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Chapter 3

Zane and Ty had just enough tiether When the water started running cold, they turned it off and stayed in the shower for several h to drive them into the bed and under the covers They fell asleep wrapped up in each other

When Zane woke, he slipped out of Ty’s arms and pulled on a robe He headed for the doors to the balcony and stood leaning against the fraardens, the cliffs, and the choppy ocean beyond

The bed creaked, and he turned Ty was sitting on the edge, wearing only his sweatpants, watching him "What do you think?" he asked after another ure it would be so fucking beautiful But it’srugged and captivating"

Ty’s eyes strayed to the pristine vista behind Zane, then back to Zane He smiled slowly

"Kind of like someone else I know," Zane added He raised an eyebrow "I sense "

Ty stood and joined Zane by the doors Zane turned, and Ty stopped in the doorway, facing him with the same crooked s i hiardens below, a sheer cliff stretched in either direction, ushering the angry sea along its way

"Ty?"

Ty took a deep breath and grasped Zane’s hand

"What are you up to now?" Zane asked, even ht His hand involuntarily tightened on Ty’s, and all he could do was stare into Ty’s eyes He’d never dreamed he’d hear Ty say those words, especially not so soon after returning hos Ty had offered hiers, inhaling deeply to cal inside him

Zane did want to marry Ty But he didn’t want it yet, not when they still had so much to learn about themselves and each other

"No," he breathed

"No?"

"No," Zane repeated shakily Ty huffed Thank God he looked beentle s to think about it?"

"No," Zane repeated, more confident this time He was relieved Ty didn’t appear to be hurt, but he also kneell Ty could hide his feelings He took Ty’s face in his hands, hurrying to explain "I know you, Ty And I know the thought probably just popped into your h You haven’t looked at it frole other than the one we can see from our balcony"

"That doesn’t

"I know, doll" Zane took a deep breath, wishing he had the words to explain just what TyThe ti yes, not after they’d been apart for so long, not after all that had happened to the seeh, not when so hed "Let’slet’s get to know each other again first And you give it asAnd if you can convince me you’ve done that, then when you ask me, I’ll answer as fast as you always do"

Ty’s lips quirked up, and he didn’t take his eyes off Zane’s when he leaned back "You’re saying no?"

Zane stepped closer and kissed hi no for now"

Ty cupped his cheek, his fingers playing with the tips of Zane’s curls "I’ until you say yes"

"I look forward to it" Zane grinned, drawling when he added, "Try to be creative next time, huh?"

Ty kissed him one last time, then shoved at his chest and patted his cheek hard "Asshole," he grunted before turning away

Zane reached past Ty on both sides to grasp the doorfrarowled

Ty s his chin out for a kiss Just before their lips brushed, there was a loud rap on the door

Zane pulled back, and Ty huffed in irritation "And so it begins"

Zane chuckled and let Ty loose, going to his suitcase to unpack and to find clothes for dinner When Ty opened the door, Mara Grady threw herself into his arhed in surprise and returned the hug "Hey, Ma"

"Don’t you ‘Hey, Ma,’ ot here? Gone a year--"

"Less than six months"

"--and can’t co hied hi his back

"Missed you too, Ma"

Zane chuckled and moved closer

Mara released Ty and practically shoved him aside as she stalked into the room "Don’t you think you can hide fro"

"Yes, ma’am," Zane said, and the sed her

"You boys both look so handso his robe and Ty was in a ratty pair of sweatpants

Ty laughed, rubbing a hand over his chin as he closed the door "Where’s Dad?"

"Still trying to convince your grandfather that we did not just hit the shore of Guadalcanal and he should not hit anyone on the head with that shovel" Mara released Zane and put her hands on her hips

Ty was biting his lip hard as he tried not to smile "Did you cohtfully "Might not be a bad idea"