Page 16 of Sapphire Sunset

“Kinda.”

“Is that a good thing? Should I be annoyed by that?”

“Better to be the prince than a peasant, I guess,” Logansaid.

“Are those really the only two choices?”

Logan laughed, but there was relief in it. As if Connor’ssnarky response had shined a light on possibilities he hadn’t seen before now.“I guess not.”

“Whatever. I’ll let it go.”

Silence then, save for the gurgling of the sea pushing its waypast them and deeper into the cave.

Connor rested his elbows on the rail on either side of him,an attempt to look casual even though the sight of Logan leaning against thecave wall, hands in his pockets, studying Connor with ahalfsmilemade Connor feel welded in place. “All right, your turn.”

“My turn for what?” Logan asked.

“I told you mine, and my grandpa’s. What’s your magicmoment?”

“Okay.” Logan straightened. “So if I remember correctly,it’s like a moment when you’re doing something you love and you feel the mostsatisfied by it. Is that right?”

“Exactly.” Connor was thrilled that Logan had listened soclosely.

“Well, my life is kind of starting over, so I’m kind offiguring out what it is I love to do. Kickboxing’s up there, but that’s more ofa fast and furious kind of thing, and the high is mostly when I’m done. Notsure there’s really a magic hour there. There was some stuff about the Marinesthat I loved, especially once I was a staff sergeant and I was in the zone forgunnery sergeant. But a lot of it was tough, and a lot to hold.”

“I’m sure.”

When Logan started toward him through the shadows, Connor’sbreath caught. His feet felt planted to the boards, and the sides of his facegot tingly and hot.

“So if I had to pick,” Logan said, “I’d pick this one.”

“Walking rounds?”

“No. I’d pick the moment when I’m finally all alone with aguy who drives me wild, and I know we’re about to kiss, but I’m not sure when.So there’s this tension in the air, and I can feel it. Everywhere.”

They were inches apart now, so close Connor had to look upat him to maintain eye contact.

“And we’re both circling, waiting for the right moment. AndI’m trying to take itkindaslow because I know onelittle touch”—Logan gently grazed Connor’s cheek with the side of one finger—“andit might turn into a lot more than a kiss. But first, there’s a promise to bekept.”

“What promise is that?” Connor asked in a squeaky whisper.

“I believe you promised me a dance.”

“Or you promisedmeone.”

“Either way, seems like time.”

Logan took Connor’s hand, and suddenly they were in a poseConnor had never adopted with another man anywhere—sea cave, dance floor, orclub—the starting position for a slow, romantic waltz. Sure, he’d done plentyof bumping and grinding, but never cheek to cheek with another man. He wiltedinto Logan’s massive, powerful embrace, trying to take his time with it so hecould savor every instant of new touch. Logan’s body was as hard and unyieldingas Connor had hoped it would be, but the grip of his hand in Connor’s waspowerful, and inside, Connor felt boneless.

His head came to rest against Logan’s solid chest, and eventhough they weren’t even looking at each other, even though their mouths hadn’tmet, he could already feel the same surge of overpowering desire that hadroared through him the first time he’d ever truly lip-locked with another boyand realizedYes, this is the way it should be. For me. Yes, this is who Iam.

The prospect of kissing Logan Murdoch felt like it would bejust as revealing, just as full of potential. A moment that divided things intobefore and after.

“Obviously, I’m a slow dancekindaguy.” Logan’s deep, rumbling voice tickled Connor’s ear.

“Works for me.”

“I mean, there’s not a lot of room in here to do a wholeLady Gaga thing.”

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