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But what about when the case was over?

Before dinner, he"d assu any sort of claim, physical or eingly Zane hadn"t heard anything to change that assumption, but he hadn"t exactly asked, either He"d put it off, shying away fro in the center of his chest

Zane turned in place where he stood outside a ritzy accessory store and watched Ty finger through a display of sunglasses Ty turned to look at hilasses just like the ones he"d left at ho out sideways at his tes "Don"t you have a pair like that already?" A legitimate question, Ty or Del

Ty took the "You can never have too much awesome," he claimed He set them back down and slid his hands down his sides, where his pockets should have been He gru else to do with his hands as they continued to stroll He was getting twitchy, and his mood had steadily declined since dinner

Whether the cause was the prospect of dealing with Norina Bianchi or the conversation they"d had regarding jealousy was anyone"s guess Zane had started casting around for so shiny, sweet, or sticky to throw in Ty"s path as an emotional diversion

"If ant dessert later, there"s no lack of places for snacks,"

Zane said as they passed by a bakery kiosk and a soda shoppe It was just one floor of three on the ih-class carpeted e Julius to a Godiva Chocolatier and a cheap T-shirt shop to a Tiffany & Co store All co Christuht now," Ty ers into Zane"s, apparently deciding that it was the best thing to do with his otherwise idle hands

"You should have looked ere in the store," Zane said,the ay They"d found condorocery, but instead of risking exposure by purchasing them, Ty had palain, Zane had discovered the box safety tucked away inside his suit jacket One day Zane was going to find out how Ty did that and how he always ht, though, he was just grateful for his partner"s loose hed unhappily and turned his head froo back to the computers and see if there"s news from ho"

"No," Zane decided, reaching out to take Ty"s elbow and pull hi We have to stay predictable And before you suggest it, we"re not sitting in that cabin for days while ait for some predetermined tiot to be stuff here to keep us ah his "husband" was reluctant

"I hate you a little bit right now," Ty clai with hi, doll," Zane drawled as he squeezed Ty"s hand He glanced at his partner "Surely we can find so Zane"s hand back as he lowered his voice, losing the fake accent "If you keep patronizingto kick your ass e"re alone And you won"t have sex for teeks, just remember that"

Annoyed, Zane stopped in place, turned Ty toward him, and put one hand on Ty"s face, thu, and you know it There"s no reason for you to be this cranky,"

Zane said, injecting a tinge of warning into his voice, and it wasn"t Corbin"s influence

Ty narrowed his eyes, his head tilting slightly in the way it usually did in the ring before Zane ended up on the ers on the promenade and the fact that they could always be observed He said nothing, just exhaling heavily in response Playing his role, whether he liked it or not Zane frowned It wasn"t like Ty to be this difficult, even if he wasn"t thrilled with his part in the case

Conscious of the people walking around them, he released Ty"s chin, and when Zane spoke, he kept his voice very low, deliberately dropping Corbin"s drawl "Is there so I need to know about?"

"Look at ood ti yourself so much, you prick"

It was difficult to decide between a huff and a laugh, but regardless, Zane rolled his eyes "Suck it up," he answered "You"ve had a hell of a lot worse" He slid his arain "What you need is a drink," he announced

"Darily "But I can"t drink because who’s an alcoholic?" he asked sarcastically He was obviously frustrated, both by the role he had to play and by the lack of outlet for that frustration He was tense despite all the "relaxing" he"d been doing, and Zane knew he"d be spoiling for a fight that was not of the good by the ti for hi? Zane needed to put a stop to that thought right now He caught Ty by both shoulders, met his eyes, and spoke clearly but quietly "Listen tojust because I have Seriously"

"I"m not that cruel," Ty told him frankly "I"ve seen the look in your eyes when alcohol is ive "

"It"s not cruel And what do youa little "Whatever look you"re seeing inif you’re wondering if I"on and drink up"

Ty shook his head patiently "It"s the look of an addict seeing so he wants," he said without malice He spoke with an almost-kind frankness that was rare for Ty, ain es, s in the sae, and I"h to combine two of them in front of you"

The surprise kept Zane quiet for a few hts before he could reply Why he was constantly surprised by how observant and insightful Ty could be, he didn"t know

"I do appreciate the thought But really, I can honestly tell you that as long as you"re around, it"s no contest"

Ty snorted and looked away, his eyes darting back and forth over the crowd of passengers shopping along the proh, and he nodded and glanced back at Zane uncole" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>