Page 312 of End Game

Dex's eyebrows lift.

“I know we have joked about that, but I am saying it without a joke now.”

Dex is impossibly still.

Ronan's gaze doesn't leave him. “I trust you. I care about you. I am interested in exploring what exists between us.”

Dex doesn't say anything.

Which may be medically concerning.

Ronan continues. “I have not slept with you yet because I do not want to approach it as an item I am required to complete for parity.”

Dex swallows. “Oh.”

“When I do something with you, I want it to be because I have thought about what would work for both of us. Including the timing.”

There is something in that sentence.

Something that makes me wonder if Ronan already has.

Dex's mouth opens.

Closes.

Then, finally, “So I'm not the ugly one.”

Micah groans.

Ronan looks briefly toward the ceiling. “You are exhausting.”

“But fuckable.”

“Yes.”

Dex beams. “Happy Valentine's Day to me.”

Ronan picks up the kettle again. “I regret sincerity.”

“No, you don't.”

“I am beginning to.”

Dex rounds the island and kisses his cheek.

Ronan visibly startles but masks it quickly.

Dex catches himself immediately. “Sorry.”

Ronan pauses.

Then wraps his fingers around Dex's wrist before he can move away.

“Accepted.”

Dex goes soft around the edges.

Then immediately ruins it. “So maybe in March?”