Regardless of not being told he may, Nathaniel moves his hands so he can thread his fingers through Asher's hair.

He smiles against Asher's lips. "Funny, I was thinking the same thing of you," he murmurs. Nathaniel kisses Asher slowly, softly, and then whispers, "I love you," the words at home on his tongue, especially after the intensity of their lovemaking.

Whatever either of them had done to deserve the other, Nathaniel's glad for it.