To Linzer & to Cherish by Jen FitzGerald

Author:Jen FitzGerald
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Knotted Hearts Publishing
Published: 2021-09-20T10:21:12+00:00

Chapter Nine

Chocolate and cherries. That’s what Simon tasted like to Zane. Like a picnic on a warm lazy afternoon in mid-summer.

Zane hadn’t felt this awash in contentment in ages. Laying here like this, just being together was how things were supposed to be when you spent time with someone you—

Someone you cared about. He could admit that he cared about Simon. Liked certainly. Was definitely attracted to. Enjoyed kissing and being close to. Wanted to kiss and be close to again in the future.

He wouldn’t jump to the ‘L’ word yet. It was too soon for that, wasn’t it?

Of course, it was. He’d known Ingram for several years before they’d started dating, and then they’d dated for three years. Look how that turned out.

“Do you want to stop?”

Simon’s breathless voice brought Zane up short, and he focused on the man in his arms.

And dismissed the one in his head.

“No. Sorry… I was just thinking and then one thought led to another and another.”

“Am I doing something wrong?”

“No, I swear. My thoughts were about you, but then there’s that sort of random thought association thing brains do and—”

Simon’s eyebrow arched.

“I’m sorry.” Zane put his fingertips to his temple and faux-pulled, then flicked his fingers as if tossing his metaphorical thoughts away. “I’m here and I’m staying. I promise.”

“Good, that’s good. Where were we?”

Zane’s erection strained against his slacks. “Well, you appear to have a hard-on and I definitely have a hard-on, and I’m wondering if you want to do something about them?”

A bright flush washed up Simon’s face. “Oh, um… Yes, please.”

Yes, please. How charming was that?

Zane tugged at Simon’s shirt, fumbled with his pants, and Simon stilled.

Zane stopped immediately, his erection losing some of its enthusiasm. “What’s wrong?”

Simon shook his head. “Nothing. Sorry.”

“That wasn’t nothing.”

“It really was.”

“Look, Simon, we’re not going any farther until you tell me what just happened.”

Simon dropped his head and groaned. “Are you really that gentlemanly?”

“If that means reading people’s body language as much as listening to their words, then yes.”

“This is embarrassing.”

“Not at all.”

Simon rested his head on Zane’s shoulder with a sigh, struggling to reply for whatever reason. Maybe Zane could help. “You have a spring break tattoo you regret? A heart-shaped birthmark? A surgery scar?” He kept his tone serious, despite the amusing nature of his first two suggestions.

“If only.”

“Whatever it is, I’m not going to judge, I promise. With almost two dozen people in my family, I’ve seen and heard and dealt with a lot of stuff as a result.”

Simon nodded and took a breath. “You, uh, your body is stacked, and mine isn’t. Not even a little.”

“Okay… What are we talking about here?” Did he have burn scars or a deformity? Not that Zane cared, he just wanted to know what he was dealing with.

“Try as I might, I can’t get rid of the extra fifteen pounds I carry around my middle. I’m not as in-shape as you are.”

“Ah.” He bit back the “is that all” poised on his tongue. He knew all too well that Simon’s issues could be deeper than a few extra pounds.

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