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"Because that"s so coh "But it"ll do unless you have another idea" He walked over to the sun froe box of jewelry that consisted mostly of leather and chains

They hadn"t found Zane"s Glock hidden anywhere

"I do," Ty said haughtily as he headed for the only bag he"d been allowed to pack of his own things There was a single Ace bandage in there, brought along out of habit He held it up to Zane with a raised eyebrow "Okay, so it"s not a Molle system, but youhis shirt back out of the waistband "Fix ue on any possible response and unraveled the bandage They used Zane"s belt to un stayed in place, and Ty e around Zane"s torso to secure it It served to hide the telltale forun"s pommel, but that was about it Ty pushed Zane"s shirt down and stood back with his hands on his hips, surveying his handiwork

"It"ll do," Ty told hi belatedly the dubious tone to his voice

"As long as it doesn"t clatter to the floor, it"ll be fine," Zane said as he tucked his shirt back in and picked up the jacket "I feel better, anyway"

"Oh, what a relief," Ty muttered sarcastically

Zane just so, doll"

Ty merely rolled his eyes as he walked past hiain

Come to think of it, that was probably one of the traits that kept Ty interested

They walked down the corridor together, Ty glancing surreptitiously at Zane as they ers into Zane"s, taking pleasure in the ability to do so without fear of being spotted "At least you ue-in-cheek

Zane took up Ty"s hand and kissed his knuckles, offering a rueful look of apology before lacing their fingers together as they walked out into the several-stories-high, glass-walled promenade "So you think Del is as proud to show off Corbin as Corbin is Del?"

"No, he"s just after hisnot to smile as he watched Zane out of the corner of his eye for his reaction

Zane"s lips twitched "Corbin can probably afford whatever eye candy strikes his fancy" He leaned slightly toward Ty as they walked

"But I" my version of Del is easier on the eyes"

"Flattery will not get you laid any faster," Ty told hiood looks and not too modest to use them occasionally, but Zane rarely offered a compliment when they weren"t half-naked already, and Ty didn"t think he"d ever noticed soon hi for anot to be noticed

"Somehow I don"t think you keep me around for h before he could stop hilanced at Zane and soofy lines and occasional unabashedly cheesy atteoofy, thank-God-he"s-pretty charhtly and clapped a hand over his heart in mock-surprise

"Just take co sex," Ty ?" Zane wheedled

"Don"t push it"

Chapter 5

THEY walked into the swanky restaurant indicated on their ever-de the ship"s colors and a green Santa hat asked thelanced around casually: it was your typical fancy sit-down place with painted crealittery chandeliers, china, crystal, and linen on the tables, and one bank of floor-to-ceiling s Nothing surprising The hostess led the one side of the roo sunset and stopped by a table

After a moment"s pause, Zane walked to the far side and pulled the chair closest to the wall out, indicating for Ty to sit Not that he was trying to be extra suave, but he figured he"d go ahead and give Ty the seat that would put his back to the wall Zane didn"t like people walking up behind him either, but he wasn"t likely to react violently out of instinct And besides, Ty would warn hie

Ty raised one eyebrow at hiallantry on Zane"s part ht be fun to watch Tonight, though, Ty sat obediently in the proffered chair and laid the linen napkin across his lap as he watched Zane step around the table to sit down across from him

The hostess wished thely little fanfare Considering how staffover theuests, Zane was mildly impressed

"At least we have a view," Tysun The fading sunlight fought with the candlelight, casting odd shadows across his face

Zane did glance outside, but he preferred to watch his partner instead, still studying the odd contrast of Ty versus Del He opened his mouth to comment on it when a waiter stopped at the table, left them menus, a wine list, and a specials card, and whisked away after pro back comfortably "Isn"t this schmanzy"

"You"re such a cynic," Ty accused under his breath

"Why do you say that?" Zane asked curiously as he looked around theain He had to admit that the decor was tasteful Just upscale, which he"d learned a long ti your money"s worth

Ty pointed out theat the last brilliant rays of sun as it faded below the horizon The pale blue sky was streaked with pinks and oranges and one splash of brilliant crimson "That is free," Ty said quietly

Zane nodded slowly Every once in a while, Ty came out with one of these comments that really ht now, he definitely included Ty in that tally "It"s gorgeous We should see about eating dinner on our balcony sometiet some sunsets all to themselves, if they wanted

Ty smiled, but it was a melancholy one wholly uncharacteristic of hi moment, and then he reached out to cover Ty"s hand on the table with his own "You okay?" he asked quietly

"Just trying to reet too comfortable"