Free Love Saved by Augusta Hill Page B

if I had my own jet to take."
    "And you will let my fly you again after last time?"
    "Without hesitation. I know this is fast, but I don't want to let our chance at happiness slip by. If you come with me, we can see what develops here. We can get to know each other more, travel together, and make some new memories that don't involve heatstroke."
    "I can't leave Salma," Kirk started, looking towards the kitchen. "We have no other family, and she needs me."
    "Salma can come, too. You said she wanted to be an artist, and New York would be perfect for her. There are so many galleries and communities she could work with. I don't want you to abandon her, and I wouldn't dream of having you come without her."
    "And if you get tired of me?"
    Oren stepped closer again, and gently stroked Kirk's face with his left hand. "If I were to get tired of you, I'd be a fool. Please say you'll come."
    He then leaned in, brushing his lips against Kirk's. Kirk mewed slightly with pleasure, opening his mouth to deepen the kiss. It was everything he remembered; electricity ran down his back, and warmth pooled in his stomach.
    When they broke apart, gasping slightly, Kirk had his answer ready. "This is crazy, but maybe not as crazy as walking across the desert together. Yes, I'll go back with you. I need you in my life too."

Epilogue
    O ren leaned back in the deck chair, enjoying the warmth of the sun on his face. Beside him, Khaled seemed similarly content, his shirt off and a hat pulled down over his face. Oren took a moment to enjoy the lean muscles of his lover, taking in every ridge of his smooth, taut stomach.
    They were on the balcony of Oren's penthouse, enjoying their view of Central Park. Buying an apartment with that view had cost Oren a hefty chunk of change, and he had sold quite a lot of stock to get it. But Khaled had needed to be able to see nature or else Oren was sure the man would go crazy from claustrophobia.
    Inside the apartment, Oren could hear the front door open and close, followed by high-pitched laughter. He smiled and leaned forward to gently shake Khaled's shoulder.
    "They're back."
    Khaled yawned and stretched before pulling the hat off his face and giving Oren a dazzling smile. "What do you want to bet that they've brought food with them?"
    "Boys! We've brought some takeout home," came the musical voice of Salma from the living room. "Hurry before it’s cold."
    Oren laughed and padded into the apartment, followed closely by Khaled. On the table, the women had set several bags of Chinese takeout, and the room smelled delicious.
    "What have you two been up to?" Oren asked, piling chow mien onto a plate.
    "We picked out a new outfit for Salma. She needed something memorable to wear to her gallery opening," Georgette answered, draping her arms around Salma's shoulders. "She is going to look amazing in this bright blue dress we picked out!"
    "You are both coming, right?" Salma asked, looking from Oren to Khaled with pleading eyes.
    "Do you think I would miss that? I'd walk across the Sahara to make it." Khaled smiled lovingly at his sister.
    "Again," Oren broke in. "No doubt pulling me along behind him, complaining bitterly and slowing us down."
    Georgette rolled her eyes and motioned towards the kitchen. "Let's go eat in there, Salma. They are going to start reminiscing about their incredible journey for the third time this week."
    "If you walked across the Sahara, you'd be telling everyone about it too," Oren called as the two women retreated from the room laughing.
    "It is one hell of a 'how we met' story," Khaled said as he settled down at the dining room table.
    "Yeah, and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it. It started out as a tragedy and ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me. Life is hard to figure out sometimes."
    Oren set his plate down and settled into his chair. His leg was pressed against Khaled’s under the table, and he enjoyed the heat that flashed between them as they touched. Even