Checking It Twice

Epilogue


Kevin read over his formal letter of resignation. Since technically he’d never started the job at the Cinders, he wasn’t sure if resignation was the appropriate word to use. Regardless, he figured the polite notice that he was regretfully declining their offer was infinitely more politically correct—and less inflammatory—than Nick’s suggestion of typing Take this job and shove it.

Once he was satisfied that everything looked okay, he sent the email off into cyberspace. That task completed, he opened another blank email. This one was much harder for him to compose, so much so his fingers shook on the keys. It’d been Jana’s idea to do this one. She was convinced it’d be a big step in the healing process for him. He supposed she could be right. Still, he stared at the blinking cursor for what seemed like an eternity.

He closed his eyes, drew in a deep breath. Finally the words came. It was only one line. But it was one he believed to the depths of his soul.

Real men aren’t afraid of their emotions, or being true to themselves.

He punched in his father’s email address and winged that one off too. In the coming days he’d likely have a lot more to add, but for now it was enough. Already his heart felt…free. Unburdened. Jana was one smart and wonderful woman to realize the power behind such a simple act.

Logging off his computer, he returned to her bedroom, where she and Nick were waiting for him. They both looked at him expectantly, and he nodded before climbing in the bed. Jana kissed him and stroked his hair tenderly. “I’m so proud of you.”

Nick squeezed his shoulder. “Me too.”

He glanced at his best friend. “I appreciate your support, so long as you don’t get ideas about kissing me too.”

“What? I’ll have you know my lips are kissably soft.”

“They are,” Jana agreed with an enthusiastic nod.

“I’ll take your word for it, sweetheart.”

Her eyes took on the dreamy quality that always threatened to make him putty at her feet. “I love it when you call me that.”

“Good. Because I’m going to call you it a lot.”

Jana bit her lip. “Does this mean no more running?”

“Yeah. I’m not going anywhere.” He and Nick had agreed to move into Jana’s house, and he intended to keep his promise of making this relationship work.

“Damn, are you saying I bought these restraints for no reason?” Leaning forward, Nick held up the Velcro cuffs attached to the slatted headboard.

Kevin’s cock surged to life. “Well, maybe we could think of another use for those.”

Chuckling, Nick slapped one cuff around Kevin’s wrist and the other he banded to Jana’s. “I heard you two don’t mind sharing.”

“Obnoxious a*shole.” Despite Kevin’s grousing, his cock thickened even more as Nick tossed him a condom.

Locking gazes with Jana, Kevin stroked her cheek. He knew she could see right into his soul. It didn’t matter, because he knew what she saw was the same reflection he glimpsed within her. Love.