Page 27 of Breaking the Surface
“We don’t have to figure everything out tonight,” Braden continued softly.“We don’t have to have all the answers.We can take this one day at a time.Whatever you’re ready for, whenever you’re ready for it, that’s enough for me.”
“Even with Lou still out there?”Peter asked.
“Even with Lou still out there.He doesn’t get to dictate our future.We do.”Braden’s thumb was still on Peter’s cheek, and he brushed Peter’s cheekbone with it.“And whatever that future looks like, I want to be part of it.If you’ll have me.”
Peter let out a shaky breath.This man—his mate—was willing to wait for him and take whatever Peter could give and not ask for more.How had Peter gotten so lucky?“I’ll have you,” he whispered.“Iwantto have you.”
Peter wanted Braden.He wanted their future, whatever it looked like.
And he wanted to take the next step, even though his hands were still shaking slightly and his heart was still racing, and he wasn’t sure what came next.
Peter did the only thing that made sense.He closed the distance between them, rising slightly on his toes, and pressed his lips to Braden’s.
For a moment, Braden went completely still.Then, he made a soft sound in the back of his throat and kissed Peter back, gentle and sweet and perfect.His free hand came up to cup Peter’s face, and it felt like Peter was something precious to him.
For the first time in longer than he could remember, Peterfeltprecious.He felt wanted.He feltsafe.
The kiss was everything and nothing like he’d imagined.It was soft and careful, both of them learning the shape of each other, but there was heat beneath it, too.There was promise and want and the beginning of something that could grow into everything Peter had been afraid to hope for because he’d thought he’d never get it.
When they finally pulled back, Peter kept his eyes closed for a moment, savoring the feeling.Braden’s forehead rested against his, their breaths mingling in the small space between them.
And for the first time since Lou had turned his world upside down, Peter felt like he was finally, truly free.
* * * *
“PETER,” BRADEN BREATHEDout.Braden had no idea what was happening—well, he knew, but he needed to be sure.
Peter opened his eyes.“Was that okay?”he asked.He sounded a bit hesitant, like he expected Braden to say no.
“More than okay,” Braden reassured him.He stroked Peter’s cheek.“That was perfect.You’reperfect.”
Peter smiled.He leaned in again, pressing another soft kiss to Braden’s mouth, then another.Braden could almost hear him speak as he did.I want this.I want you.I’m choosing this.I’m choosing us.He agreed with all of that.
He couldn’t believe Peter had kissed him.He hadn’t expected it in a million years, and he was happy, but he also knew to move carefully.Peter trusted him, but that didn’t mean that part of him wasn’t still terrified.It also didn’t mean that he wouldn’t run, but if he did, Braden would follow.Braden was never letting this man go.He wasn’t sure he could even if he tried.
“I’m really not,” Peter said, his cheek slightly flushed.
He looked so beautiful that Braden wanted to kiss him again.He really hoped that Peter kissing him first meant that he could.“How are you not?Do you not close the toothpaste after you brush your teeth?”
Peter rolled his eyes.“Who doesn’t?You know what I’m saying, though.I don’t want you to want me for something I’m not.Lou always said that he wished I was different.I don’t want you to feel that way.”
“Lou’s an idiot.Even more than that, he hurt you.I don’t think we should take into consideration what he thinks.”
“I agree.It’s harder to do than I thought, though.For a long time, I had to consider what he wanted before I did anything.I couldn’t even decide what I wanted to eat for dinner without asking him because he might decide to come around, and if he didn’t like what was on the plate, he’d let me know, and it was never pleasant.It’s just hard to let that go.”
Braden kissed Peter’s forehead.He was relieved when Peter didn’t push him away.That was all Braden wanted for now.He had no intention of rushing Peter about anything, be it their relationship or something else.He wasn’t an idiot like Lou.He wasn’t going to do anything to risk losing this man, and he certainly wasn’t going to hurt him.He wasn’t against hurting Lou if he could, though.It felt like the least the man deserved.He certainly didn’t deserve to have anything to do with Peter ever again.
“I know,” Braden said.“You can take as long as you need.I’m not going anywhere, I promise.Also, I don’t care what you want to cook for dinner.As long as it’s edible, I’ll eat it.”He suspected that if it came from Peter, even if itwasn’tedible, he’d eat it, but he wasn’t sure Peter was ready to hear that just yet.
Peter bit his lower lip hard.Braden reached out to tug it out from between his teeth, smiling when he heard Peter suck in a breath.His smile didn’t stay there for long, though, because Peter’s eyes filled with tears.
Braden didn’t tell Peter not to cry.Instead, he opened his arms, giving Peter a choice.If he needed Braden to hug him, Braden would happily do so.If he needed a little more space, Braden would give him that, too.
He understood that it would take Peter a while to truly believe all of this.He was used to someone who could be nice one second and hurt him the next.Braden didn’t know Lou personally beyond what he’d seen of the man outside the house when he’d ventured into pack territory, but he knew the type.He’d seen that kind of man enough in his work.Lou had been smart enough to hide who he truly was until he’d known for sure that he had Peter.He knew exactly what to do or say to keep Peter with him.It had gone beyond the physical violence.Peter had healed from that, thanks in part to Toby, but his heart would take longer.His mind, as well.Lou had gotten his hooks into Peter deep enough that it would take Peter a long time to heal from every scar the man had left in him.
But no matter how long it took, Braden wasn’t going anywhere.
He held Peter as he cried.It was silent crying, almost like Peter didn’t want anyone to hear him, which might be because of Lou.Braden didn’t know how the man had reacted when Peter had cried in front of him.Had he apologized like some abusers did?Had he told Peter that it was his fault?Braden had seen that happen plenty of times.
