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 Dr. Novia, are you trying to charm me?
 Alas. He's seen through my clever scheme. Zane leaned his head back.  Maybe? I don't
know. I wanted to share something with you, and that was what I had. Felt good to get it out
too.
 Why didn't you ever before?
 Because I've never told anyone about her. Zane regarded Eli through slitted eyes.
 You're the first. Strawberries, he said, shifting focus to the lights of the brandy in his glass.  I
miss strawberries. Drop a perfect red berry into a flute of pale gold champagne, and you've
never seen anything prettier. Sometimes I wish I could nibble on just one. Just to know that
taste again, even for a second.
Eli reached for the glass and took it away, putting it safely out of reach.  If you've had
enough to start thinking nostalgia trumps anaphylaxis, you've had too much. I'm cutting you
off.
 Probably right. Zane stretched his arms over his head and yawned.  I oh. Ow.
Eli winced at the note of pain Zane reached. He knew the likely cause.  What have I told
you before? You get this worked up, your body pays for it. Your back's probably knotted like a
bead mat.
Action followed impulse. Maybe not impulse. As soon as Zane had started talking about
this Parisienne who'd stolen his heart, Eli had felt the prickling of something he'd be tempted
to call jealousy. If that wasn't completely idiotic.
Not that he cared to analyze too closely. He spread his legs, noticing only now how imme-
diately intimate the position seemed, and pointed at the floor.  Shirt off. I'm already playing
massage parlor tonight. I can do your back too.
Zane's eyes closed in relief and thankfulness.  Best. Friend. Ever. He scooted in and
lowered himself awkwardly. Eli had to help with the shirt. Not that he minded.
Zane's skin was smooth and warm and softer than Eli would have thought. Far less hair
on his sleeker chest than Eli's. Funny how everything was slightly different now. Seen through
new eyes. He'd meant the massage to be all business. Wasn't quite how it worked out. In-
stead of hard, fast, and firm, a good pounding to break down the tight spots& instead, Eli
couldn't seem to make himself move quickly. He wanted to linger, to trace the graceful sweep
from shoulder blades to small, and press his lips to the nape of Zane's neck.
 Hey. Zane dropped his head against Eli's inner thigh.  It's just me. No one to be scared
of. Stay with me, okay?
Eli huffed out an amused breath. He should have known. Of all the people he could keep
secrets from, Zane never had been one of them.  Scared, no. Uncertain, yes. I'm a forty-
three-year-old virgin to this, friend.
 I wouldn't say that. Zane rolled his head lazily, no doubt not incidentally teasing Eli's in-
terested dick.  You've gone boldly forth, at least a little.
 I wouldn't call that little. Eli cupped the top of Zane's head to hold him still.  A man has
his pride.
 Yes, and this specific man is an idiot. Zane craned around despite the strange angle to
twinkle up at Eli, all good humor restored. Eli decided instantly that the price tag of his dignity
was worth it.  Besides, how much experience do you think I have? Come down here, or I'll
come up there.
Eli's heart rate picked up. He rubbed strands of Zane's hair through thumb and forefinger
and stroked over his temples.  And what then?
 Then we do what we do best. Figure it out together. Or, Zane said, clumsily climbing to
his feet. He offered Eli his hand.  Or we could do this somewhere more comfortable. If you're
up for that.
Eli considered demurring and thought there was absolutely no point in pretending that
didn't light his fire. He took Zane's hand and squeezed it wordlessly.
Zane's smile was brilliant.
* * * * *
Zane turned on one bedroom light, just one, the lamp on Eli's bedside table. With its dark
shade, it produced only a soft, buttery glow that warmed the room. Eli knew this room like the
back of his hand. A place to sleep, and ever since he'd lived here, pretty much nothing more
than that.
Not so now.
All of Zane's attention was fixed on Eli, drinking him in slowly with long sweeps from head [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]