“Two months and two weeks.”
Dane’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped open for a second. “Really? You’re counting?”
Heat burned Clay’s cheeks that had nothing to do with the sun, and he shrugged. “I’ve enjoyed every second of it.” He lifted his eyes and smiled. “I love you, Dane.”
Dane sighed. “Would you have told me that without all this happening?”
“Yes.”
“But you never planned to stay here, and I don’t plan to leave. I love my home.”
Clay shook his head. “Earlier today, I’m standing in the middle of this hardware store, watching this incredibly sexy guy in these jeans that I wanted remove with my teeth—”
“Clay,” Dane said in warning, but the Earth Weaver pushed on.
“He’s talking to this guy, and he doesn’t realize this is the best moment of my life.”
“Why?” Dane whispered, his voice suddenly rough.
“Because it’s the moment I realized that I loved you. I knew I was never leaving Georgia. At least not without you at my side. I know you’re still grieving and figuring out what you want. I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me.”
Dane paced away from Clay, thrusting both of his hands into his hair. Not exactly the response he was hoping for, but then Dane had been through a lot of shit already. He was lucky the guy wasn’t telling him to fuck off before heading to his truck to drive the hell out of there.
It took a second to swallow past the lump forming in his throat so Clay could speak again. “But if you don’t feel the same, it’s okay. I get it.”
Dane sighed, his shoulders slumping. He chuckled ruefully as he turned back to Clay. Lifting his hands, he cupped Clay’s cheeks. “I love you, too. Some part of me has known it for a little while, but I didn’t realize what I was feeling until today.”
Clay raised his hands and put them over Dane’s. “I thought for sure I’d lose you after what you saw in that field,” he whispered. He closed his eyes, soaking in Dane’s touch. “Didn’t want to scare you.”
“I’m made of stronger stuff than that, though I was pretty damn pissed.”
Clay couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t blame you. I wanted to tell you everything that was going on, but I also didn’t want to put you in danger.”
Dane dropped his hands to Clay’s waist. “Fine, but you need to promise me, no more secrets. Not even in the name of protecting me.”
“Got it.”
“Even if it’s something weird, and I don’t want to believe you. Fucking sit on me and make me believe you.”
Clay laughed, pure joy bubbling through his veins. “I promise. No more secrets.” Wrapping his arms around Dane, he pulled in him tight. “Say it again, please.”
“I love you, Clay Green.”
“I love you, Dane Briggs,” he said before seizing his lips in a hard kiss. Yes, his world was trying to fall apart, but he needed this stolen second. He’d earned it.
A little sigh slipped from Dane when they broke apart and his happiness waned. “What about this binding ritual?”
“I feel bound to you already, and I’m happy to do it with magic as well,” Clay said easily because it was the complete truth. He’d never wanted anyone the way he wanted Dane. And he wanted Dane for the rest of their lives.
His lover frowned and stared down at the front of Clay’s shirt.
“Dane, stop thinking about Baer for a second.”
“But Baer is dying—”
“Baer is getting help today one way or another, I promise. He’s not gonna die. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this binding ritual, then we won’t. Grey and I will take him to the hospital and get him patched up.”
Dane shook his head. “But those goddesses, they said he couldn’t go to a hospital.”
“We’ll deal with it afterward. We’ll find a way.” Clay placed his fingers under Dane’s chin and lifted until he could look into his eyes. “This is just one event. Yes, I’m worried about Baer, but I’m more worried about all the years stretched out ahead of this. The bond, it’s forever. I don’t want you to do this for Baer and regret it later. I want you to always look at me with love in your eyes, because that’s how I’m going to look at you for the rest of my life.”
Dane’s face softened, his green eyes showing naked affection. “I want to be with you forever.”
Clay brushed his lips across Dane’s. “I love you,” he whispered into his mouth. “So much.”
“Then let’s do this thing.”
Dane wrapped his arms around Clay, his fingers tight in Clay’s back. He pulled him in and kissed him harder. Deeper. Clay returned the kiss before pulling away and cradling his face in his hands.
That was all Clay needed to hear. With anticipation making him dizzy, he tugged on Dane’s hand and they walked through the house and into the master bedroom. Everyone but Baer stood waiting.