Page 50 of Loving a Warrior

Matt smoothed his hands over Shane’s chest, reveling in the feel of hard muscle under hair-dusted skin. “Yeah.”

“Well, I don’t think you should worry about that.” Shane twitched the sheet completely away, his fingertips flirting with the waistband of Matt’s straining underwear. “I’ve never met anyone so focused and determined in my life.” He leaned down to brush his lips over Matt’s. “You made it through Hell Week, for fuck’s sake. What does that say about you?”

“Aren’t you worried about it?” Matt gazed at him steadily, remembering the Chief Howe incident and Shane’s white, haunted face.

Shane closed his eyes. “Yeah, I definitely learned my lesson that day, that I need to compartmentalize better.” He paused. “Honestly, if we weren’t in separate classes now, I don’t think we’d be having this conversation.”

Matt nodded. Shane continued to stroke his hip, his touch light, undemanding, no pressure, just letting Matt know where he stood. That, and the fact he was even willing to talk about this went a long way, and Matt could feel himself relaxing.

He linked his arms loosely around Shane’s neck and studied him. “I don’t want to lose your friendship either,” he admitted. “You’re about the only friend I’ve got.”

Shane’s expression turned tense. Matt cupped his cheek. “What is it?”

“Nothing.” Shane sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s just, sometimes sex and friendship don’t mix, you’re right about that.” He shook his head. “I don’t have the answers here, Matt.”

“Well, neither do I, so I guess we’ll just bumble our way through this. How about, training always comes first, friendship second, sex last?” He laughed when Shane gave a mock scowl. “I know, that sounds really weird, especially when all I can think about when I’m around you is the last one.”

“Good thing you won’t be around me much, then. I’m gonna have to start First Phase back at the beginning. God help me.”

Matt gave a commiserating groan and their eyes met. “Hey.” He stroked the nape of Shane’s neck with his thumb. “Thanks for talking this out with me. It means a lot.”

Shane gave a careless shrug. “I’m a talker and a hugger. Get used to it.”

“And I’m—” Matt paused. What was he?

“Prickly as hell.” Shane bent his head to kiss him softly. “As I said before… I like it.”

Matt let his eyes drift shut as Shane’s lips settled fully over his. Rolling around on wet concrete or in a muddy backyard while high on competitiveness and adrenaline was hot, but there was definitely something to be said for long, slow, drugging kisses while being held close in a proper bed.

“What do you want?” Matt whispered as Shane eased away and nuzzled his cheek.

“I want you to sleep.” Shane arranged the pillows once again under Matt’s knees. “I was serious when I said I didn’t bring you over here for this.”

“What? I wasn’t complaining.”

“I know, but you’re tired and sore.” Shane flipped the light off once again. “You’re gonna need all your stamina to keep up with me, so get some rest.”

Matt grumbled under his breath as Shane lay down and pulled the covers over both of them, but truth be told, exhaustion was still lurking along the edges of his consciousness, not to mention the myriad aches and pains that made themselves known every time he moved.

He sighed. “You could at least blow me and ease my stress.”

“I could. But what would I get in return?” Shane’s voice was teasing. “You grunting in pain? ‘Oh, Shane, you’re so big. Get that enormous thing out of my mouth.’” He made a mock gagging sound, then laughed when Matt reached over and smacked him on the chest.

“Shut up, you idiot.”

“Shutting up.” Shane pressed a kiss to Matt’s shoulder. “Night, Soup.”

Matt fell asleep with a smile on his face.

* * *

When he woke again the sun was high in the sky. Shane was nowhere to be seen and his side of the bed was ice cold. Matt struggled to sit up and peered at the clock on the nightstand. One in the afternoon. Shit. He pushed to his feet and took a few cautious steps, pleased to notice there was just the faintest of twinges in his knees. Amazing what some good sustained rest could do.

He dressed in a pair of running shorts and a tank top, relieved that he’d remembered to pack his sneakers. The mental fog that had been a part of him for days was gone, and except for a gnawing hunger, he felt much like his old self again. His pre–Hell Week self.

Shane wasn’t in the kitchen either, but he’d left a note saying he’d taken Matt’s truck to run a few errands and he’d be back ASAP. Matt perused the contents of the fridge before whipping up a thick ham and cheese omelet that he devoured in a few large bites. He drank a glass of water, then went out to the porch to do some stretching, enjoying the afternoon sun and cool breeze from the nearby ocean.

Heading off down the sidewalk at a slow jog, Matt kept it light and easy. It didn’t take long for him to realize he wasn’t a hundred percent yet, so he did two measly miles down and back, telling himself to be patient. The sight of his truck parked in Shane’s driveway added some much-needed spring to his step at the end, and he went into a few quick cool-down stretches, wincing at the residual stiffness he couldn’t seem to work out.