives.”

Linc couldn’t help but grin hugely at her words. “The rest of our lives. I like the sound of that.”

She blushed but met his eyes bravely. “Me too. What are we going to tell Kash?”

“The truth. That we’re dating.”

“No, I meant about why I’m suddenly sleeping in your bed.”

“You’re willing to do that? I was going to suggest we take things slow. Introduce him to the idea of us dating first, before we moved on to sleeping together.”

“Linc, I think he knows we’re dating. He’s seen us holding hands and kissing. He’s also a smart kid, and he’s going to be beyond thrilled with the change in our relationship. He’s even hinted to me that you’d make a great husband.”

“He has?”

“Yes. And if you think I’m going to let you go back to not sleeping, you’re crazy. I’m still not convinced I’m the reason you’re sleeping, but I’m also not willing to put it to the test by sleeping upstairs while you wander around like a zombie, baking like a man obsessed.”

Linc was overwhelmed. He’d gone from being at the end of his rope, completely exhausted and stressed, to having everything he’d ever wanted overnight. It was hard to wrap his head around.

“I love you, Harper,” he whispered.