Ripped (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Read Free Page B

he finished, tossing some pillows at Kyle.
    “Roman, I know the memories of that night haunt you, but there’s something else. My name is Kyle! I remember when we were joined together, trying to strengthen our bond, Lisa’s name escaped your lips!”
    “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize…”
    “No you never do, and I’m afraid that you cannot see the love that is right here before you! Roman, you know I’m sorry about that night and what happened. If I could bring her and Adam back to you, I would, even if that meant we would never be together. That’s the level of my love for you.”
    “What makes you think I would turn my back on you?” Roman said quietly, realizing that everything his husband had said was right. Still, he refused to believe it and couldn’t believe it.
    “I need some time,” Kyle said, continuing to gather his clothes. “I’ll sleep in the spare bedroom tonight and have my things out in the morning. I didn’t say you had to stop loving her, or that we couldn’t visit their grave together. Just not so often. I want it to be my body and heart that you crave, not whispering her name. It’s unhealthy for you and probably half of the problem with your legs.”
    Probably nothing Roman could say in his defense would make a difference, not even telling Kyle how he felt last night while lying in his arms, or that he wanted the same intimate relationship with him.
    “I’d rather you stay here. Sleep in the other bedroom if you need to, until we can work this out.”
    “No, you said that our relationship was finished. I was angry.”
    “You still are, Roman! Until you get rid of the anger and guilt over losing them, I’m scared that we won’t be able to move forward.”
    The pained expression in Kyle’s eyes let Roman know that he was serious. In an unexpected gesture, Kyle crossed the room, gently pushing Roman against the wall. Cupping his face with his hands, Roman felt him kissing him in the same insistent manner he had that night a year-and-a-half ago in the locker room at Ripped.
    “My heart has been married to you, gay baby, since our first kiss,” Kyle whispered, retrieving the pillows from the floor and leaving Roman in his bedroom alone.

Chapter Three
     
    After a restless night alone, Roman finally crawled out of bed at seven the next morning. Kyle was already awake, as Roman sat at the bar watching him blend a protein shake.
    “I’m sorry,” Roman said simply, trying to breaking the tension. “I’ve always liked your hair down, damp like it is now. It reminds me of the locker room, our first kiss.” He spoke softly as he tried to put his arms around Kyle’s waist.
    Retrieving a ponytail holder from the counter, Kyle quickly caught up his shoulder-length hair.
    “How’s that? Now you won’t have to deal with any emotions from your new lifestyle !”
    “Can we please not do this again!” Roman replied.
    “I didn’t. You did. I showered and am on my way to Ripped. I thought I would put myself back on the schedule.”
    “And I took you off of the schedule!” Roman yelled, hurling a cup of coffee into a nearby cabinet.
    “Maybe I should find a new boss, then,” Kyle said, crossing his arms over a white spandex shirt that Roman thought revealed too much of his body beneath, desiring Kyle’s washboard abs just for himself.
    “It’s that same smart mouth that wouldn’t let me speak last night! We are the same height and nearly the same body structure, so don’t forget that I l et you take control last night! Also, you never explained why you were looking at my personal calendar anyway?”
    “Angry because he got caught! After we got out of tub and you were in bed, I was putting away your medication in the drawer, and it fell on the floor. The marker fell out, and I put it back to this week, our time. So now if you are finished, I am late for work!”
    “I think you might want to sit down and listen to what I have to say, since you are no longer employed there in