A Bid For Love

might very well take his Glock to himself if this destroyed what he'd just managed to build. "But, yeah, sitting might be good." In truth, his own knees didn't feel too steady. He led his love to the sofa, sinking down beside him. "Okay, we're sitting."
    Holly took the leather armchair to their left, her dark eyes solemn as she gazed at them. "It's not that obvious, Asher, if you're really worried. And it's got nothing to do with the whispers around the building I'd like to punch back down a few throats. It's just I sit where I can see your face most of the time. I've watched the two of you over the past two years. There was always a lot beneath the surface. Caring. A caring you'd have denied to your last breath. So while I didn't expect this, it's not that big a surprise."
    She paused and her gaze settled on Scott. "You were a little harder to figure out. Just too many instances of Noah giving you the weird-eye, I guess. I know eeked when I see it. He's lousy at hiding it completely. But I know you like girls, too, so I didn't think much about it until now."
    Scott nodded. He'd figured Noah for this conversation, albeit at a rather higher decibel level and laced with a great deal of profanity. "Yeah, well, Noah's fairly eeked at my...preferences. He'll live. And no offense to you, Holly. You're a fine woman, but there's just something about Asher. Been building for years."
    Now her smile blossomed. "You think I haven't noticed 'something about Asher'? More than one occasion I've wished I was about ten years older and could actually stand opera. Poppy was an idiot to go back to New York alone."
    Oh, the rapid blinks and blank face of his love pulled a huge smile from Scott. "Yeah, the woman didn't have a single brain cell. Or any sense." He drew their linked hands up and pressed a kiss to Asher's knuckles. "Thank God. I'd have been left broken-hearted if she stayed." He squeezed with a reassuring touch. "It's all right, darlin'. I think we're safe with Holly."
    She slid over to the large footstool that turned the sofa into a lounge, holding her hand toward Asher. "Not a word. I promise. Your personal life is just that--personal. I'm just glad you found someone you can open your heart to." She grinned. "Really, you guys are just too cute together. Italy was worth every cent, wasn't it?"
    A tiny smile played on Asher's face. "Yes, every one, and I'd say we got a bargain."
    Lord! Scott thought he might just disintegrate at how utterly lovable Asher was when he turned shy and dropped his gaze.
    "A complete bargain." He had to agree.
    "I'd pester you for all the romantic details, but I think I'll just head home. I'll see you both tomorrow at work." She grinned and ruffled Asher's hair. "You're adorable in love, you know that?"
    Scott's laughter rolled through the wide open spaces of the great room. "That's one way to shut him up!" He drew a breath, still chuckling. "But, yeah, he's beyond adorable."
    "So are you." She patted his shoulder. "Stay put. I'll show myself out."
    Scott waited for the door to close behind her before shifting so his body faced Asher. "Darlin', it really is all right. And you are adorable. At least I adore you." He tried for a smile, even though his insides quivered. Asher had been too quiet through it all.
    A long, deep breath lifted Asher's chest at last. "I...suppose if we had to have a first encounter of being outed this soon, it's good it was Holly."
    Outed. Every closeted guy's worst fear. Scott swallowed down sudden trepidation. "Yeah. Holly's a good friend. She won't do anything to hurt us."
    "I know." So simple. Scott felt his heart start beating again as Asher squeezed his hand. "I don't know how I know, but Holly was never a true worry." Asher pulled the big footstool over against the couch and stretched out, long legs crossed at his ankles, a slow smile lighting that dear face. "Feel like recapturing the mood over a movie, love? I'm still a bit...tuckered out, I believe is your native phrase, from the shock."
    Scott settled close, one leg thrown over Asher's hard thighs. "Sounds like a winner, darlin'. I'm all for recapturing the mood. I think we should do that, just hold onto it for a while." He wrapped an arm about his lover. "I'm thinking forever might be about the right amount of time."

    * * * *
    So right. Nothing in his existence had ever felt so right as Scott lying next to him, one arm draped over Asher's stomach, curled up and contentedly asleep. Not even their lovemaking,