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Josh shook his head. “I don’t think tonight. God, I want to, but I think a little time isn’t a bad idea. We’ve had quite a night already. We could both use some sleep.”

“Josh, come on. Look what you’re doing to me.” Pushing back against the bark, Tyler reached down and squeezed his own straining lump of cock through the jeans.

“Same. All the more reason.” Josh wiped his mouth and nodded down at their pressed erections. “It’s a school night. We have an early run.”

Tyler kissed his throat and bit Josh’s earlobe.

Josh whimpered in pleasure and licked into his mouth, sucking at his tongue with gentle insistence.

Pulling back, Tyler pressed their cocks together through the denim. “Evil.”

“Hey. You gave me permission. You just said you wanted it bad.”

“Jeez. Seriously evil.” Tyler ground into him, savoring the friction and knowing how close he was to the edge.

They kissed once more, slowly, breathing each other in, pulling closer and marking each other. By now, Tyler could feel the outer limits… if he kept going a little further, he’d fall over the cliff just like this.

Tyler tried again, flashing his most winning grin. “Okay—okay. Second offer, we’ll just sleep. Just spend the night next to me. No wanky. No hanky-panky. Just to be able hold you and sleep would be better than anything.”

Josh had the nerve to laugh at him. “Uh-huh. Like that would happen.”

“Argh.” Tyler’s heart thudded with a mix of disappointment and gratitude; he tried to ignore his hardness throbbing between them. He whispered, “Joshua. You’re so cautious.”

“I try to be.”

Tyler smiled, staring up at the dark sky then back into the dark blue eyes. “Don’t you ever do anything half-assed?”

“Nope. Full-assed only.” Josh looked wicked and took two big handfuls of Tyler’s glutes, spreading them and kneading them with a hard grip. “I’m a demanding bastard. I want the whole damn thing to myself for as long as you’ll let me.”

Tyler groaned and kissed him, tasting his tongue and pushing back into his hands. His dick flexed in his pants again, flexed hard, the crown almost cresting his waistband. A little more, just a little more pressure and he was going to—

Josh stepped back. “You think I’m naïve, Fantana? With that big knob dribbling on me? Not going to happen.”

Tyler sighed, disappointed and weirdly elated too. Not many people had ever resisted a charm offensive that way. “You’re in charge.”

“Hardly.” Josh took his hand and tugged him away from the tree, heading for the curved path. “Walk me out?”

Tyler nodded and let Josh lead him to the gate and out to the curb, feeling the ache in his dick, a heavy longing but also a funny peace. Josh had promised nothing, yet given everything.

Standing beside the truck, Josh turned to Tyler one last time. They kissed under the starlit sky, nothing raunchy but so real, so true it burned his lips. Tyler felt so full he thought his heart might melt.

Josh pulled back, eyes bright in the half light. “Tomorrow?”

“That’s a start.”

Josh’s truck engine started, and he drove off, leaving Tyler leaning against the front door watching, his humming heart on his sleeve.

He watched until the tiny red taillights slipped out of sight, the night suddenly chilly and clear, and he knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

The stars shone down on him from above, and he didn’t even need to look up to feel them.

Chapter Ten

JOSH LEARNED quickly that pro athletes play to win.

The next day, Tyler made Josh feel foolish for ever doubting his intentions. The next week even more so.

Since their backyard kiss in the gardenias, Tyler had set about courting him as though they actually had a stern chaperone and Tyler needed to prove his worth on the field of honor.