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ChapterTwelve
DINO
I shift closer to the firepit, feeling the warmth of the flames against my skin. The crackling of the firewood is incessant, as if it is speaking to me in its own language.
The bright orange and red flames dance in the air, alive and performing just for me and Romeo.
Small embers fly up into the sky and burst into clusters of fireworks, sending sparks into the dark night. The smell of burning wood permeates the air, and I can almost taste the ooey gooey flavor of the s’more I already finished eating on my tongue.
The logs pop and hiss, sending tiny explosions of heat in all directions. Flames consume the wood, slowly reducing it to a pile of glowing ash. The night air is chilly, but the warmth radiating from the fire is all-encompassing.
I had the best time with Romeo this afternoon and this is the perfect end to the day.
Romeo hands me another marshmallow. "Daddy said you couldn’t have any more s’mores, but he changed his mind. You look too precious for him to withhold treats."
I blush, scooting closer to him. "I can’t turn down another s’more."
Romeo tucks a strain of hair over my ear. "Good. I don't know if I could trust someone who resists s’mores."
"You don't have to worry about that with me." Jabbing the marshmallow onto the roasting stick, I thrust it above the simmering embers. "When there are s’mores, Dino will be hungry. It’s a fact of life."
Romeo’s entire family watches us with hearts in their eyes. Ryder and Vincenzo sit cuddled up next to each other, their grins wide.
Enzo and Tommasso do the same, each taking in the way Romeo and I shower each other with affection.
Amadeo and Cyan—let’s just say that they’re swapping spit. Cyan’s tongue is buried in Amadeo’s mouth, and the way they glance at Romeo and me every so often lets me know that they’re proud.
Isabella and her girl toy sit side by side, with Isabella’s hand massaging her thigh. They’re roasting their marshmallows on pink scissors, which I think is adorable, even though the scissors have gotta be a carcinogen.
All eight New York boys coo and fawn over us, even though Romeo and I can tell they miss their Daddies. The Russian hunks who keep them safe are still held up in customs, which must be annoying for them.
They’ll arrive soon and we’ll all be together.
Romeo plunges his tongue deep into my mouth. "Look at you all cute n’ shit. Goddamn, boy. Daddy’s roasted lots of 'shmallows in his day, but not one has tasted so yummy as you."
"You’re comparing me to a marshmallow!"
"Damn right I am. Today, tomorrow—forever. You’re my sugary sweet 'shmallow, one with a tough exterior that I had to sink my teeth into to surpass. Underneath your crispy surface, you’re nothing but kind and nice. A good, good boy—that’s what you are, Dino. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Hell, don't let my words from before I accepted you into my life affect your worth. I was rude to you, but that was only because I couldn’t admit how crazy you drove me. How obsessed I became as I stared at you. You’re one of a kind, Dino. So special and sweet. Beyond belief."
I wrap my arms around Romeo. Our hug transcends the physical universe, stretching past the constraints of space and time. The arms of life itself wrap around me, keeping me safe and protected, letting me know nothing can hurt me, nothing can affect my self-worth ever again.
"Thank you, Daddy. I never doubted your feelings for me for a minute. I knew you wanted me, even though you couldn’t admit it to yourself. That’s why I didn’t let any mean things you said about me hurt my confidence. I’m a strong boy—I’ve had to be, growing up with the types of feelings I had. Life isn’t always easy when you’re into guys who are in their sixties. People look at me as some kind of weirdo, but the truth is that all I want is love. Real, pure love, true and blinding. The kind of love that tells me that I don't have to concern myself with the world’s judgment, because I’ve found something that’s even more true than reality itself. You and I are fated, Daddy."
That’s when I slam my hands over my mouth.
My heart picks up its pace as a sweat breaks out on my neck.
Did I… say that out loud?
These are the things I whispered to myself underwater with Romeo earlier this afternoon. He couldn’t hear me, which is why I felt so confident to talk about love.
Now, I admitted them out loud. Uh oh. I pray Romeo doesn’t think less of me.
Romeo holds my hands, prying them away from my face. "Why stop speaking, pretty boy?"
"I said too much too soon."
The New York boys all laugh.
