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"Cocktease," Ty accused in a low voice, and he moved closer, took Zane’s face in his hands, and kissed hiainst his lips, Zane hu his hands at the small of his back Ty continued the kiss for oneaway He turned and went to sit down on the end of the bed again to pull off his socks and continue getting ready for bed

Sighing, Zane got out of his jeans and moved to sit near him on the side of the bed with the laainst the headboard, propping his elbows on his knees and lacing his fingers together, his dark eyes riveted on Ty He watched the muscles of his back move beneath the thin white shirt he wore, and he mentally cursed They’d never been in a situation where they wanted to fuck and couldn’t The only restrictions they’d ever encountered had been each other This was a new and disconcerting feeling Zane didn’t like having obstacles between himself and what he wanted

"Stop it," Ty warned without looking back at hihtly That justHe could still hear the otherfor bed Until the house settled, they would need to at least pretend they wouldn’t ju were still on, and Ty stood to go turn theht beside the door, throwing the rooan to adjust, he could see Ty still standing by the closed door Zane sain He hoped Ty remembered to wake up to do whatever he had planned, because Ty definitely had soreat, of course--it alas--but Zane would be happy to settle for si Ty breathe, so cal in ways Zane didn’t exaht, Ty," Zane ruh the darkness toward the blankets on the floor

IT WAS nearly pitch black outside when Ty finally got restless enough to sit up He sat cross-legged on the cold floor, staring out the bedroo, dull moment before he pushed the blanket aside and stood The cool air hit him and made him shiver all over as he looked down at Zane, asleep in the bed

Ty stood looking over hih theHe looked older, worn thin and worried even in sleep Tense It was soet Zane to just let go of the past and enjoy the present But theto help him He didn’t like where that left thes they really see into each other

Ty reached over and brushed his fingers against Zane’s cheek His fingers had barely grazed skin when Zane reacted He shot up and shoved hard with both hands, sending Ty back to the floor Just as quickly, his hand was digging under the pillow, scrabbling for his gun Ty hit the floor with a thu his head and hoping Zane’s gun either wasn’t loaded or wasn’t there

"Goddamnit," Zane hissed when he didn’t find it, and he swiped at the bedside larab for it before fu with silent laughter as he rolled onto his back He looked up at the side of the bed in a roaned and flopped back onto the bed, throwing his arun in ," he muttered half into the pillow

"I appreciate that," Ty assured hiot to his knees and rested his elbows on the side of the bed Rolling to his side, Zane squinted at him obstinately "You didn’t wants as he looked at Ty Ty smiled up at hi to check on the noise When he was convinced that everyone was still asleep, he climbed up onto the bed and lowered himself carefully to rest on his belly beside Zane Zane threw the covers over him

"Thanks," Ty whispered as he settled into the war when I came home on leave," he told Zane quietly after a moarage the next night"

"No wonder you don’t visit your faated to the garage was a summer wasted," Ty told hiuiltily "Since the Tri-State case I haven’t at all"

"Is it weird for you? Me being here with you?" Zane asked softly

"Yeah," Ty answered with a s anyone home with me," he admitted "If we had an extended leave and one of the boys couldn’t go hoht hoh, and that’s been about five years," he told Zane with a shake of his head

"Maggie?" Zane’s voice was careful

"Stray dog," Ty answered with a look at Zane and a small smile He knew he probably shouldn’t, but he still enjoyed those little hints that Zane h to be jealous Zanedownstairs to Grandpa’s bedrooht before you h at the thought of that damn shovel Chester Grady woke at the drop of a feather and would whack you in the face with that thing first and then wait until ht to see who you were and if you needed an aht

Ty licked his lips and looked at Zane seriously again "But as far as anyone… someone asn’t a stray, you’re about it"

"I’m honored, then I like your family They’re absolutely nuts, but I like the of one shoulder, "with theion, politics, and the designated hitter, you’re gonna get along fine"

Zane chuckled and shifted uncohtly under his chest and tucking his hands under it "How’s the floor treating you?" he asked

Ty grinned and stretched toward the laht He waited a couple ain in the darkness that followed and scooted closer to Zane "I like it reerasped Ty’s chin, and pulled hi closer and sliding his hand over Zane’s waist to tug at him He rolled until he had Zane under hientler than they usually were--he was trying to keep the noise down He knew his old bed was liable to creak and groan even if you weren’t being overly active

Zane obviously sensed that he was trying to be quiet He didn’t do anything thathis mouth upturned to receive more kisses Ty let his hands slide up Zane’s arms to his wrists; he pulled theainst thehiers, but he didn’t try to pull free He chased Ty’s tongue with his own, drawing the kiss out It was a disconcertingly tendermoments before Ty pushed himself up and looked down at Zane hesitantly