Page 51 of The Locker Room

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bicep.

“No,” Chris said softly. “You don"t. You hold me, and kiss me, but

it"s more than just our age that"s gotten in the way, Xan, and you know

it.”

Xan turned his head and looked at Chris, those dark eyes deep and

eternal in the starlight. “I will love you for as long as we live,” he said

softly, meaning every word. “And I will love you if this is as close as we

ever get.”

“Why wouldn"t you want to get closer to me, Xander? This is us.

It"s been us for four years. Why wouldn"t we want to finish this?”

Xander swallowed. “Because it"s you and basketball, Christian.

Only one of you can break my heart.”

Christian nodded, and propped himself up on his elbow, the

moonlight haloing that golden hair behind him. “I don"t love basketball

nearly as much as I love you,” he said softly, and lowered his head for a

kiss.

That would have to be enough. Itwasenough as his lips touched

Xander"s. Chris"s lips were so soft, and he always tasted… sweet. Like

sunshine and cookies. Maybe it was his nature, or the fact that he trusted

44

Amy Lane

everyone, just trusted that it would be okay, but Chris always tasted like

sunshine and cookies.

Xander"s soul fed on that taste. He devoured it, pulled it inside. In a

moment, less, he"d rolled Chris over and had taken control, pinning

Chris to the bed with his mouth and the widening breadth of his

shoulders and chest. Chris moaned under him, and this time it was Chris

who wrapped gangly arms and long legs around Xander"s shoulders and

hips, and Xander who thrust against him. He was almost lost, almost out

of control when Chris pulled back.

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