Lucian had never expected marriage to make Sebastian Hayes jealous of a man who wore lavender shoes.

Yet there Sebastian stood across the ballroom, watching a young designer lean much too close to Lucian's shoulder.

"Your portfolio is incredible," the designer said. "I heard you helped choose the artwork for the Hayes firm's new gallery."

"Only a few pieces," Lucian replied. "The team did the real work."

"Modest, too. Are you free for coffee tomorrow? I'd love to hear about your process."

Lucian opened his mouth. Before he could answer, a familiar arm settled around his waist.

Sebastian appeared beside him, immaculate in a black suit, his expression pleasant enough to alarm anyone who knew him.

He kissed Lucian's forehead.

"Sorry, handsome. This one's already married."

The designer's gaze dropped to their wedding rings. "Oh. I didn't realize."

"No harm done," Lucian said quickly.

The young man excused himself. Sebastian watched him leave as though evaluating a building with questionable foundations.

Lucian pressed his lips together to keep from laughing.

"Are you jealous?"

"No, I am not."

"You just introduced yourself as a human wedding announcement."

"He asked whether you were free tomorrow."

"I am free tomorrow. You have a morning meeting."

Sebastian looked at him.

"I'm joking," Lucian said, delighted. "Mostly."

"Lucy."

"Sebastian."

Their eyes met, and the familiar challenge sparked between them. Lucian had spent his childhood trying to provoke that exact expression. The difference was that he now knew how much tenderness lived behind it.

"You look handsome when you're jealous," he said.

"Then you'll have to imagine it. I'm not jealous."

"Of course not."

Sebastian's hand remained at his waist for the rest of the reception.

During dessert, Lucian whispered, "You're still holding me."

"It's a crowded room."

"There are twelve feet between us and the nearest person."

"Excellent safety margin."

Lucian laughed so loudly that Margaret, seated two tables away, turned to look. She took in Sebastian's protective posture and gave Lucian a knowing smile.

By the time they left, rain had begun to bead against the hotel windows. Their driver waited beneath the awning with the car door open.

Lucian climbed into the back seat first. Sebastian followed, his expression still carefully neutral.

The partition rose, giving them privacy. Manhattan's wet streets shimmered beyond the glass.

Sebastian drew Lucian against his side and gently pinched his cheek.

"Did you enjoy watching him flirt with you?"

Lucian smiled. "Not as much as I'm enjoying watching you get jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

"Then why are you interrogating me in a moving vehicle?"

"Because my husband has developed a dangerous hobby."

"Talking to people?"

"Making that face at me afterward."

"What face?"

"The one that says you're about to make trouble."

Lucian tilted his chin. "Maybe I should give you something better to remember tonight."

He kissed Sebastian's cheek, deliberately missing his mouth. Sebastian turned toward him, his gaze dropping to Lucian's lips.

"My sweet troublemaker. Are you trying to distract me?"

"Is it working?"

"Dangerously well."

Sebastian kissed him, warm and lingering. Lucian's hand found his lapel, and Sebastian's arm tightened gently around his back. They drew apart when the car turned, both laughing at the sudden shift.

"Your timing is terrible," Lucian whispered.

"Blame the driver."

"He's doing his job. You're the one distracting me."

"I thought that was your job."

Lucian straightened Sebastian's tie, then loosened it again simply because he could. Sebastian brushed his thumb over Lucian's wedding ring.

The gesture changed the mood. Beneath the teasing, there was something quietly astonishing about belonging to each other by choice.

"You know," Lucian said, "you didn't have to rescue me back there. I could've turned him down myself."

Sebastian grew still. "You're right."

"I wasn't upset. I just want you to know."

"I know you can handle yourself. I was showing off."

Lucian stared. "You? Admitting that?"

"Don't get used to it."

"What were you showing off?"

Sebastian lifted Lucian's hand and kissed the ring. "That I get to go home with you."

Lucian's expression softened before he could hide it.

"That's disgustingly sweet," he muttered.

"I learned from my husband."

Lucian leaned closer. Their foreheads touched. For a few moments, the rain and passing traffic filled the silence.

"I liked it," Lucian admitted.

"What?"

"When you came over. When you kissed me in front of everyone."

Sebastian smiled. "I suspected."

"Don't be smug."

"I'll do my best."

They shared another kiss. Sebastian's hair had fallen across his forehead, and Lucian smoothed it back. He noticed a slight tension in Sebastian's shoulders.

"Your back?"

"Long evening standing. I'll be fine."

Lucian shifted to give him more room. "Lean against the seat properly."

"Yes, doctor."

"I am not joking."

"Neither am I. You're very commanding."

Lucian pulled a small travel cushion from the compartment beside the door. Sebastian blinked.

"You packed that?"

"I put one in every car after the charity auction last month. You complained for three days."

"I complained once."

"You complained with your eyebrows for three days."

Sebastian accepted the cushion. "Thank you, Lucy."

Lucian helped position it, then settled beside him again. Sebastian took his hand, their fingers fitting together as easily as the familiar jokes.

The car stopped at a traffic light. On the sidewalk, a couple huddled beneath one umbrella, arguing affectionately over which direction to walk.

"That was us," Lucian said.

"We still argue."

"Yes, but now we share the umbrella."

"Usually after you steal it."

Lucian laughed. "I was trying to be romantic."

"You succeeded."

A few minutes later, the driver announced that a flooded intersection would delay them. Sebastian thanked him through the intercom.

Lucian glanced at the rain. "We could be stuck here forever."

"With you? I've endured worse."

"Name one thing."

"Your attempt at homemade sushi."

"That was experimental cuisine."

"It was crunchy rice."

Lucian covered Sebastian's mouth with his hand. Sebastian kissed his palm, and Lucian immediately withdrew it, laughing.

"Unfair," Lucian said.

"You started it."

They spent the delay talking about Lucian's upcoming exhibition. The young designer had praised one of his pieces, and Lucian admitted he was nervous about showing his work to strangers.

"What if they hate it?"

"Some might," Sebastian said.

Lucian glared. "You are terrible at reassurance."

"I'm not going to lie to you. But I know what you made. I know the work you put into it. Their opinions won't change that."

Lucian looked down at their joined hands. "You really think I'm good?"

"I think you're extraordinary. I also think you should stop asking your husband to be your entire audience."

"He's a very attractive audience."

"He's biased."

"Hopelessly."

Sebastian smiled. "Completely."

When they finally reached home, Sebastian walked Lucian to the door beneath a large black umbrella. Lucian deliberately slowed his steps.

"What now?" Sebastian asked.

"I want one more kiss before we go inside."

"You've had several."

"I lost count."

Sebastian set the umbrella at an angle that sheltered them both and obliged. Rain pattered around their shoes, while the porch light cast a small golden circle across the steps.

Inside, Lucian helped Sebastian out of his damp coat. They sat together on the couch, shoes abandoned by the door, and shared the tea the housekeeper had left warming.

"I have a confession," Sebastian said.

"You were jealous."

"I was a little jealous."

Lucian grinned. "A little?"

"An unreasonable amount for approximately thirty seconds."

"Why?"

Sebastian considered him. "Because I spent so long loving you quietly that sometimes I still have to remind myself I can say it out loud."

Lucian's smile faded into something gentler. "You can. As often as you want."

"I love you, Lucian."

"Again," Lucian demanded softly.

"I love you."

Lucian kissed his cheek. "Better."

Sebastian caught his hand. "And you?"

"I love you too, you ridiculous man."

"Then listen carefully, sweetheart. You can smile at anyone you want. But save that little look you give me when you want a kiss. That one's mine."

Lucian laughed. "You're ridiculously possessive."

"Only when it comes to my husband."

"And what if I make you jealous again?"

"Then I'll have to remind you just how much I love you."

Lucian leaned in. "You could start now."

Sebastian kissed him beneath the warm lamplight. Outside, the rain kept falling, but neither of them was in any hurry for the night to end.