Page 20 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

Ronan should have lied. Not because there was anything to hide. Elliot had no right to demand exclusivity they had never formally agreed upon, especially when the relationship itself existed entirely behind locked doors. But lying to Elliot had always been more exhausting than dealing with the truth.

“Once.”

Elliot's fingers stopped moving. The room seemed to change temperature.

“When?”

“Couple months ago.”

“Before us?”

Ronan hesitated. That was enough. Elliot released his jacket.

“Ah.”

“Elliot.”

“It's fine.”

“Don't.”

“What?”

“Do the thing.”

“What thing?”

“Where you say something is fine and then act fucking insane for three days.”

Elliot smiled. There was no warmth in it.

“I'm not going to act insane.”

“Comforting.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

Ronan stared.

“Seriously?”

“It's a question.”

“One I'm not answering.”

“Why?”

“Because you're already chopping vegetables like they insulted your mother.”

Elliot's jaw shifted. Ronan sighed.

“Jesus Christ.”

He caught Elliot's wrist. Elliot looked down. Ronan pulled him closer. The resistance lasted less than a second. Elliot's chest met his. His body was warm from the kitchen.

“You know I don't give a shit about Dylan,” Ronan said.

“Apparently you gave him something.”