Michael wanted to work with him? He’d started out just happy Michael tolerated him, and now he was talking about trusting him to watch his back in the wilderness. While they hunted dangerous fugitives. “That sounds awesome.”
“It sounds like a couple of guys leaving their girl behind so they can have fun running around the woods,” Lucy said with a pout that made Ty’s dick swell. “And also dangerous. Ty needs more training if you two are going to be taking out bad guys. Though you both did great today.”
“I promise I’ll make sure he’s safe.” Michael’s eyes had warmed.
“I’m confused. I thought you were leaving.” He was still wrapping his head around the idea that he might get everything he wanted, everything he needed.
Lucy grinned his way. “I don’t think that’s what’s happening, babe. I told you we had to be patient with him and he would find his way back. He’s a quick learner. We didn’t have to wait years like Callie and Nell. Just a night. We picked a smart one.”
Michael sat back. “Wait a minute, Lucy. I want to talk to you about how we move forward. Like I said, I broke trust, and I have to earn it back. I’m going to work on myself, and normally I would say I need some space to figure things out.”
“Normally?” Ty wasn’t sure any of this felt normal, but then maybe that was a word he’d put too much value in.
Michael nodded. “Yeah. I talked through this whole process with Alexei. He said he would tell a person in my position that it might be good to take a step back from outside relationships so I can truly figure out what I want for myself. But I don’t need that. I know I want a life with the two of you. But I’m also willing to wait. If you want to take some time to make sure I’m willing to do the work I need to do, then I’ll deal with it. I’ll look for a cabin in the valley, and I can stay there while we work through what we need to. I only ask that before you move on without me, give me a chance to plead my case.”
That wasn’t going to happen. He didn’t need a couple of months to figure out if Michael was going to be solid. He was willing to take the risk. He believed Michael when he said he would do the work, had faith that he’d made his breakthrough and wouldn’t leave. Sometimes a relationship required a leap of faith.
He was ready to take it.
He looked to Lucy, who simply squeezed his hand, and he knew they were on the same page. It had been years since they’d been so in synch, years since he’d felt like there was a person in the world who truly understood him. Not since they’d had their break.
Michael had brought them back together, and there was no way they lost him now.
It was time to show Michael how welcome he was.
There was zero reason for them to wait. “Should we show him how uninterested we are in being apart?”
Lucy leaned forward and brushed her lips against his, sending sparks through his system. “I definitely think that’s the way we should go. I’ve had a rough couple of days, and I could use some time with my men.”
Michael stood, his whole body going tight with obvious anticipation. “Be sure, you two. Be absolutely certain because this is what I want for the rest of my life. This isn’t some rebound relationship. It’s the most important one of my life. I want you two to be my family, and I promise I won’t ever let fear control me again. I promise I’ll never leave you again.”
Ty stood and helped Lucy to her feet. Given the situation they’d been in earlier today, the manager of the lodge had found people to work their shifts. They had the whole rest of the day, and Ty knew how he wanted to spend it.
With Lucy in between them.
“Then let’s make things plain, Mike. I want this life, too. I want to live with Lucy and you. I want to share her and the life we can have together with you.” He was speaking to his partner, but his eyes were on Lucy. He let his hands find the buttons of her blouse. She wore her uniform, a white professional-looking blouse with dark slacks, her hair up in a bun that had been tidy before she’d nearly been shot.
He wasn’t going to think about that right now. He would have nightmares about it for years, but not today.
He undid the buttons of her shirt, exposing inch after inch of beautiful, warm skin.
“I promise. Never again, Ty. I want to be the best partner to the two of you,” Michael vowed. “We’ll always work things out. Always.”