Ripped (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Read Online Free PDF

entire source of income for us. I was lucky only two walked out, but it wouldn’t have mattered if they all had.”
    Kyle remained quiet.
    “I know this will anger you, but I made a trip to the cemetery this afternoon. While I was there I ran into Lisa’s sister, Catherine. I didn’t mention anything about her family because I never thought that it was relevant to our relationship.”
    “So what does this have to do with us, besides the fact that you visited the cemetery during our time?”
    Roman crossed his legs while leaning against his desk, bracing himself for Kyle’s recourse.
    “She has a son.”
    “And?” Kyle responded, finally making eye contact.
    “He’s my son. Andrew just turned four a few months ago.”
    “So let me get this straight. A dead wife and child, a quick roll in the sack with her sister, and you made us wait until we were married! I seem to recall that you would barely let me be affectionate with you at all, well apart from the kiss in the locker room, until we were alone after our marriage!”
    “I’m sorry. There are just some things that I hold sacred. Guess I am still a little bit old-fashioned.”
    “I’d say that you didn’t hold everything sacred!”
    “I expected your response, and you want me to say I love you?” Roman asked, feeling his own temper. “The first year, I was on autopilot. She stopped by the condo a few days after the funeral to bring some of the flowers that had been left at the gravesite before she left for New York. I remember ending up in bed with her, and the guilt I felt after she left.”
    Unexpectedly, Kyle’s mood softened as he walked to the door. “I’m not losing you, Roman. I won’t lose you. She’s not Lisa and never will be. Is this about the fact that I’m HIV-positive? It’s not something I am proud of. I was honest with you about my preferences and that fact three years ago when I suspected that the attraction between us was mutual. I wasn’t promiscuous…I have only had a few partners. I’ve already told you about the abusive relationship that I left a few years before we met. I half expected you to push me away when I first kissed you, and never expected to be able to have a normal relationship with anyone, at least not sexually. When you allowed me into your life, in spite of the AIDS, and touched me like a human being, my heart entwined so tightly with yours that your inability to share your feelings with me is very painful.”
    Remembering Kyle’s vulnerability from a few nights ago, Roman put his hand over Kyle’s, preventing him from turning the doorknob. “I know you are hurting, and I’m sorry. My inability to verbally express my love is unfair to you. No, sweet boy. It’s never been about the HIV.”
    “I meant what I said, Roman. I am not staying with you at the condo until you resolve this. It’s too painful.”
    “What if I said I won’t let you go,” Roman replied, brushing a strand of damp hair from Kyle’s cheek.
    “Please don’t touch me. I don’t want to make this any harder than what it is.”
    “I invited her and Andrew to dinner tonight at seven. I’d like you to be there. She knows about us, our marriage. Spend the night. We need to talk. I miss you,” Roman whispered, placing his lips on Kyle’s forehead, pulling him closer.
    For a brief moment they shared a sensual kiss as Roman found his hands tangling in Kyle’s hair. When he slipped his hands under Kyle’s shirt to caress his back, Kyle pulled away.
    “Quit trying to avoid the issues, Roman! Sex isn’t going to solve this! I miss you, too, but I don’t miss being in your arms wondering if we share the same level of commitment. I thought by getting married, bonding with one another, that those things would push our relationship to the next level and help you put the past behind you. I see that it hasn’t. If anything, it has given you a false sense of complacency. I see in your eyes and feel in your touch what I think is love, but I