It was clear that was unrequited.
Poe saw the escape happening, and knew he needed to be one hundred percent honest with Gamble.
He needed that truth.
While he was aware that he’d said he’d never be with a woman again, he couldn’t be his training wheels.
All through therapy, he said that he’d never love a woman again, and the last thing Poe wanted was to damage his newfound sexuality.
The man who scored Gamble was going to be the luckiest man in the world.
For.
A.
Fact.
Oh, he wanted to go further, more than anything. He wanted this man more than he’d ever know.
Before he could move away, he stopped him, grabbing his hand with his.
“Please don’t retreat.”
Gamble didn’t have a choice. He’d misread the cues, and after he borderline molested him that time weeks ago, this felt…careless of him.
“I just…”
Poe went there.
“I’m in a precarious position, Gamble. What I feel for you, and what I’m allowed to feel are two different things. You’re my patient above all else. For now, you’re my responsibility.”
Gamble stared into his eyes.
He needed to know.
“And if I wasn’t your patient?” he asked, needing to know if his emotional support person felt anything for him. Anything at all.
He trusted the man more than any other soul on the planet.
Poe closed his eyes.
When he opened them, he was honest.
“Then this, Gamble would have had a vastly different outcome. I wouldn’t have stopped you. I would have let it go as far as it could. Only, under my care, you’re my patient. I have to protect you, even from me. My desires and needs have to be put on the back burner for your mental well-being.”
And in that moment, Gamble realized he’d fucked up.
Asking for another month of just being his patient…
It was about to be long, torturous, and suck.
This was going to be a long month.
A very frustratingly long one at that.
Chapter One
The UK
