“My father suspects, I’m sure. He’s sensitive, or was, to both of his boys. When Hemmingway passed, he focused on me. So I’m sure he is aware,” he said, moving around on the rocks. “As for my mother…”
Gamble waited.
“She’s always trying to get me married to some woman from a family with prestige. She’s the main reason I never went back. I don’t want women thrown at me, and for my title—that I don’t even have yet. God, I hope they never die. I don’t want that burden.”
Gamble watched him hop down.
“So your mother is difficult?”
Poe stopped and considered it.
“I mean, she’s a good mum. She raised us to be decent human beings, so she won on that front. We had all the best nannies, but she still helped raise us. She cuddled us, and told us she loved us, and that one day, we’d be heirs to the land there.”
“How much land do they own?” he asked.
Poe laughed.
“Way too much. A chunk of it will be given to me when I marry. Unfortunately, for that woman, it’s never happening. I stayed here after university for a reason. I could be me here. I could be gay, and date when I wanted to, and who I wanted to.”
Gamble got jealous.
“Did you date a lot?” he asked.
He shrugged.
“I mean, I had a few partners in college, but as of late, I don’t really date anyone. My job takes up a lot of my time. I’ve been with you for almost three months. Who am I going to date while helping you?”
“Me.”
Poe turned quickly.
“I mean, I’m right here,” Gamble stated.
Poe’s heart raced.
“Gamble,” he said, staring into his bi-colored eyes. “You know I can’t do that.”
“Can’t you, Doctor?” he asked.
Poe said nothing.
So, Gamble grinned at him, and the sexy blush moving up Poe’s throat said it all.
“Here’s another question,” he asked.
Poe wasn’t so sure he should play this game. He was already riled up by this man.
“If we weren’t patient and doctor, and say we met in a coffee shop, would you be interested in dating me?”
“No.”
Gamble blinked, completely caught off-guard. That wasn’t what he was expecting. Clearly, he was about to get his ego handed to him in the worst possible way.
Then, Poe was honest.
One hundred percent.
“I’d be desperate to date you. I think we both know what I feel for you,” he stated. “Should it happen? No. Will it?” he asked. “I’m fighting it as hard as I can. You’re not easy to say no to, Gamble. It’s damn near impossible.”
