Free Love Saved by Augusta Hill Page A

eyes.
    "Kirk…no, that’s not right. You are Khaled to me now, and always will be.” Oren smiled as he said the name, and Kirk’s heart began to pound even faster. “I'm glad I finally found you. Although I wasn’t sure your fierce protector here was going to ever let me in."
    "For good reason! You have ruined his life! He was fired from his job because of you, and now all he can do is search the streets for work because no one will let him fly. And if that is not bad enough, he has been moping around like a lovesick teenager for weeks." Salma crossed her arms in front of her, glaring at Oren as she spat her words out.
    "I heard about the firing. Khaled, I'm so sorry. I made a point to tell everyone that it wasn't your fault. That you had worked tirelessly to save me. I even left money with your boss for a bonus!"
    "What? We got no money. That bastard must have kept it for himself." Salma was pacing now, her face furious.
    "I can replace the money. More even, whatever you need. I never meant for this to happen, please believe me."
    Kirk was frozen in place, his mouth slow to accept commands. He felt like he was in a dream, everything around him occurring either too fast or too slow, and nothing felt natural. How could it be that Oren was there, standing before him? Looking so devastatingly handsome, but with eyes seeped in sadness?
    "Oren? Kirk croaked again, finally getting his legs to move. He crossed the room stiffly, hands held out in front of him.
    Oren reached out and met his grasp, squeezing his hands tightly. "I can fix things, I promise."
    "Did you just come about money?"
    "No. I came because I wanted to see you again. I heard what had happened, and the only thing I could think about was coming to make things right and to tell you to your face how I feel."
    "And you do you feel?"
    Oren took a deep breath before letting his words out. "Like every day since I've gone home has been dull and colorless. Like I’ve been marching in place, checking boxes and filling in bubbles for no reason at all. That I have everything in the world but want none of it." Oren's words started out hesitant and jumbled but became more fluid as his heart poured out. "I was sitting in my office, looking around at everything I've built, and I realized I had somehow been happier stuck in the middle of nowhere with you. I'm always the one leading my business, the one who all the responsibility falls on. With you by my side, I realized I didn't need to carry all that on my own. You supported me, cared for me when everything was bleak. I've never trusted someone else to be that close to me, but with you, it felt natural. I need that in my life again."
    Oren was slightly gasping for air as he finished his speech, and he looked at Kirk with anxious eyes. Kirk swallowed slowly, trying to get the lump out of his throat so he could respond.
    "Being able to watch over you, to protect you, was one of the greatest gifts I have received. I have thought of very little else since you left," he managed to get out at last.
    Oren pulled him close into a tight hug, and they rocked together slowly.
    When Oren pulled back, he looked over at Salma somewhat shyly. "I told you I wasn't going to say anything to upset him."
    Salma laughed thickly, her eyes bright with tears. "I swear, if you hurt my brother..." She left the threat unfinished, instead cutting off her words and walking over to squeeze Kirk once on the shoulder. "I'll let you two talk alone. I'm glad you can be happy now." Then she left the room, heading back towards the kitchen to finish their orders.
    "I have a crazy proposition," Oren said as soon as she left. "What do you think about coming back to New York with me?"
    Kirk ran a hand over his head, thinking it over. "What would I do in New York?"
    "Be with me of course." Oren flashed a grin before turning more serious. "I need a pilot who can fly me to events and meetings. I spend half my time traveling, and I realized I might be more comfortable