Spark And Flame by K. Sterling Read Free Book Online Page B

ear.
    “Months!” Aiden pulled in his lips and winced. “I will optimistically hope that Shepherd is cooperative and learns in a few weeks,” he said as he turned in Lane’s arms. His neck stretched forward and his lips were about to brush against Lane’s when he caught sight of Shepherd out of the corner of his eye. “Lane,” he said and tilted his head toward the dog.
    “Hmmm…?” Lane hummed as he nibbled on Aiden’s lip.
    “The dog poooooo…” It turned into panic as Shepherd sniffed at it. “What’s he doing?” Aiden asked and Lane’s nose wrinkled as he released Aiden. Aiden watched in horror as Shepherd licked curiously. “Oh, God! Stop him!” Aiden cried as he covered his mouth to keep from gagging.
    “Outside,” Lane said as he plucked Shepherd from the floor.
    “Why would he do that? I fed him as much as the bag directed,” Aiden complained and Lane laughed softly.
    “He’s a dog, Aiden. Sometimes they eat shit and other…shit,” he said and Aiden waved his hand in front of his face as more nausea assaulted him.
    “Why? Why? Why?” He asked then, “Heeeeerpah,” as more nausea pulled at his jaw as the smell of Shepherd’s poop reached him. “Fuck, that doesn’t smell even remotely desirable,” he choked out as he ran to the other side of the counter.
    “I think he was just curious,” Lane explained as he grabbed the paper towels. “Dogs lick things to investigate them,” he added and Aiden felt the blood leave his face.
    “He licked me several times today,” he said as he looked at Shepherd. He was dragging a stuffed lamb across the floor and Aiden turned his head away in disgust. “I can’t even look at him right now,” he whispered angrily and Lane sighed as he dropped the paper towels in the trash and tied the bag. He washed and dried his hands then reached for Aiden.
    “I can’t do this anymore,” he said as he pulled Aiden against him and kissed his hair. Aiden’s chest tightened and he leaned back in Lane’s arms.
    “What?” He asked warily.
    “Put you through this,” he said and Aiden shook his head quickly.
    “I can do this, Lane,” he insisted and Lane smiled tenderly.
    “I know,” he said then kissed his forehead. “But you don’t have to. We’re not keeping the dog,” Lane said and Aiden felt like he failed. He couldn’t manage a single day alone with a dog without making Lane feel guilty.
    “I swear, I’ll get used to it and I won’t complain,” Aiden promised and Lane’s hands closed around Aiden’s face.
    “We’re not keeping him. He’s not our dog,” Lane said clearly and Aiden’s head pulled back in confusion.
    “I don’t understand.”
    “The dog is for Henry,” Lane explained and Aiden could only blink in response. “Kat and I agreed we would keep the dog until you were at your wit’s end and then she would take him,” he explained and Aiden wasn’t sure if he should be more grateful than he had been in years or if he should be indignant.
    “Were you testing me?” He asked and Lane shook his head.
    “No,” he said firmly before he kissed Aiden. “You got this insane idea that my life wasn’t complete and wouldn’t stop talking about pets. I wanted you to see that having a dog wasn’t ideal for us.” He rubbed Aiden’s back soothingly and he slowly nodded in agreement.
    “I want you to be happy, Lane,” he said. “I don’t want you to feel like your life is incomplete because you married me,” Aiden said as he searched Lane’s eyes for any sign of disappointment. Lane shook his head slowly as he shushed him.
    “I’m happy, Aiden,” he swore. “You are enough,” he said slowly and kissed him again. “I don’t need a dog, a cat, a bird, a lizard…a child,” Lane added. “All I want is you. I love our life and I love you,” he said and pressed another kiss on Aiden’s lips.
    “You don’t garden to fill a void?” He asked and Lane rolled his eyes.
    “It’s a hobby,” he said. “I find an