Page 107 of Love Limits

Fuck, Ash sighed. That was amazing.

Zhong beamed. Yeah?

I think that was the best kiss I’ve had in my life. Did you like it, too?

Zhong nodded shyly. I like kissing. But… are you sure that’s enough?

Ash didn’t even have to think. Yes, they were turned on. If Zhong kept this up and maybe let them rub up against him a little bit, they might even come.

With the way they were sitting, it was also clear that Zhong didn’t even have an erection. Even if he did, which Ash realized sometimes happened with ace folks, they knew that it wouldn’t mean anything. And that was fine.

I’m adding kisses to my list, they answered instead. Every day. Ash needs kisses. I’m going to live on kisses and Klondike bars.

Zhong’s face turned teasing. Are you sure of that? I seem to remember someone calling Daddy stupid.

He wasn’t going to let that go, was he? Ash couldn’t hide their smile, though. Because this was Zhong committing to their relationship and getting them both back on track.

No, Daddy. Saying that felt amazing. I didn’t mean it like that. I was just frustrated and… You’re not being stupid anymore? That didn’t quite come out how they intended it, but they were feeling so joyous and playful that it didn’t matter.

That’s not helping your case.

Am I in trouble? They wouldn’t mind it at all if they were. It would be totally worth it. In fact, it just meant that Daddy was taking things seriously.

Daddy studied them, his face going stern in a way that sent shivers down Ash’s spine. Not this time. He held up a hand quickly, pausing them before they could take advantage. You get one freebie, and that was it.

Damn. He was good at this. OK, Daddy. They were going to say that about a million times a day, now.

Do you want to know why you get a freebie?

Why?

Zhong held up three fingers, ticking off each one. One. Because today is just for doing everything on your list.

Ash felt their smile splitting their face. They were so glad that had worked.

Two. Because you were brave and helped me realize what we both needed, even when I was being stupid.

Ash giggled.

And three. Because I love you most of all.

Chapter 21

Zhong

Zhong pulled Ash down against his chest, reveling in the light play of their breath against his neck. Ash snuggled in contentedly, giving his whirling mind a moment to think.

He had hoped to somehow retain some of Ash’s attention, but never imagined this. He’d been preparing himself to let Ash go. To send them into someone else’s arms. To cling to some small scrap of their time and affection, just like he did with Dustin.

He wanted to keep asking questions. Well, one question, really. “Do you actually think that I’m enough? Can you be happy with me?”

But Ash had been furious before, gorgeously, passionately furious when he’d suggested messaging Josh back. Zhong had been trying to be fair, to step out of the way. Ash had been the one to fight for him.

He had to trust that Ash understood their own desires.

Because once he had the opportunity, admitting that he loved Ash most of all had been the easiest thing ever. Once he’d read the phrase, in Ash’s quirky, playful handwriting, it became true. He’d probably been feeling that way for a long time, but he just didn’t realize it.

The way that Ash called him Daddy filled him with such pride, too. Completely unexpectedly.